Author: Alade Adisa

The Federal Government is planning its defence against the suit filed by 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors challenging the imposition of state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. This comes after a top official at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja disclosed on Wednesday that the government has officially received the opposition governors’ suit. Speaking on condition of anonymity for lack of authorisation, the source said the suit had been served on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. According to PUNCH, the source stated, “They have served the HAGF with the…

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was pausing higher targeted tariffs for 90 days for most countries, a stunning reversal in his trade war that has sent markets reeling. In a post on X just before 1:30 p.m., Trump wrote that he came to the decision because more than 75 trading partners did not retaliate and have reached out to the U.S. to “discuss” some of the issues he had raised. But the pause didn’t apply to China, which has retaliated — with 84% hikes. Trump instead raised duties for that country to 125%, effective immediately. “Based on the lack…

The Vice-President, Kashim Shettima has said that ongoing efforts by the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to confront the challenges of the federal system were the only path to sustainable development. Shettima, who spoke during the 7th edition of Annual Leadership Conference and Awards, held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, said, ”This administration, under the leadership of Tinubu is confronting these challenges directly. ”We have chosen the path of reform. It is bold, often difficult, but necessary. One such step is our unflinching pursuit of local government autonomy—a vision we are realizing through the sanctity of due…

….After Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ duties take effect China has said it will raise its tariff on US goods to 84%, retaliating to the hefty new tariffs on its imports that kicked in on Wednesday in the renewed trade war. The move came after the Trump administration followed through on a threat to add a 50% tariff on Chinese goods, in addition to 34% reciprocal tariffs, raising the overall tariff rate on Chinese goods to 104%. The steep new duties on China and 184 other US trading partners took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Beijing’s move marks further deterioration in…

The Trump administration is considering launching drone strikes on drug cartels in Mexico as part of an ambitious effort to combat criminal gangs trafficking narcotics across the southern border, according to six current and former U.S. military, law enforcement and intelligence officials with knowledge of the matter. Discussions among White House, Defence Department and intelligence officials, which are still at an early stage, have included possible drone strikes against cartel figures and their logistical networks in Mexico with the cooperation of Mexico’s government, the sources said. Still, the administration has made no final decision and reached no definitive agreement about…

Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has said only the president and the vice-president should be allowed to have absolute immunity so that they can concentrate on good governance. Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State spoke during an appearance on Political Paradigm, a Channels Television programme aired on Tuesday. The two-term governor advocated a constitutional amendment that would restrict immunity from prosecution strictly to the offices of the President and Vice-President. While the current provision in Section 308 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution shields the president, vice-president, governors, and deputy governors from prosecution while in office, Daniel argued that this…

Amid the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, 11 governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have filed a suit to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s powers to suspend democratically elected officials of a state at the Supreme Court. The opposition governors also challenged the imposition of emergency rule in the oil-rich state in the suit. The plaintiffs in the suit are; Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa states. Though it had been previously widely reported that the suit had been filed before the Supreme Court, New…

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. He also approved the reconstitution of previously suspended boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals. The approval for the appointments, which take effect from Monday, April 7, 2025, was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika. With a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt having earlier barred Ibas from making such appointments, this new development comes amid mounting legal and political…

President Donald Trump is set to impose an astounding 104% in levies across all Chinese imports on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Tuesday. This comes on top of Chinese tariffs that were in place prior to Trump’s second term.China was already set to see tariffs increase by 34% on Wednesday as part of Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs package. But the president tacked on another 50% after Beijing didn’t back off its promise to impose 34% retaliatory tariffs on US goods by noon Tuesday, adding an additional 84% in duties. ”Additional 50% tariffs ‘a mistake upon a mistake’”…

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Rivers State Police Command to tender an unreserved public apology over the assault on five journalists during a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt or risk a statewide media blackout. In a statement jointly signed by the Council Chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, and Secretary, Dr. Ijeoma Tubosia, the NUJ condemned the actions of police officers involved, demanding their immediate identification and prosecution. “The NUJ, as a watchdog of society, will not sit idly by while media practitioners are subjected to barbarism and brutality. Enough is enough,” the statement…