Author: Helen Okechukwu

The Supreme Court has overturned the decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had sacked Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). A five-member panel of the apex court ruled that the matter of who occupies the position of PDP National Secretary is an internal affair of the party and, therefore, beyond judicial intervention. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur struck out the October 2024 trial court ruling and nullified the majority judgment of the appellate court, which had in December upheld Anyanwu’s removal. Justice Tukur instead affirmed…

In the advent of emergency rule in the state, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of security personnel and resources to monitor and safeguard Rivers State. In collaboration with Armed Forces and other security agencies, Egbetokun gave this order, indicating that the political crisis could have broader implications for national security. This was contained in a statement shared by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, dated 20 March. This came after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on 18 March along with the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy…

With determination to ensure a healthy life for its citizens, three global cities have been awarded for preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries. The World Health Organization (WHO) made this known on Thursday during the annual Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in Paris. The summit aims to tackle public health issues and employ effective strategies for saving lives and building healthier communities at the local level. The summit assembles Bloomberg Philanthropies, the co-host, the World Health Organization (WHO), Vital Strategies, and the City of Paris, convening mayors and officials from 61 cities. The three cities honored include Córdoba (Argentina), Fortaleza…

To avert security unrest in the state, the National President of the South South Youth Initiative (SSYI), Mr Oscar Imeabe, has beckoned on Rivers State youths to adhere to law and order as the political turmoil continues to unfold. In an interview session held on Wednesday, Imeabe, who is also the spokesperson for the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), demanded the vacation of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from office. He alleged that President Bola Tinubu and the FCT minister were responsible for the crisis witnessed in the state. During the interview,…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu over his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials. The NBA condemned the move as unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent that undermines Nigeria’s democracy. In a statement issued on 18 March, and signed by its president, Mazi Osigwe, SAN, the NBA asserted that the President lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally remove or suspend an elected governor and lawmakers under the guise of emergency rule. Tinubu’s Action Sparks Constitutional Crisis The NBA warned that Tinubu’s decision…

The political battle between pro-Wike allies and Governor Siminalayi Fubara continues to escalate following the Supreme Court judgment, causing significant setbacks to the economy and development of Rivers State, with residents bearing the brunt of the turmoil. Since December 2023, Governor Fubara and 27 lawmakers, including Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA), Martins Amaewhule, have been locked in a prolonged political crisis. The conflict stems from allegations of defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), disputes over state fund allocations, and impeachment threats. This unrest has severely impacted the state’s economy…

Another explosion has reportedly occurred at an oil facility in Okwawriwa, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA), following the Trans-Niger Terminal pipeline explosion that happened in Bodo, Gokana LGA of Rivers State. The exploded pipeline is said to be a federal pipeline that transports crude oil to Imo State and Brass in Bayelsa State. It was gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday. An eyewitness disclosed that the explosion affected strategic points belonging to Seplat, Agip, and Shell. Meanwhile, due to the location of the manifold, reports indicate that no casualties were recorded. However, the explosion caused…

Nigeria’s Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has called for urgent measures to address Africa’s water security and sanitation challenges, citing slow progress toward the Africa Water Vision 2025. According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Utsev made the appeal at the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) West Africa sub-regional meeting and consultation on the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy in Abuja on Tuesday. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, the minister expressed concerns over the region’s water and sanitation situation. “Africa remains off track in realising the Africa Water Vision 2025,” he…

The Rivers State Police Command has strongly refuted reports circulated online, alleging that violent riots erupted in the state, resulting in setting the residence of Nyesom Wike, incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ablaze. In a press statement issued on Monday to journalists, Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson described it as “deliberate report , false and baseless” with the intent of inciting unrest and fear among Rivers residents. She stressed that there is no record of any such incident and assured the public that normalcy prevails across the state. “The general public is urged to disregard these unfounded…

Nigerian authorities have frustrated the plans of some Drug Trafficking Organisations (DTOs) attempting to traffic hard drugs to the United States of America (US), Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a document shared on the agency’s website on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy, stated that drugs such as cocaine, tramadol, loud, molly, among others, were concealed inside prayer beads, packs of board games, and female clothing. The drug dealers attempted to ship the consignment via logistics firms and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Two suspects have reportedly been arrested after…