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Reps Seek To End Supreme Court Involvement In Elections Dispute
The House of Representatives is considering a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution, making the Court of Appeal the final arbiter in governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly election disputes in Nigeria. Sponsored by Nnamdi Ezechi, who represents Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in Delta State, the bill passed its second reading during Tuesday’s plenary session. Presenting the bill’s general principles, Ezechi explained that it aims to amend sub-section (3) of Section 246 of the 1999 Constitution. The bill seeks to delete the existing subsection (3) and substitute a new subsection (3) to read “The decisions of the Court of Appeal in respect of appeals arising from the Governorship, National and State Houses of Assembly election Petitions shall be final.” He said, “Mr Speaker, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Second Alteration) Act of 2010 altered section 246 subsection (1) by providing in paragraphs (b) and (c) that appeals to the Court of Appeal shall be as of right from the decisions of the National and State Houses of Assembly and decisions of the Governorship Election Tribunals as to whether a person has been validly elected as a lawmaker or a governor or whether his tenure has ceased or his seat has become vacant. “The Second alteration specifically provided in section 246 subsection (3) that the decisions of the Court of Appeal arising from the National and State Houses of Assembly election petition shall be final. “However, the amendment did not say anything about the Governorship Election Petition, thereby allowing all governorship election petitions to proceed to the apex Court (Supreme Court). This bill is trying to amend the present provision of Section 246 subsection (3) by making the Court of Appeal the final appeal Court for all election petitions.” According to the Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker, “This would enable the final winner of a governorship election to be known without delay. If the person declared as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission wins in the Court of Appeal, it would allow him to settle down and face the business of governance without distraction.” He also noted that terminating election disputes at the appellate court would save costs, saying, “If such petitions end in the Court of Appeal, it would reduce the financial resources being wasted by the parties in prosecuting such cases to the Supreme Court.” He continued, “We should note that the original provision of Section 246 (1)(b) stated that an appeal shall lie as of right from the decisions of the National Assembly Election Tribunals and Governorship and Legislative Houses Tribunals on the issues mentioned above. “Subsection (3) of the said section clearly stated that the decisions of the Court of Appeal in respect of appeals arising from election petitions shall be final.” The bill, following its adoption, was referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, for further legislative actions.
3/25/2025, 5:53:30 PM
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39 Constitutional Amendment Bills Scale Second Reading In Reps
Thirty-nine constitutional amendment bills have passed the second reading in the House of Representatives, covering key areas such as judicial reforms, electoral processes, security, governance, and legislative matters. Among the proposed amendments are: - Establishing state and local government police. - Holding all general elections simultaneously on a date set by INEC in consultation with the National Assembly. - Making the Court of Appeal the final arbiter in election petitions for governorship, national, and state legislative seats. - Granting the Chief Justice of Nigeria the authority to proclaim the inauguration of the National Assembly. - Creating a House of Assembly for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). - Allocating special legislative seats for persons with disabilities at federal, state, and local levels. - Allowing public servants to participate in healthcare education, production, and services beyond agriculture. - Establishing a commission to register, regulate, and monitor political parties. - Ensuring all election petition appeals are resolved before the swearing-in of elected officials. - Empowering INEC to conduct local government elections. - Mandating the official resignation of lawmakers from their political parties before defecting. - Creating a National Local Government Electoral Commission to oversee council elections nationwide. The bills were not debated.
3/25/2025, 3:05:45 PM
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Rivers: NLC, TUC Condemn Emergency Rule, Vow Strike Action
Organised Labour in Rivers State has strongly condemned the state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025, calling it “baseless” and unjustified. In a joint statement, Comrade Alex Agwanwor (NLC Chairperson), Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru (TUC Chairperson), and Comrade Chuku Emecheta (JP) criticized the suspension of the elected Executive Governor, Deputy Governor, and House of Assembly members, arguing that the decision undermines democracy and the will of Rivers people. Labour further decried the economic impact, stating that local government workers have yet to receive their salaries, leaving them vulnerable to severe financial hardship. They warned that the state of emergency could harm Rivers State’s economy, particularly given its strategic role in Nigeria and the Niger Delta. At a time when the nation is grappling with high inflation, naira devaluation, rising unemployment, and unaffordable electricity tariffs, Labour noted that the crisis has scared off investors who had shown interest in the ‘New Rivers Vision,’ leading to a decline in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The statement urged an immediate resolution to prevent further economic and social destabilization. “While the Rivers state Organized labour supports maintaining law and order, it insists that actions such as declaration of state of emergency and suspending elected officials must align with the Nigerian Constitution and protect workers from avoidable wage invalidity, nonpayment of salaries at all levels, safety and security threats. “Government must prioritize the safety and welfare of its citizens over political interests. The Rivers State Organized labour is appealing to the President, National Assembly, and Judiciary to urgently reverse the premature state of emergency and suspension of elected officials and return the state to normalcy. “The federal government is strongly advised to engage in genuine dialogue to prevent further escalation of the issues in Rivers State”. The Labor however advised all workers to remain calm and continue their duties while awaiting a favorable response on the concerns it raised, adding that Organized labour may be compelled to take strategic union actions which might disrupt national economic activities if our demands are not met within a reasonable timeframe.
3/25/2025, 2:48:59 PM
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Judge Steps Down From Natasha’s Case After Akpabio’s Petition
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused himself from a case involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Assigned to hear the suit, Justice Egwuatu announced his decision to step down on Tuesday. His withdrawal followed a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who questioned his impartiality. Although the case was set for hearing, the judge declined to proceed when the court clerk called it up. Instead, he stated that he would return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment. Earlier, on March 4, Justice Egwuatu had issued an interim order halting the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from taking disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was accused of violating Senate rules. He ruled that the process should be paused until the case was resolved. The judge also directed the defendants to justify within 72 hours why the court should not restrain them from proceeding against the senator without adhering to the 1999 Constitution, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act. Additionally, he permitted the senator to serve legal documents on the defendants through substituted means—either by delivering them to the Clerk of the National Assembly, pasting them at the National Assembly premises, or publishing them in two national newspapers. Despite the court’s order, the Senate Committee went ahead with its proceedings and suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. Later, upon the defendants’ request, Justice Egwuatu modified his ruling, removing the restriction that prevented the Senate from taking action while the case was ongoing. Meanwhile, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, challenged the court’s jurisdiction to intervene in Senate matters.
3/25/2025, 12:45:43 PM
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Rivers Sole Administrator Appoints SSG As Head Of Service Resigns
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has appointed Prof. Ibibia Worika, a seasoned legal expert and administrator, as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Announcing the appointment, which takes immediate effect, the administrator highlighted Worika’s impressive academic credentials, extensive experience, and policy expertise as key factors in the selection process. In a related move, the former naval chief appointed Iyingi Brown as the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service. Brown will also serve as the acting Head of Service pending a substantive appointment, following the resignation of George Nwaeke. The government expressed appreciation for Nwaeke’s service and wished him success in his future endeavors. Congratulating Brown on her new role, Ibas reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring peace and stability in Rivers State. The statement also emphasized Worika’s distinguished career in academia, international legal practice, and high-level policy advisory roles, positioning him to effectively support the administrator in fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s mandate for the state. “Professor Worika’s wealth of experience in legal scholarship, public policy, and governance will be instrumental in driving the administration’s agenda. His appointment underscores our dedication to excellence in public service,” the statement read.
3/25/2025, 8:32:30 AM
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Fubara Distances Self From Militant Groups, Explosions
The suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara, has dissociated himself from militant groups allegedly threatening the federal government over the state’s political crisis. In a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara expressed regret over attempts to link him to such groups. He further noted that communities where explosions were reported have dismissed claims of attacks on oil facilities, asserting that the allegations were merely targeted at tarnishing his image. The statement read: “Virtually all the fake videos have been linked to alleged militant groups in the State, with the creators of such content trying very hard to connect them to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. “Already, the communities where these incidents are alleged to have occurred have reacted, dismissing any claims of explosions on oil and gas facilities in their domains, and reassuring that all critical government assets within their areas are safe, secure and efficiently functioning. “For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the State or Niger Delta, to undertake any action inimical to the peace of the people or safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country. “The Governor had repeatedly made it clear at every public event that the peace of the State is paramount to him, and that he would pay any price to secure and sustain peace in the State, as it is only in an atmosphere of peace and security that governance and development can thrive.” Fubara in the statement warned against attacks on government critical infrastructures, urging criminals to steer off the state. He said: “Governor Fubara vehemently warns purveyors of violence and economic sabotage to steer clear of the state, and avoid any attempt to use his name or capitalise on the present political crisis to foment trouble in the State. “It is also important to warn bloggers and social media hirelings to stop, forthwith, their campaign to create an atmosphere of tension, chaos and anarchy in the State, as their fake reports and posts in the last couple of days have triggered enough wrong decisions that would not help the State move forward. “Security agencies should take note of these fake videos designed to misinform the people, and further paint the State in bad light, and take every necessary steps to contain them, and bring those behind them to book.”
3/24/2025, 10:28:59 AM
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IGP Warns Officers Against Illegal Detention
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has cautioned officers against unlawful detention, warning of serious “consequences” for such actions. In a statement by Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP emphasized the legal detention limits outlined in sections 34 and 35 of the Nigerian Constitution, which uphold the rights to dignity and personal liberty. “The IGP cautions against any practices that may lead to unlawful or prolonged detentions, which can undermine public trust and confidence in the police, reiterating that any officer found violating these principles will face serious consequences,” the statement issued on Sunday read. “Calling for a culture of accountability within the Force, the IGP thereby encourages officers to uphold the highest standards of conduct in their interactions with the public.” According to the police chief, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) wants to build stronger relationships with the communities it serves and ensure that policing is done with integrity “The Nigeria Police Force is committed to ensuring that all individuals in custody are treated with respect and in accordance with the law,” the statement added. “The commitment of the current Police leadership to human rights reflects a broader vision of a police force that is not only effective in maintaining law and order but also dedicated to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals.”
3/24/2025, 7:20:19 AM
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Rivers Emergency Rule: Fresh Tension As N’Delta Militants Reconvene, Plan Attack
A classified report revealing that militant leaders have regrouped in an undisclosed creek community to strategize and coordinate attacks on oil facilities has heightened tensions in the Niger Delta. The gathering occurred just days after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency last Tuesday, effectively suspending Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. While details remained unclear yesterday, a reliable source disclosed that the militants were engaging in extensive consultations to secure the full participation of various groups across the region. Commander Bibi Oduku, Commandant General of the Riverine Security (Coast-Guard of the Federation), confirmed the “high threats in the Niger Delta and the potential economic impact on Nigeria.” He urged President Tinubu to reconsider Fubara’s suspension. His words: “I urge President Bola Tinubu to carefully consider the suspension of the Rivers State governor because of the heightened tensions and threats in the Niger Delta. These threats pose a significant risk to the nation’s economy. “Militant groups are planning to attack federal government properties across Niger Delta states while miscreants may exploit the situation to engage in criminal activities. “This could lead to loss of life among innocent citizens and military personnel deployed for peacekeeping.” Commander Oduku, however, assured that “Riverine security officers are vigilant and ready to prevent unauthorized groups from engaging in illegal activities and will work closely with the Nigerian military and other security agencies to apprehend those involved in attacks on federal government properties.” Also, Captains Eric Foutoru and ThankGod Oprom, in charge of the Rivers and Delta States’ waterways, respectively, pledged their support to the military in calming the security situation in the states and the Niger Delta in general. Oduku recalled the statement of a former presidential amnesty boss, Brigadier General Paul T. Boroh, retd., who cautioned youths in the Niger Delta against allowing anger to dictate their actions. “President Tinubu is not a proponent of violence, so youths should refrain from unlawful acts that could harm lives and properties,’’ he said. He denounced the vandalism of oil pipelines in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, vowing that riverine security officers would apprehend and prosecute those responsible. The commandant-general urged residents of Rivers State and the Niger Delta to maintain peace and trust the legal process. Vanguard Newspaper
3/24/2025, 7:11:14 AM
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