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The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has conferred professorship on the Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Innocent Barikor.
Barikor, who was promoted to Professor of Political Economy and Development Studies, was among 46 staff members elevated by the university.
In a statement on Wednesday, Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Onwunari Georgewill, said the promotions were approved during the 187th meeting of the Governing Council, chaired by Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa.
According to him, 30 senior academics were promoted to the rank of professor, while 16 others were elevated to associate professor after undergoing the university’s rigorous assessment process.
Barikor, who assumed office as NESREA DG in May last year, has made significant strides in environmental sustainability. Under his leadership, the agency has aggressively implemented the Extended Producer Responsibility Programme across sectors such as food and beverage, battery, used tyres, and electrical/electronics.
He also spearheaded the development of key environmental legislation including the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024 and the National Guidelines for the Implementation of EPR for (Plastic) Packaging. Additionally, the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations are awaiting gazetting.
Barikor oversaw the review of environmental permitting and licensing regulations and the regulations governing international trade in endangered species of fauna and flora. Under his administration, NESREA conducted 1,671 compliance monitoring inspections, shutting down 96 facilities for environmental violations.
To enhance efficiency, he unbundled NESREA offices in key states, taking environmental governance closer to the grassroots.
With support from the Fleming Fund, funded by UKAid, and in collaboration with Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Barikor is equipping the National Reference Laboratory in Port Harcourt with state-of-the-art research equipment. A 30KVA solar power system has also been installed to provide 24-hour power supply to the laboratory.
In March, NESREA launched the National Industrial Decarbonisation Programme (NIDP) to curb emissions from the industrial sector.
The agency also hosted an international conference on upgrading the lead-battery recycling sector in Africa under the Partnership for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (PROBAMET).
Through his leadership, NESREA has attracted support from international partners, including the European Union, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the German and Japanese governments, the African Center for Protection and the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF).
[Vanguard]
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission for not outrightly rejecting the petition seeking her recall, describing the commission’s response as an indication of bias.
INEC, in a statement on Tuesday signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed receiving the petition, which reportedly contains signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the senatorial district.
However, the electoral body noted that the petition failed to include essential details such as the contact addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of the petitioners, as required under the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, in a letter dated March 26, accused INEC of compromising its neutrality by offering guidance to the petitioners instead of declaring the petition incompetent due to its procedural flaws.
The letter partly reads, “Your position as disclosed in your press release on March 25, 2025, signed by Sam Olumekun shows that the Commission has taken sides and has become partial in favour of the Petitioners in this case.
“The Commission has observed that the Petitioners’ Petition did not meet the threshold of the requirement of a Petition to recall a member, having not contained the required contact addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses in their covering letter forwarding the Petition as contained in Clause 1(f) of INEC Regulation and Guideline. The proper thing and step to have been taken is to declare the Petition as “incompetent” and subsequently disregard same.”
The embattled lawmaker said the proper step INEC should have taken to show it was unbiased in the matter was to declare the petition defective, which would have brought an end to the process.
She added, “Lawfully, the Commission is supposed to have declared the Petition as incompetent for being patently defective for the reasons stated above but surprisingly, the Commission, instead of disregarding the Petition for failure to meet the requirements, opted to take the role of an adviser to the Petitioners and so advised the Petitioners that once they provide the needed information that is not contained in the Petition by meeting the requirements, it shall commence the verification of the signatures in each polling units.
“We posit that the Commission has by this press release shown partisanship and partiality in favour of the Petitioner and has compromised the process.
“The proper step to take by the Commission, if the Commission will maintain its integrity and impartiality, is to declare the Petition as incompetent and defective and notify the Petitioners accordingly. Therefore, putting an end to this process at this stage.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also pointed out that the addresses provided in the petition were limited to Okene, Kogi State, suggesting that the alleged signatures did not represent the entire senatorial district.
“Secondly, the address disclosed and provided in the petition according to your press release was Okene Kogi State, meaning that the two hundred and fifty signatories as contained in the petition came only from Okene, Kogi state, which seems more probable, ” She said.
She insisted that INEC’s decision to allow the petitioners to correct their errors rather than disqualifying the petition outright was a breach of due process, urging the commission to “do the needful and rebuild the public trust that is fast declining.
We still believe that the Commission will act rightly”.
[PRESS RELEASE] INEC: Petition For The Recall Of The Senator Representing Kogi Central Senatorial District
Admin![[PRESS RELEASE] INEC: Petition For The Recall Of The Senator Representing Kogi Central Senatorial District](/media/k2/items/cache/ac387f0e5d3de04529080d9051c318a0_M.jpg)
The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday 25th March 2025. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 as well as the Commission’s detailed Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, available on our website. All petitions will be treated in strict compliance with the legal framework.
The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents said to be signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters spread across 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas (Wards) in the five Local Government Areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.
The Commission's immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines. The address given is "Okene, Kogi State", which is not a definite location for contacting the petitioners. Only the telephone number of "the lead petitioner" is provided as against the numbers of all the other representatives of the petitioners.
The Commission wishes to reiterate that the recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in the legislator representing them. Once the petition meets the requirements of submission, as contained in our regulations, the Commission shall commence the verification of the signatures in each Polling Unit in an open process restricted to registered voters that signed the petition only. The petitioners and the member whose recall is sought shall be at liberty to nominate agents to observe the verification, while interested observers and the media will also be accredited. At each Polling Unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Consequently, if the petitioners fully comply with the requirements of Clause 1(f) of the Regulations and Guidelines regarding the submission of their petition, the Commission will announce the next steps in line with the extant laws, regulations and guidelines. In the absence of a definite contact address, the Commission is making efforts to use other means to notify the representatives of the petitioners of the situation.
The Commission reassures the public that it will be guided by the legal framework for recall. The public should therefore discountenance any speculations and insinuations in the social media.
Sam Olumekun mni
National Commissioner & Chairman
Information and Voter Education Committee
Naija News learnt that Senator Ishaku Abbo, Senator Aishatu Binani, along with several chieftains of the APC are currently at the coalition meeting.
Atiku, who served as the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)in the 2023 election, arrived at Yola International Airport via his private jet at 12:48 p.m.
He was welcomed by Senator Abbo, after which his convoy made its way to the American University of Nigeria Hotel, the venue for the meeting.
A close associate of Senator Binani, the APC governorship candidate in Adamawa, confirmed the development to Punch, stating that she is participating in the coalition, although specific details regarding the meeting remain undisclosed.
“Since you see me here, it is clear that my principal is among the team leaders. She is engaged at the moment, but at the next meeting, you will see her,” the aide, who declined to be named, said.
[NaijaNews]
Former Head of State and founding father of the National Youth Service Corps, General Yakubu Gowon, has commended the scheme’s managers for upholding the vision that led to its establishment over five decades ago.
General Gowon made the remarks during a courtesy visit by the newly appointed NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director, Information and Public Relations of the NYSC, Caroline Embu, on Wednesday, Gowon acknowledged the initial resistance the NYSC faced from Nigerian students at its inception in 1973.
However, he noted that the NYSC had since evolved into a nationally recognized platform, promoting unity, integration, job creation, and youth empowerment across the country.
“The former head of State and founding father of the National Youth Service Corps, General Yakubu Gowon GCFR, has commended the managers of the Scheme for sustaining the vision that informed the establishment of NYSC.
“He said the NYSC was greeted with strong opposition from Nigerian students across the country at inception, had not only overcome the initial misgivings but had grown to become a nationally recognised and accepted tool for fostering national unity, integration, development, job creation, and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
“He acknowledged the multi-dimensional contributions of Corps Members to national development over the 50 years of the Scheme’s existence.
“He further praised the deployment policy of NYSC, which exposes Corps Members to the various peoples and cultures of Nigeria, by posting them to States and geographical locations other than their own,” the statement partly read.
He urged Brigadier General Nafiu to build on the legacies of his predecessors and take the scheme to greater heights.
In response, Brigadier General Nafiu described the NYSC as “a divine project that has been of significant blessing to the country,” while expressing appreciation for General Gowon’s continued support and sought his mentorship as he leads the scheme.
Five students of the Osun State University, UNIOSUN, Osogbo have been reportedly killed in a ghastly auto accident on the Ikire-Ibadan express road.
The accident involving a luxurious bus travelling from Ibadan and an 18-passenger bus from Osogbo had a head-on collision resulting in multiple fatalities including the five UNIOSUN students.
It was gathered that five other persons were killed in the unfortunate incident which occurred at Balogun Area of Ikire on Sunday, March 23, 2025
A statement released by the Institution’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, stated that reports from the Nigerian Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), that the accident was caused by the head-on collision of the two buses, leading to a severe impact that claimed the lives of several passengers.
“Our University Management, upon receiving this distressing news, swiftly dispatched a team to the scene to identify and support any of our students involved in the accident.
“Regrettably, we confirm the loss of the following students; Olagbemide Dotun, a 200-level student of Software Engineering, Suleiman Farouq, a 400-level student of Law, Ogundare Pelumi, a 300-level student of Public Health, Ogundare Elijah, a 100-level student of Mechanical Engineering and Olawuyi Mary, a 200-level student of Nursing.
“However, one of our students, Olagbemide Damilola, a 200-level student of Medicine and Surgery, survived the accident and is currently receiving medical attention.
“Osun State University is working closely with the relevant authorities to gather more details on the circumstances surrounding the accident. We are also providing necessary moral and logistical support to the bereaved families, including funeral arrangements for the deceased students.
“This tragic loss has deeply shaken our University community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the deceased. We urge our students, staff, and the entire university community to remain calm and supportive during this difficult time”, he said.
[Vanguard]
[STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Congratulates Former President Goodluck Jonathan On Winning Sunhak Peace Prize
Admin![[STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Congratulates Former President Goodluck Jonathan On Winning Sunhak Peace Prize](/media/k2/items/cache/e2855945a46b24713fb9b42b65478868_S.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu congratulates former President Goodluck Jonathan on winning the 2025 Sunhak Peace Founders' Award.
President Tinubu applauds the former President for his consistent advocacy for peace, harmony, and communality, a patriotic endeavour that has earned him global recognition.
The President states that Dr Jonathan's winning the Sunhak Peace Award affirms his bold efforts in peacebuilding and promoting democracy in Africa and beyond.
The President recalls the former President’s historic acceptance of the results of the 2015 presidential election and his peaceful handover of power to an opposition party, which bolstered the nation’s democratic profile.
President Tinubu celebrates this landmark achievement with former President Jonathan and thanks the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee for recognising the efforts of those working hard to improve the world.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, has resigned from office.
His resignation was announced in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
The statement expressed appreciation for Nwaeke’s contributions to the administration of the Sole Administrator in the few days he served, and wished him success in his future endeavors.
In the interim, Dr. (Mrs.) Iyingi Brown, the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service, has been appointed in an acting capacity until a substantive Head of Service is named.
While congratulating Brown on her appointment, Ibas reaffirmed his commitment to neutrality, peace, and stability in Rivers State.
The statement read, “The statement Office of His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, is saddened to announce the resignation of the Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr George Nwaeke, FCA, Mni.
“His Excellency, The Administrator appreciates the immense contributions he has shown this administration in the short period he served and wishes him well in his future endeavors.”
Nwaeke’s resignation comes just one week after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Nma Ordu, and all members of the State Assembly.
The President’s decision has drawn widespread criticism from major political figures, civil society organizations, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and a significant portion of Rivers State residents.
[DailyPost]
…Calls Process Unconstitutional
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has rejected the National Assembly’s endorsement of the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, describing the process as unconstitutional.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, criticized the lawmakers for deciding such a critical matter through a voice vote, arguing that it fell short of constitutional requirements.
Osigwe explained that the Constitution mandates the National Assembly to ratify such a decision by a two-thirds majority. He emphasized that to fulfill this requirement, the number of lawmakers present, those who voted in favor, those against, and those who abstained must be recorded.
“You can’t clear that by a voice vote. A voice vote falls short of the constitutional requirement because, by a voice vote, you are unable to determine whether the threshold for ratification has been met,” he said.
According to him, the use of a voice vote in both chambers undermines the constitutional process, rendering the entire endorsement invalid.
“Even that ‘ratification’ by the National Assembly does not meet the constitutional requirement, and it is in itself unconstitutional,” he added.
The NBA’s rejection of the endorsement raises further legal and political concerns over the controversial state of emergency, as critics argue that due process was not followed in declaring it.
Barely a week after a major explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, another blast occurred, this time at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
Naija News understands that the explosion has further heightened concerns over the security of oil infrastructure in the region.
The latest explosion, confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), was reported on Sunday.
The grassroots NGO, with a strong presence in the Niger Delta, disclosed that its youth volunteers had alerted the organization about the early morning blast at the Soku oil facility, operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC-Nigeria revealed that an explosion, accompanied by fireballs, was heard and seen rising from the facility.
“The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report,” the statement noted. However, the facility remains difficult to access, and the exact cause of the explosion is still unknown.
As the investigation continues, speculation surrounds the cause of the explosion. Possible causes mentioned include equipment failure, sabotage, or a deliberate attack.
This marks the third such incident in the oil-rich Rivers State within a week, raising serious concerns about the state’s oil infrastructure security.
The first explosion occurred in Ogoni, followed by another in the Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
These incidents were referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast on March 18, where he declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, partly due to the repeated attacks on the region’s oil infrastructure.
In response to these attacks, the President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing the governor’s failure to protect oil facilities.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for an immediate investigation into the latest Soku explosion. The group urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause of the explosion and ensure accountability.
“Perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” YEAC-Nigeria stressed in the statement, as they demanded swift action to address the escalating violence in the region.
[NaijaNews]
More...
The Nigeria Police on Sunday said they have rescued a personnel of the Navy and two others, who were abducted by gunmen in Abuja.
It was gathered that the female naval officer attached to the Directorate of Media Operations, DMO, Defence Headquarters, DHQ, and the two others were abducted from their residence in the Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday night.
The kidnappers had already reportedly contacted the families and demanded N100 million as ransom for their immediate release.
It is unclear if any ransom was paid to facilitate their release at the time of filing this report.
However, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said the release followed a joint operation led by the Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and comprising of personnel of the Nigerian military DSS hunters, and members of the local Hunters’ Group.
“At approximately 7:35 PM on the said date, heavily armed assailants attacked the Maman Vatsa Estate gate, blocked Mpape Road, and opened fire on moving vehicles before abducting the three victims. Shortly after the attack, the kidnappers contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of N500 million for the naval officer and N200 million each for the two civilians.
“Upon receiving the distress report, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, FCT Police Command, DCP Isyaku Sharu, in collaboration with military authorities, mobilized a joint operation led by the Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and comprising of personnel of the Nigerian military DSS hunters, and members of the local Hunters’ Group,” she said.
According to her, an intense search-and-rescue operation was conducted across Mpape, Gidan Bawa, Anguwan Mu’azu, and Yelwa Hills, covering areas in the FCT and Nasarawa State.
The Command’s spokesperson stated that acting on credible intelligence, between 2:00am and 5:30 AM on March 23, 2025, operatives traced the suspects to a Fulani resettlement in Anguwan Mu’azu and Yelwa Hills, Nasarawa State.
During the process, she said four suspects were arrested, and the victims were rescued unharmed.
According to her, the victims are currently in stable condition and are receiving medical attention at the Nigerian Army Clinic.
She stated that efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the remaining suspects currently at large, stressing that security deployments has also been reinforced in Mpape and surrounding areas to prevent future occurrences.
Adeh also called on members of the public to go about their daily activities without any apprehension.
[DailyPost]
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has made his first public appearance since the declaration of a state of emergency in the state and his subsequent suspension from office.
The governor was seen arriving for worship at the headquarters of Salvation Ministries in GRA, Port Harcourt, on Sunday.
Fubara’s appearance comes days after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on Tuesday, citing escalating political tensions and security concerns. The declaration led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In their place, the President appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs for an initial period of six months.
While the decision has sparked mixed reactions from political stakeholders, legal practitioners and civil society groups, the newly appointed Sole Administrator has wasted no time in assuming office.
Since taking over, he has made several strategic moves, including holding emergency security meetings with law enforcement agencies, traditional rulers and heads of local government administration where he confirmed the release of the withheld allocation and ordered immediate processing of the payment of local government workers.
He has also gone on an inspection of the ongoing reconstruction of the State House of Assembly Complex, promising to ensure its timely completion to ensure stability in governance.
Governor Fubara attended the service with his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie.
[Channels TV]
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
Former Kano State Governor and Chairman of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, has submitted that the current composition of the opposition coalition can’t challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The former Governor noted that the coalition is only a gathering of former presidential aspirants and does not have the backing of any established opposition party.
While Shekarau welcomed the idea of a united coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, he submitted that the current coalition lacks a real structure capable of challenging the ruling party in 2027.
“The coming together of some senior members of opposition parties is a welcome development, as seen recently under what they call a ‘coalition’ of opposition parties. But unfortunately, most people do not realize that this so-called coalition has nothing to do with the major opposition parties; PDP and LP,” Shekarau said in a statement on Friday.
He recalled that unlike the APC, which was formed in 2013 with the merger of four registered parties; the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the present coalition announced by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has no backing of a political party but it’s only made up of individuals.
To this end, the LND leader said the coalition is presently not capable of posing any threat to the APC.
“The first political merger in Nigeria happened in 2013 when four registered parties merged to form the APC. So, technically, the APC is not a ‘new party.’
“It was an alliance of registered opposition political parties that were already well-established, with elected state governors, state and National Assembly members, and significant grassroots support,” Shekarau explained.
Political Situation In Rivers State
The former Kano State Governor added that the inability of the opposition coalition to stop the National Assembly from endorsing the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State shows the coalition’s lack of influence over opposition lawmakers.
He submitted that if the coalition leaders had any real influence, the APC government would not have secured the required votes for the law’s passage.
“What happened at the National Assembly on March 20, 2025, regarding the ‘State of Emergency’ in Rivers State has exposed the so-called coalition. it is clear they have no control over opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly,” he said.
It’s Not Too Late
Shekarau recalled how a similar opposition coalition for the 2019 elections failed to achieve its aim.
He called on opposition leaders to restrategize ahead of the 2027 elections if it plans to unseat the APC and stop the waves of defection.
“The 2019 ‘coalition’ was formally launched almost a year before the elections at the Yar’Adua Center, yet none of the then-elected PDP leaders was in attendance. No amount of noise-making or informal alliances by individual politicians in the name of opposition will have any impact in elections unless the full leadership structure of opposition parties at all levels is involved.
“The simplistic claim that the APC is poaching and destabilizing opposition parties is, to me, naïve. Why are the so-called ‘big names’ in the opposition unable to resist defection? Why don’t they unite to properly fund and build their parties while mobilizing grassroots support?
“It is still not too late. I believe that with the right vision, mission, and focus, combined with a genuine sense of purpose, the opposition can change its narrative in 2025 and position itself for success in the 2027 elections,” he added.