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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has announced that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) will conduct fresh elections for local government councils following recent Supreme Court judgments on the state’s lingering political crisis.
In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Governor Fubara stated that while his administration disagrees with the court rulings, it remains committed to upholding the rule of law. He assured that once the certified true copies of the judgments are obtained—expected by Friday, March 7, 2025—his government will study and implement them accordingly.
As an interim measure, Fubara ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the governance of the 23 LGAs, pending fresh elections. He also directed the outgoing local government chairmen to hand over power by Monday, March 3, 2025.
“Given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by RSIEC,” Fubara stated.
The governor urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that his administration is working to stabilize the situation and continue delivering on its responsibilities.
“Although our dear state seems to be back in trying times, I urge everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about their legitimate daily activities,” he said.
The announcement comes amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State, as various factions await the implementation of the Supreme Court’s verdicts and the scheduling of new local government elections.
Read Full Speech Of Fubara’s Broadcast Below:
STATEWIDE BROADCAST BY THE GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA, GSSRS, ON SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2025, ON THE RECENT JUDGMENTS OF THE SUPREME COURT.
1. My dear people of Rivers State, we are all aware of the recent Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements regarding aspects of the lingering political disputes in our dear State.
2. Although we disagree with the judgments, we are bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government.
3. Since inception, we have conducted the affairs of government within the framework of our Constitution, due process and the rule of law.
4. While we are not above mistakes because we are humans, we believe that we have not, as a government, done anything deliberately to trample on the rule of law or the hallowed principles of constitutional governance.
5. Accordingly, I have had a meeting with my team of lawyers, and they have assured me that the certified true copy of the judgments may be available to them by Friday, 7th March, 2025.
6. I assure you that upon the receipt of certified judgments, we shall study their ramifications and implement them without reservations to move the State forward.
7. Furthermore, given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
8. I further direct the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, 3rd March 2025.
9. Although our dear State seems to be back in trying times, I urge everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about with their legitimate daily activities as we continue to do everything in our power to advance our responsibilities to the citizens.
10. Thank you, and may God bless Rivers State.
[Vanguard]
Ebonyi senator: Natasha Akpoti has history of making sexual harassment claims against prominent figures
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Peter Nwaebonyi, deputy chief whip of the senate, says Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has a history of making “reckless and false allegations of sexual harassment against prominent figures”.
Nwaebonyi said the sexual harassment allegations tabled by Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, against Senate President Godswill Akpabio is a desperate attempt to divert attention from legitimate disciplinary proceedings.
The rift between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan began following a recent seat reallocation in the red chamber.
Akpoti-Uduaghan firmly resisted her new seat placement after the rearrangement, claiming the move was intended to stifle her voice.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review.
The issue came to a head on Friday when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate president of attempting to make sexual advances toward her in his office and home.
The allegation triggered responses from prominent Nigerians, including a lawsuit by Ekaette Akpabio, the senate president’s wife, while others demanded an investigation into the claims.
Bukola Saraki, former senate president, who voiced his concern in the controversy, said the senate ethics committee must conduct a transparent probe of the allegations.
Saraki added that “both parties must submit to the investigation, fully cooperate with the committee, and stake their claims before it.”
‘SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, DIVERSIONARY STUNT’
Reacting to the controversy, Nwaebonyi said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims were “politically motivated” and aimed at manipulating public sentiment.
He claimed that her allegations surfaced only after she was summoned for disciplinary action, questioning why no prior complaints were made within the senate or to female colleagues.
The lawmaker acknowledged Saraki’s call for transparency and protection but found the comparison between his experience and current allegations against Akpabio “flawed.”
“In Saraki’s case, the matter revolved around his official duties as Senate President— specifically, an accusation concerning the importation of an official vehicle,” Nwaebonyi said.
“The claim was factually incorrect, and Saraki, knowing this, subjected himself to scrutiny to clear his name. It was an administrative and procedural issue directly tied to his office, and a swift resolution through the Senate Ethics Committee restored confidence in the institution.
“In contrast, what we have before us today is a case of personal, unsubstantiated, and conveniently timed accusations— claims of sexual harassment that supposedly took place over a year ago but surfaced only after the accuser was summoned for disciplinary action.
“There was no prior complaint, no record of distress, no mention to her husband, and no disclosure to female colleagues in the Senate.
“Instead, the accusation was unleashed only at the point of reckoning, in a desperate attempt to divert attention from legitimate disciplinary proceedings.
“If we take Saraki’s argument to its logical conclusion, we would be establishing a dangerous precedent—one where any gold digger or habitual liar can throw out an unsubstantiated allegation and expect the Senate to come to a halt while they are entertained.”
The deputy chief whip further described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations as “wild claims, media noise, and no evidence.”
Nwebonyi also questioned why the female lawmaker never addressed the issue in the red chamber and noted that she was appointed chairperson of the senate committee on local content before the alleged harassment.
While reaffirming Saraki’s concerns about senate integrity, Nwebonyi insisted that the institution must not be manipulated by “baseless allegations.”
He asked Akpoti-Uduaghan to pursue legal action if she had legitimate claims rather than using the senate and the media as a “shield against accountability.”
“This case, however, is about a personal vendetta and a desperate attempt to escape disciplinary action — the senate must resist the temptation to legitimize a distraction campaign designed to avoid legitimate scrutiny,” the Ebonyi lawmaker said.
He, however, implored the senate and Nigerians to remain focused and not allow blackmail to dictate the institution’s agenda.
[TheCable]
The United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to create a cryptocurrency reserve to support the crypto industry.
In a statement via Truth, a social media platform, on Sunday, Trump said a presidential working group has been directed to move forward on a crypto strategic reserve that includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and more cryptocurrencies.
“A U.S. Crypto Reserve will elevate this critical industry after years of corrupt attacks by the Biden Administration, which is why my Executive Order on Digital Assets directed the Presidential Working Group to move forward on a Crypto Strategic Reserve that includes XRP, SOL, and ADA,” he said.
“I will make sure the U.S. is the Crypto Capital of the World. We are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
“And, obviously, BTC and ETH, as other valuable Cryptocurrencies, will be at the heart of the Reserve. I also love Bitcoin and Ethereum!”
The announcement comes almost two months after the US president launched a meme coin called $Trump.
Trump had made his support for the cryptocurrency industry known during his presidential campaign last year, after his campaign team announced in May that supporters can make donations in crypto, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin.
Five months later, he began promoting World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture set up by his longtime business partners and others.
World Liberty began selling its token to qualified investors to raise $300 million.
[TheCable]
DSTV, Nigeria’s leading pay-TV provider, faces increasing scrutiny as analysts question its long-term viability in an era dominated by streaming services.
Experts have raised concerns about the company’s business model, competitiveness, and long-term survival in the face of digital disruption, with many suggesting it must evolve or risk obsolescence.
This was a key topic during a recent episode of Nairametrics’ Drinks and Mics podcast, with industry experts; Tunji Andrews, CEO and Founder of Awabah, Arnold Dublin-Green, Chief Investment Officer at Cordros Capital LTD, Ugodre, Founder of Nairametrics, and Dele Akintola, Chief Commercial Officer of Alerzo.
Tunji Andrews, CEO and Founder of Awabah, stated that the pay-tv provider is losing its grip on consumer loyalty due to a lack of innovation.
Andrews disclosed that DSTV remains dominant in live sports, especially football, but argued that in general entertainment, its stronghold has significantly weakened due to the rise of Netflix, Disney+, and IPTV services.
“The issue right now is that people are not looking at DSTV as value creation because the product itself has not improved in terms of content on the platform,” he said.
“To be honest, the thing that appeared to look like a monopoly for DSTV broke like maybe six, seven years ago. And on the basis of content outside football, you know, movies, people want to get entertained in your house. And then the emergence of things like smart TVs, where you can have all this Netflix and everything on your TV.
You know, this just basically broke their back. However, they still have the football thing,” he stated.
Shift in subscription habits
Dele Akintola highlighted how Nigerian consumers engage with DSTV differently than before, subscribing only for specific events like Big Brother Naija or major sports tournaments rather than maintaining year-round subscriptions.
- This pattern, he said, indicates that DSTV is losing its must-have status. Andrews emphasized that DSTV’s struggle stems from its failure to innovate beyond sports content.
- Andrews recalled a period when a competitor temporarily secured Premier League rights in Nigeria, prompting DSTV to bolster its Africa Magic offerings to retain subscribers.
However, he noted that such aggressive content expansion has since stalled.
“There are very few dedicated sports fans willing to pay for DSTV to watch it, I am not talking about the guys in viewing stations,” he said.
Shareholder value
Akintola weighed in on the financial realities behind the company’s decisions.
He said that DSTV’s pricing decisions are driven by the need to maintain profitability and deliver value to its investors.
“Their job is to create shareholders value and obviously with the way the currency has increased from N400 to whatever it is now, they lost subscribers, cost gone up. So maybe they are making 5% margin, the implication is that as a company that is listed, how do they create shareholder value,” he said
- He argues that, as a business, DSTV must ensure shareholder returns, especially in a challenging economic environment where the Naira has depreciated significantly, leading to higher operational costs.
- He suggests that even though DSTV has increased subscription fees, its profit margins remain relatively low—possibly around 5%—compared to other businesses in Nigeria that enjoy much higher margins, some as high as 65%.
This financial pressure forces DSTV to make difficult pricing decisions to stay competitive and sustainable in the long run.
‘Sell’ or rethink the business model
As discussions on DStv’s survival in the next 3-5 years unfolded, the experts debated whether investors should hold or sell their shares in the company. The consensus leaned toward selling, with concerns over the viability of its current business model.
- Arnold Dublin-Green was direct in his assessment, advising investors to sell DSTV shares unless the company undergoes significant restructuring.
“Those guys are dying, man. They need to figure it out,” Green said, emphasizing that the traditional pay-TV model is struggling against the rise of on-demand streaming services.
- Tunji Andrews, echoed this sentiment, issuing a “super sell” rating. He pointed out that DSTV’s challenges extend beyond Nigeria, affecting markets in Ghana and other regions outside South Africa.
“The situation is not just Nigeria. The situation is Ghana. The situation is across every other country outside South Africa,” he noted.
- He stated that DSTV is essentially an “elevated version of terrestrial TV”, a model that is becoming obsolete.
Dele Akintola stated that unlike streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, DSTV relies on a linear broadcasting model that no longer aligns with changing consumer preferences.
“Netflix is charging $25 a month, and they don’t blink at customers. People are willing to pay. But DSTV? They need a complete rethink,” Dele stated.
The conversation also touched on Showmax, DSTV’s streaming service, questioning whether it offers competitive content. While Showmax provides African movies, they argued that top Nollywood films still prefer platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime for better visibility.
What DSTV needs to do
The experts concluded that DSTV must redefine its identity for the next decade. They suggested a corporate retreat to reassess its strategy, especially as younger audiences gravitate toward digital platforms.
“DSTV needs a retreat. They need to ask themselves: what are we for the next 10 years?” Dele advised.
Additionally, shifts in consumer behavior—such as the rising popularity of Korean dramas among Nigerian female audiences—highlight the urgency for DSTV to evolve or risk losing relevance.
[Nairametrics]
Senate President Godsill Akpabio, has commended President Bola Tinubi for the bold economic reforms embarked upon by his administration.
Akpabio submitted that despite the initial challenges, the reforms are yielding positive results, and Nigeria is getting better.
Naija News reports the Senate President made the submission on Friday during the signing of the 2025 budget into law by President Tinubu.
Recalling one of the conversations he had with President Tinubu regarding the policy of fuel subsidy removal and the possibility of denying the President a second term ticket, Akpabio disclosed that Tinubu damned the consequences and told him there’s no need for gradual removal as the last administration didn’t include it in the budget.
He said Nigeria and Nigerians are now reaping the rewards of the bold decision.
“By the time you removed the fuel subsidy, which many had failed in over 40 years, I came back to you and asked Mr President, ‘don’t you want re-election in 2027’?”
“You asked ‘why’. I said, ‘how can you do this? Let’s remove it gradually’. You said ‘I met a fuel subsidy that was no longer available. The last administration made a budget and ended fuel subsidy in May’.
“So from June, when you took over, you re-echoed that subsidy is gone, you didn’t elaborate otherwise. So you started, meandered, and today Nigeria is about to float even without petroleum products coming in as income,” Akpabio said.
You Have Done Well With The Budget
Akpabio also commended Tinubu for presenting what he described as the “largest budget” in Nigeria’s history, and also working out a way to finance it.
He assured that the National Assembly carried out due diligence on the appropriation bill before it was passed.
The Senate President also pledged the loyalty of the lawmakers to working with Tinubu in delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
“Your reforms are working. When you came to the national assembly with a very ambitious budget of N49.7 trillion, little did we know that by working with your team, we would discover other sources of bringing revenue in today.
“We are about to make history by signing the largest budget in Nigeria since independence, N54.7 trillion, so I say congratulations, sir.
“We on this side of the aisle believe strongly that anything that can alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians, any policy that you propose that can alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, be rest assured that the national assembly — both chambers — will go with you. We are behind you because we know that you mean well for this country.
“You gave the budget to us in December; people may think we delayed it, but we went through it line by line, clause by clause to ensure we meet the aspiration not just of your administration but that of the entire nation,” he said.
[NaijaNews]
AMID her continued reign as Nollywood’s box office queen, Funke Akindele has laid bare the driving force behind her success, attributing her journey to God’s grace.
Speaking at the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) 2025 event, the award-winning filmmaker made it clear that no individual can take credit for her stardom.
According to her, it was only by God’s will that she became the force she is today in Nollywood.
“I am who I am today because of God. Nobody made me a star, only God did. When I started, I had so many challenges, but I kept pushing. The idea for Jenifa came to me at a time when I needed to reinvent myself, and I trusted God’s direction. I wrote my scripts, put in the work, and kept believing that my time would come,” Akindele shared.
The actress further reflected on the obstacles she has had to overcome to maintain her relevance in the industry.
“This journey has not been easy, but I have learnt to stay focused and keep evolving. The audience changes, trends come and go, but I remain determined. I was told to keep milking the Jenifa brand, and yes, I did, but I also expanded my craft. God keeps giving me the strength to push through, and I will continue to do so.”
Beyond her personal journey, Akindele delved into the evolving landscape of audience engagement and content marketing in Nigeria, stressing the importance of adaptability in staying relevant in the competitive film industry.
Akindele also spoke about the importance of resilience and innovation in Nollywood, especially in a time when the entertainment industry is constantly evolving.
She noted that remaining at the top requires more than just talent—it takes discipline, consistency, and the ability to adapt to changing audience preferences.
According to her, filmmakers must be ready to embrace new storytelling techniques and market trends while staying true to their artistic vision.
Reflecting on her journey, the actress expressed gratitude for the support she has received over the years, acknowledging that success in the industry is not a solo effort. While she credited God for her rise, she also appreciated the fans who have stood by her and the colleagues who believed in her vision.
[Nigerian Tribune]
Reno Omokri, a former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has narrated an unpleasant experience with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement on Saturday, Omokri explained how an issue between him and an acquittance of Natasha triggered the allegation.
He said he was able to prove his innocence because of the evidence presented that he was not in Nigeria at the time which his accuser claimed that the incident happened.
“I have been inundated with calls from almost all major media outlets in Nigeria to interview me about the issues involving the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha Akpoti. These media organisations wanted my take, seeing that I was once accused by Senator Natasha Akpoti of the exact grave allegations that she is now accusing the Senate President of.”
“Against my will, I have been trending on various social media platforms, and for the sake of my family, it would be best to put this matter to rest. Rather than speak with multiple media outlets, perhaps I can ease the pressure on me by putting out this statement.’
“I do not know if what Senator Natasha Akpoti accused the Senate President of is true, as I was not physically present when the alleged events took place. However, I can testify that Senator Natasha Akpoti once had an altercation with me on social media over a post where a woman made advances at me and I rejected her and stated that my wife is a beauty queen and is more than enough for me.
“Apparently the woman is or was a friend of Senator Akpoti. And after I had scorned her friend’s advances, Senator Akpoti accused me of sexually harassing her at Aso Rock Presidential Villa, during a reception held for the visiting Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, when he visited Nigeria between May 4 and May 7 2014.
“Unfortunately for Senator Akpoti, during those dates, I was sent to the United States of America as President Jonathan’s special envoy. I met and was photographed with multiple U.S. officials, including State Department officials, in Washington, D.C.
“I then published a First Class British Airways ticket and my passport (which was a different class of passport from the regular Nigerian passport and requires a special kind of stamp), proving that I was not in Nigeria on the dates Senator Akpoti alleged I sexually harassed her.
“After I published that evidence, Miss Natasha Akpoti, as she then was, deleted every trace of her allegations against me and the video she had made insulting me, my wife and my newborn daughter.”
Omokri said he was contemplating on the next step to take as a result of the damage done to his person but there was an intervention that led to out-of-court settlement.
“As I was pondering the next steps to take, a very influential and respectable man from my ethnic nationality, reached out to a prominent Christian clergyman, who mediated between him and I. The gentleman greeted me in my mother tongue, Itsekiri, and was most gentlemanly and expressed regrets over the incident, and I was prevailed on by the clergyman to reach an out-of-court settlement.
“Thereafter, I dropped the matter since my name had been cleared, and the out-of-court settlement was adequate.
“That is the extent of my encounter with Senator Natasha Akpoti. I hope the media can now leave me alone, as I am reluctant to grant any interviews or get entangled in this matter, seeing as I have the highest respect for the man who reached out to me to settle the matter.
“As for the Senate, I have the highest respect and confidence in that institution and its leadership and believe that the right thing to do would be to institute a Senate investigation by the appropriate committee to determine the veracity of the present allegations.”
The development comes amid the sexual harassment allegation against Nigeria’s number three citizen by Natasha.
[DailyTrust]
Elon Musk, who is overseeing the President Donald Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, has accused California of encouraging influx of illegal immigrants.
The tech billionaire, who stated this in an interview with Joe Rogan, said healthcare services is free for illegals in California with a whooping $9 billion tax burden.
According to Musk, what happens in California “is that you simply have more patients than a doctor can possibly see”.
Musk described the healthcare policy in the state as “a gigantic magnet for more illegals” to come into the United States.
He claimed that the elite in California are doing fine because they can afford private doctors, “but your average citizen in California is not doing fine”.
“So then the average citizen in California suffers as a result. Now, the elite in California are fine ’cause they have private doctors, they can just pay, pay for the best doctors.
“The tax burden for healthcare for legals was supposed to be $3 billion. I think they now estimated it’s $9 billion. But that number will scale to infinity”, Musk added.
[DailyPost]
- Plans three-day retreat to review public hearing submissions
- ‘Rejigged bills to aid realisation of Tinubu’s $1trn economy’
Fresh from its conduct of public hearings on the Tax Reform Bills, the National Assembly now says the planned legislation will remove all the fears entertained about them in some parts of the country, and meet the aspirations of the different geo-political zones.
The Senate is already planning a three-day retreat to consider the inputs made during the two-day public hearings held last week.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, told The Nation that the National Assembly would leave no stone unturned in producing tax reform bills that can stand the test of time.
“We are going to work assiduously and we are going to consider every submission, every memorandum that has been given,” he said.
“The verbatim presentation that people have done, we have it on record.
“We are going to review everything. After this, we are going to go for a three-day retreat, and during the retreat, we are going to consult with experts.
“We are consulting also with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation so that we see how we can present a law or an Act that is workable, that would not conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We are taking the advice of everyone that had made the presentation. We are going to consider everything on its own merit.
“We are not particularly looking at which organisation or which entity presents, but what is going to be acceptable to all Nigerians, what is going to be acceptable to all regions of this country, because what we are trying to do is to present a law that is workable.”
He also said the bills, when they become operational, would aid the realization of President Bola Tinubu’s planned $1 trillion economy for the country.
His words: “And when you look at advanced economies, Mr. President has said that he wants to see Nigeria having a $1 trillion economy, and this is the beginning of it.
“For us to do it, we must do it in a way that is not only during the time of Mr. President.
“Mr. President is only going to stay for likely eight years, and after eight years, there will be another government.
“So, we want a law that will outlive anybody that is there, even us that we are making the law, at the end of the day, we are going to be the ones also that will have to follow what we have led.
“So I think it’s not about who presents, it’s about what Nigerians will see as a true reflection of what it should be.”
Musa’s counterpart in the House of Representatives, Abiodun Faleke, described the public hearings as a veritable platform for stakeholders to make their inputs for a balanced legislation.
Faleke said: “The public have responded to us. We will now look at every detail to propose a bill; a bill that will now be passed into law, considered by the House, if the House agrees with all our suggestions.
“When we finish and we lay a report and it is discussed on the floor or debated and passed, we will compare it with that of the Senate. Any areas of differences, we will harmonise.”
Faleke said his Committee would scrutinise all the presentations by Nigerians with a view to bringing out the best in the overall all interest of Nigerians.
Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, Ezenwa Nwagwu, emphasised that the proposed tax reforms must be pursued through a non-partisan approach to achieve their intended objectives.
Nwagwu stated that a stable and well-structured tax system would be of greater benefit to all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliations.
Expressing support for the proposed reforms, he described them as a step towards a fairer and more efficient tax system that would enhance revenue generation without placing undue burdens on businesses and individuals.
Addressing the proposed changes to the VAT sharing formula, he acknowledged concerns raised by some stakeholders regarding the derivation principle.
While this principle is expected to benefit states with higher economic activity, he noted that it might disadvantage less industrialised regions.
However, he argued that the tax reforms would incentivise other regions to boost economic activity, create jobs and generate more VAT revenue.
He also called for post-reform monitoring mechanisms to track progress, address challenges and ensure continuous improvement.
Speaking further, Nwagwu urged the government to ensure transparency and public accountability in implementing the reforms to build trust and encourage compliance among taxpayers.
The Tax Reform Bills, comprising the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, were initiated by President Tinubu and transmitted to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024 for its consideration.
The Nigeria Tax Bill (the Bill) consolidates the legal frameworks relating to taxation within the purview of the federal government, which were previously administered under separate tax laws, into a single piece of legislation.
It proposes to repeal the Companies Income Tax Act, Personal Income Tax Act, Capital Gains Tax Act, Petroleum Profits Tax Act, Value Added Tax Act, and six other tax laws, as well as amend 13 additional tax laws.
Some parts of the bills, especially those relating to the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the formula for sharing it by the three tiers of government, had generated much controversy at the level of the 36 state governors and regional groups.
However, the contentious issues were later resolved with the governors proposing amendments.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) at a January meeting in Abuja with the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, threw its weight behind the bills.
The forum proposed an equitable sharing formula for Value-Added Tax as follows: 50% based on equality, 30% based on derivation and 20% based on population.
The NGF agreed that “there should be no increase in the VAT rate or reduction in Corporate Income Tax (CIT) at this time to maintain economic stability.”
Besides, the governors ruled out a terminal clause for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure and National Information Technology Development Agency in the sharing of development levies in the bills, and supported the continuation of the legislative process at the National Assembly that will culminate in the eventual passage of the tax reform bills.
They acknowledged the importance of modernising the tax system to enhance fiscal stability and align with global best practices.
Some retired generals have stated that the Nigerian military cannot prevent residents in some troubled areas from paying levies and ransoms to bandits, despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The retired officers expressed doubts about the ability of the military to stop the residents from meeting the bandits’ demands amid fears of attacks.
Since banditry became an organised crime involving mass abductions, village raids, and extortion in northern Nigeria, residents of farming communities in the region have been forced to pay heavy levies, ransoms, and taxes to various bandit and terror groups.
The levies ranged from N20m to as high as N200m, with bandit kingpins threatening to attack and wreak havoc on farms and homes if their demands are not met.
Some of the affected states are Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna.
In July 2024, residents of the Toro community in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State were forced to sell their farm produce to raise N20m levy imposed on them by bandits. The people had to contribute N50,000 each to avoid being attacked.
The people of Moriki town in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State also struggled to raise N30m levy imposed on them by the notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, in September last year.
Earlier in January 2025, another notorious bandit leader, Dantsito, threatened to attack communities in the Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State if they failed to pay him N200m levy within two weeks.
Last week, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni Constituency, Aminu Boza, said Turji imposed a N25m levy on some villages in the state.
According to the Gobir Development Association, a group of professionals in the local government, residents of the council areas had paid over N160bn in levies and ransom to bandits.
However, the Defence Headquarters has repeatedly urged northern residents not to succumb to bandits’ threats and financial demands.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a former Commandant of Army Signals and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.), noted that the people’s deep-seated distrust in the military would continually push them to comply with bandits’ demands.
He said there was a need to restore the people’s confidence in the capacity of the military to protect residents.
“People don’t trust the military anymore. If the people knew that by refusing to pay the levy, the military would take action against those demanding it, no one would waste their money. So, it is an issue of trust.
“Secondly, there must be some people within the affected communities who are also benefiting from the levies and ransoms paid by the people to the bandits. That is why community policing is very important.”
Similarly, a former Commander of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. John Sura (retd.), said residents of remote communities in the northern region would always struggle to heed the military’s advice of not paying levies due to a lack of consistent security presence to deter bandit attacks.
“If someone stronger than you threatens to kill you unless you give him something, you will typically have no choice but to comply,” he said.
Sura maintained that the military couldn’t be everywhere, saying, “Their presence is usually concentrated at local government headquarters or stationed at major road junctions leading into towns. But these villages are often far away—sometimes five to 10 kilometers. So how do you expect the military to respond swiftly?
“It is, therefore, expected that residents will seek ways to defend themselves, primarily through local security forces like the Forest Guard in Benue State. That was the approach some communities in Bauchi adopted. They inflicted such heavy losses on the bandits that they never returned.
“However, in the absence of such security measures, people have little choice but to pay ransoms and levies to ensure their survival and peace.”
Another retired general, who requested anonymity, cited the military’s inadequate manpower as a major factor contributing to their inability to provide adequate security.
He said, “The security agencies can make announcements and say, ‘Don’t fear them (bandits),’ but you know why you fear them—because they are right there on your streets. That’s how difficult this war is.
“Do you know the size of our military population? You can’t have such a limited number and expect the military to be everywhere. For instance, in Sokoto, where people pay such levies, the military isn’t there. They only come for operations and then leave. But the bandits remain with the people constantly.
“So, if the bandits are forcing people to pay levies, who do you think they will obey? Those who come and go, or the ones who stay, armed and in control?” It is the same with the police. Do you have policemen in every local government? You may have a police station in each one, but that doesn’t mean there are officers in all the villages.
“If criminals attack these villages and harass the people, the people will fear the criminals because they see them every day.”
[Punch]
More...
…after S/Court setback •We’re watching developments — INC/PANDEF •Gov: It is not over yet
It is exactly 16 months since the political crisis broke out in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. For one year and four months, Rivers, prided as the hub of West African oil and gas, has been embroiled in a war of attrition over the control of its political soul.
But last Friday’s Supreme Court verdicts gave what may change the political destiny of the state for a long time. The judgement hit the state like a thunderbolt, leaving in its wake silence and despair on one side, joy and jubilation on the other.
It was shocking that from Thursday, February 27, some allies of Wike were seen on social media celebrating ahead of the court judgment, which later went their way on Friday.
Before now, there were five consolidated cases at the Supreme Court, one was dismissed a fortnight ago while four were left. The four consolidated cases include SC/CV/1174/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the Rivers State Government and nine others, and SC/CV/1175/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the Rivers State Governor and nine others.
Others were SC/CV/1176/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, and nine others; SC/CV/1177/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the Accountant General of Rivers State and nine others, and SC/CV/1071/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the National Assembly and 16 others. (The last one has already been dismissed).
When the judgment was finally given by the apex court on the four consolidated cases, Fubara was literally stripped of his political structure as it invalidated the October 5, 2024, local government elections, his influence on the state legislature, and validated the suspension of federal allocations.
Succinctly, the reinstated 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike are returning to the status quo with a mindset of revenge having been denied the paraphernalia of their legislative office for many months and Wike, having had his ego dangerously bruised by Fubara’s audacious opposition to his (Wike’s) domineering posture on the state.
Impeachment
The greatest fear in the Fubara camp is that with the Supreme Court matter done and dusted, many think pro-Wike group would not hesitate to implement their initial plan. That is the impeachment of Fubara.
Several reliable sources confirmed this fear. They hinted that the process is not planned to take a long time to accomplish. Accordingly, the 27-assembly lawmakers, who are now likely to carry out the dictates of their master, may call for the head of the Attorney General after “the suspension of the 3-man Victor Oko-Jumbo Assembly”.
Wike set the ball rolling when he allegedly said: “All Fubara’s commissioners and his 3-member assembly are all gone. They are not commissioners, they never existed in the first place. I am sure his so-called Attorney-General will not go and say he is the Attorney-General of Rivers State again. He knows the consequences of saying that, he knows that he is gone”.
INC/PANDEF
President of Ijaw National Congress, INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, reacting to the apex court’s judgment on Saturday, called for calm, saying the judgment was not the end of the matter.
“We are still studying the implications of the judgment. When we discovered that the issue of defection was not mentioned by the Supreme Court, it left us confused. For now, we want everybody to be at peace and go about their normal responsibilities”, Okaba said.
He noted that, as a pressure group, INC will continue to work within the confines of the law of the land. But “if injustice is seen to have taken an upper hand, we then will decide on what next to do”.
Also, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a chieftain of pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, said whatever must have been the outcome of the judgment “is not strange to us.”
He alleged that before now, Wike had been boasting that “the Supreme Court was in his pocket”.
Sara-Igbe said he was waiting to see how the Supreme Court would reverse itself by saying that Martin Amaewhule and the 26 other lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, are members of the Assembly.
According to him, the suspension of the state’s allocation is a call for violence “so that they will declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. To suspend the revenue of a federating unit means that they are calling for a crisis. We pray this does not truncate our democracy”.
Options For Fubara
With the major consolidated cases before the Supreme Court against him, it does appear that the only lifeline left for the governor is the case of the defection of the 27 lawmakers to the APC.
It is important to note that of all the five consolidated cases brought before the Supreme Court, defection was not one of them. This explains why the judgment was silent on the matter.
As they say in the legal system, the court cannot give you what you didn’t ask for. The Supreme Court did not rule on the defection of the 27 lawmakers because it was not brought to its table for determination.
While the defection case is still in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, it is not clear whether the pro-Wike House of Assembly would have the patience to allow Fubara enjoy the long process of following the case through up to the Supreme Court.
They know that the defection case is a bad one by every inch of the Constitution. So, what may follow is to quicken the process of getting the governor out of the way to naturally kill the case once and for all.
On the options open to the embattled governor, Sara-Igbe believes that as a strategist, Fubara will wait for the final determination of the defection matter. ”Fubara believes in God. And God will make his enemies fools”, he said. He said: “If Amaewhule and his co-travellers go ahead to impeach the governor, there will be resistance.”
Also speaking on the options, Okaba stated: “Fubara is a strategist. His options will depend on the interpretation of the judgment. There is no cause to panic. We have to wait and get the interpretation of the judgment”.
Also speaking, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of APC in Rivers State, said the only option for Fubara “is prayer”. According to him, “ enemies of the state have taken over, the only thing left for the governor is to pray for God’s intervention.
Another possible option Fubara may undertake to save his neck from the political guillotine, according to a top Ogoni politician who prefers anonymity, is to decamp to the APC.
“Yes, there are various options open to him. One of that is a political solution to the crisis. In doing that, he would be given conditions to fulfill. One of that is to decamp to the APC to guarantee President Tinubu of 2027”, the source said.
Fubara had already created what could be a formidable platform for his political future when he directed all the 23 local government chairmen to contest the October 5 council election on the platform of the Actions Peoples Party, APP.
It’s not over –Fubara
Despite the turn of events, Fubara appears unruffled. A credible source close to the state government confided in Sunday Vanguard that “the governor was full of life when we spoke on phone. I called him to encourage him to stay strong. He told me it is not over yet.”
Another source argued that every impeachment has its own process. “Before things are concluded to get the governor out of the way, the defection case must have been concluded. That is the way he could wriggle himself out of the shame of possible impeachment,” he said.
The weeks ahead would be loaded with surprises. As things stand, Rivers people and the entire nation are waiting to see where the pendulum swings.
[Vanguard]
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), have unanimously approved a new law to curb time-wasting by goalkeepers.
Under the new law, goalkeepers will only be able to hold the ball for eight seconds.
Any goalkeeper that hold the ball for more than eight seconds will be punished with a corner for the opposition, starting this summer.
The new law was unanimously approved during IFAB annual general meeting in Northern Ireland on Saturday, and will be in place at FIFA’s Club World Cup, which takes place in the USA from 15 June to 13 July.
“We had the test and the test was very successful. The referees didn’t have to signal for a corner (often),” Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA secretary general said.
The IFAB also voted to continue offside trials in which the attacker will be ruled onside if his torso is level with the second to last defender.
Under the current law keepers should be punished if they hold the ball for more than six seconds, with the opposition being awarded an indirect free-kick.
But Noel Mooney, the CEO of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) said implementation of the six-second rule had “dissolved over time” and it is hoped that the new law will lead to a reduction in time wasting.
Already trialled in over 400 games in three different competitions, including the Premier League 2, referees will also warn the goalkeepers with a five-second countdown before they are penalised
[BusinessDay]
Biodun Olujimi, a former senator, has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central, to withdraw her suit against Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking in an interview on Arise TV on Saturday, Olujimi, a former senate minority leader, said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable”.
On February 20, Akpabio, the senate president, and Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate during the plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review.
However, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio over an alleged defamatory statement reportedly made by the senate president’s legislative aide.
Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Akpabio.
Reacting to the development, Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
The former lawmaker said the request of the Kogi senator that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live is a “little overboard.”
She added that the clash between the senate president and Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have been escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
The former senate minority leader expressed support for the probe of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “weighty” allegations against Akpabio.
She said Akpabio is someone who jokes a lot, adding that the senate president usually makes fun of everything.
“I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us,” Olujimi said.
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible.”
[TheCable]
Urges Senate, Akpabio to treat his wife with respect, dignity
Saraki calls for transparent investigation
Let your husband defend himself, Natasha advises Senate president’s wife
Akpabio’s wife slams N250bn suit against Kogi senator
Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, and Wale Igbintade in Lagos
The verbal exchanges between the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, took a fresh turn yesterday as her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, revealed that his wife had confided in him about her interactions with Akpabio.
Chief Uduaghan, who is the Alema of Warri Kingdom, also disclosed that despite meeting with Akpabio and reaching an agreement with him on an amicable settlement of the issue, his wife continued to express concerns about Akpabio’s harassment.
While urging the Senate and Akpabio to accord his wife the respect and dignity she deserves, Chief Uduaghan expressed his unwavering faith in his wife’s loyalty and full commitment to their marriage, which he described as being grounded in love, compassion, and mutual respect.
This is just as a former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called for a transparent investigation into the allegations levelled against the Senate president.
Meanwhile, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has also called on the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, to stay out of the allegations and allow her husband to defend himself.
However, Mrs. Akpabio has filed multiple lawsuits at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, against Akpoti-Uduaghan, seeking N250 billion in damages for alleged defamation.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chief Uduaghan stated that he would never trade his wife for anything, adding that she is the greatest joy of his life.
“I have unwavering faith in my wife’s loyalty and am fully committed to our marriage, which is grounded in love, compassion, and mutual respect. I would never trade her for anything, as she is the greatest joy of my life,” he explained.
He added: “My wife is a devoted partner, and the bond we share is deep and unwavering. She has always remained truthful, even in the face of adversity.”
Chief Uduaghan stated that he had initially resolved to refrain from commenting on the ongoing dispute between his beloved wife, and the Senate president.
He, however, added that recent developments prompted him to issue a statement, stressing that certain sentiments were being unnecessarily stirred, distracting from the serious underlying issues, which should concern all individuals with strong family values.
Chief Uduaghan further revealed that his wife had confided in him about her interactions with the Senate president, whom he considered a family friend.
“I had initially resolved to refrain from commenting on the ongoing dispute between my beloved wife, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“However, recent developments have compelled me to issue this statement. It is clear that certain sentiments are being stirred up unnecessarily, distracting from the serious underlying allegations, which should concern every discerning individual with sound family values.
“Without prejudice to the ongoing legal proceedings, I wish to emphasise that my wife was duly elected by her people due to the immense love, respect, and confidence they have in her and she is committed to delivering quality representation to her district and the nation at large.
“She is a devoted wife, and the bond we share is deep and unwavering. She has always remained truthful, even in the face of adversity.
“My wife has confided in me about her interactions with the Senate President, whom I considered a family friend. In response, I approached the matter with the utmost maturity and responsibility, as it is my duty as a traditional leader who has immense respect for constituted authority and upholds core family values, fostering peace and harmony.
“I personally met with the Senate President and respectfully urged him to extend the courtesy and respect my wife deserves, while also honouring the friendship between us. We reached an understanding and agreed to resolve the issue amicably.
“However, despite this agreement, my wife continues to express concerns about the harassment she has endured from the Senate President,” Uduaghan explained.
He urged the Senate and Akpabio to treat his beloved wife with the respect and dignity she truly deserves “while the relevant authorities and the court determine the underlying issues.”
Saraki Calls for Transparent Investigation
Meanwhile, a former President of the Senate, Dr. Saraki, has called for a transparent investigation into the allegations made against Akpabio by the Kogi senator.
In a statement issued at the weekend, Saraki emphasised the importance of a fair and transparent inquiry to uncover the truth and safeguard the integrity of the Senate.
He warned that the Senate, as a vital institution, must be protected from any actions that could tarnish its reputation.
Saraki expressed his sadness over the negative impact it has had on the Senate’s image.
He called for all parties involved to carefully consider the consequences of their actions, ensuring that nothing undermines the institution’s credibility.
He also urged adherence to the Constitution, Senate rules, and parliamentary conventions in resolving the issue.
Saraki called on the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to conduct an open and transparent investigation, with both parties fully cooperating.
He recalled a similar situation during his time as Senate President when he faced allegations but allowed for a transparent investigation, which ultimately cleared his name.
“Let me make it clear without any ambiguity that I am neither stating that Akpabio is guilty of anything nor am I expressing the opinion that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is right in her actions and claims. My position is that an investigation is needed to find out the truth and protect the integrity of the Senate,” Saraki added.
The dispute between Natasha and Akpabio began after she refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules.
Tensions escalated further when she appeared on ARISE NEWS Channel on Friday, accusing Akpabio of blocking her motions, maligning her, and intimidating her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.
In response, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja and dismissed the allegations of sexual harassment leveled against her husband.
She asserted that both families had shared a cordial relationship for years, long before Natasha’s marriage, and suggested that the claims were baseless.
Let Your Husband Defend Himself, Natasha Advises Senate President’s Wife
However, in a letter dated March 1, 2025, addressed to Mrs. Akpabio through her lawyer, Mr. Victor Giwa, Natasha advised her to refrain from getting involved in the matter.
The letter stressed that the accusations were personal to the Senate President and that he should be left to defend himself.
The letter stated that she had enough evidence to back up her claims, urging the wife to allow her husband to defend himself for the sake of her sanity and family.
“Our client has concrete evidence to substantiate her allegations. We will suggest that you leave the defence of the allegations for the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family.”
Akpabio’s Wife Slams N250bn Suit against Natasha
Meanwhile, Mrs. Akpabio has filed multiple lawsuits at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, against Natasha, claiming N250 billion in damages for what she described as “scandalous and salacious” comments.
In the suit, she claimed that the accusations have caused her and her children “emotional and psychological abuse.”
The court is being asked to issue a restraining order, preventing Natasha from making further “spiteful” statements that infringe on her fundamental human rights.
She stated that Suit No: CV/814/25 was brought pursuant to Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 4 & 5 of The African Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement Act) Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
While demanding the sum of N1billion as punitive and exemplary damages, she is also seeking “an order mandating the defendant to issue a formal written retraction of the defamatory words and tender an unconditional apology to the claimant and her family, to be published in two nationally-read newspapers to wit: The Guardian and THISDAY Newspapers.
[ThisDay]