News
Court instructs RSIEC, Fubara to conduct LG poll in line with Court’s verdict
The State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has issued an order mandating the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), the state government and Governor Siminialayi Fubara to conduct the October 5 local government elections in the state.
The order was made in a suit filed by the Action Peoples Party (APP) against RISIEC, the state government and the governor
In the order issued by the presiding Judge, L.P.C Igwe, the court said in line with section 7 sub section 1 of the Constitution, the state government and Fubara were bound to make adequate provisions for the elections to ensure that the affairs of the local government councils in the state were conducted by democratically elected officials.
The judge said in view of the section 7, sub section 1, Section 5A of RISIEC, Law number 2 of 2018; the decision of the Supreme Court of July 11th, 2024 and expiration of the tenure of the former democratically elected local government councils in Rivers State on June 17th, 2024, the defendants were bound to conduct the poll.
The judge insisted that the elections must be conducted in the shortest possible time to comply with the judgement of the apex court.
In view of the Supreme Court judgement and all the cited provisions of the Constitution and RISIEC Law, the court ruled that RISIEC was entitled to use the national register of voters for the 2023 general elections compiled by INEC and already in the custody of RISIEC to conduct the poll.
Besides, the court said that in line with the Supreme Court’s decision that all states without democratically elected local government must do so within three months of the judgement, the defendants were bound to conduct the elections before rhw expiration of the three-month window.
The court said, “That an order of mandatory Injunction be and is hereby issued compelling the 2nd and 3rd Defendant by themselves, or by their agents, privies, servants or representatives and proxies to make adequate provision for election into the Local Government Council in Rivers State and to ensure that the affairs of the Local Government Councils in Rivers State are Conducted by Democratically Elected Local Government Councils.
“That it is further ordered that mandatory injunction be and is hereby issued compelling the 1st Defendant to conduct election into Local Government Councils of Rivers State on the 5th Day of October, 2024 or on any other date fixed by the 1st Defendant in accordance with its Electoral Guidelines in order to comply with the aforesaid Judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and to take all necessary steps towards the conduct of the said Elections including sale of forms to candidates and their parties, Including the Claimant who is interested in sponsoring candidates for offices in the Local Government Councils.
“That an order of mandatory injunction be and is hereby further issued directing or commanding the 1st Defendant to utilize the National Register of Voters for the 2023 General Election compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pursuant to Section 9 (1)(a), (4) to (6) of the Electoral Act, 2022 to conduct Election into the twenty-three (23) Local Government Councils of Rivers State.
“That the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Nigeria Army and all other Security Agencies and Paramilitary Organizations are hereby ordered to provide adequate security and ensure maintenance of peace, law and order during and after the Election.”
The Kwara State Government has announced the immediate revocation of all signage and billboard licences issued in 2024 with enforcement actions set to begin next week.
The government also warned that identification and removal of unauthorised billboards would commence shortly.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Sunday by the Chairman of the Kwara State Task Force Committee on Illegal Billboards and Signages, Bolanle Olukoju.
Olukoju, who is also Commissioner for Communications, explained that the revocation was in line with a previous notification suspending all billboard licences in the state.
He said the move aimed to facilitate the removal of unauthorised and improperly erected billboards, posters, and light pole banners throughout Ilorin and other urban centers.
“This initiative aligns with the Urban Renewal Programme of the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration, which seeks to transform Kwara into a modern and visually appealing state,” he said.
The government also confirmed that no new registrations or renewals of signage and billboard licences would be processed until further notice.
The temporary measure, the statement added, will allow the state to finalise a new regulatory framework for outdoor advertising.
The statement further emphasised that identification of non-compliant billboards is already underway, and owners of unregistered billboards are urged to remove them immediately.
The Federal Government has unveiled requirements for civil servants seeking to migrate their salaries, change their names and their next-of-kin among others.
This was revealed in a memo by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation dated March 12,2025 and addressed to all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The memo said the government had observed that civil servants effecting the changes on their names and next-of-kins do not submit the necessary documents needed to effect such changes, hence the need for the memo.
“Further to the Circular Ref. HCSF/PS/CMO/IPPIS/I/VOL.I/508 dated 1st November, 2022 on the above subject, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has observed that some Ministries, Departments and Agencies do not attach the required documents which would facilitate granting approvals for migration of saiary, change/correction of names, gender and next-of-kin within the shortest possible time.
“MDAs should therefore, note and be guided by the following Standard Operating Procedures for requests on changes/corrections on HR records of employees on the IPPIS Platform:
With the implementation of the Human Resource component of the IPPIS in the Federal Public Service, it has become necessary to take note and be guided by the above requirements.
“Kindly note that requests that are forwarded to the Office of the Head of the Civil service of the Federation without specific documents will not be processed for approval. Please bring the content of this Circular to all concerned for strict compliance,” the memo read.
Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed support for a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, who claimed to have received threats after her viral video criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement shared on X on Sunday, Atiku praised Raye’s courage, describing her as a symbol of a new generation of politically engaged women committed to advocacy and democratic participation.
“Raye embodies the spirit of a new generation of women who champion the ideals of popular participation and unwavering advocacy in the political sphere.
“I deeply admire her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred by the weight of opposition,” Atiku wrote.
The former presidential candidate likened Raye to historic female activists such as Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, and Margaret Ekpo, who played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Atiku called for support rather than hostility towards Raye.
“Rather than being met with hostility, Raye deserves encouragement and support. She is a shining emblem of the Nigerian youth—a testament to the long-held promise that the leaders of tomorrow are already among us, ready to shape a better future,” Atiku said.
Raye, a corps member serving in Lagos, recently made headlines after a video she posted criticising government policies went viral.
She later claimed to have faced threats, reportedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to take down the video.
In the video posted on her TikTok account #talktoraye on Saturday, Raye voiced frustration over Nigeria’s deteriorating economic situation, lamenting that hard work no longer guarantees financial stability.
She criticised Tinubu’s leadership, calling him a “terrible leader,” and questioned the government’s commitment to easing citizens’ hardships.
Authorities have yet to comment on her allegations.
Hojlund, Garnacho end goal droughts as Man United beat Leicester
Kwara govt revokes signage, billboard licenses
Lagos govt declares two-month traffic diversion for Independence Bridge repairs
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News18 hours agoNDLEA busts DTOs desperate bids to move hard drugs to US, Saudi Arabia, Poland(Photos)
-
News15 hours agoWhy FG Must Stop Harasing Nigerians For Criticising Govt – Amnesty Int’l
-
News11 hours agoGovt is planning to arrest me– Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges
-
News16 hours agoNSITF wants promotion of consistent safety culture at workplace
-
News13 hours agoNYSC member may undergo 30-day service extension for slamming Tinubu
-
News15 hours agoTravel guide: Lagos To Seal Independence, Marina-CMS Bridge For Two Months
-
News18 hours agoFuel Crisis Hits Niger Republic As Military Junta Begs Nigeria For Supplies
-
News11 hours agoSAD! Police inspector shoots self to death while on duty