Category Nigeria News

The Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum has expressed concern and condemned the impeachment notice issued against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, by members of the Rivers House of Assembly.

The position of the elders was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Chairman of the forum, Alabo Dr. G. T. G. Toby.

According to the statement issued on Friday, the elders said impeachment is a “serious constitutional process” and must not be reduced to “a tool for political vendettas or factional struggles.”

The forum described the reasons advanced so far in support of the impeachment as “disturbingly weak,” adding that they lack “substance, public interest justification, or constitutional weight,” the former deputy governor of Rivers State said on behalf of the group.

They warned that the action appears to be driven by “narrow personal interests rather than genuine concern for good governance.”

READ ALSO: Rivers Assembly Confirms Impeachment Notices Served To Gov Fubara, Deputy

The forum said the people of Rivers State gave Fubara’s mandate and can only be questioned in “strict compliance with constitutional provisions, due process, and on the basis of clear, compelling, and verifiable grounds.”

They cautioned that the current impeachment move could “deepen political divisions, erode public trust in democratic institutions, and further destabilise an already fragile polity.”

Recalling the recent period of emergency rule in the state, the forum noted that Rivers State has yet to fully recover from the political, social, and institutional disruptions that followed, warning that the latest development risks

“Reopening old wounds and heightening tensions at a time when stability and focused governance are urgently needed,” the group said.

The elders, therefore, called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to “immediately retrace its steps” and place “the collective interest, peace, and progress of Rivers State above all partisan or personal considerations.”

The Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, accompanied by officers of the Brigade, has paid a solidarity visit to Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Wesley Tafida, a World War II veteran and father of Major  General HT Wesley (Retired).

The visit, aimed at crisscrossing, brought to light sacrifices made by the veteran in protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria during World War II (1944–1945), where he served as a courier conveying arms and ammunition.

Aged 106 years, the veteran warmly received the delegation and assured them of a good reward for their sacrifices and dedication to the safety of the country.

RSM Tafida commended the Commander for his steadfast commitment to securing the state.

He further disclosed that he was discharged from 93 Mechanised Infantry Battalion, Ojo Cantonment, after seven years of service as an RSM.

The Commander 6 brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 operation whirl stroke Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, in his remark, applauded the retired RSM, underscoring the Nigerian Army’s commitment to operational excellence, institutional appreciation, and honouring the sacrifices of veterans, while sustaining peace and security in Taraba State.

According to him, the war against insecurity will be won by the military, saying that they are not deterred by the contemporary and emerging threats.

He assured Tafida of the Army’s victory against insecurity as he departed the veteran’s residence in Jalingo.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defense, Richard Pheelangwa, has applauded Uwa for his effective leadership and sustained efforts at ensuring peace and tranquility across the State.

According to him, the commander’s desire to flush out criminals in the state has restored public confidence in security personnel and boosted the quest for vigilance.

Pheelangwa, during a courtesy visit on the 6 Brigade commander, further lauded the discipline, professionalism, and commitment to duty displayed by officers and soldiers of the Brigade.

He described their conduct as exemplary and in line with the highest traditions of the Nigerian Army.

READ ALSO: Fire Razes Section Of LG Secretariat In Taraba

Pheelangwa encouraged the formation to sustain the current operational tempo and civil-military cooperation that have contributed to curbing insecurity and unrest within the state and its environs.

In response, Uwa expressed profound gratitude to the Permanent Secretary for the honour of the visit and reaffirmed the loyalty and dedication of officers and Men of 6 Brigade to the constituted authority.

A fire outbreak that razed a section of the Wukari Local Government Secretariat in Taraba State has destroyed property worth billions of naira.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Wukari Local Government Area, Bala Useni, said the fire started shortly after he left the office for an official engagement.

According to him, he was alerted to the incident by a security operative of the Taraba State security Marshal.

Useni explained that initial efforts to put out the fire were unsuccessful, as the Federal University Wukari Fire Service was unable to operate due to a lack of water.

READ ALSO: PLASIEC Adjusts Pre-Election Timetable, Retains September LG Poll Date

The inferno was eventually brought under control through the combined efforts of council staff and other concerned individuals.

He disclosed that most of the administrative buildings were damaged in the fire, with only a section of the chairman’s office spared.

The chairman said the cause of the fire remains unknown, adding that investigations are still ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He noted that the destruction has disrupted administrative activities and adversely affected service delivery within the local government area.

Useni further revealed that a committee would be constituted to assess the extent of the damage and establish the cause of the fire outbreak.

The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has amended the timetable for the 2026 Local Government elections, shifting key pre-election activities while maintaining September 9, 2026, as the official poll date.

The revised timetable was announced by the Commission’s Chairman, Hon. Plangji Cishak, who said the adjustments were made after careful consideration of legal, administrative, and operational concerns.

“The Commission has reviewed the timetable to strengthen the electoral process and ensure that every stage meets the standards of transparency, legality, and credibility,” Cishak said.

One of the major amendments is the rescheduling of party primaries from January to March 7–12, 2026.

Cishak explained that the change would allow parties and aspirants more time for internal consultations and reconciliation.

“The new dates will give political actors the necessary space to organise and field candidates without unnecessary pressure,” he added.

Other activities, including nomination of candidates, screening, and publication of final lists, have also been shifted.

Screening is now scheduled for late March, a move observers believe could help address eligibility concerns early and reduce disputes ahead of the elections.

Official campaigns are expected to commence on April 11, 2026, and end two days before the polls in line with established electoral regulations.

READ ALSO: Osun, Ekiti Guber, FCT Polls Testing Ground For 2027 Elections — INEC

Despite the adjustments, the Commission retained major milestones such as publication of the voters’ register, submission of polling agents, and the election date itself.

“By keeping key dates intact, we are providing certainty to political parties, security agencies, and civil society partners. This is crucial for planning and coordination,” Cishak stated.

Local government elections in Plateau State are often viewed as highly competitive and serve as a measure of political strength ahead of future state and national contests.

PLASIEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections in accordance with the PLASIEC Law and electoral guidelines.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), operating under the joint task force of Operation HADIN KAI, said it recorded another operational success following a coordinated air interdiction conducted at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno State.

Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Saturday, noted that the feat was achieved following multi-source intelligence that confirmed active terrorist presence, structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

According to the statement, following intelligence, NAF air assets were then employed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to engage identified targets.

“The operation was deliberately designed to degrade terrorist capability, deny sanctuary, and shape the battlespace for ground forces, in strict adherence to established rules of engagement and the protection of non-combatants,” the statement read in part.

READ ALSO: Insecurity: FG Vows To Empower Armed Forces As Trump Threatens More Strikes In Nigeria

Commenting on the operation, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, stated that the success of the mission reflected the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.

“This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering precise and decisive airpower in support of ground forces. We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide.

“The identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation,” CAS said.

Reaffirming the NAF’s posture, Air Marshal Aneke emphasised that air operations would remain relentless and intelligence-driven.

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has said that more than 2,000 of its members are yet to be paid arrears of the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), despite claims by the Federal Government that the outstanding payments have been settled.

NARD’s National President, Dr Mohammad Suleman, disclosed this during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television on Friday.

Responding to the Federal Government’s assertion that seven out of the 19 demands by the association had been statutorily addressed, including the full payment of seven months’ arrears of the CONMESS adjustment, Suleman said some doctors were still unpaid.

“On the seven months’ arrears of 25–35 per cent, we still have over 2,000, almost 3,000 of our members who are yet to be paid those arrears,” he said.

READ ALSO: Court Bars Resident Doctors From Embarking On Planned Strike

He explained that the issue of the arrears had repeatedly been subjected to delays linked to service-wide vote provisions, stressing that doctors should not have to wait for special interventions before their entitlements are captured in the budget.

“In 2023, it was said to be put inside the service-wide vote if it wasn’t paid. In 2024, it was put in the service-wide vote; in 2025, it was again put there.

“The President had to make special provision when doctors agitated for that money to be paid.

“Are we saying these arrears have to go through that route of waiting for service-wide vote after service-wide vote and waiting for the President of the country to specifically intervene before they are captured in the budget?” Suleman said.

Ongoing FG Talks 

The NARD president confirmed that discussions were ongoing with the Federal Government and the Ministry of Health, expressing hope that progress would be made before the weekend.

“Right now, we are in discussions with the Federal Government team. I would hope that from tonight to tomorrow, to Sunday, a lot of things are going to be done in the proper way.

“So that the National Executive Council will now look at it, not in the context of court injunctions and ‘no work, no pay,’ but in the context of what has been done and the evidence that good faith is on the table,” he said.

‘Unshaken Resolve’

Suleman said the association remained resolute despite a court injunction restraining it from embarking on its planned industrial action.

“I am making it very clear that the resolve of our members is not shaken by all these. All these were factored into the decision to embark on this strike,” he said.

Asked whether the association would still proceed with the nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Monday, Suleman said the final decision rested with the union’s leadership.

“Unless the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors says otherwise,” he stated.

On the issue of compliance with the court order, he questioned whether the plight of doctors and patients should be ignored.

“Are we ignoring the sufferings that doctors are going through in this country? Are we ignoring the suffering that patients go through because doctors are exhausted, frustrated and have difficulties executing their jobs?” he asked.

Court Injunction

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja ordered NARD and its members not to proceed with the strike scheduled for January 12.

The order, granted by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, followed a motion filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation after submissions by the Ministry of Justice.

Despite the injunction, NARD had announced plans to resume a total, indefinite and complete strike, citing the Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements in a Memorandum of Understanding signed after a previous strike ended on November 29.