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Obaseki Under Fire: Okepbholo Labels Him a Portfolio Scam Artist in $10M Dispute

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Obaseki Under Fire: Okepbholo Labels Him a Portfolio Scam Artist in $10M Dispute

The administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo has declared that it will look into the utilization of $10 million by former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
No amount of spin from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will prevent the administration from looking into the $10 million that was approved late under Obaseki, according to Fred Itua, Okpebholo’s chief press secretary.
Chris Nehikhare, the chairman of the Edo PDP, reportedly said in a statement that it was disheartening that the Okepbholo vowed to investigate Obaseki’s government over the $10 million spent on Observer Press equipment.

Itua stated in a statement on Wednesday that Nehikhare showed a lack of knowledge and failed to grasp the point made by Governor Okpebholo.
He urged the PDP Chairman to support their claim with facts rather than fantasy, emphasizing that the government would look into how the money was used by the previous administration.

It stated: “The Governor was not referring to the refurbished equipment purchased from ‘Ogbete Market’ in Enugu State, but rather to the $10 million that Godwin Obaseki allocated for The Observer Newspaper just prior to the 2024 Edo State governorship elections.

Just a few days before Edo State’s governorship election in late 2024, Obasi, a portfolio scammer who oversaw the looting of Edo’s commonwealth, hastily siphoned $10 million through The Observer Newspaper.

Nehikhare’s frantic attempt to sway the discussion reveals the PDP’s ongoing dishonesty in addition to being deceptive.

Regarding the so-called “sophisticated machines,” Nehikhare deliberately overlooks the true issue, which is that these overused and ineffective machines now cost billions of naira to operate correctly. Even though Obaseki bought them at a roadside market, he left a financial legacy that the current administration now has to clear.

What is more concerning is Nehikhare’s perplexed indignation over the dismissal of Observer employees. How does he anticipate the availability of those who are no longer employed at the location? His reasoning is just as erroneous as the administration’s actions, which he naively supports.

Instead of this ridiculous attempt at diversion, Nehikhare ought to explain why, in his last days, Obaseki felt compelled to spend an astounding $10 million on a state-owned newspaper that is essentially unnoticeable on newspaper stands throughout the State and the nation—during a period when vital industries like healthcare and education were still underfunded.

Read Also: Just In: Nigeria Faces Fuel Shortage as Dangote Refinery Prepares to Stop Supply

“Nehikhare should argue the facts accurately rather than fictionally if he wants to do so. However, the PDP appears to favor fiction as a technique.

Just In: Nigeria Faces Fuel Shortage as Dangote Refinery Prepares to Stop Supply

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Just In: Nigeria Faces Fuel Shortage as Dangote Refinery Prepares to Stop Supply

Because of the stalling negotiations over the naira-for-crude agreement, Dangote Refinery is going to stop supplying petroleum products to the Nigerian market.
TheCable was informed by people with knowledge of the situation that the refinery will keep loading goods for export because it currently purchases all of its crude oil in dollars from foreign markets.
By using a crude supply agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd., the refinery was able to buy crude in local currency and sell it to Nigerian marketers in naira.

Read Also: Breaking: PDP Governors Speak Out on Fubara’s Suspension, Rivers Crisis

Since there are no new conditions in the agreement, the refinery’s supply to the domestic market will be suspended.

Stay tuned for further developments.

Breaking: PDP Governors Speak Out on Fubara’s Suspension, Rivers Crisis

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Breaking: PDP Governors Speak Out on Fubara’s Suspension, Rivers Crisis

The decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has drawn criticism from the Governors’ Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governors characterized the action as damaging to democracy, unfair, and polarizing.
President Tinubu declared the emergency in a national speech on Tuesday night, stating that law and order had to be restored. All elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, together with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu, were suspended for six months as a result of this judgment.
The state’s government was taken over by retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as part of Tinubu’s emergency measures.

In response, a statement voicing profound worry over the political crisis in Rivers was issued on Wednesday by the PDP Governors’ Forum, which is headed by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State. Instead of addressing the issue, the forum charged Tinubu of making it worse.

The governors also took issue with Tinubu’s failure to confront Nyesom Wike’s involvement in the situation as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They contended that because the president did nothing, Wike had been free to act without repercussions.

While expressing solidarity for Governor Fubara and the people of Rivers State, the forum cautioned that halting democratic government is a risky decision that could jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy and stability.

The group issued the following statement: “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum notes with grave concern and utter misgiving the suspension of democratic rule in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast of Tuesday, 18th March, 2025.”

“Today, the greatest threat to democracy in our dear country, Nigeria, is this unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State, the Peoples Democratic Party, and other opposition parties. It is an ill wind that will benefit no one,” the statement continued.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had expressed reservations about the suspension of elected officials, the governors added. The NBA emphasized the need to adhere to constitutional requirements under a state of emergency.

Read Also: Breaking: Tension Rises in House of Reps as Emergency Rule Sparks Lawmakers’ Clash

While acknowledging the NBA’s stance, the PDP Governors’ Forum cautioned that Tinubu’s choice was inappropriate and unconstitutional.

“The Forum pledges to interpret Section 305(3) of the Constitution in a judicial manner and fully supports the NBA. “This authoritarian behavior is intolerable and cannot continue,” the statement continued.

Breaking: Tension Rises in House of Reps as Emergency Rule Sparks Lawmakers’ Clash

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Breaking: Tension Rises in House of Reps as Emergency Rule Sparks Lawmakers’ Clash

The House of Representatives saw a contentious debate on Wednesday as members argued over President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of emergency in Rivers State.

Even before the session formally started, the lawmakers got into a heated argument.

An intense altercation between two female House members was captured in a video that went viral online.

Read Also: Ex-PANDEF Spokesman to Tinubu: You Let Your Appointee Stay but Suspended Fubara

Tinubu declared an emergency rule on Tuesday that suspends all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, along with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu. In the face of the state’s continuous political turmoil, the president defended the action as a necessary step to restore order.

Tinubu named retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Administrator to lead the state during this time as part of the emergency procedures.

Ex-PANDEF Spokesman to Tinubu: You Let Your Appointee Stay but Suspended Fubara

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Ex-PANDEF Spokesman to Tinubu: You Let Your Appointee Stay but Suspended Fubara

Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, the former Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) National Publicity Secretary, has denounced President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency in Rivers State.
According to reports, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly were suspended by President Tinubu on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the former PANDEF spokesperson accused President Tinubu of going above his authority in an interview with News Central.

Sara-Igbe contended that the President was not authorized by the Constitution to dismiss Governor Fubara. According to him, the President’s partiality against Fubara was evident from the start.

He claimed that because Wike refused to withdraw his appeal, but Fubara did so on the President’s advice, the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the Rivers State crisis supported Nyesom Wike.

From the start, it is clear that Mr. President has a predisposition toward the state’s governor. I stated firmly that he initially provided us an unfair deal, which he then made the governor follow. The Governor clearly followed the president’s orders, but Nyesome Wike also disobeyed the president. Additionally, the Governor retracted all of his court cases because Nyesom Wike disobeyed the President and the Governor complied with the President. Nyesom Wike declined to drop his legal battles. Nyesom Wike outperformed Fubara as a result. As if that weren’t enough, the Supreme Court ruled against the government of Sim and Rivers State based on that withdrawal.

“Mr. President, PANDEF insisted that we travel to Sim in order to establish a Supreme Court when they visited him. However, the Sim has already consented to carry out a Supreme Court ruling. He claimed that the same characters were refusing to follow a Supreme Court ruling.

He asked why the President suspended Governor Fubara, whom he lacked the authority to suspend, but declined to suspend the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, whom he was authorized to suspend.

The President’s sincerity in declaring a state of emergency was criticized by the Niger Delta Stateman. He went on to say that Wike’s ally was the only administrator hired.

“It is improper for Mr. President to proclaim a state of emergency under Section 305 when there are no issues in Rivers State. However, once more, Mr. President is not authorized to remove an elected governor or even a council member under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as modified. According to the 1999 Constitution as amended, he does not have that authority. He declared his belief in the rule of law. Do you refer to this as the rule of law? To appease Nyesom Wike, he removed the governor of River State by abusing his office and going above his bounds.

Read Also:Tinubu Should Have Addressed Wike Like He Did Fubara on State of Emergency – Jega

“Let’s examine it with objectivity. Nyesom Wike and Sim should be fighting. He still has Nyesom Wike in his cabinet. Would you mind suspending him? You would have suspended Nyesom Wike if you wanted peace. However, he suspended Sim, who was elected, and retained Nyesom Wike. You couldn’t dismiss Nyesom Wike, who he appointed.

He urged Nyesom Wike to visit River State last week with the army, police, navy, air force, and other security forces. with the intention of declaring a state of emergency in the hopes that the populace will respond. That didn’t work. Oh, we have the authority to proclaim a state of emergency, they thought as they just slept over. Additionally, he said, “They brought someone who everyone knows has been photographed with Wike as the sole administrator.”

Tinubu Should Have Addressed Wike Like He Did Fubara on State of Emergency – Jega

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Tinubu Should Have Addressed Wike Like He Did Fubara on State of Emergency – Jega

The decision of President Bola Tinubu to say nothing about Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike during his statement on the political situation in Rivers State has been questioned by public affairs specialist Mahmud Jega.
As you may remember, President Tinubu particularly blamed Governor Siminalayi Fubara for culpability in the entire situation during his speech on Tuesday, when he proclaimed a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the political turmoil that has gripped the oil-rich state for several months.

Tinubu charged that Governor Fubara had destroyed the Rivers State House of Assembly and had not rebuilt it, among other things.

Talking about the development in an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, Jega argued that President Tinubu ought to have brought up Wike in his speech, just as he had brought up Fubara.

He said that the Rivers situation cannot be resolved unless Wike is addressed since he is a major contributor to its inception and continuation.

Read Also: Bloggers, Facebook, TikTok May Soon Require Physical Offices In Nigeria As Senate Bill Advances

In my opinion, the President needs to have mentioned the FCT Minister, who is actually largely responsible for the development and continuation of this issue, in addition to listing the Governor’s wrongdoings. Is it common for a godfather to sit down in Abuja and start sowing discord and creating all sorts of issues in a state he used to rule?

Furthermore, in my opinion, the issue would never be resolved before 2027 if nothing were done about it.

According to reports, the Rivers State conflict is thought to be a power struggle between Fubara and Wike, his predecessor and estranged godfather.

Bloggers, Facebook, TikTok May Soon Require Physical Offices In Nigeria As Senate Bill Advances

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Bloggers, Facebook, TikTok May Soon Require Physical Offices In Nigeria As Senate Bill Advances

A bill to alter the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to require social media companies to have physical offices in Nigeria has advanced through the Nigerian Senate.
The proposed law was introduced by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) and is titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to Mandate the Establishment of Physical Offices within the Territorial Boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms, and for Related Matters, 2025 (SB. 650).”
Nigeria’s significant digital footprint was highlighted by Senator Nwoko during the bill’s presentation. He pointed out that, with over 220 million people, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the second-most popular country in the world for social media use.

He claimed that Nigerians spend three hours and forty-six minutes a day on the internet, citing a “Global Web Index” survey that was cited by “Business Insider Africa.”

He noted that despite this high level of participation, major social media companies such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and 𝕏 do not have physical offices in Nigeria, in contrast to other nations.

The lack of local offices raises a number of issues, including poor representation, negative economic effects, and challenges in implementing laws and data protection policies, as Senator Nwoko pointed out.

New Rules for Bloggers
The bill adds new regulations for Nigerian bloggers in addition to social media sites.

In any of the nation’s capital cities, it requires all bloggers to: – Open a verified office; – Keep accurate personnel records. Be a member of an established national blogger association with its main office located in Abuja.

These steps are intended to improve accountability, openness, and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital media landscape, bringing it into line with norms seen in traditional media organizations, according to Senator Nwoko.

He explained that the measure aims to promote equity and acknowledge Nigeria’s position as a significant player in digital engagement rather than unfairly targeting social media platforms.

Senate President’s Viewpoint
Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, emphasized the value of social media companies having local operations but warned that regulating bloggers required careful consideration.

“It’s nice to have an address, but bloggers are a little different,” he said. The best course of action, in my opinion, is for the measure to be given a second reading and then a public hearing for much more simplified clarity.

In order to create a framework for proper taxation and record-keeping for digital platforms operating in Nigeria, he clarified that the act should not be interpreted as an attempt to censor social media.

Senator Akpabio added: “We wait until it reaches the stage of public hearing because I was looking to see if it intends to gag bloggers, but I haven’t seen that.”

Within two months, the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity is anticipated to present its report on the measure.

Police Apprehend Woman Allegedly Supplying Guns and Drugs to Bandits

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Police Apprehend Woman Allegedly Supplying Guns and Drugs to Bandits

According to the Nigeria Police Force, recent coordinated tactical team operations resulted in the capture of money counterfeiters, drug traffickers, and arms smugglers.
According to reports, Olumuwiya Adejobi, the Police Public Relations Officer, made this claim in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the police spokesperson, Haruna Sani, who is accused of providing bandits with weapons, was taken into custody by members of the Force Intelligence Department-Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS).

The crew also detained Solomon Bala, Joseph Matthew, and Usman Yahaya in February for allegedly trafficking hard drugs, including codeine syrups, in Postiskum.

It stated: “On December 23, 2024, at around 5:50 PM, FID-STS agents stopped a 30-year-old woman named Hauwa Sani who lived in Doro village along the Keffi/Abuja Expressway. She was discovered hiding inside a 5-liter container of palm oil with 124 rounds of live ammo of various calibers. She admitted that she was given the assignment of delivering the ammunition to Katsina State by a Nasiru from Daura. Numerous other recoveries and arrests that are being profiled are the result of other investigations. The public is advised to exercise caution and to stay aware of these smugglers’ antics. Items that seem suspicious should be reported right away to the relevant authorities.

In a separate operation on February 1st, 2025, FID-STS agents, acting on reliable information, apprehended Solomon Bala “m,” 25, Joseph Matthew “m,” and Alhaji Usman Yahaya “m,” 50, all of whom lived in Postiskum, Yobe State. While delivering thirty cartons of codeine syrups and other hard drugs throughout Postiskum, the suspects were caught. The drugs were meant to be supplied to kidnappers, Boko Haram rebels, and bandits who terrorize Yobe State and neighboring nations, they admitted.

Additionally, on February 3, 2025, FID-STS agents captured Yusuf Dantani, age 24, Usman Labaran, age 32, and Musa Mohammed, age 23, armed with ten AK-47 weapons. After being questioned, the suspects admitted to participating in multiple gun trades and accepting N3,980,000 (three million nine hundred and eighty thousand naira) in exchange for the final shipment of weapons they were expected to exchange.

According to Adejobi, the force is still committed to bringing offenders to justice and dismantling illicit enterprises.

By giving prompt, correct information that can help with crime prevention and detection, he urged the people to continue supporting police operations.

Rivers PDP Moves Against Wike, Says Amaewhule and 26 Lawmakers Are Not Members

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Rivers PDP Moves Against Wike, Says Amaewhule and 26 Lawmakers Are Not Members

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been warned by the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that if the state’s ongoing political turmoil persists, he could be expelled.
Robinson Ewor, the PDP’s acting state chairman, charged the former governor with a number of anti-party acts during a news conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
According to reports, Ewor stated that depending on how badly Wike behaved, these activities might result in his suspension or expulsion from the party.

“The party has a mechanism in place for dealing with such issues,” Ewor said. The state executive committees, the NEC, and the NWC have the authority to take action against anyone who is threatening the party. Nyesom Wike will face consequences for his anti-party actions, including suspension or expulsion, if we have complete control of the party in Rivers State.

Among the accusations made by the PDP against Wike is that his activities have damaged the party’s reputation. The interim chairman said that Wike’s allegiance now lay with the All Progressives Congress (APC) rather than the PDP, citing his current role as a minister in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet.

You can’t serve two masters, and Wike is part of Tinubu’s administration. His actions have tarnished the PDP’s prestige and undermined it. When the time is right, we will act,” Ewor continued.

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling that Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers had not left the party was also criticized by the PDP.

With the help of an affidavit submitted to the Abuja High Court and their public declaration of defection on the House of Assembly floor, the PDP maintains that the members, including Amaewhule, had already defected to the APC.

“The Supreme Court may have made a legal error,” Ewor said. Amaewhule and the other twenty-six have left the PDP. They had defected prior to the ruling, and we have proof that the APC welcomed them, including the affidavit they provided.

Read Also: Nigerian Ministers, Senators Focus on Me Instead of Work – Bobrisky Reacts

The PDP stated support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his attempts to carry out the Supreme Court’s decision for the good of Rivers State, notwithstanding the lingering conflict.

In the interest of the state, Ewor urged the 27 parliamentarians to change their minds and abide by the decision.

“We applaud Governor Fubara’s dedication to the ruling of the Supreme Court. We implore the 27 lawmakers to follow the governor’s lead and concentrate on what will be best for Rivers State’s citizens,” he stated.

The PDP made one more plea, urging Nyesom Wike to “sheath his sword” and let Rivers State return to peace. Such a step would enable Governor Fubara to focus on governance and give the state the leadership it needs during this crucial period, Ewor underlined.

“We implore Wike to let the peace reign so the governor can concentrate on the state’s progress. Ewor came to the conclusion that this fight is taking attention away from the job that must be done for the benefit of the Rivers people.

Nigerian Ministers, Senators Focus on Me Instead of Work – Bobrisky Reacts

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Nigerian Ministers, Senators Focus on Me Instead of Work – Bobrisky Reacts

Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, is a Nigerian crossdresser who claims he was not aware of his “special” status until Nigerian senators and ministers started talking about him during his 2024 encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bobrisky reportedly revealed this while discussing the betrayals that sent him into exile and his love relationships with national celebrities.
The crossdresser admitted to having intimate relationships with seven Nigerian celebrities in the Snapchat video.

“There are fake people in the country that I will expose,” Bobrisky said when he announced plans to reveal the identities of the celebrities.

Bobrisky went on to say that although Nigeria would never write “female” on his passport, his gender preference is accepted where he is now.

Read Also: “IPOB Urges FG: Release Nnamdi Kanu to End Monday Sit-at-Home”

“I will soon be able to list seven Nigerian celebrities that I have dated,” he claimed. I will soon expose the dishonest people in that nation.

“Until last year, when senators and ministers began talking about me, I had no idea how unique I was.” Consider a minister quitting his job to devote himself to Bobrisky. Do I really matter?

“They would never write “female” on my driver’s license or passport if I lived in Nigeria for a hundred years. I am respected for who I am here, though.

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