The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has announced that Saturday, March 1, 2025, will mark the beginning of Ramadan 1446AH.

He stated that the declaration was based on verified moon sightings in various parts of the country on Friday, which was the 29th day of Shaban, confirming the commencement of Ramadan on March 1.

“We received reports from Muslim leaders nationwide and have accepted the moon sighting accordingly,” the Sultan said.

He urged the Muslim community across the country to begin the Ramadan fast on Saturday, in accordance with Islamic teachings.

The Rivers State Government has stated that it is awaiting a full briefing on the implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling concerning state allocations and local government administration.

In a statement on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Joe Johnson, said the government will thoroughly review the details of the judgment before deciding on the best course of action for the state and its residents.

He called on the people of Rivers State to remain calm, law-abiding, and continue their daily activities while the government seeks further clarification on the ruling.

Johnson also clarified that the defection of the 27 lawmakers was not part of the Supreme Court case, as the matter is still pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

“At this moment, we are awaiting a detailed briefing on the implications of the judgment. We will carefully assess the situation and determine the best steps to take in the interest of Rivers State and its people,” he stated.

He further explained that, in the eyes of the Supreme Court Justices, Martin Amaewhule and the 26 other lawmakers are still recognized as members of the legislature since the issue of their defection was not addressed in the ruling.

“The Justices did not deliberate on the defection matter, so as far as they are concerned, Amaewhule and the others remain lawmakers until the case is brought before them,” he added.

The commissioner reaffirmed the Rivers State Government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and acting in the state’s best interest.

In its ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court also prohibited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State Government until it complies with court orders.

Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulssalam, has urged President Bola Tinubu to order the removal of dethroned Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, from the Nasarawa royal residence in Kano.

Since his removal as Emir in May 2024, Bayero has continued to hold court at the palace despite court rulings affirming his dethronement.

Speaking at the Kano State Government House during the distribution of relief materials provided by Tarauni Federal Constituency representative, Kabiru Dahiru-Sule, Abdulssalam accused certain individuals of exploiting Bayero’s presence to create unrest in the state.

He called on the president to intervene to restore peace, stating, “We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the Emir he appointed and placed in a graveyard.”

Expressing frustration over the situation, the deputy governor said the people of Kano, especially the youth, are tired of what he described as “nonsense.”

“It is alarming that in a democracy, security forces are using teargas on peaceful protesters, with reports even suggesting the use of live ammunition.

“In the evening, military vehicles patrolled the city and even parked in front of my house. But let it be clear—there is no intimidation. This is a democracy, and democracy must be upheld, whether some people like it or not. We fully support the youth who are expressing their grievances.

“The president should take the Emir he installed to his own state. Kano already has an Emir, and that is Muhammadu Sanusi II. No one, not even the ‘Emir of the World,’ can appoint an Emir in Kano except Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”

Abdulssalam further alleged that keeping Bayero in the Nasarawa palace is a deliberate attempt to destabilize the Kano State Government and disrupt governance.

Acknowledging recent protests by Kano residents, he emphasized that peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental right in a democracy.

He also condemned the actions of security forces in dispersing protesters and making arrests, insisting that Kano people have the right to demand the removal of Bayero.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has reported a widespread power outage affecting at least 53 areas in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including the Presidential Villa.

In an announcement via its X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, AEDC attributed the blackout to technical faults in the feeder supplying power to the affected locations.

The issue disrupted transmission to the R4 Injection Substation at Three Arms Zone, Aso Drive, which powers the Presidential Villa, the country’s seat of government.

Among the affected areas are: “CKC Gwagwalada, Kuje Road, Almat Farms, Kiran Farm, Efugo, Kwali Road, L5 Injection Substation, Chukuku Environs, Premium Farm, El-rufai Estate, Daghiri, Kuje Extension, John Calvin Estate, Kings Court, Karmo District, Idu Industrial, Urban Shelter Katampe, Living Faith Church Katampe, Jahi Village, Katampe Extension, Jahi by Gilmore, Gishiri, Mabushi, Kadokuchi, Navy Estate, Anan House, NAF Conference, Lake View Phase 1 & 2, Custom Quarter, Chida Hotel, Dakibiu, Brains and Hammer City Estate, Today Estate, Dape District, Katsina Estate, Paradise Estate, Ochacho Estate, Kafe District, American Embassy Estate, part of Gwarinpa, Zone C War College, Lateef Jakande, Zone E, Zone D, Bestway Hotel, Eterna Filling Station.

Others include: “Dantata, R3 Injection Substation, R4 Injection Substation at Three Arms Zone, Aso Drive, Lugbe FHA 1, part of FHA 2, Tudunwada, Master’s Lounge, Total Filling Station, Salem Academy, Environmental, Back of Premier Academy, Old Metro Bakery, Video Club, Pack Well, Unity Hospital, Sector F, and surrounding areas of R5 Injection Substation and Naff Valley Estate Injection Substation.”

The company urged affected customers to remain patient as its engineers work diligently to restore power as soon as possible.

Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) champions, Edo Queens, have declared Comfort Folorunsho absent without official leave (AWOL).

The Benin City-based club revealed that Folorunsho left with her belongings without notifying the management, despite being under contract.

Edo Queens cautioned other clubs against signing her without obtaining proper clearance. However, they expressed readiness to facilitate her transfer in a professional and orderly manner.

“The player remains under contract with Edo Queens FC and has no right to leave without officially informing the club of her whereabouts,” the club stated.

“This notice serves as a warning to clubs not to engage her services without the necessary clearance from Edo Queens FC.”

The Supreme Court, on Friday, nullified the results of the Local Government Elections held in Rivers State on October 5, 2024.

The apex court upheld an appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and set aside the November 21, 2024, judgement of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, which had validated the elections.

In a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, the court ruled that there was no evidence proving that the conditions outlined in Section 150(3) of the Electoral Act, 2010, were met before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted the elections.

Read Also: Supreme Court Reinstates Order Stopping Rivers Allocations

Delivering the lead judgement, Justice Jamilu Tukur reinstated an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the voters’ register to RSIEC for the elections.

Previously, a special panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, had ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over the Rivers State local government elections.

The appellate court also criticized the trial court for restricting security agencies from overseeing the elections.

According to the appellate court, Section 28 of the Electoral Act applies only to federal elections, governorship elections, and Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, not state-conducted local government elections.

However, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier halted the Rivers State LG elections, ruling that RSIEC violated legal provisions by fixing an election date without adhering to the required procedures.

He noted that RSIEC failed to publish the mandatory 90-day notice before scheduling the election and did not complete the necessary updates and revisions of the voters’ register.

As a result, Justice Lifu had ordered INEC not to provide the certified voters’ register to RSIEC until all legal requirements were met. He also prohibited RSIEC from using any voter register from INEC for the elections.

The Supreme Court upheld this ruling in its final judgement on Friday.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of s3xual harassment during a live television interview.

Their dispute has been ongoing since last week after she refused to move to a new seat assigned to her by the Senate President.

Speaking on Arise TV on Friday, February 28, 2025, Natasha alleged that her troubles in the Senate began because she rejected Akpabio’s advances.

She recalled an incident in December 2023 when Akpabio gave her a tour of his house in Uyo and allegedly suggested they spend “quality time” together.

Detailing the encounter, she said: *“He took me around his house and when we got to a particular sitting room, he asked, ‘Do you like my house?’ I responded, ‘Of course, it’s a beautiful home with great interior design.’ Then he said, ‘Now that you’re a senator, I will make time for us to spend quality moments here—you’ll enjoy it.’ At that point, I stepped away because I wasn’t comfortable with the remark.”*

She also claimed that Akpabio deliberately obstructed her attempts to present a motion on the Ajaokuta Steel Company, linking his actions to her refusal to give in to his alleged demands.

“In February, I tried to move a motion on the issues affecting Ajaokuta Steel Company. I submitted it five times before it was finally approved on the sixth attempt. Several senators can confirm this. Each time it was listed, before taking it, he would say, *‘We can’t discuss this motion because the Senate’s mood doesn’t accommodate it.’*

“When I confronted him in his office and pleaded for the motion to be considered due to its significance to my constituents and the country, he told me: *‘Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate. You can gain a lot if you take care of me and make me happy.’* I simply pretended I didn’t hear that.”

Senator Natasha compared her experience to situations where female students are repeatedly failed by lecturers for rejecting their advances.

On Friday, the Supreme Court reaffirmed its ruling prohibiting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation from disbursing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State.

The apex court also directed the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Hon. Martins Amaewhule, along with other elected members, to resume legislative activities without interference.

It criticized the Court of Appeal in Abuja for overturning the initial order that halted the release of funds to the state, citing Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s failure to re-present the 2024 Appropriation Bill before the Amaewhule-led Assembly.

The Supreme Court ruled that, contrary to the appellate court’s decision, the Federal High Court in Abuja had the jurisdiction to hear the lawsuit filed by the 27 lawmakers challenging the withdrawal and expenditure of state funds without legislative approval.

In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the five-member panel stated that the Court of Appeal misinterpreted the case by focusing solely on the state’s consolidated revenue.

The Supreme Court emphasized that the core issue was Governor Fubara’s refusal to comply with a standing court order requiring him to present the Appropriation Bill before a legally constituted Assembly.

The court upheld the status of the 27 lawmakers who allegedly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), affirming that they remain valid members of the Assembly until a final decision is reached on their defection.

It dismissed Fubara’s justification for presenting the budget to only five remaining lawmakers, stating that the doctrine of necessity could not be applied to validate an unlawful act.

Accusing the governor of destabilizing the government due to his fear of impeachment, the Supreme Court imposed a N5 million fine against him.

Four leaders of the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order for Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere to vacate his seat following his expulsion from the party.

In a fresh lawsuit filed by their lawyer, Johnson Usman (SAN), the PDP chieftains also requested that Ugochinyere be directed to refund all salaries, allowances, and benefits received since his expulsion to the Federal Government.

Ugochinyere currently represents Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Read Also: Atiku Criticses Tinubu’s Silence On Lagos Assembly Crisis

The originating summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/358/2025, was dated February 26 and filed on February 27. The plaintiffs include Austine Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Thankgod Okeke (PDP Ideato North LGA Chairman), Agatha Onyejisi (PDP Ward Chairman, Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward), and Carl Nwokoma (Imo PDP Vice Chairman/Orlu Zonal Chairman).

The lawsuit lists Ugochinyere, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the 1st to 4th defendants, respectively.

The plaintiffs presented eight legal questions for determination, including whether a National Assembly member who loses party membership before completing their term automatically forfeits their seat, as stipulated under Sections 65(2)(b) and 68(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

They also argued that, under Section 68(2) of the Constitution, the Speaker is legally obligated to declare Ugochinyere’s seat vacant.

Consequently, the plaintiffs asked the court to:

– Declare that Ugochinyere is no longer a National Assembly member from the date of his expulsion.
– Order the Speaker to enforce Section 68(1) and declare the seat vacant.
– Direct INEC to conduct a bye-election within 90 days to fill the vacant position.

In an affidavit, Austine Nwachukwu affirmed that Ugochinyere was a registered PDP member in Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward and was elected under the party’s platform in the 2023 elections.

Nwachukwu stated that Ugochinyere was invited by the PDP Ward Committee on September 30, 2024, to respond to allegations of anti-party activities but failed to appear. A follow-up invitation on October 7, 2024, was also ignored.

Due to his non-compliance, he was suspended by his ward on October 14, 2024, and later expelled by the PDP Ideato North LGA on December 5, 2024. The decision was communicated to the state PDP chairman and later to the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, on December 9, 2024.

Nwachukwu emphasized that the expulsion was unanimously supported by all 27 PDP chairmen in Imo State and is not under litigation in any court.

He urged the court to rule in their favor, stating that it would serve the interests of justice, good governance, and democratic principles.

The case, filed on Thursday, is yet to be assigned to a judge.

The factional Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has revealed that he has been a loyal follower of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since completing secondary school.

Obasa made this statement during an interview on *Politics Today* on Channels TV on Thursday while addressing questions about the ongoing crisis in the state assembly.

On the same day, he arrived at the assembly complex with his security detail and presided over a ‘plenary’ attended by just four lawmakers, further escalating the dispute.

When asked if Tinubu was backing him in the crisis, Obasa responded, *“I have been following this man since I finished secondary school. I have pictures to prove it. During the SDP era, I contested as a delegate. Since then, I have always been one of his disciples, and I will not change tomorrow. I have always been loyal. If people are just realizing this now, then they were never truly part of us from the beginning.”*

Regarding his alleged rift with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Obasa denied any animosity, stating that they have always worked well together.

*“It is not a crime to have ambitions. The governor is my leader and brother, and I have no reason to disrespect him. If any of my actions appeared disrespectful, it was unintentional.”*

He emphasized his respect for the governor and dismissed speculation about his political ambitions.

*“The governor is our leader in this state, and he deserves our respect. He is also my brother. As far as I am concerned, there is no issue between us.”*

Although he ruled out immediate plans to contest for governorship, he maintained that he is qualified for the role.