News

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

Published

1 year ago

March 20, 2025

Editor

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

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.