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Extending Rivers Emergency Rule Could Spark Unrest, Bode George Warns Tinubu
A former Deputy National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned President Bola Tinubu against extending the emergency rule declared in Rivers State beyond September 18, 2025, arguing that doing so could spark unrest.
President Tinubu declared the emergency rule on March 18, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara for six months following a protracted political conflict between him and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The crisis had split the State House of Assembly, with lawmakers moving to impeach the governor.
Speaking on “Frontline,” a political programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, the PDP chieftain described the declaration of emergency rule as unnecessary and likened it to the Western Region crisis that led to the “Wetie” uprising and, eventually, the Civil War.
“We have refused to learn from history. Even the basis for declaring a state of emergency was not in conformity with the law. Was there violence in Port Harcourt, Bonny, or Ekwerre land? None. They said there was an explosion, but who saw it? Who died? The governor was calm, and the people of Rivers did not resort to violence. So why impose an emergency rule? Like Fela sang: ‘trouble dey sleep, yanga go wake am,’” he said.
George also cautioned the state’s administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), to exercise restraint in his actions, warning that he would be held accountable after leaving office.
“How can a non-elected person conduct local government elections or set up boards? You are just there like a spare tyre, a standby generator. My advice to him is to tread softly. This is civil rule, not military rule,” George said.
On the possibility of extending the emergency rule, the former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South) was emphatic: “Never! The people will not accept it because they are being shortchanged. They elected their governor. The administrator should just leave when the time is up. There will always be a day after governance, and how you are remembered matters.”
George, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, insisted that prolonging emergency rule would deepen distrust and create avoidable political turmoil in the State.
Former US Vice President Kamala Harris said in a British television interview previewed Saturday that she may “possibly” run again to be president.
Harris, who replaced Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate but lost to Donald Trump, told the BBC that she had not yet decided whether to make another White House bid.
But the 61-year-old insisted she was “not done” in American politics and that her young grandnieces would see a female president in the Oval Office “in their lifetime, for sure”.
“I have lived my entire career a life of service, and it’s in my bones, and there are many ways to serve,” Harris told the British broadcaster in an interview set to air in full on Sunday.
“I’ve not decided yet what I will do in the future, beyond what I am doing right now.”
The comments are the strongest hint yet that Harris could attempt to be the Democratic Party nominee for the 2028 election.
The interview follows the release of her memoir last month in which she argued it had been “recklessness” to let Biden run for a second term as president.
She also accused his White House team of failing to support her while she was his deputy, and at times of actively hindering her.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the federal government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.
The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.
The President expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.
The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
All appointments take immediate effect, Special Adviser to the President
Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, said in a statement in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, till Monday, October 27, to enable him to open his defence in the terrorism charges filed against him.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the new date on Friday, after Kanu informed the court that his former legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), had yet to release his case file to him.
At the resumed hearing, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) appeared for the Federal Government and reminded the court that the matter was fixed for Kanu to begin his defence as earlier directed.
However, no counsel represented Kanu.
He pleaded for an adjournment to allow him to retrieve and study the file to prepare adequately for his defence.
He said, “My lord, my counsel left the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them.”
He also informed the court of his intention to call 23 witnesses, both local and foreign, and requested an order directing the Department of State Services to allow his foreign witnesses access to him.
Additionally, he sought permission for his lawyers to visit him on non-working days — a request Omotosho granted.
Counsel to the Federal Government, Awomolo, however, described Kanu’s complaint as “strange”, noting that the defendant had spent hours in court with his former lawyers. He further urged the court to strictly enforce its earlier directive giving Kanu six days to open and close his defence.
The prosecution said, “I’m aware that there is a standing order for the defendant to defend himself within six days. The defendant wasted yesterday. This is the second day, my lord. I urge your lordship to keep to the standing order of the number of days given to the defendant,” Awomolo said.
In his ruling, Omotosho said while Kanu’s claim about the withheld case file was “strange and difficult to believe”, he would still grant a short adjournment in the interest of justice.
The judge cautioned against unnecessary delays, stressing that several other cases had been affected by the protracted proceedings.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to Monday, October 27, for Kanu to open his defence.
