Category: Politics

 

President Bola Tinubu has announced the end of the six-month state of emergency imposed on Rivers State, declaring that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly will return to office from Thursday, September 18, 2025.

 

Tinubu, in a statement released on Wednesday by the Presidency, said the state of emergency, first proclaimed on March 18, 2025, was necessary to arrest the “total paralysis of governance” that had gripped Rivers at the time.

 

“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,” he

said.

 

He recalled that a conflict between the governor and 27 lawmakers loyal to the House Speaker had left the state without a functioning government, with the Supreme Court even affirming in one of its rulings that “there was no government in Rivers 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,” Tinubu said.

He explained that the intervention, which suspended the offices of the governor, deputy governor, and all members of the State House of Assembly, was backed by the National Assembly and aimed at restoring peace and order.

 

While acknowledging that over 40 lawsuits were filed to challenge the declaration, Tinubu maintained that the step was constitutionally justified, stressing that “it would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation.”

 

The President expressed satisfaction with what he described as a “groundswell of a new spirit of understanding” among political stakeholders in Rivers, which, according to him, justifies ending the emergency at the expiration of its initial six months.

 

He said, “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.”

Tinubu used the occasion to urge governors and state assemblies across the country to prioritise harmony between the executive and legislative arms of government to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy.

 

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) has been serving as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State since Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state.

 

 

The Jigawa State Government has approved a supplementary budget of N75 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, for onward submission to the state assembly.

 

The Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Sagir Musa, made this known in an interview on Wednesday in Dutse, shortly after the State Executive Council meeting.

 

He said that the budget appropriation arose from additional revenue generated.

 

“The reason for the supplementary budget is to address emerging financial needs and strengthen priority sectors for sustainable development across the state.

“The approved figures are ₦58 billion for the State Government, and ₦17 billion for the 27 Local Government Councils, covering both recurrent and capital expenditure components,” he said.

 

The supplementary budget, he said, also seeks to enhance ongoing projects and programmes across critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and other developmental projects.

 

He said it will also provide fiscal support for new and unforeseen expenditure requirements, align public spending with current socio-economic realities and development targets.

 

The commissioner said the supplementary budget proposal will be formally submitted to the Jigawa House of Assembly for legislative consideration and approval, in accordance with constitutional procedures.

Musa said that the move reflects the administration’s commitment to transparent governance, responsible fiscal management and effective service delivery to all citizens of Jigawa.

 

NAN reports that Governor Umar Namadi signed the state’s 2025 appropriation bill of N698.3 billion into law on Jan. 1, being the highest in the state’s history

 

In his remarks, Namadi described the budget as transformative and essential for the state’s long-term development.

 

“This year’s budget of N698.3 billion is the highest in the history of Jigawa State. It is designed to restructure the state into a greater one,” he stated.

 

A substantial 76 per cent of the budget has been allocated to capital projects, underscoring the administration’s emphasis on infrastructure and development.

 

Namadi highlighted that these investments will lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth and improve living standards across the state.

 

 

 

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, has announced his withdrawal from the appeal filed at the Supreme Court against the winner of the election, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

 

It can be recalled that PUNCH Online reported on December 11 2024, that Ajayi said he had filed a petition at the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal against the victory of Aiyedatiwa. This development came 24 days after the governorship poll.

 

Ajayi had disclosed that his legal team had filed the petition at the election tribunal with the hope of getting justice from the court.

 

Ajayi of the PDP, according to the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission, lost the election to the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Governor Aiyedatiwa, having scored a total of 117,845 votes behind the governor, who polled 366,781 votes.

He moved forward to challenge the results of the election but lost at both the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal , and later proceeded to the Supreme Court to challenge the verdicts of the lower court.

 

However, he announced his withdrawal from the litigation in a letter addressed to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court in Abuja and dated September 16, 2025. The letter was made available to our correspondent on Wednesday.

 

In the letter, the former PDP governorship candidate did not mention the main reason for his action but stated that he had consulted the stakeholders who had consented to the move.

The letter was titled, ‘RE: SC/CV/757/2025 – Mr Ajayi Alfred Agboola & Anor V. Independent National Electoral Commission & 3ORS.’

 

It read, “I am the ‘Appellant’ in the above appeal, and I write to inform you that I am aware of the appeal that has been filed on my behalf concerning the recent gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

 

“As the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, I have engaged in thoughtful discussions with my family, party members, associates, and legal advisors. After careful deliberation, we have reached a consensus that the appeal should be withdrawn, and I’m signing this letter to do so.

 

“Having served as the former Deputy Governor and as a representative of my constituents at the national level, my foremost commitment is to the principles of good governance and the promotion of peaceful coexistence in Ondo State and across Nigeria.

 

“In this spirit, I extend my heartfelt wishes to His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Alyedatiwa as he leads our state, and I remain dedicated to contributing positively to the State and National development.

 

“Thank you for your understanding and attention to this matter. I trust that my position will be respectfully acknowledged.”

 

 

Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has approved the appointment of Orok Okon as the new Head of the State Civil Service.

 

Okon’s appointment, which takes effect from September 19, 2025, follows the retirement of Dr. Innocent Eteng.

 

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Linus Obogo on Tuesday, the governor commended Dr. Eteng for his decades of dedication and service, describing his career as a beacon of excellence and commitment.

 

Governor Otu charged the new Head of Service to bring vision, integrity, and reform-driven zeal to the role, stressing that his administration remains committed to enthroning competent leadership across the state’s public institutions.

“The new Head of Service is expected to foster efficiency, professionalism, and accountability across the public service. This appointment underscores the administration’s steadfast resolve to strengthen the machinery of governance for optimal service delivery to the people of Cross River State,” the statement read.

 

Upon assumption of office in May 2023, the governor appointed Dr Eteng in September.

Otu’s administration has repeatedly emphasised civil service reform, focusing on professionalism, merit-based promotions, welfare improvements for workers, and stronger governance structures.

 

During his tenure, Dr. Eteng implemented several measures, including the regularisation of casual workers, many of whom had reportedly served for years without formal recognition.

 

He also initiated plans to recruit new civil servants to fill vacancies created by mass retirements, while working to align the workforce with merit-driven standards and best practices.

 

On his part, Okon, before his new appointment, served as a Permanent Secretary in the Cross River State Civil Service, including at the Ministry of Justice.

 

With years of administrative and legal experience, he is expected to consolidate ongoing reforms and steer the civil service towards greater efficiency.

 

The transition marks a continuation of Governor Otu’s pledge to reposition the civil service as the engine room of governance, with Okon now tasked with sustaining momentum and deepening reforms that affect thousands of workers across the state.

 

 

The Federal Government, at the instance of the Department of State Services, on Tuesday, filed criminal charges against activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, 8, over a social media post in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

 

But Sowore, who sneered at the charges, replied by also suing the DSS before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging what he described as unconstitutional censorship of his social media accounts.

 

In its charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025, the Federal Government alleged that Sowore, using his verified X handle, @YeleSowore, wrote: “This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

 

In the five counts filed on Tuesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, M. B. Abubakar, the Federal Government also listed X (formerly Twitter) and Meta (owners of Facebook) as co-defendants alongside Sowore.

The Federal Government said Sowore’s post, made on August 25, contravened Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

 

The case stemmed from Sowore’s posts during Tinubu’s visit to Brazil, where the President claimed his administration had eliminated corruption.

 

The DSS subsequently wrote to Sowore demanding he delete the “false, malicious, and inciting” messages, warning that failure to comply would attract legal action “to protect national security and public order.”

 

The agency also petitioned Meta and X Corp., urging them to delete the posts and deactivate Sowore’s accounts.

 

Sowore, however, refused, insisting that no amount of pressure would make him retract his comments.

 

He maintained that his criticism of the government was part of his constitutional duty to hold leaders accountable.

But in the charges, the Federal Government insisted that Sowore’s comments amount to offences punishable under Sections 24(1)(b) of the Act, as well as Sections 59 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

 

The agency said the post was intended to incite public disorder, inflame divisions among Nigerians with opposing political views, and damage the reputation of the President.

 

However, hours after the Federal Government filed the charges on Tuesday, Sowore, through his lawyer, Tope Temokun, counter-sued, praying the court to restrain the DSS from directing social media platforms to delete his posts, including those in which he called Tinubu a “criminal.”

 

“These suits were filed to challenge the unconstitutional censorship initiated by the DSS/SSS against Sowore’s accounts maintained with Meta and X,” Temokun said in a statement on Tuesday.

“This is about the survival of free speech in Nigeria. If state agencies can dictate to global platforms who may speak and what may be said, then no Nigerian is safe; their voices will be silenced at the whim of those in power.”

 

He argued that censorship of political criticism was alien to democracy, citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression.

 

“No security agency, no matter how powerful, can suspend or delete those rights,” he said. “Meta and X must also understand this: when they bow to unlawful censorship demands, they become complicit in the suppression of liberty. They cannot hide behind neutrality while authoritarianism is exported onto their platforms.”

 

The suit seeks declarations that the DSS has no authority to censor Nigerians on social media, that Meta and X must not allow their platforms to be used as tools of repression, and that Sowore’s rights—and those of other Nigerians—be fully protected against unlawful interference.

“We call on all lovers of freedom, journalists, human rights defenders, and the Nigerian people to stand firm. Today it is Sowore; tomorrow it may be you,” the statement said. “This struggle is not about personalities. It is about principle. And we shall resist every attempt to turn Nigeria into a digital dictatorship.”

 

As of Tuesday, neither of the suits had been assigned to a judge.

 

 

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Saturday, said there will be a total collapse of the opposition in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

He stated this during the flag-off of the campaign for the August 16th Senatorial by-election in Edo Central Senatorial District in Uromi.

 

He urged the candidates of the opposition parties to decamp to the ruling All Progressive Congress and join him in developing the State.

 

The governor was accompanied by the chairman of APC, Jarrett Tenebe, to receive decampees at the event. He expressed happiness that members of all other political parties are joining APC to ensure that development continues.

 

The decampees from PDP include Alhaji Esiwele Musa, Abraham Osazuwa, Sunny Ejie, and Robert Okoneme, amongst other PDP leaders across the 51 wards.

 

He said, “This is a test for 2027. I can tell you that 2027 is sure. Before 2027, there will be no opposition in Edo State anymore as all will join the APC because of the developmental achievements in the state.

“Hon. Joseph Ikpea will take over from me in the Senate. In this election, we will win five local governments out of five. We must win the entire 51 wards in the five local governments that make up the Senatorial District.

 

“I understand that it is only the candidates in the other parties that have not decamped to our party, the APC. I advise them not to waste their money but to join our party. If they give you money, take it and vote for the APC. The money is our money.

 

“We promised to give the President 2.5 million votes, and we are ready to deliver on our promises. We will not talk much because the election is a done deal. This is the first test for us as we do not have any opposition in the State anymore,” he said.

 

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dennis Idahosa, urged Esan people to support Okpebholo as he has brought development to the state due to his relationship with President Bola Tinubu.

He noted that the election is the first step to appreciate the president.

 

He said, “The President sees our Governor as his son, and the State enjoys the dividends of democracy. This is the first step to appreciate the governor and the president. We would not accept anything less than 90 per cent victory in the election.”

 

The APC party Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, who presented the party’s flag to the party’s candidate in the Senatorial by-election, Hon. Joseph Ikpe,a encouraged him to ensure he continues from where the Governor stopped in the Senate.

 

He noted that the governor, as a Senator, brought development to the Senatorial District.

Presenting the party’s symbol, which is the broom, to decampees at the event, Jarrett Tenebe thanked the governor for duly informing the Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area about the flag off of the day, saying that it was the right thing to do.

 

He urged the decampees to join and support the party, and the Governor to ensure the developmental strides continue in Edo State.

 

The Director General of the Edo Senatorial by-election and former Speaker Edo State House of Assembly, Victor Edoror, commended the people for coming out en masse. He urged them to make sure they keep the spirit of the door-to-door campaign for the candidate of party and the election to ensure victory.

 

The APC candidate in the Senatorial by-election, Joseph Ikpea, thanked the party for the trust and promised to continue with the developmental strides the Governor brought to the Senatorial District as a Senator.

 

The APC Edo Central Senatorial leader, Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd); APC Edo South leader, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; Deputy State Chairman of APC, Sylvester Aigboboh; and other leaders, urged the people to all come out en masse to vote for the APC candidate in the by-election.