Theresa Ushie, 

The Legislative Arm of Bekwarra Local Government Area has removed its chairman, Hon. Theresa Ushie, over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

Announcing the decision on March 20, 2025, Council Leader Hon. Thompson Inah stated that Ushie’s leadership had stifled development and undermined Governor Prince Bassey Otu’s “People First” agenda.

The councillors accused Ushie, popularly known as the Queen of Bekwarra Nation, of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and administrative high-handedness.

Specific allegations included secrecy in revenue management, unilateral execution of projects, and confrontations involving her and her family members.

One of the key grievances was the denial of proper office spaces for councillors, delays in salary payments through an inaccessible bank, and the alleged mismanagement of Christmas palliatives meant for the community.

Attempts at reconciliation, including interventions from key stakeholders, reportedly failed.

The impeachment process was carried out under the Cross River State Local Government Law, with nine out of ten councillors signing the resolution.

A formal notice has been sent to Governor Bassey Otu and Acting Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.

In response, the state government has scheduled an emergency meeting on March 24, 2025, to address the crisis.

The Acting Governor has directed that the “status quo before the crisis” be maintained, leaving uncertainty about the next steps in Bekwarra’s leadership.

Attempts to obtain a response from Hon. Ushie were unsuccessful, as she did not return calls.

Bayelsa West senator, Seriake Dickson, walked out of the Senate chamber on Thursday shortly before the upper chamber approved the state of emergency in Rivers State.

The Senate gave its approval after a closed-door session that lasted for one hour and twenty minutes during Thursday’s plenary.

At around 1:40 pm, as senators returned from the closed-door meeting, Dickson, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Bayelsa State governor, was seen leaving the chamber visibly upset.

Although he did not publicly state the reason for his abrupt exit, it was clear that he was uncomfortable with the agreement reached during the closed-door session.

Earlier, there was a disagreement between Dickson and Senate President Godswill Akpabio before the Senate moved into the private session.

The dispute began when Dickson raised a point of order, citing Order 135 of the Senate Rules, which mandates that the President of Nigeria must brief the Senate in a closed-door session on the circumstances necessitating a state of emergency.

Akpabio immediately interrupted him, referencing Dickson’s prior comments on television opposing the emergency rule even before the Senate had deliberated on it.

“I watched you on television. Listen to me; let’s not argue. If we argue, it won’t be good for any of us. We are all distinguished people. You’re a former governor and I am a former governor, please off the mic, please be seated,” Akpabio told Dickson.

Dickson complied and took his seat.

Akpabio then accused him of forming an opinion on the matter before the Senate had reached a conclusion.

“I watched you on television and you said ‘no matter what the Senate does, the Senate will never go with you. The Senate will not go with you.’ You said no matter what the Senate does, the Senate will not have your vote, that was what you said on the television.

“I am saying that if you’ve already made up your mind to talk on television when the Senate has not considered this issue. I am not arguing with you, please allow me to preside,” Akpabio added.

Despite the Senate President’s remarks, Dickson proceeded with his point of order, urging his colleagues to adhere to Senate rules.

He emphasized the importance of following procedural guidelines and reminded the chamber that the Senate is governed by two key documents: Nigeria’s constitution and the Senate Standing Rules.

“We must have national respect for all our colleagues and for you, particularly our presiding officer, and it should be reciprocal. The point of order is to draw the attention of the presiding officer and our colleagues to the specific provisions of our rules. Each one of us is guided by two documents, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and rules that govern our proceedings.”

“The proclamation has been read to us, and I want to draw your attention, Mr President, respectfully, and the attention of all our colleagues to the specific provisions of our rules, Order 135. It is very exhaustive. Once there’s a state of emergency declaration, there is a procedure,” he stated.

Akpabio later upheld Dickson’s point of order but clarified that the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, had already planned to move for a closed-door session before Dickson raised his concerns.

The Senate then proceeded into the closed-door meeting, where the emergency rule was discussed and unanimously approved.

Order 135 of the Senate states, “The President shall, in a closed-door session, brief the Senate on the circumstances of the proclamation of a state of emergency.”

Meanwhile, the South-South Governors’ Forum had earlier opposed the state of emergency declaration in Rivers.

The forum’s chairperson, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, argued that the political situation in Rivers had not deteriorated to the point of warranting emergency rule, considering the provisions of Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution.

Diri explained that Section 305(3) specifies that a state of emergency should be declared only under conditions such as war, external aggression, or imminent invasion.

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has called on traditional rulers to avoid partisan politics, emphasizing their role in maintaining peace and stability across the state.

During a meeting with traditional leaders at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Ibas, a retired vice admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff, expressed his strong commitment to the Niger Delta region and underscored the importance of Rivers State in Nigeria’s development.

Reflecting on the ongoing political instability in the state, he expressed concern over the unrest.

“As a former naval chief, my duty was to protect lives, and I remain committed to restoring peace in Rivers State,” he said.

He assured the traditional rulers that his administration would work diligently to restore stability and uphold the state’s reputation.

Stressing his primary mandate of ensuring peace, he noted that Rivers State is too important to be engulfed in turmoil.

“A society without order is a society without progress,” he added.

Ibas described traditional rulers as a crucial link between the government and the people and urged them to play an active role in de-escalating tensions within their communities.

He cautioned them against political affiliations in both words and actions, while also warning against involvement in cultism and vandalism.

Emphasizing their role in community security, he encouraged the rulers to maintain open communication with their subjects.

“Security is the responsibility of all, not just the government,” he stated, making it clear that his administration would not tolerate disorder.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Ibas reaffirmed his willingness to collaborate and receive suggestions that would help in stabilizing the state.

In response, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Chike Worlu-Wodo, assured Ibas of their full cooperation.

He praised the appointment as a positive step for the state and reiterated the commitment of traditional rulers to upholding peace in their respective communities.

“As traditional rulers, our primary duty is to ensure peace in our kingdoms, clans, and communities,” he said.

He encouraged Ibas to see himself as a mediator, likening his role to that of a peacemaker resolving conflicts.

The monarch wished the administrator success in his mission, stating that Rivers State is in dire need of peace.

“We are not in doubt of your ability, which is why you were appointed,” he concluded.

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 presidential election, political maneuvering has intensified, with key figures seeking viable platforms among the country’s 19 registered parties.

Among these, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has emerged as a hub of activity, with seven presidential aspirants already lined up, according to the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye.

“We have eight presidential aspirants; it could be 10. Seven of them are on our platform,” Agunloye revealed on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program aired on Channels Television. While he refrained from naming the aspirants, he emphasized the party’s determination to retain all interested contenders, ensuring they do not defect to rival parties.”

Adding to the intrigue, Agunloye confirmed that allies of 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi had approached the SDP, exploring the possibility of his future candidacy under the party.

“Obi’s people came to us to say if Obi comes, would you take him? Of course, we told them: ‘Yes’. I was in that meeting. Some of them are with us saying that they are preparing the ground but you have to join SDP. You cannot be in the Labour Party and be telling us Obi is coming without joining us otherwise we can’t open our doors for you. But Obi may have no plan to come or he may want to come. People do all of this but where we stand is that we must do well in our platform,” he stated.

The buildup to 2027 has seen opposition forces coalescing in a bid to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leader, President Bola Tinubu.

On March 20, 2025, prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, formally announced a coalition aimed at unseating the incumbent administration, which has faced criticism over rising inflation and economic hardships.

The coalition is banking on the numerical strength of votes secured by Atiku and Obi in 2023, when they collectively garnered over 12 million votes, more than four million above Tinubu’s total.

However, with internal crises plaguing both the PDP and LP, along with discontent among APC members, the SDP has emerged as a viable alternative for political heavyweights.

SDP’s Agunloye confirmed the party’s openness to new entrants.

“Our gates are open. So, if all of them want to come, we will take them,” he said. However, he stressed that new arrivals would not be allowed to overshadow long-standing party members.”

“We will not allow people to come and sweep the people out from the place. We must synergize; we must maximize the opportunities because these are people with a lot of experience.”

“Whatever anybody wants to say about El-Rufai, you cannot take his experience away, you cannot take his expertise away, you cannot take his energy away. And he has money because anybody who is able to win elections has money –whether he is able to raise it or has it from inheritance. So, it is a plus that he joins the party but we must find a way to work together with him.”

The SDP official also confirmed that El-Rufai’s defection from the APC to the SDP had triggered an influx of new members.

“I know that (Hamza) Al-Mustapha has come because he came to the office to collect our membership card. El-Rufai has come and a couple of his former commissioners, and associates.”

“Several other people called and said they don’t know El-Rufai but because he came, they want to come. I am the secretary of the party. If your name is not on our book, you have come but you have not entered,” he explained.

Rumors have swirled about Atiku potentially joining the SDP, but Agunloye remained cautious.

“I’ve been hearing that Atiku is coming. Atiku and I are friends since the time he was vice president. He still spoke to me about one week or less ago; he didn’t say: ‘I am coming’.”

With multiple high-profile politicians eyeing the SDP’s presidential ticket, Agunloye acknowledged the complexity of the situation.

“Just imagine Peter Obi, Atiku, El-Rufai, (Attahiru) Bafarawa come on the same platform, you have to find a balance,” he noted.

Regarding zoning of the party’s 2027 ticket, he indicated that the decision would be made collectively.

“We need to strengthen all the structures in SDP. We need to preserve the integrity of the SDP. We need to have a situation where everybody has his responsibility. Because they have come, we are not going to merge but we must be honest. It is only when we deal honestly that Peter Obi can sit down, Adewole (Adebayo) can sit down, Atiku can sit down.”

The Supreme Court has reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), overturning the decision of the Appeal Court, Enugu Division.

In a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the apex court ruled that issues concerning the leadership or membership of a political party fall under internal party affairs and should not be subject to judicial intervention.

The decision nullifies the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Enugu, which had affirmed Anyanwu’s removal following a suit filed by Aniagwu Emmanuel.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur stated that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, as the necessary exceptional circumstances were not present.

The court clarified that such circumstances include cases where the Nigerian Constitution explicitly grants jurisdiction, when a crime has been committed, or when contractual rights have been violated.

Additionally, the Supreme Court pointed out that the failure to include Sunday Udeh Okoye as a party to the case meant that Aniagwu Emmanuel lacked the legal standing to file the suit in the first place.

The National Assembly (NASS) has come under heavy criticism following its approval of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Nigerians across different sectors have expressed outrage over what they describe as a hasty and undemocratic endorsement of the president’s decision, which includes appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the state’s sole administrator.

Despite calls from opposition leaders and concerned citizens urging lawmakers to reject the emergency declaration, members of both chambers unanimously approved it through a voice vote.

The Senate, in addition, invoked Section 11(4) of the Constitution, giving itself the authority to oversee the administration of Rivers State.

In the House of Representatives, an attempt by Obi Agwuncha to call for a headcount of lawmakers present was ignored, while the motion was amended to transfer legislative authority over Rivers State from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to the National Assembly.

Prior to the deliberation, prominent figures, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, had spoken against the state of emergency.

Obi had urged Labour Party lawmakers to oppose the decision, while Chidoka argued that security agencies should be strengthened to maintain peace rather than resorting to emergency rule.

He also suggested that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) should play a more active role in resolving the crisis.

However, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, stood firm on their decision.

After a closed-door session lasting over an hour, the Senate approved the emergency declaration and set up a joint ad hoc committee to oversee the state’s administration.

The House of Representatives followed suit in a swift one-hour session, where initial opposition to the decision was quickly overruled.

President Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast, had earlier suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

Lawmakers in the House debated modifications to the emergency rule, with Minority Whip Ali Isah suggesting that the emergency should be reviewed periodically instead of lasting a fixed six months. His recommendation was adopted.

In response to accusations that he failed to address security concerns in the state, Governor Fubara, through his Chief Press Secretary Nelson Chukwudi, denied any role in the recent threats by militants and dismissed claims that he neglected rebuilding the demolished House of Assembly complex.

He blamed ongoing tensions on comments made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, stating that Wike’s refusal to apologize for remarks against the Ijaw people fueled unrest in the state.

Criticism of the National Assembly’s handling of the situation has continued to mount.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, warned that the approval could set a dangerous precedent, allowing President Tinubu to impose emergency rule in other opposition-led states.

He also condemned the use of a voice vote, arguing that Nigerians deserved to know where each lawmaker stood on the issue.

Peter Obi also criticized the voice vote on his X handle, stating: “You cannot determine a two-thirds majority by a voice vote. Decisions of such magnitude must be made with integrity, following the letter and spirit of the law.”

Former Ogun Central Senator Femi Okurounmu also questioned the decision, arguing that the voice vote undermined representative democracy.

He said, “While I do not have evidence to back the insinuation that the lawmakers were either induced or coerced to use voice votes, it is not impossible, because voice votes have also been adopted to determine important matters like this in the past. But that doesn’t make it right.”