Morning Briefing: Rivers Crisis Truce, US Deportations, Senate Emergency Session Dominate Headlines

Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister Nyesom Wike left the Presidential Villa together in a symbolic show of reconciliation following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the long-running political dispute in Rivers State, while the United States declared its intention to deport 18 Nigerians who were on its “criminal list.”

Amidst the banditry crisis, the Senate met again in response to public outcry over changes to the Electoral Act, Oyo princes filed a legal challenge to maintain the Alaafin’s stool’s supremacy, and the Federal Government denied requests from northern governors to halt mining operations.

The top stories of the day are listed below:

As Fubara and Wike leave Villa together, Tinubu mediates a settlement.

The fact that Fubara and Wike left the Presidential Villa in the same car following separate talks late Sunday seemed to be a symbolic peace gesture from President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the protracted political turmoil in Rivers State. Officials saw the event as a potential sign of a thawing of hostilities between the political personalities who had been at odds for almost two years.

The United States will deport 18 Nigerians on the criminal list once more.

Nigerians on the removal list now number 97 after the US Department of Homeland Security added 18 more to its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal list that is set to be deported. Consistent with the United States’ growing assault on criminal immigrants, the revised list includes people convicted of crimes like identity theft, mail fraud, and wire fraud.
3. FG dismisses the plea from northern governments to halt mining due to the banditry situation.

Although northern governors and traditional leaders have jointly called for a six-month moratorium to reduce insecurity associated with illegal mining, the Federal Government has rejected a complete suspension of mining operations in northern Nigeria. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development explained a tailored security plan to deal with criminal groups near mining operations, stating that a complete prohibition would have dire economic repercussions.

4. Amid outcry over Electoral Act revisions, the Senate reconvenes.

Tuesday’s emergency plenary session of the Nigerian Senate will take place amid ongoing national indignation over the Senate’s handling of Electoral Act revisions, namely the removal of the provision requiring the electronic transmission of election results in real time. In order to preserve election integrity, civil society organizations, labor unions, and political activists protested and called for the emergency session to be held.

5. Oyo princes start a legal battle to uphold Alaafin’s dominance

Legal action has been taken by Oyo State princes to defend the Alaafin of Oyo’s supremacy and traditional authority. Concerns about legal and political trends undermining the Alaafin’s long-standing cultural status and influence within the traditional hierarchy are the reason behind the court challenge, according to the royal family and other parties.