News

[JUST IN] Rivers: Lack Of quorum, Communication From President, Others Stall Debate In NASS

Published

5 months ago

March 20, 2025

Contrary to expectation, the two chambers of the National Assembly – Senate and House of Representatives could not debate and approve President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials; and appointment of an Administrator.

It was gathered that the reasons for stepping down discussions on the issue include lack of quorum, and communication of gazetted proclamation to lawmakers.

According to Vanguard, the hallowed Chamber prior to the commencement of the plenary session, Senators were sharply divided following the non-adherence to Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended as Senators who were against the state of emergency were more than those for.

Sources told Vanguard that tempers rose in the Chamber when it was realised that there was no Gazetted Proclamation, a document that must chronicle all the offences of the Rivers State Governor and why the state emergency must be put in place. Some also claimed that the President did not observe provisions of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Only 61 senators attended, 71 needed

It was gathered that if the matter was discussed, a two- third Quorum would not have been formed as those against it were more in number, just as it was gathered that 73 sitting Senators were needed to vote for the emergency and 61 Senators were said to be available as of that time.

It was also gathered that it became imperative to put the discussion on hold because there was the need to read the proclamation from the President, but that was not available.

The source said that the leadership of the Senate had to make a u-turn in order to use yesterday and today to “reach out and sell the project.”

Another source also said that it may be impossible to get the required number as most of the Senators are expected to travel outside the country for Umrah.

Following the tense atmosphere, the session could not continue even when the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio was already inside and called for prayer.

The prayer session took place at 12.41 after Senate President Akpabio came in. There was a standstill as the session after prayer did not continue until he commenced with approval of votes and proceedings at 1.05pm.

Though the motion: Proclamation of State of Emergency in Rivers State by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central was slated as the first matter to be discussed in yesterday’s Order paper, it was not debated.

Thereafter, the second item in the Order Paper was taken.

It was the Confirmation of the Nominations of Appointment as Members of the Police Service Commission (PSC) by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abdulhamid, Mallam-Madori, APC, Jigatwa East.

The session ended as plenary was adjourned to the next legislative day at 2.45 as there was no mention of Proclamation issued.

Speaking with Journalists yesterday after the end of plenary, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, APC, Ondo South, said that 3pm was not feasible yesterday as people are fasting, and then there were not many people on the floor, assuring that first thing today, information will go to other members.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim said: “The Senate is a democratic institution, and the Senate has given room for more members who are not aware of this yesterday, but got to know about it today to be able to come tomorrow and air their views.

“Democracy is about numbers, it’s about participation. So what we are saying is that we can adjourn it tomorrow in order to give room for more people to come. We formed a quorum today, 68 people signed the register.

“Even though there are 10 leaders of the Senate to reach, we are more than a quorum. We could as well go on, but we don’t want people to say, oh, it was 3 o’clock. They brought it when members are already praying, they are fasting, and then there are not many people on the floor.”

News

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

Published

11 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

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

“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:

News

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

Published

11 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

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.

The blacklisted mortgage banks are:

• Jigawa Savings & Loans Limited

• FHA Mortgage Bank Limited

• Delta Trust Mortgage Bank Limited

• AG Mortgage Bank Limited

• Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Pic

• First Trust Mortgage Bank Limited

• Mutual Alliance Mortgage Bank Limited

“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.

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.

“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.

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.

News

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

Published

12 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

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)