News
FG releases withheld Rivers allocations to Sole Administrator
Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of River State, has confirmed withheld funds for the State has been released by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Ibas disclosed the development on Friday, during a meeting with members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court upheld a federal high court ruling barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from disbursing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State.
The federal high court had halted the release of funds after Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor, failed to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill before the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis. As part of the declaration, Tinubu suspended Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all state assembly members for six months.
He also appointed Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the state’s sole administrator.
On Thursday, the senate and house of representatives controversially approved Tinubu’s request for emergency rule in the state.
Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, had stated that the withheld funds would be released once the sole administrator made a formal request.
Speaking at the meeting, Ibas confirmed that the funds had now been made available to the state.
He lamented that despite the region’s economic wealth, its residents were not fully benefiting from it.
“It is inexcusable that, despite the region’s wealth, residents are not experiencing its full benefits,” he said.
The administrator also expressed concern over the struggles of workers in the state and pledged to prioritize their welfare.
“I feel the pain of the workers,” Ibas added.
Ibas also assured that necessary steps will be taken to ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries, adding “I feel the pain of the workers.”
Furthermore, the Rivers Sole Administrator stressed the need for financial accountability, noting that he would scrutinise the handling of public funds.
On security, Ibas emphasised collaboration with traditional rulers and security agencies.
News
Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
News
Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
-
News1 year agoSenate to speed up conclusion of Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill
-
News1 year agoThe Many Lies Against Bashir Haske
-
News3 years agoBreaking: Tinubu’s authentic ministerial nominees
-
News3 years ago“Anytime we want to kill terrorists, President would ask us to take permission from France but they were killing our soldiers-” Niger Republic coup leader
-
News3 years ago“I’m leaving the Catholic church because Bishop Onah is oppressing me,” says Okunerere
-
News3 years agoRadio Nigeria’s veteran broadcaster Kelvin Ugwu dies three months after retirement from service
-
News3 years agoMy nude photo leak was a mistake- lawyer Ifunanya
-
News3 years agoDokpesi and the Gazebo Mystique