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Toyin Saraki Again!Makes History as Nigeria’s First Cannes Lion Judge

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Founder/President Wellbeing Foundation Africa, HE  Mrs Toyin Saraki has made history as she has been appointed Nigeria’s first representative among the famous Cannes Lions Jury.

According to an official release from the organisers of the event, which is regarded as the World Cup of the creative industry, Mrs. Saraki was chosen along with representatives from Georgia, Kenya and Sri Lanka to join the Jury which has representatives from 50 different countries..

Mrs Saraki is to judge works in the Glass: Lion of Change Category which has Madonna Badger, Founder/Chief Creative Officer, Badger & Winters, USAas Jury President. The other members of the pane are: 
Tea Uglow, Creative Director, Google, APAC
Rupen Desai, Vice Chairman for Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Edelman, APACMEA
Judy John, CEO, Canada & Chief Creative Officer, North America, Leo Burnett
Jean Batthany, VP, Creative, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Global
Deidre Smalls-Landau, EVP, Global Chief Cross-Cultural Officer, UM and EVP, Managing Director of IDENTITY, Global
Charlotte Beers, Speaker, Author, Former CEO, Ogilvy & Mather, Global
Toyin Ojora Saraki, Philanthropist, Founder-President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Nigeria
David Guerrero, Creative Chairman, BBDO Guerrero, The Philippines
Rafael Rizuto, Chief Creative Officer – Founder, TBD, USA

ose Papa, Managing Director of Cannes Lions said: “The job of the Cannes Lions jury is to act as the custodians of creativity and celebrate work that demonstrates the value of creativity in all its forms. We are committed to ensuring that our juries include a diverse range of people from across the branded communications ecosystem.”

Last year the Festival announced new Lions with the introduction of a new Awards architecture to better reflect and support the fast-moving creative industries. These Lions include Creative eCommerce Lions, Brand Experience & Activation Lions, Social & influencer Lions, Sustainable Development Goals Lions and the Industry Craft Lions. An overall reduction in the number of categories within individual Lions refined the focus, while new categories were introduced to reflect how creative companies are operating.

“Cannes Lions is now in its 65th year and in that time the industry, and the organisations operating within it, has changed dramatically. These new specialised Lions require a broader range of skills and experience which will ultimately help expand our perspective of creative excellence,” said Terry Savage, Chairman, Cannes Lions. “The Lions are constantly evolving, just as the industry is, and our jury members are fundamental to ensuring that we keep creativity at the core of what we do.”

The 2018 Cannes Lions Awards will be presented at ceremonies taking place each evening throughout the Festival from the 18-22 June.

The 2018 members are:

Brand Experience & Activation Lions
Rob Reilly, Global Creative Chairman, McCann Worldgroup, Global – Jury President 

Guillermo Tragant, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Furia, Argentina
Geert Verdonck , Creative Director, TBWA\Belgium, Belgium
Fernando Guntovitch, Founder/CEO, The Group, Brazil
Nuala Byles, EVP, Executive Creative Director, Geometry, Canada
Martin Vinacur, President and Executive Creative Director, AldeA Santiago, Chile
Vivian Yong, Executive Creative Director, Wieden+Kennedy, China
Radouane Hadj Moussa, Chief Creative Officer, DDB Prague, Czech Republic
Juan Manuel Koenig, Chief Creative Officer, Koenig Communications, Ecuador
Souen Le Van, Creative Director, Buzzman, France
Giorgi Avaliani, Creative Director, Leavingstone, Georgia
Sandra Loibl, Executive Creative Director, Serviceplan, Germany
Josh Mullens, Global EP & Head of Projects, Will O’Rourke Experiential, Global
Beatrice Remy, Managing Director, LORE, Hong Kong
Levente Kovacs, Chief Creative Officer, White Rabbit Budapest, Hungary
Brijesh Jacob, Chief Creative Technologist, DDBMudra Group, India
Shani Gershi, VP Creative, Freelance, Israel
Francesco Bozza, Chief Creative Officer, FCB, Italy
Satoshi Otsuka, Communication Architect/Digital Creative, ADK, Japan
Marialejandra Urbina, Director of Planning and Strategy, MullenLowe Group, LATAM
Yasmina Baz, Regional Creative Director, Leo Burnett, Lebanon
Alexis Ospina, Chief Creative Officer, Y&R, Mexico
Emily Beautrais, Creative Director, Clemenger BBDO, New Zealand
Lanre Adisa, Managing Director & Chief Creative Officer, Noah’s Ark, Nigeria
Ester Hjellum, Senior Art Director and Partner, Try, Norway
Juan Pablo Peschiera, Creative Director, Publicis, Peru
Agnieszka Klimczak, Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson, Poland
Pedro Pires, Founder Partner, Solid Dogma, Portugal
Johanna Santiago, Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson, Puerto Rico
Irina Pencea, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Jazz, Romania
Daniele Pancetti, Executive Creative Director, FCB Moscow, Russia
Primus Nair, Executive Creative Director, BBDO Singapore, Singapore
Matt Ross, Executive Creative Director, King James, South Africa
Victoria Sunmie Lhie, Director of Experience Strategy, Cheil Worldwide, South Korea
Gil Blancafort, CEO and Founder, Yslandia, Spain
Linnea Lofjord, Head of Brand Design, NordDDB, Sweden
Dennis Lueck, Chief Creative Officer, Jung von Matt/Limmat, Switzerland
Satit Jantawiwat, Chief Creative Officer, Cheil, Thailand
Darre Van Dijk, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\Neboko, The Netherlands
Lize Karaboga, Managing Partner, Ultra, Turkey
Juliana Paracencio, Regional Creative Director, Memac Ogilvy & Mather Dubai, UAE
Vicki Maguire, Joint Chief Creative Officer, Grey Global, UK
Shirin Majid, Executive Creative Director, Cake, UK
Tiffany Rolfe, Chief Creative Officer and Partner, Co:collective, USA
Menno Kluin, Chief Creative Officer, 360i, USA

Creative Data Lions
Marc Maleh, Global Director, Havas, Global – Jury President 

Kim Bartkowski, Creative Director, Associate Partner, IBM iX, Australia
Alex Cheng, Vice President, Baidu and Chief Technology Officer, Baidu Search, China
Paola Aldaz, VP Marketing, Mastercard, Colombia
Chloe Hawking, Chief Digital Director, OMG, EMEA
Kim O’Brien, Director, Data Science & Analytics, Publicis.Sapient, Global
Ryota Mochizuki, Managing Director, Accenture Interactive, Japan
Bas Korsten, Creative Partner, J. Walter Thompson Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Sebastian Tomich, SVP, Global Head of Advertising & Marketing Solutions, The New York Times, USA
Amy Avery, Chief Intelligence Officer, Droga5, USA

Creative eCommerce Lions
Nick Law, Global Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Groupe and President of Publicis Communications, Global – Jury President 

Cheelip Ong, Group Chief Creative Officer, 180.ai, Asia
Andrea Siqueira, Executive Creative Director, Isobar, Brazil
Dan Burdett, Senior Director of Marketing Innovation and Head of EMEA Marketing Lab, eBay, EMEA
Minah Kim, Director of User Experience, Cheil Worldwide, Global
Daniel Bonner, Global Chief Creative Officer, Wunderman, Global
Gemma Spence, Head of eCommerce, PHD Media Global Business, Global
Eric Jannon, VP Executive Creative Director, R/GA New York, USA

Creative Effectiveness Lions
Fernando Machado, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Burger King, Global – Jury President 

Paula Lindenberg, Vice President Marketing, AB-Inbev, Brazil
Harjot Singh, Chief Strategy Officer, McCann Worldgroup, EMEA
Jonny Bauer, Global Chief Strategy Officer, Droga5, Global
Michael Houston, Worldwide CEO, Grey Group, Global
Anuraag Trikha, Global Director, Marketing Communications, Heineken, Global
Kristina Duncan, VP Global Marketing Communications Barbie, Mattel, Global
Brent Nelsen, Chief Strategy Officer, Leo Burnett, North America
Jeeyoung Park, SVP, Corporate Communications & Head of Brand Marketing, Hanwha Group, South Korea
Crystal Rix, Chief Strategy Officer, BBDO New York, USA

Design Lions
Johnny Tan, Executive Creative Director, 72andSunny, APAC – Jury President 

Dominic Hofstede, Executive Creative Director, Maud Melbourne, Australia
Giovanni Vannucchi, Partner, Oz Estratégia+Design, Brazil
Vanessa Eckstein, Creative Director/Founder, Blok Design, Canada
Julia Deshayes, Art Director, TBWA\Paris, France
Katrin Oeding, CEO & Creative Director, Studio Oeding, Germany
Thomas Holst Sørensen, Creative Director, Global Design Innovation, LEGO, Global
Greg Quinton, Chief Creative Officer, Superunion, Global
Connie Birdsall, Sr. Partner and Global Creative Director, Lippincott, Global
Lulu Raghavan, Managing Director, Landor, India
Yuri Uenishi, Art Director, Dentsu Inc., Japan
Leonid Feigin, Creative Director, DDVB, Russia
Carola Gerlach, Former Creative Director, FutureBrand, Singapore
Vumile Mavumengwana, Designer, Creative Director, VM DSGN, South Africa
Ali Rez, Regional Creative Director – Middle East and Pakistan, BBDO, UAE

Digital Craft Lions
Jean Lin, Global CEO, Isobar, Global – Jury President 

Saulo Rodrigues, VP, Executive Creative Director, Visual Design, R/GA, Brazil
Sanne Drogtrop, Head of Integrated Production, Wieden+Kennedy Shanghai, China
Madison Wharton, Global Chief Production Officer, Kirshenbaum Bond Senegal & Partners, Global
Cathrine Movold, Service Designer and Digital Product Strategist, Catalyst Business Design, Norway
Jeroen van der Meer, Executive Creative Director, MediaMonks, The Netherlands
Karen Boswell, Head of Innovations, adamandeveDDB, UK
Steve Jelley, Managing Director, Hammerhead VR, UK
Jennifer McBride, Director of Digital & Innovation, J. Walter Thompson, USA
Resh Sidhu, Creative Director, AKQA, USA

Direct Lions
Susan Credle, Global Chief Creative Officer, FCB, Global – Jury President 

Sergio Pollaccia, Chief Creative Officer/CEO, AMEN, Argentina
Jim Ingram, Founder & Chief Creative Tinker, Thinkerbell, Australia
Sophie De Plecker, Creative Director, Leo Burnett, Belgium
Paulo Coelho, Co-President & Chief Creative Officer, DM9DDB, Brazil
Barbara Williams, Executive Creative Director, Track DDB & Tribal Worldwide, Canada
Francisco Cavada, Executive Creative Director, Y&R Santiago, Chile
Daniel Bermudez, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, FANTÁSTICA / BOMBAI, Colombia
Klara Palmer, Group Creative Director, McCann Prague, Czech Republic
Michael Robert, Chief Creative Officer/Co-Founder, ROBERT/BOISEN & Like-minded, Denmark
Luis Campoverde, General Creative Director, Véritas DDB & Tribal Worldwide, Ecuador
Gaëtan du Peloux, Creative Director, Marcel Paris, France
Felix Fenz, Executive Creative Director, Grabarz & Partner, Germany
Gerrit Zinke, Managing Director and Partner, thjnk Hamburg, Germany
Carol Lam, President & Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett, Greater China
Prateek Bhardwaj, National Creative Director, McCann Worldgroup, India
Gina Ridenti, Group Executive Creative Director, TBWA, Italy
Shota Hatanaka, Integrated Campaign Director, Hakuhodo Kettle, Japan
Paola Mounla, Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson, Lebanon
Rocío Cuadra, Vice President Creative, Only If, Mexico
Lisa Fedyszyn, Group Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather, New Zealand
Alexander Gjersøe, Creative Director & Partner, SMFB Oslo, Norway
Juan Carlos Gomez De La Torre, President, Chief Creative Officer, Circus Grey, Peru
Tomás Froes, Founder & Owner, MSTF Partners, Portugal
Sebastian Olar, Co-Creative Director, MAINSTAGE THE AGENCY, Romania
Polina Maguire, Creative Director, Havas, Russia
Lizi Hamer, Regional Creative Director, Octagon, Singapore
Neo Segola, Creative Director, FCB, South Africa
Kiyoung Kim, Executive Creative Director, Innocean Worldwide, South Korea
Anthony Chelvanathan, Group Creative Director, Leo Burnett, Sri Lanka
Karin Frisell, Senior Creative, Forsman & Bodenfors, Sweden
Sandra Genge, Managing Partner, Creative Strategy, FOUR Werbeagentur AG, Switzerland
Subun Khow, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu One (Bangkok), Thailand
Kalle Hellzen, Executive Creative Director, 180 Kingsday, The Netherlands
Can Faga, Executive Creative Director, Publicis Istanbul, Turkey
Kapil Bhimekar, Associate Creative Director, Y&R Dubai, UAE
Victoria Fox, CEO, LIDA, UK
Katrina Encanto, Creative Director, MullenLowe London, UK
Corinna Falusi, Chief Creative Officer & Partner, Mother NY, USA
Alfonso Marian, Co-Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy & Mather, USA
Chacho Puebla, Chief Creative Officer & Friend, MullenLowe, Western Europe & LATAM

Entertainment Lions
Debbi Vandeven, Global Chief Creative Officer, VML, Global – Jury President 

Claudia Cristovao, Head of Brand Studio, Google, APAC
Lisa Buchan, Director, Lisa Buchan Consultancy, EMEA
Alexandra Ouzilleau, Global Head of Entertainment Partnerships, Havas Group, France
Alexandre Tan, VP Advertising & Brand Partnerships, Gameloft, France
Nils Rottsahl, Head of Edelman.ergo STUDIOS & Executive Producer, Edelman.ergo, Germany
Andre Llewellyn, Global Brand Strategy, Instagram, Global
Rafael Lazarini, Senior Vice President, Head of Business Development, Live Nation Entertainment, LATAM
Walid Kanaan, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\RAAD, MENA
Reed Collins, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy & Mather, North Asia
Miguel Bemfica, Chief Creative Officer, MRM McCann, Spain
Alice Chou, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Taiwan
Bas Verhart, Founder, THNK School of Creative Leadership and DFFRNT Media, The Netherlands
Luke Southern, Managing Director, DRUM, UK
Jez Nelson, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, Somethin’ Else, UK
Kristin Greene, Co-Founder/Principal, Flashpoint PR, USA
Elizabeth Lindsey, Managing Partner, Wasserman, USA
Ari Halper, Chief Creative Officer, FCB New York, USA
Rebecca Skinner, Managing Director / Executive Producer, Superprime Films, USA
Amy Emmerich, Chief Content Officer, Refinery29, USA

Film Lions
Luiz Sanches, Partner & Chief Creative Officer, AlmapBBDO, Brazil – Jury President 

Laura Visco, Creative Director, 72andSunny Amsterdam, Argentina
Jen Speirs, Deputy Executive Creative Director, BMF, Australia
Laura Esteves, Creative Director, Y&R, Brazil Helen Pak, Chief Creative Officer, Grey Group Canada and President, Grey Toronto, Canada
Thomas Hoffmann, Creative Director and Owner, & Co., Denmark
Steffen Bärenfänger, Executive Creative Director, Mackevision, Germany
Fred Levron, Worldwide Creative Partner, FCB, Global
Senthil Kumar, Chief Creative Officer, J. Walter Thompson, India
Stefania Siani, Executive Creative Director, DLV BBDO, Italy
Takayuki Niizawa, Senior Creative Director, TBWA\Hakuhodo, Japan
Ariel Soto, VP & Chief Creative Officer, BBDO, Mexico
Koh Hwee Peng, Creative Partner, Blak Labs, Singapore
George Low, Creative Director, TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris JHB , South Africa
Isahac Oliver, Executive Creative Director, &Rosàs, Spain
Gustav Egerstedt, Executive Creative Director, Saatchi & Saatchi, Sweden
Asawin Phanichwatana, Executive Creative Director, GREYnJ UNITED, Thailand
Jessica Kersten, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Cloudfactory, The Netherlands
Valentine Freeman, Creative Director and Filmmaker, Other Animals, Inc., USA
Sally-Ann Dale, Chief Creation Officer, Droga5, USA

Film Craft Lions
Diane McArter, Founder & President, Furlined, Global – Jury President 

Colin Renshaw, VFX Supervisor, Company Director, Alt.vfx, Australia
Alberto Lopes, Partner & Executive Producer, Vetor Zero, Brazil
Vibeke Nannerup, Founder & CEO, Liquidminds, Denmark
Dushan Drakalski, Chief Creative Officer, Y&R Productions, Europe
Masato Kosukegawa, Creative Director, Shiseido, Japan
Nick Bailey, Chairman, Independent, The Netherlands
James Bland, Partner, Blink, UK
Diane Jackson, Chief Production Officer, DDB Chicago, USA
Oliver Fuselier, Managing Partner, Tool of North America, USA
Gayle McCormick, Executive Producer, Ogilvy & Mather, USA

Glass: The Lion for Change
Madonna Badger, Founder/Chief Creative Officer, Badger & Winters, USA – Jury President 

Tea Uglow, Creative Director, Google, APAC
Rupen Desai, Vice Chairman for Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Edelman, APACMEA
Judy John, CEO, Canada & Chief Creative Officer, North America, Leo Burnett
Jean Batthany, VP, Creative, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Global
Deidre Smalls-Landau, EVP, Global Chief Cross-Cultural Officer, UM and EVP, Managing Director of IDENTITY, Global
Charlotte Beers, Speaker, Author, Former CEO, Ogilvy & Mather, Global
Toyin Ojora Saraki, Philanthropist, Founder-President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Nigeria
David Guerrero, Creative Chairman, BBDO Guerrero, The Philippines
Rafael Rizuto, Chief Creative Officer – Founder, TBD, USA

Health & Wellness Lions
R.John Fidelino, Executive Creative Director, InterbrandHealth, Global – Jury President 

Carol Ong, President, Bebebalm, Asia
Cherie Davies, Creative Director, Sudler & Hennessey, Australia
Bruno Abner Rebelo, Creative Director, McCann Health, Brazil
Andre Hansen, Creative Director, Anthill Agency, Denmark
Orla Burke, Partner, EMEA Healthcare co-Lead, FleishmanHillard, EMEA
Tom Richards, Chief Creative Office, Havas Lynx, Europe
Alok Gadkar, General Manager & Executive Creative Director, The Classic Partnership, UAE
Melissa de Lusignan, Group Creative Director, The Hive Group, UK
Stephanie Berman, Former Partner & Chief Creative Officer, The Bloc, USA
Collette Douaihy, EVP, Executive Creative Director, Digitas Health, USA

Industry Craft Lions
Yang Yeo, Creative Kaiju , Hakuhodo Inc., APAC – Jury President 

Alessandra Sadock, Creative Director, Artplan, Brazil
Kaz Tsuburaku, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Shanghai, China
Tereza Sverakova, Chief Creative Officer, Y&R Prague, Czech Republic
Abbie Walsh, Group Director, Fjord, EALA
Cristiana Boccassini, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Italy, Italy
Osborne Macharia, Owner & Photographer, K63 Studio, Kenya
Oskar Lübeck, Founder & Executive Creative Director, Bold, Sweden
Susan Young, EVP, Executive Creative Director, McCann New York, USA
Alvar Suñol, Co-President & Chief Creative Officer, ALMA DDB, USA

Innovation Lions
Tor Myhren, VP Marketing Communications, Apple, Global – Jury President 

Eco Moliterno, Chief Creative Officer, Accenture Interactive, Brazil
Bessie Lee, Founder & CEO, Withinlink, China
Frederic Josue, Director of 18 (Havas X) and Global Executive Advisor, Havas, Global
Tessa Conrad, Global Director of Operations, TBWA & DAN Worldwide, Global
Perry Nightingale, Executive Creative Technologist, Grey Global, Global
Eran Gefen, Founder, Gefen Team – Innovation Agency, Israel
Johan Pihl, Creative Director, Great Works, Sweden
Thecla Schaeffer, Chief Marketing Officer, G-Star, The Netherlands
Tracey Follows, Head of Strategy, Wired Consulting, WIRED, UK

Media Lions
Tim Castree, Global CEO, Wavemaker, Global – Jury President 

Martin Guirado, President, IPG Mediabrands, Argentina
Fiona Johnston, CEO, UM, Australia
Sophie Van Laer, Strategy Director, Initiative, Belgium
Cesar Toledo, Media VP, Tribal Worldwide, Brazil
Alain Desormiers, CEO, PHD and Touché!, Canada
Amrita Randhawa, CEO Asia Pacific & Executive Chair, Mindshare, China
Javier Urbaneja, Chief Creative Officer, Havas Tribu, Costa Rica
Stine Halberg, CEO, Publicis Media, Denmark
Hernando Eslava, Chief Executive Media Agencies, Peña Defilló Group, Dominican Republic
Neil Hurman, Chief Advisory Officer, OMD, EMEA
Chris Skinner, President, UM, EMEA
Andreas Bahr, Founder and Member of the Board, Fluent AG, Europe
Severine Six, CEO, All Response Media, France
Tino Krause, CEO, Mediacom, Germany
Greg James, Global Chief Strategy Officer, Havas Media Group, Global
Izzy Hedges, EVP, International Media, Vizeum, Global
Nigel Conway, Head of Global Media, Nestle, Global
Rajni Menon, CEO, Carat, India
Ran Bar- On, CEO & Partner, Mediacom, Israel
Chiara Tescari, Managing Partner, OMD, Italy
Sanshiro Shimada, General Manager, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, Japan
Lina Rivero, Strategy & Innovation Director, Havas, LATAM
Ravi Rao, CEO, Mindshare, MENA
Marta Ruiz-Cuevas, CEO, Publicis Media, Mexico
Nigel Douglas, CEO, OMD, New Zealand
Marie-Louise Alvær, Managing Director, PHD, Norway
Patrick Van Ginhoven, CEO, OMG, Peru
Dana Bulat, General Manager, United Media Services, Romania
Natalia Kiryanova, CEO, Wavemaker, Russia
Wayne Bishop, Managing Director, PHD, South Africa
Ester Garcia Cosin, General Manager, Havas Media Group, Spain
Niclas Fröberg, Chairman & Founder, Tre Kronor Media, Sweden
Nannette Passberg, Account Director, Carat, Switzerland
Pathamawan Sathaporn, Managing Director, Mindshare, Thailand
Danielle Pak, Head of Comms & Digital Strategy, Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tolga Uner, CEO, Mediacom, Turkey
Amy Armstrong, CEO, Initiative, USA
Diana Bojaj, EVP, Managing Partner, Global Connections Planning, UM/J3 , USA
Kendra Hatcher King, VP, Strategy and Consulting, South Region Lead, SapientRazorfish, USA

Mobile Lions
Jay Morgan, Innovations Director, The Monkeys, Australia – Jury President 

Fabio Simoes, Executive Creative Director & Digital Creative Director, FCB , Brazil
Fura Johannesdottir, VP Executive Creative Director, Publicis.Sapient, EMEA
Aurélie de Villeneuve, Executive Creative Director, 5emeGauche Herezie Group, France
Oliver Drost, Chief Creative Officer, deepblue networks, Germany
Andrew Keller, Global Creative Director, Facebook Creative Shop, Global
Flavio Fabbri, Digital Chief Creative Officer, Armando Testa Group, Italy
Kyoko Yonezawa, Creative Technologist, Dentsu Inc., Japan
Harsh Kapadia, Executive Creative Director, VML, UK
Ari Weiss, Chief Creative Officer NA, DDB Worldwide, USA

Entertainment Lions for Music
Lori Feldman, EVP Strategic Marketing, Warner Bros. Records, USA – Jury President 

Kito Siqueira, Music & Sound Producer, Satellite Audio, Brazil
Jeannette Perez, President of Global Synch & Brand Partnerships, Kobalt | AWAL, Global
Jackie Jantos, Vice President, Brand & Creative, Spotify, Global
Leo Premutico, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Johannes Leonardo, Global
Sander van Maarschalkerweerd, Founding Partner & CEO, Sizzer Group, The Netherlands
Mike O’Keefe, VP 4th Floor Creative, Sony Music , UK
Jocelyn Brown, Executive Producer, Squeak E Clean Productions, USA
Joel Simon, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, JSM Music, USA

Outdoor Lions
Chris Garbutt, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA, Global – Jury President 

Mariana Borga, Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson, Brazil
Stephan Vogel, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy & Mather, EMEA
Jean-François Sacco, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, Rosapark, France
Jayanta Jenkins, Global Group Creative Director, Twitter, Global
Pallavi Chakravarti, Executive Creative Director, Taproot Dentsu, India
Daniel Kee, Executive Creative Director, MullenLowe, Singapore
Damisa Ongsiriwattana, Co-Founder/ Executive Creative Director, SOUR Bangkok, Thailand
Erica Hoholick, President, phenomenon, USA

Pharma Lions
Rich Levy, Chief Creative Officer, FCB Health, Global – Jury President 

Shefali Srinivas, VP, Health Lead, Asia Pacific, WE Communications, APAC
Patrick Ackmann, Executive Creative Director, WEFRA, Germany
Oliver Caporn, Worldwide Creative Director and Executive Director, CDM London, Global
Renata Florio, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy Health and Wellness, Global
Lyndon Louis, Senior Creative Director, Havas Live Sorento, India
Paola Figueroa, Creative VP, Made, Mexico
John Scott, Creative Director, Ward6, Singapore
Victoria McGee, Associate Creative Director, Langland, UK
Carolyn O’Neill, Chief Creative Officer, Centron NY, USA

PR Lions
Stuart Smith, Global CEO, Ogilvy PR, Global – Jury President 

Cassandra Cheong, Founder, Accenzvision, APAC
Damian Martinez Lahitou, CEO, Feedback PR, Argentina
Aden Ridgeway, Partner, Cox Inall Ridgeway, Australia
Patricia Bartuira, Director, FleishmanHillard, Brazil
Mia Pearson, CEO, MSL, Canada
Darren Burns, President, China, and Chair, Creativity & Innovation, Asia Pacific, Weber Shandwick
Andres Ortiz, Senior Partner, Dattis, Colombia
Anders Sigsgaard-Rasmussen, Head of Insight, Radius Kommunication, Denmark
Arnaud Pochebonne, General Manager, Weber Shandwick, France
Mirko Kaminski, CEO, achtung!, Germany
Lesley Sillaman, Senior Vice President, Havas PR, Global
Cecile Nathan-Tilloy, Managing Director – Global Client Relationship, Edelman Intelligence, Global
Alan VanderMolen, President International, WE Communications, Global
Valerie Pinto, CEO, Weber Shandwick, India
Ishteyaque Amjad, Public Affairs & Communications, Coca-Cola, India & South West Asia
Elisabeth Leriche, Advertising, Digital & CRM Manager, Renault, Italy
Tetsuji Hirose, Executive Officer, Dentsu Inc., Japan
Adriana Valladares, CEO, Burson Marsteller, Mexico
Gina McKinnon, General Manager, Fuse, New Zealand
Sindre Beyer, Head of PR and Content Marketing, Try, Norway
Agnieszka Bacińska, CEO, Walk PR, Poland
José Franco, Founder & CEO, Corpcom, Portugal
Andreea Grigorean, PR Officer, Publicis, Romania
Alexander Chernov, Board Member, SVP, Skolkovo Foundation, Russia
Ee Rong Chong, Group Managing Director, Ogilvy, Singapore
Michelle Tham, Managing Director, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Singapore and Malaysia
Higinio Martínez, CEO, Omnicom PR Group, Spain and Portugal
Mattias Ronge, Chairman, Creative Strategist, Edelman Deportivo, Sweden
David Schärer, Partner, Rod Kommunikation, Switzerland
Sorada Sonprasit, CEO, Brilliant & Million, Thailand
Wendeline Sassen, Strategy Director, Havas Lemz, The Netherlands
Ann Maes, Head of Influence, Ogilvy Amsterdam and Managing Director, Ogilvy Public Relations, The Netherlands and Belgium
Gizem Kececi, Director of Corporate Communications, Siemens, Turkey
Alex Malouf, Corporate Communications Manager, Arabian Peninsula, Procter & Gamble, UAE
Candace Kuss, Director of Social Media, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, UK
Ruth Yearley, Partner, Director of Insight and Strategy, Ketchum PR, UK
Denise Kaufmann, Partner, Director Client Development, North America, Ketchum, USA
Jaclyn Ruelle, SVP, Group Account Director, MullenLowe PR, USA
Tonya Veasey, President & CEO, OCGPR, USA

Print & Publishing Lions
Kate Stanners, Chairwoman & Global Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi, Global – Jury President 

Rodolfo Sampaio, Creative Partner, Moma Propaganda, Brazil
Jaime Mandelbaum, Chief Creative Officer, Y&R, Europe
Diego Medvedocky, Chief Creative Officer, Grey Group, LATAM
Marta Lluciá, Executive Creative Director, McCann Worldgroup, Spain
Livio Dainese, Chief Creative Officer & Co-CEO, Wirz BBDO, Switzerland
Leigh Reyes, President & Chief Creative Officer, MullenLowe, The Philippines
Rosie Arnold, Creative Partner & Head of Art, AMV BBDO, UK
Justine Armour, Executive Creative Director, 72andSunny NYC, USA

Product Design Lions
Asif Khan, Architect, Asif Khan Ltd, Global – Jury President 

Christiane Bausback, Managing Director + Head of Design, N+P Industrial Design, Germany
Jeremy Lindley, Global Design Director, Diageo, Global
Darshan Gandhi , Head of Design, Godrej Consumer Products, India
Raffaella Citterio, Head of Experience, Interbrand, Italy
Naoki Ono, Copywriter/Product Designer, Hakuhodo, Japan
Per Ivar Selvaag, Principal, Montaag, Norway
Alex Hulme, Director, Map Project Office, UK
Victoria Slaker, VP, Industrial Design, Ammunition, USA
Rei Inamoto, Founding Partner, Inamoto & Co, USA

Radio & Audio Lions
Jo McCrostie, Creative Director, Global, UK – Jury President 

Alvaro Rodrigues, Chief Creative Officer & CEO, Fullpack, Brazil
Jenny Smith, President / Creative Director, Ray, Canada
Matthias Storath, MD, Executive Creative Director, Heimat, Germany
Kerry Keenan, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Never The Less, Global
Toby Talbot, Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi, New Zealand
Hugo Delgado, General Director, Grupo RPP, Peru
Molefi Thulo, Creative Director, Ogilvy JHB, South Africa
Blanca Gomara, Executive Creative Director, Dimensión, Spain
Jill Kershaw, CEO, Executive Creative Director, Sound & Fury, USA

Sustainable Development Goals Lions
Mark Tutssel, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett Worldwide, Global – Jury President 

Akae Wang, Executive Creative Director, Tencent, China
Jean-Charles Caboche, Managing Director, BETC, France
Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division (Judging in Personal Capacity), United Nations, Global
Claudia Romo Edelman, Chair, We Are All Human Foundation and Co-Host, Global GoalsCast, Global
Kash Sree, Executive Creative Director, gyro, Global
Ariana Stolarz, Global Chief Strategy Officer, MRM//McCann, Global
Eduardo Maruri, President & CEO, Grey Latam, President & CCO Maruri Grey, LATAM
Gustavo Lauria, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, We Believers, USA
Tina Allan, EVP Director of Data Solutions, BBDO New York, USA

Social & Influencer Lions
Mark D’Arcy, VP, Chief Creative Officer, Facebook, Global – Jury President 

Mônica Salgado, Journalist, Influencer, TV Presenter, Mônica Salgado, Brazil
Lennie Stern, Head of Creative and Entertainment Strategies, BETC, France
Ralf Osteroth, Senior VP Marketing & Sales, Studio71, Germany
Eric Edge, Head of Global Marketing Communications, Pinterest, Global
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Tinubu’s Fatal Blow on Rivers State

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By Eric Elezuo

When in the 19th century, celebrated writer Lord Acton, made the oft-quoted statement that “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” he had no reference to the Nigerian government of today, which has suddenly become a law unto itself, maneuvering and arrogating judicial precedents and justice system to suit its whimps and caprices.

Many has called it power intoxication while others declare it as judicial malady, but the fact remains that Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, had wielded a big stick, albeit unconstitutionally according to many high profile respondents, to deal a fatal blow on the elected representatives of the Rivers State government, and its legislative body.

Mr. President had on March 18, 2025, during a nationwide broadcast, and contrary to expectations, declared a state of emergency on the oil-rich state, going ahead to suspend the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the 31 elected members of the legislature. In the broadcast, the president stated that the emergency rule will last for an initial six months followed by a review which will determine either an extension of the rule or its termination. He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s Sole Administrator.

The president’s statement, which has been declared a fatal blow on democracy, and both unconstitutional and undemocratic, by a section of Nigerians, but a peace stroke by yet another section, has elicited reactions from the length and breadth of the nation majority of which borders on condemnations, rather than approval.

The sledgehammer reaction was a consequence of an 18 months fracas between between the Governor, Fubara, and his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of the state, and currently Tinubu’s minister, in charge of the Federal Capital Territory. Both has been locked in battle for the soul of the state treasury, as alleged by observers, and the party structure. The battle has brought both parties to their wits’ end where interventions from well meaning Nigerians, including Tinubu himself failed to assuage the grievances of each contending party. But Tinubu’s March 18th statement put a stop to all contentions, albeit at the moment

The statement reads in full:

Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis.

With the crisis persisting, there is no way democratic governance, which we have all fought and worked for over the years, can thrive in a way that will redound to the benefit of the good people of the state. The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy.

Also, it is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis. I am also aware that many well-meaning Nigerians, Leaders of thought and Patriotic groups have also intervened at various times with the best of intentions to resolve the matter, but all their efforts were also to no avail. Still, I thank them.

On February 28, 2025, the supreme court, in a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in very clear terms:

“a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.”

The above pronouncement came after a catalogue of judicial findings of constitutional breaches against the Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Going Forward in their judgment, and having found and held that 27 members of the House who had allegedly defected

“are still valid members of Rivers State House of Assembly and cannot be prevented from participating in the proceedings of that House by the 8th Respondent (that is, the Governor) in cohorts with four members”

The Supreme Court then made some orders to restore the state to immediate constitutional democracy. These orders include the immediate passing of an Appropriation Bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly which up till now has not been facilitated.

Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now NOT disowned them.

Apart from that both the House and the governor have not been able to work together.

Both of them do not realise that they are in office to work together for the peace and good governance of the state.

The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.

With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.

In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.

By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.

In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.

The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.

This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

Long live a united, peaceful, secure and democratic Rivers State in particular and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a whole.

But the reactions that followed the speech have fallen with the ranks of disdain and condemnation with the president’s loyalists stepping out to defend the ‘brazen’ declaration.

In his defence of Tinubu’s emergency rule, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, on his advice the emergency law came into effect said unequivocally that everything the president said in the statement is the fact, adding that the declaration saved Fubara, who he completely blamed for the crises in the state, from imminent impeachment. He exonerated the FCT Minister of any wrongdoing while alleging that Fubara teleguided militants, who he claimed blew up oil pipeline in the wake of an impeachment notice by the pro-Nyesom Wike House of Assembly. These men, 27 in number, led by Hon Martins Amaewhule, literally took instructions from the former governor.

BACKGROUND OF THE CRISES

The Vanguard reports that for fear of trading off his structure since all his opponents whom he drove to Abuja as governor, had returned, and were frolicking with Governor Fubara, Wike insisted on having all the commissioners and other key appointees nominated by him. He nominated 14 of the commissioners while mandating Fubara to nominate only one.

A source told The Vanguard that trouble heightened when Fubara forwarded two nominees to the House of Assembly with Rt. Hon Amaewhule as Speaker for screening. Wike was immediately informed and a war of words started.

The Commissioners, according to the source never “respected the governor”, to the extent the governor could not make approval exceeding N30million without “authorization from Abuja”.

Vanguard wrote, “Unbearably frustrated, Fubara told those who could listen to him that rather than tolerate such despicability, he would resign as governor. Several nocturnal meetings were held to save the embarrassing situation both in Nigeria and outside the country. It only went from bad to worse.

“The cloud of war became thickened when on October 29, 2023, the Dome edifice of the House of Assembly on Moscow road was riddled with dynamite. And the next day, October 30th the complex was mercilessly demolished on the allegation that it had some “structural defects”.

The governor, steadily gathering support across the state and the country, became more emboldened so that when he got wind of a possible impeachment process, he stormed the Assembly very early in the morning in pretense of supervising bulldozers. This stalled the activities of the Wike-lawmakers, and gained more grounds for Fubara. Wike was losing on a fast lane. And so to further frustrate Fubara’s government, he instigated his loyal commissioners to resign, and they did in droves, while Wike sought presidential/federal assistance, prompting Tinubu to broker a peace deal. The deal though signed by both gladiators, was later discovered to be lopsided, and counterproductive to Fubara, and favored Wike. It wasn’t long before the agreement was jettisoned, and the gladiators returned to the trenches, but it dawned on Fubara that he was surrounded by disloyal staff even as his cabinet of commissioners was depleted. So he withdrew Dr. Edison Ehie who by then had become the Speaker of the House of Assembly and made him his Chief of staff, thereby sealing the gap through which government sensitive information was leaked to Wike. Ehie was replaced as a speaker in the House by Rt. Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo with only three men to form a new House, as the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike officially defected to the APC. The lawmakers in December, 2023, factional chairman of the APC, Chief Tony Okocha, Abdulkarim Kana the Legal adviser, and other national leaders of the APC officially received them at the Port Harcourt Polo Club. These situations were since denied by all those involved, and sadly supported by the Supreme Court.

At this time, it became the House of Assembly, string-pulled by Wike, against Fubara. While the 27 lawmakers continued to make laws against Fubara and his administration, Fubara only recognised and functioned with the 4-man legislature of Oko-Jumbo. This was until the Supreme Court presented its surprising verdict.

“That Supreme Court judgment look like what Wike and his cohorts wrote,” a Rivers stakeholder said.

But that was the beginning of additional crisis as the House gave the governor 48 hours to represent the 2025 budget. But the governor appeared later after the 48-hour ultimatum, but was locked out of the premises by the lawmakers. Then the forth and back continued, resulting in the House issuing a notice of impeachment after accusing the governor of gross misconduct.

Then Tinubu struck – suspended the elected gladiators in a state of emergency broadcast, but sparing Wike, who was exonerated.

NASS ENDORSES TINUBU’S EMERGENCY RULE DECLARATION 

But contrary to expectations, the Senator Godswill Akpabio and Hon Tajudeen Abass-led National Assembly hurriedly endorsed the declaration via a voice vote. This, according to stakeholders, is contrary to constitutional provisions, where two-third majority votes are required to approve the emergency rule.

“These people just took Nigerians for a ride. Why voice vote? Is that the constitutional provision?” A concerned citizen queried.

Nigerians have insinuated that that Senators were induced with $15,000 while members of the House Representatives received $5000 to lend support to the unpopular declaration. The National Assembly has since denied the allegations.

But the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in its reaction, among many reactions, said in part, “Instead of safeguarding democracy and the rule of law, the National Assembly has chosen to passively endorse an unconstitutional overreach of executive power, thereby weakening the checks and balances that are essential to our democratic system. The decision to do this via voice vote, when section 305 (6)(b) of the Constitution clearly requires that the proclamation of a State of Emergency by the President must be supported by two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly, is a travesty and flies in the face of constitutionality, legality and good reasoning.”

WELL MEANING NIGERIANS KICK

Following the emergency rule declaration, Nigerians from all walks of life have risen in unison to condemn the act, describing it as a brazen show of power.

Among the early individuals to called to question Tinubu’s emergency rule declaration were a former Vice President and presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, former Governor of Anambra State, and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof Wole Soyinka, Dele Farotimi, Chief Dele Momodu among others. They described the effort as political manipulation, where the president stylishly seeks the corner the resources of Rivers State for personal aggrandizement, and in view of the 2027 general election.

Also, a coalition of civil society organisations in Nigeria condemned the declaration of emergency, describing it as a threat to democracy and an unjustifiable overreach of executive power.

Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Christian Onyegbule, representative of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), read the coalition’s statement, rejecting the emergency rule and demanding its immediate reversal.

As at today, Tinubu’s declaration has the force of law as the National Assembly has given approval, and have it in Gazette, though many organisations including SERAP has gone to court to seek a reversal and maybe a punishment for the president for overreaching the Constitution.

“The Supreme Court cannot do less than they did at the Election Petitions trial or at the Rivers State judgment. The truth is Tinubu’s blow has come to stay, and may be unleashed on more states in the near future. Osun State, where his nephew, Gboyega Oyetola, is having a running battle with Governor Ademola Adeleke, may be the next in the line of target.

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Tambuwal, Abaribe Joined Me to Oppose Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration – Dickson

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By Eric Elezuo

The senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, has named Senators Aminu Tambuwal and Enyinnaya Abaribe among a few others, who stood with him to oppose the unconstitutionality of the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the members of the House of Assembly.

The senator, in a statement, also revealed the reasons he walked out of the red chamber on Thursday following a heated argument regarding the approval of the State of Emergency in Rivers State.

In the statement, Dickson, who already told as many that cares to listen before the sitting that he will never support the emergency rule on the floor of the senate, met a brick wall in the visibly angry senate president, Godswill Akpabio, who he claimed tried to deny him his freedom to express himself, resulting in the heated argument that ensued.

The senator noted that when it was obvious that the red chamber was bent on validating the President’s emergency rule, he staged a walkout from the senate, saying he wouldn’t want to be present when the report of what he opposed is read.

Dickson’s detailed analysis of what transpired is presented below:

SENATOR SERIAKE DICKSON GIVES DETAILED UPDATE ON WHAT TRANSPIRED TODAY

Today at the sitting of the Senate, the issue of the President’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State came up for discussion and as I have stated repeatedly, I raised my objections in the closed session on how the declaration fell short of constitutional prescription, based on my view as a Democrat, sworn to uphold the Nigerian constitution.

The Senate did not undertake the debate in an open session however, it was quite robust. I want to thank Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for his strong support of the unconstitutionality of the declaration, especially the aspect that deals with the suspension of the elected officials of the Rivers State government.

At the end of the day, majority of the senators supported the proclamation as no room was given for an open debate at plenary. I left the plenary before the Senate President was directed to report the outcome because I didn’t want to be present while what I opposed is being reported. I believe Senator Tambuwal, Senator Abaribe and others equally left too.

I want to make it clear that as I stated repeatedly, I spoke and voted against the proclamation in our closed session, supported by Senator Aminu Tambuwal and a few other senators who were not recognized to speak.

And so I want to thank all the senators who shared the view that I vigorously canvassed.

I am however aware of the efforts made to modify the declaration as a result of the concerns and views we have expressed and canvassed the past few days. Though I acknowledge the effort being made by the leadership and President to moderate the terms of the declaration and to create a mechanism for oversight, theoretically this does not counter the primary issue of constitutionality.

The beauty of democracy is such that the minority will have their say while the majority their way. I would have wished for a more robust and open debate so that all views and opinions can be openly canvassed as I requested even at the closed session specifically and thereafter, the majority can have their way but as it is, both chambers have decided and the ball is now on the court of the other arms of government, especially the judiciary, in the event of any challenge.

My attention has also been drawn to a viral video showing parts of the unfortunate exchanges between the Senate President and I before we desolved to the closed session.

As I said on the floor, the Senate President was very unfair to me by trying to censor my freedom of expression and by deliberately misrepresenting the import of what I said in the broadcast yesterday which was the same thing I said on the floor today. It is my opposition in principle to the declaration of a state of emergency, as well as the suspension of elected officials.

I thank all those who have called to commend my composure under unnecessary and unexpected attempt at intimidation. Everyone, including the Senate President, knows I have long gone beyond that stage in my life.

The Senate as I said is a meeting of equals and everyone should be respected just as we accord respect to the Chair. No senator needs the permission of the senate president to express an opinion in an interview on a topical matter of national interest that is in the public domain.

I intend to meet the Senate President to formally express my displeasure, to prevent a reoccurrence.

I thank my constituents, Nigerians and all people of goodwill who have called to express solidarity and urge them not to be dismayed at the direction our democracy appears to have taken.

For someone like me who has been in trenches over the years, all these challenges are actually a call to duty and I therefore implore all people of goodwill to come together and ensure that participatory democracy is promoted in our country.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Rivers State.”

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers, sacking all elected officers, and appointing a Sole Administrator, in the person retired former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, for an initial period of six months.

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For Condemning Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers, Presidency Dismisses Atiku, Peter Obi, Amaechi, Others As Disgruntled Politicians

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The Presidency, on Thursday, described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, the former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi as disgruntled politicians that don’t have the interest of the masses at heart.

Reacting to the recent regrouping of some politicians including the former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, who reportedly formed a coalition against President Bola Tinubu in 2027, the Presidency described them as “a frustrated lot”.”

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu is focused on governance to build a prosperous country.

According to him: “He (Tinubu) is on the way to achieving this. Two months to his midterm, he has many solid achievements to showcase. Intractable problems are being tackled headlong.

“He cannot be distracted by the so-called coalition of politicians. They are not politicians after the public Good. It’s all about their self-interest.

“They are disgruntled. They are a frustrated lot. The leaders are sore losers. The coalition is an amalgam of Tinubu haters. Their agenda is to stop Tinubu.”

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