Former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has argued that the Senate did not meet the constitutional two-thirds majority required to approve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

The Senate, last Thursday, held a closed session to deliberate on the president’s proclamation and later approved it during plenary through a voice vote.

However, Tambuwal, who represents Sokoto South in the 10th Senate, disclosed to Sunday Sun that the necessary two-thirds majority—73 out of 109 senators—was not reached, thus violating Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Tambuwal, who was present during the closed session deliberation, emphasized the constitutional requirements for declaring a state of emergency.

He stated, “Section 305 of the Constitution is very clear. It is unambiguous, the language is very plain, of the Constitution as to first, how the president can declare a state of emergency and what is required of the legislature, the two chambers – both the Senate and the House of Representatives before passing such a resolution.”

He further explained, “What is required is that you must obtain and have two-thirds of all the members, of either of the two chambers, in support of the resolution.”

Regarding the Senate’s approval, Tambuwal noted that he observed there were not enough senators present to meet the constitutional requirement.

“I don’t know whether members of your team, who are members of the press corps, had the privilege of checking the (Senate) register to see whether there were up to 72, 73 senators on the floor. From what I saw, there was no such number on the floor on that day,” he said.

He added, “So, if you juxtapose that to the requirement of the Constitution which says that the Senate must have two-thirds of its members… to pass that resolution, it means that what was done fell short of the provision of the Constitution.”

Tambuwal also pointed out that the National Assembly ignored its own precedents in approving the proclamation.

He highlighted previous instances of state-of-emergency declarations, such as during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration and under President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, when the required two-thirds majority was strictly adhered to.

“What stops the current National Assembly from making reference to its own precedents that are domiciled within its own library, within its own records? I can’t understand that. So, it’s part of the problem,” he added.

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has condemned the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, asserting that the declaration of a state of emergency in the state is contrary to the spirit of federalism.

Naija News reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and also suspended all elected government officials, while appointing a sole administrator to govern the state for an initial period of six months.

But in an interview with an international news outlet, according to ThisDay, Soyinka expressed concern over the excessive power granted to the president under Nigeria’s 1999 constitution.

He emphasized the need for a national conversation to address this issue.

“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,” Soyinka said.

He added that the Nigerian government is over-centralized and that there will always be debate about whether the state of emergency was a wise decision, but he firmly believes that it contradicts the fundamental principles of federalism.

Soyinka continued, “I find that the constitution has put too much power in the hands of the president. The system we are operating right now is not the best for a pluralistic society like ours. That is a fundamental principle I have always held.”

He called for a national conference to address the country’s foundational issues, stating, “The federal spirit of association is a cardinal principle, and for that reason, some of us have called again and again for a national conference to really accord ourselves an authentic people’s constitution. Right now, in principle, this action is against the federal imperative.”

A prominent leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and a close ally of the party’s 2023 Presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Buba Galadima, has clarified that there is no existing agreement or understanding between the North and South regarding the 2027 presidential election.

In an interview with Sunday Punch, Galadima stressed that opposition parties should be more concerned about ensuring credible and fair elections rather than focusing on the regional origins of presidential candidates.

He stated, “I don’t discuss the North and I don’t discuss the South when I speak on democracy. Okay. If Tinubu is finishing and has done well, and Nigerians decide to vote for Seyi Tinubu, I have no grudge, provided that there is a free and fair election.

“I have no grudge because that is democracy. Opposition should be more concerned about credible election, than this North and South thing.

“And anybody who tells you there is any understanding or agreement between the North and South, tell him he’s a liar. And he doesn’t understand what democracy is. He doesn’t understand what politics is. As far as I am concerned, I am talking about democracy, I am not talking about North and South.”

Naija News reports that Galadima stated this days after the 2023 presidential candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar; the Labour Party (LP)’s Peter Obi; and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced the formation of a coalition aimed at ousting President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Musibau Alani, the renowned Fuji musician, has dismissed the claims that he snatched Asake’s mother, Fali, from his father, Odunsi, popularly known as Malo.

He stated that he was not responsible for the separation between the duo, adding that Fali was no longer married to Malo when he met her.

The controversy arose after Odunsi claimed that Asake had neglected him, leading to widespread social media discussions.

Some online commentators further alleged that Alani was present as a performing musician during Asake’s naming ceremony. But the Fuji veteran has categorically dismissed these claims.

However, addressing the allegation, in a recent media chat, the Stand Well Well crooner, who is Asake’s stepfather, confirmed his marriage to the singer’s mother, a union that produced three children, two of whom are now deceased.

“I met Fali as a single mother; she was already separated from her husband, whom I didn’t know at the time. We got along, and she moved in with me along with her son, Ahmed (Asake). I trained the boy,” Alani explained.

He also recalled a later encounter with Odunsi, saying, “I eventually met her ex-husband, Malo, who was working at a council in Lagos Island. The day he saw me there, he even told his colleagues to thank me for taking good care of his son, Ahmed (Asake).

*For the record, I did not snatch Fali from her first husband, and I was neither present at nor played at Asake’s naming ceremony.”

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Saturday warned African presidents to take charge of the continent, as he foresees rebels spreading across several countries in an attempt to cause insecurity.

The prophet stated that prominent groups like RSF and M-23 will turn Sudan and DR Congo into war zones, with plans to continue spreading across the continent to capture more countries.

In a statement signed by his spokesman, Oluwatosin Osho, Ayodele advised African leaders to stop relying on the United Nations and support from the U.S. but instead focus on ECOWAS and the AU, and what they can do collectively to solve the insecurity crisis.

“RSF and government forces will turn Sudan into a war center, and they can become a syndicate in the African continent. M-23 and RSF can become a terrible force in the continent if African leaders don’t take action.”

“Let’s forget about the U.S. and UN—what are ECOWAS and the AU doing to curb insecurity? They are doing nothing, and this matter goes beyond the president of DR Congo. These people will terrorize Africa, and this is why South Sudan must also rise to fight the rebels there, because this will continue to spread.”

He further noted that some countries, including Benin Republic, the Central African Republic, and Togo, may soon experience an invasion by these rebels. He called on leaders to stay on high alert to prevent instability, warning that it could become a crisis that will not be easily resolved.

“Rebels will take over many African nations, including Benin Republic, CAR, and Togo. They are coming and can invade Africa as a continent. Our leaders shouldn’t sleep on this because they are not doing anything. There won’t be stability in the continent. This could become a serious crisis that won’t be healed anytime soon.”

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), once advised Akinwumi Ambode, former Lagos governor, to reject godfatherism in his state.

In a September 2018 interview on The Osasu Show, Wike, who was then Rivers governor, advised Ambode to prioritise Lagos’ interests over those of President Bola Tinubu, widely seen as Lagos’ political godfather.

Ambode failed to secure a second-term ticket as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as it became obvious that he had fallen out with Tinubu ahead of the 2019 election.

This, many believed, was mainly because of allegations that he abandoned the party structure put in place by Tinubu and even dumped some loyalists of the APC leader.

Ambode lost his second term bid as Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu’s anointed candidate, won the party’s ticket and the governorship election.

“If it is correct that the godfather is against Ambode, I will tell him (Ambode) to resist it. I will tell him to promote the interests of his state,” Wike said.

“Godfatherism is not good. It negates development. No more godfather politics in Rivers state. We are not in Lagos state. Rivers state will not accept godfatherism. My concern is to do well for Rivers state.”

Years later, a political clash between Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, over the control of Rivers state triggered a breakdown of law and order.

WIKE VS FUBARA

The rift between Wike and Fubara traces back to October 2023, when tensions flared over control of the state’s political machinery. Wike, as the outgoing governor of Rivers, had handpicked Fubara as his successor in the 2023 general election.

However, cracks emerged soon after Fubara’s inauguration, with the governor resisting Wike’s influence.

The situation escalated on October 29, 2023, when an attempt to impeach Fubara led to the demolition of the Rivers state house of assembly complex, an act Wike’s allies blamed on Fubara’s camp.

In December 2023, a peace pact brokered by Tinubu unravelled as both sides accused each other of breaches. Wike claimed Fubara abandoned those who supported his rise, while Fubara accused Wike of meddling, citing incidents like the minister’s alleged interference in local chieftaincy matters.

The crisis peaked on February 28, 2025, when the supreme court reinstated 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, tipping the balance against Fubara.

The assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, the speaker, accused Fubara of flouting court orders to re-present the 2025 budget and issued a misconduct notice against the governor on March 17.

Fubara’s efforts to meet legislative demands hit a wall, with allegations of being prevented from entering the house of assembly.

On March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, pointing to the political unrest and risks to oil infrastructure as justification.

He then suspended Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all assembly members for six months.

Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, retired vice-admiral as the sole administrator of Rivers state during the emergency period.

Two days later, on March 20, the senate and house of representatives controversially approved Tinubu’s emergency declaration through voice vote.

Samuel  Anyanwu, national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has praised Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory, for supporting him while he faced a legal battle to be recognised as the party’s scribe.

On Friday, the supreme court nullified the judgement which sacked Anyanwu as national secretary of the PDP.

Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye have been laying claim to the position of the national secretary of the opposition party.

“First, let me thank almighty God. I use this opportunity to ask those who are faithful to God to remain faithful because there is nothing God cannot do. I want to thank my leaders across the country, PDP faithful, who stood by the truth,” Anyanwu said after resuming at the party’s national secretariat.

“I also thank those who have put me in the situation I was. Without their challenges, I won’t come out the way I have come out. I still thank them. In everything, we are one family. We are a PDP family. This victory is victory for all PDP faithful. It is not a victory for me.

“I want to thank, in a very special way, my friend and my leader, the honourable minister for FCT, who also believed and supported me and gave me encouragement. Some of our governors too who believed in me and believed in the truth, who stood by me in all circumstances.

“I want to assure my colleagues in the NWC that we are one family. We are one family; we came here as a family, and we will leave as a family. We came the same day; we are going to leave the same day.

“I want to assure them that despite what has happened, we are humans. We can always err, but what matters is if you are honest and sincere about your repentance.”

Anyanwu said the leaders of the PDP will reshape the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Our aim is to win election in 2027. I want to plead with all those who are causing confusion in our party to please desist. This is the only party we have,” he said.

“We cannot destroy our home. We can’t destroy our bed, if we destroy our bed, we will sleep on the bed. Nigerians love PDP, so we are going to work hard, we are going to brainstorm to see how the party will come back again.”

He also urged those who have left the party to come back ahead of the 2027 polls

The Federation Account Allocation Committee has shared N1.678 trillion among the Federal Government, states and the local governments for the month of February.

This is according to a communiqué issued by FAAC and made available by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, on Saturday.

According to the communiqué, the total revenue of N1.678 trillion comprised statutory revenue of N827.633 billion and Value Added Tax revenue of N609.430 billion.

It also comprised Electronic Money Transfer Levy revenue of N35.171 billion, Solid Minerals revenue of N28.218 billion and Augmentation of N178 billion.

It said that a total gross revenue of N2.344 trillion was available in the month of February.

“Total deduction for cost of collection was N89.092 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was N577.097 billion,’” it said.

The communiqué said that gross statutory revenue of N1.653 trillion was received for February, which was lower than the sum of N1.848 trillion received in January by N194.664 billion.

It said that gross revenue of N654.456 billion was available from VAT in February, lower than the N771.886 billion available in January by N117.430 billion.

The communiqué said that out of the total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion, the Federal Government received N569.656 billion, and the state governments received N562.195 billion.

It said that the LGs received total sum of N410.559 billion, and a total sum of N136.042 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

“On the N827.633 billion statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N366.262 billion and the state governments received N185.773 billion.

“The LGs received N143.223 billion and the sum of N132.374 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue,” the communiqué said.

It said that from the N609.430 billion VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N91.415 billion, the state governments received N304.715 billion, and the LGs received N213.301 billion.

“A total sum of N5.276 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N35.171 billion EMTL. The state governments received N17.585 billion, and the LGs received N12.310 billion.

“From the N28.218 billion Solid Minerals revenue, the Federal Government received N12.933 billion and the state governments received N6.560 billion.

“The LGs received N5.057 billion and a total sum of N3.668 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue,” it said.

It said that Oil and Gas Royalty and EMTL increased significantly while VAT, Petroleum Profit Tax, Companies Income Tax, Excise Duty, Import Duty and CET Levies recorded a decrease.

NAN

The Federal Government has revealed how it successfully convinced the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, to accept the role of Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Governing Council at the newly established Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Kaduna State.

Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa shared the details during the inauguration of the university’s Governing Council and Principal Officers in Abuja.

He explained that Vice President Kashim Shettima played a crucial role in nominating and persuading Bishop Kukah to take on the appointment.

At the Ministry’s conference hall, Dr. Alausa recounted the Vice President’s involvement: “Bishop Kukah is very busy. When the Vice President was nominating Bishop Kukah, he was very worried that I’m going to put a lot of burden on his mind. The Vice President said Bishop Kukah has so much respect for him.”

He continued, quoting the Vice President: “I’m giving the words of the Vice President now. ‘He has so much respect for me. Every time I’ve asked him to do something, he accepts that service. I want to ask him to take on the position of the Pro Chancellor. I know he’s already stretched to the limit, but for my own selfishness, for the country, in service of the country, I will ask him. And I know he will not say no.’”

According to Dr. Alausa, when Vice President Shettima reached out to Bishop Kukah, the religious leader agreed to take on the position, saying, “Yes, I will do it.”

The Minister expressed his gratitude to Bishop Kukah for accepting the role, despite his many responsibilities, describing his decision as a reflection of his commitment to education and his dedication to serving the community.

The event was attended by several prominent figures, including the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Qurix Williams Barnabas. General Musa, an indigene of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna, pledged that the Nigerian military would provide robust security for the university, ensuring a safe environment for students and staff.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has overturned its previous ruling that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving the recall petition initiated by constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The court’s landmark judgment delivered on Friday affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and in line with her constituents’ civic rights.

In the ruling, the court encouraged the constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District to continue exercising their rights in an orderly and peaceful manner.

The judgment marked a significant step in the ongoing legal battle over the recall process, which has drawn considerable attention.

This latest development follows an earlier decision on Thursday, when the court had granted an interim injunction that temporarily restrained INEC, its staff, agents, and associates from receiving or acting on any petition containing signatures from the constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The injunction also halted any referendum by INEC aimed at initiating the recall process of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan until the determination of the Motion on Notice.

The initial injunction had been granted following an Ex-parte application supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency. The application was filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima, along with four other registered voters and constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The court had been asked to prevent INEC from acting on any petition to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan until the matter was fully addressed in court.

The application for the injunction was moved by Smart Nwachimere, Esq., of West-Idahosa and Co., who co-signed the court processes in support of the motion.

The ruling reaffirms the validity of the recall process, which has seen growing momentum in the Kogi Central Senatorial District, where constituents have expressed their desire to initiate the process due to dissatisfaction with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s performance.

With the court lifting the injunction, INEC is now authorized to proceed with the petition and further actions related to the recall.