Category: News

A heated debate erupted in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday over the confirmation of nominees to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), with lawmakers clashing over the appointment of Michael Odey, a Cross River State native, as chairman. The controversy emerged during deliberations on the report of the Senate ad-hoc committee on the emergency rule in Rivers State. Lawmakers raised concerns over ethics, constitutional interpretation, federal character principles, and political impartiality in a state currently under emergency governance. Despite stiff opposition from senators across party lines, the Senate confirmed Odey’s appointment along with six others: Lezaasi Torbira, Arthur Nwafor, Godfrey Mbudiogha, Joyce Akaniwor, Olive Bruce, and Chidi Halliday. The nominations, earlier submitted by President Bola Tinubu, were screened by an 18-member ad-hoc committee chaired by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central). During plenary, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) led the dissent, questioning why a non-indigene was chosen to head a sensitive state electoral body. “There is no logical reason why a Rivers man cannot chair this Electoral Commission,” he argued. Supporting him, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) called for moral responsibility beyond constitutional legality, warning against undermining local trust. “We are supposed to be guided not just by the Constitution, but also by conscience,” he said. Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) raised concerns over political optics, especially given that the Rivers State administrator is also from Cross River. “We are looking at ethics. Six members are from Rivers—why not the chairman too?” he asked. In defense, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) insisted that constitutional provisions take precedence over regional sentiments. “Any Nigerian can be appointed anywhere. We swore to uphold the Constitution,” he maintained. Senate Leader Bamidele emphasized that the appointment complied with constitutional eligibility requirements, stressing Odey’s educational qualifications and neutrality. “Rather than grandstand, if we disagree with the court, we should legislate,” he said. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin echoed this sentiment, citing similar appointments in other states. “The Head of Service in Abia is from Edo, and nobody complained because it came from a Labour Party governor. But now that it’s APC, it’s an issue,” he said. The Senate ultimately dissolved into the Committee of the Whole and adopted the report, confirming all seven RSIEC nominees despite lingering divisions over federal character and political balance.

Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, has formally defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises and leadership instability within his former party. His defection was announced during Wednesday’s plenary session and conveyed in a letter read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In the letter, Senator Imasuen stated that his decision followed wide consultations with constituents, political associates, and supporters in Edo South. He explained that the move aims to align him with the Federal Government’s development-oriented initiatives and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. Imasuen criticized the Labour Party’s internal wranglings, saying the situation had stifled his ability to deliver effective representation and democratic dividends. He noted that the APC offers a stronger national platform with the political structure necessary to fulfill his mandate. Welcoming the senator to the ruling party’s caucus, Senate President Akpabio jokingly remarked, “You will no longer Labour in vain.” With this defection, the APC now holds 69 seats in the 10th Senate—just four shy of a two-thirds majority—further strengthening its legislative influence. Current Senate Composition (10th National Assembly):APC – 69PDP – 30Labour Party – 4SDP – 2NNPP – 1APGA – 1 Two seats remain vacant, bringing the total occupied seats to 107.

In a bold move to regain market share and cushion the effects of economic pressure on customers, MultiChoice Nigeria has announced a 50% reduction in the price of its DStv decoder, slashing it from ₦20,000 to ₦10,000. The company revealed the price cut on Tuesday as part of its “We Got You” campaign, aimed at boosting subscriber numbers and offering greater value to loyal customers. This comes amid a reported loss of 1.4 million subscribers between March 2023 and March 2025, following a series of price hikes over the past year. John Ugbe, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, said the initiative is designed to reward customer loyalty and increase access to the platform’s diverse content. “We want to ensure our customers feel appreciated and have access to the best entertainment every day. This campaign is about making premium content more accessible and showing that DStv has something for everyone—not just football fans,” he said. Beyond sports, MultiChoice is encouraging subscribers to explore drama, movies, kids’ content, and news, as part of its strategy to position DStv as a daily value platform. Additionally, the company introduced a free upgrade promotion running from June 16 to July 31, 2025. During this period, subscribers who pay for their current plan in full will receive a complimentary upgrade to the next package tier. The price slash and promotions appear to be a response to customer backlash over three price hikes within a year—April 2023, November 2023, and May 2024—that triggered mass subscription cancellations and legal challenges from consumer rights groups. MultiChoice says it remains committed to delivering affordable, high-quality entertainment despite economic headwinds.

In a landmark event for West Africa’s maritime industry, the Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) on Friday welcomed the Kota Oasis, the first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container ship to berth in the region. The Singapore-flagged, eco-friendly vessel is owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL) and marks a significant step towards greener shipping in Nigeria. With a length of 260 meters and a Gross Registered Tonnage of 78,501, the Kota Oasis boasts a capacity of 8,350 TEUs. It is powered by dual-fuel technology, enabling operation on both LNG and diesel, and is equipped with advanced exhaust gas recycling systems to minimize methane emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. OMT Managing Director, Mr. Nicolo Scannavini, hailed the vessel’s arrival as a transformative moment for Nigerian maritime trade. “This vessel will be a game changer for trade connectivity between Asia and Nigeria. It’s an engineering marvel and a statement of intent for cleaner, greener shipping.” OMT currently hosts major global shipping lines such as PIL and MSC, and is actively expanding its international partnerships. Scannavini also commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), under Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, for facilitating the vessel’s successful docking. Mr. Dhruv Kohli, PIL’s Regional Head of Operations and Logistics, emphasized the vessel’s environmental and operational significance: “The Kota Oasis is part of PIL’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Its deployment in Nigeria underscores our strategic focus on the South West Africa trade corridor.” Kohli highlighted the vessel’s 40,000-horsepower engine, which will strengthen direct trade links between Nigeria, Singapore, and China. Deputy Comptroller John Ejeh of the Nigeria Customs Service (Onne Port Command) pledged continued support for smooth trade facilitation at the port. “We remain committed to OMT, PIL, and other stakeholders to ensure ease of doing business.” The historic berthing attracted top officials from the NPA, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigeria Immigration Service, and other regulatory bodies, all of whom commended the milestone and reaffirmed their support for sustainable maritime innovation in Nigeria.

A violent kidnapping in Okut, located in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, has resulted in the deaths of three individuals: a prominent local businessman, a vigilante officer, and one of the suspected kidnappers. According to sources who spoke to SaharaReporters, armed men — believed to be of Fulani origin — invaded the residence of Alhaji Dauda Ismaila, a well-known businessman and farmer, at about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. The assailants reportedly fired multiple gunshots into the air to cause panic before abducting Alhaji Dauda and fleeing into the nearby forest. A local vigilante group swiftly mobilised and tracked the kidnappers deep into the bush. A fierce gunfight broke out during the rescue attempt, leading to the deaths of one suspected kidnapper, Alhaji Dauda, who was hit in the crossfire, and a vigilante officer who was part of the pursuit. “One of the kidnappers was shot and killed, but tragically, Alhaji Dauda was also caught in the crossfire and died on the spot,” a source disclosed. “A member of the vigilante team was also killed in the shootout.” The Joint Task Force has since launched a manhunt for the remaining attackers and has pledged to bring them to justice. This incident adds to a worrying trend of kidnappings in the area. On May 31, a resident of Shiya community was abducted and released only after a ransom was paid. Earlier, in February, another attempt resulted in the death of Alhaji Fatai Olowogbo, who succumbed to gunshot wounds. Residents say kidnappings have become a regular occurrence, stoking fear and disrupting daily life. Community leaders are calling for urgent intervention by security agencies and the government to restore peace in the area. Efforts to reach Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Police Command, for an official response were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

Former presidential adviser and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Babafemi Ojudu, has raised alarm over Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, warning that continued inaction could destabilize the country’s democracy and possibly pave the way for a return to military rule. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Ojudu expressed deep frustration with President Bola Tinubu’s handling of security, calling the government’s response dangerously inadequate. “I’m a member of the APC and I shouldn’t be seen to be deliberately criticising a president elected on our platform,” he said, “but the truth must be told — this is a serious challenge to the existence of this country. The President must sit up.” Ojudu, a former senator who represented Ekiti Central, said that violence is now rampant not just in the North-East and North-West but is encroaching on the North-Central and even the South-West, including parts of Kogi and Kwara states. Referencing the recent killings in Benue, Plateau, and Kano, as well as a deadly suicide bombing in Borno, he said Tinubu’s government has yet to adopt a cohesive national security strategy. “This is not something to treat like skirmishes between a few bad boys. The President must issue a marching order to all heads of military and intelligence agencies to create a coordinated master plan to end this crisis,” he insisted. Threat to 2027 Elections and Democracy Ojudu warned that failure to swiftly tackle insecurity could result in political manipulation of violence ahead of the 2027 elections — a scenario he said could derail democracy. “If these things continue, we don’t know what roles those violent elements may be forced into during the elections,” he said. “That, in itself, is a threat to the fabric of our society. We don’t want to run into exile again or be jailed under a repressive system.” He emphasized that widespread violence, unchecked kidnappings, and impunity threaten Nigeria’s stability and must be tackled with urgency. Federal Overreach and Structural Concerns Responding to recent comments by legal icon Olisa Agbakoba on governance reforms, Ojudu agreed that President Tinubu’s centralist policies contradict his long-standing pro-restructuring stance. “Knowing Tinubu as a restructuring advocate, I’m surprised that powers are again being consolidated at the federal level. We don’t need new commissions everywhere—we need devolved governance and real structural reforms,” he said. Context: Rising Violence Nationwide Ojudu’s remarks come in the wake of escalating violence: President Tinubu has ordered military and intelligence agencies to intensify action, set up peace-building committees, and affirmed that freedom of movement remains a “non-negotiable right” for all Nigerians. Still, many critics, including Ojudu, believe the government is moving too slowly — and that Nigeria’s security architecture needs an urgent overhaul before it’s too late.