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Just In: Edo Assembly Speaker, Okiye Impeached

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The crisis rocking Edo State House of Assembly took new dimension on Monday as nine lawmakers out of the ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) impeached the speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Francis Abumere Okiye.

Okiye represents Esan North East state constituency in the house.

Mr. Marcus Onobun member representing Esan West constituency was elected as the new speaker.

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READ ALSO: Court Restrains INEC From Conducting By-election Into Edo Assembly Seats

The latest development came just about a month to the swearing in of Governor Obaseki (on November 12 this year) for another term of four years in office.

The impeachment of Okiye followed a motion moved by Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Henry Okhuarobo representing Ikpoba Okha state constituency.

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Okhuarobo’s motion was seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo 1 constituency in the house of assembly, Prince Yekini Idaiye.

READ ALSO: Edo Assembly Crisis: Group Condemns Failed Attempt To Take Over House

The member representing Igueben state constituency, Mr. Ephraim Aluebhosele had earlier moved a motion to nominate the new speaker after Okhuarobo raised the issue of a petition against Okiye and was seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo 11 constituency, Mr Emmanuel Agbaje.

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Deputy Speaker of the house, Mr. Roland Asoro presided over the plenary shortly after the impeachment process.

Members of the house unanimously adopted the impeachment motion through a voice vote.

Trouble was said to have started shortly after the house resumed its plenary when Okiye asked the clerk, Alhaji Yahaya Omogbai to read the order of proceedings for the day to the hearing of members in order to begin the business of the day.

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READ ALSO: Edo Assembly Impasse: PDP Wants By-election Conducted Into 14 Seats

Okhuarobo was said to have quickly drawn the attention of former Speaker Okiye to a petition against him and reeled out the impeachment motion.

The lawmakers accused Okiye of alleged financial impropriety and booted him out in the process.

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They had suspended Okiye for three months and set up a committee headed by Okhuarobo to probe him and submit the report to the house.

The new speaker, Mr. Marcus Onobun upon his election, thanked the members for his emergence.

Accordingly, Onobun, moments after his election had quickly dissolved all the house standing committees and relieved all the appointees of the house of their various appointments.

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Mr. Onobun also constituted a three man committee to look into financial records of the house under the leadership of the former speaker and also placed the former speaker under three months suspension to allow for a peaceful transition.

READ ALSO: Edo Assembly Crisis Goes Spiritual As Traditional Worshippers Release Curses

Speaking to newsmen inside the state Government House, Okhuarobo said “the members have compelling reasons to do what they did and that the house needed to wait till now because of political reasons and now the process is over. Irrespective of APC or PDP, we are united in the quest to move the state forward.”

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There was drama as efforts by the State Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu, Secretary to the state Government, SSG, Osarodion Ogie Esq. and immediate past Speaker and Political Adviser to the Governor on Politics (Ed North senatorial district) Mr. Kabiru Adjoto to wade into the matter yesterday failed as they lawmakers had concluded the impeachment move.

It was learnt that no one resisted the plot leading to the eventual removal of Okiye as speaker.

Many of the aides to the former speaker and workers including police personnel attached to the state assembly were seen stranded amid confusion as at the time of this report.

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Also efforts to reach the former speaker Okiye yesterday for comment over his removal failed.

READ ALSO: Edo 2020: Explain Edo Assembly Tussle To The World, APC Tells Obaseki

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NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

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The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

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Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

READ ALSO:NAF Hits Bandit Logistics Hub, Neutralises Many In Zamfara

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

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He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.

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READ ALSO:NAF Hits Bandit Logistics Hub, Neutralises Many In Zamfara

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

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“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

READ ALSO:NAF Announces Two-hour Road Closure In Abuja For 10km Walk

The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

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He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

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Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

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The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

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The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

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Explaining the reason for the closure, LASPARK added, “The temporary shutdown is necessary to carry out essential landscaping, facility repairs, and general upgrades to ensure that our parks remain safe, clean, and enjoyable for residents and visitors.”

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The agency also stressed that the exercise aligns with its broader mandate, noting, “This maintenance programme is part of our commitment to providing well-maintained green spaces that promote relaxation, wellness, and environmental sustainability.”

LASPARK assured residents that “all parks will reopen at the end of the maintenance period.”

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PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

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The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

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The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

READ ALSO:PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta —Otuaro

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“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

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Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

READ ALSO:Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

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The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

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According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

READ ALSO:I’m Not Distracted By Anti-Niger Delta Elements, Says PAP Boss, Otuaro

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

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Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

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Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.

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