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Extending State of Emergency Beyond September 18 Deadline Will Trigger Unrest In Rivers – Bode George

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Extending State of Emergency Beyond September 18 Deadline Will Trigger Unrest In Rivers – Bode George

  IBADAN – One of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftains, Chief Bode George has warned that extension of emergency rule in River state beyond September 18 would trigger crisis among the people of the state, just as he also condemned the Emergency Rule declared in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for six months. President Bola Tinubu had invoked the emergency rule following political face-off between the governor and his predecessor- godfather, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The state lawmakers were divided to the stage of plotting impeachment of the governor. Commenting on the scenario, George said that the state of emergency was unwarranted in the first place. He likened the scenario to the crisis that led to the “Wetie” uprising in the Western Region, and the eventual Civil War of 1967 that ravaged the country for three years. Speaking on “Frontline”, a political programme of Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, the former Deputy National Chairman, South, of the party, warned the Federal Government against extending the emergency rule beyond September 18 if it does not want trouble to ensue in the state. He also warned the Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok- Eke Ibas, to tread softly on whatever action he takes, stressing that he would give account after he leaves office. He said, “We have refused to learn from history and we have continued to repeat the same mistake. Even the situation to create a State of Emergency is not in conformity, and it will be an issue for the next general election. If you just think you can wield your power, extraordinary power, without caution, they are telling us there are no rules in this country. Was there violence in Rivers state? Was there violence in Port- Harcourt or at the Bonny? Was there violence in Ekwere land? There was no violence. “They said there was explosion; who saw it? Who died? Who monitored the explosion? The governor resides in Port-Harcourt and you would have seen the humility and the absolute commitment to the Almighty principle demonstrated by him. He has been calm and I want to congratulate the whole people of Rivers that they did not revert to violence or any action that would have projected them as violent people. They were calm. So, why would you now go and impose state of emergency? Just like Fela Anikulapo sang many years ago, trouble dey sleep, yangan go wake am. Wetin you go find? Na palava you go get. “Now within that period,Extending State of Emergency Beyond September 18 Deadline Will Trigger Unrest In Rivers – Bode George a non-elective person is there. He was my junior in the Navy, and so I am advising him to be very cautious. How can a non-elective person run a local government election? On behalf of whom? At the same time, you are setting up certain board. Are you the elected person? You are just there like a spare tyre or a standby generator. It will soon become a national issue. You may be called back to come and explain yourself on some things you have done. “So, my advice to the young man is to be careful. This is civil rule where you need people to behave from zero to infinity. It is unlike in the Military. You need to work with people, no matter what. This is not like in the Military where you are cocooned with certain behaviour. So, he should treat softly”, Chief George, a member of the Board of Trustees of the party warned. On the possibility of President Bola Tinubu extending the emergency rule after September 18, the former Army General, Electronics and Computer Engineer, said, “Never, never! It will be a case of yanga dey sleep, wahala go wake am. The people will not accept because you are shortchanging them. They had an election and they had somebody elected. That young Administrator should just leave and go home. We are pleading because there would be a day after governance. How will you want to be remembered? This thing is not personal”, he said.

FG Gifts Teenager Who Won Global English Contest N200,000

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  The Federal Government, on Thursday, gifted the winner of the TeenEagle global finals competition, Nafisah Abdullahi, N200,000. Recall that the Atiku Foundation rewarded the TeenEagle champions, namely Nafisa Abdullahi, Rukaiya Fema, and Khadija Kalli, with fully-funded scholarships following their outstanding performance at the TeenEagle Global Finals. The girls, who emerged as global winners in various categories of the prestigious academic competition, were recognised by the Foundation for what it described as their “remarkable success.” At a special recognition ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suiwaba Ahmad, celebrated Nafisa’s remarkable feat and other students who excelled during the competition. They described her as “a beacon of excellence and inspiration to Nigerian youths.” Representing Nigeria through the Nigerian Tulip International College, Nafisa outshone more than 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations, to clinch the world title. TeenEagle competition is an internationally acclaimed contest that evaluates students’ proficiency in the English language, critical thinking, and communication skills. Speaking at the event, Alausa said the Federal Government was laying the groundwork for stronger foundational education to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country. He stressed that President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated a strong commitment to human capital development through increased investment in education, health, and social protection. “You are the future of Nigeria, and you have made us proud. For the first time in the history of our nation, we have one of the highest budgetary allocations to education. “Each time we approach the President for support in the sector, his response has been a resounding ‘yes’ because he believes in you, the children of Nigeria. “Your success gives us the confidence to ask for more, and we will continue to do so on your behalf,” the minister said. The minister also announced a gift of over N100,000 to Nafisa and her other colleagues who excelled in other fields. On her part, Ahmad commended Nafisa’s resilience, intellect, and determination, pledging the Federal Government’s continued support for young talents who bring honour to the nation. “Nigerian youths can compete and excel globally. Nafisa has demonstrated that Nigeria is blessed and can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world. You are a shining example,” she said. She urged the teenager to see the achievement as the beginning of a greater journey, while commending her parents and teachers for providing the foundation for her success. Responding, Nafisa appreciated Tinubu and the ministers for creating an environment for her to excel while thanking her school, NTIC and her parent for the support. The Yobe state Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Abba Idris, thanked the minister for his gesture. He also noted that the state government has continued to celebrate milestones in the education sector.

Court Dismisses Order Seeking to Stop Rivers LG Poll

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Court Dismisses Order Seeking to Stop Rivers LG Poll

  A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Thursday dismissed an ex parte order seeking to stop the August 30 Local Government elections in the state. The Presiding Judge, Justice Stephen Jumbo, in his ruling in a suit filed by a Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Williams Abayomi-Stanley, against President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, and its Chairman, said the application for motion ex parte lacked merit and thereby dismissed it. Jumbo, however, granted a motion ex parte order for substituted service to the defendants but directed that the conduct of the August 30th LG elections should go ahead as scheduled and adjourned till September 10, 2025, for a hearing on the substantive suit. Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, counsel to the claimant, Godsent Elewa, said his client was in court to seek for interpretation of a section of the RSIEC law and the Constitution of Nigeria as amended if the president has the powers to appoint a Chairman and members of the commission to conduct local LG polls in the state. Elewa, while narrating what led to the dismissal of his application, however, welcomed the ruling of the court, which granted one of his motions and expressed his readiness to continue with the proceeding on the next adjourned date. He stated, “My client, Williams Stanley-Abayomi, is a Constitutional lawyer and an indigene of Rivers State from Emuoha LGA. The applicant basically is in Court to seek the interpretations of some Sections, particularly section 2 sub 1 and section 3 sub 1 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law number 12, 2018 and Sections 197, 198 and 200 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered.” He, however, said he has nothing against the Court ruling, especially as one of the prayers of his client was granted. “We have two motions ex parte, the first was the motion ex parte for an interim injunction to restrain the conduct of the August 30 local government elections. Unfortunately, the Court dismissed that motion as it lacked merit and adjourned to the 10th of September for all the parties to be served with our substantive processes and for us to argue the main application. “The second order was an order for substituted service to be effected on the first and the second defendants, which are President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation. So these were the two orders the court granted today”, he concluded.

Explosion Not Cause of Anambra, Enugu Blackout, TCN Counters EEDC

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Explosion Not Cause of Anambra, Enugu Blackout, TCN Counters EEDC

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has dismissed claims by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC that an explosion at its Onitsha Sub-Region station was responsible for the recent power outage in parts of Anambra State and Oji River in Enugu State. According to a statement signed by GM, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Thursday, the company said it was “compelled to correct the misinformation recently published by Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC on August 27, 2025, regarding the cause of the power outage in Anambra State and Oji River in Enugu State. “Contrary to EEDC’s claim, there was no explosion at the Transmission Company of Nigeria station at Onitsha Sub-Region.” Explaining the actual cause of the incident, TCN noted that the partial loss of power in the 330kv switch yard at Onitsha Sub-Region occurred on August 21, 2025, at about 02:34 hours. It said the outage was due to “an insulation flashover of porcelain insulator (P1) of the red phase jumper conductor to bus bar 1 due to rainfall.” The company disclosed that power was restored the same day at 17:54 hours. It further stated that a planned scheduled outage had already been arranged for August 31 and September 1, 2025, to replace the stack porcelain insulators. “We clarify that there was no explosion of equipment or loss of switchgear equipment in the TCN Onitsha region,” the statement stressed. TCN also urged EEDC to ensure due diligence in its communication with the public, warning that “deliberate deception or propaganda is unprofessional and unacceptable.” Recall that electricity customers in Anambra State and parts of Enugu State were thrown into darkness on Wednesday following what they thought was an explosion in the Awada area of Anambra. The incident, which occurred around 2:34 a.m., disrupted the power supply across affected areas. Confirming the development, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC, through its Group Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, attributed the blackout to the explosion at the TCN facility. Punch

Rasheedat Ajibade Signs for Paris Saint-Germain Until 2027

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Rasheedat Ajibade Signs for Paris Saint-Germain Until 2027

Paris Saint-Germain have strengthened their forward line with the signing of Nigerian international Rasheedat Ajibade. Announcing the signing in its blog post on Tuesday, PSG said Ajibade’s contract will run until 30 June 2027. The Club said, “Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the arrival of Nigerian striker Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade, who has joined the club on a deal that runs until 30th June 2027.” The 25-year-old, born on 8 December 1999 in the Mushin district of Lagos, arrives from Atlético de Madrid, where she has played since 2021 after a two-year spell in Norway with Avaldsnes IL. In the 2024–25 season, Ajibade made 25 appearances, scoring eight goals and supplying three assists. She was crowned as Nigeria’s NFF Young Player of the Year in 2018 after emerging from FC Robo Queens. As captain of Nigeria, Ajibade has twice led the Super Falcons to continental glory at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, having done so in 2018 and in 2024. The forward also featured as a regular starter for her side at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and, with over 30 caps under her belt already, now represents a central figure in Nigerian football. Commenting on the deal, Ajibade said, “I’m deeply honoured to be joining Paris Saint-Germain, a top-drawer club in Europe. “This is a major step for me, and I’m committed to giving my all to help PSG win titles and to inspire young footballers, be they in Nigeria or elsewhere.” Punch

Femi Falana Slams Pay Rise Plan For Politicians Amid Hardship

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Femi Falana Slams Pay Rise Plan For Politicians Amid Hardship

Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has faulted the plan to increase the salaries of political office holders, describing it as “highly insensitive” amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges. During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Falana criticised the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission for what he termed misplaced priorities, arguing that the agency had ignored the daily struggles of millions of Nigerians. “The RMAFC seems to have overlooked the harsh living conditions in the country and the daily hardships endured by ordinary people,” he said. Falana referenced recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which shows that over 133 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty, questioning the rationale behind any salary increment for public officials. “At this point, proposing higher wages for political office holders is not only tone-deaf but also unfair to the majority battling severe economic pressure,” he added. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) plans to review the salaries of political office holders, describing the current pay structure as “inadequate and outdated.” At a press briefing in Abuja on 18th August, 2025, Chairman Mohammed Shehu revealed that the President currently earns ₦1.5 million monthly, while ministers receive less than ₦1 million, figures unchanged since 2008. He argued that these amounts are no longer realistic given the responsibilities of the offices and the higher earnings of agency heads. However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has opposed the proposal, citing growing inequality and the hidden perks politicians already enjoy. Shehu clarified that the RMAFC only determines the salaries of political, judicial, and legislative officers—not civil servants. In addition, the commission has commenced a review of Nigeria’s revenue-sharing formula, which has remained unchanged since 1992. The current formula allocates 52.68% to the federal government, 26.72% to states, and 20.60% to local governments. Previous attempts to amend the formula failed due to political resistance. The new review, according to Shehu, aims to reflect current socio-economic realities and reduce overdependence on the federal government. Punch  

C’River Recruits 4,000 Local Government Staff

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C’River Recruits 4,000 Local Government Staff

The Cross River Local Government Service Commission says no fewer than 4000 staff have been recruited for the 18 council areas of the state in the last one year. The Chairman of the commission, Mr Darlington Eyo, disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen in Calabar on Tuesday. Eyo noted that the commission inherited a depleted local government staff of about 9000, adding that with the 4000 personnel already recruited, efforts were still ongoing to fill the remaining vacant spaces. He said that the mass recruitment approved by Gov. Bassey Otu under his “People First Mantra” was the first in 37 years. “The councils we met had a depleted workforce, so the governor deemed it necessary that we fill the vacancies and also ensure a sustainable means of livelihood for the people. “In actual fact, we were supposed to meet about 12,000 or 13,000 staff, but what we met was about 3000, so we approached the governor on this, and he saw reason for the recruitment of more hands to fulfill the obligations of the local government areas. “We have systematically carried out this and paid over 3000 of them already that have met the requirement, while we strategise on more recruitment processes. Yes, the process is ongoing as it is not possible to fill all the 9000 vacant spaces at once,” he stressed. On the allegations of buying employment, the chairman said there was nothing of such to the best of his knowledge. He said the commission had operated an open process in such a way that a son or daughter of nobody has been gainfully employed. According to him, I won’t rule out the possibility that some individuals outside the commission might be trying to undermine it or act as its agents. “The good thing however is that anyone who patronise such a person will be fished out as we have a system in place that will expose them.” Eyo added that the local government service commission uncovered 800 ghost workers during the audit of the staff payroll. “This is the figure that we have expunged from the local government’s payroll, and the audit is ongoing because we can’t continue to have a huge wage bill when the number of staff remains low. “In all of these achievements, including the various training programmes for staff of the council areas the governor provided the needed environment for us to diligently carry out our mandates,” said.

ASUU Calls On N’Assembly, Others To Intervene As Strike Looms

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ASUU Calls On N’Assembly, Others To Intervene As Strike Looms

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has called on stakeholders, including the National Assembly, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and students, to caution the Federal Government against pushing university teachers to embark on nationwide strike. The Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Akure Zone, Professor Adeola Egbedokun, expressed deep concern over the alleged failure of President Bola Tinubu administration to attend to the various demands of the union since his assumption of office two years ago. Egbedokun, who spoke at a press conference at Federal University Oye Ekiti on Tuesday, said that the Federal Government’s failure to heed ASUU’s several calls and agitations had pushed the lecturers to the edge, and their patience had been stretched to its breaking point. He stated that ASUU demands included implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, sustainable funding of Nigerian universities, revitalisation of the university system, payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, stagnated promotions for over four years, unremitted third-party deductions, and victimisation of colleagues in some institutions. The ASUU leader said, “We will fight back, and the consequences would be damning except the government takes a decisive step to attend to all our requests urgently. “While we take note of the government’s planned meeting of August 28, 2025, let it be clear that the clock is ticking, and time is no longer on the government’s side. Our patience has been stretched to its breaking point. Trust has been shattered, and only decisive government action can mend it. “The National Executive Committee has resolved that all options remain on the table. If the government chooses provocation over responsibility, if it continues to play games with the future of our universities, then it alone must bear the consequences of the storm that will follow. The ball is squarely in the government’s court. “We call on all well-meaning Nigerians – Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, National Association of Nigerian Students, traditional rulers, and the National Assembly to caution the government against pushing us into avoidable confrontation. “For over two years, we have kept faith with the promise of dialogue and refrained from strike actions, but our patience has reached its limits. Our resources are drained, our tanks are dry, and this long road cannot be traveled any further without genuine results. “Lecturers have remained frozen, stagnant, and insultingly irrelevant in today’s economy. It has become a bitter irony that the very lecturers who educate the nation cannot afford to pay their own children’s school fees,” he said. The ASUU zonal chairman said that the report of the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led re-negotiation, painstakingly concluded and submitted since February 2025, had been treated with reckless indifference, describing such a development as a clear betrayal of trust and an insult to the principle of collective bargaining. He appealed to ASUU members not to subscribe to a loan policy introduced by the Federal Government, saying it was an attempt to throw them into perpetual bondage. “This loan policy is nothing but a crude distraction and a sinister snare. It is designed to suffocate our members, undermine our cooperative societies, and push them into perpetual bondage, struggling to pay for healthcare, shelter, and the education of their children.” Egbedokun disclosed that the ASUU members in the zone held peaceful rallies in their different campuses on Monday to test-run the next move if government remained adamant.

Nigeria Safer, Attacks Reduced — CDS

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Nigeria Safer, Attacks Reduced — CDS

Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has said that Nigeria has significantly become safer today than it was two years ago, citing a reduction in the frequency of attacks and a return to normalcy in many communities as evidence of progress. He declared this in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday. “I know we’re doing better. I’ve travelled around this country, and everywhere I’ve been to, people commend us for the effort,” Musa said when asked if Nigeria is safer currently than the previous two years. The defence chief acknowledged that isolated attacks still occur but emphasised that their frequency has drastically reduced compared to previous years. He stated, “Sometimes when you hear one attack, one strike, and you think. Then, in the past, it used to be rampant. Now, it’s slowing down. “To tell you we’re succeeding, markets are back, schools are opening, people go to church. Yes, there’ll be attack. There can never be 100 per cent, but I can tell you we’re moving forward, and we’ll continue to do more.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to securing peace in the country. “The government is working hard, the armed forces are working hard, and we all need Nigerians coming together to make sure, firstly, we must love each other as Nigerians, and then we must protect ourselves, and we can succeed,” the CDS said.

‎Makinde Drags Wike As PDP Holds Southern Zoning Meeting In Lagos ‎

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‎Makinde Drags Wike As PDP Holds Southern Zoning Meeting In Lagos ‎

‎IBADAN  –  THE Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, sent what appeared to be a subtle dig at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declaring that he does not “go low with anyone who decides to go into the gutters.” ‎Makinde made the remark while addressing journalists shortly after the Southern Zoning Consultative Summit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held on Thursday in Lagos. ‎The meeting, which attracted the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Senator Adolphus Wabara, chairman of the party’s National Zoning Committee and Bayelsa state governor, Douyo Diri, Governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, Peter Mba of Enugu represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, former Osun governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Bode George, and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu. ‎Others include 12 of the 17 PDP National Assembly members and key stakeholders of the party from across the southern states. The summit was aimed at fostering unity and charting the course for the party ahead of the forthcoming party’s national congress. ‎Responding to questions on threats of division within the party and attacks from aggrieved members, Makinde hinted at the party’s leadership style, indirectly shading Minister Nyesom Wike. ‎“Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them. Some people are not going into the gutters. We will reach out to them. That is democracy. ‎“I can disagree with people, but there shouldn’t be anything personal here. It should be about what we are giving to Nigerians because they are watching,” Makinde stated. ‎The Oyo governor added that despite challenges, recent elections had shown that the PDP remained a formidable force. ‎“In all our states, they showed last Saturday that PDP is not dead. In most other places of the 12 states, PDP came second. It is an indication to us that if we continue to work hard, we can reclaim the confidence of Nigerians,” he said. ‎The zoning consultative meeting comes just days before the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP scheduled for Monday, where critical decisions are expected to be taken on the party’s future. ‎Governor Makinde, who also reeled out the calibre of party’s national and zonal leaders, stressed that the summit reflected the seriousness of the party to rebuild with a view to providing a more formidable opposition for the ruling party ahead of the next general election. ‎Fielding questions from journalists over another purported meeting of southern PDP stakeholders, Governor Makinde said: “Governor Ademola Adeleke is here. ‎“He came back into the,  country this morning and went straight to address some governance issues before joining us. Governor Douye Diri is also here. Governor Peter Mbah, who could not make it physically, sent his deputy governor. ‎“You have the chairman of the Board of Trustees here. You also have at least 12 of the 17 members of the zoning committee from the South. ‎“In each zone, there are representatives of senators, House of Representatives members, and BOT members. So, this shows wide representation.” ‎The governor, however, admitted that political meetings hardly achieve 100 percent attendance but emphasized that “consultation means you keep reaching out, you keep engaging.” He assured that critical party stakeholders not in attendance at the Lagos meeting would be reached out to. ‎When asked about discussions on zoning of the PDP presidential ticket to the South, Makinde said the party was not yet at that stage. ‎“We haven’t even gotten there. We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don’t have a party, anything you are trying to do will fall flat. ‎“Our efforts right now are directed towards having a vibrant and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in again,” he said. ‎

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