The federal government has been dragged before the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court), sitting in Abuja, over the declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State.

In the suit dated March 20, 2025 and marked ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25, the applicants are seeking an order of the court to set aside and/or quash the suspension of elected officials and removal of the democratic structures and institutions in Rivers State as an imperative for the enthronement of a full-fledged democratic order. 

Plaintiffs in the suit, Comrade Harry Ibiso and 11 others, have on their behalf and Eastern Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council also want an order of court setting aside all decisions, actions, policies and directives given or issued by the Sole Administrator appointed by the Respondent’s President on March 18.

In the application brought pursuant to Articles III and IV of the supplementary protocol amending ECOWAS Court’s protocol; Article II of the Protocol of the court and Article 33 of the Rules of the court, the applicants averred that the Respondent’s President (President Bola Ahmed Tinubu), elected into political office, lacked the powers to remove or suspend the governor of a state, who was also elected into the office.

They held that by removing the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu and members of Rivers State House of Assembly, the fundamental rights of the applicants and the people of Rivers State have been violated.

“By so doing, the defendant has unlawfully taken away the democratic rights of the applicants and that of the population of Rivers State, both individually and collectively,” they averred.

They therefore insisted that the actions of the respondent’s President have not only drowned, diffused and collapsed the constitutional rights of the applicants and the people of the state in neo-junta governance, but also put them into unconstitutional, undemocratic and arbitrary manner of governance which they cannot fit into.

“The implication therefore is that the applicants and the people of Rivers State have lost their existence and dignity as human beings, having been politically emasculated by the loss of the values that accompany democratic governance and deprived of leaders duly elected by them in the democratic space.”

The crux of the applicant’s complaint is anchored on the infringements on their rights to have a government of their choice as people of Rivers State in their individual and collective capacities as the defining constitutional order under the framework of democratic values.

According to them, the actions of the Respondent’s President does not advance the course of democracy and human rights in their contextual and contemporary forms “when national Presidents exhibit absoluteness in determining the existence and functioning of democratic systems in national sub-units by upturning and collapsing entrenched democratic systems.”

Adding, “the deliberate disruption of the democratic order in any part of the national structure questions the democratic practice and constitutional authenticity of the nation state, as the forceful removal of popular sovereignty in a part or fraction of the national landscape translates to the non-existence of liberal democracy and non-application and conformity with constitutional norms in the entire federation.

“The enthronement of an illegal and unconstitutional order in any form within a constitutional democracy threatens the very idea of freedom and precipitates loss of genuineness on the part of the state and its institutions of any legitimate claim to a constitutional democracy.

“A state of emergency cannot be guise or subterfuge for the usurpation of the executive functions of the Governor or the exercise of the law making powers of the legislature”, the applicants held.

The affidavit was disposed to by a constitutional lawyer, Chief Festus Ogwuche and others.

Meanwhile, the court is yet to fix a date for hearing in the matter.

The highly anticipated Nigerian Idol Season 10, themed “Rise to Victory,” is set to premiere on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. across all Africa Magic channels. This season welcomes Iyanya as a new judge alongside returning judges Omawumi and Ric Hassani.

The show will run from April 20 to July 13, 2025, with auditions and theatre-week episodes airing on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49 until July 14, 2025. The highly anticipated live shows will commence on May 25, 2025.

Adding to the excitement, Camosunate Antimalaria joins the list of sponsors for the first time.

Speaking at a press briefing, MultiChoice’s Executive Head of Content and Channels for West Africa, Busola Tejumola, emphasized the show’s impact on the Nigerian music industry.

“This year is special. It marks a decade—ten years—of Nigerian Idol, a platform that has transformed lives and helped shape the future of Nigerian music. Our theme this season, ‘Your Voice, Your Victory,’ celebrates passion, resilience, and the power of self-expression.

Nigerian Idol has not only launched incredible music careers but has also contributed significantly to Nigeria’s creative economy, providing opportunities for artists, producers, stylists, content creators, and industry professionals. At MultiChoice, we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of Nigerian music stars.”

Tejumola further revealed that Ike Osakioduwa will return as host for the fifth consecutive season, bringing his signature energy and wit to the show.

On the addition of Iyanya as a judge, she said: “Ric and Omawumi bring deep industry experience, mentorship, and invaluable insights to the competition. We are also thrilled to welcome Iyanya, an experienced singer, songwriter, and performer, who will bring a fresh perspective to the judging panel.”

The season finale is set for Sunday, July 13, 2025, when Nigeria’s next big music star will be crowned.

Suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), has said that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, once made a suggestive comment about her waist movements.

She made the allegation in an interview with BBC, adding that Akpabio would “squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way”.

“We women, we know what it means when a man squeezes our hands in a suggestive way,” she added.

Natasha Akpoti told the BBC reporter: “There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work. And there were about five senators there.

“And Akpabio said ‘oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?

“There was another time he made a statement like ‘Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist’.

“He makes such sexist statements.”

Asked how other senators react, Natasha Akpoti said: “And then they (other senators) all laughed.

“People don’t understand what it means to carry this. Maybe we don’t talk about it enough in Nigeria or Africa.

“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?”

Recall that the Senate suspended Natasha Akpoti on March 6 for “gross misconduct and unruly behaviour” after an altercation with the Senate President over seating arrangements.

The suspension came barely 24 hours day after she submitted a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio.

However, the Senate had insisted that Natasha Akpoti’s suspension had nothing to do with the petition.

The Constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District on Friday said they want to bring back Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan home, through recall to learn purposeful representation.

Some of the constituents across the five Local Government Areas of the Senatorial district, on the aegis of Kogi Central Elites Forum (KCEF), made the declaration in a statement jointly signed by Mr Ibrahim Abdulazeez Ibrahim (President) and Mr Akerejola Johnson
(Secretary) in Lokoja.

The concerned indigenes, who are of Ebira extraction like the embattled senator, said they resolved to bring the embattled senator back home, given the alleged embarrassment she had caused the senatorial district internationally.

They condemned, in strong terms, insinuations that the recall process against the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly was not endorsed by majority of the electorate in the area.

They urged Nigerians to disregard the deliberate mischief suggesting that people were deceived to come out for the recall exercise.

“No one is sponsoring this recall. Our people are largely united on this cause. From the history of Ebiras, you know we cannot be deceived.

“Even some of us that supported her on social media then are no longer with her. We cannot trade the integrity of the state and Nigeria.

“A matter as simple as not taking an assigned seat in the senate should not be one that would warrant a “sexual harassment” national embarrassment of this nature. This is not who we are as Ebiras.”

On the issue of INEC disclaiming the exercise, the constituents said the response was misconstrued.

“INEC has no official role until after this signature collection phase. We are the ones that are doing the recall, the petitioners. We have to ensure that the required threshold is met before formally presenting it for verification. This is where INEC comes in.”

They urged the public to disregard any mischievous interpretation of the recall process, saying some politicians would always release statements based on their leanings and interests.

“For us as Ebira people, we are determined to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan. While she is at home, she may learn the rudiments of representing her constituents better.

“Ordinarily, we would never have allowed anyone to intimidate our daughter if she was on her right. But in this particular instance, she disrespected the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which has clear rules and went on to introduce slants that have never been heard of in the history of the senate.

” This is not about content creation like many people have said.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the national assembly has been hit by allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, after Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly refused to respect the senate rules and was penalised.

The Supreme Court, on Friday, restored Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel, vacated the concurrent verdicts of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal in Enugu, which sacked him from office.

In the lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the apex court held that the two lower courts were bereft of the jurisdiction to dabble into domestic affairs of a political party that was not justiciable.

Consequently, the Supreme Court panel affirmed the minority judgement of the appellate court which nullified the decision of the trial court on account of lack of jurisdiction.

More so, the apex court held that the plaintiff, Mr. Aniagu Emmanuel,whose suit led to Anyanwu’s removal from office, lacked the locus standi (legal right) to institute the action.

It held that the plaintiff failed to establish how he was affected by who occupied the office of the National Secretary of PDP.

The appellate court had in a judgement it delivered last December, upheld the High Court verdict that sacked Senator Anyanwu and recognized Chief Udeh-Okoye Enemchukwu as the authentic national scribe of the party.

In its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Ridwan Abdullahi, the appellate court dismissed as incompetent and lacking in merit, Anyanwu’s bid to upturn the decision of the high court.

The court held that Anyanwu’s continued stay in office as National Secretary was in breach of PDP’s Constitution, having contested and emerged as the party’s candidate in the governorship election that held in Imo State last year.

However, dissatisfied with the concurrent judgements of the two courts, Anyanwu approached the Supreme Court to set them aside.

Aside from his substantive appeal, he equally filed a motion for accelerated hearing and for the abridgment of time within which the matter would be determined, citing the crucial role of the office of National Secretary in the affairs of the political party.

It will be recalled that both the Board of Trustees, BOT, and the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, had earlier endorsed Chief Okoye as the National Secretary of the party, in line with the subsisting court judgements.

Anyanwu outrightly rejected the decisions, insisting that the position was the subject of a pending litigation.

Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has vowed that the government in the state will not accommodate errant herdsmen, illegal miners as well as criminals and bandits being pushed out of the northern part of the country to seek refuge in the South-West and other areas.

Governor Makinde stated this in his monthly newsletter where he disclosed to holding expanded meeting of the Oyo State Security Council on Thursday to address the security threats.

“One thing is certain, Oyo State will not welcome such criminals. We will push back to ensure that they are flushed out of our State. And so, our deliberation today (Thursday) was about the strategies we will deploy and the roles that we all should be playing to ensure that we continue to keep our dear State safe and secure.

“We must do whatever it takes to protect the relative peace that has helped us grow our State’s GDP by over 50% since 2019,” Governor Makinde said.

Also speaking on the Tuesday declaration of state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, Makinde said it was necessary to speak up when anything threatens the development of the nation, even if it takes standing alone.

“As our democracy grows and unfolds, we must also be willing to speak up when we see anything that threatens our development as a nation. We must choose to stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone.

“This is why I stand today to say that the declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.

“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice. And I am glad that our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership,” the Oyo State Governor said.

He recalled that the PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting on Wednesday “where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction.” He added, “We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon. The time to act is now!”

LEADERSHIP recalls that the Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and the State House of Assembly were suspended for an initial period of six months by President Tinubu over the political dispute in the state.

Both chambers of the National Assembly ratified the president’s decision through their consent on Thursday at the plenary of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Siminalayi Fubara has released a statement to address allegations claiming that the suspended governor did nothing to prevent militant attacks on oil installations in the state.

The statement, signed by Nelson Chukwudi, clarifies that Fubara has consistently promoted peace and non-violence, even in the face of extreme provocations.

According to Chukwudi, Fubara has nothing to do with the threats by militants and did not “telegraph” the reported attacks on any oil facility in the state.

He rather clarifies that the reaction of stakeholders in the Niger Delta, especially elders, chiefs, women, the Ijaw National Congress, its youth wing, the IYC, as well as militants, among others, was triggered by remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.

He explained that the reaction stemmed from a live media chat where Wike dismissed Ijaws as a minority of the minorities and powerless in the Nigerian polity, saying that Ijaws are not the only ones who are militants and can blow up pipelines.

“Governor Fubara has consistently made it clear that his administration is committed to the peace, security, and safety of oil facilities in the state. On several occasions, including project commissioning events and the handover of the AW139 helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force, Governor Fubara emphasised the need to protect oil pipelines and other facilities in the state.

He further addressed allegations that Governor Fubara demolished the State House of Assembly complex without rebuilding it.

The governor’s office explains that the demolition was done based on professional advice and guidance and that a new state-of-the-art assembly complex is nearly 80 per cent completed.

The Rivers State Government has called on security agencies to focus on the real purveyors of violence and to critically evaluate incidents of violence in the state.

The statement emphasizes that Fubara has worked hard to promote and sustain peace in the state and that allegations suggesting otherwise are untrue

He said: “Since inception as the Chief Executive of Rivers State, Governor Fubara has prioritised investment in upscaling the welfare and operational equipment of all personnel and arms of the Armed Forces and security agencies in the state.

“He has built livable office and residential accommodation for officers and men and donated vehicles, gunboats, helicopters, and other critical needs of the formations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the performance of their duties.

Nollywood actress, Nkechi Blessing Sunday, has expressed regrets after losing several brand deals due to her past controversial lifestyle.

Naija News reports that until recently, Nkechi had been involved in many controversies with her colleagues and men she had dated.

However, in an emotional video via her Instagram page on Thursday night, Nkechi said opinions of third parties have discouraged many brands from working with her over fear of being called out online.

According to the thespian, the past online controversies were due to her failed romantic relationship, and she needed to defend herself because the other party was tarnishing her image.

Speaking further, Nkechi Blessing said she could no longer take the negativity surrounding her person, and people should get to know her by themselves instead of relying on what they see online.

Nkechi Blessing apologised to everyone who saw her as a nuisance, and she begged them to give her a chance by working with her.

She said, “Before whatever relationship I had that went viral online, I’ve had several relationships with people that didn’t even make it online and the relationship ended, and then just one that came online and made headlines, people are categorising on it. Why am I saying this? I meet someone today that likes me and wants to help me, not sexual, just normal people that like me that didn’t meet me online, and you know in life if you want to do something with somebody, either business, relationship or anything, you will seek third party opinion like ‘this person I met can you tell me some things about her’ and you hear things like ‘ah! Run away from her o, she will drag you online’ why? I am not blaming anybody because this is my doing, na me cause am, but then again, whatever relationship that came online and became a topic, wasn’t because I wanted it to be like that, it ended months before the outburst, meaning I had already moved on with my life, not wanting anything to come out in the open but the other party needed it to so that he could feel good about himself then that was me trying to defend myself because the internet never forgets.

“I won’t have someone speak ill about my person and I will not come to defend myself. If it were to be now, I would probably ignore because this is the life I’m living now, ignoring every negative vibes and just focusing on positivity only, but it has been affecting me. Imagine someone wants to work with me and they seek third party opinion and they hear things like ‘ah! That controversial girl! She’s not somebody you can work with’.

“I can no longer take it, it is enough, I know I made all of you see me like that but that is not who I am. Allow me to have friends and business partners in peace, let them know me by themselves, that bad person wey una dey call me for internet, let them experience it themselves. If not be by the grace of God, I for no dey see food chop because I know how many deals I have lost but God’s grace keeps me going, it is enough. At least I have shown traces of changes for the past two years.

“This is my sincere apology to everybody that has seen me as an idiot, a nuisance and a notoriety. Please, I beg you in the name of God, if you see someone that wants to work with me, give them the benefit of doubt, tell them ‘know her by yourself’, I am a very sweet person to work with.”

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has condemned the transactional nature of politics in Nigeria.

Speaking via a statement on Friday released on his X account, Obi submitted that the overwhelming approval given on Thursday by the National Assembly to the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu shows the country lacks true democracy.

Naija News reports that before the National Assembly approved the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, there were fears that opposition lawmakers may move against the president’s declaration and prevent the two-third majority needed to get parliamentary approval.

However, there was no major opposition to the declaration when the matter came up for hearing in both chambers of the National Assembly on Thursday.

Speaking against this backdrop, Ob explained that there is no real democracy when the opposition can not thrive, as a functional opposition is what holds the ruling party accountable and offers reasonable alternatives to the citizens.

The former Anambra State Governor also submitted that a situation where politicians defect freely without any consequence weakens democratic institutions, the opposition and undermines the will of the people.

While comparing Nigeria to South Africa and Indonesia, Peter Obi, however, added that the fight to entrench real democracy in Nigeria would continue despite the current state of things and called for urgent reforms.

“The parliamentary vote held yesterday clearly demonstrates that democracy, in its true sense, does not exist in Nigeria. Where there is no functional opposition, democracy cannot thrive.

“Opposition is a critical pillar of any democratic system. It ensures that the right things are done, holds the ruling party accountable, and offers alternative viewpoints. However, an effective opposition can only exist within a system that supports proportional representation—an approach practised in countries like South Africa and Indonesia.

“In South Africa, for example, the National Assembly has 400 seats. The African National Congress (ANC) received about 40% of the vote and holds approximately 160 seats, while the Democratic Alliance (DA), with about 20% of the vote, holds around 80 seats—alongside several other parties. Those who contested the presidential election remain the recognised leaders of their respective parties.

“A similar situation exists in Indonesia and other countries where democracy is genuinely practised. As is the norm in such systems, laws prohibit elected officials from switching parties without forfeiting their seats. This helps maintain party discipline and preserves the sanctity of the electoral mandate. These mechanisms contribute to a more balanced, accountable, and credible democratic process.

“If that were the case in Nigeria, our Senate—comprising 109 seats—would be more reflective of electoral realities, with the APC holding 44 seats, the PDP 33 (under the leadership of Atiku), and the Labour Party 27 (under my leadership). Ideally, the House of Representatives should mirror this balance, with approximately 144 APC members, 108 PDP members, and 90 Labour Party members. But this is far from the case. The absence of laws restricting party defection allows politicians to switch allegiances freely and without consequence. This not only weakens the opposition but also makes a mockery of the electorate’s will and undermines the integrity of our democratic institutions.

“What we are left with is not a genuine democratic system, but one that is transactional, compromised, and, in many respects, resembles organised criminality. Unless we urgently implement reforms to entrench true democratic principles, enforce party discipline, and ensure fair representation, Nigeria’s democracy will remain fragile and dysfunctional.

“But we will not surrender to criminality. We shall continue to fight for democracy—genuine democracy,”

The Presidency has described former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, as disgruntled politicians.

Naija News reports that Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had on Thursday announced that a coalition of opposition political parties that will defeat the ruling party and President Bola Tinubu has been formed.

In response to the recent regrouping of some politicians, including the former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, and former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post via ?, described the politicians as a frustrated lots and sore losers.

Onanuga said President Tinubu is focused on governance to build a prosperous country.

He wrote, “My message to the coalition of Tinubu haters: President Tinubu is focused on governance to build a prosperous country. He is on the way to achieving this. Two months to his midterm, he has many solid achievements to showcase.

“Intractable problems are being tackled headlong. He cannot be distracted by the so-called coalition of politicians. They are not politicians after the Public Good. It’s all about their self-interest. They are disgruntled. They are a frustrated lot.

“The leaders are sore losers. The coalition is an amalgam of Tinubu haters. Their agenda is to stop Tinubu