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Rivers: CUPP Accuses Supreme Court Of Undermining Democracy, Enabling Despotism

September 17, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Coalition of United Political Parties CUPP has berated Nigeria’s Supreme Court for deliberately refusing to entertain the application filed by the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum challenging the emergency rule declaration in Rivers State.

The body expressed serious concern that the Supreme Court has unashamedly offered itself as willing tool in the enthronement of authoritarianism and despotic rule in the country.

The CUPP’s condemnation of the Apex Court is coming against the backdrop of the lifting of the six-month old emergency rule slammed on Rivers state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Source reports that the President had, in a statement on Wednesday, lifted the emergency rule which he slammed on the State on March 18, 2025.

However, in a statement from its National Secretary, Peter Ameh, the CUPP accused the Supreme Court of being complicit in the orchestrated plot to undermine the country’s democratic process.

It will be recalled that the PDP Governors Forum had in the wake of the controversial emergency declaration , approached the Supreme court seeking a judicial clarification of the powers of the president to suspend democratically elected institutions, under the guise of emergency rule.

Curiously, the Supreme Court could not hear the suit before the lifting of the emergency rule, thus denying the country the opportunity of enriching its jurisprudence.

The CUPP said that the disposition of the Supreme Court is tantamount to weakening the credibility of the Judiciary ,as well as endangering Nigeria’s democratic foundation.

The CUPP expressed profound disappointment, with the conduct of the highest court in land, noting that such act of complicity amounts to prioritizing political interests over the rule of law.

This is as it called on all Nigerians, political parties, civil society organizations, and all well-meaning citizens, to reject, what it called a dangerous precedent, and a calculated attempt at undermining democracy and rule of law.

“The CUPP firmly believes that democracy thrives on the will of the people and the Independence of institutions, not through arbitrary suspensions or presidential proclamations.

“President Bola Tinubu’s invocation of a State of emergency on March, 18, 2025, citing a feud between Governor Similanayi Fubara and Minister Nyesom Wike alongside isolated incidents of pipeline vandalism, failed to meet the constitutional requirements under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.

“This action, executed without the request of elected state officials, undermined the mandate of Rivers state voters, and set a dangerous precedent for the erosion of state autonomy in Nigeria’s federation.

“We demand immediate transparency from the Presidency. The legal memo justifying this emergency, the financial costs incurred, and comprehensive review of the rights violated during this period must be published without delay.

“Nigerians deserve clarity to restore trust in our governance system”, the CUPP statement reads in part.

The CUPP further noted that much as the termination of the emergency rule is a welcome development, it nevertheless insisted that its declaration in the first place remains a gross act of Federal Government’s overreach, as well as a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic principles.

Afriland Tower Fire: FIRS Mourn Loss Of Four Staff Members

Akinwale Kasali

September 17, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has announced the death of four of its staff in Tuesday’s fire incident at Afriland Towers, Broad Street, Lagos.

FIRS, a tenant at the Afriland Tower, occupying the sixth and seventh floors of the building, disclosed that the victims who lost their lives include: Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).

A statement, signed by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, reads: “It is with a heavy heart that FIRS announces the tragic loss of four of its staff members during the fire incident at Afriland Towers, Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday.

“FIRS is one of the tenants occupying the Towers with our Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office housed on the sixth and seventh floors.

“Our Security and Safety officials quickly mobilised and contacted the fire service as soon as they were alerted. On getting to the scene, thick dark smoke was already billowing out of the building.

“The Management and entire staff are in deep shock and sorrow over the development. They offer their condolences to the grieving families and are in touch with the families of our departed colleagues whose commitment to excellence, dedication and professionalism were never in doubt. We will provide all the necessary support at this trying time.

“We are working in collaboration with all relevant agencies in Lagos to get to the root cause of the unfortunate incident. While this is going on, we will be reviewing safety measures across FIRS offices in both rented and owned buildings nationwide”.

Zacch Adedeji, FIRS Chairman, also expressed deep grief, saying he was shattered by the tragedy.

“No words can capture the magnitude of this loss – not for their families who loved them, not for the friends who valued them, and not for those of us who worked beside them,” he said.

“Yesterday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people, those who walk through our doors each day and share our mission. I learnt of this on my way to the US, en route to New York for UNGA.”

Adedeji revealed that he cut short his trip to return to Lagos as a mark of respect to the departed colleagues.

“As we navigate this grief, I urge you all to reach out to those who are receiving care. In the coming days, we will convene colleagues in a memorial to honour the memories of the departed, as we provide support to their families.

“I also want to thank all those who supported in one way or the other, from emergency responders and first aid workers to members of the public who showed courage and compassion.

“May this never happen again in our Group. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”

A minute’s silence was however observed today at 12:00 noon WAT across all the group companies.

The Nigerian Passport Burden: A Comparative Test of Mobility and Minimum Wage

The Source

September 17, 2025

By Abraham Amah

For millions of Nigerians, securing or renewing an international passport is less a matter of documentation than a journey through stress, delay, and punishing expense. The process has improved in some respects—online applications, NIN verification, and contactless renewals abroad—but when compared with other countries, our passport still symbolizes friction rather than freedom.

The Nigerian Reality

In September 2025, Nigeria increased fees to ₦100,000 for a 32-page five-year booklet and ₦200,000 for a 64-page ten-year booklet. For context, the current national minimum wage is ₦30,000 a month. That means an average Nigerian worker must surrender more than three months’ wages for the smaller booklet, and nearly seven months’ wages for the larger one. Even when procedures run smoothly, many applicants still report variability in processing times, with diaspora offices faring better than domestic centres.

Ghana’s Reform Model

Ghana has shown what reform looks like. Its new chip-embedded passport carries a published service standard: 15 working days for regular applications and 5 working days for expedited ones. The proposed fee stands at GHS 350 (about ₦30,000). With Ghana’s minimum wage at roughly GHS 14.88 per day (around GHS 400 per month), a worker needs about one month’s wage to afford a passport—still heavy, but far lighter than Nigeria’s burden.

South Africa’s Honest Transparency

South Africa charges R600 (about ₦48,000) for a 32-page passport. With a minimum wage around R27 per hour and about R4,300 per month, the average worker spends less than two weeks’ wage on a passport. The drawback is time: applications abroad can take up to six months. Yet the fee is transparent, consistent, and proportionate to earnings.

Egypt’s Middle Ground

Egypt issues passports with a validity of seven years. Costs vary by mission, but typically stand near EGP 500–700 (about ₦15,000–₦20,000). With Egypt’s minimum wage now EGP 6,000 monthly, a passport costs less than one week’s wage. Processing is often faster than in Nigeria, though service quality differs by location.

United Kingdom: Predictability and Options

In the UK, an adult online passport application costs £94.50 (about ₦180,000). With the national minimum wage set at £11.44 per hour—roughly £1,830 per month—a worker pays just about five percent of monthly income for a passport. Processing usually takes about three weeks, with premium fast-track options available. Citizens can plan with certainty.

United States: Clarity and Choice

In the US, a standard adult passport book costs $130 (about ₦170,000). With the federal minimum wage at $7.25 per hour, or about $1,160 per month, this represents just over 11 percent of one month’s wage. Timelines are transparent: 4–6 weeks for routine service, 2–3 weeks expedited for an additional fee.

The Comparative Burden

Measured against minimum wage, the Nigerian passport is the costliest among these nations. Where an American, Briton, or South African gives up only days or weeks of earnings, the Nigerian surrenders months. This is not simply an inconvenience; it is a barrier to mobility, opportunity, and dignity.

The Path Forward

Nigeria’s government can learn from peers:

Publish and meet service timelines as Ghana has done.
Align costs to income realities, ensuring citizens do not pay seven months of wages for a basic travel document.
Guarantee one fee, end-to-end, eliminating unofficial “facilitation.”
Invest in capacity, matching staff and infrastructure to demand centres.
Report performance data publicly, reinforcing trust and accountability.

Mobility is not a luxury. It is infrastructure for economic growth, academic exchange, and global engagement. Until Nigeria marries its digital ambition with predictable delivery at a fair, income-sensitive cost, the passport will remain not a gateway to the world, but a wall at our own borders.

Elder Amah, a prolific commentator on National issues writes from Umuahia, Abia State.

President Tinubu Charges Governors On Peace, Good Government

Ayodele Oni

September 17, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — President Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has warned state governors to guard against things that could alter atmosphere of peace and good government in their respective states.

In an address to announce the end of emergency rule in Rivers state on Wednesday, the president charged that “I take this opportunity to remind the Governors and the Houses of Assembly of all the States of our country to continue to appreciate that it is only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good government that we can deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. I implore all of you to let this realisation drive your actions at all times.

“As a stakeholder in democratic governance, I believe that the need for a harmonious existence and relationship between the executive and the legislature is key to a successful government, whether at the state or national level.

“The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy. However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity borne by misguided political activism and Machiavellian manipulations among the stakeholders.”

Governor Fubara, his deputy and members of the House of Assembly in Rivers state are expected to return to their duty posts on Thursday as the emergency rule ends at midnight on Wednesday.

NECO Releases SSCE Results, Records Reduction In Malpractices

Ayodele Oni

September 17, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of candidates who sat for the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

The results show that 60.26 per cent secure credit passes in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

Announcing the results at NECO’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State, on Wednesday, the Registrar, Prof Dantani Wushishi, stated that a total of 1,367,210 candidates registered for the examination. Of this number, 685,514 were male and 681,696 were female.

However, 1,358,339 candidates actually sat for the examination, comprising 680,292 males and 678,047 females.

According to Wushishi, out of the candidates who sat for the exam, a total of 818,492—representing 60.26 per cent—obtained credit passes in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“In Nigeria, gaining admission into tertiary institutions requires a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Over the past four years, candidate performance has remained relatively stable, with 60 per cent achieving this benchmark in 2022, 61.60 per cent in 2023, and 60.55 per cent in 2024.”

The registrar also revealed that 1,622 candidates with special needs participated in the 2025 examinations.

Of these, 941 had hearing impairments, 191 had visual impairments, 100 had albinism, 95 had autism, 110 had low vision, and 185 had Adermatoglyphia.

NECO reported that 3,878 candidates were involved in examination malpractice in 2025—a significant reduction from the 10,094 recorded in 2024, representing a 61.5 per cent decrease. In 2023 and 2022, the figures stood at 12,030 and 13,595 respectively.

Wushishi commended NECO officials and various stakeholders, including supervisors, school proprietors, and state education ministries across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, for their cooperation and support before, during, and after the conduct of the examinations.

There Is A New Spirit Of Understanding In Rivers State

The Source

September 17, 2025

By Bola Tinubu

Statement by His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the cessation of the State of Emergency in Rivers State

My Fellow countrymen and, in particular, the good people of Rivers State.

I am happy to address you today on the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State. You will recall that on 18th March, 2025, I proclaimed a state of emergency in the state. In my proclamation address, I highlighted the reasons for the declaration. The summary of it for context is that there was a total paralysis of governance in Rivers State, which had led to the Governor of Rivers State and the House of Assembly being unable to work together. Critical economic assets of the State, including oil pipelines, were being vandalised. The State House of Assembly was crisis-ridden, such that members of the House were divided into two groups. Four members worked with the Governor, while 27 members opposed the Governor. The latter group supported the Speaker. As a result, the Governor could not present any Appropriation Bill to the House, to enable him to access funds to run Rivers State’s affairs. That serious constitutional impasse brought governance in the State to a standstill. Even the Supreme Court, in one of its judgments in a series of cases filed by the Executive and the Legislative arms of Rivers State against each other, held that there was no government in Rivers State.

My intervention and that of other well-meaning Nigerians to resolve the conflict proved abortive as both sides stuck rigidly to their positions to the detriment of peace and development of the State.

It, therefore, became painfully inevitable that to arrest the drift towards anarchy in Rivers State, I was obligated to invoke the powers conferred on me by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to proclaim the state of emergency.

The Offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and elected members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months in the first instance. The six months expire today, September 17th, 2025.

I thank the National Assembly, which, after critically evaluating the justification for the proclamation, took steps immediately, as required by the Constitution, to approve the declaration in the interest of peace and order in Rivers State. I also thank our traditional rulers and the good people of Rivers State for their support from the date of the declaration of the state of emergency until now.

I am not unaware that there were a few voices of dissent against the proclamation, which led to their instituting over 40 cases in the courts in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa, to invalidate the declaration. That is the way it should be in a democratic setting. Some cases are still pending in the courts as of today. But what needs to be said is that the power to declare a state of emergency is an inbuilt constitutional tool to address situations of actual or threatened breakdown of public order and public safety, which require extraordinary measures to return the State to peace, order and security.

Considered objectively, we had reached that situation of total breakdown of public order and public safety in Rivers State, as shown in the judgment of the Supreme Court on the disputes between the Executive and the Legislative arm of Rivers State. It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation.

As a stakeholder in democratic governance, I believe that the need for a harmonious existence and relationship between the executive and the legislature is key to a successful government, whether at the state or national level. The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy.

However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity borne by misguided political activism and Machiavellian manipulations among the stakeholders.

I am happy today that, from the intelligence available to me, there is a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance. This is undoubtedly a welcome development for me and a remarkable achievement for us. I, therefore, do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it.

It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today.

The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025.

I take this opportunity to remind the Governors and the Houses of Assembly of all the States of our country to continue to appreciate that it is only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good government that we can deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. I implore all of you to let this realisation drive your actions at all times.

I thank you all.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Breaking: Tinubu Lifts Emergency Rule In Rivers

Tosin Olatokunbo

September 17, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lifted the Emergency Rule imposed on the state in March this year.

According to the Presidency, the president’s directive takes effect from 12 midnight of Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Recall that the president, had six months ago, imposed the Emergency Rule, suspended Governor Simi Fubara and the State House of Assembly.

He later appointed Vice Admiral, a former Chief of Naval Staff, as the Administrator for a period of six months.

The six months ended today.

More to come….

EFCC: Activities Of ‘Yahoo Boys’ Fuelling Tough Visa Restrictions For Law Abiding Nigerians

Akinwale Kasali

September 17, 2025

Ola Olukoyede - EFCC Chairman — Ola Olukoyede, EFCC Chairman

By Akinwale Kasali

The activities of internet fraudsters, popular as ‘Yahoo Boys’ is responsible for the worsening Visa Restrictions faced by Nigerians, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has disclosed.

The EFCC said the growing menace of internet fraud is worsening visa restrictions for law-abiding Nigerians seeking to travel abroad, stressing that this needs urgent attention.

Ola Olukoyede, EFCC Chairman, warned that cybercrime not only jeopardizes the future of those directly involved, but also tarnishes Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage, leading to stricter travel conditions for innocent citizens.

Olukoyede, represented by Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle, delivered the warning during an event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youths on Security and Safety Affairs.

The EFCC boss highlighted that internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of Naira annually, undermining national growth and depriving citizens of infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities. Beyond the economic damage, he pointed out that the crimes erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad.

The anti graft Boss urged young Nigerians to channel their energy into productive ventures such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry rather than cybercrime.

He was quoted as saying, “Fraud is not success; it is a trap. Easy come, easy go. Many who follow the path of ‘yahoo-yahoo’ always end up losing their freedom, reputation, and future. The law is catching up with them and digital footprints never disappear. Don’t destroy your tomorrow with shortcuts today.”

He also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to intensifying sensitisation campaigns, enforcement efforts, and collaboration with local communities to curb cybercrime and related offences.

These developments follow the July announcement by the United States of a revised visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria, which reduced the validity of certain non-immigrant visas—such as B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (student), and J (exchange visitor) visas—to three months and limited them to single entry.

“There Is A Poisonous Media Narrative To Run Down Dangote” – Senator Ndume

Akinwale Kasali

September 17, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

Urges NUPENG, DAPPMAN to support him instead of Demonising Him

Senator Ali Ndume has urged major players in Nigeria’s Downstream Oil Sector to support one another, especially the Management of Dangote Refinery, rather than engage in a war of attrition.

Ndume said attacking each other has the potential of destroying the nation’s economy.

He made the appeal following the face-off between the Management of Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, as well as the Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN.

Recall that NUPENG recently embarked on an industrial action which led to a shutdown of oil depots.

The Union cited the alleged refusal of the Management of Dangote Refinery to allow its truck drivers join the Union. This, the unionists argued, contravened sections of the Trade Union Act.

DAPPMAN, which is an umbrella body of fuel importers, on its part, accused Dangote Refinery of plotting to stifle competition by selling its products cheaper to international traders compared to what they sold to local marketers.

This development prompted the Department of State Service, DSS, to intervene, brokering a truce to forestall what the service considered a threat to national security.

In addressing this issue, the Federal Lawmaker, in a statement, expressed concerns over what he called “a poisonous media narrative to paint Dangote in bad light in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community.”

Senator Ndume said: “Before Dangote took the risk to build his refinery, previous administrations had granted licenses to many Nigerians. What did they do with it.? Some of them only cashed on the incentives of crude oil allocation.

“If my memory serves me right, licenses were granted to 12 private operators as far back as 2002 to build refineries and reduce dependence on imported fuel.

“The second round of licenses was done in 2007 by the then Department of Petroleum Resouces ( DPR) after revoking the first batch and granted nine new licenses to private investors.

“Those parading themselves as fuel importers today didn’t seize the initiative to come together to build refineries.

“Again, during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, licenses were granted to private investors to build modular refineries.”

He further said: “How many of them actually scratched the surface but they are ganging up to falsely accuse Dangote of monopolizing the market.

“It is wrong to talk about monopoly in a deregulated industry. There are no deliberate bottlenecks against anyone and no player has been accorded special concession to the detriment of others.”

The Lawmaker urged regulatory agencies in the industry, the Ministry of Petroleum Resouces and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, ( NMDPRA), to intervene to prevent an all-out feud among the players.

Ndume further said, “I urge NUPENG, PENGASSAN, and all concerned stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue with Dangote rather than inciting division and undue sensationalism in the media.

“Our common goal should be to balance labour rights with the imperatives of national development and not put ordinary citizens at the receiving end of a needless power tussle.”

Governor Otti Receives Panel Reports On Recovery Of Stolen Public Assets… Vows Action

Suleiman Anyalewechi

September 17, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has vowed to act swiftly and decisively on the findings of the Asset Recovery Panel of Inquiry set up by. the state Government.

The Source reports that retired Justice Florence Duruoha Igwe-led panel was constituted by the State in 2023 to carry out an inquest into alleged cases of diversion and illegal acquisitions of public properties, including public schools, health facilities and other public infrastructures by some Government officials and cronies in the past few years.

Receiving the final report of the panel on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Governor Otti affirmed that the establishment of the investigative committee was not borne out of the desire to witch hunt any one.

According to him, the over riding interest is for the Government to have an adequate knowledge of the people’s assets illegally acquired and diverted into private uses.

In a statement from his media aide, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Abia State Governor assured that his administration will accord the panel’s report all the attention it deserves.

Governor Otti informed that already, a white paper drafting committee has began work on the first part of the panel’s report submitted some months ago.

“Setting up this Judicial Panel of Inquiry has nothing to do with vendetta ,nor anything to do with scapegoating anyone.

“We just needed to know what happened. Like we have always insisted, there was no proper handover process by the immediate past administration in the State.

“So, we find ourselves at a very tight position, groping and trying to get information. Happily, that is in the past now as we have decided to move on, having done two years out of our four-year mandate.

” However, a lot of people had a lot of concerns over some issues, and we felt that in a democracy, they needed to be heard and possibly have their concerns addressed.

“So, the Committee on White Paper, I can attest, has been doing a lot of job on the first phase of the report submitted by the panel.

“This second and final report will also be forwarded to the Committee so that they can put all the issues in proper perspective for us as a Government to act on”, Governor Otti stated.

He appreciated the members of the panel for their dedication and commitment to duty even in the face of some challenges, particularly the increased number of petitions and memoranda received from the members of the public.

Earlier in her address, the Chairperson of the Panel Justice Duruoha-Igwe rtd, informed that out of a total of 350 petitions and memoranda received, the panel heard and concluded on 278 during the first phase of its sitting.

“Your Excellency, however, graciously directed that we return to work on the remaining 72 petitions and memoranda initially left unattended to.

She expressed gratitude to the Governor for the opportunity given to her and other members of the Panel to serve the State.

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