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Pro-Fubara lawmakers seek election to replace 27 Assembly members

Published

2 years ago

May 26, 2024

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Pro-Fubara lawmakers seek election to replace 27 Assembly members

The Rivers State House of Assembly members loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, said it had written to the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections to fill the vacant seats in the state legislature.

Recall that five months into his administration, Governor Fubara fell out of favour with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Their disagreement was said to have stemmed from some misunderstanding between the governor and the FCT minister.

Feeling slighted, Fubara started avoiding Wike and soon afterwards, both leaders were no longer seen together attending important state functions.

There were unconfirmed reports that there were also disagreements concerning the state finances.

In October 2023, there were moves by members of the State House of Assembly to change its leadership, which led to the attempt by 27 lawmakers loyal to the FCT minister to impeach the governor.

This move was led by the factional Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.

Preceding the failed impeachment attempt was the bombing of the state House of Assembly on October 31st, 2023.

Following the planned impeachment, the Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress during a sitting at a section of the bombed complex.

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Subsequent to the development, one of the four lawmakers loyal to the governor, Edison Ehie, at a news briefing, said 25 of his colleagues elected him as the new Speaker.

Ehie thereafter announced the suspension of some members, and during plenary at the Government House in Port Harcourt, he, as the factional Speaker, declared the seats of the 27 defected lawmakers vacant.

He stated that the House would write to INEC to conduct fresh elections to fill the alleged vacancies in the House.

Ehie, later resigned his membership of the House after President Bola Tinubu, intervened in the crisis and called the feuding parties (Fubara and his estranged political godfather, Wike) to Abuja, leading to an eight-point agenda, including the representation of the budget to the Martin Amaewhule led House loyal to Wike.

However, the current factional leader of the House, Sokari Goodboy, while speaking to our correspondent on the telephone on Friday, said the House had already written to INEC on the need to conduct fresh election to replace the lawmakers who defected to the APC.

Goodboy stated, “We have already written to INEC when Edison Ehie, was the Speaker.”

Asked if the House had received a feedback from INEC, he promised to find out and get back to our correspondent.

He had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report on.

However, a source in INEC, who does not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to speak, said though it would not be possible to ascertain of the commission had received such a letter from the Rivers State House of Assembly, the commission would act based on court pronouncement on the matter.

The source recalled that some of the issues concerning the defection of 27 lawmakers’s defection and the alleged declaration of the seats vacant were still in court.

“The commission cannot conduct fresh election in the 27 state constituencies because some of these matters are still in court,” the source stressed.

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But efforts to get confirmation from the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, proved futile, as he did not answer several calls put across to his mobile phone.

Meanwhile, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, said only the court had the right to declare a seat vacant before INEC could conduct an election for the vacant seat.

He said, “It is not the responsibility of one politician to proclaim the seat of another vacant because that would be usurping the power of the court and under the principle of the separation of power, it is not allowed.

“It is the court that can proclaim the seat vacant, no other court can do it. If a court declares it vacant, it remains so until another court says otherwise. But until that happens, INEC has the obligation to conduct the elections for the vacant seat.”

In another development, former Rivers State governor, Dr Peter Odili, has said the incumbent governor, Fubara, has taken full control of governance in the state.

This was as the governor declared that the delivery of development projects and social services by his administration would not be politicised because they were geared towards solving pertinent needs faced by the people of the state.

The governor explained that while every human and societal challenge could not be solved in one fell swoop, every promise made would be fulfilled within available resources and delivered on schedule.

Both Fubara and Odili spoke at the inauguration of the dualised Omoku-Egbema Road project, which took place at De Masters Hotel Junction, Obrikom Road, Omoku Town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area on Saturday.

Odili, while performing the project inauguration, commended the governor for rightly focusing on the people in line with his chosen mantra, ‘People First’, adding that God has destined him to govern the state.

He stated, “Your Excellency, the man God destined to govern Rivers State, a man whose life reflects the fear of God, a man who doesn’t talk too much but does a lot.

“The governor by the way he has taken off is in full control of governance in Rivers State. We want to thank him because governance is about the people. He has chosen the mantra, ‘People first’. What else can be added to that? He is demonstrating it by action.

Speaking about the project, Fubara said, “When the project was added to the list of projects to mark our one year in office, there was a challenge, but the contractor assured us of delivering it, which is a reality today.

“What are we doing today? We are here to tell our people that they are the most important thing to us. We are here to assure you that every part of this State will have positive impact of our administration.”

Pro-Fubara lawmakers seek election to replace 27 Assembly members

Related Topics:Assembly members Fubara lawmakers

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Tinubu Nominates Ismail Abba Yusuf as NAHCON Chairman, Seeks Senate Confirmation

Published

9 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf

Tinubu Nominates Ismail Abba Yusuf as NAHCON Chairman, Seeks Senate Confirmation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The nomination was formally conveyed in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, in line with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006, which mandates Senate approval before the appointment can take effect. The President urged lawmakers to expedite the confirmation process to ensure stability and continuity at the commission, especially as preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise gather momentum.

The development follows the resignation of Professor Abdullahi Usman, who stepped down earlier this week after about 14 months in office as NAHCON Chairman. Although official details surrounding his resignation were not fully disclosed, his tenure was marked by efforts to reposition the commission and enhance coordination of Hajj operations for Nigerian pilgrims.

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His exit comes at a sensitive period when logistical planning, airlift arrangements, accommodation coordination, and pilgrim welfare services for the upcoming Hajj are intensifying. Stakeholders in the Hajj industry have emphasized the importance of swift leadership confirmation to avoid disruptions in preparations.

Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf is a seasoned Nigerian career diplomat who served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Türkiye from 2021 to 2024. During his diplomatic assignment, he played key roles in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

If confirmed by the Senate, Yusuf will assume responsibility for overseeing Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah operations, including the welfare and coordination of thousands of Nigerian pilgrims traveling annually to Saudi Arabia. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is the statutory body responsible for organizing, supervising, and regulating Hajj and Umrah activities for Nigerian Muslims, as well as ensuring their welfare in Saudi Arabia.

The Senate is expected to schedule a confirmation hearing where Ambassador Yusuf will be screened by lawmakers. Upon approval, he will formally assume office as NAHCON Chairman, taking charge of preparations for the 2026 Hajj season.

The nomination is seen as part of broader efforts by the Tinubu administration to strengthen key institutions and ensure effective service delivery in religious affairs management.

Tinubu Nominates Ismail Abba Yusuf as NAHCON Chairman, Seeks Senate Confirmation

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Lagos Allocates 180 Shops to Displaced Alabarago Market Traders

Published

12 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos Allocates 180 Shops to Displaced Alabarago Market Traders

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday officially presented allocation letters to 180 traders affected by the redevelopment of Alabarago Market in Ojo Local Government Area, marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to modernize markets and support small businesses. The ceremony took place at the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) office in Ikeja GRA, with Dr. Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Renewal, handing over the letters.

Dr. Babatunde explained that former shop occupiers were given first right of refusal and flexible payment options. Beneficiaries can pay 60 percent upfront, with the remaining balance payable over six months, or opt for a 25 percent initial payment if unable to meet the larger installment. He noted that the state collaborated with financial institutions to redevelop the market under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which includes the transformation of 21 markets across Lagos, including Katangwa, Pelewura, Jankara, and Alabarago.

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The redevelopment has converted Alabarago, the largest cattle market in West Africa, into the modern Alaba Transnational Market, featuring 3,000 shops and 1.2 kilometers of newly constructed roads linking the market to main access routes. Ground-floor shops are priced at ₦13 million each, while upper-floor units cost ₦10 million, both subsidized by the government to ease affordability for traders.

Dr. Babatunde commended the collaborative efforts of agencies and partners supporting the project, including LABSCA, the Urban Renewal Agency, United Bank for Africa (UBA), the Debt Management Office, Ministry of Finance, and the Accountant-General’s office.

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Hussain Lajawa, Chairman of Central Alabarago Market, praised the government for delivering on its promise to develop a market to international standards. He urged the authorities to expedite road construction and access infrastructure to ensure smooth business operations for traders relocating to the new market.

The allocation of shops to displaced traders underscores Lagos State’s commitment to economic empowerment, modern market infrastructure, and business continuity, while cushioning the impact of displacement caused by urban redevelopment projects. The move is expected to revitalize local commerce, particularly in the Ojo area, and strengthen Lagos State’s small and medium-scale enterprise (SME) sector.

Lagos Allocates 180 Shops to Displaced Alabarago Market Traders

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US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Sanction Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah

Published

12 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Sanction Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah

Five United States lawmakers have introduced a bill in the US Congress seeking to impose visa restrictions and asset freezes on former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and other actors over alleged persecution of Christians and severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was sponsored by Representatives Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Díaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga. It directs the US Secretary of State to submit periodic reports to Congress assessing Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations and the measures taken to protect vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt states.

Under the bill, the US government could impose targeted sanctions, including Global Magnitsky Human Rights sanctions, asset freezes, and visa bans on individuals or entities responsible for religious persecution. It also allows the Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias qualify as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs), reflecting growing concern over violence affecting Christian populations.

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Lawmakers cited estimates that between 2009 and 2025, between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria, with more than 19,000 churches destroyed. They highlighted recent incidents, including attacks in Yelwata, the Christmas Eve massacres of 2023 and 2024, and Holy Week and Easter attacks of 2024 and 2025, which collectively left thousands dead and displaced over half a million people. According to Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, Nigeria accounted for 72 percent of Christians killed worldwide.

The bill also calls for the provision of humanitarian assistance, co-funded by the Nigerian government, through trusted civil society and faith-based organisations. It encourages collaboration with international partners, including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, to strengthen religious freedom, peace, and accountability.

Sponsors stressed that the future of US–Nigeria relations would depend on the Nigerian government’s response to these alleged atrocities, asserting that Nigeria could strengthen ties with Washington and play a stabilising role in the Sahel region if it takes concrete steps to protect vulnerable communities and combat religious violence.

The legislation follows prior US actions, including the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under President Donald Trump, aimed at addressing ongoing religious freedom violations and promoting accountability for perpetrators of sectarian violence.