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PDP Rejects Emergency Rule in Rivers

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the declaration of State of emergency in Rivers, stating that the president has no power to suspend democratically elected governor.

The party stated this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba on Tuesday in Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday in a national broadcast declared a state of emergency in Rivers suspending both the legislative and executive arms of the state for six months, as part of efforts to restore peace in the state

Ologunagba, however, described Mr president action as “utter violation” of the 1999 Constitution.

“The PDP outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and will of the people of Rivers by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State.

“The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to govern the State is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy.

“It is an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution,” he said.

Ologunagba also described it as clear attempt at state capture and a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said that the reasons adduced by the President could not justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the state under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent.

Ologunagba said that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State was part of plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition and impose a one-party State

“In any case, nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution relied upon by the President in the declaration grants him the exclusive powers to declare or execute the declaration of a state of emergency without recourse to the statutory approval of the National Assembly.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305 (2) provides that ‘The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

“Each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation’.

“Mr President should recognize that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation,” he said.

Ologunagba said that Gov. Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure could not be unconstitutionally abridged.

“The PDP therefore cautions Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to respect the Constitution and ensure that he does not take any action or step which is capable of derailing smooth democratic Governance in Rivers State.

“Nigeria is not under a military rule where the Governance of a State is by appointment by a junta,” Ologunagba said. (NAN)

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Edo Assembly Dissolves Standing C’ttees, Constitutes Panel to Probe Ex-Speaker

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The Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday dissolved all its standing committees and constituted an investigative panel to probe allegations levelled against the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.

The new Speaker, Yekini Idaiye, announced the decision during the plenary session.

He said that the dissolution became necessary to enable the house to “re-evaluate legislative duties, improve administrative efficiency and give members new committee experience”.

Idaiye subsequently inaugurated a five-member ad-hoc committee to investigate Agbebaku over allegations of corruption, including inflated procurement costs for cars.

The committee, which was mandated to report back in two weeks, is chaired by Bright Iyamu.

Other members are representatives of Akoko Edo II; Ovia North East II; Etsako East; and Esan North East II.

Recall that Agbebaku resigned from office on Monday, August 17, following allegations of corruption and financial impropriety against him.

The house also received and adopted reports on the screening of nominees for key state commissions.

Dr David Osifo was confirmed as a member of the Edo Judicial Service Commission, while Oscar Onaiwu was confirmed as a member of the Local Government Service Commission.

The house also received a letter from Gov. Monday Okpebholo for the screening and confirmation of nominees for the Chairman and members of the Edo Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Shittu Shaibu was named to chair the screening committee for the nominees.

The house later adjourned sitting until August 19, 2026. 

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Brain Jotter Cries out after Harassment by Lagos Touts

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Nigerian content creator, Brain Jotter, has cried out on social media after being harassed by Lagos touts, popularly known as ‘agberos’.

Brain Jotter lamented the incident in a post shared on his Instagram page.

Expressing frustration, the content creator shared a video showing the moment he was harassed in his car by a group of thugs on a Lagos road.

He was refused free passage by the touts who were demanding settlement from him.

In the video shared by Brain Jotter, one of the touts was heard boasting, “I be lion”.

Lamenting the incident, the content creator wrote, “Lion no dey use eyes see goat. Nigerian zoo keepers are the worst. We lack good wild-life and they let a lion escape from their zoo. This is sad.”

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Dangote Cement Ibese, FRSC Strengthen Strategic Partnership to Advance Road Safety in Ogun

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Efforts aimed at further enhancing road safety in Ogun State has received a boost following fresh collaborative engagement between the Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant and the State Sector Command for safer road use and general safety advocacy.

Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safer roads and strengthening stakeholder collaboration as it received the newly deployed Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, and members of his management team on a courtesy visit to the plant.

The visit provided an opportunity for both organizations to discuss strategies for enhancing road safety awareness, driver competence, and regulatory compliance across Ogun State.

Speaking during the engagement, Corps Commander Ogunjobi commended Dangote Cement for its consistent support to the FRSC and its contribution to road safety initiatives over the years pointing out that the company has established itself as one of the Corps’ most reliable corporate partners through its commitment to safety and responsible transportation practices.

Said he; “Dangote Cement has remained a dependable partner of the Federal Road Safety Corps over the years, and we deeply appreciate the support we have continued to receive from the company,” Ogunjobi said.

“As an organization with extensive logistics and transportation operations, Dangote Cement understands the importance of safety on our roads. This shared commitment provides a strong foundation for even greater collaboration between our two institutions.”

The Sector Commander emphasized that promoting a culture of safety requires continuous engagement with stakeholders, particularly organizations that operate large fleets of vehicles and professional drivers.

“Road safety is not the responsibility of FRSC alone. It requires collective action from government agencies, private sector organizations, transport operators, and road users. We believe there is significant potential for us to work more closely with Dangote Cement in driving safety awareness and improving compliance with road traffic regulations,” he stated.

As part of the proposed areas of cooperation, Ogunjobi advocated the establishment of an FRSC Special Marshal Unit within the Ibese Plant, noting that the initiative would strengthen safety consciousness among employees and drivers.

“We would like to see the establishment of an in-plant FRSC Special Marshal Unit that will serve as a platform for promoting road safety advocacy and best practices among staff and transport operators. Such a unit will support specialized driver training programmes, regular sensitization sessions, and proactive safety campaigns aimed at reducing road crashes, he said.

He further assured the company of the Corps’ readiness to provide technical support saying “our doors remain open. We are committed to supporting Dangote Cement through continuous engagement, capacity building and safety enlightenment initiatives that will ultimately benefit not just the company but all road users across Ogun State,” he added.

Responding, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, Mr. Ayyagri Subbaraidu, described the FRSC as a critical stakeholder in the company’s operations and commended the Corps for its dedication to preserving lives on Nigerian roads.

While noting that safety remains a central pillar of Dangote Cement’s operational philosophy and long-term growth strategy.

“The Federal Road Safety Corps plays a strategic role in our operations because transportation is a vital component of our business. We therefore recognize and appreciate the tremendous work being done by the Corps in ensuring safer roads and protecting lives,” Subbaraidu said.

The Plant Director explained that the company’s Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on responsible operations, sustainability, and stakeholder collaboration, making road safety an important priority.

“Dangote Vision 2030 clearly highlights the need for stronger partnerships with key stakeholders such as the FRSC. Safety is not merely a regulatory requirement for us; it is a core value that guides how we operate every day,” he stated.

“Our commitment goes beyond the movement of products. We are committed to ensuring that our drivers, contractors, employees and every road user interacting with our operations do so in the safest possible environment.”

Subbaraidu welcomed the proposals presented by the new Sector Commander and assured the visiting delegation that Management would continue to explore initiatives capable of strengthening the existing relationship.

“We appreciate the suggestions put forward by the Sector Commander, particularly in the area of driver education and safety awareness. These initiatives align with our commitment to continuous improvement in health, safety and operational excellence,” he said.

“Dangote Cement remains ready to work hand in hand with the FRSC in advancing road safety campaigns, improving driver competence, enhancing compliance, and creating safer roads for all. We look forward to expanding our collaboration for the mutual benefit of our organizations and the communities we serve.”

The visit ended with both parties expressing confidence that a stronger partnership between Dangote Cement and the FRSC would significantly contribute to safer road transportation, improved driver behaviour, and enhanced compliance with safety regulations across Ogun State.

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