By Modupe Gbadeyanka

President Bola Tinubu has been called upon to resolve the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, warning that the situation now constitutes a “national democratic emergency” requiring urgent presidential intervention.

This call was made by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs).

“Mr President, this is no longer just a Rivers State issue. It is a national democratic emergency,” the organisations declared in a joint statement, stressing that what is unfolding in the state “goes far beyond local politics” and represents “a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional governance, separation of powers, and democratic stability.”

The CNPP and CNCSOs warned that failure by the President to act decisively could legitimise what they termed “legislative anarchy” and embolden similar crises across the federation. According to them, “failure to act now risks legitimising legislative anarchy and encouraging similar crises across other states, with dire consequences for national unity and peace.”

They described the Rivers State situation as a deliberate political project rather than a governance issue, insisting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has not committed any constitutional offence warranting impeachment.

“Let us be clear,” they said, “Governor Siminalayi Fubara has not committed any act that meets the constitutional threshold for impeachment under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. There is no credible allegation of gross misconduct, no paralysis of governance, and no popular uprising demanding his removal.”

According to the groups, the ongoing impeachment threats reflect “the weaponisation of a State House of Assembly as an instrument of political conquest rather than a guardian of democracy,” a development they warned is “not only reckless; it is extremely dangerous to Nigeria’s national peace.”

They cautioned President Tinubu that if the Rivers State model is allowed to persist, Nigeria could slide into a destabilising era where legislatures are used to unseat elected governors for political and financial control. “If the Rivers State template is allowed to stand,” they warned, “then Nigeria risks sliding into a future where state assemblies across the country become battlegrounds for elite power struggles.” They further asked pointedly: “If every governor becomes vulnerable to impeachment at the whim of external political forces, where then is the sovereignty of the people? Where does democratic stability reside?”

The CNPP and CNCSOs also drew the President’s attention to allegations of conditional political settlements linked to the crisis. They cited claims by loyalists of Governor Fubara that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, imposed conditions on the governor in exchange for halting impeachment proceedings. “Chief among these alleged conditions,” they said, “was the immediate ratification of a commissioner list reportedly submitted by the FCT Minister upon Governor Fubara’s return to office.”

“These allegations,” the groups added, “strongly suggest that the crisis is not about governance or accountability but about control—control of federal allocations, control of internally generated revenue, and control of political power in Rivers State.” They warned that such claims “strike at the heart of democratic governance and must not be ignored by the Nigerian state.”

On financial matters, the organisations appealed to President Tinubu to order a thorough probe into funds received and expended during the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State. They disclosed that the state “reportedly received no less than N254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee between March and August 2025,” averaging about N42.40 billion monthly. They alleged that despite a probe announced by the House of Assembly, there were “strong indications” that the exercise was “merely cosmetic.”

More troubling, they claimed that “state resources were shared during the emergency rule, with lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister allegedly receiving as much as N350 million each from funds exceeding N360 billion left behind by the suspended Governor.” If true, they said, this would amount to “a betrayal of public trust on a scale that demands urgent national attention.”

Framing their appeal directly to the President, the CNPP and CNCSOs said: “As President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of the APC, you have both the constitutional authority and moral responsibility to halt this dangerous slide.” They emphasised that Nigeria “cannot consolidate democracy while tolerating legislative blackmail, political extortion, and institutional sabotage.”

Among their key demands to the President are the immediate termination of all impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, an independent investigation into the conduct of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a presidentially ordered probe into allegations of conditional political settlements, and a comprehensive forensic audit of all funds received and expended during the emergency rule.

In a strong concluding warning directed at the Presidency, the groups stated that “impeachment without just cause is political banditry” and that the continued weaponisation of legislative institutions is “a direct threat to Nigeria’s democracy and national peace.”

They urged President Tinubu to act swiftly to prevent a dangerous national precedent, declaring: “Governor Siminalayi Fubara must be allowed to govern. Rivers State must be allowed to breathe. Nigeria’s democracy must be protected.”

“Enough is enough,” they concluded. “Let the Governor govern. Let Rivers State develop. Let Nigeria’s democracy survive.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

As the world marks Clean Energy Day on January 26, JMG Limited, a leading provider of hybrid and integrated electromechanical solutions, is reinforcing its commitment to Nigeria’s clean energy transition with measurable impact, most notably a significant reduction in diesel consumption at its Lagos head office.

With specialized divisions spanning JMG Power for diesel and gas generators, JMG Solar for renewable energy solutions, JMG Clima for cooling systems, JMG Elevator for lifts and vertical transportation, JMG Electra for electrical infrastructure, and JMG Industrial for air compressor solutions, JMG plays a critical role in everyday life, powering homes, buildings, and industries with reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible systems.

Demonstrating this commitment in action, JMG has deployed a 129-kilowatt hybrid solar power system at its headquarters, enabling the company to save up to N40 million annually in diesel costs. The installation now supplies up to 90 per cent of the building’s energy needs, generating approximately 15.48 MWh of clean energy monthly and eliminating over 71 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. The system is also reducing diesel consumption by more than 34,800 litres per year, delivering substantial operational and environmental benefits.

Designed and executed by JMG Solar, the project integrates LONGi 575W solar panels, Deye high-efficiency hybrid inverters, and 122.9 kWh of lithium-ion battery storage, providing a reliable, scalable, and future-ready clean energy solution.

JMG Limited, which designs and delivers hybrid solar systems, battery energy storage, and grid-tied and off-grid installations, says it is helping businesses reduce diesel dependence and energy costs. To accelerate solar adoption, JMG also offers flexible solar leasing and financing options, enabling organizations to transition to clean, reliable power with minimal upfront investment.

Recently, key stakeholders and business partners visited the solar installation at JMG’s headquarters, where they experienced firsthand how the transition to renewable energy is translating into tangible cost savings, improved operational efficiency, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. The visit underscored JMG’s leadership in delivering practical and commercially viable clean energy solutions for Nigerian businesses.

Speaking on the company’s sustainability vision, Mr Rabi Jammal, Group General Manager of JMG Limited, said: “JMG is not just advocating clean energy, we are running on it. Our headquarters clearly demonstrates that smart solar solutions can deliver immediate financial and environmental benefits for businesses in Nigeria.”

Beyond its headquarters, JMG continues to advance sustainability across multiple sectors through energy-efficient lift systems, renewable power solutions for healthcare facilities, smart air compressor systems for factories, and advanced cooling technologies for data centers, proving that high performance and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

“As we celebrate Clean Energy Day, we are proud of the progress we have made in advancing sustainability across Nigeria. JMG remains committed to driving economic development while reducing environmental impact through smarter, cleaner energy solutions,” he added.

JMG’s recent milestones reaffirm its long-term commitment to clean energy and sustainable development. By integrating innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility across its operations, the company continues to create environments that balance comfort, safety, and performance while contributing meaningfully to a greener, more resilient Nigeria.

It reaffirmed its dedication to innovation, responsible growth, and clean energy solutions that support economic development and a sustainable future.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company (InfraCredit) is targeting about N1 trillion over the next four years to unlock long-term funding for infrastructure projects in Nigeria.

According to the Lagos-based credit-guarantee company’s chief executive, Mr Chinua Azubike, it expects to execute the target  transactions from its existing pipeline.

He said the pipeline comprises contracted clients that have completed initial screening, signed mandate letters and entered due diligence, with loan approvals and financial close expected over the next four years, he said.

“We have seen moderation in interest rates and stability in the foreign-exchange environment, and so we see opportunities to actually do more in the capital market in Nigeria,” Azubike said, as per Bloomberg.

Infracredit will be betting on looser leverage rules and easing borrowing costs that has been carried out by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

SEC last year proposed rules permitting such firms to maintain leverage of as much as 10 times capital while the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the central bank cut rates by 50 basis points to 27 per cent in September, easing for the first time in five years.

Although the CBN held the interest rate at 27 per cent in November 2025, there are expectations that there will be further reductions as inflation continues to ease.

Bloomberg reported that InfraCredit has used its roughly N328 billion capital base to provide credit guarantees for 27 projects spanning roads, housing and renewable energy.

Last week, it provided credit enhancement for a local currency debt issuance by First Electric Power and Automation Services Limited, backing a clean energy project under a co-financing arrangement with the Climate Finance Blending Facility. The transaction marks the facility’s first mesh-grid clean energy project and its sixth deal overall.

The firm is now seeking to capitalize on President Bola Tinubu’s push to expand public works, as Nigeria faces an infrastructure funding gap estimated at more than $3 trillion over the next three decades.

“The guarantees we issue are designed to derisk projects” and enable “infrastructure companies to issue long-term debt that pension funds and insurance companies can lend to,” Mr Azubike said.

The InfraCredit CEO said the company plans to accelerate credit mobilization by tapping its over-the-counter listing and taking advantage of the new regulations that allow credit-guarantee firms to assume more risk to back additional lending.

“Our leverage now is roughly close to one time, so there is still room to stretch the company’s balance sheet by issuing more guarantees against its capital,” Mr Azubike said.

Launched in 2017 and backed at inception by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the UK’s Private Infrastructure Development Group, InfraCredit now counts domestic institutional investors, mainly pension funds, among its largest shareholders, which hold about 40 per cent of the company.