Rivers: APC Seeks State Of Emergency, Say Governor Fubara Is Helpless

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June 19, 2024

Siminalayi Fubara - Governor of River State — Governor Similanayi Fubara

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has called on the Federal Government to declare state of emergency in the state.

Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, made the call on Wednesday during a media briefing in Port Harcourt shortly after Governor Siminalayi Fubara inaugurated Caretaker Committee for the 23 Local Government Areas in the state.

According to him “Rivers State is at war. And the dramatis personae who are responsible for the mayhem that has claimed lives are known.

“The Governor is helpless, the Police is helpless. Therefore the APC in Rivers State is calling for a state of emergency in Rivers State as a way of taming the mayhem, the upsurge that is going on in the state. I call on the federal government to act fast in this regard.”

The call by the APC may not be unconnected with recent judicial pronouncements by courts on the status of the state House of Assembly.

The State Legislature has been divided into two with majority members pitching tent with the APC and only two still remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on whose platform they all won election.

The members who decamped to the APC had earlier granted extension of tenure for the former local government chairmen that were sacked on Tuesday by Governor Sim Fubara.

Former Ag DG’s Actions Not Representative of the Commission – NATCOM Clarifies

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The Source

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June 19, 2024

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The National Commission against the Proliferation of Arms, Light Weapons, and Pipeline Vandalism (NATCOM) has distanced itself from alleged illegal activities of its former Acting Director-General (DG), Adejare Adegbenro.

Mr Adegbenro is currently facing prosecution at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged fraudulent activities related to national security.

In a statement signed by it’s Public Relations Officer, Shally Charles Theophilus, on Tuesday, NATCOM emphasised that its volunteer workforce comprises responsible and law-abiding individuals from diverse professional backgrounds.

Reacting to recent media reports on the travails of the former Acting DG, the statement noted that NATCOM cannot be held accountable for the actions of an individual.

The commission further clarified that a vote of no confidence had already been passed on Adegbenro before his arrest, adding that an internal/external memo issued by the Office of the Interim Director General (now Acting DG), Dr. Agaba Iduh Fidel, categorically distanced NATCOM from the former Ag.DG’s activities.

“The general public was warned that Adegbenro was not acting on behalf of the Management of NATCOM”, the statement stressed.

Furthermore, NATCOM highlighted that the former Ag DG had been removed from office and was impersonating as NATCOM Ag.DG during the alleged offenses and subsequent arrest for the ongoing prosecution.

NATCOM insisted that the commission awaits Presidential Assent for its establishment and the appointment of a substantive Director General.

“Until then, NATCOM reaffirms its commitment to legal operations and authorised collaboration with relevant security agencies and government authorities as volunteers”, the statement concluded.

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James Ezema is a Digital Marketing Executive, human rights campaigner, veteran journalist and political scientist.

He can be reached via +2348035823617 (WhatsApp/Calls/SMS).

Rivers: Governor Fubara Orders Audit Of LGs Accounts

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Ayodele Oni

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June 19, 2024

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Fubara Swears-In Local Councils' Chairpersons

By Ayodele Oni and Suleiman Anyalewechi

The first task before the newly inaugurated Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State is to look into the accounts of the councils.

The State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, while inaugurating the 23 Council Bosses in Port Harcourt on Wednesday ordered the audit of Local Government accounts in the State.

The Governor in an early morning broadcast on Tuesday ordered the elected Councils officials to vacate office as their three years tenure expired on Monday.

Some of the Chairmen who attempted to resume office, despite the Governor’s order were attacked by protesters who besieged the Secretariat to chase them out.

The swearing-in comes a day after the governor forwarded the list to the State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Victor Jumbo.

Former Rivers Assembly had passed the Local Government Amendment bill into law but Fubara failed to assent to the bill.

While the Governor did not sign the bill, the Lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule vetoed him.

The amended bill which the Governor failed to assent to empowered the Rivers State Assembly to extend the tenure of Council Chairpersons, their Vice, and Councillors where it is deemed impossible to hold elections before the end of their three-year tenure.

Before their eventual sack on Tuesday, some of the ex Chairmen loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike had dared Governor Fubara to sack them and see the consequence.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has charged the state Auditor General to put machineries in motion to look into the financial records of the 23 Local Councils.

The Governor who issued the directive during the swearing-in of the interim Executives of the Local Councils said the audit which will cover the last three years is aimed at instilling financial sanity in the newly appointed Council officials

This is even as he urged the Interim Council Executives not to see themselves as a new set of Emperors ,but to use their new positions to serve the people.

He noted that the tenure of the Interim Management will be short, as the process for the election of Council officials will soon begin.

Rivers: Fubara Swears-In Local Councils’ Chairpersons

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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June 19, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, swore-in appointed Chairpersons for the 23 Local Councils of Rivers State.

The swearing-in ceremony held at the Council Chambers of the Rivers State Government House.

This followed the earlier screening and confirmation of the nominees by the Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo led State House of Assembly earlier in the day .

The appointment of the Caretaker Chairpersons was sequel to the expiry on Monday June 17, of the three year tenure of the elected Local bosses .

The Source reports that before the appointment of the new interim leadership, Governor Fubara, had on Tuesday, June,18, ordered the Administrative Heads of the various Councils to take control pending further directives.

The 27 pro- Wike Lawmakers had earlier made futile moves to elongate the tenure of the out-gone Council Head by six months.

The efforts could not sail through, owing to the refusal of an Appeal Court in Port Harcourt to overturn an earlier verdict of a Rivers State High court quashing the amendment to the State’s Local Council Laws by the 27 pro-Wike legislators.

It will be recalled that Justice Dagogo Jack of the State High court had, in a ruling, declared the seats of the 27 pro-Wike Lawmakers vacant by virtue of their defection to the rival All Progressive Congress, APC.

They were sponsored by and elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.

The court also proclaimed all their legislations, including the amendment to the State’s Local Council Laws and subsequent elongation of the tenure of the out gone Council Executives illegal, null and void.

The refusal of the Justice Jimi Olukayode led three-man panel of the Appeal Court to upturn the State High Court ruling on Friday June 14, resulted in the exit from office of the former Council Executives and the appointment and swearing-in of a caretaker leadership by the state Governor.

On Monday which marked the expiry day in office of the out-gone Local Council Chairmen, a number of them resisted and made to go back to their former offices. But they were confronted by hundreds of angry youths who chased them away. In Omuma Local Council, there were two fatalities- sadly a Police Officer and a member of a Local Vigilante Group.

In Obio-Akpor LGA, youths invaded the Headquarters pulled down and smashed Wike’s statue placed prominently on the premises. Their collective chant: “We no longer want Wike here.”

Did Tinubu Travel In His Private Jets To South Africa?

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James Orji

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June 19, 2024

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Bola Ahmed Tinubu flew one of his private aircrafts to South Africa, where he’s currently attending the inauguration of the country’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, according to sources close to the Nigerian President.

The Nigerian leader left the country on Tuesday alongside his entourage, including the governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-olu.

The south African leader had just been elected for the second time and Tinubu is attending his inauguration ceremony as one of Africa’s prominent leaders.

The development is coming amidst the controversy surrounding the ongoing plan by the federal government to acquire new aircrafts for the Presidential Fleet.

Many Nigerians, including the 2023 Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate has criticised the plan, describing it a luxury that the country cannot afford at the moment because of current economic hardship.

The magazine reported that the National Assembly recently recommended that new aircrafts to be acquired for Tinubu, and his vice, Kassim Shetima to avoid a potential disaster as a result of faulty presidential aircrafts.

Both Tinubu and Shetima were forced to shelve their trips outside the country after the aircrafts developed mechanical faults.

The situation, sources in the Presidency said may have forced Tinubu to travel in his private aircrafts to attend the inauguration in South Africa.

The Source magazine cannot verify this claim even though one of the aircrafts the president traveled with, is a Dassault Falcon 8X aircraft.

Tinubu is believed to own three private jets, including the Dassault Falcons aircraft series, Bombadier Challenger 605, and Gulfstream G550.

Reacting to the issue on his X handle Wale Adedayo said Tinubu may have decided to travel on his private jet to ensure his safety.

Adedayo said, “So the President went to South Africa with his Private Jet against security protocol this afternoon because almost all the Presidential Jets are faulty. Man said no be me you go use do sacrifice when I have my own money.”

Obi had accused Tinubu and other government officials of living in wanton luxury while many Nigerians are neck deep in poverty.

He explained that the plan to acquire new aircrafts for the Presidency pointed to that suggestion.

Therefore, not a few Nigerians have called on President Tinubu to use his private jets, instead of buying new aircrafts from the government’s coffers, as a way of proving to them that he’s prepared to make sacrifice in the face of the current economic challenges in the country.

National Politics: “I left $50bn Foreign Reserves, Obasanjo Says Amidst Criticism Over His Romance With Tinubu

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 19, 2024

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has boasted that he left over $50 billion in Nigeria’s foreign reserve while leaving office.

The former leader made this revelation on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital at a programme organized by NerdzFactory Company at the Safe Online Youth Fellowship Bootcamp.

The event was supported by Meta, according to the organisers.

Obasanjo’s remark comes on the heels of the fluctuations in Nigeria’s foreign reserves due to the current economic turbulence.

According to reports, the country’s foreign reserves have been struggling around $32 billion, creating a serious forex crisis and persistent devaluation of the naira.

The incumbent, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been trenchantly criticised for the current ecomomic hardship in the country as a result of the austerity measures introduced by his administration.

The measures which have brought untold hardship to Nigerians include the removal of petrol subsidy, convergence of the foreign exchange market, amongst others.

The former leader said, “When I came in as elected President, I wanted to get debt relief because we were spending $3.5 billion every year servicing debt and the quantum of the debt was not going down. Today, I can say that I made Nigeria better than I found it from an economic perspective.

“I found $3.7 billion in the reserves and we were spending $3.5 billion to service our debt. By the time I left, we had a debt of about $36 billion with the debt relief, and I left with a debt of $3.6 billion. Also, I left a reserve of over $50 billion. I also achieved excess crude for the country worth over $25 billion.”

Meanwhile, the former president has been dragged by not a few Nigerians for his recent perceived romance with the incumbent, whose administration he had in the past criticized.

Presidential Aircraft: ‘Alarmist’ Obi Wants Tinubu To Die In Aircrash- MURIC

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 19, 2024

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An Islamic body, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, says the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi wants President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to die in a plane crash.

MURIC made this known in a statement signed by its leader Prof. Ishaq Akintola on Tuesday.

The magazine reported that the National Assembly recently passed a resolution for new aircrafts to be purchased for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kassim Shetima.

In March, President Tinubu was forced to abandon one of the aircrafts in the Netherlands which he was supposed to travel with to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the World Economic Forum, WEF.

Shetima was also forced to abandon his travel to the United States, where he was billed to represent Tinubu in April after the aircraft he was supposed to travel with developed fault.

This, prompted NASS to pass a resolution for new aircrafts to be purchased for the Presidential fleet to prevent potential mishap for the president and his vice.

Not a few Nigerians, including Obi insist that the country cannot afford new aircrafts for the Presidency at this moment of serious economic hardship in the country.

The LP presidential candidate insist that President Tinubu is not showing good example by living in opulence, whereas the president has urged Nigerians to do the same.

Reacting MURIC said Obi wanted the presidential aircraft to crash just like the Iranian President and Malawi vice president.

On May 20, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran died in a helicopter crash alongside other top officials of the Islamic Republic in Azerbaijan while on an official duty.

Also on June 11, the vice president of Malawi, Dr. Saulos Chilima, was killed when his military plane crashed on the way to a funeral.

MURIC said the same fate awaits President Tinubu is new aircrafts were not immediately acquired, stressing that everything must be done to avoid a national calamity.

Describing Obi as an alarmist, MURIC said Obi became bitter since he lost the election to Tinubu last year.

Part of MURIC statement: “The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, yesterday, Monday 17th June, 2024 chided the Federal Government (FG) for planning to purchase new aircraft for the presidency.

“We have no iota of doubt that Peter Obi is shedding crocodile tears. His interest is not the improvement of Nigeria’s economic situation or that of the common man but to bring disaster to the presidency. Peter Obi nurses evil intentions.

“Peter Obi’s body language since the declaration of the results of the 2023 presidential elections has exposed him as a bitter politician and a bad loser who cannot come to terms with the reality of his defeat. Obi is a Trumpist. He will go to any length to bring disaster to his perceived political enemies.

“Little wonder, therefore, that Obi is yet to condemn his supporters for calling for a military coup months after their treasonable utterances As far as Obi and other irrational critics are concerned, they wish what happened to the Iranian President Raisi recently and the Malawian vice president last week should happen in Nigeria. God forbid!

“How many times do we have to drum it to the ears of this far right, ultra nationalist opposition cartel that the presidential jets are already worn out? They have become rickety, risky and unserviceable. They have broken down so many times during trips.

“For instance, President Tinubu had to continue his journey on a commercial plane very recently after two presidential jets broke down simultaneously.

“Also on 7th May, 2024, Vice President Kazim Shettima had to shelve a trip to the United States for the US-Africa Business Summit when the presidential jet developed a fault one hour after take-off.

“Is this not scary enough? What does Peter Obi and his co-travellers want? Yet we have no scintilla of doubt that this set of desperate opposition will be the first to send hypocritical condolence messages if their serpentine wishes for the president or his vice become fait accompli.

“But it is the duty of patriotic and compos mentis Nigerians to ensure that no such disaster occurs.”

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga had earlier chided Obi for criticising the federal government plan to acquire new aircrafss.

Tragedy, As Soldier Shoots And Kills Self In Front Of Military Barracks In Abia

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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June 19, 2024

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Sergeant Major CSM Vitalis shoot himself

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

With the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army Ohafia in Abia State still smarting from the gruesome killing of five of its personnel on May 30 at a military checkpoint at Obikabia junction by yet to be identified gunmen, tragedy again struck on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

But the difference: This particular tragedy was self-inflicted. A soldier attached to the 144 battalion Osisioma, in Aba, Command, Sergeant Major CSM Vitalis shot and killed himself in front of the formation’s gate.

Vitalis hailed from Okpala in Ngor-Okpala Council of Imo state was, until the tragic incident ,reportedly went missing for over two weeks.

According to a source, the deceased left his duty post ,with nobody able to explain his whereabouts throughout the period.

However, he was said to have reappeared suddenly on same day that he shot and killed himself, leaving his bewildered colleagues in deep shock as to what led him in to such an action.

Another source revealed that the suicide act is all the more shocking going by the fact that the deceased soldier was to retire from service in four months time after a long period of unblemished record of service. He was believed to be eagerly waiting for his October 2024 retirement date.

Curiously, according to some close sources ,there were no known domestic and/or profession related issues about the deceased, before his disappearance and subsequent suicide.

As at the time of reporting, the Military authorities were yet to react to the incident.

But this Magazine gathered that the Military hierarchy will soon issue an official statement after the conclusion of preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sad development .

With no known possible reasons for the deceased soldier’s action, the military is said to be cautious about officially reacting without adequate information.

Presidency, Police, Debunk Kwankwaso’s Alleged Emergency Rule Alarm, Caution Against Politicization Of Kano’s Security Challenges

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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June 18, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Presidency on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 distanced itself from any plans to foist on Kano state and/or any other State for that matter an Emergency rule.

This is just as the police authorities in Kano said they and other security outfits will not be distracted from the onerous task of maintaining peace and order in the State particularly this trying period.

Both parties spoke separately on the heels of the alarm raised on Monday, June 17? by the Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over an alleged plan by the Federal Government to use the ongoing royal stool face off between the duo of Emirs Aminu Ado Bayero and Muhammad Sanusi as a smokescreen to declare a State of Emergency in Kano.

The former Governor of Kano state ,who spoke at the flag off ceremony for the construction of about 85km rural roads by the State Government at his home council Madobi, pointedly, also, accused Security Agencies in the State of being used by some political forces to undermine the state authorities.

He, however, warned that such alleged subtle moves will be stoutly resisted by the people of the state.

But Speaking on Tuesday, June 17, the Special Adviser to the President, on Public Communication, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the accusation as untrue.

According to him, the Federal Government has no plans to declare emergency rule in Kano and/or any other parts of the country without carrying the National Assembly along.

“There is no truth in it. It is a mere rumour .The Federal Government can not declare state of emergency in any State without the involvement of the National Assembly. There is no such plan” Onanuga stated.

Kano State Commissioner of Police CP Muhammad Hussaini Gumel ,while also speaking in Kano on Tuesday, said the Police and its sister security agencies are well focused in providing adequate security for the residents of the State.

Gumel who has just been elevated to the rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG ,and on his way out of the State soon ,cautioned against attempts to politicizing the current security challenges facing the state.

He rather called for the support and understanding of residents and stakeholders in the efforts to ensure peace and stability in the state.

The CP emphasised that what is most important to the Police and Security Agencies is how to provide an enabling environment for all law abiding citizens and residents of Kano to pursue their legitimate activities without fear.

To this end, Gumel appealed to the people to support the security agencies with actionable intelligence that will assist them in discharging their duties.

AGN Honours Late Veterans With Candle Light Procession; Prays Against Recurring Deaths

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Akinwale Kasali

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June 18, 2024

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AGN Honours Late Veterans With Candle Light

By Akinwale Kasali

Having lost over three of its Veteran Actors and Actress in 2024, the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, held a Candle Night Procession to pay tributes to their late colleagues at Unity Fountain Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, the Nation’s Capital.

Those honoured at the auspicious event were: John Okafor, popularly known as ‘Mr Ibu’, Amaechi Muonagor and Zulu Adigwe.

The procession was led by Emeka Rollas, National President of the AGN, alongside veteran actors Kenneth Okonkwo, Zack Orji, and Sidney Idiala, amongst others.

Emeka Rollas said the procession was to demonstrate the solidarity that exists in the actors guild and to reflect on the moments they shared with the late thespians, adding that the candlelight service was also an occasion for actors to reflect on how they want to be remembered at the end of their works.

He said: “This is a season of sorrow for us at the AGN, our hearts are filled with grief over the loss of our three veteran members.

“But as the saying goes, when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.

“The Late John Okafor, Amaechi Monaugor and Zulu Adigwe lived a life that exemplified brilliance and inspired emulation.

“They also lived a life that burned so that others’ paths were lit, and they made impact on society through their profession. Today we are here to honour them, not only by profoundly feeling and expressing our loss, but also to remember their amazing personalities. They all played unique and special roles in all of our lives and the acting profession and they were loyal colleagues and special friends to many of us.

“Today, we honour these men as we recall special moments , they were living proof of how fine a person can be, caring hearts to their friends and colleagues, loving and devoted father to their children. They gave their all in their acting careers as they worked with passion, integrity and energy and our hearts and prayers are with their families at this most difficult time.”

Actor Kenneth Okonkwo said their commitment to their profession was part of what made the Nigerian film industry a toast of fans.

The AGN also used the opportunity to pray against recurring death in the industry, that has seen over Nine persons bid the world farewell.

The Nollywood industry has been throwing into mourning on several occasions this Year alone both in the Yoruba Genre, Kannywood and Nollywood as a whole.