The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally received the petition seeking recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, received the petition on Monday, March 24, 2025.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, had restrained INEC from receiving petitions to initiate a recall process against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The presiding judge, Justice Isa Dashen, gave the order after listening to the application moved by the counsel for the applicants, Smart Nwachimere of West-Idahosa (SAN) & Co, on Friday, March 21.

The applicants – Anebe Jacob Ogirma, John Adebosi, Musa Adeiza, Ahmed Usman, and Maleek Yahaya – had through their counsel sued INEC for the recall process of Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The applicants prayed the court to order INEC not to receive any petition by purported members of Kogi Central Senatorial District for the purpose of initiating a recall process for Akpoti-Uduaghan, pending the determination of the motion on notice to the same effect.

The ex-parte application for the interim injunction was supported by an Affidavit of Extreme Urgency together with other court processes sworn to by Anebe Ogirima for himself and four others who are registered voters and constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

Justice Dashen granted the application and ordered that the court order and motion on notice be served on INEC.

The judge fixed May 6 for the report of service and further mention of the case.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reiterated its position that the removal of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by President Bola Tinubu is unconstitutional, urging the President to reverse the decision.

On Tuesday, the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy and all the members of the House of Assembly over the political crisis rocking the oil-rich State.

The President appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the State’s Sole Administrator.

Following up with its earlier statement condemning the action of the President regarding Rivers State, the NBA whose President, Afam Osigwe, was a guest on Sunday Politics, insists that Fubara must be brought back to his position as the governor of Rivers State as the constitution does not recognise a Sole Administrator.

“That is our belief, that is what we expect the president to do, to restore him (Fubara) back to power having unconstitutionally removed him,” Osigwe said on the programme when asked if the president should recall the governor.

“And that is why we do not recognise a sole administrator is the rightful person to occupy the government house in Rivers State having been appointed unconstitutionally.

“Even when I saw him taking oath of office, I was wondering which oath he was taking because he was taking an oath not known to the constitution, the constitution does not recognise an administrator.”

Political solution needed

Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) argued that the problem in Rivers State is being cured with a wrong solution, likening it to one using a sledgehammer on his head because of headache.

According to him, the measure being taken to address the Rivers problem “are overreaching, extensive, undemocratic and above all, unconstitutional.”

He maintained that the problem in Rivers State is political and only a political solution will bring it to an end.

No constitutional vacuum

There have been claims in some quarters that there was a gap in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution which President Tinubu used in taking the action in Rivers State, but the NBA president has refuted that, insisting that the Constitution is explicit enough.

“I do not believe that it (Section 305) is not explicit, I simply believe that we deliberately refuse to apply it the way it is,” Osigwe said.

The National Assembly has approved the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, but Osigwe does that believe that the lawmakers approval legitimized the President’s action.

He said that the National Assembly’s approval is like placing something on nothing.

American heavyweight boxing legend, George Foreman, has died at the age of 76.

According to his family, Foreman died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at a hospital in Houston on Friday night. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

In a statement shared on social media, the family praised Foreman’s legacy and requested privacy as they mourn the former Olympic gold medalist who later became an ordained preacher and founded the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas.

“Our hearts are broken. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones,” the statement reads.

“A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.

“A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name— for his family.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.”