News
Constitutional breach : Rivers Gov Fubara, Again Presents 2025 Budget To 4-Member House Of Assembly
The governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara, has continued to progress in error as he presented the 2025 budget proposal to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led four -man Rivers House of Assembly.
Fubara presented the N1.1trillion appropriation bill to the house on Monday.
The four members led by the Speaker, Oko-Jumbo, had earlier read Governor Fubara’s letter requesting permission to present the appropriation bill on Monday, at their plenary.
This marks Fubara’s second budget presentation since assuming office.
Fubara had presented the 2024 state appropriation bill of N800 billion in 2023 to a four-man House of Assembly led by factional Speaker, Edison Ehie.
The presentation occurred while Rivers citizens and residents grappled with the news of the sudden demolition of parts of the state House of Assembly complex.
This followed the defection of 27 Assembly members, including then-Speaker Martin Amaewhule, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amid legal battles and political intervention, including input from President Bola Tinubu, Ehie eventually resigned from the Assembly and was subsequently appointed the Chief of Staff to the Government House.
The crisis deepened as the three remaining members of the House after Ehie’s exit maintained their legitimacy, citing Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which they argued is self-executing in cases of defection without a crisis in the parent party.
The trio, consisting of Oko-Jumbo (Bonny Constituency as, Speaker), Adolphus Timothy (Opobo/Nkoro Constituency as Deputy Speaker), and Sokari Goodboy (Ahoada West as Leader of the House), assumed the Assembly’s leadership.
They have consistently carried out legislative functions, often in alignment with the Fubara-led administration.
Meanwhile, the 27 defected members have since reversed their decision and continue to attend functions as PDP members and hold sessions under Martin Amaewhule’s leadership, frequently opposing the government’s policies.
As part of the twist in Rivers State’s ongoing political and legislative crisis, both the Federal High Court and the Appeal Court nullified the N800billion 2024 Appropriation Bill of the state, halting its implementation.
News
Gunmen abduct Nigerian Professor, Demand N10m Ransom
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Professor John Ebeh, a senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State.
The assailants are reportedly demanding a N10 million ransom for his release.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the attackers invaded the professor’s residence in Agbeji, a suburb of Anyigba, in Dekina Local Government Area, at about 7 p.m. on Thursday.
According to a neighbor who identified himself as Akpai, “The hoodlums operated in a commando manner. It was swift. We noticed a car trailing him furiously; we took it as one of his friends or colleagues, not until we started hearing gunshots around his gate.”
A family source disclosed that the professor was abducted just as he was about to enter his compound.
“Professor Ebeh was almost at the gate of his house at Agbeji, on his way from the town when the incident happened.
“He had even given out a signal to his people to open the gate of his house when some people emerged suddenly from their hideout and started shooting sporadically.
“Amidst the confusion, someone drove in furiously and blocked his car.
“Some masked people alighted from the vehicle and whisked him away at gunpoint.
“His abductors called the family on Friday night, demanding N10 million,” the source recounted.
University officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
However, one of Professor Ebeh’s colleagues expressed shock at the development, saying, “The kidnapping (of the professor) came to us as a shock. I have just visited his family to sympathize with them.”
News
Sad: Ondo SSG Is Dead
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Tayo Oluwatuyi, on Saturday died in an auto crash.
The SSG died in the crash which occurred while he was traveling from Akure, Ondo State capital, to Ibadan in Oyo State.
Confirming the incident, Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Wale Akinlosotu, stated that Oluwatuyi was hospitalised before he gave up the ghost.
“Hon. Oluwatuyi was a dedicated public servant whose unwavering commitment to administrative coordination, policy advisory, and implementation had a significant impact on Ondo State.
“Further details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared as they become available,” he added.
News
Mohamed Salah confirms this season as his last season at Liverpool
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Liverpool’s talisman, Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly, popularly known as Mohamed Salah, has confirmed that the 2024–2025 football season will be his last season donning the shirts of Liverpool.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Mo Salah revealed that he is eager to win this year’s English Premier League title for the Reds to sign off his eight-year stay with the Merseyside based club.
Salah reflected on Liverpool’s previous Premier League triumph in the 2019-2020 season, noting that they were unable to celebrate it as they had hoped. Salah stated that he is determined to help the team win the title this year and celebrate in a manner worthy of their remarkable achievement.
He reflected on Liverpool’s previous Premier League triumph, noting that they were unable to celebrate it as they had hoped. Salah stated that he is determined to help the team win the title this year and celebrate in a manner worthy of their remarkable achievement.
“It’s probably because we didn’t celebrate the one we won in the way we wanted and also, coming back here too, it’s my last year in the club so you want to do something special for the city.
“We waited for that title for 30 years or so. So, to win it and it was the pandemic at that time, we didn’t really have time to celebrate it in the right way. It’s not a nice thing to do, so hopefully we can do it this year.”
“I really want to win the Premier League this season as it’s my last year at the club. I want to give something special to the City.” He said.
Mohamed Salah’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire at the end of the current season. He explained that although his agent, Ramy Abbas, and Liverpool are yet to reach any conclusive decision regarding a contract renewal, he remains focused and is not distracted by the off-field uncertainty.
“We are far away from any progress so we just need to wait and see.
“The thing in my head is ‘OK, if it’s my last six months, or last year, what do you want to see in the future? Do you want to look back and say I was concerned about the contract or I was stressed’ or do you just want to say ‘OK, I had an unbelievable season’.
“That’s in my head now. All the time now. If I feel that kind of distraction, I remind myself ‘You want to look back and you had an unbelievable season’. So that’s what I want to do.” He explained.
He has been in electric form this term, scoring 17 goals in 18 league games, while also registering 13 assists. He has won 9 trophies with Liverpool which includes 1 EPL title, 1 FA Cup, 2 EFL Cups, 1 FA Community Shield, 1 UEFA Champions League title, 1 UEFA Super Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
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