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I wanted Fubara removed, Tinubu saved him with a state of emergency – Nyesom Wike

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I wanted Fubara removed, Tinubu saved him with a state of emergency – Nyesom Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he pushed for the outright removal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, but it was President Bola Tinubu’s intervention that ultimately spared the embattled governor.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Friday, Wike said that although he was displeased with the state of emergency declared in Rivers, it was a decision that effectively saved Fubara from being ousted.

Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on March 18, 2025, suspending Fubara, his deputy and the legislature and appointing an administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd).

“As a politician, I am not happy about the state of emergency in Rivers State,” Wike said. “I wanted the outright removal of Governor Fubara. The president, by declaring a state of emergency, saved Fubara.”

Wike, who has been a central figure in the political crisis rocking the state, insisted that the governor’s position was already untenable before the president stepped in.

“The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him,” he said.
“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”

The minister said he is ready for peace talks, claiming however that Fubara’s advisers keep telling him (the suspended governor) not to embrace peace.

Benue Attacks are planned, not random occurrences, says David Mark

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Benue Attacks are planned, not random occurrences, says David Mark

Former Senate President, David Mark, has condemned in strong terms, the recent attacks in Otukpo and Ado local councils of Benue State, which left at least 15 people dead on Tuesday night.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Paul Mumeh, Mark described the killings as “one too many” and called on security agencies to urgently rise to the occasion.
He said, “This is no longer a random occurrence. It appears to be an organised and premeditated onslaught. We cannot continue to sit back and watch our people being slaughtered for no reason.”

Also, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has raised the alarm over attacks on the Otobi community in Otukpo Local Council, describing them as acts of land grabbing disguised as random violence.

Alia, while speaking in an interview with AIT yesterday, confirmed that 11 people were killed, several others injured, and many homes were burnt during the attack.

The attackers, described as “horrible, terrible fighters,” reportedly launched an unprovoked assault, indiscriminately killing residents and forcing entire communities to flee in fear.

According to the governor, these attacks follow a disturbing pattern. 
“They come, kill anyone in sight regardless of ethnicity, drive everyone out, and after a few weeks, they return in full force for occupation,” he said. 
Mark stressed the need for communities to form vigilance groups to defend themselves and their property, noting that the security situation in parts of Benue requires immediate and serious attention.
Mark, who encouraged Benue people to remain accommodating, urged them to be cautious and be able to distinguish between genuine residents and hostile intruders.

Meanwhile, armed Fulani herdsmen militia were sighted by locals arriving with a multitude of cattle in communities around the Zaki Biam Yam Market, which is located in the Ukum Local Council of the state. 
The bewildered locals were, yesterday, confronted by the strange gun-wielding strangers in broad daylight openly flaunting their weapons and walking about freely at the Chito Village Market Square. 

A resident of Chito (names withheld) told The Guardian that “there are more militant herdsmen in my hometown, Chito in Ukum Local Council with AK 47 rifles. They were forcing themselves into people’s houses and displacing them, not minding if they had any place to go. It has been 72 hours of terror and no single word from any security agency.”

Meet Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, Nigerian Army’s first female spokesperson

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Meet Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, Nigerian Army’s first female spokesperson

The Nigerian Army has appointed Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele as its first female Director of Army Public Relations in an acting capacity.

Anele was one time Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, during the tenure of retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

This is the first time a female officers would be appointed to hold such position in the history of the Nigerian army.

According to reports, the new spokesperson would take over on April 22, from the outgoing spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu.

Nwachukwu has been posted to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.

Anele is a member of Direct Regular Course 15 and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

Apart from her role in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, she has served as the Public Relations Officer at the Defence Space Administration (DSA), and recently served in the Department of Civil-Military Relations at the Defence Headquarters.

Her appointment marks a significant milestone in the history of the Nigerian army and had distinguished the service as a gender responsive force.

How late husband’s family demolished our house; sent me back to village — Widow narrates

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How late husband’s family demolished our house; sent me back to village — Widow narrates

A 69-year-old woman, Roseline Uchenna, along with her four children, is facing trial at the Family Law Centre in Abakaliki for allegedly demolishing the home of a fellow widow, Mrs Maria Nwali.

During the proceedings on Thursday, the Chairperson of the Centre, Mrs Elizabeth Nwali, ordered that the demolished house be rebuilt immediately.

After hearing from all parties involved, the chairperson held Roseline and her four children—Samuel, Chinasa, Uzoamaka, and Chukwu Uchenna—responsible for taking the law into their own hands by orchestrating the demolition.

She also directed that Mrs Maria Nwali, who had been ostracized, be reinstated to her matrimonial home.

In addition, the chairperson summoned the elders of the village to appear before the Centre for a final resolution of the matter and adjourned the case until May 7.

Earlier, the victim, Nwali, told the centre that she was legally married to the late Mr Otta Nwali but was unable to bear children.

She said a minor misunderstanding between her relative, identified as Chinyere, and Roseline escalated into a full-blown dispute involving Roseline’s children.

According to Maria, she was beaten and forcefully evicted from her home and sent back to her father’s village.

“My oppressors are the wife and children of my late husband’s younger brother.

“We had all been living in the same compound before our husbands passed away,” she explained.

“I was away when a disagreement broke out between my namesake who lives with me and Roseline.

“Instead of resolving the matter wisely, Roseline called her children and, with the help of some village youths, they attacked me.

“Some of my belongings—including cash, containers of palm oil, tubers of yam, and other items, were taken,” she added.

Maria appealed to the centre to compel the accused to compensate her for the damages and losses incurred.

In her defence, Roseline admitted that the house was demolished by her children but accused Maria of harbouring someone who was not a member of the family and who had been causing problems.

She said she had previously advised Maria to send the lady away to maintain peace in the household.

While addressing the matter, the chairperson also rebuked Maria for her inability to control the said relative and reiterated her directive for the village elders to be present at the next hearing for a final resolution.

Full list of hospitals where Nigerian women can get free caesarean section

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Full list of hospitals where Nigerian women can get free caesarean section

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has commenced the nationwide provision of free Caesarean Sections (CS) in over 100 hospitals across the country.

Dr Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General, NHIA, told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that the intervention was under the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) Programme.

He said that it was currently active in federal, state, private, and faith-based hospitals across all six geopolitical zones. 

According to Ohiri, indigent women only need a National Identification Number (NIN), which can be presented before or after admission.

He added that the hospital’s social welfare team would be responsible for confirming that a patient could not afford the surgery.

“Once assessed, eligible women receive the CS at no cost and are automatically enrolled into a health insurance plan under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), managed at the state level,” he disclosed.

He said that NHIA was partnering with federal, state, faith-based, and private health facilities to reduce maternal mortality.

The NHIA boss said: “The nationwide coverage is across key health institutions.

“In the North-West: Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano; Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano; Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto; and Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, Sokoto are covered.

“Among others, Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau, Zamfara; General Hospitals in Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, and Tsafe, all in Zamfara; and Martha Bamaiyi General Hospital in Zuru, Kebbi State are benefitting.

“In the North-East: the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno; Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi; Federal Medical Centre Nguru, Yobe, and Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola, Adamawa are beneficiary,” Ohiri said.

He said that North-Central had the Federal Medical Centre Bida, Niger; Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Nasarawa; University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, FCT; and General Hospitals in Suleja, Mokwa, and Tunga Magajiya, Niger State.

He said that South-West had Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti; Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti; State Hospital, Abeokuta, Ogun State; State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa, Ondo State; and Oba Ademola Maternity Hospital, Ijemo, Ogun State.

The South-South, according to Ohiri, had the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom; the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers; Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

He added that the South-South also had the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River; and Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State.

He stated that the South-East had the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; David Umahi University Teaching Hospital, Uburu, Ebonyi; NOFIC Abakaliki, Ebonyi; Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State; and University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo.

He listed some faith-based and private facilities with the coverage: St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital, Kaduna; St. Patrick Hospital, Abakaliki; Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, Kaduna; and Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Memorial Hospital, Kafanchan, Kaduna State.

He disclosed that over 200 additional hospitals were currently awaiting NHIA approval to join the initiative, potentially expanding access even further.

“This initiative is a critical part of the government’s commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths.

“The free CS services are not limited to federal facilities; state-owned, private, and mission hospitals have been engaged to reach as many women as possible,” he noted.

He stressed that there was no registration process required to benefit from the coverage.

“As long as a woman presents her NIN and is evaluated by the hospital’s social welfare unit as financially incapable, the surgery will be offered free of charge,” he said.

He encouraged Nigerians to share this information widely, especially in rural and underserved communities where the cost of surgical delivery was often a barrier to safe childbirth.

Our head office in Anambra demolished without pre-notification from the state government — Innoson Group

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Our head office in Anambra demolished without pre-notification from the state government — Innoson Group

Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) has expressed displeasure over the partial demolition of its Head Office, situated on the Owerri-Nnewi road.

Mr Cornel Osigwe, Head of Corporate Communications at Innoson Group, who confirmed the demolition to newsmen, said that there was no pre notification ahead of the demolition which took place on Wednesday.

He claimed that the office perimeter fence, some offices, stair case and the company’s showroom were affected by the partial demolition.

According to him, there was no pre notification ahead of the demolition; it came to us as a surprise.

“We did not know that the building itself was marked for demolition and if it was marked, they should have given us time to relocate.

“The staff were working and they just saw the demolition vehicle demolishing the building while work was going on.

“Some of our staff were trapped in the building, it took the efforts of our other staff to rescue those that were trapped while over 20 vehicles were also trapped.

“A day before the demolition, there was an announcement that there was going to be a demolition and they were going to give one week for the houses that were marked for demolition to relocate.

“The company was not aware that the company was marked for demolition, and even if it was aware.

“There have been a public announcement that all the marked buildings have one week to relocate, but all those things were not considered.

“There were other buildings that were close to the head office and marked for demolition were not demolished but they came straight to our building and demolished it, making us to wonder if there was another ulterior motive to it,” he said.

When asked if the demolition could be as a result of political witch-hunt, the company’s image maker said he did not think the state government would intentionally decide to demolish the company.

“Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra has been a great supporter of Innoson Vehicle and Innoson has been a great supporter of the state government.

“But the way and manner that everything happened makes us to wonder if the state government is aware that those handling the demolition have personal vendetta against the company,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Anambra Commissioner for Works, Mr Ifeanyi Okoma, says the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Head Office on Nnewi-Owerri Road was among the buildings marked for demolition for road construction in the state.

The commissioner made the disclosure in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Onitsha while reacting to complaints by the company over the demolition.

Okoma explained that all the affected buildings were marked and the people were informed.

“These buildings were marked sometime in December or January, we are not looking at individuals; it is something that cuts across the whole place and it is not personalised.

“Even the Catholic Church and every other building that is along the road were not going to be exonerated. These roads were designed to decongest traffic gridlock experienced during festival periods,” he said.

According to him, Soludo is the only governor nationwide that uses made in Nigeria vehicles. Chief Innoson is our man, anybody trying to create wrong narrative about the demolition exercise does not mean well.

House of Representative summons Rivers Sole Administrator

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House of Representative summons Rivers Sole Administrator

The Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State oversight, has invited the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) to appear before it on Thursday for an interactive session.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi (Jnr), on Wednesday.

The 21-member committee chaired by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, was inaugurated by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen on Tuesday.

The committee was constituted by the House of Representatives following the resolution of the National Assembly approving the Presidential Proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

Rotimi in the statement said the invitation was issued by the committee at its Wednesday’s inaugural meeting, following the formal inauguration of the Committee by Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

He said the meeting provided a platform for members to deliberate on preliminary reports and developments emerging from Rivers State since the Sole Administrator assumed office.
Rotimi said, “Pursuant to its constitutional mandate to exercise full legislative oversight in accordance with Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Committee resolved, among other matters, to invite Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, to appear before it for a comprehensive interactive session.

“According to the Chairman of the Committee and House Leader, Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere, OON: “This engagement is necessary to ascertain the true state of affairs in Rivers State and ensure that the House remains properly guided in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities in the public interest.”

“The Sole Administrator is expected to appear before the Committee on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM, in Room 414, House of Representatives New Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

“A formal letter of invitation has been sent and acknowledged accordingly. This public announcement serves to reinforce transparency in the Committee’s proceedings.

“The Committee reiterates its commitment to fulfilling its duties with diligence, transparency, and strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Again, Dangote Refinery reduces petrol price by 3.5% to N835 per litre

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Again, Dangote Refinery reduces petrol price by 3.5% to N835 per litre

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a further reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

The new price is set at N835 per litre, down from N865 per litre, marking a 3.5 per cent decrease.

This price adjustment follows the recent decline in global crude oil prices, which have dropped to $64 per barrel from over $70 per barrel in recent weeks.

The refinery had previously reduced its gantry price from N880 to N865 per litre; however, oil marketers did not pass on the savings to consumers.

The Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, continues to play a crucial role in Nigeria’s energy landscape.

Court nullifies Obasa’s removal as Lagos Assembly Speaker

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Court nullifies Obasa’s removal as Lagos Assembly Speaker

Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court has declared the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly illegal and unconstitutional.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, the court nullified the proceedings and resolutions of the Assembly held on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was ousted from office.

Obasa had filed a suit challenging his removal, naming the House of Assembly and the newly appointed Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, as defendants. The suit, filed on February 12, 2025, through his counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), argued that his removal was carried out while the Assembly was on recess and he was outside the country.

He contended that the sitting during which he was removed was unlawfully convened, lacking proper authority or any formal delegation of power from the Speaker’s office.

Obasa’s legal challenge was anchored on nine grounds, relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The court’s ruling effectively reinstates Obasa as Speaker and renders null all decisions taken during the contested session.

Why Saheed Osupa withdrew case against controversial singer, Portable; prevented his re-arrest over alleged N6.3m fraud

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Why Saheed Osupa withdrew case against controversial singer, Portable; prevented his re-arrest over alleged N6.3m fraud

Nigeria fuji icon, Saheed Akorede, popularly known as Osupa, on Tuesday withdrawn his legal case against controversial singer Habeeb ‘Portable’ Okikiola.

Osupa discontinued his case against Portable on Tuesday following an appeal by prominent Nigerians to settle the matter out of court.

Portable, 31, was remanded by an Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet his bail conditions set by magistrate Sunday Adeniyi.

He was initially arrested by the Kwara State Police Command in response to a petition filed by Osupa.

In the petition, Portable was alleged of criminal defamation, threats to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, and the use of abusive and insulting language.

Announcing the legal withdrawal in a statement signed by his media aide, Busari Babatunde and posted on his Instagram page Tuesday, the Fuji star outlined conditions the ‘Spider-Man’ crooner must fulfil to avoid the reinstatement of the case.

The statement partly read: “He (Osupa) hopes that Portable will seize this opportunity for reflection, growth, and transformation. As a condition of this withdrawal, Portable is expected to Retract his statement implying Saheed Osupa should be held responsible if anything happens to him

“Confess to the falsehood of the public claim of his lawyer, Chief Bar. Isaac Adebayo is about holding Saheed Osupa’s leg and begging for forgiveness because, contrary to this claim, Osupa did not even set his eyes on Portable. Henceforth, sign an undertaking to desist from cyberbullying, defamation, and character assassination. If these conditions are not met, the case may be reinstated.”

More trouble for Portable

According to reports, Osupa prevented the re-arrest of Portable after another petition surfaced against him.

Mr Yemi George, Managing Director of Starwood Hotels Ilorin, told newsmen on Tuesday that Osupa prevailed on him not to re-arrest Portable after collecting the sum of N6.3 million for a show that he did not perform.

“I have obtained every necessary document to re-arrest him today (Tuesday) in order to refund my money but out of respect for the legendary fuji musician (Osupa) , he prevailed on me not to.

“My company, Starwood Hotels O2 Arena in collaboration with the leadership of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) put an event together for Portable to perform but he never did” George said.

According to a document obtained by newsmen, titled Petition for fraudulent and obtaining by false pretense the sum of N6.3m, the petitioners said they entered agreement with Portable on July 22, 2024, which he never respected.

According to the petition, Portable was paid N6.3m to perform at the ‘Kwara Tampan Fiesta’ on September 29, 2024, but failed to appear on stage at the agreed-upon time.

Despite arriving over 16 hours late, he allegedly sneaked out of his hotel lodge without fulfilling his promise to perform.

The petitioners claim that Portable’s actions caused significant financial loss and distress, and they are seeking a thorough investigation, prosecution, and restitution of the N6,300,000 allegedly obtained through fraudulent means.

The petition was signed by Chief Olu Amusan, Governor, TAMPAN and Ayodele Demokun on behalf of Starwood Hotels 02 Arena

Naira appreciated to N1, 618 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,620 per dollar

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Naira appreciated to N1, 618 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,620 per dollar

The naira yesterday appreciated to N1, 618 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,620 per dollar on Monday.

But, the Naira depreciated to N1,604 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,604 per dollar from N1,599 per dollar on Monday, indicating N5 depreciation for the naira.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate narrowed to N14 per dollar from N21 Monday.

Grieving Plateau communities continue to mourn as deadly overnight attack claims over 50 lives at Zikke and Kimakpa villages

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Grieving Plateau communities continue to mourn as deadly overnight attack claims over 50 lives at Zikke and Kimakpa villages

In the wake of a deadly overnight attack that claimed over 50 lives at Zikke and Kimakpa villages in Kwall District, Miango, Bassa Local Council of Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, yesterday, visited the grieving communities to commiserate with victims and assure them of government support.

Speaking during his visit, the governor expressed deep sorrow over the incident, admitting that despite efforts made, the government fell short in preventing the tragedy.
 
“The whole nation mourns with you, the international community mourns with you. I have cried since yesterday,” he said, adding: “All arrangements were put in place to avoid this, yet we failed you. On behalf of the government and security agencies, please forgive us.”
 
The governor condemned the continued attacks that have plagued the Irigwe land, and promised renewed commitment towards ending the violence. He lamented the state of infrastructure, including poor roads, attributing it to years of neglect, occasioned by insecurity and terrorism.


Also, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has paid a condolence visit to the state, vowing to ensure that those responsible for the violence are brought to justice.
 
Accompanied by top-ranking officers, the IGP arrived Plateau to assess the security situation, and deliver a message of solidarity from the Nigeria Police Force.
 
During a visit to the Plateau State Government House in Jos, Egbetokun met with Governor Caleb Mutfwang, where he expressed his deep condolences to the governor and the people of the state over the tragic loss of lives.
 
To boost security and restore calm in the region, the IGP held a strategic meeting with key tactical commanders to review current operations, and adjust deployment strategies. He also ordered the immediate oversight of operations by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Kwazhi Dali Yakubu, who is to coordinate security efforts across affected communities.

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