Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has promised to set up a Foundation to commemorate the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, that will continue to preach the inter-religious harmony which the learned Islamic scholar was known for in his lifetime.

The Governor made the commitment on Sunday, when he led a 30-member delegation on a condolence visit to the family of the late Tijjaniyya leader who died on November 27, at his family home in Bauchi.

Speaking during the visit, he said that Kaduna State Government will set up a committee comprising the late Sheikh’s family members, his students and various stakeholders, to work out details of the Foundation.

The Governor pointed out that although the late Sheikh was from Bauchi State, Kaduna State will immortalize him more than anyone because of his invaluable contributions to Islam, good governance and peaceful coexistence.

According to him, the Foundation will not only continue with the good works of the late Islamic cleric, it will also implement what he had planned to accomplish.

“I used to consult our late leader and whatever advice he gave me, had positive outcomes. I am part and parcel of the late Sheikh’s family and we have a cordial relationship with members of his household.’’

Governor Uba Sani promised that ‘’we will continue with his efforts at uniting Muslims and ensuring unity amongst adherents of different religions, not only in Kaduna State but the country at large.’’

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mohammed Auwal Jatau, recalled that Governor Uba Sani was in faraway China on an official assignment when Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi died.

He said that the Kaduna State Governor had phoned his Bauchi State counterpart, Senator Bala Mohammed, from China and offered his condolences.

‘’I want to disclose that, Governor Uba Sani also constituted a special committee in Kaduna to receive condolences from students and well wishers of the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi,’’ he added.

Responding on behalf of the family, the son of the late Islamic cleric, Khalifa Sayyid Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, reiterated that the Governor has always been close to the deceased, even before he became the number one citizen of Kaduna State.

‘’This is your home. Immediately the death was announced, we spoke on phone. You also sent representatives that attended the funeral prayer and afterwards, you sent a delegation of Malams to condole us.

‘’Today, you have come to pay us a condolence visit. This shows the high esteem with which you held the late Sheikh. May Allah(SWT) bless you. May He also grant you your heart’s desires,’’ he added.

Khalifa Sayyid Ibrahim also thanked Governor Uba Sani, on behalf of the deceased’s 82 children, for promising to rebuild the residence of their grand father, where the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi grew up.

Those on Governor Uba Sani’s delegation include the Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Dahiru Liman; the National President of Fityanul Islam of Nigeria (FIN), Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Arabi Abul Fath and Dr. Musa Muhammad from Borno (Deputy National Chairman, Fityanul Islam).

Others are Engr. Mansur Nakande from Plateau State (Secretary-General, Fityanul Islam); Sheikh Salaudeen Inyas; Saiyyida Fatima from Niger State (National Women Leader, Fityanul Islam); Hajia Hadiza Muhammad (National Women Secretary, Fityanul Islam) and the Kaduna State Chairman of Fityanul Islam, Sheikh Rabiu Abdullahi.

Sheikh Abdulkarim Hashim (Chief Imam, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi Mosque, Kaduna); Sheikh Sharu Danlami (National Chairman, Quddamun Nabiyyu); Sheikh Salisu Maibarota; Sheikh Aminu Kasim Kafanchan; Sheikh Ibrahim Mahe and Sheikh Nasiru G. Shehu Dahiru were also on the delegation.

The rest are Kaduna State Chairman, First Aid; and State Chairmen of Fityanul Islam from various states, including Kano, Borno, Adamawa, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Niger, and Bauchi, as well as other senior officials of the Kaduna State Government.

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Africa’s richest man and president of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has declared that the business environment in Nigeria is not conducive for any investor to be interested in buying the refineries operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited.

Naija News reports that Dangote made the bold statement during a press briefing on Sunday in Lagos, noting that even if the government puts up the refineries for sale, buyers would not turn up.

According to him, the operating and regulatory environment makes it difficult for any investor to want to come into the nation’s refinery sub-sector.

“The higher price is that nobody will come and invest in this sort of thing. Even if the NNPC today wants to sell the refineries, there can never be a buyer. Why? Because the environment is not conducive for anybody to come and put their money and set up a refinery,” he stated.

Dangote also blamed the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari for making a mistake in the oil sector by putting a trader as a regulator, leading to a case of regulatory mismanagement.

“During the last administration of President [Muhammadu] Buhari, there was a big mistake that was made by putting a trader as a regulator. A trader can never be a regulator, and I think that was a mismatch,” Dangote added.

He submitted that the situation has created a difficult investment climate, discouraging both local and foreign investors.

“The crisis that we’re facing is actually due to this, and what is actually paining me is that the country is paying a bigger price,” he said.

Nigeria has its refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, with a total capacity of 445,000 bpd.

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• A lady who was invited to Shiloh 2025 has claimed there is a high level of misogyny and segregation against women in the Bishop David Oyedepo-led church
• She sought an explanation for why the front seats are always reserved for men, while women who came early and sat down before the service are chased to the back like second-class worshippers
• She recounted her humiliating experience at Winners Chapel during the just-concluded Shiloh and called on the church leadership to end the segregation, misogyny, and sexist protocols

Chukwuma Elizabeth Onyinye, an entrepreneur, has recounted her unpleasant experience at the just-concluded Shiloh 2025 program at the headquarters of Winners Chapel.

Onyinye claimed that there is a high level of misogyny in the church and wondered why women were treated like second-class worshippers by not being permitted to sit in front, despite arriving early because they are only reserved for men.

Read also

“3 of them tried to beat me up”: Man narrates his bad Shiloh experience, cancels Winners Chapel

A lady cries out, saying there is misogyny and segregation against women in Winners Chapel.
Photo Credit: Chukwuma Elizabeth Onyinye, Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo
Source: Facebook

Onyinye’s humiliating Shiloh 2025 experience

In a Facebook post, Onyinye narrated that in the middle of a service, a man ordered her to leave the front seat where she sat, saying they were only reserved for men.

This remark displeased Onyinye, who had arrived for the program on time. She quizzed why she should accept such humiliation in the house of God, who created male and female.

Onyinye decried how women give, pray, fast and clean the church only to be deemed unqualified when it comes to sitting at the front.

She also frowned at the double standard in the church’s policy on the matter, which allowed the wife of Oyedepo to sit at the front. Onyinye’s experience partly read:

“The level of misogyny in Living Faith Church is actually wild.”Explain to me why all the front seats are reserved for men, while women, who came early, who sat down before service even started, are chased to the back like second-class worshippers.

Read also

Former Man United striker speaks 8 years after establishing £1m Orphanage Home in Nigeria

“I was invited for Shiloh, we arrived on time. I took my seat at the front.”In the middle of service, with the place already packed, one man walked up to me and said,“Front seat is for men only, you need to move.””I genuinely looked at him like, What exactly do you expect me to do with that information?”Because why should I move?”Why should I accept humiliation in the same house of God that created male and female?”The audacity.”The entitlement.”The shameless policing of women in the name of “protocol.””Women pray. Women fast. Women give. Women attend faithfully, women partake in cleaning the church , yet when it’s time to sit at the front, suddenly women become “unqualified.””And the funniest part?”Their overall Mama Oyedekpo is literally the ONLY woman allowed to sit in the front, because she’s sitting beside her husband And me that came with my own man earlier and sat at the front they want me to move to the back and sit seperately from my ODOGWU!”

Read also

Shiloh 2025: Oyedepo drops the unthinkable, “it’s off my course”

Out of anger and in protest about the sitting arrangement issue, Onyinye said she gave an offering of N200, as against the N5k her man gave her for offering.

She called on the church authority to address the issue and fix it.

A lady shares her unpleasant experience at Shiloh 2025.
Photo Credit: Chukwuma Elizabeth Onyinye, Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo
Source: Facebook

View her Facebook post below:

Shiloh 2025: Lady’s experience stirs reactions

Legit.ng has compiled some reactions to the lady’s experience below:

Chisom Obiesili said:

“If that dress you are wearing in the picture is what you wore to church I don’t see the reason why you will be asked to move back.”But slim fitting the money sounds funny tho.”If you decide to sit and analyze church you will loose faith. Churches are managed by humans and understanding that we are not perfect will help you understand better.”

Eke Mercy Gift said:

“I think they started it because of women that wear short skirts, in general short wears, so that u won’t seduce pastor.”

Dah Niel said:

“Na Why Catholic church and Anglican remains the best, them no send your mama.”

Darlington Chinazam Kamsy said:

Read also

Aerial view of Bishop Oyedepo’s 100,000 seater church elicits uproar: “Money dey where e dey”

“Some ladies sat there and start opening their legs to distract the pastors. I’m not a member of the church but that was what I heard and I have also confirmed it to be true when I watched a video of when a pastor was telling a member to pls cover her legs. You are decent but some ladies wore half na’ked dresses and would want to distract the pastors.”

In a related story, Legit.ng reported that mixed reactions have trailed a video of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, doing ushering work at Shiloh 2025.

Ex-soldier recounts terrible Shiloh 2012 experience

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that an ex-soldier who cancelled Winners Chapel had recounted his terrible experience at Shiloh 2012, which made him take such a decision.

In a Facebook post, he said one of the church’s protocols insulted his father because of the route he took to access the church, leading to a physical exchange.

He claimed three protocol workers tried to beat him up, but failed, and that the matter ended up in the police station inside the church premises.

Source: Legit.ng

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Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, the founder of SPAC Nation, has once again captured hearts by showcasing his new Lamborghini Urus, which reports claims is fitted with a “2026 plate.”

The “2026 Plate”

In a video shared across social media platforms, Adegboyega says “There are many uruses and then there is this urus. This is a different breed”.

The “2026 plate” designation is notable given that, under UK registration systems, such plates are typically issued months from now.

This acquisition adds to the pastor’s substantial collection of high-end vehicles, which already includes multiple Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Adegboyega has consistently faced scrutiny over his lavish lifestyle, which he has previously justified as a means to inspire young people toward wealth generation.

His ostentatious displays of wealth often spark debate within religious and public spheres.

Unapologetic in the face of criticism, Adegboyega maintains that his lifestyle is funded by his wife’s income, as he reportedly works for the church without a salary.

Social media reactions

@vickAlmondo: “Once again, this man is not a pastor. Stop it! Content Creator Tobi. The tag pastor is just his brand. Nothing more.”

@BlarkDemi_01: “Once, where is this pastor seeing money”

@Fillipo_Saga: “Something is not adding up”

@bretmetax: “That’s one way to make an entrance definitely got people talking”

Watch the video below…

Pastor Tobi Adegboyega unwraps his 2026 plate Lamborghini Urus🔥😱 pic.twitter.com/xbGRZYjRhx

— Sunkant Entertainment. (@sunkantent) December 15, 2025

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A coalition of opposition leaders has accused the Bola Tinubu–led Federal Government of weaponizing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as a political tool to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 election.

The opposition leaders argued that the perceived selective application of anti-corruption laws by the EFCC and other security agencies weakens the credibility of the anti-graft campaign and further diminishes public confidence in state institutions.

The opposition leaders spoke in a joint statement endorsed by the Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Lawal Batagarawa, Bode George, Peter Obi and former APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.

Titled ‘The Weaponisation of the EFCC’, the statement alleged that the anti-graft agency has consistently targeted opposition figures with the aim of politically benefiting the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to the opposition leaders, the trend echoes a remark previously made by former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who once declared while welcoming defectors from the PDP that joining the APC meant one’s past “sins” were forgiven.

They noted that Oshiomhole’s statement, whether casual or deliberate, has come to represent a troubling perception in the polity, where allegations against members of the ruling party are seemingly ignored, while opposition figures are aggressively investigated, often subjected to intense media scrutiny even without proven evidence.

They further called for the immediate removal of political influence from the operations of the EFCC, insisting that the Commission must operate independently and professionally.

“The EFCC must be insulated from partisan control and must not function at the behest of any president, political party, or faction,” the statement said.

The opposition leaders asked the Federal Government to restore the agency to its original legal responsibilities, emphasizing that its mandate does not include selective prosecution or harassment of political opponents.

“The Commission must recommit itself to the impartial investigation and prevention of economic and financial crimes nationwide. Its duties and powers are clearly outlined under Sections 6 and 7 of its establishing law,” the statement added.

The opposition leaders appealed to Nigerians across political, ethnic, religious, and professional divides to remain vigilant, warning that democracy is being endangered through a calculated effort to weaken opposition voices using state institutions, with the EFCC playing a central role in the alleged strategy.

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Ahead of the 2027 election, leaders from the opposition platform have warned that the use of state institutions to target elected leaders and also key opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election poses “a grave danger to Nigeria’s democratic future.”

The opposition leaders, in a jointly signed statement, decried what they described as the growing politicisation of state institutions for persecution of the opposition.

They also called for sweeping legislative reforms in the operations of anti-graft agencies.

The statement was signed by ADC national chairman, Sen. David Mark; former Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubakar; former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.

Other signatories to the statement are Mallam Lawal Batagawara, Chief Bode George; and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

The statement comes against the backdrop of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has held former Justice minister and Attorney general of federation, Abubakar Malami, and former minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige, over alleged financial crimes.

Malami and Ngige served as ministers under the immediate-past APC administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former Justice minister has openly associated with the ADC, while his former labour counterpart has distanced himself from APC since he left office.

However, the opposition leaders, in their statement yesterday, said they were compelled by duty to nation and conscience to alert compatriots and the international community to what they called Nigeria’s gradual slide into a state “where key national institutions – particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); The Nigeria Police; The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are increasingly perceived as tools of political intimidation, selective justice and systematic persecution of opposition leaders.”

They added that there are mounting concerns that state power is being deployed for persecution of perceived political adversaries with the aim of weakening opposition voices and dismantling Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

They further said there is a covert undemocratic agenda to ensure that all state governments fall under the control of the president’s party by secretly intimidating opposition governors via the anti-corruption apparatus until they succumb and defect.

The party leaders claimed that recent defections of opposition governors into the ruling party have reinforced public suspicion that political pressure, not ideological or personal persuasion, is driving this realignment.

“This pattern forms part of a broader project that targets not only elected leaders but also key opposition figures perceived as architects of emerging coalitions ahead of the 2027 general election. We must warn that this project, if allowed to continue unchecked, poses a grave danger to Nigeria’s democratic future,” they said.

The party leaders said the persecution of the opposition leaders by the EFCC was aimed to weaken the opposition for the benefit of the ruling APC.

They claimed that the pattern reflects a long-standing sentiment openly expressed some years ago by a former national chairman of the ruling APC, Adams Oshiomhole, who declared when receiving defectors from the PDP: “‘Once you have joined APC, all your sins are forgiven.’”

The opposition leaders claimed that that statement symbolises a “troubling reality where allegations against members of the ruling party are routinely perceived to be overlooked”, while unsubstantiated accusations against opposition figures are pursued and subjected to media trial.

They cited a recent example of a female minister, who was forced to resign over allegedly being implicated in a financial scandal but was neither charged nor arraigned by the EFCC.

The opposition leaders claimed the minister is now actively involved in the president’s re-election campaign.

They also cited the case of another minister, who, after resigning from office over a university certificate scandal, has yet to face charges months after he left office.

“Such selective enforcement undermines the legitimacy of anti-corruption efforts and erodes public trust.”

They added that “Nigerians are not blind to the sudden empowerment of certain political actors, including individuals appointed to federal executive positions after crossing from the opposition but still claim to be members of opposition party – whose unstated mandate, appears to include the systematic destabilisation of opposition parties through the creation of factions, inducement and the exploitation of judicial processes, allegedly funded by state resources.”

They however described the EFCC as a critical national institution to safeguard Nigeria’s economic integrity but noted that many Nigerians fear that its independence is steadily being eroded.

They told President Bola Tinubu to recognise that evident social and political injustice could snowball into mayhem as the nation approaches another election cycle.

“This trend must be halted immediately if the nation must be spared a major catastrophe,” they warned.

Calling for reforms, the opposition leaders said EFCC’s operations must be urgently shielded from political interference and must not serve the whims and caprices of any president, party or political faction.

They said the anti-graft agency must return to its statutory mandate of focusing on genuine detection and prevention of economic crimes across board, not selective prosecution, media trials or intimidation of opposition figures.

The opposition leaders also called for the defending of multiparty democracy, stressing that Nigerians must remain eternally vigilant to ensure that the “President does not transform the country into a de facto one-party state – as witnessed in Lagos over the last 25 years, where opposition leaders were silenced, coerced or induced into irrelevance.”

They also advocated what they called embed preventive anti-corruption mechanisms whereby anti-graft operatives would be embedded in all levels of government payment processes to ensure compliance with rules of transparency, accountability and probity in public financial transactions.

“Put differently, the EFCC must recognise and exercise their function as covering both pre and post expenditure.

“operatives must also be held accountable for any unreported but later detected economic and financial infractions in their respective areas of oversight.

“To further strengthen the EFCC, we propose that the EFCC Act should be amended for this purpose,” the statement said.

The opposition leaders also called on the Attorney General, in consultation with the National Assembly, to set up an independent body with full access to the public accounts of the federal, all states and all local governments  from 2015 to 2025.

They said the body would be mandated to conduct a transparent, comprehensive review of financial transactions and publish its findings.

They added that such a review will expose the EFCC’s pattern of selective prosecution of opposition figures and reveal that many current officials of the federal government—and those of ruling-party-controlled states—should have long been prosecuted for economic and financial crimes, but were shielded due to their political affiliation.

Based on its findings, the independent body should also propose amendments to EFCC’s enabling law to strengthen the agency for more effective and efficient prevention of financial crimes.

They added that the proposed body will be chaired by an eminent judge, and composed of the following: Representatives from civil society organisations; Representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association; Representatives of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria;

Others are representatives of the Institute of Chartered Bankers; The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit; Representatives of anti-graft agencies; Representatives of the Police; Representatives of the DSS; Representatives of the Armed Forces; Representatives of all political parties with a seat in the National Assembly.

They however called on all patriotic Nigerians across party lines, professions, regions and faiths to stand firm, adding that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat through the deliberate and systematic weakening of opposition forces, with the EFCC as the central instrument in this troubling strategy.

The opposition leaders said they will  engage foreign partners of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies and diplomatic missions, including United States, UK, Canada, EU, World Bank Office, United Nations, “to express our deep concern about the EFCC increasingly becoming a willing tool in a broader scheme to weaken opposition in Nigeria, and also demand a reform of the anti graft agency.”

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Gunmen have abducted five residents in another attack on Lakwaya town in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State.

Local sources said the incident occurred on Sunday night at Zurin Mahauta village, leaving the community gripped by fear and tension.

Confirming the attack, the village head of Zurin Mahauta, Murtala Mai Unguwa, said the assailants invaded the area under the cover of darkness and took the victims to an unknown location.

He added that security operatives were immediately alerted and responded swiftly, noting that efforts were ongoing to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of those abducted.

Residents of the community expressed concern over the repeated attacks in the area and called for a sustained security presence to safeguard lives and property.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Brigade, Captain Babatunde Zubairu, confirmed the abduction of five persons, assuring that troops were making concerted efforts to rescue them.

“Only five people were abducted, and we are doing everything possible to bring them back safely.

“Troops on the ground are working tirelessly to ensure their safe return to their families,” he said.

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Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has accused two former northern governors of exacerbating insecurity in the region, particularly in Zamfara and Sokoto states.

In a viral video that surfaced on Sunday, Turji alleged that past political leadership laid the groundwork for the long-running insecurity in these states.

He claimed to have attended multiple peace meetings with the Zamfara State government during the tenure of a former governor.

Turji denied reports that he received N30 million or any material inducement to participate in the peace initiatives.

Attempts to obtain reactions from the former governors were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

However, sources close to them dismissed Turji’s claims, describing his statements as false.

“Why would anyone place value on the words of a terrorist? He is only trying to present himself as a victim. It is all lies,” one source said.

The bandit leader also alleged that previous administrations armed vigilante groups, known as ‘Yan Banga,’ which he claimed targeted Fulani communities and fueled violence.

He called for the arrest and investigation of the former Sokoto and Zamfara governors, holding them responsible for the crises in their states.

“We openly say that former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto states are responsible for the calamities that befell these states,” Turji asserted.

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Kasim Sumaina in Abuja 

The Managing Director, Finchglow Travels Limited, Ezekiel Ikotun, has stated that the ability of Nigerian travel agents to compete globally is threatened by foreign exchange pressures.

The company’s Managing Director stated this at the PartnerPlus Connect (PPC) event in Abuja, where industry stakeholders discussed emerging challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s travel and tourism sector.

He lamented that travel agents in Nigeria face significant challenges, including staffing shortages, knowledge gaps, particularly in digital know-how, and limited access to funds.

Ikotun, speaking on the sidelines of the event, emphasised that many agents lack International Air Transport Association (IATA) accreditation, which restricts their access to critical industry information.

He explained that the foreign exchange restrictions and policy instability have created inconsistencies in airline pricing and settlement systems. 

He further added that Finchglow has adopted strategies to mitigate the impact, including leveraging corporate clients who pay in dollars and negotiating dual-currency settlements with airlines.

According to him, “As a consolidator, our goal is to educate our customers, equip them with the right knowledge, and make them global players. 

“PartnerPlus Connect aims to bridge the knowledge gap and empower travel professionals with timely industry information, technology insights and global best practices.

“The margins in the travel business are very thin. Airlines are protecting themselves against instability and uncertainty.”

Ikotun added that fare volatility is driven by broader policy and foreign exchange uncertainties.

“To support agents, Finchglow provides monthly engagement forums, weekly industry newsletters, and online training sessions. The company has hosted three PartnerPlus Connect events this year and plans to expand to more locations.

“Finchglow is also engaged with industry bodies, including the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) and IATA, to advocate for fair policies and improved operating conditions,” he said.

Ikotun commended recent efforts by the Minister of Aviation to stabilize the sector but noted that achieving fairness and consistency remain a work in progress.

Also speaking, the Manager, B2B at Finchglow Travels Limited, Abiola Bakare,  emphasized the need for sustained government engagement to address regulatory inconsistencies and promote local capacity, such as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, to reduce capital flight.

“Initiatives like PartnerPlus Connect are crucial to ensuring Nigerian travel agents can compete effectively in the global travel ecosystem,” Bakare said.

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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

The Supreme Court, on Monday, affirmed the constitutional powers of the President to declare a state of emergency in any state of the federation to avert the breakdown of law and order.

Read Also: Fubara’s Suspension: Supreme Court strikes out PDP Govs’ suit against Tinubu

A seven-member panel of the apex court, in a split decision of six-to-one, equally declined to fault the

suspension of elected officials in states under emergency rule.

However, it stressed that such suspension, though necessary to ensure that the prevailing situation in the state did not degenerate into chaos or anarchy, it must be confined to a limited period.

The judgement followed the dismissal of a suit that 11 states of the federation filed to challenge what they termed as President Bola Tinubu’s unconstitutional actions in Rivers State.

The states, which were controlled by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, through their respective Attorneys-General, queried President Tinubu’s statutory powers to suspend a serving governor, the deputy governor, and members of the State House of Assembly, from office, after the proclamation of emergency rule.

They prayed the apex court to declare that based on provisions of sections 1(2), 5(2), and 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the president “has no powers whatsoever or vires to suspend a democratically elected governor and deputy governor of a state in the federation of Nigeria under the guise of or pursuant to the proclamation of a state of emergency in the state of the federation by the president, including the states of the federation represented by the plaintiffs.”

The plaintiffs equally prayed the court to declare that President Tinubu had no power to suspend a democratically elected House of Assembly of a state pursuant to Sections 192 (4) (6) and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

As well as to declare that the suspension of Governor Siminalaye Fubara, his deputy and members of the Rivers State Assembly was unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal and utterly in gross violation of provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Cited as 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit marked: SC/CV/329/2025, were the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and the National Assembly, NASS.

While deciding the case on Monday, the Supreme Court, in its majority judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris, held that section 305 of the 1999, Constitution, as amended, imbued the president with the power to deploy extra ordinary measures with a view to restoring normalcy where emergency rule was declared.

It held that the said Section 305 was not specific on the nature of the extraordinary measures, thus, granting the President the discretion on how to proceed with any situation at hand.

Besides, the panel upheld preliminary objections the two filed to challenge the competence of the suit.

The apex court held that the plaintiffs failed to establish any cause of action that led to the activation of its original jurisdiction.

It maintained that the states failed to show that there was any actionable dispute between them and the federation to require the exercise of original jurisdiction by the Supreme Court.

More so, the panel stressed that the Supreme Court could only be called upon to adjudicate as a court of first instance, where there is a dispute between the federation and any state or states.

It held that the subject matter of the litigation did not qualify as a dispute between the federal government and any of the plaintiffs on record.

Consequently, it also dismissed the case for want of jurisdiction.

However, a member of the panel, Justice Obande Ogbuinya, gave a dissenting verdict.

Justice Ogbuinya held that upon his careful examination of the case of the plaintiffs, he was satisfied that it succeeded in part.

He held that though the president had the power to declare a state of emergency, however, he could not use such power as a tool to suspend elected officials of the state, including governors, deputy governors and members of the parliament.

Other members of the panel that distanced themselves from the minority judgement, were Justices Inyang Okoro, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Haruna Tsammani, Stephen Adah ans Habeeb Abiru.

It will be recalled that President Tinubu had on March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers state after he slammed governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and lawmakers in the state, with a six-month suspension.

President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas to pilot affairs of the state within the period, as a Sole Administrator.

The president’s decisions received legislative backing from both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Dissatisfied with the development, the PDP states lodged the case that was struck out on Monday.

Vanguard News

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