Politics
Army Arrests lg Boss, pdp Chieftain In Rivers
Operatives of the Nigerian Army on Saturday arrested Chairman of Emuoha Local Government Council of Rivers State, Mr Tom Aliezi.
A chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, Barr. Tubotamuno Dick was also arrested in his unit in Asari Toru LGA.
Aliezi’s arrest was made known in a statement signed by his media aide, Loveday Ihua and made available to newsmen.
The Chairman’s media aide on behalf of the council called for the unconditional release of their principal.
Ihua stated that the LG Chairman was arrested at the council headquarter on Saturday, pointing out that the Army was biased because no reason was given for the arrest of the local government chairman.
The Army is yet to respond to allegations against its personnel during the Governorship and State House of Assembly polls in the crude oil and gas rich state.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Asari Toru LGA, Odiari Princewill said the party in the area will protest release of the results from any ward where election materials were hijacked.
Princewill accused members of the All Progressives Party (APC) in the area of hijacking electoral materials with the aid of military personnel.
He said, “Just after the distribution of materials, the military started intimidating and arresting our people. They started arresting some PDP chieftains in their homes and they are also aiding other party even though we know the APC do not have a candidate.
“But I do not know their connection with the military why they are showing their full presence and hiding under the cover of the military to perpetrate electoral violence.
“They went to some places and snatch electoral materials. Once those areas are identified, definitely we will move for cancellation,” the LG boss stated.
On the arrest of Barr. Dick, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman (CTC) of the area, the PDP Chairman in Asari-Toru LGA, Jerry Amakiri has advised the military against defaming the PDP chieftain (Dick) for alleged misconduct.
It was learnt that military personnels invaded his home, ransacked houses and cars in the compound before whisking the lawyer away from his polling unit near his family compound.
Amakiri in an interview with newsmen in the area accused the military of colluding with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area to intimidate PDP members.
He said, “Tubotamuno Dick was just whisked away. They (military) are alleging that he took ballot paper to his house. But we know he is not that kind of person. If they want to kill us they should kill us. We do not know where Nigeria is heading to.
“If we are contesting against the army we will know we are contesting against them. The APC brought the soldiers and they are moving with them. They want to come and snatch our unit which I know I am winning. It cannot happen,” he declared.
Also, an indigene of the area who did not give her name said the election was peaceful before the soldiers arrived.
She said, “The LGA PDP returning agent for PDP, Barr Tubotamuno Dick was whisked off by some uniform military men. After searching and ransacking the houses and cars in that compound they still took him away.
“We do not know what is going on right now. We do not know whether he is alive or not,” the lady worry.
Dennis Naku
The state chairman of the party, Dr Babandi Gumel, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Jigawa PDP received news of Alhaji Lamido’s suspension with “profound shock and disappointment”.
The statement added that the suspension, which was reportedly based on allegations that Alhaji Lamido attended meetings capable of undermining party unity, amounts to an affront to justice, internal democracy and the reconciliation efforts recently championed by the PDP leadership.
The party stressed that the exercise of legal and constitutional rights within the party should not be interpreted as an act of disunity. It recalled that Alhaji Lamido approached the court after he was allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest the position of National Chairman of the PDP.
The statement further noted that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled in Alhaji Lamido’s favour by restraining the PDP from proceeding with its national convention until his right to contest was determined.
The Jigawa PDP argued that the suspension appeared to be a punitive action against Alhaji Lamido for seeking judicial redress over an issue on which the court had already found merit.
The party also faulted the decision of the BoT for contradicting recent public statements by its chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who had emphasised reconciliation within the party, admitted past mistakes and appealed to aggrieved members to return fully to the PDP fold.
However, it maintained that suspending a founding member who sought justice through legal means runs contrary to the spirit of reconciliation and healing publicly advocated by the party leadership.
The chairman said the suspension was premature and prejudicial, as the matter remains before the courts. He also described Alhaji Lamido as one of the few founding fathers of the PDP who has remained loyal to the party without defecting, warning that punishing such loyalty sends a negative signal to other committed members.
The party further argued that the action undermines party unity at a time when the PDP requires cohesion to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It also insisted that there is no provision in the PDP constitution that allows for the suspension of a “life member”.
The party called on the BoT to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the suspension of Alhaji Lamido.
It also demanded that the BoT publicly affirm the right of all party members to aspire to leadership positions in line with the party’s constitution and the laws of the country, without fear of victimisation.
It further urged the BoT to retrace its steps, align its actions with its reconciliation agenda, and tender an apology to Alhaji Lamido.
The Jigawa PDP reaffirmed its commitment to a united, democratic and law-abiding Party.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC warned that if proven, such actions would amount to a serious breach of constitutional order, legislative integrity, and public trust.
The organisation noted that Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution, stressing that any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
CISLAC further emphasised that taxation has direct implications for citizens, businesses, sub-national governments, and the overall economy. It stated that uncertainty or a lack of transparency in tax legislation could erode investor confidence and raise concerns about accountability and the possible abuse of executive power.
The organisation described the situation as particularly troubling given the rare inclusive, and thorough public consultation that shaped the law’s final provisions prior to its passage.
“This process brought together taxpayers, civil society groups, professional organisations, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts, ensuring that diverse viewpoints were considered and carefully balanced.
“Any unilateral changes to these agreed-upon provisions, made outside the established legislative process and without renewed public engagement, not only breach public trust but also violate the fundamental tax principle of representation, which holds that citizens must have a meaningful voice in shaping the laws that govern how they are taxed. Such actions undermine democratic accountability, weaken the legitimacy of the tax system, and risk eroding public confidence”, it noted.
CISLAC expressed particular concern that uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the tax law, coming at a time when a new tax regime is expected to take effect, could exacerbate the economic hardship already faced by many Nigerians.
It observed that citizens are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressures, declining purchasing power, and reduced access to basic services, warning that implementing a disputed tax framework under such conditions, risks deepening inequality, discouraging compliance, and fuelling public resentment.
The organisation stressed that tax reforms must be anchored in clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity, cautioning that any tax system introduced without full transparency, adequate public communication, and legislative certainty undermines voluntary compliance and weakens the social contract between the state and its citizens.
As part of its recommendations, CISLAC called on the Presidency to urgently publish the exact version of the tax law assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow for public and institutional verification.
It also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to promptly exercise its oversight powers to determine whether the assented law reflects the will of the legislature, including a review of the enrolled bill process.
The organisation maintained that any discrepancy discovered should be treated as unconstitutional and addressed through lawful means, such as the re-transmission of the correct bill or judicial interpretation where necessary. It further called for an independent review of the process by relevant institutions, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and, where required, the judiciary, to establish the facts and assign responsibility.
CISLAC noted that the controversy highlights the urgent need to strengthen safeguards at the legislative and executive interface. It recommended measures such as digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled legislation, and more transparent assent procedures.
CISLAC emphasised that the issue is not about partisan politics but about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It warned that allowing any arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent and weakens constitutional democracy.
The organisation urged all parties involved to act with restraint, openness, and fidelity to the Constitution, noting that Nigerians deserve laws that reflect due process, the public interest, and the collective decisions of their elected representatives.
CISLAC added that it will continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s governance processes.
