Author: Vardiafrica

The organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, has condemned the declaration of State of Emergency by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, calling it an unconstitutional overreach and a direct assault on democracy. In a joint statement signed by NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and TUC president Comrade Festus Osifo, on Wednesday, the Labour unions criticised the action, stating that it blatantly violates part II, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and undermined the principles of democratic governance. The two labour leaders warned that such actions erode constitutional…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State. The Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other aides of the President witnessed the short ceremony at the State House on Wednesday. President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18, to address the protracted political logjam between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly members, even after the Supreme Court’s pronouncement. In proclaiming the six-month State of Emergency,…

Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has condemned President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and members of the State House of Assembly. In a statement released on Wednesday, Amaechi described the suspension as a brazen and unilateral act that undermines democracy and violates the Nigerian Constitution. Amaechi, who governed Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, argued that Tinubu’s actions amount to a technical suspension of democracy in the state. He emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution, which the President swore to uphold, clearly outlines the process for removing a state…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a temporary halt in the sale of petroleum products in Naira, citing an imbalance between its sales proceeds and crude oil purchase obligations, which are denominated in U.S. dollars. The announcement was conveyed in a statement issued on March 19, 2025, where the company explained that its Naira-denominated sales have exceeded the value of Naira-priced crude it has received so far.As a result, it has decided to temporarily align its sales currency with its crude procurement obligations. “We wish to inform you that, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in…

The Senate adjourned abruptly on Wednesday till Thursday, keeping mum on its earlier decision to consider the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by 3pm. President Bola Tinubu had proclaimed the emergency rule in Rivers on Tuesday following the escalation of the political tension in the oil-rich state. By the provision of Section 305 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate is mandated to approve the emergency proclamation. On Wednesday, the matter was listed as the first order of the day on the Senate’s Order Paper. However, the Leader of the Senate, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, rose to…

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…