Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara intervened early Friday morning to thwart an alleged attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) premises.

The incident occurred around 1 AM, as police were reportedly trying to breach the gates and secure room of the commission to seize sensitive electoral materials intended for the upcoming local government elections.

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A video obtained by Channels Television showed the police attempting to gain access, prompting vigilant security personnel to alert key officials of the commission and relevant government authorities.

The alarming news quickly reached Governor Fubara, who mobilized a team of government officials, lawmakers from both the National and State Assemblies, and other political leaders to the scene.

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In the video, shouts of “Move this thing! Illegal police! Illegal police! Thief! Thief!” can be heard as the governor and his supporters confronted the situation.

Supporters of the governor were seen physically confronting police vehicles stationed outside the RSIEC office, which were reported to be carrying a number of police officers.

As the situation unfolded, prominent officials, including the Chief of Staff and the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, along with other stakeholders, took up positions at the RSIEC office to prevent the police from re-entering and to ensure that the elections would proceed as scheduled.

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This incident comes in the wake of a statement from the Rivers State Police Command, where spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko acknowledged receiving a restraining order preventing police from providing security during the local government elections slated for October 5, 2024.

In a separate meeting with PDP stakeholders at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara expressed regret that his party would not participate in the upcoming elections.

He emphasized the importance of conducting the elections on Saturday to adhere to the three-month timeline set by the Federal Government for implementing the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.

The Rivers State Police Command has announced its commitment to fully comply with a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which prohibits its involvement in the upcoming October 5 local government election in Rivers State.

This decision follows less than 24 hours after members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by state chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka, staged a protest against the election’s conduct by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

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The protesters, who marched to the headquarters of both the Department of State Services and the State Police Command in Port Harcourt, submitted a petition and a copy of the court judgment, urging the security agencies to adhere to the court’s order and refrain from participating in the poll.

In response, the state police spokesperson, Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed in a statement that the police command would follow the court’s ruling.

However, she emphasized that this would not mean the police would stand by and allow any security breaches to occur during the election.

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The statement, issued on Thursday, clarified that the decision was made after receiving directives from the Force Legal Department, which advised that the ruling from the Federal High Court, dated September 30, 2024, takes precedence over any previous orders.

Iringe-Koko further explained that the police had carefully reviewed the court judgments barring their participation in the election and advised citizens to remain peaceful during this period.

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The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to inform all law-abiding citizens and stakeholders in Rivers State about the upcoming local government election, especially in light of recent court rulings. On July 19, 2024, and again on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued orders restraining the police and other security agencies from providing security or participating in the election.”

She also noted that an opposition party had recently protested, calling for compliance with the court orders, adding that the police encourage all aggrieved parties to seek legal redress if necessary.

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While assuring the public that the police would not allow any disturbances, Iringe-Koko reiterated that all police commanders and tactical teams had been instructed to comply fully with the court’s judgment. She also urged other security agencies to follow suit.

In conclusion, the police urged all citizens to remain calm, cooperate with law enforcement, and uphold the rule of law during this crucial period.

Former Vice President and 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has proposed a six-year single-term rotational presidency between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions.

Atiku submitted this recommendation in a letter dated August 29, 2024, addressed to the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.

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The proposal was made public this week.

Atiku’s submission calls for an amendment to Section 130 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, suggesting the insertion of a clause that would mandate the office of the President to rotate among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, alternating between the North and South.

Each zone would have a single term of six years.

The proposed amendment also seeks to modify Section 135 (2) of the Constitution to stipulate that the President would vacate office after serving a six-year term, with no option for re-election.

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This arrangement, according to Atiku, would ensure fairness and equal representation across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

Atiku, who has unsuccessfully contested for the presidency six times over the last three decades, lost the 2023 election to former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His recent proposal is part of his continued advocacy for structural reforms in Nigeria’s governance system.

Labour Party lawmakers from Anambra State have accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of attempting to undermine local government autonomy through the introduction of the “Anambra State Local Government Administration Law 2024.”

At a press conference held at the National Assembly in Abuja, the lawmakers, including Senator Tony Nwoye, George Ozodinobi, Afam Ogene, Idu Emeka, and Anekwe Peter, raised concerns that the proposed law contradicts a recent Supreme Court ruling that grants financial independence to local governments.

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The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment on July 11, 2024, ruled that local governments should receive funds directly from the Federation Account, bypassing state governments.

The Labour Party caucus argues that the proposed bill seeks to reverse this decision, depriving Anambra’s 21 local governments of their financial autonomy.

Senator Nwoye explained that the bill includes provisions that would allow the state government to control local government funds, specifically through Section 13, which establishes a State Joint Local Government Account.

This, the lawmakers claimed, is a clear violation of the Supreme Court ruling that bars state interference with local government finances.

In its judgment, Justice Emmanuel Agim of the Supreme Court ruled that states have no constitutional right to control or manage local government allocations.

The court underscored that local governments are entitled to direct funding from the Federation Account, without interference from state authorities.

The Labour Party lawmakers also criticized Section 14 of the proposed bill, which requires local governments to remit a percentage of their allocations to a consolidated account managed by the state.

They argued that this further violates the Supreme Court’s decision and undermines local government financial autonomy.

Additionally, they condemned Section 16 of the bill, which mandates that local governments contribute 20% of their allocations to a Local Government Joint Security Trust Account within two days of receiving funds from the Federation Account.

According to the lawmakers, this provision would financially weaken the local governments, making them reliant on the state.

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Quoting Justice Moore Adumein’s remarks from the Supreme Court ruling, Senator Nwoye warned that continued state control over local government allocations would suffocate and ultimately render local governments powerless.

He stressed that local governments should not be treated as extensions or colonies of state governments.

The Labour Party caucus urged Governor Soludo and the Anambra State House of Assembly to reconsider the proposed law and comply fully with the Supreme Court ruling, which is intended to enhance the financial independence of local governments across Nigeria.

They called for the preservation of local government autonomy to ensure effective grassroots governance and development.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced strong concerns over the current state of Nigeria, stating that the nation’s challenges today are even worse than those faced in 1984.

ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, made these remarks during the 2024 edition of the ASUU State of the Nation Conference, held in Abuja on Thursday.

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The conference, themed “Nigeria in a State of General Crisis: The Search for a New Path to Development,” sought to address the country’s worsening economic and political climate, with a particular focus on finding sustainable solutions to restore growth and stability.

In his speech, Professor Osodeke criticized Nigeria’s governance, claiming it is increasingly dominated by foreign interests and benefiting only a select few.

He lamented that despite Nigeria’s abundant resources, the majority of its citizens continue to live in poverty. He called for a more equitable distribution of the country’s wealth to serve the needs of all Nigerians.

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Reflecting on Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary, Osodeke expressed disappointment that conditions in the country today are more dire than they were in 1984.

He linked Nigeria’s current difficulties to the failure of successive governments to address the resolutions from ASUU’s first State of the Nation Conference in 1984, which was held at the University of Benin.

The same issues highlighted back then, such as shortages of basic goods, failing infrastructure, mass unemployment, high inflation, and exploitation of the country’s resources by foreign companies, persist today.

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Osodeke emphasized that ASUU’s mission extends beyond advocating for better pay and conditions for university staff.

The union, founded in 1978, has long been focused on protecting and advancing the broader socio-economic and cultural well-being of the Nigerian people.

He noted that ASUU has been at the forefront of generating ideas for improved governance through its national conferences.

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Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by a deputy, praised ASUU for its consistent efforts to improve funding for universities and for its advocacy on behalf of Nigerian academics.

He acknowledged ASUU’s pivotal role in shaping the country’s educational landscape and contributing to national development.

ASUU concluded the conference by urging the government to take immediate action to address the nation’s crises and implement policies that would liberate Nigeria from both foreign and local exploiters.

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The union stressed the need for policies that would restore the dignity of the country and improve the welfare of its citizens.