News

Army notifies A’Ibom residents ahead of shooting practice exercises

Published

9 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Admin

The 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army in the Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has announced plans to hold this year’s first quarter range classification exercise.

The exercise will begin today, March 19 and last till March 28, 2025, according to a statement by the acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lt Adebowale Adejimi.

Adejimi appealed to residents within the range area to stay off designated areas and not to panic at the sound of gunshots, adding that adequate preparations had been made for their safety.

“The headquarters 2 Brigade, 2 Brigade Garrison, and other Sub-units are scheduled to hold the First Quarter Range Classification Exercise for the year 2025 at 6 Bn Range Area in Abak LGA, from 19 – 28 Mar 2025.

“Consequently, the good people of Abak LGA are pleased requested to stay off the designated exercise area. They are also requested not to panic at the sound of gunshots.

“They are also to note that adequate measures have been emplaced for safety and security at the range area and environs.

“You are please requested to disseminate this to the general public for their awareness and safety. Thank you for your usual cooperatiom,” the statement added.

It urged residents not to panic at the sight of moving troops and gunshots.

News

Rep Ugochinyere Condemns Rivers State Emergency Declaration

Published

3 minutes ago

March 19, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…Say “It Is Unconstitutional”

By Gloria Ikibah

Member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere has strongly opposed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an unconstitutional overreach.

Speaking on the matter, Ugochinyere acknowledged that the President has the constitutional power under Section 305 to declare a state of emergency in cases of security threats.

However, he argued that Preside t Tinubu exceeded his powers by suspending Governor Similayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as appointing an administrator to oversee the state.

The lawmaker also accused the President of bypassing the National Assembly’s authority,as he referenced Section 11 of the Constitution, which gives the legislature, and not the executive, the power to make laws for a state if its House of Assembly becomes dysfunctional.

“The President does not have the power to suspend a democratically elected governor, deputy governor, and House of Assembly. Where did he get the power to appoint an administrator? That position is unknown to law.

“The President insulted us by usurping our constitutional power and handing it to the Federal Executive Council. Under Section 11(4), if a state assembly cannot function, the National Assembly makes the laws. But now, the President has taken that role away from us and given it to an unknown administrator”, he said.

Ugochinyere also raised concerns about the rationale for the emergency declaration, questioning whether Rivers State was truly in crisis.

He reminded Nigerians that in 2013, Tinubu who was then in opposition fiercely criticized former President Goodluck Jonathan’s state of emergency declaration in Borno and Yobe States, even though he did not remove the governors at the time.

Ugochinyere insisted that while peace in Rivers State is necessary, it must be achieved through constitutional means.

“Is there war in Rivers? Are people dying on the streets? Did the President even mention that the governor had called for peace meetings that were ignored? Instead, he unilaterally took action without considering the root cause of the political tensions,” he added.

“This decision sets a dangerous precedent. If we allow an elected governor to be suspended today, tomorrow, a president could be suspended under the same guise. I will not support this move, and I believe any true democrat should resist it,” he added.

As the National Assembly prepares to deliberate on the proclamation, the debate is expected to be intense, with lawmakers divided on the legality and implications of the President’s action.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the House spokesperson had in a statement said the president had transmitted the letter on the state of emergency to the House yesterday and that the issue will be discussed at Wednesday plenary, but contrary to his statement the subject was not listed on the order paper.

News

BREAKING! Sole Administrators to manage Rivers LGs

Published

2 hours 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.