Rountrip

Nigerians have appreciated President Bola Tinubu for ensuring fuel price stability throughout the fasting period, crediting the efforts of the federal government and the Dangote Refinery for the availability of petroleum products. They say the situation is in sharp contrast to previous years when fuel scarcity and price hikes made Ramadan and Eid celebrations difficult. In a statement on Sunday, Charles Mbakwe, President of the Nigerian Citizens Rights Advocacy Network (N-CRAN), praised the Tinubu administration and the Dangote Refinery for shielding Nigerians from a potential fuel crisis. “For the first time in years, Nigerians did not have to battle fuel shortages during Ramadan or Eid-el-Fitr. This is not by accident. The federal government’s commitment to ensuring product availability and the efficient operations of the Dangote Refinery played a huge role in stabilising the market,” he said. He, however raised concerns over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) an...

Fresh facts have emerged on plans to extend the emergency rule in Rivers state by some vested interests from Rivers state and close to the corridors of power in Abuja. According to impeccable sources, it was stated that the move for an extension of the state of emergency was to ensure that the governor is frustrated by his long stay out of office to force him to come to the negotiation table. This much was corroborated by Aare Segun Komolafe, the president of the Yoruba Progressive and Democratic Forum. He stated that a series of plans have been hatched to extend the emergency rule in Rivers state to force the governor into submission to the whims and caprices of some vested interest in the state. “The political witch hunt of the governor of Rivers state has reached an alarming dimension. One of the first carrots dangled before the governor is that to return to office, he must cede the mandate of managing state government accounts to a team of select individuals, to whom he will submit...

By Randy Igali     The word patriot is derived from the Greek word “patriots,” which simply mean “of one’s father.” According to the Merriam-Webster, the word entered the English lexicon through the French word “patrite,” which means “fellow countryman.”   In 1912, J. R. Miller, aptly described the situation when patriots are made. According to Miller, times of peace and prosperity are not the best times to make patriots. Patriots are made, when a nation is in peril, at such a time love for country is developed, because it is at such times that there is a call to arms to defend home, altar and flag.   True patriots are actually few today, but Sir Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara the governor of Rivers State is one of them.   Although greatly misunderstood and his intentions misinterpreted and misconceived, for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, there is an inner awakening and a strong true heart of loyalty, the type that at each point compensates for national danger and ...

A pro-democracy group, Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy, has urged President Bola Tinubu to establish a reconciliation committee within 14 days to resolve the crisis in Rivers State. This call comes after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Governor Siminilayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. The group's convener, Dr. Olayemi Isaacs, at a press conference in Abuja expressed concerns that the state of emergency would only lead to a "forced peace" and encourage parties to hide their true intentions. Instead, he advocated for reconciliatory steps in a democratic setting to achieve genuine peace. According to Dr. Isaacs, genuine peace can only come to Rivers State through reconciliatory steps taken in a truly democratic setting. The group criticized President Tinubu's decision to declare a state of emergency, stating that it validated the ugly practice of corrupt political godf...

A coalition, the Centre for Democracy and Development, has condemned the alleged anti-democratic actions of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, and his administration's lawlessness against members of the House of Assembly. The group, in a press conference held in Abuja, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State for a minimum of six months. According to its convener, Ibrahim Yakubu, Governor Lawal's actions have plunged the state into economic sabotage, anarchy, and instability. The group cited the suspension of 10 members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly for 13 months, simply for expressing concerns about the state's security situation. This, the coalition argued, has crippled the legislative chamber and denied the people of Zamfara effective representation. The coalition also accused Governor Lawal of authoritarianism, citing his directive to suspend eight members of the House who raised concerns about the worsening secur...

The House of Representatives has vehemently denied allegations that its members received a $5,000 inducement to ratify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's request for a State of Emergency declaration in Rivers State. Deputy spokesman of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese (Benue, APC), in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, described the allegation as false, malicious and emanating from "the pit of hell." Hon. Agbese said Thursday's resolution of the House on the State of Emergency declaration in Rivers was done out of patriotism and in the interest of restoring lasting peace to River State. "At no point did members of the House engage in any financial inducement about the state of emergency declaration. The decision was taken after extensive deliberations on the security and political situation in Rivers State, in line with our constitutional responsibilities to safeguard national stability," he said.  "Any suggestion that lawmakers were bribed is ...

The Coalition for Democracy and Development (CDD) has issued a stern warning to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, urging them to put aside their differences and sign a new peace pact within the next 90 days. The CDD condemned the actions of both Wike and Fubara, stating that their pursuit of selfish interests has prioritised personal gains over the welfare of the people. The political crisis in Rivers State has been escalating, culminating in President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of Governor Fubara and other elected officials. Despite a previous peace pact signed in December 2023, the crisis has continued to worsen. In a statement signed by Dr. George Ifure, the CDD emphasised that the ongoing crisis is a clear indication of the failure of leadership and the pursuit of selfish interests by both Wike and Fubara. Ifure warned that Nigerians are ready to hold them responsible if they fail to sign a peace pact within the s...

The African Coalition for Democracy (ACD) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu's declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, describing it as a blatant disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law. The ACD said the move, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials, is a clear violation of the Constitution and an affront to the democratic process. According to a statement signed by Dr Bathlomew Benjamin, the African group said the President's action is a dangerous precedent that threatens the stability of Nigeria's democratic system. Benjamin added that the suspension of elected officials is a clear indication that the President and the National Assembly are more interested in consolidating power than in upholding democratic principles. The ACD criticised the National Assembly for rubber-stamping the President's decision without due consideration, abandoning their constitutional responsibility to check the excesses of the ...

The Southern Nigeria Leaders of Thought has condemned the ceaseless campaign of calumny against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her mob of social media supporters. Speaking at a press conference, the President of group, Princewill Chibuike, and General Secretary, Oluwatobi Johnson, said the unwarranted and malicious onslaught against the Senate President is distasteful. They said the attacks are deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of the Senate and the Federal Government of Nigeria. The group said: "We find it pitiable that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is not only married to a son of the South but has also been a major beneficiary of Southern-led development initiatives, has chosen to malign and discredit the political leadership of the South-South region, particularly Senate President Godswill Akpabio and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. "It is on record, with numerous pieces of evidence including pi...

A group of concerned citizens has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to sabotage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's reforms on local refineries. The group, Concerned Nigerians led by its National Coordinator Obinna Francis, claims to have uncovered a sinister plot to stop the supply of crude oil to domestic refineries. According to Francis, the plot is being orchestrated by a cabal within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in collaboration with importers of fake petrol. The group alleges that this cabal is seeking to undermine the government's economic reforms, which have led to a significant reduction in fuel prices and a subsequent decrease in the cost of food items. The concerned citizens believe that the plot is driven by a desire to return Nigeria to the era of petrol importation and the reintroduction of subsidies. They argue that cutting off crude oil supply to domestic refineries would create a shortage of refined products, forcing the country to imp...

  In a move that has reportedly sparked widespread reactions, a source has revealed that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda has purchased a fleet of luxury vehicles, including 10 Armoured Toyota Land Cruisers valued at about N620million ex-factory price and 40 Toyota Prado SUVs.   The acquisition, we were informed comes at a time when many citizens are grappling with economic challenges, raising concerns about the priorities of public officials. While some argue that such purchases may be necessary for official duties, critics question the timing and the potential impact on public funds.   Political analysts suggested that the move could influence the political landscape, especially as stakeholders demand greater accountability and transparency in governance.   However, sources close to the Speaker have denied the allegation, claiming that it is the figment of imagination of those who don't want her in the office.   The source insisted that the Speaker in on top of the g...