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JUST IN: FG To Release Rivers Allocation To Administrator

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The Federal Government on Wednesday said that the allocation for Rivers State will be released to the Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd).

The government also said President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State was timely and meant to avert an implosion in the state.

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This is as it has said that the former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has no role in the political crisis in Rivers State that culminated in the declaration of a state of emergency.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, stated this while briefing State House correspondents at the presidential Villa, Abuja.

READ ALSO: ‘Fubara, Others’ Suspension Unconstitutional,’ Lawyers Fault Tinubu

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While fielding questions on whether the Federal Government would release the allocation from the federation account to the state in view of the latest development, the Minister said if the administrator requests for it, it will be released to him.

And to me, it will be in order for the release of that fund because the event of the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things.”

He justified the decision of the President to declare a state of emergency in the state.

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According to him, “We have about two years into the administration in the state.

“Now, when do you think he (President Tinubu) should have come in? Is it when everything has been destroyed? I don’t think so.

READ ALSO: Full Text: Tinubu’s Broadcast Declaring State Of Emergency In Rivers

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“I think the President has acted timeously. He has given the opportunity to all the parties involved, to make amends. Before then, he had to assemble them, he had tried to mediate,” he stated.

President Tinubu had on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure.

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The crisis, which had paralysed governance in the oil-rich state, stems from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

As part of the directive, the President also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored. Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tinubu Names Ex-Naval Chief As Rivers Administrator

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Tinubu announced, “In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025 and I so do.

“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function by their constitutional mandate.”

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Peter Obi’s Son, Oseloka, Speaks On Gay Allegations

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Oseloka Obi, son of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, has responded to viral allegations linking him to homosexuality after photographs of him with London-based British-Nigerian Kent Okwesa, circulated online this week.

The pictures, which emerged on Wednesday, showed Oseloka and Okwesa sitting closely at a restaurant in the United Kingdom, sparking a wave of online speculation and gossip.

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In a detailed statement, Oseloka dismissed the rumours as malicious falsehoods driven by his father’s involvement in Nigerian politics.

He noted that while he rarely responds to such narratives, the persistence of gossip and unfounded claims made it necessary to address the matter.

READ ALSO:Jonathan, Obi Can’t Match APC’s Strength For 2027 – Mustapha Salihu

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Because of my father’s involvement in Nigerian politics, there has been a persistent curiosity and, at times, malicious obsession with me.

“I have no social media presence and no interest in maintaining one, so I rarely correct these falsehoods. But perhaps it is time I address them,” he wrote.

Oseloka stressed that the photos of him in circulation were being misrepresented, insisting they were ordinary snapshots with friends and colleagues.

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The truth is simple: Peter Obi’s son appears in photos with his friends and colleagues, nothing more. If people wish to invent otherwise, I hope they sleep soundly knowing they are spreading lies,” he added.

READ ALSO:Ex-Chadian PM Masra Jailed For Hate Speech, Xenophobia

He further emphasised that neither he nor his father is perfect, but attested to his father’s integrity and commitment to Nigeria’s future.

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My father has my vote, not because he is my father, but because he is the right man for the job. If others wish to go low, invent scandals, or attack me to wound him, they are free to do so. But we will go high, and we will continue to focus on the future of Nigeria.”

Concluding, Oseloka urged Nigerians to redirect their attention from idle gossip to the pressing socio-economic challenges facing the country.

Read the full statement below:

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FULL LIST: PenCom Bars Seven Mortgage Banks From Processing Housing Loans

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The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has barred seven Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) from processing applications under the pension-backed equity contribution scheme for residential mortgages, citing their non-compliance with housing loan guidelines.

In a letter published on PenCom’s website, addressed to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs), the organisation instructed them to immediately stop accepting or processing equity contribution applications submitted through the affected institutions.

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The blacklisted mortgage banks are:

READ ALSO:Varsity Bars Edo IDPs From Exams Over Non-payment Of Fees

• Jigawa Savings & Loans Limited

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• FHA Mortgage Bank Limited

• Delta Trust Mortgage Bank Limited

• AG Mortgage Bank Limited

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• Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Pic

• First Trust Mortgage Bank Limited

• Mutual Alliance Mortgage Bank Limited

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Following the cited letter, the commission instructs that PFAs, including Closed Pension Fund Administrators and Pension Fund Custodians, immediately stop accepting or processing equity contribution applications submitted by the following Primary Mortgage Banks… Please be guided,” the circular read in part.

READ ALSO:Indian Refiners Abandon Russia For Nigerian Crude, As Dangote Refinery Relies On US

Explaining the decision, PenCom’s spokesman, Ibrahim Buwai, told The PUNCH that the sanction was imposed because the affected institutions failed to generate the mortgages for which funds had been approved.

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The whole purpose of giving access to RSA holders is to enable them to own houses through mortgages,” he said. “It was discovered that some of the primary mortgage institutions were not generating mortgages. If that is the case, it means they are not complying with the regulations. That is the reason for their blacklisting.”

PenCom introduced the equity contribution for residential mortgages in September 2022, allowing Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders to withdraw up to 25 per cent of their balances to fund equity contributions for home ownership.

According to the commission, 24,582 RSA holders had accessed the scheme as of the first quarter of 2025, with disbursements totalling ₦149.84bn.

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RSA holders who submitted applications through the barred mortgage banks are now advised to reapply with other eligible PMBs. Those who have made upfront payments were urged to contact the affected institutions for the next line of action.

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VIDEO: How ‘Close Friend’ Leaked Cat Secret To Security During My House Invasion — Sunday Igboho

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Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has opened up again on the July 1, 2021 midnight invasion of his Ibadan residence by security operatives, including the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking during a visit to the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, at his palace in Ondo State, Igboho alleged that the attack was carried out with the intent to take his life.

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When my house was invaded, they wanted to kill me but failed. Some said my intestines were shattered, others said my leg was broken, but there was nothing of such. They fired guns at me very well, but the prayers of you my fathers on me were answered.”

According to him, the DSS operatives forcefully gained entrance into his residence and pointed a gun at his Personal Assistant so he could lead them to his room.

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Death of cat after friend’s betrayal

While recalling the invasion, Igboho said one of his trusted friends betrayed him by leaking sensitive information about his cat to the operatives.

He disclosed that the so-called ‘trusted’ friend had told the agents not to let the cat escape, which led to the security operatives killing the animal.

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When I opened the door of my room for them, they saw my cat on the bed. One of my friends that I entrusted with secret had told them not to let the cat go. So they killed the cat and wrapped it with clothes like a corpse. They destroyed everywhere in the house and killed one of my brothers alongside one other person and they left,” he narrated.

Appeal to the Olowo

Speaking at the palace of the Olowo, Igboho said his absence from the country had lasted about five years and that he was eager to return to contribute to tackling insecurity in the South-West.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: Sunday Igboho Returns To Nigeria

“But why I came to meet you Kabiesi is that till when will I be doing that. Nigeria is my motherland. This is about five years since I’ve been chased from here. Tinubu is your son, you can convince him to free me. If not for the wanted tag on me, I would have come to Nigeria to face the insecurity facing the South-West region. I would have entered the bush and faced them,” Igboho pleaded with the monarch.

Monarch’s response
In his response, Oba Ogunoye described Igboho as a beacon of hope for his generation and future ones, urging him not to be discouraged by the challenges he has faced.

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The monarch enjoined Igboho and his supporters to remain law-abiding amid ongoing challenges.

He assured him of continued support and called for peace and cooperation across South-West communities, noting that no region can achieve sustainable development without security.
(TRIBUNE)

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