News
Rivers: Court Stops INEC From Conducting Election To Replace 27 Defected Lawmakers

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission from conducting by-elections for the 27 defected Peoples Democratic Party’s lawmakers.
The lawmakers whose seats have been declared vacant by the state’s party chapter include the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and 26 others said to be loyalists of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike who defected to the All Progressives Congress on December 11.
Others are Hon. Dumle Maol, Hon. Major Jack, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, Hon. Franklin Nwaboshi, Hon. Christopher Ofiks, Hon. Azeru Opara, Hon. Olabo George; Hon. Tonye Adoki, Hon. Granville Wellington; Hon. Mgbar Bernard; Hon. John Dominic Iderima and Hon. Queen Williams.
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And Hon. Loolo Opuende; Hon. Abbey Peter, Hon. Igwe Aforji; Hon. Justina Emeji, Hon. Ignatius Onwuka; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwo, Hon. Lemchi Nyeche; Hon. Barile Nwakoh, Hon. Emelia Amadi; Hon. Nkemjika Ezekwe; Hon. Davids Okobiriari; Hon. Nwankwo Sylvanus; Hon. Gerald Oforji and Hon. Wami Solomon.
In a suit marked FHC/AB3/CS/1681/23 in which the lawmakers are the plaintiffs while INEC; Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers state House of Assembly, Clerk Rivers State House of Assembly; Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services are 1st to 5th respondents.
Defendants/Respondents, and either 3rd by themselves, their officials, officers, servants, agents, servants, staff, or privies from declaring vacant or taking any steps to declare vacant their seats.
They also asked the court to stop INEC from conducting fresh elections to fill their seats pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
In the judgment delivered on December 15, Justice Donatus Okorowo also issued an interim order stopping the first respondent from conducting a fresh election pending the determination of the case.
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The Certified True Copies of the judgment sighted on Monday by our correspondent partly read, “An order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st and 3rd Defendants/Respondents, either by themselves, their officials, officers, servants, agents, servants, staff, or privies (anyhow so-called), from declaring vacant or taking any steps whatsoever to declare vacant the seats of the Plaintiffs/Applicants at the Rivers State House of Assembly; from withdrawing the Plaintiff/Applicants’ respective Certificates of Return and from conducting fresh elections to fill in the seats of the Plaintiffs/Applicants at the Rivers State House of Assembly, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“An order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st Defendant/Respondent from conducting fresh elections to fill the seats of the Plaintiffs/Applicants in the Rivers State House of Assembly, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
News
Edo To Immortalise Late IGP Solomon Arase

The Edo State Government is set to immortalise the late Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who is an indigene of the state.
Governor of the state, Monday Okpebhole, disclosed this on Saturday while receiving the body of the late Arase at the Benin Airport.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Gani Audu, Okpebholo described late Arase as “one of the finesse police officers and lawyers we have in Edo State,’ adding that “losing him at this time that the Nigeria Police Force and the country in general need him is not good for us”.
“As a State Government, we will work with the family to see how we can Immortalize him. He was a great son of Edo State.
READ ALSO:Security Destroys Suspected Kidnappers’ Camps In Edo
“It is very painful to the government and people of Edo State but we are consoled with the good life he lived”.
Okpebholo described Arase as a team player and a man that was always willing to help.
“It is painful that we lost somebody who always listens to every complaint and tries as much as possible to solve them”.
He, however, prayed to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss, assuring that the government will do all that it can to support his family.
News
Edo Activist In Police Net Over Alleged Assault On Abure

Edo-based activist, Precious Oruche, popularly known as “Mama Pee”, has been detained following a heated confrontation with the factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, at the Abuja Airport.
The incident, which had since gone viral, had sparked controversy and conflicting accounts from both parties.
According to reports, the saga began at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where Mama Pee allegedly confronted Abure as he prepared to board a Max Air flight to Benin.
Eyewitness accounts said the activist approached Abure and accused him of being responsible for the hardships Nigerians are currently facing.
“Is this not Julius Abure? You’re the one frustrating Nigerians,” she reportedly told Abure in a confrontational manner.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Supreme Court Nullifies Judgment Recognising Abure As LP National Chair
Abure was responding by saying ‘how can…’ when Mama Pee interjected, saying, “In case nobody has told you, you’re the one frustrating Nigerians. Are you not Julius Abure? What are you now doing with Labour Party? Police are looking for you. You’ve destroyed the Labour Party, and you’re entering an aeroplane? May God punish all of you.”
Arriving at the Benin Airport, things took a more violent dimension as Mama Pee was allegedly attacked by a group of young men believed to be thugs loyal to Abure.
A video circulating online shows a scuffle at the airport’s exit, with several individuals attempting to drag the activist, before security and immigration officials stepped in.
Speaking in one of the video recordings, Mama Pee claimed she was assaulted by the group.
“Look at them oh!!! See them oh!!! They want to beat me after I told Julius Abure that he is the one frustrating the lives of Nigerians, and then he brought thugs. He brought thugs to harass me. Look at them, can you see them,” she exclaimed.
READ ALSO:Why LP Zoned 2027 Presidential Ticket To S’East – Abure
She further alleged, “I saw Julius Abure of Labour Party inside the Max Air, and I told him that you are the one frustrating the lives of Nigerians. You sold Labour Party, and then he called his thugs to wait for me at the airport in Benin.”
Another activist, Peter Akah—widely known as ‘Peter for Nigeria’—released a video calling for Mama Pee’s immediate release.
He appealed to Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika to intervene.
Akah argued that the activist, who he described as a victim of political violence, had been wrongly turned into a suspect by the police.
Meanwhile, the Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has issued its own version of events, condemning what it termed an “unwarranted attack” on their chairman.
READ ALSO:Obi: Concerns as factional LP Chair, Abure, Visits Wike
In a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party claimed Mama Pee accosted Abure at the Abuja airport in an unprovoked manner while he was boarding his flight to Benin.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene,” Ifoh stated.
He added that Abure had to be quickly escorted to safety by security agents, while the activist was handed over to police for questioning.
The statement further alleged that Mama Pee, who is described as a known figure in the ‘Obidient’ Movement, bragged in one of her videos about her connections to top police officers.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party,’” Ifoh said.
He called for a thorough probe, just as he urged the Inspector General of Police to look into what they termed cyberbullying and political provocation.
As of the time of filing this report, attempts to get a comment from the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, were unsuccessful as calls were neither answered nor returned.
News
Educationist Gets Guinness World Record For Largest Teachers’ Gathering

Nigerian teacher and education advocate, Mr Seyi Anifowose, has officially entered the Guinness World Records for convening the largest gathering of teachers in history, a feat achieved at the “Let There Be Teachers Conference 2025” held on September 20 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
A statement by 1 Million Teachers on Friday said the confirmation was announced via a Zoom call on Wednesday, September 23, by Rishi Nath, a representative of Guinness World Records.
Nath commended Anifowose and his team for drawing global attention to an issue that, according to him, “should be on the front burner of policy and dialogue nationally.”
The record-setting event, powered by 1 Million Teachers, drew an unprecedented number of educators from across Nigeria.
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Organisers had projected attendance of 60,000 teachers, underscoring both the scale of the mobilisation and the urgency of the message: that Nigerian teachers deserve greater recognition, welfare, and policy support.
“This is more than a number. It is proof that teachers matter. It is a victory for education, and it is a victory for Nigeria,” said Anifowose.
He explained that the choice of Tafawa Balewa Square carried symbolic weight. He said, “It was the same ground where Nigeria declared independence in 1960, and its use for the conference marks another proud national moment—this time celebrating those who build nations in classrooms.”
Anifowose admitted that achieving the milestone was not without challenges.
READ ALSO:Canada-based Nigerian Sets Guinness World Record For Longest Leadership Lesson
“This is not just about breaking a record. It is about resilience. Teachers stood in the rain, braved the sun, and endured long verification lines but refused to back down just to achieve this record,” he noted.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for hosting the event and to his home-state governor, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, for his encouragement.
He also thanked teacher unions and education agencies at both state and federal levels for their support in ensuring the conference’s success.
Beyond the record, Anifowose emphasised that the next phase would focus on policy advocacy. He revealed plans to engage the National Assembly on reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s education system and boosting teachers’ welfare.
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Nigeria’s education sector has long grappled with underfunding, poor infrastructure, and low teacher morale.
According to UNESCO, the country faces one of the world’s most severe teacher shortages, with many classrooms overcrowded and educators underpaid.
Stakeholders have repeatedly called for reforms to strengthen the sector, improve teacher training, and make the profession attractive to younger generations.
By securing this world record, Anifowose hopes to transform symbolic recognition into tangible change for teachers nationwide.
(PUNCH)
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