General
CNPP, CSOs Describe Rivers Crisis as National Democratic Emergency
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 Aduragbemi Omiyale
A former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Onamusi Onadeko, has been sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N50,000.
The former lawmaker, who represented Ogun East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003, was sentenced by Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
He was found guilty on count 11 and convicted for making inconsistent statements but discharged and acquitted on counts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Mr Onadeko’s journey to the court started in 2017, when he was charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for his alleged involvement in the award and execution of a N68.7 million contract.
The politician, according to a statement from the ICPC, was accused of using his private companies, Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines Limited, to execute several constituency projects while working as a Senior Legislative Aide to late Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District between 2015 and 2019.
The commission, had in the course of the eight years trial told the court that several contracts like buying of ambulance vehicles, supply of hospital equipment and drugs for Primary Health Centres, as well as construction of classrooms for some selected schools in six communities of Ogun East Senatorial District, were awarded to both Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines, where the convict doubles as a Managing Director and nominal Director, respectively, an action that violates Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
ICPC also accused Mr Onadeko of making an inconsistent statement that contradicted the one previously made to the Commissioner for Oaths, where he stated that he is a Director of Haines and Baines Limited in an affidavit dated June 30, 20216, but subsequently wrote another statement while under investigation on May 5, 2017, that he is not a shareholder or Director of Haines and Baines Limited.
This action violates Section 25(1)(b) of the ICPC Act and, upon conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
However, Mr Onadeko, through his counsel, Mr Wahab Olatoyebi, argued in the course of the trial that his client was not a public officer as his appointment at that material time was on a short-term basis and non-pensionable, hence he, (Onadeko) did not fall within the category of those that could be tried under Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 which criminalize and punish abuse of office by public officers.
But this argument was rejected by Justice Oji, who stressed that based on the defendant’s letter of appointment as well as the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Federal Government of Nigeria v. Farouk Lawan, legislative aides are public officers and therefore could be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The governor formally inaugurated the commission at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde said that although the successful rescue of the victims brought relief to the state, it did not provide complete closure.
He explained that the decision to set up an independent commission was not intended to undermine the efforts of security agencies but to ensure that every question surrounding the incident is thoroughly addressed and lessons are learnt to prevent a recurrence.
He charged members of the commission to conduct a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation, assuring them of the state government’s full support. He also called on individuals and relevant institutions to cooperate fully with the panel.
Speaking on behalf of the commission, its chairman, Professor Mojeed Owoade, pledged that members would carry out the assignment with integrity, professionalism, and fairness. He added that the panel would seek an extension if necessary to complete its work.
Governor Makinde gave the commission four weeks to submit its report.
Earlier this month, the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, eight of the kidnappers had been arrested, but the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 23 sentenced three suspects in the abduction to life imprisonment.
According to the court, the sentencing of Mr Abdulrazak Umar, known under the alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Mr Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Mr Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, will start from the date of their arrest.
Before their sentencing by Justice Salim Ibrahim, counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court to sentence them on liberal terms, adding that they were first-time offenders and had pleaded guilty.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Two Chinese, Mr Zhang Hong Lin and Mr Gao Pei Hai, have been convicted and sentenced by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for conspiracy and the illegal mining of solid minerals.
They were both found guilty on all five counts levelled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and sentenced each to five years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N50 million fine covering all five counts.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the mineral resources recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful possession of mineral resources intended for export without lawful authority.
“That you, Zhang Hong Lin, Gao Pei Hai, and Gao Pei Yu (currently at large), sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, conspired among yourselves, with the intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of revenue accruing therefrom, and without the permission of the appropriate authority, engaged in the exportation of mica products, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing mineral resources out of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(8)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act,” one of the charges read.
The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them, with the prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, calling the investigating officer, Matthew Orogwu, who reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documentary evidence before the court.
After presenting the evidence, Kofarnaisa urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in line with the charges.
