Connect with us

NEWS

Tinubu, AGF Snub Suit Seeking To Sack Rivers’ Sole Administrator

Published

on

A suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s controversial appointment of a Sole Administrator for Rivers State suffered a setback on Thursday as the President and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, failed to appear or send legal representation before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The matter, brought before Justice James Omotosho, was instituted by Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, who is urging the court to declare the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) as unconstitutional and to nullify the suspension of the state’s elected Governor and Deputy Governor.

READ MORE: BREAKING: HURIWA Urges Supreme Court To Dispense Justice Quick On Rivers Emergency Rule

Although the Attorneys-General of Lagos, Bayelsa, Taraba, and Edo states were present and announced their appearances, the absence of legal representation for both the President (1st Defendant) and the AGF (2nd Defendant) drew attention during the proceedings.

Plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Chimezie Enuka, confirmed to the court that all parties—except the Attorneys-General of Zamfara and Bauchi states—had been properly served with the originating processes and hearing notice.

Following a consensus among the present legal teams, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to June 11, 2025, and ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued to all defendants.

The suit, filed under number FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, has Tinubu, the AGF, and the 36 state Attorneys-General listed as defendants. Jideobi is asking the court to set aside all decisions and actions taken by Ibas in the name of a Sole Administrator, arguing they lack any constitutional basis.

In his affidavit in support of the suit, the plaintiff asserted that President Tinubu does not possess the constitutional powers to suspend elected state officials or to appoint unelected figures to govern in their place.

“As a Nigerian lawyer and all through my years of practice, I have never seen the word ‘Sole Administrator’ in the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Jideobi stated.

“I know that neither the 1st Defendant nor the 2nd Defendant appointed the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria and that no Governor or Deputy Governor in Nigeria is an appointee of the 1st and 2nd Defendants,” he added.

The plaintiff contends that the only constitutionally recognized grounds for removing or interrupting the tenure of elected Governors and their deputies are outlined in Sections 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

He is therefore seeking a declaration from the court that the President has “NO constitutional authority to either remove, suspend or otherwise tamper with the tenure of a duly elected Governor and Deputy Governor of a State and appoint a sole Administrator [or any other substitute howsoever called or described].”

Jideobi warned that unless the court intervenes, “removal of duly elected Governors and Deputy-Governors may become the pastime of the President, thereby opening the floodgate of anarchy capable of consuming this nation.”

He added: “I have instituted this suit in the public interest, in the defence of the Rule of Law and accentuation of the supremacy of the Constitution… It will be in the interest of justice for this Honourable Court to grant the prayers contained on the face of this Originating Summons.”

Among the specific reliefs sought are an order setting aside the suspension of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State, a nullification of Ibas’ appointment, and a directive ordering him to vacate the Government House immediately.

 

NEWS

BREAKING: Again, Dangote Cuts Petrol Price To N835 per Litre

Published

on

NNPCL Raises Official Fuel Pump Price To N537 Per Litre

In a fresh move to ease pump prices and support supply stability, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has once again slashed the ex-depot price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, to N835 per litre.

This marks a N30 reduction from the N865 per litre price introduced just six days ago, and a total drop of N45 from the N880 per litre rate it sold at last Wednesday — representing a 3.5 per cent decrease.

The latest adjustment, which was confirmed via a customer notice on Wednesday morning, brings the refinery’s total number of price cuts to three in less than six weeks, underscoring its push to offer more competitive rates amid shifting market conditions.

READ MORE: JUST IN: Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price To N865 Per Litre

The new pricing structure, according to the Pro forma invoice and data verified on petroleumprice.ng, already includes all statutory charges from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Industry analysts had earlier hinted at a possible price slash following a drop in the landing cost of imported petrol, which fell to N853 per litre as of Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in a bid to boost nationwide fuel availability, marketers have secured regulatory clearance to import 117,000 metric tonnes — roughly 156.9 million litres — of petrol between April 8 and 16, 2025.

The import volumes were confirmed through documents obtained from the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN).

 

 

 

More to follow……… 

Continue Reading

NEWS

Plateau Attacks Are Cruel, Unjustified And Intolerable – Tambuwal

Published

on

Aminu Tambuwal

Senator Aminu Tambuwal, a former Governor of Sokoto State and current representative of Sokoto South, has condemned the ongoing violent attacks in Plateau State, describing the killings and destruction as both “cruel” and “unjustified.”

In a statement posted on his official X handle on Wednesday, Tambuwal expressed deep concern over the spate of violence that has devastated several communities and left many families mourning.

“I strongly condemn the recent wave of horrific killings and destruction across communities in Plateau State. These senseless attacks are cruel, unjustified, and must never be tolerated,” he said.

READ MORE:  ‘Plateau Must Not Become A Killing Field’— Kwankwaso Mourns Victims, Seeks Justice

The former governor extended his sympathies to the families of the victims and all those displaced by the violence, noting that the current situation marks a “painful and trying time” for the affected communities.

Tambuwal went on to challenge the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of protecting Nigerian lives and property.

He also urged security agencies to step up efforts in halting the attacks and ensuring those responsible face justice.

“The Federal Government must live up to its primary responsibility. I urge the security agencies to act swiftly and decisively. The perpetrators must be brought to justice. We cannot allow Nigeria to continue on this dangerous path of violence and impunity,” he warned.

The senator’s statement comes amid rising national anxiety over recurring security breaches in Plateau and other states, fueling calls for stronger and more effective interventions from authorities.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Nigeria Bleeds While You Retreat — Obi Slams Tinubu Over Insecurity

Published

on

The Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend his ongoing retreat in France and return to Nigeria to address the worsening insecurity across the country.

Obi, who raised the alarm on Wednesday via a post on his X handle, expressed concern over the spate of killings in different parts of the country since the president embarked on his trip abroad.

According to him, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to violent attacks within the two weeks of Tinubu’s absence.

READ ALSO: 2027: Okpebholo Banks On Edo, Delta States To Swing Tinubu’s Reelection

He highlighted recent attacks in Plateau and Borno States, where armed groups reportedly killed several residents, and also pointed to the resurgence of insurgency in the North East.

“I am compelled at this time in our lives as a nation to call on our retreating President’s attention to the security challenges at home, which entails that he immediately suspend his ongoing retreat in a foreign land and come home to address the overwhelming security situation across the country,” Obi wrote.

He also stressed that the security breakdown was not limited to any one region, citing incidents in the Niger Delta, the North East, and the South East.

“In the 2 weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity across Nigeria, especially in Plateau and Zamfara states. The repeated pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta, further reflect a nation in distress. In the North East, Borno state leaders are bemoaning the return of insurgency with troops and civilians being killed randomly. In the South East, the story is the same: killings and abduction,” he stated.

Obi criticized the president’s decision to hold a retreat abroad while the country grapples with security and governance issues.

“Amid all these, the CEO of the troubling company called Nigeria is retreating far away land in France from the Company’s headquarters.

“The primary duty of any government is securing the lives and property of its citizens and one wonders the type of retreat going on in another country where peace has been secured by their leaders while blood continues to flow in our country,” Obi added.

He concluded by emphasizing the need for responsible leadership and urgent action, calling on President Tinubu to return home and confront the issues.

“The fight for a better Nigeria is not about individuals; it is about ensuring that every citizen can see, feel, and benefit from the policies and decisions of those in power.

“I, therefore like to urge Mr President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues. That is the new Nigeria that the nation seeks. A New Nigeria is Possible. -PO,” he wrote.

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.