Author: Vardiafrica

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, on Wednesday, fingered the suspended Governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara for being responsible for the political crisis in the oil-rich state. At a media chat with State House correspondent in Abuja, the AGF said President Bola Tinubu acted timely with his proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State, the suspension of the governor, and the appointment of a sole administration, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd). Fagbemi said Fubara demolished the State House of Assembly Complex to avoid being impeached and refused to rebuild it more than one year later. The justice minister…

The House of Representatives has concluded its plenary session on Wednesday without addressing the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. Despite widespread expectations that the emergency rule would be discussed, the issue was not raised during the session. Prior to the start of the plenary, two female lawmakers, Blessing Amadi from Rivers State and Marie Ebikake, had a heated argument over the state of emergency declaration. The disagreement occurred just before proceedings began, but the session proceeded after the incident. Instead of discussing the emergency rule, the House focused on investigating the Federal Government’s Conditional…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State, declaring that President Bola Tinubu does not have the constitutional power to suspend the democratically elected governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara. In a statement on Tuesday, PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba said Tinubu’s proclamation was in violation of the 1999 Constitution. The PDP spokesman said, “The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to govern the State is a clear…

Vladimir Putin agreed Tuesday in a call with Donald Trump Tuesday to halt attacks against Ukrainian energy targets but would not accept an immediate full ceasefire and insisted that the West halt all military aid for Kyiv. The US and Russian leaders spoke for more than an hour and a half and both expressed hopes for repairing relations wrecked by Moscow’s full-scale invasion of its pro-Western neighbor three years ago. But the highly anticipated call failed to produce the breakthrough Trump had hoped for, as there was no agreement from the Russian president for Washington’s proposed 30-day ceasefire, already agreed…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with the service chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa at the Aso Villa in Abuja. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and the Director General of the Department Of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi; were also present at the meeting. The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; and the Leader of the Majority, Opeyemi Bamidele; later joined the meeting held in the office of the president. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and his deputy, Ben Kalu were also spotted…

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator of Rivers state. Ibas will be responsible for overseeing the affairs of the state for at least six months. The president had earlier on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the persistent political crisis and instability in the state. Tinubu also suspended the governor, his deputy and the members of the state assembly. The president, however, said the state of emergency declaration “does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate”. More to follow…

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. Tinubu made the proclamation during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday. Tinubu also suspended the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months. He said, “The governor of Rivers State demolished the House of Assembly but has failed to rebuild the building till date “Many Nigerians have intervened and leaders of thought have intervened all to no avail. “The Supreme Court pronounced in very glaring terms that a government cannot run without an arm…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land occupancy rights of the national secretariat of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja. In a letter dated March 13, 2025, and addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, the Director of Land Administration at the FCT Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, hinged the revocation on the non-payment of ground rent by the party. The letter was titled, ‘Notice of Revocation of Right of Occupancy With File No. MISC 81346 in respect of Plot No.243 within Central Area District, Abuja’. The FCTA official alleged that…

The House of Representatives has passed four major tax reform bills—the Nigeria Tax Bill, Tax Administration Bill, Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, and Nigeria Revenue Service Bill—after they scaled third reading during plenary on Tuesday. The bills, which were transmitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024, initially faced strong opposition, particularly from northern governors. They argued that the proposed reforms could disadvantage their region and called for a fairer implementation. However, in January, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) reached a consensus on an equitable VAT-sharing formula, ultimately endorsing the bills. The Senate passed the…

An explosion occurred at the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. The blast, which occurred late Monday night, sent thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky by Tuesday morning, raising alarm over the environmental and economic fallout. Dramatic footage from the scene shows flames consuming a section of the pipeline as the inferno spread rapidly. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, but the incident comes amid rising tensions in the region. When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that she had yet to receive full details…