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Fubara speaks on impeachment rumour after Supreme Court verdict

Published

2 months ago

March 3, 2025

Trends Admin

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Fubara speaks on impeachment rumour after Supreme Court verdict

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday, dismissed fears of impeachment following Friday’s Supreme Court judgment recognizing the 27 lawmakers loyal to ex-governor and minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

In its far-reaching decision on Friday, the Supreme Court ordered the federal government to halt financial aid to Rivers State unless Fubara retraced his ways and presented the budget to pro-Wike lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule.

The court also overturned Fubara’s local government election from last year.

The Supreme Court decision placed the balance of power in the hands of Wike and parliamentarians during the state’s political crisis, which began in October 2023.

During the political crisis between Fubara and his estranged political godfather, the Rivers State House of Assembly split into two camps, with 27 lawmakers supporting Wike and four supporting Fubara.

In October 2023, the pro-Wike lawmakers attempted to impeach Fubara, but the governor countered, resulting in the destruction of the Assembly complex by a bomb explosion.

The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that Fubara’s actions were illegal and ordered him to hand over the budget to pro-Wike lawmakers.

However, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, dismissed the possibility of Fubara being impeached.

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Speaking in an interview, Johnson said, “Afraid of what? The governor is on his toes, and he has the mandate of the Rivers people. The governor will obey the law, respect the sanctity of the law, and respect the opinions of Rivers people.

“We are beginning the inauguration of projects on Monday, and in the next 10 days, we will be inaugurating projects.

“The governor is not daunted by the shenanigans of detractors of the state.

“The Supreme Court didn’t remove the governor. It merely withholds the allocations of Rivers State.”

Speaking on whether Fubara will comply with the order to take the budget before the pro-Wike lawmakers, Johnson said the state government was still awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment to study it and guide its decision.

“I cannot say whether we will implement it or not. Let us see what the judgment says, evaluate it, and then we will be able to do according to the law without hurting the law or Rivers people,” Johnson said.

He emphasized that Amaewhule and 26 others were no longer members of the state Assembly.

“We got a judgment from the Rivers State High Court that said they are no longer members of the state Assembly.

“We got to the Court of Appeal, which said that a state High Court had no jurisdiction.

“If you follow this move, you will agree that obviously the Supreme Court, which is the apex court that we respect, made a pronouncement based on the facts before it,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Fubara urged the chairmen of the 23 local governments elected last year to give over by Monday, after the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate the election on Friday.

The governor instructed LG chairmen to hand over their councils to the heads of local government administration.

The heads of LGs will manage the councils until a new LG poll is held. This was Fubara’s first public reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday.

The governor stated that the use of caretaker committees to run local governments was previously prohibited.

Fubara said, “Given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils, pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

“I further direct the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, 3rd March 2025.”

Fubara speaks on impeachment rumour after Supreme Court verdict

Related Topics:Fubara impeachment Supreme Court

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Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp for lack of courtesy – Alia

Published

7 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp for lack of courtesy – Alia

Peter Obi and Governor Hyacinth Alia has given a reason for his blocking major opposition figure Peter Obi from visiting the IDP camp in Benue.

Mr Alia accused the Labour Party leader of violating standard protocols by failing to inform the governor ahead of his visit as courtesy demands.

Mr Alia, in an interview with TVC on Thursday, said Mr Obi was blocked from visiting the Benue IDP camp because his “intention” was unknown, and he violated protocols by not informing him in advance.

“A very respected Peter Obi was a governor. If you are coming into someone’s state, there are protocols. Very high personality; you are coming into someone’s state, and your party does not even know you are coming.

“I, the sitting governor, did not know you were coming. Then you are going into where I’m protecting even the most, the IDP camp. It’s my duty to protect them. They’ve been displaced. I need to protect them even some more. I don’t know the intent you have,” Mr Alia explained.

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He added, “Is it not courteous enough for me to know as a sitting governor and even to provide more security to you and prepare the minds of the IDPs that a guest is coming to visit them?”

The governor denied claims that he was unreachable when the former Anambra called to inform him of his visit.

“No, that’s not the right narrative. I can never politicise that. I’m the one bearing the brunt, pain and sorrows of the IDPs in my state,” Mr Alia stated. “No. That’s not the true story. If he (Mr Obi) couldn’t reach me, I have a chief of staff, I have an SSG, (and) I have a PPS. That’s not true.”

Last week, Mr Alia said he could not guarantee the safety of any individual or group visiting Benue without his knowledge or clearance, barring Mr Obi from visiting the state.

However, Mr Obi expressed displeasure at how Mr Alia’s government allegedly politicised his planned visit to the troubled Benue.

Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp for lack of courtesy – Alia

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Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack in Wulgo

Published

7 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack in Wulgo

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has expressed his deepest condolences to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) following the recent Boko Haram assault in Wulgo, a border town with Cameroon.

Governor Zulum made the visit on Thursday to Cameroonian troops under Sector 1 of the MNJTF, where he also extended sympathies to both the government and citizens of Cameroon over the devastating attack.

In Wulgo, located roughly 15 kilometers from Gamboru Ngala, the Governor was welcomed by Major General Godwin Michael Mutkut, the Force Commander of the MNJTF.

“I am here to commiserate with you, and with the government and people of the Republic of Cameroon, over the recent unfortunate incident. I wish to salute your bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the region,” stated Governor Zulum.

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The Governor also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the MNJTF and Cameroon in their fight against terrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad region.

“The Government of Nigeria will explore all possible avenues to complement the efforts of the Multinational Joint Task Force and the government of Cameroon to bring lasting stability to the Lake Chad basin,” he assured.

Alongside the Federal Government’s support, Governor Zulum pledged additional assistance from Borno State to the troops operating in the region.

The Governor was accompanied by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan of Borno Central, Special Advisers Hon. Idrissa Jidda and Hon. Mustapha Dalatu, Hon. Yuguda Saleh Vungas, Chairman of the Borno State Social Investment Programme, the Chairman of Ngala Local Government Area, and his Principal Private Secretary.

Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack in Wulgo

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Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

Published

7 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and actions in nearly all the contested issues.

A statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director, Corporate Affairs of FCCPC, said the Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission complied with prevailing laws, discharged its mandate, and exercised its powers within the confines of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.

“In addition to upholding the major aspects of the FCCPC’s Final Order, the Tribunal awarded the sum of $220 million against Meta Platforms Incorporated and WhatsApp LLC as an administrative penalty, and further awarded $35,000 to the FCCPC as cost of investigation.

“The tribunal’s three-member panel was led by Honorable Thomas Okosun,” the statement said.

WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN) while the FCCPC’s legal team was led by Mr. Babatunde Irukera. Both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.

PlatinumPost reports that FCCPC had on on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.

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The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.

Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission.

While ruling on Meta’s appeal, the Tribunal also validated the Commission’s investigative procedures and processes.

The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence.

One of the central issues (Issue 3) which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.

The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.

On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in matters of data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.

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On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour. The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.

While Issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the Commission, the Tribunal set aside Order 7 of the Commission’s Final Order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.

While expressing delight at the landmark judgement, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, thanked the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic skills in assembling evidence and marshalling their argument.

He restated FCCPC’s unwavering commitment to not only championing the rights of Nigerian consumers but also ensuring fair business practices in the country in accordance with FCCPA (2018) and consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.