A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to nullify President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State.

The case, instituted by Belema Briggs and four others, was struck out on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho, who ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to bring the matter before the court.

According to the judge, only the Supreme Court has the jurisdiction to determine issues surrounding a presidential proclamation of a state of emergency.

He further explained that none of the plaintiffs was a member of the Rivers State Executive Council or House of Assembly, nor did they demonstrate that they suffered any peculiar injury.

The court also faulted the plaintiffs for not obtaining the consent of either the Attorney General of the Federation or the citizens of Rivers State before instituting the case.

Justice Omotosho described the suit as “frivolous and baseless.”

He maintained that President Tinubu’s action was within the ambit of the Emergency Rule Order, stressing that the government’s position that the measure was necessary to prevent a collapse of law and order in Rivers was not challenged.

President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State in March, citing rising political tensions and repeated attacks on oil facilities.

Under the proclamation, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly were suspended from office.

The President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as Administrator of the state to oversee affairs during the period.

The federal government said the drastic measure was necessary to restore peace, protect vital oil infrastructure, and prevent an escalation of violence and instability in the region.

After six months, on September 17, Tinubu announced the suspension of the emergency rule, citing significant improvement in security and political cooperation.

Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the lawmakers immediately returned to office, receiving a warm reception from their supporters.

During the emergency, Rivers citizens had staged protests demanding a return to democratic governance.

The internal wrangling in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened ahead of its November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, as a fresh confrontation has broken out within the National Working Committee (NWC).

DAILY GAZETTE gathered that the NWC is now sharply divided along two lines: PDP governors backing acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Wike, who has openly declared his intention to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, is said to have been issuing new conditions that further complicate reconciliation moves.

A top party source disclosed that his loyalists have boycotted recent NWC meetings, heightening tension as the convention approaches.

“Wike is deliberately frustrating the process. Each time his demands are met, he presents fresh ones. But this time, governors have decided to move ahead without him,” the source said.

The crisis took a dramatic turn on September 30 when PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State executive committee.

He said a caretaker committee had been appointed for three months, with Igwat Umoren as chairman, Harrison Ekpo as deputy chairman, and Borono Bassey as secretary.

However, in a counter-statement dated October 1, Senator Anyanwu faulted the announcement, declaring it “null and void” since no properly convened NWC meeting had sanctioned the decision.

He maintained that the Akwa Ibom executive remains intact in line with the PDP constitution, directing the chapter to continue in office.

When contacted, Anyanwu confirmed issuing the letter but declined to provide further details.
Meanwhile, Ologunagba has insisted that some PDP members are working with the APC to destabilize the party.

He vowed that such individuals would be sanctioned soon and assured that preparations for the Ibadan convention were already concluded.

As the convention date draws closer, the party faces a battle of survival, with governors daring Wike to “do his worst,” while the minister continues to project himself as a formidable force within the opposition.

The internal wrangling in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened ahead of its November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, as a fresh confrontation has broken out within the National Working Committee (NWC).

DAILY GAZETTE gathered that the NWC is now sharply divided along two lines: PDP governors backing acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Wike, who has openly declared his intention to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, is said to have been issuing new conditions that further complicate reconciliation moves.

A top party source disclosed that his loyalists have boycotted recent NWC meetings, heightening tension as the convention approaches.

“Wike is deliberately frustrating the process. Each time his demands are met, he presents fresh ones. But this time, governors have decided to move ahead without him,” the source said.

The crisis took a dramatic turn on September 30 when PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State executive committee.

He said a caretaker committee had been appointed for three months, with Igwat Umoren as chairman, Harrison Ekpo as deputy chairman, and Borono Bassey as secretary.

However, in a counter-statement dated October 1, Senator Anyanwu faulted the announcement, declaring it “null and void” since no properly convened NWC meeting had sanctioned the decision.

He maintained that the Akwa Ibom executive remains intact in line with the PDP constitution, directing the chapter to continue in office.

When contacted, Anyanwu confirmed issuing the letter but declined to provide further details.
Meanwhile, Ologunagba has insisted that some PDP members are working with the APC to destabilize the party.

He vowed that such individuals would be sanctioned soon and assured that preparations for the Ibadan convention were already concluded.

As the convention date draws closer, the party faces a battle of survival, with governors daring Wike to “do his worst,” while the minister continues to project himself as a formidable force within the opposition.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plunging Nigeria into deeper hardship, insecurity, and disillusionment, saying the country is staggering under its failures.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, made the statement at a press conference on Wednesday to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.

Abdullahi said that while the day is one of reflection and celebration of the country’s journey since independence in 1960, it also calls for sober evaluation of the present reality.

He lamented what he described as an “acute convergence of crises,” including worsening economic conditions, surging insecurity, and the erosion of public confidence in government.

“At 65, our nation is staggering under the failures of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC,” Abdullahi declared.

“The much-touted ‘renewed hope’ agenda has instead brought economic dislocation, inflation, and crushing poverty to millions of households.”

According to him, reforms rolled out by the administration have done more harm than good, destabilizing lives while offering little in terms of relief or cushioning measures.

On security, Abdullahi said the ruling party’s record remains a “damning indictment,” stressing that terrorist groups, bandits and kidnappers continue to wreak havoc in the North and beyond, even reaching into the Federal Capital Territory.

Despite these challenges, the ADC spokesman praised Nigerians for their resilience and commitment to the national dream.

“We salute our workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, professionals, and young people who, despite the failures of leadership, keep faith with the Nigerian spirit of creativity and perseverance,” he said.

Abdullahi urged citizens to rise and demand accountable leadership, warning that the nation’s survival depends on collective action to confront misgovernance and reclaim Nigeria’s destiny.