IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has demanded the immediate reversal of the state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu.

Eze described the March 18 decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly as unconstitutional and a threat to democracy. He warned that failure to reinstate the officials within seven days would result in legal action against the President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Rivers State Administrator.

He accused Tinubu of bias in the political crisis between Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, alleging the move was a ploy to undermine democracy.

Despite widespread opposition to the emergency rule, the National Assembly swiftly approved it through a voice vote. 

Kogi Central constituents have formally submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demanding the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the National Assembly.

The petition, signed by over 250,000 voters—more than half of the 480,000 registered voters in the senatorial district—was presented on Monday at INEC’s Lokoja office by Ms. Charity Ijese on behalf of the constituents.

The petitioners accuse Akpoti-Uduaghan of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and evading due process, stating that her actions have embarrassed Kogi Central and tarnished the Senate’s integrity. They demand that INEC initiate the recall process and declare her seat vacant, citing Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution.

Following the submission, Ijese and other constituents reaffirmed their commitment to seeing the recall process through, which must be completed within 90 days. 

Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has terminated the appointments of 13 staff members for offences including sexual misconduct and abandonment of duty.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ayodele, announced this on Monday during a press briefing ahead of the university’s 29th convocation ceremony. He emphasized that his administration upholds strict discipline, ensuring staff and students adhere to university regulations.

According to Ayodele, disciplinary measures taken include dismissing three staff for duty abandonment, one for sexual misconduct, and barring three from holding leadership positions for three years. Additionally, 21 staff members received warnings for various offences.

Meanwhile, the university is set to graduate 16,446 students from the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic sessions, including 200 first-class graduates. The convocation, scheduled for March 29, will also feature the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, FIRS Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji, and BOI Board Chairman Dr. Mansur Muhtar.

The VC praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for increasing EKSU’s monthly subvention from N260 million to N410 million, which has helped clear outstanding staff salaries and allowances, boosting morale and academic stability. 

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has cautioned state commissioners of police against indiscriminately setting up tactical units, warning that they should not replace recognized police departments, particularly at state command headquarters.

In a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, the PSC noted that some state commissioners have misused these units, undermining established police departments led by Deputy Commissioners of Police.

During the screening of nine commissioners recommended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for state command appointments, the PSC emphasized that the new CPs must ensure recognized departments remain functional.

Meanwhile, the Commission approved the IGP’s recommendations for the appointment of:

--Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba (Kano State) as CP Zamfara

--Breret Emmanuel Simon (Plateau State) as CP Taraba

--Christopher Ado Emmanuel (Niger State) as CP Yobe

--Olusegun Eyitayo Omosayin (Ondo State) as CP Cross River

--Adamu Abdullahi Elleman (Jigawa State) as CP Niger

--Sani Omolori Aliyu (Kogi State) as CP Bauchi

Bello Shehu (Gombe State) as CP Katsina

The newly appointed CPs underwent an interactive oral interview coordinated by DIG Taiwo Lakanu, a PSC commissioner representing the police.

PSC Chairman, Hashimu Argungu, urged the officers to prevent the misuse of tactical units and ensure they do not take over the responsibilities of recognized departments. He also stressed the importance of collaborating with Deputy Commissioners appointed by the IGP.

DIG Lakanu advised the CPs to foster trust among their subordinates and communities, including youths, traditional leaders, and organizations. He warned against setting up unnecessary squads, emphasizing the need for proper coordination in policing operations. 

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has awarded a cheque of N500,000 to Miss Ifebude Benson, the overall best candidate in the 2023 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination conducted by the National Examination Council (NECO).

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, presented the award on behalf of the governor to Ifebude’s father, Mr. Ben Benson, on Sunday in Awka.

Chuma-Udeh stated that the gesture was aimed at promoting academic excellence among students in Anambra, highlighting the government’s investment in education to align with global standards.

Ifebude, a native of Ndikelionwu in Orumba North Local Government Area, achieved A1 in all nine subjects she took in the examination. She is currently studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Abuja.

Expressing gratitude, her father, Benson, praised Soludo for the recognition, describing him as a leader who values hard work and academic excellence. He noted that the award would further inspire his daughter to excel and positively represent the state. 

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has sued President Bola over what it describes as the “unlawful suspension” of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly.

Last Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspended the governor and other elected officials for an initial period of six months. He cited as the basis for his action “the disturbing” violence in the state in the last 24 hours, including explosions and vandalisation of petroleum pipelines, linked to the political crises in the state.

The President had relied on Section 305 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution in his decision that has been greeted with criticism from several interest groups, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, opposition leaders and erudite lawyers.

In a statement on Sunday, SERAP argued that the decision violates constitutional provisions and undermines democratic governance. The group said it filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday via three members of its Volunteers’ Lawyers Network (SVLN) in Rivers State—Yirabari Israel Nulog, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal, and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho. “The rule of law would be a mere figure of speech if the people’s right to participation can be arbitrarily suspended or violated,” SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare said.

“Democracy is an inherent element of the rule of law. Nigeria’s democracy ought to have as its foundation respect for human rights and the rule of law,” the statement read. To the group, the suspension contradicts both the Nigerian Constitution and international legal obligations, citing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.

“The combined provisions of Sections 1(2), 14(1)(c), 176(1)(2), and 305(1) of the Nigerian Constitution create a delicate balance of rights and responsibilities, ensuring that the exercise of presidential power does not override the people’s right to participate in their own governance,” it said.