The Women Lawyers Congress has called on Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to provide a public clarification or apology regarding alleged derogatory remarks made by his Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam.

The remarks, which were captured in a widely circulated video, where he made harsh comments on ‘Gwaggo’, a term used to address the former first lady, Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chairlady of the Congress, Barrister Nafisa Abba Ismail, criticized the Deputy Governor’s behavior, stating that it was part of a pattern of insulting respected figures.

She described such conduct as unbecoming of a leader and expressed concerns over his leadership ethics and respect for women.

The Congress urged the Governor to publicly clarify that the comments were not directed at Professor Hafsat Umar Ganduje.

If, however, they were intended for her, the Deputy Governor must provide an explanation or issue a formal apology to both Professor Ganduje and the people of Kano.

Barrister Nafisa emphasized that this issue extends beyond an individual, as it concerns principles, dignity, and respect for women in leadership. She warned that if the Deputy Governor continues making such statements, the Women Lawyers Congress will take legal action to hold him accountable.

The statement also stressed that public figures should not use their influence to undermine women and called for immediate action to prevent such behavior from setting a dangerous precedent in governance.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has taken President Bola Tinubu to court over what it calls the “unlawful suspension” of the Rivers State Governor, his deputy, and House of Assembly members.

The six-month suspension was announced while the president proclaimed a state of emergency in the state.

SERAP argued that the decision violates constitutional provisions and undermines democratic governance.

The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, was initiated by three members of SERAP’s Volunteers’ Lawyers Network (SVLN) in Rivers State—Yirabari Israel Nulog, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal, and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) have also been joined as defendants.

The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/558/2025, demands “an order setting aside the suspension of the democratically elected officials in Rivers State by President Tinubu while proclaiming a state of emergency in the state” and “an order setting aside the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.”

SERAP, in a statement by its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare on Sunday, argued that “the rule of law would be a mere figure of speech if the people’s right to participation can be arbitrarily suspended or violated.”

“Democracy is an inherent element of the rule of law. Nigeria’s democracy ought to have as its foundation respect for human rights and the rule of law,” the statement read.

SERAP insists that the suspension contradicts both the Nigerian Constitution and international legal obligations, citing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.

“The combined provisions of Sections 1(2), 14(1)(c), 176(1)(2), and 305(1) of the Nigerian Constitution create a delicate balance of rights and responsibilities, ensuring that the exercise of presidential power does not override the people’s right to participate in their own governance,” the organisation asserted.

It further argued that Section 305, which grants the president powers to declare a state of emergency, “is neither absolute nor superior to other provisions of the Constitution,” stressing that such power must be exercised in a way that upholds democratic participation.

“The suspension of the democratically elected officials in Rivers State has seriously undermined the ability of the plaintiffs to participate more effectively in their own government, the credibility and integrity of the country’s electoral process, and the notion of the rule of law,” SERAP stated.

Among other reliefs sought, the plaintiffs are asking the court for a declaration that Tinubu’s actions are “unlawful, unconstitutional, null, and void” and an injunction restraining the appointed sole administrator from acting in that capacity.

“No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit,” the statement concluded.

TEXT OF THE BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, DECLARING STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE ON TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025

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.

The Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday served a notice of alleged misconduct against the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

According to Channels TV, the lawmakers claimed in the notice that the action was in line with the Nigerian Constitution.

“In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and other extant laws, we, the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office,” the notice read.

Although the assembly earlier denied any move to impeach Fubara, there have been speculations about plots to remove the governor.

More to follow…

The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a notice accusing the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, of alleged misconduct.

Twenty-six members of the assembly made the misconduct allegation against Fubara in a notice sent to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, on Monday.

According to the lawmakers, their action follows “Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other existing laws.”

They accused Fubara of several offences including reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstructing the Assembly’s activities, and appointing individuals to government positions without the required screening and confirmation.

Other allegations include withholding salaries, allowances and funds meant for the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as seizing the salary of the Clerk, Emeka Amadi.

The lawmakers also accused Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu of “conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to government positions without the required screening and confirmation.”

Upon receiving the notice, Amaewhule forwarded it to Fubara, stating that the allegations were raised by “not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

He then asked the governor to respond to the allegations, referencing Section 188(3) of the Constitution, which states, “Within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice), the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate, whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.”

Amaewhule also advised the governor to act accordingly and extended his “esteemed regards.”

The Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Yunusa Umar, has led a mass defection of about 7,500 APC members, including key party executives, to the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Umar, alongside APC Youth Leader, Yusuf Inuwa Bora and Welfare Secretary, Isah Zakaria, officially joined PDP at a reception hosted by the party’s local chairman, Yusuf Sabo, and the Executive Chairman of Dass LGA, Mohammed Abubakar Jibo.

Speaking at the defection ceremony, Umar cited Governor Bala Mohammed’s people-focused governance as the driving force behind their decision.

“Governor Bala Mohammed’s policies since 2019 have convinced us to align with PDP. The interests of our supporters come first, and we believe PDP truly prioritizes the welfare of the people,” Umar stated.

The defectors pledged to mobilize support for PDP ahead of the next general election, adding that Governor Mohammed’s developmental strides have delivered more benefits than when APC’s Yakubu Dogara held the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Jibo welcomed the defectors, assuring them of full integration into PDP and urging them to collaborate in advancing the party’s vision for Dass and Bauchi State at large.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has revealed that none of the 31 requests for state creation met the constitutional requirements.

Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, made this known on Friday at a two-day retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

“Although we have received 31 requests for state creation, none of these requests met the constitutional requirements for amendment.

“Therefore, we have since extended the submission date to the 5th of March, 2025. But this retreat could in our resolution extend it further if we find out that there are still challenges that the people we represent in their efforts to make their voices heard.”

“So at the end of this retreat, it will be one of the things we will look into, whether or not we will extend the time. But let it be a notice that none of the applications followed the conditions laid out by Section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Kalu said.

The event, organised with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, aimed to review amendment bills and strategise on the next steps in the constitutional review process.

He also disclosed that the House Committee is currently reviewing 151 constitutional amendment bills, noting that duplication was a key challenge in the process.

As part of the review process, zonal and national public hearings will be held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with sessions planned in Nasarawa, Niger, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Sokoto, Enugu, Imo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Lagos, and Ondo states.

Kalu assured that the review process would be transparent and inclusive, emphasising the need for legislative reforms that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

“As legislators, we must ensure the voices of Nigerians are reflected in our constitutional reforms,” he said.