News
Rivers Govt Asserts Court Did Not Reinstate Amaewhule and 26 Others
Rivers Govt Asserts Court Did Not Reinstate Amaewhule and 26 Others
The Rivers State Government has clarified that the court did not reinstate Amaewhule and 26 others, despite circulating reports suggesting otherwise.
The Rivers State Government has maintained that the Appeal Court ruling in Abuja on Thursday did not restore the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the State House of Assembly.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Iboroma, SAN, clarified that Amaewhule and 26 others had switched allegiance on December 11th, 2023.
The argument was made that their seats were automatically vacated on the day they declared their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Attorney General maintained that the matter concerning Amaewhule and 26 others switching parties was never presented before the Federal High Court or the Court of Appeal in Abuja. Consequently, no court has validated their membership in the House of Assembly due to this defection.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, and has instructed his lawyers to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court. Additionally, they will file an application for a stay of execution on the Court of Appeal’s judgment.
Iboroma stated that under the operation of law, specifically Section 109(i)(g) of the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Martin Amaewhule and 26 others automatically forfeited their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly on December 11th, 2023. This occurred because Section 109(1)(g) is self-executing and does not require a court order for enforcement.
On December 13, 2023, His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, submitted the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly. The assembly was headed by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie as Speaker at that time. Eventually, this bill was enacted into law and became known as the Appropriation Law of 2024—a state legislation subject to jurisdiction by the High Court of Rivers State.
In the wake of the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly, and following a directive from the President of Nigeria for all parties to withdraw their court cases to allow peace to prevail, His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State complied by withdrawing his legal actions and processes related to Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023. However, Martin Amaewhule and others did not adhere to this presidential instruction; they proceeded without retracting Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS / 2023 achieving a judgment against Governor Fubara.
Following today’s Court of Appeal ruling, there has been widespread misinformation and misunderstanding suggesting that Martin Amaewhule and 26 others are still members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, with Martin Amaewhule serving as speaker. This is completely untrue.
The Federal High Court in Abuja and the Court of Appeal were not concerned with Martin Amaewhule’s defection along with 26 others. Instead, their focus was on the 2023 Appropriation Law and whether the National Assembly took over legislative functions from the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Culled: ObasanjoNews
By: Divine Perezide
The Imo State Government has introduced a new education policy prohibiting graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students, alongside a ban on the yearly replacement of textbooks.
According to a memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) learners will now be allowed to hold graduation events-reflecting the structure of Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education model.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students. Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students are hereby abolished,” the memo stated.
In a further move to ease the financial burden on parents and streamline academic consistency, the policy also mandates that approved textbooks must now be used for at least four years. This change is expected to allow siblings to reuse educational materials and prevent yearly replacement costs.
Violations-including frequent textbook changes or deviation from the approved list-are strongly discourage, The Guardian Nigeria reported in a related news.
Prof. Ikegwuoha emphasized in the directive that these reforms aim to reduce exploitative practices, foster learning continuity, and ensure focus remains on academic achievement rather than celebratory
By: Divine Perezide
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has arrived back in Nigeria following his participation at the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, and a short vacation in London. He touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of today, around 4 a.m.
In a statement upon arrival, Akpabio explained: “At about 4 a.m. this morning, I landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from London. While abroad, I attended the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva from July 29 to 31, before proceeding to London for a brief vacation.”
Reaffirming his commitment to the Nigerian people, the Senate President assured that the legislature would resume with renewed energy. “Nigerians can expect vibrant legislative activities when we reconvene. Our delegation made a strong impression at the global parliamentary forum in Geneva. Together with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, we ensured Nigeria’s voice was well represented,” he said.
Akpabio further pledged that the National Assembly would continue to pursue meaningful collaboration with the executive and judiciary to advance the collective interest of citizens.
News
Great Loss As Family Announces The Painful Passing Iduwini-borne Billionaire Prince, Presley Gere Iyalahga
By: Miracle Palakia
Odimodi, Delta State – The Iyalahga and Diepregha families, Odimodi, Aghoro, and the entire Iduwini Kingdom in Delta and Bayelsa States, breaks silence on the painful loss of their son, Prince Presley Isele Gere Iyalahga, Billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Preslyn Group of Companies, who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the age of 48.
Prince Presley was an illustrious son of two distinguished families: His Royal Majesty Gere J. Iyalagha, (Igbedikuru-II), the late Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and the late Regent of Iduwini Kingdom (Delta & Bayelsa States), High Chief Diepregha Akpotelemor of Gberigberi-Idumu Quarters, Aghoro-I Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former President of the Iduwini National Youth Council for Peace and Development was a respected businessman and community leader, who’s untimely demise has thrown his family, friends, associates, community, and Kingdom into deep shock and sorrow. He’s survived by his beloved wife, Princess Preye Presley Iyalagha, and six children.
The families made known the development to newsmen on Saturday, August 16th, in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Oroupade Oweibe and George Diepregha for the families and his son, Prince Peremobowei Presley Iyalagha, for the children.
According to the statement, funeral rites will take place on Friday, August 29th, 2025. At 10 a.m., the body will depart Warri via Millar Jetty to his compound in Odimodi for a brief Funeral Service, lying in state, interment.
IduwiniVoice can report that Prince Presley Iyalagha’s passing marks not only the loss of a vibrant Royal entrepreneur but that of a leader in Iduwini Kingdom and Ijaw nation. His memory remains deeply cherished by the lives he touched and all who knew him.