News

APC writes Edo Assembly Speaker on party’s Majority status

Published

9 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Admin

A shift in leadership is imminent in the Edo State House of Assembly as the All Progressives Congress has formally informed the Assembly of its new majority status.

On Tuesday, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku confirmed the receipt of a letter from the APC, notifying the Assembly of the party’s increased membership following the defection of four lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Although the letter was not made public, it marked a significant political shift in the House.

The PDP lawmakers who joined the APC are Donald Okugbe (Akoko Edo Constituency II), Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon South Constituency II), Richard Edosa (Oredo West Constituency), and Sunday Ojezele (Esan South East).

With this development, the APC now has 13 members, while the PDP has 11 members. The Labour Party also lost its sole representative to the APC.

The letter from the APC, titled “Notification of APC Majority Status in the Edo State House of Assembly,” formally declared that the party now holds the majority following the defections.

It also mentioned that the APC would notify the House of any consequential actions regarding this new reality at an appropriate time.

Speaker Agbebaku acknowledged the APC’s majority status, stating, “Going by this letter, it means APC now has a majority in the House.”

He expressed his well wishes to the defected lawmakers, saying, “I want to wish the decampees well, and I wish them good endeavours.”

The Speaker also indicated that he was awaiting another letter from the APC to officially nominate its principal officers, signaling further changes in the House’s leadership.

News

BREAKING! Sole Administrators to manage Rivers LGs

Published

1 hour ago

March 19, 2025

Naijablitznews

Sole administrators to be appointed by the state administrator to head each local government area in Rivers state.

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News

BREAKING: 2 Female House Members Clash Over State of Emergency in Rivers State

Published

3 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Ahead of Wednesday plenary session, tension flared in the House of Representatives as two female lawmakers engaged in a heated argument.

Rep. Blessing Amadi (PDP, Rivers State) and Rep. Marie Ebikake (PDP Bayelsa State) were seen raising their voices at each other, with the disagreement linked to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, which led to the suspension of Governor Similayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Naijablitznews.com observed Rep. Ebikake reading aloud from the Nigerian Constitution while Rep. Amadi, appearing visibly agitated, pointed at her colleague in disagreement.

Also in one instance, other lawmakers were seen in groups engaging in heated conversations, and Rep. Kama Nkemkama, a lawmaker from Ebonyi State was seen banging on a table before walking away in frustration

Meanwhile, the President is expected to formally transmit a correspondence to the National Assembly within two days, seeking legislative consent for the emergency rule. The matter is expected to dominate discussions at the plenary session.

News

Reps to Debate President Tinubu’s State of Emergency Declaration in Rivers At Wednesday Plenary

Published

3 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives is set to deliberate on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

This follows constitutional provisions that require the National Assembly to consider such a proclamation within two days if in session or within ten days if not.

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Patrick Umoh, in an interview on the News @10 on Nigeira Television Authority (NTA) explained that Wednesday plenary session will focus on the validity of the declaration and whether it aligns with the constitutional provisions.

Umoh emphasised that the president’s decision was made in response to threats to order and peace, as permitted under the Constitution.

“The President has done so, and there are reasons why this has been done, which are now public knowledge. It is the obligation of Parliament to consider the validity or otherwise of such a proclamation and then take our decision,” Umoh stated.

He also clarified that the House has the power to extend the state of emergency beyond six months if necessary, in line with Section 305 of the Constitution.

According to the lawmaker, he debate, will be conducted in collaboration with the Senate, given Nigeria’s bicameral legislative structure.

Addressing concerns that the state of emergency might lead to militarization and suspension of democratic structures in Rivers, Umoh disagreed with such views, insisting that the president’s decision aligns with democratic principles.

“I can’t concede to the argument of militarization. The decision to declare a state of emergency is in compliance with the Constitution. It is the discretion of Mr. President to appoint who administers the state where the declaration has been made,” he said.

On the possibility that the National Assembly might reject the declaration, Umoh noted that such a decision would mean the emergency rule cannot stand, as the Constitution requires legislative approval.

“If today the decision of Parliament does not go in sync with the declaration of the president, then the decision of emergency cannot stand. That’s the provision of the Constitution,” he stressed.

With the House expected to debate and take a resolution today, all eyes are on the National Assembly to determine the next steps in Rivers State.