₦airaland Forum

”The Southeast zone maintains sufficient representation within Nigeria’s governance structure, and the Court found no evidence of discriminatory intent or effect in the current geopolitical arrangement.

The Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States has dismissed a case challenging Nigeria’s geopolitical structure, ruling that the country did not violate regional or international human rights laws.

In Case No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/23, a Nigerian non-governmental organisation based in Switzerland alleged that the federal government’s failure to create a sixth state in the Southeast geopolitical zone amounted to discrimination.

The organisation argued that this imbalance deprived the region of crucial developmental benefits, such as infrastructure, revenue allocations, and employment opportunities, in violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

A statement sent to our correspondent’s email on Tuesday said the court in its unanimous decision found no evidence of discriminatory intent or effect.

It ruled that the creation of states within Nigeria is a constitutional matter under the authority of the government and that the Southeast already has adequate representation in the country’s governance structure.

Furthermore, the court held that the NGO failed to prove that the absence of a sixth state directly caused developmental setbacks in the region.

Additionally, a second applicant, a Switzerland-based NGO, was struck from the proceedings due to a lack of jurisdictional standing.

It stated, “In its reasoned judgment, the Court held that the creation of states within the Federal Republic of Nigeria falls within the constitutional prerogative of the Respondent State.

”The Southeast zone maintains sufficient representation within Nigeria’s governance structure, and the Court found no evidence of discriminatory intent or effect in the current geopolitical arrangement.

“The mere creation of an additional state does not necessarily guarantee development outcomes, and the Applicant failed to establish a causal link between the absence of a sixth state and alleged violations of the right to development.

“The Court therefore concluded that the Respondent State had not violated its obligations under Article 19 or Article 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, nor under Article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

DomPerignon:
Pandora , when will you return the money you looted from Anambra that you stashed in an overseas account ?

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, says he is part of a long history of bad leadership in Nigeria. The politician urged Nigerians to pray for him and other leaders in the country, including President Bola Tinubu.

The former Anambra governor claimed that looting of public funds was going on in the country and felt that prayer could stop it.

According to him, the country’s major problem is poor leadership and the wastage of public resources.

Mr Obi said, “We are the problem of Nigeria. Nigeria is a country God blessed with everything and removes only one thing we need: bad leadership.

“So pray for us. Do remember me and everybody who is listening in prayers so that God will change our hearts to think for the country.”

Mr Obi stated this at the Service of Songs of Okuji Awa, a former deputy comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service, held at the Lagos Presbyterian Church Yaba on Thursday in Lagos.

The Labour Party politician, who noted that Nigeria was going through a difficult phase, said the country possessed everything to be great.

“Whenever I have the privilege of speaking to Nigerians, I will say, please remember Nigeria in your prayers. Remember Nigeria in your prayers. We are going through a difficult time.

“Always put your prayer points to God to touch the hearts of leaders, including me, to use public money for public good. It is not our money. The stealing has to stop.

“They (Nigerians) must pray to God to help them (leaders) to think about the future of the society their children will live in,” Mr Obi explained.

Pouring encomiums on the deceased, Mr Obi said the late customs officer used to be his acquaintance when he was trading in Lagos in the 1980s and was popularly known as ‘Awa Customs’ and ‘Tariff Wizard’.

On Thursday, Mr Tinubu’s government dismissed the coalition of opposition figures—including Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Nasir El-Rufai of the Social Democratic Party—as one driven by hate, berating the coalescing opposition politicians as “frustrated” and “sore losers.”

“My attention has been drawn to an obvious fake news being spread on social media by delusional minds, who are bent on continuing to aggravate the already tensed political atmosphere in the state...

“Ordinarily, I would not have reacted to this empty social media rant by low-minds and never-do-wells who thrive on fomenting trouble and causing disaffection among the people of the state

The Rivers State Government has denied reports that a High Court issued an order preventing the newly appointed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), from resuming.

The Chief of Staff to the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Dr Edison Ehie, dismissed the claims as false and malicious, attributing them to individuals attempting to escalate political tensions in the state.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Ehie refuted allegations that he filed a suit challenging the appointment, describing the report as the work of “low minds” who could not even spell his name correctly.

He urged the public to disregard the claims, stating that he remains law-abiding and committed to conducting himself with decorum.

The statement read, “My attention has been drawn to an obvious fake news being spread on social media by delusional minds, who are bent on continuing to aggravate the already tensed political atmosphere in the state, to the effect that I secured ‘an order” from the Rivers State High Court ‘preventing the Sole Administrator’ Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), “from resuming duties” in Government House, Port Harcourt.

“The malicious post claimed that the alleged order was granted in a fictitious suit I purportedly filed challenging “the Presidential Pronouncement of State of Emergency in Rivers State” as “unconstitutional”.

“Ordinarily, I would not have reacted to this empty social media rant by low-minds and never-do-wells who thrive on fomenting trouble and causing disaffection among the people of the state, but to save the gullible public from buying into this cheap blackmail and misinformation, and believing same to be true.

“The truth is that even the author is so uneducated and illiterate that he or she cannot correctly spell my name, or the names of others he or she claims to be writing about, or even the suit number and when it was filed or heard.

“It is important to advise the general public and particularly the good people of Rivers State to discountenance this baseless, false and malicious post, as it is intended to create bad blood among the people while painting me as a non-conformist.

“I have since decided to be law-abiding and conduct my affairs peacefully in accordance with the law, holding strong to my faith and God, and has no intention to act in any way that will present me as a disruptor.”

Ehie maintained that the alleged court order and lawsuit were fictitious, emphasising that he had no intention of disrupting governance in the state.

He called on the public to dismiss the report as an attempt to spread misinformation and incite disaffection.

Armaggedon:
ok

A member of the House of Representatives from the All Progressives Congress, Ademorin Kuye, says the National Assembly will support the state of emergency declared in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu in defence of democracy.

Kuye, who is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets, stated this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the primary responsibility of every government was the protection of lives and property of citizens.

According to him, the legislature is always the first victim if anything happens to democracy, hence the need for the national assembly to always defend democracy at all costs.

He said that the lawmakers would support the president’s state of emergency proclamation, notwithstanding their respective political party affiliations.

The lawmaker recalled that the Ninth National Assembly intervened in the crisis that rocked the Edo House of Assembly and amicably resolved the matter in defence of democracy.

“Without sentiment, we are going to defend democracy. In a situation where there is a breakdown of law and order, no responsible government will keep quiet and allow the anarchy to continue,” he said.

Kuye, who represents Somolu Federal Constituency of Lagos, also recalled that Tinubu had intervened in the lingering political crisis in the state, adding, however, that the warring parties preferred to take the matter to court.

He said that in spite of the Supreme Court judgment, the crisis had still persisted, leading to the destruction of oil pipelines and other government facilities that cost a lot to put in place.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Tinubu had, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Gov. Ngozi Odu and all members of the House of Assembly for six months.

Relying on section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the president appointed Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas to take charge of the affairs of the state.

Tinubu, in the nationwide broadcast, said that the latest security reports showed disturbing incidents of vandalism of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them.

He said a stern order had been given to security agencies to ensure the safety of the lives of the people of Rivers and the oil pipelines.

NAN reports that emergency rule required a two-thirds majority of the Senate and the House of Representatives. However, both chambers have yet to vote on the matter.

RenaissanceGuy:
How can me who's the beneficiary of lawlessness file a case in court to tell the court to sack me??

MadamExcellency:
Twisting words and drawing parallels won't work. These ones do not even know that the constitution has been amended after that for more clarity.

Ignorance and lack of coordination will erode the respect and authority of this regime that was elected with a 36% minority vote.

Bluntguy:
Lies. The state Chief judge was not in sync with the house so Fubara could not have been impeached as the AGF is alleging. They are just looking for an excuse to justify their hasty and unconstitutional suspension of Fubara.

Pierocash:
Stupid talk. So they are aware that the 27 dishonourable lawbreakers initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara, but suddenly fail to be aware that this cartel and gang of 27 lawbreakers avoided budget presentation, and have been harassing Fubara and CJ , but they still turned around to blame Fubara. These guys have been hitting up the polity since the supreme Court injustice, yet tinubu and his men still turned around to still blame Fubara. Wicked , dishonest, and crooked elders

Obiedun:
The same P/H refinery that you said is not working is the one you're celebrating when you heard the fake news that it's on fire.

To add salt to an injury, those in the SDP are now moving to the APC.

“Today, the vice presidential candidate, the governorship candidate in Kano State, and other heavyweights in the SDP have joined the APC.”

The development comes just a week after former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, left the APC for the SDP.

The Social Democratic Party Vice Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Yusuf Buhari, along with the party’s Kano State governorship candidate, Bala Gwagwarawa, and their supporters, announced their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress on Tuesday.

Their defection was facilitated by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin.
They were formally received in Abuja by Barau, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and members of the party’s National Working Committee.

Among those who switched allegiance with Buhari and Gwagwarawa were 38 SDP local government chairmen and secretaries, 13 House of Assembly candidates, six House of Representatives candidates, and members of the party’s State Working Committee.

The development comes just a week after former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, left the APC for the SDP.

Speaking in Abuja, Barau described the defection as proof that any plan to use the SDP as a platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027 was “dead on arrival.”

He stated, “Those who have been moving around the country, trying to woo people to the SDP, and thinking their effort will give birth to a platform that will challenge the APC in the next election, their idea has been confirmed dead on arrival.

“People have rejected that invitation. The former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and others who have been mentioned have also said no. To add salt to an injury, those in the SDP are now moving to the APC.

“Today, the vice presidential candidate, the governorship candidate in Kano State, and other heavyweights in the SDP have joined the APC.”
Barau also praised the defectors for acknowledging the impact of Tinubu’s reforms.

Ganduje, represented at the event by the APC National Vice Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu, welcomed the new members and assured them of equal rights and privileges within the party.

Describing the defection as a transition from “darkness to light,” Ganduje emphasized APC’s commitment to inclusive governance under Tinubu.

“APC is a party of inclusion, where every member enjoys equal rights to contest elections and contribute to nation-building,” he stated.
Similarly, former Kano State Governor, Senator Kabiru Gaya, dismissed any notion of the SDP posing a challenge to the APC, asserting that the party had already lost its relevance.

“The party is dead because its Vice Presidential Candidate is here, the Governorship Candidate is also here, just as its other stakeholders.
“So I’m sure today we are celebrating the burial of that party.

“I will say kudos to the Deputy Senate President for your effort to bring these important and heavyweight politicians to our party,” he said.

Speaking on the sidelines, Buhari said their decision to join the APC was influenced by the successes of Tinubu’s administration.

“When this government came into power under Asiwaju, there were a lot of problems on the ground. Even though we know that the former administration has done a lot, there are still a lot of problems on the ground.

“Amongst them was the issue of insecurity. The subsidy regime has gone upside down. And because of that, President Bola Tinubu had to instil very strong and painful economic reforms. Whenever you try to come up with reforms, there have to be pains.

“But after two years, we are beginning to see the economic policies yielding fruits. The foreign exchange is beginning to stabilize. Prices of goods are coming down. Insecurity is being addressed by our military, by our brave armed forces,” he said.

On his part, Gwagwarawa explained that he and his supporters felt the need to return to their former party, citing the APC-led government’s performance over the last 18 months.

“I am part and parcel of the founders of APC. Today, we decided to come back to APC because now the country is being governed by someone who knows politics and the terrain of democracy.

“We are talking about someone who stood for democracy and believes in working hard to make this country better. That is His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he enthused.

Section 305(3c)
there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security;

Nigeria’s largest oil pipeline, the Trans-Niger Pipeline, has resumed operations after a temporary shutdown caused by a recent explosion and fire.

The restart comes amid escalating tensions and a deepening crisis in Rivers State, where the pipeline is located, raising concerns about the stability of the country’s oil production and its broader economic implications.

The Trans-Niger Pipeline, which transports approximately 450,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was temporarily shut down following an explosion on March 17, 2025.

The incident, which caused significant damage to the infrastructure, disrupted oil exports and heightened fears about the security of Nigeria’s critical energy assets.

A senior oil executive who pleaded anonymity confirmed that repairs have been completed and operations have resumed, but the situation remains fragile due to an ongoing unrest in Rivers State.

“The threat to oil production is still there despite resumption of Trans-Niger pipeline,” he said.

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduand and all elected lawmakers of the state House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

Tinubu, who issued the declaration in a national broadcast Tuesday night, appointed Ibokette Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as administrator “to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.”

Tinubu said the ongoing crisis has been a major source of concern to him, especially as all his efforts to resolve it have not yielded any result.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate,” the president said.

Tinubu cited as the basis for his action ‘the disturbing’ violence in the state in the last 24 hours, including explosions and vandalisation of petroleum pipelines linked to the political crises in the state.

The president announced the decision in a televised address on Tuesday, citing the prolonged political crisis in the oil-rich state and the failure of both the executive and legislative arms to resolve their differences. Tinubu also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the state’s administrator to oversee its affairs during the emergency period.

It comes a day after the 26 lawmakers in the state served a notice of gross misconduct on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, kickstarting the process of removing him from office.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.

Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.

While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.