The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), the state government, and Governor Siminialayi Fubara to proceed with the local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024, in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.

The directive came in response to a suit filed by the Action Peoples Party (APP) against RISIEC, the state government, and Governor Fubara.

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In his ruling, Judge L.P.C Igwe affirmed that under Section 7(1) of the Constitution, the government and the governor were obligated to ensure that local government councils are run by democratically elected officials.

The court emphasized that, based on the Supreme Court’s ruling on July 11, 2024, and the expiration of the term of the last democratically elected local councils in Rivers State on June 17, 2024, the election must be held without delay.

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RISIEC was also instructed to use the National Register of Voters from the 2023 general elections, which is already in RISIEC’s possession, to conduct the polls.

The court further reiterated that, following the Supreme Court’s decision, elections must be held within three months from the judgment, meaning the elections must take place by October 11, 2024.

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The court issued the following orders:

RISIEC, the state government, and Governor Fubara must make adequate provisions for the elections to ensure that local government affairs are run by democratically elected officials.

RISIEC is to conduct the local government elections on October 5, 2024, or any other date in accordance with its electoral guidelines.

The National Register of Voters from the 2023 general elections must be used for the conduct of the local elections.

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Adequate security must be provided during and after the election by the police, civil defense corps, military, and other relevant security agencies. 

The office of Edo State’s deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, located on Osadebe Avenue in Benin City, was sealed off by police on Sunday.

Armed officers were seen guarding the premises, and a machine gun-mounted police truck was stationed at the gate.

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This office, which was relocated from the Government House during Shaibu’s ongoing dispute with Governor Godwin Obaseki, had its entry gate locked.

According to sources, staff members were instructed to report to the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Agency (JOOPSA) as of Friday.

Additionally, official vehicles, including the Press Crew bus, were moved to the office of the Head of Service within the Government House complex.

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A staff member from the Deputy Governor’s office confirmed the relocation, stating, “We were told on Thursday to report to JOOPSA, and that’s where we have been working since Friday and will continue to do so on Monday.”

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has approved the construction of a modern psychiatric hospital in Obi Akpor Local Government Area, home to his political rival and estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Wike, who hails from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor, has been in a power struggle with Fubara, accusing the governor of abandoning those who helped him rise to power.

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In a reception organized by the Ijaw Peoples Assembly in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike boasted that when the time comes, he would teach Fubara and his supporters a political lesson. He added that the political battle in Rivers State was far from over.

“Imagine in Rivers, they are contemplating the APP. It is not about money. You can have all the money, but if there is no capacity, there is no capacity,” Wike said, referring to Fubara’s administration.

“We have defeated them before, and we will defeat them again. Our job is politics, and when the time comes, we will show them what politics really means.”

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In response, Fubara addressed the claims during an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service in Port Harcourt, which marked Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day.

He stated that his achievements in just one year outshine those of his critics in eight years.

Fubara pointed to several ongoing projects as evidence of his administration’s progress.

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“It was Fubara who signed the paper to borrow N200 billion from Zenith Bank for the construction of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. It is my project. I also awarded the Trans-Kalabari Road, which they couldn’t complete. I am building the entire road, not just a bridge,” he said.

“I’m also constructing a general hospital that includes a psychiatric hospital, because they will need it very soon.”

The governor emphasized that his administration’s focus is on the people, not personal interests or political noise.

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He criticized his opponents for only engaging in empty rhetoric while his government delivered tangible projects for the state’s benefit.

“We’re doing it for the people of Rivers State. We will not make decisions we cannot defend. We will not bring disgrace to the state,” Fubara said.

“This state is our pride, and that is why some people are struggling against our progress.”

Fubara also alluded to the improvement in the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR), which he attributed as another reason for the opposition’s frustration.

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“We’re not here to embark on mere jamboree or groundbreaking ceremonies. Every project started will be completed and put to use,” he assured, adding that his focus was on tangible development rather than political spectacle.

He called for unity and a plea to safeguard the opportunities that God had provided, warning that those who sought to undermine his government would continue to struggle for recognition.

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has revealed that his administration allocates over N1 billion monthly to support mission schools across the state.

He made this announcement during Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith in Awka, the state capital, attended by a large gathering of celebrants.

“This expenditure helps the church moderate the fees charged in their schools. Additionally, we are working to ensure that 77 communities in Anambra lacking public schools will soon have access to them. We want to provide our children with educational choices similar to what was available in the 1970s,” Soludo stated.

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The governor emphasized the importance of the Independence Day Service, also known as the Interdenominational Church Service, which serves as an annual event for Nigerians of various faiths to come together in prayer for the nation.

Accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Chief Judge Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, and members of the State Executive Council, Soludo expressed gratitude to the event organizers and highlighted the need for ongoing prayers for Nigeria and its leadership.

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“Today’s service serves as a reminder that we are, first and foremost, citizens of Nigeria, each with a role to play in building a strong and prosperous nation. We must continue to pray for our leaders and for the country,” he remarked.

Soludo described the day as a time for Thanksgiving, celebrating Nigeria’s sovereignty, and noted, “I appreciate your message; it is very well received. We have important takeaways. You reminded us that we had a glorious past before crude oil came. The future of Nigeria depends on us. I bring a message of collective responsibility, as it seems that each year, Nigeria’s past is often perceived as more glorious than our present.”

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Quoting late musician Sunny Okosun, he urged the congregation, “Let’s save Nigeria, so Nigeria won’t die.”

He emphasized the need for proactive action rather than mere complaints, stating, “Living in an underdeveloped country requires multitasking—considering farming or other ventures.”

The governor called upon the clergy to use their influence to inspire collective action among the populace.

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“On this 64th anniversary, we must stress that as government representatives on Earth, we all have a duty to serve,” he asserted.

Soludo also highlighted his administration’s recent achievements, reaffirming his commitment to enhancing the lives of Anambra residents.

He recently announced the implementation of a free education policy for senior secondary students in public schools and the commencement of minimum wage payments starting in October.

“Last Thursday, we announced at the Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre that minimum wage payments will begin in Anambra in October. We also extended free, quality education to senior secondary students in public schools,” he said.

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“For too long, the government has neglected the poor. We are implementing changes to ensure no one is left behind, including continuing our subsidy for returned mission schools.”

Earlier, Archbishop Alexander Ibezim of the Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Awka Diocese reminded attendees of the significance of Nigeria’s Independence and the importance of unity and love, urging Nigerians to reject hatred, nepotism, and tribalism.

Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has initiated a N1 billion lawsuit against Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, over allegations of defamation.

VeryDarkMan recently released an audio recording in which Bobrisky purportedly claimed to have bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with N15 million to have money laundering charges against him dropped.

Bobrisky has vehemently dismissed the claims as an “AI-generated fabrication aimed at damaging his reputation.”

In a statement posted on Bobrisky’s Instagram account on Sunday, the lawsuit accused VeryDarkMan of exploiting Bobrisky’s name and image to gain attention on social media.

The viral audio and related commentary, the statement claimed, have caused significant harm to Bobrisky’s public image, brand, and personal life.

Bobrisky demanded that VeryDarkMan immediately retract the AI-generated audio along with all defamatory statements.

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Additionally, he called for a public apology to be published in two national newspapers and across all of VeryDarkMan’s social media channels.

He also seeks a written commitment to refrain from further defamatory publications and compensation of N1 billion for damages.

Bobrisky’s legal representatives, R.T. Omuvwie & Co., stated that failure to comply with these demands within 24 hours would result in further legal action.

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The statement reads, “Our client has informed us that in your quest for social media stardom, you have continued to exploit his name, personality, and social media influence to create media buzz for your personal gains.

“Recently, you alleged in one of your trending videos on various social media platforms that various Deputy Inspectors General of the Nigeria Police Force, lawmakers, senators, and politicians generally were in the habit of having sexual intercourse with our client, yet you have not provided any proof of these claims to date.”

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“You have persisted in making reckless and unfounded statements, including hearsay that you cannot prove against our client, disregarding his mental health, general wellbeing, right to privacy, right to freedom of thought, right to life, and other fundamental constitutional rights.

“One would expect that after such attempts against our client, you would exercise some level of caution or restraint, considering the safety and wellbeing of our client. However, your goals are personal and self-serving, and thus you have made it a lifelong task to fulfil them by any means, regardless of the negative effects on our client and others caught in your unfounded attacks.”

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“Our client has become aware that you recently published an AI-generated audio call, claiming it was between an unnamed individual and our client. For the record, our client has never had any audio conversation with this individual, and your act of defamation and blackmail should be retracted within 24 hours of the service of this letter of demand via social media platforms.”

“Your AI-generated audio conversation is the result of you and any other individuals who collaborated with you to create it. Therefore, we warn you that you must remove our client’s name from the said recording or anything that may connect our client to the alleged recording. For the record, our client had no knowledge of such a telephone conversation with you or anyone else.

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“Our client has suffered immense damage since the publication of the defamatory content by you, leading to several damaging reviews of his persona, brand, and everything he holds dear. This is akin to what you threatened in a video published on Tuesday, 24th September 2024, where you stated that if our client failed to pay the demanded sum, you would publish a damaging video, which would cause him to lose friends. You have not only created a defamatory recording to put our client in a bad light for your purposes of blackmail but, astonishingly, you continued to publish false information about our client even after payment, revealing your ulterior motives against him.”

“Our client, by this letter, demands strict proof regarding the authenticity of the said audio recording, affirming that he never had a phone conversation with you or anyone you represent. It is shocking that you would publish an AI-generated audio recording to damage our client’s social standing and place his life in jeopardy solely for your selfish personal goals.

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“You and anyone collaborating with you owe the authorities, security agencies, and respected legal and human rights advocates an explanation regarding how you created the audio recording and the defamatory words used, including your confident defamatory commentary before and after the AI audio recording.

“For the record, our client has not alleged any agency or person of bribery or wrongdoing; thus, the burden lies with you to prove your allegations to the authorities and the respected personalities you have defamed. It is laughable that anyone would believe your AI audio recording stating otherwise, given that our client served his prison time within a correctional facility in Lagos State.

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“As it relates to our client, we demand that you immediately remove the said AI-generated audio recording published as a video by you, along with your defamatory commentary voiceover, which you recklessly and dangerously attributed to our client. None of this material is a product of our client; thus, any name, description, or attribution to our client in the process of publishing the said defamatory material is false.

“We, therefore, demand, on behalf of our client, a written apology published in two national daily newspapers, a video recording of your apology to our client shared on all your social media platforms, a commitment to refrain from reporting or publishing defamatory content against our client, and the payment of ₦1,000,000,000 in damages within 24 hours of this letter via social media or any other means.

“Take notice: should you fail to take advantage of the alternative dispute resolution mechanism introduced in paragraphs 10 and 11 of this demand notice, we shall seek legal redress in a court of competent jurisdiction immediately without any further notice to you. We hope this matter can be resolved within the next 24 hours.”