News

Rivers Lawmaker Questions Governor Fubara’s Role in Recent LG Elections

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2024

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Solomon Bob, has raised concerns about Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s involvement in the Rivers State Electoral Commission.

Rep. Bob alleged that Governor Fubara declared himself as the Chairman of the Commission, bringing about doubt on the credibility of the recently held local government elections in the state.

Bob noted that there were several irregularities in the election process. He pointed out that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) hurried to announce the election results at the government house instead of their official office.

The lawmaker highlighted the importance of following legal procedures, stating that a notice should be sent out 90 days in advance to invite participation in the elections.

According to him, the lack of proper campaigning and notifications to other parties made the election process questionable and embarrassing.

In an interview with Channels TV at 19:10, Bob stated: “You have to send a notice 90 days earlier to say everybody should come and participate in the election. If you don’t do that, then you haven’t really prepared for the election, so what’s the point of the election? You don’t wake up after ambushing people and say you want to have an election. There’s no campaign, and there are no notices to other parties. You wake up one day, distribute forms to a few of your colleagues, and then you have an election.

“Then, the RSIEC rushes to somewhere in the government house and announces the result. It was an embarrassment. It doesn’t matter who would have won; the point is to follow the due process by law. It doesn’t matter if he had won with whatever party he chose to run with. I saw Governor Siminalayi Fubara on TV saying he is the Chairman of the Commission. He funds it, and then you saw him invade the commission area with his men before he moved them to the government house. Where was the result of this election announced? Was it at the RSIEC office? It wasn’t. So, let’s be factual when dealing with Rivers state matters.”

Bob therefore called for transparency and adherence to legal standards to ensure fair and credible elections in Rivers State.

News

Just in: Court Grants Dele Farotimi Bail

Published

2 minutes ago

December 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi has been granted ₦30 million bail by a Magistrate court in Ekiti State.

The court also asked Farotimi to provide 3 sureties with a landed property within the jurisdiction.

He was told to refrain from media interview and to submit his international passport. The case has been adjourned till 13th February 2025.

Farotimi, who has been remanded in a correctional centre in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, arrived at the Magistrate Court premises around 9:45 am on Friday.

He was conveyed to the court premises in a prison’s van with a police escort, alighting while raising his hands up in appreciation of a cheering crowd outside the court.

His bail comes after the magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, had at the last sitting, reserved ruling till December 20 on the bail application and ordered that the activist be remanded in prison.

During the court proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge preferred against him by the police.

His counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, had filed a preliminary objection asking the court to strike out the charge.

According to him, the charge before the court was unknown to law and the offence of defamation was not recognised under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

Farotimi is being prosecuted before a chief magistrate’s court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola.

The arrest of the activist sparked public criticisms with many Nigerians calling for his immediate release.

News

Speaker Abbas Mourns Victims Of Ibadan Funfair Stampede

Published

43 minutes ago

December 20, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has expressed sadness over the death of children as a result of a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. and described the incident as unfortunate.

Speaker Abbas, in his condolence message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, commiserated with the government and the people of Oyo State, especially the families of the victims.

The Speaker, while calling for a thorough investigation of the incident to forestall a recurrence, called for caution during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Speaker Abbas prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the Oyo State Police Command has confirmed 35 children dead and six others sustaining varying degrees of injuries, following the pandemonium.

News

NUJ FCT Council Mourns Sudden Death of Former Council Secretary, Rafat Idris

Published

48 minutes ago

December 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Council FCT Council has mourned the sudden demise of the former Secretary of the Council, Mrs. Rafat Idris.

Mrs Rafat died in the early hours of Friday, December 20th 2024, in Abuja after a brief illness.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle described the untimely death of the former Secretary as a huge shock to the Union.

According to the statement, “The Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) FCT Council received the news of sudden death of the former Secretary, Mrs Rafat Salami today, Friday, December 2024, with a rude shock and disbelief.”

“Rafat is a great asset to journalism and a quintessential journalist who has served the union meritoriously in many capacities at different levels.”

“ She is a friend and mother to all.”

“She served the union with unwarranted dedication and commitment, contributing significantly to the growth of the profession during her tenure as Secretary of Council. She is a peace-loving and easygoing person who has remained a strong member. “

“She was not only a remarkable leader but also a cherished friend to many people in the profession. Her passion for professionalism and excellence will always be remembered. “

The council expresses its deep condolences to the immediate family she left behind, the NUJ Voice of Nigeria (VON) Chapel, the NUJ, and the entire VON management in this time of grief.

Rafat was the Assistant Director of Digital Media I Voice of Nigeria (VON). She was the former Assistant Secretary of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria and re-elected as the Treasurer of the Institute last week.

She was the founder of the Okenite Foundation for Special Needs Children and a Media Personnel of Habbabiya.

She hails from Ihima in the Okenne Local Government Area of Kogi State, and she is survived by three children.

She will be buried today at the Gudu Cemetery according to Islamic rite.