WAFFI TV | Feature

Senate Approves Emergency Rule, Suspends Rivers Governor

The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State. Additionally, the upper legislative chamber sanctioned a six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This decision followed a closed-door session where lawmakers deliberated on the issue. Earlier, the House of Representatives had also approved the emergency rule through a voice vote. Tinubu’s proclamation sparked controversy and condemnation from various stakeholders. However, despite the backlash, both legislative chambers gave their final approval on Thursday.

3/20/2025, 2:36:54 PM

Reps Pass Tinubu’s State Of Emergency Rule In Rivers

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved President Tinubu's proclamation through a voice vote, with 243 members present. Additionally, the House made recommendations, including the establishment of a national committee to restore peace in Rivers State. It also advised that the National Assembly assume control of the state Assembly’s activities for six months.

3/20/2025, 12:27:26 PM

Minimum Wage: NYSC To Spend N307.6bn On Corps Members' Allowances

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could spend up to N307.6bn on mobilising and paying allowances to corps members, according to 'The PUNCH'reports. This estimate follows the increase in corps members’ monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, as announced by the NYSC in September 2024. The raise came after the signing of the new minimum wage bill into law in May 2024. Annually, the NYSC mobilises corps members in three batches—A, B, and C—across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Each orientation exercise includes between 1,200 and 1,500 participants per camp, resulting in an average of 55,500 corps members per batch and a total of 333,000 corps members yearly. With the new N77,000 allowance, each batch will receive a total of N25.64bn, bringing the annual expenditure on corps members’ allowances to N307.6bn. In the 2025 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly in December 2024, President Bola Tinubu allocated N430.7bn to the NYSC—the highest in five years. Of this, N372.9bn (86.5%) was designated for corps members’ allowances. Despite the announcement in September 2024, the Federal Government has yet to implement the new payment rate, five months later. After the failure to commence payments in February, NYSC’s Acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, stated that the scheme was still awaiting the necessary cash backing.

3/20/2025, 7:44:03 AM

ECOWAS Court Rejects Suit Seeking Creation Of Sixth State In South East

The ECOWAS Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Nigeria’s decision not to create a sixth state in the Southeast geopolitical zone. The case, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Prince and Princess Charles Offokaja Foundation (Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/23), claimed that the omission was discriminatory and deprived the region of key developmental benefits such as infrastructure, revenue allocation, and jobs, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). However, the court ruled that state creation falls under Nigeria’s constitutional prerogative and does not violate regional or international human rights laws. Presiding Judge, Justice Dupe Atoki, emphasized that the Southeast remains adequately represented in the country’s governance structure. It ruled, “The respondent state has not breached its obligations under Article 19 or Article 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights nor under Article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” The NGO filed the suit under Article 19 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, arguing that the alleged imbalance violated Article 22 of the African Charter. Additionally, a Switzerland-based NGO, initially listed as a co-applicant, was removed from the case due to a lack of jurisdiction. The three-member ECOWAS Court panel was led by Justice Dupe Atoki, with Justice Edward Asante as judge rapporteur and Justice Gbéri-Bè Ouattara as a member.

3/19/2025, 11:10:48 PM

Senate Postpones Debate On State Of Emergency In Rivers

The Senate has suspended its plenary and deferred the debate on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State to Thursday, March 20, 2025. The postponement followed a delay in the commencement of plenary on Wednesday, March 19. The debate was initially set for 3 PM, but Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who proposed the motion, stepped it down, citing Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended). Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), seconded the motion. In presenting his motion, Senator Bamidele voiced concerns over the security situation in Rivers State. The motion read, “Worried that there is a clear and present danger of the crises as some militants had threatened fire and brimstone, with security reports indicating disturbing incidents of vandalization of oil pipelines. “Convinced that there is the need to provide adequate and extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order, and security in Rivers State.”

3/19/2025, 5:25:07 PM

Rivers Allocation Goes To Sole Administrator~ FG

The Federal Government has confirmed that funds allocated to Rivers State will be directed to the state’s Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas. Defending President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers, the government stated it was necessary to prevent a total collapse of order. It also dismissed allegations that former Rivers Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was involved in the political crisis that led to the emergency declaration. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, made these remarks while speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday. When asked if the state’s allocation would still be disbursed, Fagbemi confirmed that funds would be released upon the Administrator’s request. “And to me, it will be in order for the release of that fund because the event of the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things,” he said. Defending Tinubu’s intervention, he added, “We have about two years into the administration in the state. Now, when do you think he should have acted? Should he have waited until everything was destroyed? I don’t think so. “I think the President acted at the right time. He gave all parties a chance to resolve their differences. Before then, he had called them together and tried to mediate,” Fagbemi stated.

3/19/2025, 3:42:08 PM

Don’t Dare FG~ AGF Fagbemi Warns States

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has cautioned state governments against actions that could jeopardize national security and stability. Speaking on Wednesday, Fagbemi accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of allegedly inciting militants to sabotage oil pipelines in the state. His remarks came while defending President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State amid the ongoing political crisis. According to the AGF, even if Governor Fubara did not directly order the attacks, his failure to denounce the militants’ threats made him complicit. “We are in a democracy. The governor was seen telegraphing militants, suggesting he would let them know when to act. Even if that was misinterpreted, did he disown them? No. A week later, pipelines were vandalized,” he asserted. Fagbemi emphasized the strategic importance of Nigeria’s oil sector, warning that any attack on critical infrastructure is not just an assault on Rivers State but on the entire nation. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s judgment formed the legal basis for Tinubu’s declaration of emergency, adding that the decision was necessary to protect vital assets and restore governance in the state. “The governor and the state house of assembly members had to be suspended because they failed to ensure a conducive atmosphere for governance,” he explained, pushing back against claims that the federal government acted hastily.

3/19/2025, 2:19:43 PM

Lawyers Urge Tinubu To Reverse Rivers Emergency Or Face Legal Action

The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately revoke the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, warning of possible legal action if he fails to do so. The lawyers’ group also threatened to sue the President over reports that Governor Sim Fubara and his family are allegedly being held hostage by soldiers and other security operatives at the Rivers State Government House. Waffi TV reports that Tinubu announced the state of emergency during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday night. Justifying the decision, the President said he was “greatly disturbed about the political crisis” in the state and accused Governor Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly building. Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended for an initial period of six months. A retired Vice Admiral, Ibok-Ete Ibas, was appointed as Administrator to take charge of the state’s affairs during the emergency period. Tinubu has come under fire from several quarters, with many Nigerians questioning the legality and propriety of the decision. In a letter dated March 19, 2025, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) informed him of its plan to seek a court order compelling him to withdraw the Gazette used to declare a state of emergency in the oil-rich state. The letter, written by ALDRAP’s lawyer, Kenneth Amadi, argued that the President’s declaration violated several provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The letter is titled: ‘Pre-Action Notice: Application for an Order of Mandamus to compel your retraction of the Gazette dated 18th March 2025 on the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on grounds of failure to append a resolution of the National Assembly in support thereof, and the lack of evidence of absence of governance in Rivers State in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, 2011’. Parts of the letter read: “The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) is a professional association of lawyers who are staff of the National Assembly and other legislatures within Nigeria and beyond. “We write this PRE-ACTION NOTICE to respectfully request your retraction of the Gazette dated 18th March 2025, where you purportedly declared and imposed a state of emergency upon Rivers State. “Take notice that in the event of your failure to retract or recall the said Gazette, we shall commence legal steps at either the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, the State High Court, or the Federal High Court to press home our demands. “This PRE-ACTION NOTICE is based upon the fact that your proclamation of the said state of emergency is in violation of various sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and other relevant laws, as follows: 1. Violation of Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution by preventing our members, who are both staff of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Rivers State Government House (including other officials of the Executive Arm of the Rivers State Government such as Commissioners and the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government), from being involved in gainful employment to earn money for property acquisition through mortgage, etc. 2. The said Gazette dated 18th March 2025, which purports to appoint a Sole Administrator, is a direct violation of Section 1(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, which states: ‘The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’ 3. There is no resolution of the National Assembly in support of the said Gazette as stipulated under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution. 4. There is no prima facie evidence of failure on the part of the Governor of Rivers State in performing his duties since the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s judgment dated February 28, 2025. “This PRE-ACTION NOTICE is brought pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, which entitles our association (ALDRAP) to access evidence of dereliction of duty by the Governor of Rivers State—a condition precedent before the publication of a Gazette under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution.” In another letter, also dated March 19, 2025, the lawyers asked the President to order the immediate removal of soldiers and other security personnel alleged to be subjecting Fubara to illegal imprisonment at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt. The second letter is titled: ‘Request for urgent intervention to order the immediate withdrawal of the Armed Forces and other security personnel that are subjecting His Excellency Governor Fubara to illegal imprisonment at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in contravention of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.’ Citing reports that Fubara and his family are being held hostage by heavily armed soldiers and other security agents, the group told the President: “We respectfully request your immediate intervention by way of the immediate withdrawal of the said armed forces and security personnel.” The letter added: “Take notice that, as constituents, and as some of us are staff of the Rivers State Government House, the fundamental rights of the said staff and the Governor of Rivers State, whom we elected, are being impeded without compliance with a valid court order. “Therefore, we shall undertake litigation to press home our demands if you fail to intervene within two hours of this letter.”

3/19/2025, 11:21:56 AM

NBA Blasts Tinubu, Condemns Suspension Of Fubara

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers. In a March 18, 2025, statement, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, asserted that the President lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally remove elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule. Tinubu, in a national address, justified his actions by citing escalating political tensions and recent pipeline vandalism. However, the NBA countered that such concerns do not meet the constitutional requirements for suspending an elected government. Referencing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the NBA noted that while the President can declare an emergency, it does not grant him the power to remove elected leaders. The association emphasized that impeachment under Section 188 is the only lawful process for removing a governor or deputy, while lawmakers’ removal must follow electoral laws and constitutional guidelines. The NBA further stressed that an emergency declaration does not dissolve an elected government and warned against executive overreach. Additionally, it pointed out that Tinubu’s proclamation requires National Assembly approval within two days if in session, or ten days if not, making it legally ineffective until ratified. Condemning the move as a “dangerous affront” to democracy, the NBA warned that allowing the suspension of elected officials under emergency rule could set a precedent for removing state governments based on political considerations. It urged the National Assembly to reject any attempt to ratify the unconstitutional suspension of Rivers State officials. The NBA urged all stakeholders, including the judiciary, civil society, and international observers, to closely monitor the situation. It reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and called on the federal government to address political disputes through constitutional and legal means rather than executive directives. The association emphasized the need to protect Nigeria’s democratic system, warning that any unconstitutional interference in state governance poses a serious threat to the country’s stability.

3/19/2025, 6:49:35 AM

Reps To Probe SON Over Substandard Building Materials

The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to investigate allegations that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) reversed its decision to shut down 18 companies involved in the production and distribution of substandard building materials, particularly iron rods. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Osawaru urged the House to compel SON to intensify efforts in eliminating fake building materials from the Nigerian market and ensure only quality products are available nationwide. Expressing concern over frequent building collapses in Nigeria, Osawaru attributed the issue to the use of substandard materials, weak regulatory enforcement, and poor construction practices. Citing data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, he noted that Nigeria recorded 47 building collapses across 14 states in 2024, with Lagos State accounting for 56% (13 incidents) and Abuja recording 6 collapses (4.37%). He lamented that substandard materials have led to numerous fatalities, adding that at least three buildings have collapsed in different states since January 2025, resulting in multiple deaths and casualties. “This is a clear indication that the Standard Organization of Nigeria has not done enough to prevent further occurrences. “Study has revealed that poor quality of materials and cheap labour contributed about 53 per cent of building collapse in Nigeria with most of them being private residential buildings executed by indigenous companies and locals. “SON allegedly reversed its decision to shut down 18 companies implicated in the production and distribution of substandard building materials, particularly iron rod manufacturers. “The reversal, reportedly influenced by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has sparked criticism from different quarters, raising concern over the government’s commitment to enforcing quality standards in the construction industry. “The alleged defaulted companies responsible for production of substandard building materials especially irons hides under the weak enforcement mechanisms in Nigeria to flood the Nigerian market with inferior products while exporting products of high quality to countries where substandard materials are not tolerated,” he said. Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to investigate the organisation and make useful recommendations on how to tackle the scourge of substandard building materials in the country.

3/18/2025, 5:10:31 PM

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