The Bayelsa State High Court, sitting in Yenagoa, has issued an interim injunction preventing supporters of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, from holding a mega rally in the state.

The rally, which was scheduled for April 12, 2025, in Yenagoa, has now been temporarily blocked pending the resolution of a motion on notice.

The order was granted by Hon. Justice I.A. Uzakah in the case marked Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025. The motion was filed by the Bayelsa State Attorney General, Biriyai Dambo (SAN).

The court order states: “An order of the interim injunction is hereby made or granted restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, associates, privies, representatives (or any person whatsoever acting at their behest), from conducting, convening, coordinating, engaging in, organizing, participating in, holding, hosting, or facilitating any political assembly, rally meeting, or gathering within Bayelsa State, for the purpose of solidarity, hosting, and celebrating the 2nd Defendant in Bayelsa State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

The court has adjourned the case until April 11, 2025, for further hearing.

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has announced that a new 2025 budget is being drafted to address key development needs and ensure the state’s progress.

Ibas highlighted that the budget will prioritize job creation for the people of Rivers and enhance the integration of technology in critical public services.

This announcement comes as a coalition of Nigerian activists in the United States prepares to protest at the White House over the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State.

The activists are also calling for the reinstatement of the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the restoration of the State House of Assembly, which they claim is a direct attack on Nigeria’s democracy.

Ibas made the statement regarding the new budget during a meeting with the Rivers caucus in the National Assembly, led by Senator Barinada Mpigi (PDP, Rivers South-East), at Government House in Port Harcourt.

The Sole Administrator emphasized that the new budget will focus on healthcare, education, social services, and infrastructure development.

“We have moved swiftly since the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s budget to prepare a new budget that reflects our commitment to improving the lives of our citizens,” Ibas said.

“We are committed to ensuring that the process is transparent, inclusive, and expedited so that we do not lose any more time in delivering essential services.”

Meanwhile, the National Assembly members loyal to Fubara, including Boma Goodhead, Allison Anderson, and Ipalibo Banigo, were reportedly excluded from the meeting, which raised concerns about internal party divisions.

The delegation that met with Ibas included prominent figures such as Senators Allwell Onyesoh, Kingsley Chinda, Dumnamene Dekor, Solomon Bob, and others.

The new budget initiative follows a turbulent period for Rivers State, as efforts by Governor Fubara to present the 2025 budget were blocked by antagonistic lawmakers after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a re-presentation by the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly.

Despite these setbacks, Ibas has remained focused on ensuring the state’s development continues unhindered.

In the United States, the Democratic Movement (DM), a coalition of Nigerian activists, has expressed strong opposition to the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu.

The group has vowed to stage a protest in Washington, D.C., marching to both the White House and the U.S. Department of State.

The protest aims to draw international attention to what they describe as a “dangerous assault on democracy.”

Cosmos Achief, President of the DM, stated, “We cannot sit idly by while an elected governor is removed, the legislature is suspended, and an unelected administrator is imposed. These actions set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.”

The coalition’s protest will demand the reversal of the emergency rule, the reinstatement of Governor Fubara, and the restoration of the state’s legislature, asserting that these steps are necessary to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic values.

The Labour Party has clarified that the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday did not sack Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman, contrary to media speculations.

In a statement posted on the party’s social media, Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, explained the party’s stance on the Supreme Court judgment.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that the Supreme Court had in its ruling on Friday, set aside a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had recognized Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

The five-member panel of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to declare Abure as National Chairman, stating that the matter concerned the internal leadership of the party.

The judgment further emphasized that the issue of leadership within a political party is a matter for the party itself and not for the courts.

The apex court also noted that Abure’s tenure had expired.

The court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Ester Nenadi Usman and another party member, deeming their appeal to be meritorious.

It subsequently dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the LP for lack of merit.

In response to the ruling, Obiora Ifoh reiterated that while the court struck out the suit challenging Abure’s leadership, it also clarified that courts should not interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.

“The Supreme Court strikes out Nenadi, Abure suits, says only political parties can determine who their leaders are. It also said that the courts shouldn’t dabble into the affairs of the political parties,” Ifoh said in the statement.

He further emphasized, “Dr Barr Julius Abure is still the National Chairman of the Labour Party.”

Constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District have expressed their gratitude to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for validating 208,132 signatures (43.86%) of the total signatures submitted in their petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended lawmaker representing the District in the National Assembly.

Although the petitioners emphasized that they had mobilized more than the required 50% plus one threshold of registered voters, they believe that INEC’s validation of 43.86% of the signatures clearly demonstrates that the people of Kogi Central have rejected the embattled senator.

“Apparently, INEC canceled not less than 35,000 signatures at the administrative stage,” the constituents remarked in response to INEC’s statement on the recall process.

The petitioners reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the recall process, vowing to bring the Senator back to Kogi Central.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Salihu Habib on behalf of the petitioners, they said, “We will liaise with INEC within the full ambits of the Constitution and regulations to demand for transparency in the handling of our petition. We have utmost confidence in the Commission not to subject the recall process to ambiguity or administrative opacity.”

The constituents also took the opportunity to thank INEC for validating the signatures, rejecting the claims made by critics who questioned the authenticity of the figures.

“We thank INEC for making it clear that the bulk of the people of Kogi Central are behind us and that we did not import a crowd like a desperate, embattled lawmaker,” Habib stated.

The petitioners reiterated their position that their call for the recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing “misconduct and divisiveness,” remains non-negotiable.

They pointed to a recent rally organized by the senator, accusing her of making inflammatory statements that could potentially incite unrest.

The petitioners vowed to use all lawful and constitutional means to ensure their voices are heard, declaring, “After God, power belongs to the people.”

“We are firm in our resolve to restore dignified and collaborative representation to Kogi Central Senatorial District. We will no longer indulge someone who will do and say anything just to remain politically relevant,” the petitioners said.

The constituents also addressed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent rally, where they accused her of making divisive comments, stating, “The whole of Nigeria watched her deceptive rally last Tuesday where she openly made comments capable of setting, not just Kogi State, but Nigeria ablaze.”

They further questioned her remarks, saying, “How can any patriotic Nigerian accuse other parts of the country of sabotaging Kogi State/the North because LNG plants are sited here? How can a responsible Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria try to pitch the North against the South?”

In conclusion, the petitioners restated their determination to continue the recall process, saying, “We will pursue all lawful and constitutional means to ensure our voices are heard and respected. After God, power belongs to the people.”

The President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday distanced himself from a planned solidarity rally in his hometown of Akwa Ibom, stating that he had no knowledge of the organisers behind the event.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media Matters, Jackson Udom, Akpabio clarified his stance on the rally, urging his supporters to refrain from attending.

The statement, titled ‘Disregard Any Rally in Akwa Ibom Purported to be in Support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio’, emphasized that the rally had no connection to him, and he warned that those behind it may have ulterior motives.

He stated, “The attention of the office of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has been drawn to a planned rally purported to be in support of the Senate President and organised by an unknown association by the name, Progressive Peoples’ Resolution and led by one Ubong Idemudo, a known controversial character, slated for tomorrow, April 4.”

Akpabio continued, “The President of the Senate is not aware of any rally organised in his support at any venue in Akwa Ibom and therefore urges his supporters and the peace-loving people of Akwa Ibom State to disregard such rally and go about their lawful duties.”

The Senate President further expressed concern that the rally was being orchestrated by individuals with questionable motives.

“The planned rally, from information pieced together, is the handiwork of fifth columnists trying to use the name of the Senate President to achieve their devilish goal,” he said.

In his closing remarks, Akpabio called for swift action by the authorities to prevent the rally from taking place.

“The Police and other security agencies in the state are by this statement directed to ensure that such satanic rally is not allowed to hold, as such has no approval of the Senate President,” the statement concluded.

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the political adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has resigned from his post, sources within the presidency confirmed to Daily Trust.

His resignation, submitted approximately two weeks ago, was cited as being for personal reasons, though further specifics have not been disclosed.

As of the latest reports, it remains uncertain whether the presidency has officially accepted his resignation.

Baba-Ahmed was appointed as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima in September 2023.

Over his 17-month tenure, he represented the presidency at various public events, including a national conference in January 2025, focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

His time in office was not without controversy. In April 2024, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, appeared to direct critical comments at Baba-Ahmed after the latter criticized Matawalle’s dismissal of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).

Baba-Ahmed suggested that Matawalle could have better served the administration by highlighting the achievements of northern appointees, instead of attacking the NEF.

Matawalle countered, emphasizing that all government appointees, including Baba-Ahmed, had a responsibility to defend and promote the Tinubu administration.

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, born on September 11, 1955, in Kaduna State, has had a long and distinguished career in public service.

He previously served as Chief of Staff to former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and as Director of Publicity and Advocacy for the Northern Elders Forum.

His public service contributions earned him the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) honor.

Baba-Ahmed is also an academic, holding degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Sussex.

Baba-Ahmed’s resignation marks a significant moment in his political journey, which has included a focus on northern Nigeria’s interests and advocacy for governance reforms.

The Supreme Court has annulled the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja that had recognized Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

In a unanimous decision, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court ruled that the Court of Appeal did not have the jurisdiction to declare Abure as the party’s National Chairman, as the matter at hand was related to the party’s leadership.

DAILY GAZETTE gathered that the apex court emphasized that issues concerning the leadership of a political party are internal matters and fall outside the scope of judicial oversight.

The Supreme Court upheld the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman and another party, describing it as valid. Additionally, the court dismissed the cross-appeal from Abure’s faction of the Labour Party, deeming it without merit.

More detail soon…