Politics
Rivers Assembly Passes Chieftaincy Bill …Directs Revenue Board Chairman To Re-Appear
The Rivers State House
of Assembly has passed the State Chieftiancy and Council of Chiefs Bill 2014 even as the lawmakers asked the Chairman of the state Internal Revenue Board to reappear before the House with documents that show payment of taxes to the state.
The lawmakers had last Wednesday deferred the debate to yesterday after a heated argument over the bill and payment of salaries of traditional rulers occupying ethnic stools.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Chidi Lloyd noted that what the committee did was a technical work and said the law as it was now had a lot of mistakes in the classification of chieftaincy stools.
Lloyd said there were stools that existed in local government areas other than where they were domiciled such as Nye we eli Obuduga, which he said appeared under Ikwerre Local Government Area, stressing that what they did as a committee was to ensure that they put all the chieftaincy stools in proper perspective as it is contained in the first schedule of the committee report.
According to him,’’ we also look at some certain thorny areas in the law which also include the ouster of the power of the court from hearing any chieftaincy matter, saying, it was not important to say that no court shall have jurisdiction to entertain chieftaincy matters.
“We identified certain stools in Rivers State whose jurisdiction extends beyond local government of origin.
The Amanayabo of Kalabari is the Amanayabo of all Kalabari people both at home and in the diaspora as the fragmentation of local governments did not elude him not to be allowed to acquire just liabilities that come from those areas where his jurisdiction extends to and recommended that he should enjoy access that comes from those local governments he superintends over.
He warned that they are not making a law targeting an individual, adding that no occupant of any stool will remain there forever as he urged his colleagues to look at the report dispassionately without bias
The committee recommended that before a Governor can withdraw certificate of recognition from any First Class Chief or any other Chief, the chief must have been investigated, and given a fair hearing of the case.
Hon Gift Wokacha who represents Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Constituency 1 commended the committee for a work well done but said the issue present was an issue of law and any law that is made has to stand the test of time. He said there are issues that must be look in to objectively and critically evaluate them and see whether they are in order..
He said the recommendation that an ethnic stool should receive payments from other local government where his jurisdictions extend to is not feasible
But, In his contribution, Hon Onari Brown, representing Akuku Toru 1 also kicked against the sharing formula and said he was not against the ethnic stool receiving stipends from other Local government where he superdents but the percentage should be lesser that what he gets from his area where he domiciles.
Others who made their contributions includes Hon Sam Eligwe, Hon Ibiso Nwuche, and Hon. Lucky Odili who did not share the same views.
Based on the arguments, the Speaker, Rt.Hon Otelemaba Dan Amaechree divided the house and it was resolved that the bill be passed in to law.
Meanwhile, The Speaker however directed the Clark to inform the executive that the bill has been passed in to law.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has directed the Chairman of the state Internal Revenue Board, Mrs Onene Osila Obele –Oshoko has been dircted to re appear before the state House of Assembly in the legislative day.
The speake, Rt.Hon Otelemaba Dan-Amaechree directed that Mrs Oshoko to re appear with documents relating to internal revenue generation of the state.
The directive came following the inability of the Chairman of the Internal Revenue Board failure to respond promptly to questions posed to her by the lawmakers
Mrs Obele-Oshoko was directed to appear before the House following the dwindling internal revenue of the state from the average of about #17billion to #13billion monthly.Those summon along side the Chairman of the Internal Revenue service includes, the commissioner of Finace, Dr Chambelian Peterside, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue Generation, Chief Nwankwo Nwankwo.
The House leader, Hon Chidi Lloyd informed the invitees that the invitation was born out of a motion from the deputy leader who was worried about the dwindling revenue of the state, noted that it was unfortunate that the board Chairman came without preparation
Lloyd disclosed that for the past three years artisants,shop owners have not paid tax to the state government, stating that it has cost the state government very much
Politics
Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Politics
10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
Politics
Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
ISOPLOT Has No Legitimacy to Speak for Isoko, INYA Warns
-
News3 days ago
RSG Tasks Farmers On N4bn Agric Loan ….As RAAMP Takes Sensitization Campaign To Four LGs In Rivers
-
Opinion3 days ago
Benue Conflicts, Hope At Last?
-
Business3 days ago
NCDMB Charges Host Community Youths On Relevant Skills Development … As Promoters Handover Oloibiri Oil Museum
-
Sports3 days ago
Ronaldo Renews Stay With Saudi Pro League
-
Features3 days ago
Between EFCC And NDDC: Strategic Alliance For Niger Delta
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
EFCC Praises NDDC’S Performance … Unveils Projects In Bayelsa
-
Politics3 days ago
Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov