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Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says he has been receiving threats over his decision to take legal action against VeryDarkMan, the controversial activist.
Recently, VeryDarkMan shared a purported audio conversation wherein Bobrisky, the popular crossdresser, claimed that Falana and his son Falz contacted her while she was serving a six-month sentence for naira abuse.
In the recording, Bobrisky alleged that she spoke with Falz in prison, adding that the rapper and his father “tried to get me a presidential pardon in exchange for N10 million”.
The activist, whose real name is Martins Vincent Otse, said he has lost respect for Falana over his alleged involvement in the matter.
Bobrisky has since denied the recording and threatened to sue VeryDarkMan for defamation.
Falana and Falz have also threatened to institute legal action against the activist if he fails to retract his comments and apologise.
Speaking in an interview with Sahara Reporters on Monday, Falana said some persons have threatened to burn his office and kill his daughter over the case.
The human rights lawyer, who had previously denied meeting Bobrisky, described the situation as “disturbing”.
“The only disturbing area in this scenario is the threat to me and one of my two daughters,” he said.
“Some of these guys, who I believe are mentally deranged, had dared me saying, ‘If you go to court, we shall burn your office’. They have also sent messages to one of my daughters that ‘If your father goes to court, we shall kill you.’
“I beg your pardon, in this country? I just laughed, and I asked my girl not to worry; I will take it up. I have already taken it up. We must also let these guys know where we are coming from.”
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says Nigeria is a key player in the cryptocurrency market, especially in peer-to-peer transactions.
Emomotimi Agama, director-general of the SEC, spoke during the opening of the 2024 International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) World Investor Week (WIW).
Agama, represented by Bola Ajomale, executive commissioner operations of the SEC, said the market is still very volatile, making investor protection crucial.
Also, he said the SEC has developed and implemented frameworks for regulating virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to address concerns such as fraud, money laundering, and market manipulation, while fostering innovation.
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“Our frameworks balance the need to encourage innovation within a safe, regulated environment whilst maintaining investor protection,” Agama said.
“Crypto assets must be subject to clear regulatory oversight that ensures market integrity without stifling growth.
“Through this approach we have created a regulatory incubation programme within which new technologies and digital assets can be tested and approved for public use.
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“The SEC has also developed an accelerated regulatory incubation programme specifically to encourage non-registered crypto operators (who are currently extremely high risk and banned) to present themselves for regulatory oversight.
“I must also add that as the aforementioned framework continues to evolve, enforcement action against illegal crypto platforms, ponzi schemes and market abuse will significantly increase in severity.”
He said sustainable finance is not only a global priority, but also a pressing issue for Nigeria as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are becoming more important in investment decisions.
Agama said while Nigeria celebrates the growth of its market, stakeholders must also recognise the evolving risks that come with global market interconnectedness.
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He said Nigeria is not insulated from economic volatility, cybersecurity threats, and financial crimes like fraud and market manipulation.
‘INVESTOR EDUCATION CRUCIAL FOR STABILITY, GROWTH OF CAPITAL MARKET’
Agama said investor education is fundamental to building a healthy market and the development of market confidence.
He noted that a well-informed investor base is crucial for the stability and growth of any capital market.
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Agama said investor education empowers individuals to make informed decisions while protecting themselves from fraud, Ponzi schemes, misinformation and excessive risk.
According to the DG, Nigeria has witnessed increasing participation in the capital market, with more retail investors entering the fold.
“As financial products become more complex and technology-driven, from fintech innovations to cryptocurrency trading, it is critical and responsible for stakeholders to commit to equipping investors with the knowledge to navigate these markets confidently and responsibly,” he said.
“World Investor Week provides a platform for us to reinforce this commitment. Throughout this week, we will engage with investors, discuss best practices, and focus on improving transparency and accountability in financial markets.
“I encourage all participants to take these opportunities to learn and share knowledge, so we can continue building a robust, investor-friendly ecosystem.”
Agama said the focus for 2024 is apt and extremely timeous as it covers technology and digital finance, crypto assets and sustainable finance.
He said the three critical sectors will significantly influence the future of global capital markets, adding that while the potential rewards are immense, the associated risks are equally enormous.
Reaffirming the SEC’s commitment, Agama said the commission would continue to collaborate with exchanges and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s capital market to uphold the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and investor protection.
‘LAGOS AT INTERSECTION OF INNOVATION, FINANCE’
In his remarks, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said the state, as Nigeria’s commercial center, is positioned at the intersection of innovation, technology, and finance.
Sanwo-Olu said the state has consistently adopted progressive solutions to promote economic growth, enhance financial inclusion, and generate wealth.
Represented by Sam Egube, deputy chief of staff of the governor’s office, Sanwo-Olu said the rise of digital assets and the growing influence of technology in finance offer both remarkable opportunities and challenges.
“Cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and digital assets are transforming how we understand value, transaction mechanisms, and investments. While their potential to democratise finance is significant, we must also be mindful of the risks they introduce, particularly in areas of regulation, security, and investor protection,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“The role of IOSCO in advancing investor education, regulation, and market integrity is therefore crucial as we transition into this new financial era.
“Sustainable finance is another key pillar of this event’s theme, and rightly so. As we seek to address global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and economic instability, it is clear that finance must be a force for good.
“Investments in green technologies, renewable energy, and socially responsible businesses are not only the right thing to do, but they are also sound business strategies for long-term value creation.”
Sanwo-Olu reiterated Lagos’ commitment to fostering an environment that supports sustainable development, encourages responsible investments, and promotes the well-being of both current and future generations.
A father of nine children, identified simply as Mr Charles, has reportedly committed suicide in the Jeddo community of Delta State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the gory incident occurred in the early hours of Monday.
The man allegedly took his own life after drinking an insecticide.
Sources who are privy to the incident told PUNCH Metro that the said Mr Charles, who lived in the Jeddo community of Okpe Local Government Area, drank the insecticide at his residence and proceeded to his in-law’s place at nearby Ugbokodo, where he eventually gave up the ghost.
It was gathered that before the incident, Charles, who was a member of Jeddo Community Vigilante, had a heated argument with his wife, pleading with her not to leave him.
The wife however reportedly refused to hearken to his plea.
Although the late Charles did not leave behind any suicide note, empty bottles of the insecticide were reportedly discovered in his pockets.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for comments on the incident as of the time of filing this report as he did not pick up his calls when our correspondent reached out to him.
A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, to reconcile in order to restore peace to Rivers State, following a series of politically charged incidents in recent weeks.
The state has been plagued by escalating tension following the fallout between Fubara and Wike, with their political rift leading to growing unrest.
The most recent development occurred on Monday when some local government secretariats were set ablaze, coinciding with the day newly elected local government officials were scheduled to resume work.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, George expressed his concern over the deteriorating situation in the oil-rich state, calling for a resolution that prioritizes peace and stability.
The elder statesman also highlighted the need for party unity, stressing that Governor Fubara, as the current leader of the PDP in Rivers State, requires the full support of all members to succeed in his administration.
George said, “Justice is, who is the leader of the party in the state? It is not the minister, it is this governor.
“So, we have to stand by him – the beauty of it is he stated categorically that he wasn’t leaving the party and then they carried out this election.”
The PDP chieftain explained that he and other members of the PDP Board of Trustees have made some attempts to reconcile both Wike and Fubara.
He further stated, “I spoke with the chairman of the board of trustees and then made an attempt with a group of BOT members to visit Fubara to listen to his side and then after I spoke with Wike that he should give an appointment that we are coming to see him.
“He told me that after he returns from China he will be ready to meet with them. Unfortunately, they have been there but I have not been, so I don’t know what the outcome is.”
He asserted that the party’s BOT is responsible for weighing in when there are issues like this.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi has praised Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, describing him as a true democrat. He also commended the successful conduct of the local government elections held in Rivers on Saturday.
In a statement released by Fubara’s Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, and shared with newsmen on Monday in Port Harcourt, Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, reaffirmed Rivers State as a strong PDP state.
However, he noted that the 23 newly-elected local government chairmen and councillors, sworn in on Sunday, were not all from the PDP.
Governor Mohammed lauded Fubara for his proactive governance at the local level, noting that Fubara allowed other political parties to participate in the election to ensure there was no political vacuum despite the state not having full PDP structures for certain reasons.
“I think this is promising and creative, and I am very proud of him. Yes, we have lost as a party, and that is why we want to move forward from this,” Mohammed said.
He also expressed confidence in the possibility of resolving the ongoing crisis within the PDP to achieve unity and strengthen the party in the future.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed concerns over a potential alliance between the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to the APC, the alliance is not a threat to its dominance.
Speaking in an interview with Punch on Monday, APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, confidently stated that the proposed alliance would likely fail, just as it did prior to the 2023 presidential election.
He cited a lack of trust between Obi and Kwankwaso as a significant barrier, stressing that neither politician would be willing to step down in their pursuit of the presidency.
His comments come in response to reports that Kwankwaso recently expressed openness to being Obi’s running mate in the 2027 elections, though he attached certain undisclosed conditions. This move has sparked discussions about a possible merger between the NNPP and Labour Party.
Labour Party’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, welcomed the idea, stating that a collaboration between the two political figures could succeed if Kwankwaso were willing to put aside his ego and work with Obi.
However, the APC remains confident that any such alliance would not pose a serious challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Ibrahim said, “The underlying and most important factor in that permutation is the word trust, which will be the bane of their agreement. These are experiments that have been conducted several times, and the results cannot be expected to change unless the factor responsible for that result changes. If you don’t change the factor and you carry out the same experiment under the same condition, expecting a different result, you are only deceiving yourself. This is a scientific procedure.
“Now, Kwankwaso and Peter Obi have tried forming an alliance in the past on several occasions, but their romance didn’t last beyond the bedroom. This is because they are strange bedfellows who can’t sleep in the same room. Both of them have one ambition—to lead the country at all costs—and neither is willing to surrender the seat to the other simply because there is this superiority complex between them.
“As long as that complex exists, and it is not likely to diminish, there is not going to be any change to warrant the APC having sleepless nights. What they are proposing now is just rhetoric because they are seeing the progress the APC is making and the changes happening in the political scene. They know that come 2027, the victory of the APC is fait accompli. All they are making is just noise to survive. It is also the ranting of a party destined for doom. So, there is nothing there to give the APC any worry at all. It is a merger that won’t come to pass.”
However, the National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party , Abdullahi Ibrahim, described the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso alliance as a welcome development.
Ibrahim told Punch that the PDP would support any talks on an alliance or merger that would liberate Nigerians from the current hardship and the grip of the APC-led government.
He said, “It is a welcome development. We were the ones who started the discussion at the instance of the PDP, when the major opposition figures met to review the state of the nation. If there is anything we expect from the opposition going forward, it is for them to close ranks and ensure they chart a common cause, whether it is the Peter Obi-led Labour Party, Kwankwaso’s NNPP, or the PDP that is prepared to lead the direction.
“At least, we are the major opposition and have been in power before at the center for 16 years. Presently, we have 13 governors including the FCT (under Nyesom Wike), making it 14. As of the last count, Wike has still not declared his intention to leave the PDP. So, on account of these things, we are still the major opposition party in the country and for that reason, we are charting the course.
“As earlier said, it is commendable regardless of the fact that it is not our political party. It is in the interest of this country for those who have the wherewithal to ensure they salvage the people from despair and despondency, which seem to have taken over the land. Of course, Nigerians no longer want these people in power and can’t wait to see the back of the APC because of the insensitivity that characterizes their way of doing things.”
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it is not ready to engage in a media tussle with Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers, over the political crisis in the state.
On Friday, police operatives barricaded the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in Port Harcourt, the state capital, ahead of the conduct of the LGA polls on October 5.
The NPF also said its officers would not provide security for the polls.
Fubara, who had stormed the facility, said the presence of police officers at the RISEC premises was unnecessary.
The governor accused Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), of taking orders from Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), to truncate the LGA elections in the state.
Fubara said the RSIEC facility was his property while daring the IGP to shoot him.
Reacting, the police faulted the allegations by the governor and said they were only conforming with a court order barring the force from participating in the LGA elections.
In a statement on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, debunked the “prevailing falsehood of partisanship circulating in the media”.
Adejobi also reaffirmed the police’s “neutrality and non-interference in political affairs” within the state and the country.
He noted that the “misinformation triggered by the unwarranted outburst of Fubara was totally uncalled for and unfair to the law enforcement institutions in Nigeria”.
“For the avoidance of doubts, the general public is free to profile the career journey of the Inspector-General of Police and his track record in every place he has served, which undoubtedly show him as a man of honor, integrity, and focus before and after his assumption of office as the 22nd Indigenous Inspector General of Police of Nigeria,” the statement reads.
“The IGP is very well respected in the Association of Chiefs of Police Worldwide, particularly in Africa, where he’s currently serving as the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO) and providing meritorious leadership within the West African Chiefs of Police.
“We have seen Chiefs of Police from across the world coming to attend his events in Nigeria and extending several invitations to him. For the first time, the president of Interpol was at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Police conference and retreat in Owerri last year under this IGP. Let us please observe some decorum in our politics in Nigeria.
“It is also instructive to note that the NPF does not intend to engage in any form of media tussle or war with the person of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, his administration, or his political affiliations but will continue to play its role as a neutral body in all forms of political activities undistracted.
“Similarly, suffice to say that the local government elections were generally peaceful nationwide, especially in states where the police were in charge of security.
“The IGP emphasizes the Force’s commitment to maintaining law and order, upholding democratic principles, and fostering peace, unity, and progress across the nation.”
Yiaga Africa has criticized recent local elections in Nigeria, describing them as lacking democratic integrity. The organization’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, made this statement on Monday, calling for reforms to free State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) from the influence of state governors.
Itodo noted that despite the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments, many local elections still lack credible democratic standards.
He stressed that extending electoral reforms to local government elections is crucial to ensure SIECs’ operational and financial independence from governors.
“Yiaga Africa has been actively monitoring local government elections and will release a detailed report at the end of October, a month we’ve termed the ‘super month’ for local elections.
This report will be based on our newly developed Local Government Elections Index,” said Itodo.
He further urged state executives to avoid interfering in the operations of SIECs and encouraged the commissions to exercise their constitutional independence to ensure credible and transparent elections. “Adhering to established guidelines is key to preserving the integrity of local government elections,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu has criticised Nigerian judges and lawyers for impeding the speedy adjudication of corruption cases by delivering judgments based on technicalities and filing frivolous appeals.
He emphasised that no “Nigerian is immune to corruption.”
Mr Tinubu stated that some of the challenges hindering the swift resolution of corruption cases include “frivolous applications and appeals, intimidation of judges by counsel, and judgements not based on the facts of cases but on technicalities.”
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Mr Tinubu made these remarks at the 6th Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) – National Judicial Institute (NJI) Workshop for Justices and Judges on Monday.
The president called for a collective effort toward the anti-corruption fight to tackle the menace in Nigeria.
“No Nigerian is immune from corruption, a cancer which continues to deny the nation the full benefits of its God-given resources. Rather than look up only to the anti-corruption agencies for a solution to this malaise, I believe it is in our enlightened collective interest to close ranks and aggressively tackle this common enemy,” Mr. Tinubu said.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the EFCC, echoed Mr Tinubu’s stance at the event.
He said, “The spectre of frequent adjournments of high-profile corruption cases arising from frivolous applications, conflicting orders by courts of coordinate jurisdiction in corruption cases, intemperate contempt orders hauled at the Commission’s leadership, and unwarranted orders of injunction restraining the Commission from investigating cases are among a plethora of issues that bother the EFCC.”
Human rights attorney and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has asserted that his extensive legal practice over the decades has never profited from the misfortunes of others.
In an interview with Sahara TV posted on YouTube on Monday, he elaborated on his unwavering dedication to defending human rights without seeking financial compensation.
“As a policy, we do not collect fees to write letters for pardon. It is not part of our system because we do not profit from the tragedy of people,” he stated.
Falana highlighted various instances from his 42-year legal career where he has stepped in to address cases of perceived injustice without asking for payment.
He referenced his successful intervention in securing the release of six Nigerians who had been wrongfully detained in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
Although these individuals were pardoned by the Thai government in 2017, they remained incarcerated until Falana’s involvement led to their release in 2022.
“I did a letter addressed to the then Minister of Interior….on the day he received the letter, he ordered the authorities of the correction centre, Kirikiri correction Centre to release them, only two of them came here to thank me,” he said.
Falana reiterated that his legal practice is founded on a commitment to justice rather than financial gain. “In the last 42 years of my legal practice, I have never ever demanded for a kobo to write a letter of pardon for anybody,” he affirmed.
Falana also addressed accusations that he sought a pardon for Bobrisky in exchange for ₦10 million, describing such claims as childish and absurd.
He expressed disappointment over these allegations, which he noted had caused distress within his family.
However, he reassured them of his integrity and dedication to his principles, stating, “I told my family that, at the end of the day, I will not disappoint you.”
Naija News recalls that social media influencer, Martins Otse, also known asVeryDarkMan, shared a voice note on social media in which Idris Okuneye, popularly referred to as Bobrisky, claimed that following his conviction and sentencing for misuse of naira notes in April, his godfather, in conjunction with the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment.
VeryDarkMan, alleged that certain unnamed officers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) received ₦15 million from Bobrisky to dismiss money laundering charges against him.
Additionally, VeryDarkMan claimed that Falana attempted to secure a presidential pardon for Bobrisky in return for ₦10 million.
In response to the allegations, Falana denied any connection to Bobrisky and issued a 24-hour ultimatum to VeryDarkMan to retract his statements linking him to Bobrisky.
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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is set to take enforcement measures against Starlink over its recent decision to increase the price for its subscription packages.
According to the NCC in a statement on Tuesday, Starlink did not receive approval from the commission before announcing the price increase.
The NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, said the organization filed a request seeking approval for the upward increase in its subscription price but the commission was yet to respond before Starlink announced the increase.
Muoka said the action of Starlink contradicts Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, and the NCC would take appropriate measures against the organization.
“The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“We were surprised that the company jumped the gun by announcing price changes after filing a request to the Commission seeking approval for price adjustment for which the Commission was yet to communicate a decision.
“The action of the company appears to be a contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, and Starlink’s Licence Conditions regarding tariffs.
“The Commission will, therefore, take appropriate enforcement measures against any action by a licensee that is capable of eroding the regulatory stability of the telecommunications industry,” the NCC statement reads.
Naija News reports that about a week ago, Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, announced a significant price increase for Nigerian users, citing rising inflation.
The monthly subscription fee rose by 97 per cent, from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000, effective immediately for new customers, the service provider posted on its website.
It also announced that new users will also face a higher cost for the Starlink kit (hardware for installation), which will now be priced at ₦590,000, a 34 per cent increase from the previous price of ₦440,000.
The crisis in Rivers State snowballed into violence on Monday leading to the killing of a brother to Edison Ehie, Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s Chief of Staff, the father of a newly elected councillor, and about three others.
Also, three local government secretariats were torched by suspected thugs shortly after the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, withdrew the policemen guarding the council premises.
Suspected political thugs torched Ikwere Local Government while an explosion rocked the Eleme council secretariat.
Rival groups also attempted to take over Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni councils.
The development disrupted the planned resumption of the 23 newly elected local government chairmen and the swearing-in of 314 councillors.
Emohua Local Government Area was reportedly taken over by members of the Peoples Democratic Party opposed to the council poll which was held on Saturday.
The PDP and the All Progressives Congress had on Sunday rejected the conduct and outcome of the local government election, stating that no election was held in Rivers State on Saturday.
The Rivers State PDP loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the poll as an exercise in futility, vowing to challenge it in court.
Despite the opposition to the poll, Fubara swore in the newly elected council chairmen at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House in Port Harcourt, on Sunday.
The council election was won by Fubara’s allies in the Action Peoples Party which secured 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance candidate won one seat.
The APP also won 314 out of the 319 councillorship seats in the 23 LGAs in the state.
The new Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, who withdrew the policemen guarding the secretariats on Monday, explained that it was in compliance with the IG’s directives.
The police had sealed the 23 LGA headquarters in July following the crisis that greeted the attempted tenure elongation of the former LGA chairmen in the state.
The command said the decision was in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
The police in a statement said, “In view of the recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha hereby convey the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the Local Government Secretariats in the state.
“This decision is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
“Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariats, which were earlier secured by police personnel.
“The police will only be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crisis or breakdown of law and order, in which case emergency measures will be swiftly implemented to restore normalcy.’’
But a few hours after the elected LG chairmen attempted to enter the secretariats to swear in their councillors, gunshots and violence broke out in some areas.
In Ahoada East Local Government Area, as the chairman and his councillors tried to access the secretariat, loud gunshots rent the air.
As a violent protest erupted in front of the council, a detachment of policemen was deployed to quell the situation which later got out of hand.
The policemen were forced to fire several gunshots into the air to disperse the crowd, and soldiers arrived at the scene and allegedly took over the secretariat.
During the melee, a relative of the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, was reportedly shot dead.
The state Secretary of the Inter-State Party Advisory Council, Benjamin Ogbobula, confirmed the incident.
He condemned the torching of several council secretariats in the state.
Ogbobula, who spoke on a news programme aired Nigeria Info, Port Harcourt, monitored by our correspondent on Monday, called on security agencies in the state and the National Security Adviser to take urgent action to contain the political situation before it gets out of hand.
He stated, “What I know about Ahoada East, is they shot the junior brother to the Chief of Staff, Government House. I condemn the dastardly act in its entirety.
‘’They don’t have the right to take life and the burning of the local government is not a welcome development. They are taking us back. We must forge ahead.
Ogbobula, who is also the Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party in the state, said Fubara was right to have sworn in the elected LG chairmen.
At the Obio/Akpor council secretariat, scores of youths were spotted wielding machetes, bottles and sticks.
The youths later clashed with another group at the council secretariat while gunshots rang out shortly after the Chairman of the local government, Chijioke Ihunwo, inaugurated the newly elected councillors.
It was also gathered that friends and well-wishers who came to grace the inauguration ran for their lives.
Some scaled the fence of the secretariat for safety, while others ran for their lives through the back gate.
In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, a similar protest took place as some youths blocked the entrance of the council headquarters in an attempt to stop the new local government chairman from entering the premises.
One of the protesters cited the amendment of the Local Government Law by the Martin Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly which extended the tenure of the former LG chairman by six months due to the alleged failure of Fubara to conduct the council elections then.
The unidentified man said, “When the governor was unable to constitute or empower RSIEC to conduct local government election, the House of Assembly considered it that a vacuum cannot exist and thereby extended the tenure of the local government chairmen by six months. The six months is still running, and the governor woke up from his slumber to do a Kangaroo election.”
Online videos showed some youths destroying plastic chairs outside the secretariat even as they afterwards forced their way into the premises after unlocking the gate.
In Eleme LGA, a section of the council secretariat was set ablaze with substances suspected to be dynamites.
This occurred before the local government chairman, Brian Gokpa, arrived at the secretariat with his councillors and supporters.
It was gathered that some properties were looted before the hoodlums torched the building but the fire was extinguished by the chairman’s supporters before the officials of the fire service arrived.
However, offices, windows, doors, and stationery were destroyed by the fire.
Gokpa assured that the incident would not affect the discharge of his constitutional duties to the people of the area.
He stated, “On reaching here this morning we found the secretariat being torched by hoodlums who don’t mean well for Eleme people. This act was carried out around 8am-8:30am.
“It was looted first before it was set ablaze. If you go around now you won’t find anything. The furniture, fridge, air conditioners, everything in the offices were looted.
‘’We are going to start from scratch. It is a very difficult situation. However, since we are ready for leadership we will ensure that we start on a new note.”
In Khana Local Government Area, a man said to be the father of one of the newly elected councilors, was hit by a bullet fired by some hoodlums who shot sporadically near the Rectors’ Lodge where the swearing-in of the councillors was about to take place in Bori, the council headquarters.
Meanwhile, the River governor’s camp has warned against the declaration of emergency rule in the state.
The Special Assistant on Electronic Media to the Rivers State Governor, Jerry Omatsogunwa, condemned the violence that erupted in the state, even as he described as wicked those calling for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.
Omatsogunwa stated, “Is that not witchcraft? That is pure witchcraft. I think four states held an election on Saturday, the same time as the Rivers State election and those people have been sworn in, nobody has called for a state of emergency in those states.
‘’So far, out of the 26 states that were running caretaker before the Supreme Court came and gave that window of three months, nobody has called for a declaration of state of emergency in those states. That is so wicked, that is so barbaric and it’s not fit for modern-day society. The wickedness of the highest order.’’
Speaking further, the media aide asked President Bola Tinubu to ignore those suggesting an emergency rule in the state.
He noted, “We have problems in some Northern states where other things are happening, yet nobody has called for a state of emergency. They gave a window for election, the state high court has said go ahead with the election, what the Federal high court did is okay, police aren’t involved in the election.’’
He further said, “You (journalists) went round to cover the election, did you see any police anywhere? And this is the most peaceful election. I can tell you the police were interlopers; they were looting and carting away materials to cause a crisis.
‘’So, as far as I’m concerned, the election went well and the people have been sworn in, there is no need to call for such wicked order to be carried out in Rivers State. Is it up to what has happened in Borno state; Is it up to what has happened in Plateau state where villages were burnt down?’’
Omatsogunwa castigated the police for allegedly failing to discharge their responsibility of protecting the people.
“And by the way, what is the duty of the police? Is their duty not to protect lives and property? The people that came to Obio/Akpor today, for instance, to shoot for over 30 minutes, did the police come out to chase them away?
‘’Is the order they gave them that they shouldn’t work in Rivers State again? If we know they’re not working, we should just devise a way to protect ourselves at the end of the day.
“If the police know that they are not working because they asked them to leave the secretariat that they unlawfully occupied, then everybody should be able to protect themselves. But I pray that the government doesn’t push people that they now decide to defend themselves.”
An activist and Convener, Ogoni Development Drive, Solomon Lenu, confirmed the incident to our reporter on the telephone, saying he escaped the scene by the whiskers.
Lenu said, “It happened right before my eyes. In fact, God in heaven said it was not my time. I escaped the shooting this morning.
“Today they wanted to swear in the councillors. I was going there with one of the councillors. As we were about to get to the Rector’s Lodge, the police told us to just wait.
“Within one minute, there was sporadic shooting all over the corner, everywhere. They came from the bushes and started shooting everywhere. Unfortunately, the father of one of the councillors, who also came got shot and died on the spot and other people were injured.”
Commenting on the development in the state, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, noted that his Rivers State counterpart had proven himself a true democrat.
Mohammed said Fubara against all odds pushed through with his decisions and actions to deepen democracy.
The Bauchi State governor reportedly said this after he witnessed the swearing-in of the 23 council chairmen, according to a statement on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor, Nelson Chukwudi.
The PDP Governors’ Forum chairman affirmed Rivers as a PDP state, even though the newly sworn-in local government chairmen and councillors were elected under different political parties.
The Bauchi governor bemoaned the situation, describing it as the problem that they have found themselves both as a party and governors.
However, Mohammed said Fubara, who is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is still a member of the PDP although other parties constituted the body of elected officers at the local government level.
He said, “Of course, he is still with us. He’s still a PDP man, and I have to come, on behalf of the governors to show solidarity with him for his very proactive democratic instincts that he developed, which is a new manifestation in the political arena in Nigeria which he had to intensify, and he has to develop strategy to be able to deliver governance, irrespective of party allegiance or party consideration.’’
Continuing, he added, “He didn’t have a structure of the party in the state for certain reasons, and he had to go out to make sure he allowed other parties to participate within the political space so that there wouldn’t be any vacuum.
“And, I think this is very auspicious, that is very creative and I am very proud of him. And I said, yes, we have lost as a party, and that is why we want to be running away from this.
“Again, he has established himself as a governor and the pride of all the governors in Nigeria.”
Mohammed pointed out why it is inadvisable to ignore a governor at the sub-national level because of the role he plays and the following he commands.
He described as unacceptable the plot to undermine the office and person of the Rivers state governor.
He added, “A governor is the chief executive, he can do anything. He can spring surprises because the Nigerian state is run by governors at the sub-national level.
“Even the Federal Government is a tenant. Nigerians live in the states and local governments, and that is why what he did today is very proactive and creative, irrespective of the fact that he knew his party would lose.’’
“And certainly, because of his deep democratic instincts, he had to allow the other parties to win, and I will just wish that those who have won will see it in their own modesty and willing to give him support because he is not doing it with any strings or asking them to do anything. Let the APP and him have that relationship so that he can govern,” he explained.
Reminiscing about a similar experience, he stated, “I had a similar situation in 2019. I governed a state where only nine PDP persons were members of the state assembly and he (Fubara) is still doing that.
“So, his political sagacity has come to a level where he has become a specimen for democratic studies in Nigeria.”
Speaking on how soon the PDP will resolve its internal crisis and achieve unity, the Bauchi governor said it may seem prolonged but quickly added that true reconciliation was in view.
‘’And that is the more reason I am here. Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. All the governors are with him, and certainly, we are taking steps to ensure reconciliation.
“Reconciliation with somebody who they had started with; the former governor of this state and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory is a must because, certainly, they have come a long way. We didn’t want to throw the baby away with the bad water.
“And certainly, the governors are with the governor (Fubara) because this is our own tradition and fraternity; at the same time, out of our political history as a party that has a history of governance.
“We are still stretching our arms of reconciliation to his mentor, to his friend and brother, and also our colleague,” he added.
Worried by the political tension in Rivers State, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, has advised the FCT minister to ceasefire and allow his predecessor, Fubara, to work for the people of the state.
George, who appealed in a statement in Lagos on Monday, also called on President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike to work towards ending the political tension in the state.
The PDP Board of Trustees member said this had become imperative now that the people of Rivers had boldly asserted their civic and constitutional rights by voting in Saturday’s council election.
“This is the time for the former governor of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Gov. Siminalayi Fubara to work and deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
“This is also the time for President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike, who is one of his ministers, to allow the governor to work.
“I say this with all sense of responsibility because if this democracy is truncated, God forbid, Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, will be the biggest loser,” George said.
According to him, all lovers of democracy are worried that the political happenings in Rivers could lead to the re-enactment of the crisis in the defunct Western Region which raged between 1962 and 1966.
He said the crisis eventually led to the first military coup of Jan. 15, 1966.
The PDP chieftain recalled how some national figures were killed and how the crisis led to a second coup on July 29, 1966, which also claimed the lives of many military officers.
“Since history is no longer taught in our schools, I want to remind the gladiators in this Rivers crisis that the January and July 1966 killings eventually led to the civil war between July 6, 1967 and Jan.15, 1970.
“Close to two million Nigerians died in the war. I am raising this alarm because what is happening in Rivers now is a cause for serious concern for everyone.
“My understanding of this man-made crisis is that there is a despotic, divisive, wicked and anti-people design to create a conflagration which may eventually consume our country.
“We all know the economic importance of Rivers to the survival of this nation. It is the gateway to the Niger Delta.
“Any threat to peace in this state will eventually lead to huge security implications, not only for Nigeria but West Africa and Africa,” he said.
According to him, it is good to have political ambition, but this ambition must not be at variance with the expectations of the people.
He said that some analysts had linked the happenings in Rivers to the 2027 elections’ calculations.
George added, “I believe it is too early to start strategising for a partisan event which is still close to 28 months away. One thing is clear: Nyesom Wike was governor of the state for eight years. He left the Government House in May last year and today, he is the FCT Minister.
“Sir Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi were governors before him. Now that Governor Fubara is the Chief Executive of the state, he should be allowed to work. Nobody stays in office forever.
“By 2027, the people of Rivers will decide, through their votes, if they want him to return to office or not. This is how political issues and ambitions are handled in civilised climes.”
He said that the way the partisan crisis was going, if not checked, might collapse Nigeria’s democracy.
“Now that council chairmen and councillors have been elected, I appeal to Nyesom Wike to please give peace a chance. Tinubu must also call Wike and tell him to allow the governor to work.
“I am appealing to Wike to please let this crisis be a thing of the past. The democracy we enjoy today, many people suffered to bring it to fruition. Some even died.
“We should not be seen to be dancing on their graves because of partisan interests. Only God knows what will happen in 2027 because He is greater, wiser and more powerful than all of us.”
He advised the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to call some judicial officers to order over conflicting court orders.
“Once again, I am appealing to Wike to look at the larger interests in this crisis. He should not allow himself to be used and dumped by the APC.
“The political storm in Rivers must disappear immediately, in the interest of all Nigerians,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, President Tinubu urged Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
He urged political actors and their supporters to settle their differences in court, saying, “Self-help has no place in a democratic system.”
The President’s admonition follows reports of arson and vandalism of public facilities in Rivers State after last Saturday’s Local Government Council elections.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President ordered the police to guard public facilities to “Restore and maintain peace, law and order immediately.”
The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu decries violence in Rivers, directs police to provide security to local government offices.’
In response to the tension in the state, the President expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state.
The statement read, “He urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions. President Tinubu directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately.
“While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, he emphasised the need to ensure the security of public institutions. President Tinubu said government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism.
“He stressed that self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy. According to President Tinubu, the judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception.”
Reacting to Tinubu’s statement on the crisis, Fubara expressed worry over President Tinubu’s mention of his name in his statement on the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers.
Fubara said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, “I do not have any issue with it (the President’s intervention) but I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned.
“The issue is very simple. It’s as simple as ABC, everyone in Nigeria, everyone in Rivers State knows where this issue is coming from. It’s not rocket science. We know what the issue is and the issue is not Fubara, it is not.
“I believe strongly that with the recent intervention of the Inspector General of Police, maybe we will have a breathing space.
“Maybe as a result of him pulling his men out of those secretariats might be one of the reasons they (hoodlums) took advantage of the situation but I will appeal that while the men are there, the elected officers should have the opportunity to do their work, at least, let them provide security for them, which was even what I was thinking of.
“I was never of the opinion that the police should pull out completely. No. When they said they were moving out, it was what allowed these miscreants to take advantage of the secretariats to destroy them.”
Governor Fubara also urged his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, to let go of any grip he desires to have over Rivers State and allow peace reign in the oil-rich state.
Asked what his message to Wike would be if they met, Fubara said, “I’ll tell him (Wike) that it has gotten to a point where he needs to let go. We need peace in this state.
“You don’t necessarily need to win all the fights; at times, you just let go for the sake of the good people of Rivers State and the love that you have always professed for the state. We need to secure the state.
“Fubara will leave tomorrow. Who knows who is going to come? It might be through him or another person but we need to secure the state.”
In a related development, the Ijaw National Congress Worldwide urged President Tinubu to pay close attention to political developments in Rivers to avert the breakdown of law and order.
INC president, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.
“Rivers is of special interest to the INC as lots of ljaw people are indigenes of the state. The INC believes that the issues we are dealing with in Rivers are far beyond political godfatherism, but that of desperation for state capture by all means and at all costs.
“The extent to which some of the dramatis personae are going with their self-seeking adventurous activities is quite worrisome as it appears that they do not care if democracy is truncated in Nigeria.
“Local government elections are not new in Nigeria. Indeed, it is a constitutional requirement that falls within the legislative purview of the states,’’ he said.
He observed that three other states- Akwa-Ibom, Benue and Jigawa conducted council polls at the same time as Rivers with less rancour.
“It bears questioning why the elections in Rivers attracted such desperation and attention to the extent that the courts and the Nigeria Police became over-interested participants in the drama,” the INC President wondered.
Okaba further said INC could not comprehend how a Federal High Court would restrain the police from performing their constitutional responsibilities.
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has charged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to let go of any grip he desires to have over the state.
Fubara stated this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday.
According to Fubara, he does not regret conducting local government election in the state last Saturday.
The governor said he has kept all understanding he had with his predecessor to ensure peace in the state but the issue has continued to escalate.
“There is nothing I have not done on this earth for peace to reign. I can tell you the number of times I have knelt to beg that let’s allow this issue to go. I have done everything,” Fubara said.
Asked what his message to Wike would be if they meet, Fubara said, “I’ll tell him (Wike) that it has gotten to a point where he needs to let go. We need peace in this state.
“You don’t necessarily need to win all the fights; at times, you just let go for the sake of the good people of Rivers State and the love that you have always profess for the state. We need to secure the state.
“Fubara will leave tomorrow. Who knows who is going come. It might be through him or through another person but we need to secure the state.”
Fubara said all Nigerians know that he has no hand in the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State.
The governor noted that he sounded the alarm on Sunday evening when he swore in 23 newly elected LG chairpersons in the state that some aggrieved political actors had mobilised to destabilise the peace of the state on Monday.
Some residents of Bauchi have resorted to trekking as part of survival strategies to cope with the rising cost of living triggered by petrol price hikes.
Workers, traders, and students resorted to trekking for their daily errands as they could not afford the exorbitant transport fares.
The situation was further compounded by the scarcity of commercial vehicles plying the roads in the metropolis.
Servicing stations dispensed petrol between N1,060 and N1,200 per litre, while the product sold at N1,400 per litre at the black market outlets.
Mohammed Saleh, a resident, said the hike in pump prices forced cabs, tricycles and motorcycle riders to increase transport fares by about 300 per cent.
He said the surge in transport fares had forced many residents to embrace trekking or adopt other survival strategies.
“A trip that previously cost N100 now goes for N400. We have no choice but to trek to our places of work and businesses.
“The hike in fuel prices has made transportation costly. Sadly, our salaries can’t keep up,” Mr Saleh said.
A commercial motorcycle operator, Audu Bakoji, said he was not making good sales now due to low patronage of their services.
“People are not patronising us; we’re operating at a loss,” said Mr Audu. “Petrol now costs between N1,060 and N1,200 per litre. Most passengers can’t afford trips, leaving us without customer.”
Corroborating Mr Bakoji, a bus driver, Musa Yakubu, called for urgent measures to address the problem and improve the well-being of the people.
“We urge the government to find a lasting solution to the fuel price crisis. We can’t continue like this. Our livelihood depends on it,” he said.
Aisha Mohammed, a petty trader, said the petrol price hike has not only crippled transportation but also taken a toll on residents’ health due to the long trek.
“Trekking long distances has become the norm; we’re exhausted. And my sales dropped significantly,” she said.
Commenting, Rabiu Baba, chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketing Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), attributed the disparity in petrol pricing to the high cost of transportation.
“The price of petroleum commodities is determined by the transportation cost to your destination,” he said.
(NAN)