An erstwhile Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has said President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet overhaul is not impressive.

Shittu said the cabinet shake-up was more politically motivated than bringing in superior minds as ministers into the Federal Executive Council, FEC.

Shittu stated this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, a day after the president sacked five ministers, redeployed 10 ministers and made seven fresh nominations, awaiting Senate confirmation.

“If you look at the changes we had yesterday (Wednesday), I doubt whether it is necessarily bringing in superior minds or better minds, in terms of governance, in terms of expectations, in terms of performance.

“As far as I am concerned, it is just a case of some Nigerians being asked to move on, some other Nigerians are being brought in, which does not necessarily mean that those who have been shoved aside are inferior to the new people being brought in,” Shittu said.

Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after he was inaugurated as Nigeria’s president.

One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January 2024, while another, Simon Lalong, resigned and joined the Senate.

Tinubu has faced intense criticisms over his ministers’ performance in the last 15 months since their appointment with Nigeria’s wobbling economy, skyrocketing inflation and worsening security.

The president, however, bowed to pressure to shake up his cabinet on Wednesday, with the disengagement of five ministers, the reassignment of 10 others and seven fresh appointments.

Reacting, Shittu said the cabinet shake-up was a mere political ritual to appease displeased citizens.

“More often than not, it is not everybody who is appointed as a minister that fits in.

“You’ll agree with me that because of the Nigerian factor, a lot of decisions have political colourations than meritocracy in determining who becomes a minister,” the former minister said.

Shittu said ministerial nominees must be thoroughly screened by the Senate, as Nigerians don’t have the patience for trial-and-error ministers.

President Tinubu’s has requested in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read at the beginning of the plenary on Thursday.

The Ministerial nominees as contained in the letter are Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda; Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, and Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odinaka Odumegu – -Ojukwu.

Others are, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha;, Minister of State, Housing Yusuf Abdullahi Ata and, Minister of State, Education, Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad.

President Tinubu in the letter, sought for expeditious consideration of his request by the Senate.

Accordingly as announced by Akpabio, the Senate referred the presidential request to the Committee of the Whole for consideration very soon.

He said, ” Distinguished colleagues, the presidential request is referred to the committee of the whole for consideration very soon.”

The Peoples Democratic Party has rescheduled its National Executive Committee meeting from October 24 to November 28.

Governor Bala Mohammed disclosed while reading a communique issued by the PDP Governors’ Forum at the end of its enlarged meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Mohammed, the chairman of the forum, said that, based on the consultative meeting of the various organs of the party, the PDP resolved that the NEC meeting originally slated for October 24 had been rescheduled for November 28.

He said the postponement was to ensure that the party goes into the forthcoming Ondo gubernatorial elections of November 16 with the unity and strength demanded to unseat the All Progressive Congress government in the state.

Reiterating the need for unity in the face of efforts by detractors to divide the party, the meeting called on all members to shun divisive utterances.

He urged members to shun divisive utterances that could undermine ongoing efforts at strengthening the party to effectively play its role as the country’s main opposition, preparatory to taking over in 2027.

Those who attended the meeting included members of the PDP-GF, the Board of Trustees, NWC, National Assembly leadership of the PDP Caucus and Forum of Former Governors of the party.

The Federal High Court, Gusau division, Zamfara State, has refused to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from postponing its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 24, at Wadata House in Abuja.

The court specifically declined to grant the request to bar the party from shifting the NEC parley billed to hold at its Abuja National Secretariat, where the leadership feud rocking the party is expected to be resolved.

Ruling on an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party in Zamfara State, Mr Imam Auwal, Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim refused to issue an order of interim injunction restraining the PDP from shifting the NEC meeting of October 24.

A certified true copy of the order obtained by DAILY POST showed that the order was signed by the judge.

The PDP chieftain, through his lawyer Ibrahim Ali, had in the ex-parte application prayed the court to issue an order of interlocutory injunction against the PDP, restraining it from postponing the upcoming Thursday NEC meeting.

He also applied for an order of the court barring recognition of any other NEC meeting except the one scheduled for October 24.

Besides, Auwal asked that the court issue an order of interim injunction against the National Working Committee (NWC) or any organ of the party from recognising the suspended National Vice Chairman of PDP in the South East region, Mr Ali Odeifa, as a national officer of the party.

However, after taking arguments from the plaintiff’s lawyer in the ex-parte motion marked FHC/GS/CS/68/2024, the judge declined to grant any of the requests sought by the PDP chieftain.

Rather, Justice Ibrahim ordered the plaintiff to put the defendants in the matter on notice regarding the substantive matter.

The judge only granted an abridgement of time to hear the matter and fixed Friday, October 25, for both parties to appear before him.

The aggrieved party chieftain had also sought an order of interlocutory injunction against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), restraining it from receiving any correspondence or communication of whatever nature from the PDP unless a substantive National Chairman is appointed in accordance with Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution.

The request was also declined by Justice Ibrahim.

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State has insisted on its call for the removal of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, over her indigeneship.

The party, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission’s failure to mention her state of origin in its rebuttal already cast doubt on the integrity of the election.

The INEC, however, said since the calls were not backed by any credible evidence of unethical or criminal acts against the REC in question, she would not be redeployed.

Making reference to its background checks, the PDP said the INEC failed to do a diligent check on Babalola to know that the Ondo REC grew up in the state with her parents residing in Akure, the state capital.

Even if not an indigene by birth, the PDP stressed that Babalola particularly qualified as an Ondo indigene, having lived in the state for over 10 years.

In the letter addressed to the INEC chairman, signed by the state Secretary of the PDP, Mr Oluseye Olujimi, the opposition party said redeployment of the REC was urgently needed to restore public confidence in the commission’s integrity to deliver a credible Ondo governorship election.

The PDP stressed that Babalola was not qualified to be an umpire in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, “because she has been residing in Ondo State for more than three decades now, even up till this moment, with her parents and siblings at House Number 3, Majekodunmi Street, Ijoka Area of Akure Town.”

The PDP has repeatedly called for the removal of Babalola over alleged fraternity with leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the state, a call resonated by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State during last week’s governorship campaign in the state.

The letter read in part, “ For the umpteenth time, we are calling on you, to as a matter of urgency, replace the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Toyin Babalola, appointed and posted to Ondo State by the INEC under your authority, with a non-partisan official with no previous association with Ondo State.

“We also counsel that you view this request with the seriousness and urgency it deserves for the preservation of our nation’s very fragile democracy and the restoration of Public confidence in your Commission’s integrity.

“It has become expedient, that you act positively on the content of this letter, following a statement credited to your commission on Tuesday, 15 October, 2024, in direct reaction to the call by the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, that the Ondo REC should be replaced. Governor Seyi Makinde’s warning that the PDP will continue to protest until its request is met, should not be taken as an empty threat.

“Moreso, since it is on record that the governor’s call of Tuesday was not the first time the party had made such a request. Our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, had earlier mentioned to you in a previous letter to your office, that the Ondo State Commissioner, Mrs Toyin Babalola is not morally and reasonably fit to supervise the gubernatorial election fixed for November 16.

“Quite unfortunately, however, a statement credited to you on Tuesday, said the REC would not be removed because she is not from the state, even though you refused to mention her state of origin.

“A diligent check on the background of the REC would have revealed to you that, not only did she grow up in Ondo State, but that she currently also lives in her parents’ house which is No. 3, Majekodunmi Street, Ijoka Area, Akure town, the state capital.

“Even if she were not of Ondo State origin by birth, the constitution of Nigeria makes it quite clear, that anyone who has lived in a particular place for 10 years, statutorily qualifies for recognition as an indigene. Chairman Sir, it is obvious that your office did not do a diligent check before issuing that unfortunate statement.

“That unfortunate omission on your part sadly gives the impression that INEC cares less, should the issue of the REC’s residency status and dubious integrity result in avoidable controversies and/or crises, that may fall out from any unwitting act of replicating in the upcoming Ondo State election, the controversial APC template so ignominiously used in the recent Edo State gubernatorial election, the dust from which is yet to settle.”

Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said INEC has an established policy for deploying and redeploying RECs.

Oyekanmi stressed that the decisions were not influenced by political parties or partisan individuals, unless “there’s credible evidence of unethical or criminal conduct.”

He stated that the Ondo REC would not be redeployed based on recent calls and urged the PDP to collaborate with INEC to ensure a free and fair election in the state on November 16.

The CPS stated, “The Independent National Electoral Commission deploys and redeploys Resident Electoral Commissioners based on its established policy, not on calls by political parties or partisan individuals, especially if such calls are not backed by any credible evidence of unethical or criminal act against the REC in question.

“To that extent, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State will not be redeployed.

“We appeal to the PDP to join hands with the commission in its effort to conduct a free and fair election in the state on November 16.”

Kamala Harris targeted her United States presidential election rival Donald Trump’s mental state and fitness for office on Tuesday after the 78-year-old Republican’s televised town hall descended into a surreal, impromptu music session.

Three weeks ahead of the US election, Harris’s campaign has increasingly focused on Trump’s health and mental stability. The campaign was quick to comment, stating that the former president appeared “lost, confused, and frozen on stage.”

For around half an hour, Monday’s event in Oaks, near Philadelphia, followed the usual script for the November 5 election, with Trump fielding friendly questions from supporters on the economy.

However, a pause due to two medical emergencies in the crowd led to a bizarre 39 minutes of music and dancing, as Trump abandoned the election discussion to play his favourite hits, swaying awkwardly on stage.

“Who the hell wants to hear questions, right?” he quipped, abruptly ending the Q&A session and instructing his team to turn up the volume.

For years, Trump has made a brief, jerky dance his signature at the end of rallies, almost always to the Village People’s 1978 disco anthem “YMCA.”

On Monday, though, he remained on stage for nine songs, which ranged from opera to Guns N’ Roses and Elvis, alternating between awkward dance moves and standing still, staring into the crowd.

“Hope he’s okay,” Harris remarked dryly on X.

Undeterred, Trump was bopping to the Village People once again on Tuesday at a rally in Atlanta, where he arrived 90 minutes late and did not address the previous night’s events or the criticism.

Delivering his usual stump speech focusing on illegal immigration, Trump reiterated his now-familiar falsehoods and exaggerations about migrant crime in Colorado and Ohio, referring to the country as “occupied” by foreign criminals.

If his intention was to move on from Monday’s odd display, he failed to do so.
Dead heat –

Trump referred to the two world wars as “beautiful” and claimed to have invented the word “caravan.” In explaining how he intended to make America great again, he went off on a tangent about his wealthy friends, beachwear, and President Joe Biden.

“I have a lot of rich friends. They go here. They go there. They’re boring as hell,” he began, seemingly out of nowhere. “Nobody cares. They put on their bathing suit. They don’t look much better than Biden.”

Harris and Trump are in a dead heat, according to polls, with the election likely to be decided by seven swing states where the margins could be as close as a few thousand votes.

Trump is the oldest person ever nominated for a presidential bid, following Biden’s withdrawal from the race after a disastrous debate that sparked concerns about his age.

Trump has not released a recent comprehensive health report, drawing fierce criticism from Harris, 59, who has increasingly focused on his age and his physical and mental fitness.

In her closing argument during an interview with popular radio host Charlamagne tha God, aimed at boosting her messaging to Black male voters — a demographic where Trump has made gains — she reiterated her concerns about Trump’s rallies, repeating a claim that angered him during their September debate: that supporters were leaving his rallies early.

“This man is weak and unfit,” Harris said.

Trump began the day with a more restrained tone at an Economic Club of Chicago event, where he advocated for imposing “obnoxious” tariffs on trading partners like Mexico, to encourage companies to relocate factories to the US.

“To me, the most beautiful word in the dictionary is tariff,” Trump remarked.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has denied obstructing any political party from inspecting election materials and BVAS machines used in the Edo governorship election.

In a statement in Benin on Wednesday, Anugbum Onuoha, the resident electoral commissioner, said that the allegations of obstructing the inspection of materials were baseless, misleading, and devoid of truth.

The PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, had accused INEC of not obeying a court order granting the inspection of the election materials.

Mr Onuoha explained that the commission, in furtherance to its commitment, had fixed Wednesday for the inspection of the materials at its headquarters in Benin.

“The attention of INEC and my office has been drawn to certain unfounded allegations suggesting that I have refused political parties and their representatives access to inspect the BVAS devices and other election materials used during the recent elections.

“We wish to categorically state that these allegations are baseless, misleading, and completely devoid of truth. INEC, under my leadership in Edo, remains committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and integrity of all electoral processes,” he said.

Mr Onuoha noted that the inspection of election materials was the fundamental right of all political parties involved in election petitions, adding that it was a process that INEC was mandated by law to facilitate.

He explained that at no time did he or any official in his office obstruct or deny any political party or their representatives access to inspect the materials used in the last election.

“INEC is fully aware of the legal implications of such actions, and we are dedicated to supporting the lawful processes that enable parties to seek redress in the courts.

“In furtherance of this commitment, I wish to inform the public that the inspection of the election materials, including the BVAS devices, has been formally scheduled for Wednesday (today) at the INEC Headquarters in Benin.

“All political parties and their representatives are invited to participate in this exercise, as per the legal procedures, to ensure transparency and adherence to the rule of law, ” he added.

He assured political parties and their candidates seeking to inspect the materials of unhindered access, provided they follow the proper procedures as outlined by the election petition tribunal and relevant legal frameworks.

He added, “I urge all stakeholders and the general public to disregard such misinformation. As a commission, our loyalty remains to the Nigerian people, the Constitution, and the rule of law.

“INEC, as an institution, stands for transparency, and we are fully committed to ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair, and accountable.”

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Wednesday sacked his Special Assistant on Forestry (Central Senatorial District), Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla, over N30 million bribery allegation levelled against him.

Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, ordered that a probe be conducted into the allegations, adding that the sack takes immediate effect.

Ewenla had in a leaked audio demanded the sum of N30 million from timber traders operating in the state with a threat that failure to pay the amount will lead to their banishment from the forest reserves.

Infuriated by the demand of the governor’s aide, the timber traders vowed to embark on protest following an alleged claim by Ewenla that he was acting on Aiyedatiwa’s order.

Meanwhile, Aiyedatiwa, who disclosed that Ewenla will soon be replaced, stated that the activities of everyone manning the forest reserves across the state would be looked into.

He said: “The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has dismissed from office the Special Assistant on Forestry (Central Senatorial District), Mr. Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla, with immediate effect.

“This followed allegations of bribery and intimidation levelled against Mr. Ewenla by some timber merchants in the state. Governor Aiyedatiwa also ordered a probe into the activities of those saddled with the responsibility of managing forest reserves in the state.

“A replacement for Mr. Ewenla will be announced in due course. The Governor urged all political appointees to conduct themselves in line with the provisions of the law and rules guiding their duties.”

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised concerns over the escalating crisis in Rivers State, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene in resolving the dispute between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

In a statement on Tuesday by her media aide, Israel Arogbonlo, she called on the President to ensure that the minister focuses on his duties in the FCT, allowing his successor to govern Rivers State as mandated by the constitution.

Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that the crisis, marked by violence, intimidation, and alleged electoral malpractices, poses a serious threat to the peace and stability of both the region and the country at large.

The senator stressed the need for immediate presidential intervention to protect lives and property, maintain the neutrality of state institutions, and prevent further escalation of the conflict.

“The situation in Rivers demands urgent attention, and I implore Mr President to take decisive action to prevent further escalation.

“We cannot afford to watch as the crisis deepens, threatening the stability of the region. President Tinubu’s leadership is crucial in resolving this impasse.

“If left unchecked, the crisis may undermine Nigeria’s democratic progress, embolden perpetrators of violence and electoral malpractices, and threaten national security and stability,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.

The Action Alliance candidate, Uzodinma Nwafor, has been declared the winner of the chairmanship election in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Chairman of Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), made the declaration on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Enebili also revealed that the AA also clinched all the 19 councillor positions in the local government.

The Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Moro has rejected the local government election conducted in Benue State on Saturday, 5th October, describing it as a sham and an insult to democracy.

Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC, on Sunday declared the All Progressives Congress, APC winner of all the 23 LGAs.

Reacting, Moro, the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, said in a statement by his media aide, Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John, that reports from polling units across his senatorial district indicate that elections did not hold.

According to him, election materials and officials of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC “were not seen anywhere except in the premises of APC leaders where ballots were thumb-printed for their candidates”.

The senator expressed disappointment in the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, “for not standing by the truth and due process as promised during his electioneering campaign”.

Moro said he expected the governor, as a priest, to push for a paradigm shift by doing what’s right, and not referencing and copying what was wrongly done in the past.

He said democracy was fiercely fought for, with some people paying the supreme price, stating that anti-democratic forces will not be allowed to destroy the system.

The Action Peoples Party in Rivers State has won 22 of the 23 chairmanship positions contested in Saturday’s Local Government Elections.

The Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, described the elections as free and fair.

Announcing the results, Mr Enebeli said that the winners secured two-third majority votes in their respective wards across the 23 Local Government Areas in the state.

He said, “Results for 19 Wards in Etche LGA are still being collated, while the results for the 319 councillorship positions across the 23 LGAs will be announced in due course.’’

Mr Enebeli further said that elections were conducted in all the 6,866 units in 319 Wards, with 18 of the 19 political parties participating.

“The elections, which concluded at 3 p.m., recorded a significant voter turnout, with many defying the rain to cast their ballots,” he said.

He commended the political parties and residents for their dedication to ensuring a smooth election process. The RSIEC boss declared those who polled the highest number of votes duly elected chairman of their respective LGAs.

The list of the successful chairmen included Vincent Obu (Abua/Odual), Chibudom Ezu (Ahoada-East), Iyekor Ikporo (Ahoada-West), Tonye Briggs-Oniyide (Akuku-Toru), Lazarus Nteogwuile (Andoni), and Dr Sule Amachree (Asari-Toru).

Others were Dame Anengi Barasua (Bonny), Dr Harry Agiriye (Degema), Brain Gokpa (Eleme), David Omereji (Emohua), Monday Dumiye (Gokana), and Israel Abosi (Ikwerre).

Also declared winners were Martins Nwigbo (Khana), Chijioke Ihunwo (Obio/Akpor), and Isaac Umejuru (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Ishmael Oforibika (Ogu/Bolo), Igwe Achese (Okrika), and Promise Reginald (Omuma).

Others were Enyiada Cookey-Gam (Opobo/Nkoro), Gift Okere (Oyibo), Ezebunwo Ichemati (Port Harcourt) and Matthew Dike (Tai).

The declaration of the results was witnessed by agents of the 18 political parties, members of the Nigerian Bar Association and the civil society groups, among others.

The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has condemned the explosion at its secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt on Saturday morning, saying the party is under attack in the state.

The former caretaker committee chairman of the state APC, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Port Harcourt about the explosion.

Recall that an explosion from a device suspected to be dynamite rocked the APC secretariat in the early hours of the local government election, with one of the gates of the secretariat pulled down, while buildings inside the office were damaged,

Aside from the doors, windows and other property destroyed, the windows of a two-storey adjoining building were also shattered due to the explosion.

Okocha noted that he woke up to see that his mobile was being inundated with several calls early on Saturday, saying he was informed of the incident when he eventually answered.

He, therefore, wondered about the attackers’ motive when the election was not taking place at the APC secretariat.

According to him, “The point to make or to emphasize is the fact that the APC is under attack in River State, and this attack is very unnecessary and uncalled for.

“Luckily, some of you were here with us yesterday (Friday) when we briefed the press to remind Nigerians that there is a court judgment. It’s not a court order. It’s not an interim order of the court. It is not an ex parte.

“There’s a court order in a matter that passed through the processes, and the judgment was reached. And in that judgment, the court was clear that the election slated for today did not comply with the constitution and the laws of the state.”

“And that, to that extent, it was declared illegal. You can see, too, that the same judgment barred the police and DSS from participating. Imagine where the police are not part of the election. Imagine where the DSS is also not part of our election. So, how do we secure people’s security, and how are we sure of their security?

“So, this morning, we woke up at 3:30 precisely. My phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing. When I picked up, it was my admin notifying me that our office had been attacked with explosives.”

Okocha stated that the police had visited the scene of the incident and also disclosed that security operatives were hunting members of the party.

He said, “The luck we had was that the one they threw at this particular spot did not detonate. If not, this building would have gone down.

“You can see the impact. This one was the second attempt. After they did the first one, they came back the second time to set this building ablaze.

“Look at this one too, and they also came here, the main office proper, to see how they can set the place on fire. We just thank goodness. This structure is not our own. It’s a rented apartment. And what do you think some people will be feeling right now?

He continued, “So we want to tell Nigerians that we are under attack. Our citizens, our leaders, are chased by their soldiers differently. When I say soldiers, I’m talking about uniformed soldiers.

“That’s what I’m talking about. They are chasing us everywhere. And we are not budging. So what they felt they would do is to come and destroy our party secretariat.

“There is no voting unit here. No voting unit. It’s purely the APC secretariat. So what was the attack? Why did they attack here? This is the second time. Every time there is an event in which the governor and his team are involved, APC will be marked out as scapegoats.

“So please help us to let Nigerians know that APC, her citizens, and her members are on serious attack and that we need security from the federal government because they will not offer us here, and certainly not. So we need security to be able to keep everybody who is a member of APC safe.”

“The reason we have said so is not that we cannot unleash mayhem or violence, but we are cultured, we are well cultivated, we respect the rule of law, and let the government respect the rule of law.

“Should we say okay, we want to go and retaliate, something else will happen. But we won’t take the laws into our hands. We implore the federal government and international community to see our plight in River State.

Also speaking, the former publicity secretary of the APC CTC, Chibuike Ikenga, condemned the bombing of the party’s secretariat and called for a proper investigation with a view to brining the culprits to book.

Ikenga stated, “Our call is that we need peace in the state, but proper investigations should be done so that the culprits of this dastardly act can be brought to book.

“But we need peace in Rivers State; like I always said, how do we achieve peace? We must achieve peace by obeying court orders, obeying, going through due processes, and respecting the rule of law.

“That’s the only way we can have peace and tranquillity. And then, of course, you know that there’s a relationship, correlation or nexus between peaceful coexistence and development, particularly as it affects good governance.”

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticized the Nigeria Police Force for its decision not to provide security for the local government elections in Rivers State, describing the move as unconstitutional.

This statement comes amid controversies surrounding the state’s election process.

In a press release signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe and shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the NBA condemned the police stance, insisting that it is a violation of their constitutional responsibility to ensure the safety of lives and property.

The statement, titled “The Nigeria Police Force Cannot Shirk Their Responsibility to Provide Security in Rivers State,” expressed deep concern over the police’s decision.

Osigwe pointed out the statement by Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in which the police indicated that they would not be providing security for the elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.

The NBA also noted allegations that some policemen had attempted to remove electoral materials from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office at night.

The NBA stated that while there may be court directives regarding the police’s relationship with the electoral commission, it does not absolve them of their fundamental duty to maintain peace and order during the election.

“The responsibility of the police to ensure peace and security in Rivers State is constitutional and cannot be restrained by any court.

“The Police must ensure they discharge their duties at all times, and they should urgently take steps to set aside any judgment that seeks to prevent them from fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities,” the statement read.

The NBA expressed concerns that the refusal to provide security could lead to lawlessness, undermining democracy and leaving the people of Rivers State unprotected.

The association called the police’s decision illegal, immoral, and a dangerous precedent that could harm the democratic process.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has been at loggerheads with the Inspector-General of Police over alleged bias, had vowed to proceed with the election despite the security challenges.

The NBA reiterated its commitment to monitoring the situation closely, warning that any refusal by the police to provide security for the elections would be a grave violation of the rights of the people of Rivers State.

This development adds to the tension in Rivers State, where the local government elections have been marred by legal battles, protests, and political conflict between key stakeholders.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Friday morning stormed the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) over an alleged attempt by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force to take over the facility ahead of the local government elections.

It was gathered that the development occurred at about 1 am on Friday when the governor’s camp were informed of the attempt by the police.

According to a video clip, the policemen attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the commission to allegedly cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.

Governor Fubara alongside his team, including government officials, federal and state lawmakers, top political stakeholders, and other leaders stormed the facility.

At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office, to ensure that the policemen who came in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will hold as scheduled on Saturday.

Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has criticised President Bola Tinubu following his two-week vacation in the United Kingdom, UK.

Lamido wondered if Tinubu had human empathy for opting to embark on a vacation when Nigerians wallow in economic hardship and insecurity challenges.

On Wednesday, the president departed Nigeria to the UK to commence a two-week vacation.

Disclosing this, Tinubu’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the president’s trip was part of his annual leave.

“He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

“He will return to the country after the leave expires,” the statement said.

Reacting, Lamido accused president Tinubu of deliberately inflicting hardship on Nigerians.

In a Facebook post entitled: “Deaf, Dumb, Confounded,” Lamido said: “Does President Tinubu have the human empathy, compassion, love, care, and concern to ponder and reflect on Nigerians’ dire situations while in the comfort of Europe?”

Protests erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, as tensions rise ahead of the Local Government election scheduled for October 5, 2024.

The protesters, who arrived in large numbers at the party’s secretariat, forced security operatives to step in to control the crowd and manage traffic congestion in the area, reports Channels Television.

The unrest follows growing concerns over the delay in the release of the 2023 Voters’ Register by the Independent National Electoral Commission to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a ruling delivered on September 30, 2024, barred INEC from releasing the voters’ register to RSIEC due to legal challenges.

Despite the court ruling, Governor Siminalayi Fubara maintained that the election would go on as planned.

Fubara expressed confidence that the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling, which mandated that all states in the federation must have democratically elected local government executives, supports his position.

Governor-elect Monday Okpebholo has affirmed his resolve to prioritise the development of Edo.

Mr Okpebholo made the pledge during a thank-you visit to Governor Hope Uzodimma at the Imo Government House, Owerri, on Wednesday.

He said, “We have contested the election. By His grace, we have won the election, and we are here to tell you that the next step is to develop Edo.”

Okpebholo extolled the leadership, brotherly and fatherly role Uzodimma played during the governorship poll in the state.

“The confidence I have in you is that what you can do, you can do it anytime. I urge you to again play the role of the father of progressives on the 12th of November when I will be sworn in as governor of Edo.”

Mr Okpebholo was accompanied by former APC national chair Adams Oshiomhole, among other party chieftains.

Mr Uzodimma described the visit as “symbolic,” commending the governor-elect and his entourage for finding time to come.

“It is a thing of joy that the election came in Edo state, and our party won. I am particularly happy that Edo people and members of our party are happy with the victory at the election,” Mr Uzodimma said.

While congratulating Mr Okpebholo on his victory, the Imo governor prayed to God to grant him the wisdom to fulfil his campaign promises and give Edo a new look.

“Bring prosperity and development to Edo to justify the confidence reposed in you by the leaders and members of the party in the state and, indeed, the entire Edo indigenes.

“Go home with confidence with the support you have got from the people and the support you have got from President Bola Tinubu. What you will use to achieve that, you will not lack,” Mr Uzodimma said.

Mr Okpebholo emerged as the winner of the election with 291,667 votes to defeat the PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. The Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata, came third with 22,763 votes.

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The swearing-in took place during a ceremony at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Villa on Monday, September 30, following the Senate’s confirmation of her nomination last week.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, is now the 23rd CJN and the second woman to ever hold this position in the nation’s history.

She had served in an acting capacity since August, following the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.