Headlines
Fubara Cancels Order by Wike Revoking Former Gov’s Property
Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has canceled the revocation on the property owned by a former military governor, General Anthony Stephen Ukpo.
The property, which the former military governor gave to Ogeyi Place Le Meridian Hotels Limited located at Plot 319, GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt, was revoked by Nyesom Wike’s administration on December 29, 2022 ostensibly for government’s use.
But in a newspaper publication, the Governor Fubara said the revocation was done in error hence the cancellation.
He said: “In exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 28 (5) (a) (b) of the Land Use Act, Cap L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I, SIMINALAYI FUBARA GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria hereby withdraws and cancels the revocation of the aforementioned property,” the publication reads in part.
Below is the full publication
LAND USE ACT, CAP L5, LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2004, WITHDRAWAL/CANCELLATION OF REVOCATION OF RIGHTS OF OCCUPANCY ON PLOT 319 G.R.A, PHASE II IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE
WHEREAS, by a Certificate of Occupancy dated 20 July, 1998 and registered as No. 54 at page 54 in Volume 144 of the Lands Registry Office, Port Hercourt, Rivers State, the Rivers State Government issued a Certificate of Occupancy to ANTHONY UKPO in and over all that piece or parcel of land measuring 2864.64 at Plot 319 GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt.
WHEREAS; by a Deed of Assignment dated 3″ August, 2001 and registered as No. 50 at Page 50 in Volume 272 of the Lands Registry Office, Port Harcourt, ANTHONY UKPO assigned his interest on the property to OGEYI PLACE HOTELS LIMITED.
WHEREAS, by an official Gazette of Rivers State No. 37 Volume 58 and dated 29 December, 2022 the then Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike revoked the aforementioned statutory Right of Occupancy covering the above subject property, from ANTHONY UKPO and OGEYI PLACE HOTELS LIMITED for the use by Government.
AND WHEREAS, in exercise of Powers Conferred on me by section 28 (5) (a) (b) of the Land Use Act, Cap L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I, SIMINALAYI FUBARA GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria hereby withdraws and cancels the revocation of the aforementioned property.
Headlines
‘Hands off’: Millions of People Join Protests Against Trump and Elon Musk Across All US States
Millions of people took part in protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk across all 50 states and globally on Saturday, organized by a pro-democracy movement over “hostile takeover” and attack on American rights and freedoms.
According to CNN, over 1,400 “Hands Off!” mass-action protests were held at state capitols, federal buildings, congressional offices, Social Security’s headquarters, parks and city halls throughout the entire country – anywhere “we can make sure they hear us,” organizers said.
“Hands Off!” demands “an end to this billionaire power grab.”
“Whether you are mobilized by the attacks on our democracy, the slashing of jobs, the invasion of privacy, or the assault on our services – this moment is for you,” the event flyers state. “We are setting out to build a massive, visible, national rejection of this crisis.”
Nearly 600,000 people had signed up to attend the events, some of which took place in major cities like London and Paris, according to Indivisible, one of the organizations leading the movement in collaboration with a nationwide coalition that includes civil rights organizations, veterans, women’s rights groups, labor unions and LGBTQ+ advocates.
Organizers say they have three demands: “an end to the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration; an end to slashing federal funds for Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs working people rely on; and an end to the attacks on immigrants, trans people, and other communities.”
Commissioner of Police, CP Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, acting on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Force Intelligence Department (FID) Abuja, has extended an invitation to the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, for an “investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within your domain”.
The said incident is in connection with the violence that broke out during the recent Eid-el-Fitr procession in Kano, which resulted in the death of a local vigilante member.
The incident happened as the Emir’s entourage moved from the Eid prayer ground to the palace in a traditional procession. The clash, which marred the otherwise peaceful celebration, led to the tragic loss of life of a vigilante member, Surajo Rabiu, and left one other injured.
The invitation was conveyed in an official letter dated April 4, 2025, and signed by Commissioner of Police, CP Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Force Intelligence Department (FID) Abuja.
The letter reads: “I have the directives of the Inspector General of Police, through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), to invite you for an investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within your domain.”
The Emir has been requested to appear before the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja, opposite the Police Headquarters, Area 11, by 10:00am on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
This development comes amid heightened tensions in Kano State following the earlier decision by the State Police Command to ban the annual Durbar festival due to security concerns. The ban, announced days before the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, was intended to prevent any possible breakdown of law and order during the festive period.
However, despite the suspension of the Durbar, a motorcade procession of Emir Sanusi II still took place on the third day of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The Kano State Police Commissioner, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, had also inaugurated an eight-member Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to investigate the violence.
As at the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Emir Sanusi II’s palace regarding the Police invitation.
Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the political adviser to President Bola Tinubu, has resigned his appointment.
Reports say the former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) tendered his resignation about two weeks ago.
Further reports quoting presidency sources did not, however, provide details of the reasons for his decision, but only stated that it was on personal grounds.
Baba-Ahmed was appointed in September 2023 as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Over the past 17 months, he had represented the presidency at several public fora, including a recent national conference themed: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity”, which held from January 28 and 29, 2025 in Abuja.
