Breaking
South-South Governors Condemn State of Emergency in Rivers, Call for Rescission
By Tama Peretengboro
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The South-South Governors’ Forum has expressed strong reservations about the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, urging the Federal Government to reconsider its decision.
In a statement issued by the Forum and signed by its chairman, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, the governors acknowledged the President’s constitutional duty to maintain law and order but questioned whether the situation in Rivers State met the legal criteria for such a drastic measure.
Concerns Over Constitutional Compliance
The statement read:
“The South-South Governors’ Forum notes the six-month declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, a constituent part of our Forum, and the suspension of two democratic institutions.
“We recognise the President’s constitutional duty to maintain law and order throughout Nigeria, just as we are equally mandated to securing peace and stability in our states.”
The Forum specifically cited Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, arguing that the current crisis in Rivers State does not meet the legal conditions required for a state of emergency.
“However, the South-South Governors’ Forum expresses concern that the current political situation in Rivers State does not satisfy the criteria for declaring a state of emergency as outlined in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended). This section suggests that such a declaration should be considered under specific conditions like war, external aggression, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, existential threats to Nigeria, natural disasters, or other significant public dangers.”
Additionally, the governors pointed out that constitutional provisions exist for the removal of political officeholders and that these procedures should have been followed instead of resorting to executive action.
“It is also worth noting that the Constitution outlines specific procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as detailed in Section 188, and similar provisions exist for the removal of members of the House of Assembly and the dissolution of parliament. In the current situation, it appears that these guidelines might not have been fully considered.”
Call for Dialogue and Rescission of Emergency Rule
The South-South Governors’ Forum urged that the political conflict in Rivers State between the Governor and the House of Assembly should be resolved through legal means rather than executive intervention.
“We believe that the political disputes in Rivers State between the Governor and the House of Assembly should, ideally, be resolved through legal and constitutional means, rather than by executive fiat.”
To de-escalate tensions, the Forum proposed an immediate reversal of the state of emergency.
“To reduce tensions and establish a foundation for enduring peace, we propose the Rescission of the State of Emergency.”
The governors also called on all parties to maintain peace and adhere to constitutional principles.
“In the meantime, we encourage all parties to remain calm, uphold peace and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Concluding their statement, the Forum emphasized the need for dialogue.
“The moment for dialogue is now.”
With the political crisis in Rivers State still unfolding, the stance of the South-South Governors’ Forum adds to the growing debate over the legitimacy and necessity of the state of emergency. The Federal Government is yet to respond to this latest call for reconsideration.
By Admin
In a major shake-up of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, President Bola Tinubu has dismissed Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mallam Mele Kyari and Board Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure, along with all board members appointed in November 2023.
This development was announced early Wednesday in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. The statement revealed that a newly constituted 11-member board will now oversee the affairs of NNPC Limited, with Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari taking over as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida assuming the role of Non-Executive Chairman.
Additionally, President Tinubu appointed Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the Chief Financial Officer last year, as a board member. The board also includes six non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones: Bello Rabiu (North West), Yusuf Usman (North East), and Babs Omotowa, former Managing Director of Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), representing North Central. From the southern regions, Austin Avuru (South-South), David Ige (South-West), and Henry Obih (South-East) were also named as non-executive directors.
Further, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and Aminu Said Ahmed from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources will represent their respective ministries on the board.
The statement emphasized that “all the appointments are effective today, April 2.” It also outlined Tinubu’s rationale for the restructuring, citing Section 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. According to Onanuga, the move is aimed at “enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification.”
Furthermore, President Tinubu has tasked the newly appointed board with conducting a “strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and joint venture assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives.”
Under Tinubu’s leadership, the federal government has been implementing major reforms in the oil sector to attract more investment. In 2023, NNPC recorded $17 billion in new investments, with the administration now aiming to increase that figure to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030.
The government also has ambitious targets for oil and gas production. The goal is to raise daily crude oil output to two million barrels by 2027 and three million barrels by 2030. Likewise, gas production is expected to reach 8 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and expand further to 10 billion cubic feet daily by 2030.
Additionally, Tinubu has charged the new board with increasing NNPC’s crude oil refining capacity. “The new board is expected to elevate NNPC’s share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels by 2027 and reach 500,000 by 2030,” the statement noted.
The newly appointed board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, hails from Borno State. A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a degree in civil engineering, Kida also holds a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris.
His career in the oil and gas industry began at Elf Petroleum Nigeria before moving to Total Exploration and Production as a trainee engineer in 1985. He later rose to the position of Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services at Total Nigeria in 2015. Last year, he became an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group.
Beyond his contributions to the oil sector, Kida is well-known in the sports community as a former basketball player and the President of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF).
Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the newly appointed NNPC Limited Group CEO, is from Kwara State. Before his appointment, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. His recent efforts led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
Ojulari is also a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a degree in mechanical engineering. His career started at Elf Aquitaine, where he became the first Nigerian process engineer before transitioning to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991. Over the years, he worked in various roles in Europe and the Middle East, excelling as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager.
In 2015, Ojulari was appointed Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO). He also served as chairman and a board trustee member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the former NNPC board members for their contributions, particularly in overseeing the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. Their efforts led to the resumption of petroleum product production after years of inactivity. He wished them success in their future endeavors.
By Divine Perezide
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, a former senator from Kwara Central, as the new Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). The appointment, which took effect on March 11, 2025, is set for an initial term of four years.
The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Sunday. Dr. Oloriegbe, a seasoned healthcare professional and policymaker, previously led the Senate Committee on Health between 2019 and 2023. He also chaired the Joint National Assembly Committee on Health, where he played a key role in shaping health policies.
Dr. Oloriegbe brings a strong academic background to his new role. He holds a Master’s degree in Coaching and Consultation from the University of Oxford and HEC Paris, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. His professional affiliations include membership in the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), and the International AIDS Society (IAS).
His appointment is expected to strengthen the NHIA’s leadership and enhance health insurance accessibility in Nigeria. This decision aligns with President Tinubu’s boader strategy of appointing experienced professionals to key positions in the health sector to drive meaningful reforms.
Would you like any further refinements?
Video details:
Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa State bans the planned hosting of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike anywhere in Bayelsa State.
IduwiniVoice
Credit: Channels Television