Headline

Bode George Warns Against Extension of Rivers Emergency Rule Beyond Sept 18

Published

4 months ago

August 29, 2025

Eric

A former Deputy National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned President Bola Tinubu against extending the emergency rule declared in Rivers State beyond September 18, 2025, arguing that doing so could spark unrest.

President Tinubu declared the emergency rule on March 18, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara for six months following a protracted political conflict between him and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The crisis had split the State House of Assembly, with lawmakers moving to impeach the governor.

Speaking on “Frontline,” a political programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, the PDP chieftain described the declaration of emergency rule as unnecessary and likened it to the Western Region crisis that led to the “Wetie” uprising and, eventually, the Civil War.

“We have refused to learn from history. Even the basis for declaring a state of emergency was not in conformity with the law. Was there violence in Port Harcourt, Bonny, or Ekwerre land? None. They said there was an explosion, but who saw it? Who died? The governor was calm, and the people of Rivers did not resort to violence. So why impose an emergency rule? Like Fela sang: ‘trouble dey sleep, yanga go wake am,’” he said.

George also cautioned the state’s administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), to exercise restraint in his actions, warning that he would be held accountable after leaving office.

“How can a non-elected person conduct local government elections or set up boards? You are just there like a spare tyre, a standby generator. My advice to him is to tread softly. This is civil rule, not military rule,” George said.

On the possibility of extending the emergency rule, the former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South) was emphatic: “Never! The people will not accept it because they are being shortchanged. They elected their governor. The administrator should just leave when the time is up. There will always be a day after governance, and how you are remembered matters.”

George, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, insisted that prolonging emergency rule would deepen distrust and create avoidable political turmoil in the State.

Headline

Mike Adenuga, Emmanuel Macron Hold High-Powered Meeting in Paris

Published

18 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Eric

Accomplished billionaire businessman and Commander of the French Légion d’Honneur, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON, CdrLH, has held a private meeting with the French President, Emmanuel Macron.

The two powerful citizens of the world held the meeting on Wednesday at the historic Élysée Palace in Paris.

The high-level engagement underscores the longstanding relationship between Dr. Adenuga and the French Republic, as well as his continued relevance in global business and diplomatic circles.

A respected industrialist and philanthropist, Adenuga has been widely acknowledged for his contributions to economic development, telecommunications, energy, and humanitarian causes across Africa and beyond.

The meeting adds to Dr. Adenuga’s growing profile as a bridge between African enterprise and international leadership.

Headline

Free at Last: Burkina Faso Releases 11 Nigerian Soldiers, Aircraft

Published

19 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Eric

Burkina Faso has released Nigerian soldiers who were detained after their aircraft made a forced landing in the Sahelian country earlier this month, Nigerian officials said.

The release followed a diplomatic intervention by President Bola Tinubu, who dispatched a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to meet Burkina Faso’s Military Leader, Ibrahim Traoré, on Wednesday.

In a statement, Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar’s spokesperson, said both sides resolved the matter amicably and secured the release of the Nigerian Air Force pilots and crew.

The soldiers had been held for nearly two weeks after the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) described the aircraft’s landing as an “unfriendly act” carried out in defiance of international law.

The Nigerian Air Force, however, said the crew encountered a technical issue that required a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, the nearest available airfield. It said the landing complied with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols.

Headline

Corruption Allegations: NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Meets Tinubu, Resigns

Published

1 day ago

December 17, 2025

Eric

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has resigned following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu amid corruption allegations.

Tinubu, on Wednesday, summoned Ahmed to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following allegations of economic sabotage and corruption.

Also caught in the web of resignation was the CEO of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, according to a statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.

Tinubu was said to have nominated successors to the senate for approval.

“Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the nominations of two new chief executives for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),” the statement reads.

“The requests followed the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed of the NMDPRA and Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC.

“Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Buhari to lead the two regulatory agencies created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“To fill these positions, President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of NMDPRA.”

Onanuga said the two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry.