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Rivers: We acted in good faith to checkmate complete collapse-Presidency
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The Presidency has dismissed claims that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other political actors in Rivers State is a power grab, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted decisively to prevent the state from descending into anarchy.
In a statement released on Sunday, March 23, 2025, Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, outlined the urgent need for intervention, stressing that waiting for the total collapse of governance before acting would have been reckless and irresponsible.
The crisis in Rivers State, stemming from a bitter power struggle between Governor Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had crippled governance.
Despite Supreme Court rulings affirming constitutional governance, the feuding factions refused to back down. According to the Presidency, intelligence reports confirmed that militants in the creeks were primed to sabotage critical oil infrastructure, posing a direct threat to Nigeria’s economic security.
“Imagine a Rivers State where President Tinubu hesitated. The political standoff could have spiraled into violence, with attacks on lawmakers and the state’s vital oil infrastructure at risk. Schools and hospitals would shut down, investors would flee, and the human and economic toll would be catastrophic,” the statement read.
By March 18, the situation had deteriorated beyond political resolution, making Presidential intervention unavoidable.
Critics argue that the suspension of Governor Fubara and other political actors is an assault on democracy, but the Presidency insists that the move was a temporary reset, not a takeover.
“This is no power grab,” the statement emphasized. “The intervention is temporary, surgical, and aimed at restoring—not replacing—democratic institutions. The six-month suspension is designed to disarm warring factions and stabilize governance.”
It also pointed out the hypocrisy of some critics who remained silent on Fubara’s refusal to cooperate with the legislature, yet condemned the President’s move.
“Democracy cannot thrive amid lawlessness—anarchy is its antithesis,” Onanuga stated.
The Nigerian Constitution (Section 305) empowers the President to act when the nation faces a breakdown of law, order, and economic security—precisely the case in Rivers.
The Presidency referenced historical precedents, including past states of emergency in Plateau and Borno, as well as the doctrine of necessity, to justify Tinubu’s decisive action.
“The President’s oath demands that he must safeguard national stability, not watch idly as partisan strife strangles our democracy. Rivers is a vital economic artery, and any politically motivated disruption in its oil industry has nationwide consequences,” the statement asserted.
With the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.) as Administrator of Rivers State, efforts are already underway to restore peace and resume democratic governance.
One of his first moves was meeting with traditional leaders to forge lasting solutions. The Presidency reassured Nigerians that the state of emergency would be lifted once stability is achieved, allowing elected officials to resume their duties.
Defending the President’s decision, the statement quoted 18th-century philosopher Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
It concluded with a strong message to critics: “President Tinubu chose courage over complacency. His action prioritized Nigeria’s interests over political expediency, averting a deeper crisis. To those calling him a ‘tyrant,’ ask yourselves—what democracy prospers in chaos? The calm in Rivers today vindicates the President’s decision. He deserves commendation, not condemnation.”
(vanguard)
No fewer than 76 ISWAP terrorists have abandoned their enclaves and surrendered to troops within the North-East theatre of operations as part of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), and continued operational successes.
The North East geopolitical zone comprises six states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe.
In a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, revealed that among those who surrendered were key members of the terrorist network, due to relentless military pressure.
“The development highlights the devastating impact of the sustained offensive by Operation HADIN KAI, which continues to dismantle terrorist strongholds, disrupt command and logistics structures, and deny the insurgents freedom of action across the theatre”.
“Persistent military operations have continued to degrade the terrorists’ combat capabilities while eroding confidence within their ranks and leadership. Within the last week alone, a total of 76 terrorist foot soldiers with some families surrendered to troops”
“They are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing, and other established procedures in accordance with extant operational protocols,” the statement reads in part.
According to Captain Goni, the operational gains demonstrate the effectiveness of the Nigerian military’s comprehensive counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategy, combining precision combat operations, intelligence-led engagements, and coordinated joint efforts with partners.
He added that “the Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in its mission to completely defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East and the pressure on the remaining terrorist elements will continue unabated until they are completely neutralised or forced to surrender”.
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Ex-Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over a fresh plot to keep the opposition party, the African Democratic Congress, off the ballot in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, he said elements within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government want to use political and legal machinations to exclude the ADC from the ballot.
Atiku urged its supporters to reject every attempt to cherry-pick which opposition parties are permitted to participate in the coming election.
He noted that the ruling party may conspire against democracy but would not decide.
“We are fully aware of their plots. While they seek to sow confusion within the opposition, we know their real target is the ADC because it represents the most credible alternative.
“We therefore call on all Nigerians—not just ADC members and supporters— to rise in defence of democracy and reject any attempt by the ruling party to cherry-pick which opposition parties are permitted to participate in the next general election.
“Our message to the APC and the hooded men plotting in dark chambers is simple: you may conspire, but you will not succeed. If the APC is truly confident in its popularity, why is it so terrified of the ADC?” Atiku added.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits, on Monday, attacked the Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, killing a teacher and abducting an unspecified number of students who were writing the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination.
The assailants reportedly invaded the community while the examination was in progress, opening fire and throwing residents into panic. One teacher was killed during the attack, while another sustained gunshot injuries.
Residents said the gunmen took away several students and some teachers before fleeing the area. The exact number of those abducted had yet to be determined as of the time of filing this report.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that military personnel stationed in the community had left for a patrol in nearby Uba, about 16 kilometres away, shortly before the attackers struck.
“The soldiers were not around when the terrorists invaded. They came in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately and causing panic. They abducted students writing the NECO examination along with some teachers,” the resident said.Death & Tragedy
The attack disrupted the ongoing examination and forced residents to flee for safety as the gunmen operated freely in the community.
The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident, saying security agencies had been notified and that several students remained unaccounted for following the raid.
Efforts to rescue the abducted victims were said to be ongoing, while authorities were yet to disclose the exact number of those kidnapped or provide further details on the operation.
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