The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has set April 16, 2025, as the date for its ruling on an application seeking the dismissal of a defection case filed by the Labour Party against 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The Labour Party is requesting the court to declare the seats of the lawmakers vacant, alleging that they defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

During the hearing, counsel for the defendants, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, argued for the case to be struck out, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment.

Presenting a Certified True Copy of the judgment, the defense counsel emphasized that the Supreme Court had reinstated the Amaewhule-led leadership of the Assembly.

He further pointed out that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who initially raised allegations of defection, had withdrawn his claims at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

On the other hand, counsel for the Labour Party, Clifford Chukwu, argued that the issue of defection was a “collateral matter” before the Supreme Court and urged the court not to dismiss the case based on the evidence already presented.

It will be recalled that on February 29, the Supreme Court ruled that, in the absence of substantiated evidence, no legal defection had taken place, thereby upholding the existing structure of the Assembly.

Speaking to Channels Television after the court session, Chukwu stated that he had presented his arguments, and only the ruling on April 16 would determine whether the submissions made by the defendants’ counsel would be upheld.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an unnecessary and politically motivated decision.

The move has also drawn sharp criticism from the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and other stakeholders, who accuse the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of fueling the crisis for his political gain.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, IYC President Dr. Alaye Theophilus rejected the emergency declaration, insisting that the situation in Rivers State did not warrant such drastic action.

He accused Wike of orchestrating the standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state legislature in a bid to maintain his influence over the state.

“We will never accept the decision of Mr. President to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. This crisis has been engineered by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. We urge the President to reconsider this decision,” Theophilus stated.

He further alleged that the recent attacks on critical infrastructure, including the Trans-Niger oil pipeline, were staged to justify federal intervention.

“It is unheard of for the President to declare a state of emergency when peaceful resolutions are still possible. Governor Fubara has shown a willingness to dialogue, but Wike and his loyalists in the House of Assembly remain confrontational,” he added.

PANDEF, the foremost socio-political group advocating for the interests of the Niger Delta, also condemned the decision.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, described the move as an attack on democracy and a plot to undermine the region’s political stability.

“Declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State is a dangerous precedent. This is nothing but a ploy to destabilize the Niger Delta and impose an illegitimate leadership,” Robinson said.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, outrightly rejected the emergency rule, describing it as unconstitutional.

“The President does not have the power to arbitrarily suspend a democratically elected governor and impose an unelected individual. This is an assault on the will of the people and an attempt to suppress opposition,” Ologunagba stated.

Similarly, the CUPP, through its spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, accused Wike of using his influence within the federal government to manipulate the situation.

“This so-called emergency rule is nothing but a political coup. Wike has been at the center of this crisis, and now the federal government is rewarding him with total control over Rivers State,” Ugochinyere remarked.

Amid widespread condemnation, political and civil society groups have called on President Tinubu to reverse the decision.

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, warned that the action could lead to unrest in the Niger Delta.

“This is a reckless abuse of power. If the government fails to reverse this decision, it risks provoking resistance from the people,” Okaba said.

Despite mounting pressure, the federal government has yet to respond to the growing outcry over the controversial state of emergency.

Meanwhile, supporters of Governor Fubara have vowed to resist any attempt to remove him from office, raising concerns about possible escalations in the crisis.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has launched a TikTok page, days after former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai joined the platform.

Obi made the announcement on Tuesday via his X handle, informing his supporters about his official presence on the social media app.

“This is my official and only TikTok page. Kindly join me towards building a new Nigeria that is possible,” Obi wrote.

The former Anambra State governor also shared a video encouraging people to follow him, reinforcing his vision of a “new Nigeria that is possible.”

Meanwhile, El-Rufai had set up his own TikTok page last Wednesday, using it to engage Nigerians on political issues and his association with the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In a video introducing his page, he stated, “This is my only and official TikTok page. Please join me for videos, comments, and conversations on Nigerian politics, as well as the activities of our new party, Social Democratic Party (SDP). Welcome on board.”

El-Rufai’s TikTok presence gained rapid traction, amassing over 200,000 followers within a day. His bio on the platform describes him as an “accidental public servant, certified ruffler of feathers, and deliberate SDP member.”

His move to TikTok comes after his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a dramatic turn of events, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered a double blow within 24 hours, as the party’s national secretariat was revoked by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration, and President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.

On Monday, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike announced the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of ground rent. Among the affected properties was the PDP National Secretariat.

A notice dated March 13, 2025, and signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration, stated that the opposition party had failed to pay its annual ground rent for two decades, from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025.

Despite multiple reminders published in national newspapers and electronic media, the party did not settle its outstanding bills.

“I am to further inform you that the subject property (Plot No. 243 Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja) has thus reverted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, and the Administration will take immediate possession thereof,” Nwankwoeze stated on behalf of the minister.

Reacting to the development, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, condemned the revocation, calling it “a drive towards totalitarianism and an attempt to stifle opposition.”

He also revealed that the revocation order extended to both the temporary and permanent offices of the party, describing it as a threat to democracy.

As the PDP leadership convened an emergency meeting to address the issue, another political storm hit the party.

President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, which is governed by the PDP.

The president justified his decision by citing threats from militants who had vowed to destroy oil pipelines if Governor Siminalayi Fubara was impeached.

He stated that his efforts to mediate the crisis had failed due to the refusal of the warring parties to compromise.

To manage the situation, Tinubu appointed a retired naval officer to oversee the state’s affairs for six months, effectively sidelining Fubara and the state lawmakers.

The move sparked outrage from PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who strongly criticized Tinubu’s decision.

In a statement he personally signed on Tuesday night, Atiku accused the president of interfering in the Rivers crisis for political gain.

“Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers. His blatant refusal — or calculated negligence — in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful.

“Beyond the political scheming in Rivers, the brazen security breaches that led to the condemnable destruction of national infrastructure in the state land squarely on the President’s desk. Tinubu cannot evade responsibility for the chaos his administration has either enabled or failed to prevent.

“It is an unforgivable failure that under Tinubu’s watch, the Niger Delta has been thrown back into an era of violent unrest and instability — undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Years of progress have been recklessly erased in pursuit of selfish political calculations.

“If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President bears full responsibility. Punishing the people of Rivers State just to serve the political gamesmanship between the governor and Tinubu’s enablers in the federal government is nothing less than an assault on democracy and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources (2010-2015), has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of misleading courts into granting forfeiture orders against her properties.

She alleges that the anti-graft agency suppressed and misrepresented facts to obtain the orders.

Ahead of the scheduled auction of her properties on Monday, Alison-Madueke filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to stop the EFCC from proceeding with the sale.

She contends that the agency violated her fundamental human rights by denying her a fair hearing.

Through her legal counsel, Mike Ozekhome, the former minister is requesting the court to compel the EFCC to recover and return all her properties that have already been sold.

Since leaving office in 2015, Alison-Madueke has faced allegations of bribery, fraud, misuse of public funds, and money laundering, leading to a prolonged legal battle with the EFCC.

In her application, she maintains that she was never given the opportunity to defend herself before her assets were confiscated.

“In many cases, the final forfeiture orders were made against properties which affected the applicant’s interest.

“The courts were misled into making the final order of forfeiture against the applicant based on suppression or non-disclosure of material facts,” her application stated.

However, the EFCC has countered her claims. Oyakhilome Ekienabor, the agency’s litigation officer in her case, insists that due process was followed and that the forfeiture orders remain valid.

“The forfeited properties were disposed of in accordance with the due process of law,” the EFCC’s legal counsel stated.

In response, Alison-Madueke’s legal team sought additional time to address the EFCC’s counter-affidavit.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, adjourned the case to March 27 for further hearing.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a politically motivated move.

In a nationwide address on Tuesday night, Tinubu announced the emergency measure, citing escalating unrest in the oil-rich state.

According to the president, militants had attacked several oil pipelines, prompting urgent intervention.

As part of the directive, Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months.

He also dissolved the Rivers State House of Assembly and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during the period.

Reacting to the decision, Atiku released a personally signed statement condemning the move, calling it a deliberate political maneuver.

“The declaration of state of emergency in Rivers reeks of political manipulation and outright bad faith,” Atiku stated.

“Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers. His blatant refusal — or calculated negligence — in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful.

“Beyond the political scheming in Rivers, the brazen security breaches that led to the condemnable destruction of national infrastructure in the state land squarely on the President’s desk.

“Tinubu cannot evade responsibility for the chaos his administration has either enabled or failed to prevent.

“It is an unforgivable failure that under Tinubu’s watch, the Niger Delta has been thrown back into an era of violent unrest and instability — undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Years of progress have been recklessly erased in pursuit of selfish political calculations.

“If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President bears full responsibility. Punishing the people of Rivers State just to serve the political gamesmanship between the governor and Tinubu’s enablers in the federal government is nothing less than an assault on democracy and must be condemned in the strongest terms.” he concluded.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s whereabouts remained uncertain on Tuesday night as military trucks moved into the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.

The deployment came on the first night of the state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the state lawmakers for six months following escalating tensions in the state.

According to reports, the trucks were stationed both within and outside the Government House premises.

Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule followed attacks on oil installations in Rivers State.

Some militant groups had previously threatened to destroy pipelines if the state House of Assembly proceeded with the impeachment of Fubara.

Hours after lawmakers served the governor with a notice of alleged misconduct, the threats were reportedly carried out.

Reacting to the situation, Tinubu stated:

“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”

He also announced the appointment of an administrator to take charge of the state.

Following the declaration, eyewitnesses reported seeing about ten military trucks patrolling the roads leading to the Government House’s main gate, while armored vehicles were positioned strategically around the area.

A resident of Port Harcourt, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the military presence, saying:

“The road leading to Government House from Isaac Boro Park to the popular UTC is deserted. Residents are making efforts to get back to their respective homes as nobody wants to be caught in a crossfire. I saw about ten military trucks patrolling the road leading to Government House. There are other armored tanks stationed at both entrance roads leading to Government House.”

As at the time of this report, it was unclear whether Fubara had vacated the Government House.

However, sources within the government suggested that he had anticipated the declaration of a state of emergency.

A source from Government House revealed to DAILY GAZETTE that the governor had spent the day holding meetings with members of the suspended State Executive Council.

A former commissioner, when contacted by our reporter, briefly responded, saying he was in a meeting with the governor and promised to call back later.

However, he did not follow up before the time of publication.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has convened an emergency meeting following the revocation of its national secretariat in Abuja by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The PDP headquarters, located in the Central Business District of Abuja, was among the properties affected by the minister’s revocation order, which cited non-payment of ground rent.

A notice dated March 13, 2025, conveyed the decision. Titled “Notice of Right of Occupancy with File No: MISC 81346 in Respect of Plot No: 243 within Central Area District, Abuja,” the letter was signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration at the FCT Administration.

According to Nwankwoeze, the PDP failed to pay its annual ground rent from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025, despite multiple public notices urging property owners to clear outstanding dues.

Reacting to the move, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, strongly criticized the revocation order, labeling it an attempt to weaken the opposition.

“The attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government to revoke the Right of Occupancy of the National Secretariat of the PDP is highly condemnable.

“It is aimed at stifling opposition in this country and, of course, a drive towards totalitarianism. And it is a threat to democracy. The NWC is now meeting, and I will get back to you shortly with a detailed response of our party to this development.

“To let you know how despicable this action is, it is both properties. Both the new one under construction and the one the PDP has been occupying for almost two decades—the Wadata Plaza. It is an attempt to stifle opposition.”

The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill through its second reading to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, requiring social media companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria.

Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), the bill seeks to ensure that multinational social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat, set up offices in the country to enhance compliance with Nigerian laws and improve accountability.

Leading the debate, Nwoko emphasized:

“Despite Nigeria’s vast digital presence, multinational social media companies do not maintain physical offices in the country, unlike in other nations.”

He pointed out that the lack of local representation contributes to economic losses and difficulties in enforcing legal and data protection regulations.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for bloggers, mandating that they:

• Establish verifiable offices in any of Nigeria’s capital cities
• Maintain proper employee records
• Be members of a recognized national association of bloggers headquartered in Abuja

Clarifying the intent of the legislation, Nwoko stated:

“This measure is not intended to stifle social media but to promote accountability and transparency, similar to traditional media standards.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the necessity of requiring digital platforms to maintain local offices but expressed reservations regarding the regulation of bloggers.

“It’s good to have an address, but bloggers are slightly different. I think the best thing is for the bill to go for a second reading and subsequently a public hearing for much more streamlined clarity,” Akpabio said.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, which is expected to submit its report within two months.