Any party with Peter Obi automatically has full 40% of votes – PDP chieftain
Dan Ulasi, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, has stated that he would be happy to have Peter Obi, a previous presidential candidate for the Labour Party, rejoin the PDP in advance of the general election in 2027.
Speaking on Friday on Arise Television, Ulasi contended that the party’s prospects would be improved by Obi’s popularity and credibility.
“I’ll be happy if he joins PDP because he will bring his credibility to bear on the party as we are reorganising. Any party that has him today will know they already have more than 30 to 40 per cent of the election because he has tremendous support across this country,” he said.
Dan Ulasi
“To the best of my knowledge, Peter Obi has no platform. He ran last time with Labour Party, he has attended the launching of ADC. I don’t know what his platform will be,” he noted.
According to Ulasi, Peter Obi’s political future is still quite uncertain.
Ulasi demanded equity in the 2027 ticket selection process on zoning. As the only region that has not yet produced a Nigerian president, he said that the PDP had zoned the presidency to the South and called for it to be “micro-zoned,” particularly to the South-East.
Peter Obi
“If there is honesty, they should micro-zone it to the South-East because virtually now we are the only zone, theoretically speaking, that has not had a presidency,” he said.
The PDP chieftain went on to reveal that the party was concentrating on reviving itself before the elections.
Peter Obi, who was the governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014, was the vice presidential candidate of the PDP in 2019.
Following his withdrawal from the party’s presidential primary, he left the party in May 2022 and went on to become the Labour Party’s nominee.
In the 2023 elections, his campaign, dubbed the “Obidient Movement,” garnered a lot of support from young people and upended the conventional two-party system. He came in third place, behind PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar and All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Tinubu.
BBNaija Bright Morgan and Mide have come under heavy criticism following their intimate s*x moment that was caught on camera and immediately went viral.
The two housemate were found having an intimate moment following the Thursday night pool party.
Fans and viewers of the BBNaija reality show have not seized to express mixed reactions following the incident. This is allegedly not the first time the two housemates have been intimate according to previous reports.
Bright Morgan and Mide were reportedly caught on camera having an intimate moment on August 22. Although fans have expressed differing opinions, some others have pointed out that these two are not the only housemates to have had such moments on the reality show.
Recall that Isabella had been previously tackled by viewers following her shenanigans with 21 year old Koyin.
BBNaija Bright Morgan
“They couldn’t even wait for the rest of the housemates to go to bed first”, a social media user wrote.
Bright Morgan on the other hand has also been criticized over his involvement with Mide with viewers pointing out that he had previously claimed to have been in a serious relationship outside the BBNaija house
See comments and reactions below:
Christy Atagana Oliogu wrote: Two mumu akunakuna, my parents are watching
Hanson Gloria replied: Na the only thing wey she sabi be that
Governor Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has finally made it to the state capital, Port Harcourt, after being reinstated by President Bola Tinubu.
Governor Fubara touched down the Port Harcourt International Airport about 11:50 a.m. on Friday with supporters of the governor were on the ground to welcome him.
This comes more than twenty-four hours after Tinubu lifted the state’s six-month emergency rule.
Hours after President Bola Tinubu announced the expiration of the state’s emergency rule, Fubara had not yet returned to his government house office.
Recall that Hundreds of Fubara’s supporters had gathered at the government building in hopes of his return, however after waiting until 2pm, they were forced to disperse as there was no hope of the governor showing up.
There had also been growing concerns over Fubara’s absence with Speculations and information from inside sources had revealed that the governor was absent during Thursday’s handover because there were still ongoing conversations between Governor Fubara and Wike around who should be on the commissioners list
In more recent development, supporters and Governor Fubara loyalists have expressed joy and celebration as they poured out in their numbers to celebrate the governors return to the state to resume office.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled its first ever centralised passport personalisation centre with a production capacity of up to 5,000 passports daily.
Minister of interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo inspected the building at the immigration headquarters in Abuja on Thursday alongside Kemi Nandap, the service’s controller general.
Nigeria used to produce its travel IDs at several locations across the globe.
However, Tunji-Ojo said in a post on the new high-speed machines at the facility that the NIS can now personalise over 1,000 booklets in an hour thanks to the “strategic infrastructural investment, which did not cost a kobo to the government.”
“To put it into perspective, long before this development, the service could only record an average of 250–300 booklets daily,” the minister said.
“But, today, under 5 work hours, the service can now deliver about 4500 to 5000 passports.”
Supporters of the governor, popularly known as members of the “Simplified Family,” had gathered at the Government House in anticipation of his return to office, following the end of the emergency rule.
It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, lifted the suspension placed on Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly after declaring a state of emergency in the state earlier this year.
While the lawmakers resumed plenary immediately, the governor’s whereabouts could not be ascertained, creating tension across the state.
After hours of endless waiting, the supporters comprising immediate past Local Government chairmen angrily departed the government house.
Reacting, Rivers ADC Chairman, Chief Amb. Leader Sampson, in a statement forwarded to lamented the ill treatment.
He said, “indeed, Governor Fubara spat at your faces, revealing his disregard for your rights under the corrupt influence of the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike”.
According to him, the unfortunate incident “paints a red picture for Rivers State’s future, however there’s hope.
“At this point I advise all Simplified Family to channel your political focus and allegiance to the ADC.
“The party that will not use you as pawns and discard you.
“All Simplified members need to take action and protect their political fortunes. You need to stand up for your rights, and demand justice. The ADC is your ally, the only party that understands your needs and desires.
“Rise up against the forces that would silence your voices and trample on your rights.
“Join ADC in building a brighter future for Rivers State and Nigeria, a future of progress and opportunity for all. Let’s ignite change and let your voices be heard.”
Emergency rule: Uncertainty in Rivers State as Fubara delays return
Siminalayi Fubara, the reinstated governor of Rivers State, was not present at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday after being cleared to resume duties, leaving thousands of supporters dissatisfied.
After President Bola Tinubu’s six-month emergency rule over Rivers State ended on March 18, Fubara was expected to return to his duties as governor on Thursday.
This follows the President’s announcement on Wednesday that the emergency rule will be lifted, ending Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the former Naval head, who had served as Rivers’ only administrator for six months.
In a statement on the cessation of the emergency rule on Wednesday, made available by the Presidency, the President said, “The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025…
“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”
Earlier, Fubara’s supporters had celebrated the end of the emergency rule and his expected return by marching along Azikiwe Road in jubilation. Women’s organisations crowded the Government House entrance, dressed in pink, crimson, and other uniforms, some of which had the governor’s photo.
Large crowds at govt house
As early as 6 a.m. on Thursday, a large number of Fubara’s loyalists gathered outside the gate of the Government House on Azikiwe Street in Port Harcourt, coming from all over the state to await the governor’s homecoming.
Unfortunately, around 2pm, they started to disperse in large numbers, many of them with lengthy, sullen expressions, when it became obvious that Fubara would not be showing up.
Some political figures who support Fubara, such as former chairmen of local governments who were recently fired after the Supreme Court declared elections conducted under his rule invalid, were observed making frantic phone calls in an attempt to find out the governor’s location.
Former Housing Commissioner Evans Bipi, former Power Commissioner Solomon Eke, former Youths Commissioner Chisom Gbala, and Prince Emejuru were among the governor’s loyalists there, escorting their supporters to Government House in expectation of Fubara’s homecoming.
Chijoke Ihunwo, Ezebunwo Ichemati, Peter Amakiri, and Promise Reginald, the chairmen of the local government who were fired, were also sighted.
Former Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning, Emejuru, said, “Rivers people are happy that Governor Fubara has been reinstated. Just look at the streets and you will see who the true leader of Rivers State is. Sim represents the people, and the people represent Sim Fubara.”
Tussle over commissioners
According to information gathered, ongoing discussions on significant appointments in the state were a contributing factor in Fubara’s absence on Thursday.
Several sources claim that Wike is demanding that the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the State Government, and the vast majority of the commissioners that Fubara appoints come from his party.
According to the insiders privy to the development, the drama had continued until late Thursday, but Fubara would have returned to Rivers if the negotiations had ended sooner.
But Wike denied the accusations in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, stating that he would not meddle in Fubara’s government.
Wike x Fubara
“I cannot go and impose anything on the governor. Why would I impose anything on the governor? Assuming I go to the governor and say, ‘I want this,’ will the state collapse? I will not. I have no candidate, and I will not,” Wike said.
Wike debunked concerns over Fubara’s absence following his reinstatement.
He added, “I am not his (Fubara) protocol officer. There is no law that says he must resume work today (Thursday). He is a governor. I don’t understand the way we operate. Being sworn in today does not mean I will go to the office tomorrow.
“You don’t know what my programmes are. You don’t know where he is. Governance does not mean one must be in the office to govern.”
FCT minister , Nyesom Wike
Assembly tasks Fubara
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has demanded that Governor Siminalayi Fubara immediately forwards the list of commissioner nominations to it for review.
The resolution was adopted during the first plenary session of the Assembly following a six-month emergency rule. Speaker Martin Amaewhule presided over the meeting on Thursday at the Legislative Quarters’ Conference Hall in Port Harcourt.
While stating that members would examine how money was utilised during the six-month emergency, the Assembly also urged the governor to submit the Rivers State Appropriations Bill.
The Assembly provided information on the decision in a statement released by Martins Wachukwu, the Speaker’s Special Assistant on Media.
Part of the statement read, “Returning from a six-month emergency rule induced by the political impasse in the state in the recent past, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, at its 1st Legislative Sitting through a Motion set the legislative agenda for the remaining part of the Third Season of the Tenth Assembly.”
Speaker of house, Martins Amaewhule
The statement added, “The House resolved to call on Governor Siminialayi Fubara to forward the list of commissioner-nominees to the House for screening and confirmation in line with the Constitution and the terms of the peace parley.
“The House further called on the governor to commence the process of coming up with an Appropriation Bill to cover the remaining part of the year to address current realities; and ascertain what transpired in the last six months with regards to the award of contracts and expenditures from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund.”
Rivers Elders
Following this, Senior citizens in the state, acting through the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum and under the leadership of former state governor Chief Rufus Ada-George, urged Fubara, state lawmakers, and other political players to put aside their disagreements and embrace true reconciliation.
In a statement released Thursday in Port Harcourt and signed by Dr. Gabriel Toby, the forum’s interim chairman and former deputy governor, the forum emphasised the importance of unity and forgiveness for the good of the state.
The forum urged citizens of the state to reject violence and resist those who seek to divide the state.
He will depart Abuja for Kaduna to attend the wedding ceremony of the son of Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, who represents Zamfara West.
The visit was confirmed in a post on X by the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who also revealed that Tinubu is expected to visit Aisha Buhari, the widow of former President Muhammadu Buhari, during his stay in Kaduna.
He wrote: “President Tinubu will attend the wedding ceremony between Nasirudeen Yari and Safiyya Shehu Idris during the visit. Nasirudeen is the son of the senator representing Zamfara West, Abdul’aziz Yari.
“President Bola will also pay a courtesy visit to Aisha, the widow of the late former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, at the family residence in Kaduna.”
While the implementation date for the Fuel Tax policy remains unclear, the announcement has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among citizens.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who made the disclosure in Abuja last week, clarified that the five percent charge of fuel tax is not a new tax but a provision originally introduced in 2007 under the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act.
According to him, the Fuel Tax law, which has been in existence since 2007, is for harmonisation and transparency.
“The inclusion of the surcharge in the 2025 Nigeria Tax Administration Act does not mean an automatic introduction of a new tax. It doesn’t mean fresh taxation automatically.
“The five percent surcharge has existed since 2007. Its inclusion in the new law is merely for harmonisation and transparency.
“There is no immediate plan to implement any surcharge, and as of today, no commencement order has been issued or is being prepared,” he said.
Expectedly, the proposed Fuel tax has been generating reactions among Nigerians, many of whom have expressed anger over the development.
Although the finance minister has assured that no commencement order has been given, probably because of the barrage of attacks trailing the move, Nigerians are still not taking the assurance seriously.
Those pushing this narrative would quickly cite the issue of fuel subsidy removal, which instantly moved the pump price of petrol from N167 per litre to the current price of between N865 and N1000 per litre depending on the part of Nigeria one is buying the product from.
This development, they argued, changed everything in Nigeria for the worse as things kept getting harder and harder by the day without any response from the government to address the people’s economic woes and pains.
However, social media has been abuzz with the issue as netizens continue to debate about the pros and cons of what appears to be one of the government’s most controversial announcements in recent times.
Some Lagos residents, who shared their thoughts on the proposed Fuel tax were of the opinion that the move is a very wrong one and must be rescinded.
Mr Taiwo Oladosun, a real estate agent, speaking on the matter, said: “The issue of taxing individuals five percent for purchasing fuel is wrong. Not everybody can afford that, considering the current situation we found ourselves in, so including such a new tax to the already existing burden would be a real struggle.”
Johnson Olagunji believes that fuel stations should be monitored to ensure transparency. “If they are going to be introducing this new law on buyers, then the government should make sure that those selling the product must ensure the pumps are fixed accurately.
“One litre should be one litre, so that the charges of the percentage will not affect the buyers so much
“Many times when we buy fuel, it turns out that the quantity of litres we intend to purchase is less than what is actually sold to us eventually.
“The government should, therefore, set up a motoring and enforcement committee or team to ensure that every fuel station is monitored to ensure transparency.”
A businessman who commutes on a daily basis, Mr Gabriel Adigun also has this to say, “I transport daily, and I can only imagine the cost of transportation once this law is implemented.
“The tax will affect people like us massively, especially those of us who have budgets and families to run.”
However, an Okada rider, Ozo Darlington, said: “Does the government think we are like them that pluck money from the tree?
“The normal payment of fuel is enough to drain our pockets; must they still go ahead to make things difficult for us? With time, we might even be asked to pay tax for the air we breathe.”
Also contributing to the conversation, a fuel attendant, Kikelomo Oluwatosin said: “I don’t really know how they plan to go about this because our own goal is to follow the government’s directives and instructions. The people are already complaining about the prices, and I am sure implementing it would attract more complaints. But, there is nothing one can do since we, the masses, have no choice.”
Another fuel attendant, Kingsley Ibe, said: “At the end of it all, what we want is a country that has better living conditions. If there would be tax for everything, let us at least see where the money is going.
“The issue is that this government keeps taxing Nigerians but we don’t see any positive development. It is quite unfortunate that a few Nigerians are feeding fat on the sweat of the majority. These tax monies all go into private pockets.”
However, groups like the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, manufacturers association and even politicians, including Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 presidential election, have all condemned the proposed five percent fuel tax
Obi, writing on his social media handle, X, asked to know when Nigerians would actually breathe.
He said: “That is, Nigerians will pay a five percent tax when buying their everyday fuel or diesel at a time when millions can hardly even afford the cost of transportation.
“Mr. President just yesterday boasted that Nigeria has met its revenue target for the year. Yet, instead of easing hardship, the government imposes more burden on Nigerians.
“Even the so-called alternative CNG has become unaffordable, rising from about N230 to N450, while the promised subsidies on the CNG have quietly vanished.
“If our revenues are truly excessive as claimed, should they not first be used to fund education, healthcare and pull Nigerians out of poverty? Why tax citizens who cannot even breathe anymore?”
He advised the government not to add to the economic burden that the citizens are already battling with but to seek ways and means of making life easier and more meaningful for Nigerians.
He told the government to wait until there are marked improvements in the lives of citizens.
“This five percent fuel tax should wait until Nigerians begin to see tangible improvements in their lives from all the many promises from Mr. President.
“Leadership is not about giving a burden, it is about reducing suffering; it is about care and compassion,” he stated.
He claimed that he done everything in his ability to keep Damagun as the PDP Chairman and that this is why he is still in that role.
“I did everything, I had his lawyers, and that’s what sustained Damagum to be there,” Wike said on Thursday while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
FCT minister , Nyesom Wike
“But who is Damagum’s enemy now? It is me. If there is one person Damagum wants to be killed, it is me,” he added.
Recall that Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa State, recently called on the Damagun-led National Working Committee, to expel Wike, former governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, and other PDP officials who were anti-party.
PDP acting national Chairman
Lamido called on the NWC to use its power to punish members who publicly discredit the party in order to benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress, or APC.
Nigerian Banks Face Urgent Call to Action as Cybercrime Costs Soar
Nigerian Banks Face Urgent Call to Action as Cybercrime Costs Soar
Nigerian banks are at a critical juncture, facing a stark choice: invest heavily in cybersecurity or risk losing the war against a rapidly evolving digital enemy. According to a new report from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), financial institutions in Nigeria lost a staggering N52.26 billion to fraud in 2024, a 195% increase from the N17.67 billion recorded in 2023.
Nigerian Banks Face Urgent Call to Action as Cybercrime Costs Soar
This alarming trend has prompted cybersecurity experts to issue a dire warning: banks must step up their defenses to match the growing sophistication of cybercriminals.
Speaking at a recent cybersecurity forum organized by Bitscape, experts highlighted a major challenge: the speed at which cloud technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are evolving.
These innovations, while offering immense opportunities for businesses, have become a “double-edged sword” in the hands of cybercriminals. As Mr. Frank Egwakhide, Chief Information Security Officer at DLM Capital, put it, “You cannot have a hacker coming with an AI tool while you are still relying on manual detection. It has to be AI versus AI.”
This “AI arms race” means that Nigerian banks can no longer rely on traditional, manual security methods. Hackers are now using AI to automate and scale up attacks, from creating hyper-realistic deepfakes for social engineering scams to deploying more effective phishing campaigns. To combat this, banks must also leverage AI for real-time threat detection, automated incident response, and advanced fraud prevention.
While larger Nigerian banks have the budgets to invest in advanced cybersecurity, smaller organizations and fintech firms often lag behind. Mr. Nonso Magulike, Executive Director of Bitscape, noted that many small to medium-sized businesses either don’t fully grasp the risks or are unaware of cost-effective security solutions.
This gap in awareness and resources makes them prime targets for cyberattacks. The Bitscape forum was organized to bridge this gap, providing practical and affordable solutions to help businesses of all sizes fortify their defenses.
Magulike emphasized that effective cybersecurity is not just about having the latest software or a high-tech firewall. It requires a holistic approach that integrates people, technology, and processes. This means training staff to recognize and report threats, implementing strong internal controls, and fostering a culture of vigilance.
Nigerian Banks Face Urgent Call to Action as Cybercrime Costs Soar
Beyond the Box-Ticking: The Role of Compliance
The conversation also touched on the role of regulators. Mr. Ayodeji Faleto, Head of Compliance at Crystal Finance, praised regulators for their efforts but urged firms to go “beyond surface-level compliance.”
He stressed that a truly secure system is one that can withstand attacks even when regulators aren’t watching. This message serves as a reminder that genuine security comes from a commitment to a robust defense posture, not just from meeting regulatory requirements.
The Nigerian banking sector is facing a new and formidable threat. With the cost of fraud soaring and cybercriminals leveraging cutting-edge technology, the time for half-measures is over. The experts’ consensus is clear:
Nigerian Banks Face Urgent Call to Action as Cybercrime Costs Soar
Nigerian banks must significantly increase their investment in cybersecurity, embrace AI as a defensive tool, and adopt a holistic, vigilant approach to protect not just their own assets, but the trust of their customers and the stability of the entire financial ecosystem.
Mass Sacking! Fubara’s Officials Removed in Rivers
Following the end of emergency rule in Rivers State, declared by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, there are increasing calls for a probe into the six-month tenure of the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd).
With the emergency rule lifted, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly officially resumed office on Thursday.
Recall that on March 18, 2025, President Tinubu imposed a state of emergency in the state, which led to the suspension of the governor, his deputy, and all state lawmakers for six months.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
According to President Tinubu, the decision was prompted by a protracted political crisis that had threatened peace and security in the oil-rich state.
The political crisis was birthed by the face-off between Fubara and his predecessor, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja, Nyesom Wike.
However, during the period of emergency rule, President Bola Tinubu brokered a truce between Governor Fubara and Wike.
With all the parties finally agreeing to bury the hatchet and all other hurdles crossed and the conduct of the August 30 local government election, Tinubu on Wednesday lifted the emergency rule.
While the State lawmakers resumed plenary on Thursday, Fubara is nowhere to be found as of the time of filing this report.
Controversies surrounding Fubara’s suspension
The suspension of the governor and the declaration of the state of emergency in the state had raised some dust with stakeholders antagonizing the move, saying the president has no power to suspend a democratically elected governor.
Some analysts also believed that the move was contrary to the requirements of Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
The Senate’s approval for the emergency rule also fueled controversy with some stakeholders arguing that the essential requirement of a two-third majority of the 469 legislators of the National Assembly to approve a state of emergency was not followed.
Some lawyers argued that the Supreme Court of Nigeria hitherto held that voice-votes as used by the lawmakers are not acceptable as replacement whenever the constitution specifically provides for the two-third majority.
Similarly, leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Zone, on March 21, dragged the Federal Government before the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Court of Justice, over what they described as illegal suspension of the governor.
The 12 litigants, led by Comrade Ibiso Harry, equally challenged President Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
It was reported that the Supreme Court and the ECOWAS court are yet to decide on the matter.
Peace returns to Rivers
Ibas at a Public Lecture titled ‘Good Governance and Democratic Dividends’ held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday said the nearly two years political crisis in the state has been successfully quelled.
He declared that “by the grace of God and with the cooperation of all stakeholders” stability has been restored to the state.
“When we began this assignment on March 18, 2025, our core mandate was to restore peace and stability. By the grace of God and with the cooperation of all stakeholders, we have come this far”, he stated, citing the conduct of the recently concluded Local Government elections.
Corroborating Ibas’s claim, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Ikenga Chibike said there is absolute peace in the state now.
In a chat earlier on Wednesday, the APC spokesperson said:
“I can confirm to you that there is peace in the state right now.”
We are hoping that President Bola Tinubu will take off the emergency rule from the state even if it’s just because of Rivers people”, he said before the President made the announcement recalling Fubara.
Call for Ibas’s probe
Opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party, LP and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, had on different occasions called for a thorough investigation of Ibas’ tenure.
Those advocating for the probe said the Sole Administrator should be questioned on how the state’s resources were managed during his six-month stay in Brick House.
In an interview with the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Mr Leader Sampson, called for Ibas’s probe.
According to the ADC leader, for the purpose of accountability, Ibas “needs to give account of everything that happened within his six months in Rivers State.
“He needs to tell Nigerians what he did with Rivers State people’s money.
“He needs to tell us the projects he executed, the amount of money that came in and the things he did with those monies.
“He should tell us how much came from the Rivers State internally generated revenue and how much he received as Federal Government allocations. If he doesn’t have anything to hide, then he should give an account”.
However, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Austin Okai said Fubara lacked the political will to initiate Ibas’s probe.
According to him, probing Ibas is like probing Wike and President Tinubu’s government
He said, “There is nothing bad in initiating a probe on him but if you observe, you will understand that there were some agreements made between the political godfather and the godson.
“Probing Ibas is like probing Wike and Fubara no longer has such political will.
“Again, it is like the state government trying to challenge the federal authority. It won’t go anywhere.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers House of Assembly has resolved to probe the state’s finances during the six-month rule of Ibas.
This is as it even urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to transmit the list of commissioners’ nominees for screening.
Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, presided over the plenary at the conference hall nestled within the legislative quarters.
The Assembly is still under construction following its demolition months ago by the state government.
Victory for Nigerian Travelers: Kenya Airways Pays NCAA Fine Over Passenger Mistreatment
Victory for Nigerian Travelers: Kenya Airways Pays NCAA Fine Over Passenger Mistreatment
In a major win for consumer protection, Kenya Airways has paid the sanction imposed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) following a high-profile incident involving a Nigerian passenger, Gloria Ibukun Omisore.
While the payment of the fine is a sign of the airline’s compliance, the NCAA has stressed that this does not mark the end of the matter, emphasizing that fundamental issues with the airline’s passenger handling must be addressed.
Victory for Nigerian Travelers: Kenya Airways Pays NCAA Fine Over Passenger Mistreatment
The payment, confirmed by Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, brings to a close a months-long dispute that began in February 2025. The incident, which gained significant public attention, involved Ms. Omisore being denied boarding on her connecting flight from Nairobi to Paris.
What Happened to Gloria Omisore?
Ms. Omisore’s ordeal began when she was traveling from Lagos to Manchester via Nairobi and Paris on a Kenya Airways ticket. Upon reaching Nairobi, she was denied boarding for the Paris leg of her journey.
The airline claimed she lacked a required Schengen visa for transit, a detail that has been at the heart of the controversy. Critics, including the NCAA’s Achimugu, questioned why the airline allowed her to board the initial flight from Lagos if her travel documents were insufficient.
Victory for Nigerian Travelers: Kenya Airways Pays NCAA Fine Over Passenger Mistreatment
The situation escalated when the airline, after a long delay, offered an alternative route via London, which Ms. Omisore reportedly declined. A heated verbal altercation ensued, with the airline accusing her of “inappropriate behavior,” a claim the NCAA sought to verify with CCTV footage.
The incident sparked widespread public outrage and prompted the NCAA to launch a full investigation. The regulatory body found Kenya Airways guilty of breaching several consumer protection regulations, including failure to provide care and support during a disrupted journey and a lack of transparency in its initial statements.
The NCAA’s Stance: Beyond the Fine
While the payment of the fine, which included a N3 million penalty and compensation for the affected passengers, is a significant development, the NCAA has made it clear that this is a step, not a conclusion. As Achimugu stated,
“The payment of sanction fines does not conclude the issues.” The purpose of the sanction, he explained, is not to punish but to correct and improve. The NCAA is using this case to send a clear message to all airlines operating in Nigeria: passenger rights are non-negotiable.
The authority will continue to closely monitor Kenya Airways’ operations to ensure the airline implements lasting changes to its processes and protocols. The goal is to prevent similar incidents from happening to other Nigerian travelers.
Victory for Nigerian Travelers: Kenya Airways Pays NCAA Fine Over Passenger Mistreatment
The dispute, which involved high-level meetings between the NCAA and officials from Kenya Airways and the Kenyan High Commission, demonstrates the NCAA’s commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens. For Gloria Omisore and other affected passengers, the airline’s compliance offers some measure of vindication and hope that their experience will lead to better treatment for all travelers in the future.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced the relocation of its orientation camp in Kwara State from Yikpata in Edu Local Government Area to Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, citing security concerns.
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The decision follows a surge in attacks by armed bandits in communities across Edu and Patigi local government areas within the Kwara North Senatorial District.
NYSC State Coordinator, Onifade Olaoluwa Joshua, confirmed the development on Thursday, stating that the relocation was approved by the state government in response to the growing insecurity in the affected region.
According to him, the decision became necessary after security concerns were raised by perpetrators and enemies of progress.
Onifade revealed that soldiers and other security forces will be deployed to guarantee the safety of corps members during the three-week orientation exercise.
“We are fully prepared to host the orientation course and the welfare of participants will be safeguarded,” he added.
The coordinator said corps members are expected to report between September 24 and October 14, 2025, while a delegation from NYSC headquarters will inspect the temporary venue in Ilorin.
The Kebbi State House of Assembly has passed two executive bills, one to amend the State and Local Governments’ Contributory Pension Law, and another to establish the Kebbi Information Technology Development Agency.
The bills were passed on Thursday after the House Committees on Security and General Administration, as well as Innovation and Digital Economy, presented their reports.
Chairman of the Committee on Security and General Administration, Muhammad Lolo (APC, Bagudo West), explained that the pension bill, which contains 39 sections, underwent extensive stakeholder consultations. These included input from the Contributory Pension Board, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and Pension Fund Administrators.
He explained that the amendments included provisions for returning unreconciled pension deductions to the state Contributory Pension Board, as well as adjustments to several sections of the law.
In a related development, the Committee on Innovation and Digital Economy, chaired by Adamu Birnin-Yauri (APC, Ngaski), recommended the passage of the bill establishing the Kebbi State Information Technology Development Agency, after reviewing inputs from stakeholders.
Both bills were unanimously adopted through a voice vote during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Samaila (APC, Bagudo).
The Niger State Police Command has announced the arrest of Ibrahim Abdullahi, a resident of Kubwa, Abuja, for allegedly impersonating a soldier and attempting to rob two individuals of their motorcycle in Minna, the state capital.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued in Minna.
According to him, the incident occurred in September 2025, when the suspect allegedly stopped the victims along Tutungo-Farindoki Road, claiming he was escorting them to the Army Barracks in Minna.
Against this background, the victims raised an alarm, and the suspect was apprehended by a police surveillance team and state traffic personnel at the City Gate area.
“On getting to City Gate, the victims raised alarm as he attempted to escape with the motorcycle, which attracted the crowd,” he stated.
In a separate incident, a suspected motorcycle thief, Augustine Mathew, was arrested in Bangi town for stealing a Daylong motorcycle from a residence on September 15, 2025.
isclosed that police surveillance personnel caught the suspect with the stolen vehicle.
“During interrogation, he confessed to the crime,” Abiodun revealed.
According to him, the suspect has been charged in court.
