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Soyinka Criticizes Tinubu’s Emergency Rule In Rivers, Calls For Constitutional Reform

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Renowned Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that it undermines the spirit of federalism.

Tinubu imposed emergency rule on Tuesday, citing political instability in the oil-rich state. He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State Assembly for an initial period of six months, appointing Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.

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Speaking to The Africa Report, Soyinka argued that Nigeria’s constitution grants the president excessive powers, making the country’s federal system more centralized than it should be.

READ ALSO: Rivers Emergency Rule: Why I Walked Out – Senator Dickson Opens Up On What Happened At Senate Close Section

“If it is constitutionally right, then I think it is about time we sat down and amended the constitution to make sure that it operates as a genuine federal entity,” he said.

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Soyinka further questioned the wisdom of Tinubu’s decision, suggesting that a true federal system should prevent such unilateral actions.

“The debate will go on whether this was, in the first place, a wise decision, but in terms of fundamental principles, I believe that this is against the federal spirit of association,” he added.

READ ALSO: ‘It’s An Assault On Democracy ‘ – CSO Knocks Tinubu, Rejects Rivers Emergency Rule

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Soyinka reiterated his long-standing call for a national conference, which he believes would pave the way for a truly representative constitution.

The system we are operating right now is not the best for a pluralistic society like ours. The federal spirit of association is a cardinal principle… right now, in principle, this action is against the federal imperative,” he stated.

The renowned playwright and activist has consistently advocated for a constitutional overhaul, arguing that Nigeria’s current structure does not reflect true federalism. His latest remarks add to the growing debate over Tinubu’s emergency declaration and its implications for democracy and governance in Nigeria.

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Osun LG Crisis: INEC To Relocate CVR Centres, Releases Gov Poll Timetable

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The Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State said it will relocate registration points for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration exercise from local government secretariats currently under lock.

Osun LG secretariats have been shut since February 17, 2025, due to a tussle between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress over control of councils.

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The APC had claimed that the February 10, 2025, decision of the Court of Appeal, Akure, had returned its candidates elected in the October 15, 2022, local government elections, but sacked by the Osogbo Federal High Court in December 2022.

But the PDP insisted that the officials who emerged on February 22, 2025, are legally recognised to manage the affairs of council areas in the state.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the state capital, on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, said the affected INEC offices had been identified and would be moved to alternative locations to ensure the CVR proceeds without disruption.

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READ ALSO:INEC Gets 151 Party Registration Requests, Begins Screening

Agboke said, “The CVR will start on the 18th day of August, 2025, with online registration.

“By this, the prospective registrant will visit www.cvr.inecnigeria.org to supply the necessary information about himself or herself.

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“Thereafter, he or she will generate a slip to take to INEC local government office within his place of residence.

“Later on the 25th of August 2025, the registrant will visit the local government office for his or her biometrics, i.e the fingerprint and the facial.

“INEC offices located inside local government secretariats are not shut down.

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READ ALSO:INEC Extends Voter Registration In Anambra Amid High Turnout

“However, INEC has harvested the number of those local government offices. We want to bring them out of the LG secretariats. We are working on that. Our headquarters had requested for their details and we have forwarded to them.”

Agboke also announced that activities for the August 8, 2026, Osun governorship election have officially begun, with notices posted in all INEC LG offices.

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Party primaries are scheduled between November 24 and December 15, 2025, while submission of candidates’ particulars will run from January 15 to February 9, 2026.

He stated, “This is necessary to enable political parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022. The submission of forms EC9 ( personal particulars of candidates) and EC9B (Names/list of nominated candidates) online at the nomination portal of the commission at 9 am on the 15th day of January, 2026, to 6 pm on the 9th February 2026.

READ ALSO:INEC Opens Window For New Registration In Anambra

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Access code for the submission of nomination forms shall be available for collection on 15th December, 2025, at the headquarters of the commission. I implore all the political parties and other stakeholders to follow the timetable for the 2026 Governorship Election for Osun State with a view to tracking the various activities contained therein. Copies of the timetable shall be made available to the political parties at this meeting in a short while. The 2026 Governorship election shall be conducted on the 8th day of August,2026.”

He appealed to political parties and other major stakeholders to work against the menace of vote buying, saying the electorate should be educated not to sell their votes.

The REC also called on all stakeholders to continue supporting INEC in the state for it to deliver a credible election, noting that the commission alone cannot deliver a peaceful and successful election without their cooperation.
(PUNCH)

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JUST IN: Total Loyalty Non-negotiable, PDP Tells Members

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The Peoples Democratic Party has warned that it will not tolerate disloyalty from any member, stressing that total commitment to the party’s cause is non-negotiable.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the party will rely on its constitution to ensure members remain committed to its cause.

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READ ALSO:Alleged ₦3.51bn Travel Expenditure: Ignore PDP’s Claim On Okpebholo, Edo APC Tells Residents

Responding to a question about the recent conditions set by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the success of the November 15 and 16 National Elective Convention, Ologunagba emphasised that the PDP is about the people, not any individual.

He said, “We have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. We expect and demand total loyalty from all our members. Anything short of that will not be tolerated, and we shall invoke the relevant sections of the party’s constitution to enforce this.”

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Details shortly…

 

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By-Election: APC Correcting PDP 8 Years Of Underdevelopment In Edo, Days Idahosa

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The deputy governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa says the Monday Okpebholo-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state is correcting the eight years wrong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Idahosa, however, urged more support for the administration and the APC to attract more developmental projects across the nook and cranny of the state.

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Idahosa made this statement when the campaign train stormed Usen and Ugbogui wards of Ovia South West Local Government Area.

He urged the people to come out enmass to exercise their civic duty on Saturday in support of the APC candidate, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion.

READ ALSO:By-Election: Idahosa Assures Of More Infrastructural Development In Ovia

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Idahosa said support for the party would mean more developmental projects for the area that had lacked same from the immediate past administration of the PDP.

The present APC government led by Sen. Monday Okpebholo is the one that has started transforming your area within nine months in the office.

“He can only do more with your support, especially by voting for his party’s candidate on Saturday,” he pleaded.

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On her part, the APC candidate, Omosede Igbinedion, promised to synergise with the governor his deputy to attract more developmental projects to the constituency.

READ ALSO: Edo Bye-Elections: Show You Are On Ground, Idahosa Tasks APC Leaders

Similarly, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, said the government has put measures in place to ensure no students is sent home for want of school fee.

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According to him, the state government has concluded plans to pay bursaries for students while market women would enjoy soft loans.

Meanwhile, Elawure of Usen, Ovia south west local government ,have advised Politicians to be united in their pursuit of common goal of delivery dividends of democracy to the people.

READ ALSO: Idahosa Optimistic Shaibu Will Perform As National Sports Institute DG

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Oluogbe II gave this advise when he received the campaign team of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the state deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.

The traditional ruler expressed joy in the unity between Idahosa and the APC candidate for the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled Saturday, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion.

He noted that the present unity and synergy between the former political foe would bring nothing but victory for their party, as well as development to the people of the federal constituency.

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