Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has accused his political opponents of orchestrating a dynamite explosion to portray the state as unsafe and push for an emergency rule.

This claim comes amid a local government crisis and calls from the All Progressives Congress (APC) caretaker committee in Rivers for emergency intervention.

Advertorial

During a visit by the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by Chairman Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, at Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara revealed details of the alleged plot.

He stated, “There was an attempt to create serious problems, including a plan to detonate dynamite at the Hotel Presidential while you were in the state. The perpetrator’s plan backfired when the dynamite exploded prematurely, injuring him.”

Advertorial

Fubara suggested that the plan aimed to escalate tensions and prompt discussions of a state of emergency during the committee’s visit.

He credited divine intervention for foiling the plot, asserting, “When you are with God, even those planning evil will fail.”

The governor criticized the lack of legal action against offenders, questioning whether some individuals consider themselves above the law.

Advertorial

He emphasized his commitment to defending the state and protecting its citizens’ interests, stating, “I am not fighting anyone but defending Rivers State.”

Addressing the contentious issue of extending local government chairmen’s tenure, Fubara argued, “No governor in Nigeria would tolerate the abuse I face from former local government chairmen. Tenure elongation has never been tried elsewhere.”

Fubara questioned why the law appears silent when it comes to Rivers State, urging a reflection on whether anyone is above the law.

Advertorial

He reiterated his duty to serve the people of Rivers State, concluding, “Our role is to serve the people because God has given us this opportunity. The important thing is to remember that only God holds ultimate authority.”

Governor Fubara’s remarks highlight the ongoing political tension in Rivers State and underscore his resolve to maintain stability and protect the interests of its citizens.

The Senate has called an emergency session to review President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s supplementary budget for the 2024 fiscal year, which includes funding for a new presidential jet.

Advertorial

Despite having commenced their recess last week, with a scheduled return on July 2, 2024, both the Senate and House of Representatives have reconvened for this urgent matter.

Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, announced on Wednesday that the Senate would hold a plenary session on Thursday to address various pressing issues, including appropriations.

Advertorial

Adaramodu stated, “We are resuming from the Sallah break as part of our statutory duties. The Senate has the constitutional authority to regulate its sessions, and we believe utilizing an additional legislative day is crucial to address national and constitutional matters. This decision was made to advance our oversight on appropriations and address outstanding constitutional and electoral issues, as well as bills and motions, before our annual recess later this year.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio denied reports that the Senate had approved the purchase of new presidential jets, labeling such claims as malicious.

Advertorial

He clarified that he had not stated the National Assembly would approve new aircraft for the President and Vice President regardless of the country’s economic challenges.

The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence had previously recommended new aircraft for the President and Vice President, citing safety concerns with the current presidential fleet.

It is worth noting that the presidency had recently listed three presidential jets for sale.

The Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday reinstated Bright Iyamu (PDP-Orhionmwon South), one of three lawmakers suspended on May 6 for allegedly plotting to impeach the speaker and other principal officers.

During a plenary session in Benin, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku announced the decision to lift Iyamu’s suspension, noting that Iyamu had shown remorse.

Advertorial

Despite calls from other lawmakers to reinstate the remaining suspended members, Donald Okogbe (PDP-Akoko-Edo II) and Adeh Isibor (APC-Esan North-East I), the speaker pointed out that Isibor had taken the matter to court.

Following Iyamu’s reinstatement, Nicholas Asonsere (PDP-Ikpoba-Okha) expressed confidence in the speaker, reaffirming the assembly’s support for his leadership.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit that sought to prevent Barrister Asue Ighodalo from being the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming Edo State election.

The case, brought by aggrieved PDP governorship aspirant Anselm Ojeizu, was deemed premature when filed on March 6.

Advertorial

Justice Egwuatu ruled on Wednesday that Ojeizu had not exhausted the mandatory internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the PDP before approaching the court.

Ojeizu had sought an order to cancel the February 22 primary election that declared Ighodalo as the PDP candidate, claiming violations of the Electoral Act 2022 and PDP guidelines.

He alleged that a fraudulent delegates list was used in the primary held at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

However, Justice Egwuatu agreed with Ighodalo’s counsel, Mr. Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), that Ojeizu’s failure to engage the PDP Appeal Panel before filing the lawsuit was a breach of party rules.

The judge emphasized that compliance with internal mechanisms is mandatory, as upheld by the Supreme Court in similar cases.

Advertorial

“In a matter of this nature, conditions precedents must be respected and complied with by any aspirant as had severally enunciated by the Supreme Court in all its decisions,” Justice Egwuatu stated.

On Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized the harmful effects of misinformation and fake news, comparing their impact to that of terrorism.

He praised media professionals for their role in the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and urged them to avoid sensationalism in their reporting.

Advertorial

Speaking at the opening of a two-day training workshop titled “Effective Reporting Towards Strengthening Alternatives to Terrorist Ideologies,” held at the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Idris cautioned journalists against spreading misinformation.

“Sensational reporting can inadvertently glorify terrorist acts and spread fear,” Idris stated.

“Misinformation and fake news can be as damaging as the terrorist acts themselves. You must avoid this at all costs.”

Advertorial

Idris highlighted the ideological nature of terrorism, noting that extremist groups exploit vulnerabilities, spread fear, and propagate messages that falsely present them as fighting for a social cause.

He stressed the importance of providing positive alternatives to counter these narratives.

“To counter this, we must offer compelling, positive alternatives that resonate with the same audiences targeted by terrorists. Therefore, your reporting plays a pivotal role in this endeavor,” he said.

Advertorial

The minister urged the media to project the successful initiatives and programs of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) that focus on counter-radicalization and the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists into the community.

He called on defense correspondents to collaborate with security experts, sociologists, psychologists, and community leaders to offer a multi-faceted perspective on terrorism and its alternatives.

“Use data and research to back your stories, thereby enhancing credibility and depth,” Idris added.

Kaduna State former Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has filed a lawsuit against the Kaduna State House of Assembly, contesting allegations that his administration misappropriated N432 billion and left the state with substantial debt obligations.

El-Rufai, appearing in person at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday, initiated a fundamental rights enforcement case against the Assembly.

Advertorial

He claims the committee investigating his administration denied him a fair hearing.

According to a statement by El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor’s lawyer, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, filed the lawsuit challenging the Assembly committee’s report that accused El-Rufai of corruption.

Adekeye stated, “His lawyer, AU Mustapha SAN, said that El-Rufai approached the court as a Nigerian citizen who is entitled to be given a fair hearing before his rights can be determined by a quasi-judicial or investigative body or courts in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.”

Advertorial

El-Rufai has asked the court to declare the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Investigation of Loans, Financial Transactions, Contractual Liabilities, and Other Related Matters of the Government of Kaduna State from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, as ratified by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, unconstitutional and therefore null and void for violating his right to fair hearing.

In June, the state Assembly’s ad hoc committee submitted its investigative report on El-Rufai’s administration’s financial dealings, loans, and contracts.

The committee’s chairman, Henry Zacharia, claimed that the loans secured during El-Rufai’s tenure were misused and that proper procedures were not followed in some instances.

Assembly Speaker Yusuf Liman alleged that El-Rufai’s administration misappropriated N423 billion, leading to significant financial burdens for the state.