The former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, stated that there would be no catastrophic consequences if the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly impeaches his successor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), emphasized that there is nothing wrong with lawmakers deciding to remove Fubara over alleged impeachable offenses, such as withholding their salaries for months.

The influential member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remarked, “If you’ve committed an offense worthy of impeachment, what’s the issue? Is it a criminal offense? It’s outlined in the constitution. Am I a member of the Assembly?”

He added, “If an infraction of the constitution has occurred and the Assembly believes it’s justified to impeach, then so be it.”

Wike also dismissed concerns about potential unrest following an impeachment, saying, “I’ve heard people claim that there will be a breakdown of law and order if they impeach him. That’s nonsense! Nothing will happen.”

A dramatic incident occurred at the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex on Wednesday when Governor Siminalayi Fubara arrived, only to find the entrance gate locked.

Security personnel at the complex had locked the gates when the governor’s convoy arrived, citing the absence of official communication between the governor and the Assembly as the reason for their actions.

However, Fubara stated that he had informed Speaker Martins Amaewhule of his visit through a letter and had attempted to contact him by phone since Tuesday.

Fubara had previously announced his intention to fully implement the Supreme Court’s judgment from February 28, 2025, and had directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to prepare for a fresh election.

The RSIEC set the date for the local government election as August 9, 2025.

Additionally, the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, sent a letter dated March 7, 2025, requesting a meeting with lawmakers on March 10, 2025, to discuss the re-presentation of the 2025 budget and engage in peace talks.

The immediate-past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufa’i, has resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In a statement released on Monday, El-Rufai expressed his dissatisfaction with the leadership of the APC, accusing it of deviating from the progressive values upheld by its founding members.

He revealed that over the past two years, he had raised concerns both privately and publicly about the direction of the party, but the current leadership showed no interest in addressing these issues.

El-Rufai stated, “In the last two years, the current leadership of the APC has failed to acknowledge, let alone resolve, the unhealthy state of the party.”

He continued, “At this point in my political journey, I have decided to seek a new political platform to pursue the progressive values that I hold dear.”

Reflecting on his tenure as Governor of Kaduna State, El-Rufai said, “My eight years in office were dedicated to implementing progressive policies for human development.

However, these achievements are now largely disregarded within the current APC, which has weakened its structures and shown disdain for its members over the past two years. This is no longer acceptable to me.”

El-Rufai confirmed that he had submitted his resignation letter to his ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area.

He described the SDP as the platform for his future political endeavors and urged his supporters, as well as other concerned Nigerians, to join him in the SDP, stressing the need for a united democratic platform to challenge the APC in future elections.

His defection followed discussions with prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former vice presidential candidate Tunde Bakare, and former President Muhammadu Buhari, among others.

The move also came after a series of disputes with the presidency. El-Rufai notably missed the APC national caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings last month.

The ongoing terrorism case against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been reassigned to a new judge. This decision was made by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, John Tsoho, following months of pressure.

Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, announced this development in a statement on Saturday. Previously, Justice Binta Nyako had been overseeing Kanu’s trial.

However, during a court hearing on September 24, 2024, Kanu requested that Nyako step down, accusing her of bias in the case.

Ejimakor’s statement said, “Before our routine visit to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu yesterday, we received two important letters about his case.

One letter came from the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, responding to our recent request for administrative intervention to ensure the proper reassignment of the case after the judge’s recusal.

The other letter was from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, notifying us that the case had been reassigned to another judge.”

As a result of these developments, Kanu instructed his legal team to publicly express gratitude to the Chief Justice of Nigeria for her prompt and sound administrative decision.

He also thanked the public for their support in advocating for the case to be reassigned, as the law requires.

The statement further explained, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has always been prepared to face trial because he firmly believes in his innocence.

However, the events of the past six months, starting from the judge’s recusal in September 2024, presented significant challenges to his constitutional rights, particularly his right to a fair and speedy trial.”

The statement concluded, “Given these issues, we had no choice but to take extraordinary measures to ensure that the case is reassigned and conducted in accordance with the law.

Now that the authorities have taken the first step to do the right thing, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his legal team will focus on diligently preparing his defense.”

Former presidential aide Doyin Okupe has passed away at the age of 72.

His death was confirmed by family sources on Friday, with reports stating he died in the early hours of the day. Okupe was from Ogun State.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun expressed his sorrow, calling the death a “personal loss.” In a statement, Governor Abiodun said, “The news of my elder brother Dr. Doyin Okupe’s passing has left me with a profound sense of personal loss, especially following the recent transition of the Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo. Dr. Okupe’s departure has created a void that will not be easily filled.”

He further praised Okupe for his significant role in Nigeria’s struggle against military rule, highlighting that Okupe was a principled individual who, despite never flaunting his credentials, endured persecution and detention under military regimes.

Governor Abiodun extended his condolences to the Okupe family, praying for strength for them in the face of this irreparable loss.

Last year, Okupe spoke publicly about his battle with cancer, which he said caused significant weight loss. He shared his experience during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Political Paradigm*, explaining that chemotherapy had led to a loss of appetite and nausea, causing him to drop from 127kg to 97kg. After completing the chemotherapy, he regained some weight, reaching 103kg.

Okupe, a trained medical doctor, worked in healthcare before entering politics. He was a key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and served as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

He later became the Director-General of the Labour Party’s presidential campaign in 2023 but left the party due to ideological differences.

Born in Iperu, Ogun State, Okupe attended St. Jude’s School and Igbobi College in Lagos, later studying medicine at the University of Ibadan.

Bismarck Rewane, the Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, has forecasted that the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, will continue to decrease until June 2025.

Recently, both Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have lowered the cost of petrol, providing relief to millions of Nigerians who rely on fuel for energy.

Rewane stated that the current reduction in fuel prices is expected to persist until mid-2025.

“So, generally, we’ll see prices continue to drop until June. After that, as things stabilize, depending on what happens in the global oil and currency markets, we might see some stabilization,” Rewane explained on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s *Business Morning*.

He noted that the price competition between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL will ultimately benefit consumers in the short term.

“In a price war, the consumers win in the short run, but eventually, the market will settle back to its usual position. However, by June, the price leadership will be clearly established,” he added.

Rewane attributed Dangote Refinery’s price reduction to factors such as production cost efficiency.

Recently, Dangote Refinery lowered its gantry price from ₦890 to ₦825 per litre and pledged to refund customers who purchased fuel at higher prices from its key partners.

“For MRS Holdings stations, petrol will be sold at ₦860 per litre in Lagos, ₦870 per litre in the South-West, ₦880 per litre in the North, and ₦890 per litre in the South-South and South-East,” stated the management of Dangote Refinery.

The product will also be available at the following prices in AP (Ardova Petroleum) and Heyden stations: ₦865 per litre in Lagos, ₦875 per litre in the South-West, ₦885 per litre in the North, and ₦895 per litre in the South-South and South-East.

The NNPCL also lowered its pump price to ₦860 per litre across its Lagos stations on Monday, though it has yet to officially announce the change.

The removal of the fuel subsidy was announced by President Bola Tinubu during his inauguration in May 2023, leading to an initial spike in petrol prices, which were previously under ₦200 per litre.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Shamsedeen Ogunjimi as the new Accountant General of the Federation following an extensive selection process.

A statement from the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, announced that Ogunjimi’s appointment, which was approved on Tuesday, will take effect from March 7, 2025, coinciding with the retirement of the current Accountant General, Oluwatoyin Madehin.

Ogunjimi, 57, was initially named as Madehin’s successor in December.

According to the statement, a selection committee chose him through a competitive, thorough, and merit-based process, which involved Directors of Accounts in the Federal Civil Service.

The selection was carried out in three stages: a written assessment, an ICT proficiency test, and oral interviews.

The process reflects President Tinubu’s dedication to ensuring transparency, excellence, and competence in crucial public service roles.

Ogunjimi holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which he obtained in 1990, as well as a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the University of Lagos.

He is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

President Tinubu congratulated Ogunjimi on his appointment and encouraged him to serve with integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the nation.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has given Governor Sim Fubara 48 hours to submit the 2025 budget to the lawmakers.

This directive was made during the plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Fubara had previously presented and signed the ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget into law on January 2nd, after presenting it to the legislature led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.

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However, following a Supreme Court ruling last week, which declared Martin Amaewhule and his faction of lawmakers as the rightful members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the legislature has now called on Fubara to present the budget bill, referred to as the “Budget of Inclusive Growth and Development.”

In addition, the Supreme Court instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold funds allocated to Rivers State until the state addresses its disobedience to court orders.

The court also invalidated last year’s local government elections in the state. As a result, Fubara announced plans for new local government elections in compliance with the court’s ruling.

Fubara also ordered that the Heads of Local Government Administration assume control of the 23 local government councils until fresh elections are conducted.

He further directed the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, March 3, 2025.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan explained on Sunday why his administration did not act on the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference.

Jonathan made this statement while visiting the family of late Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Lagos to offer his condolences. He said the political situation in Nigeria at the time was too unstable to present the conference’s recommendations.

He acknowledged that without individuals like Adebanjo, the 2014 National Conference would not have taken place. Adebanjo passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96.

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Jonathan addressed the repeated questions about why the recommendations were not implemented, explaining that many Nigerians did not understand the political unrest the country was experiencing back then.

He pointed out that a key legislator from his party had defected and worked against his administration, and that there were others who sought to bring down his government at the time.

“It was not the right time to present such a document,” Jonathan remarked. “We trust that one day, another government will review it and take action.”

He emphasized that the recommendations came from credible Nigerians who were not influenced by politics and expressed that their conclusions remain important for the nation’s future.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the citizens of the state that his administration will comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling after thoroughly reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC).

This follows the court’s decision on Friday, which declared the local government election held in the state on October 5, 2023, to be invalid.

In a state broadcast on Sunday, Fubara mentioned that he had met with his legal team, who are expecting to receive the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025.

He stressed that his government is committed to upholding the law and constitutional principles.

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, the governor instructed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to immediately take charge of the 23 local government councils across the state.

This comes after the court’s annulment of the October 5, 2023, elections. Fubara stated that civil servants will manage the councils until fresh elections are conducted by the State Electoral Commission.

The governor also directed the outgoing chairmen to formally hand over their duties to the HLGAs by Monday.

Amid ongoing political uncertainty, Fubara urged residents to remain calm and assured them that his administration remains dedicated to good governance and due process.

In a separate ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to Rivers State until it complies with the court’s orders.

The court also dismissed an appeal filed by Fubara, challenging the validity of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule.

The court directed that Amaewhule should resume his duties as Speaker along with other elected members of the House of Assembly immediately.