Rivers Electoral Commission Fixes August 9 For Fresh LG Poll

A new Local Government (LG) poll will be conducted in the state on August 9, 2025, according to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

At a stakeholder meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, the chief Electoral Commissioner, made the announcement.

The Supreme Court’s decision on Friday, which declared the state’s October 5, 2024, election invalid, followed.

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, assured the oil-rich state’s residents on Sunday that their administration would follow the Supreme Court’s order after a thorough examination of its Certified True Copy (CTC) copy.

Fubara revealed in a state broadcast on Sunday that he had spoken with his legal team about getting the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025.

He emphasized that his administration will follow the law and is committed to upholding constitutional principles.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling that invalidated the local government elections held on October 5, 2023, the governor also issued a command to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to immediately appoint the governor to lead the state’s 23 local government councils.

Read more: Supreme Court Declares End to River Impunity, Says Wike.

The State Electoral Commission will conduct new elections until Fubara’s declaration stated that the civil servants would take control of everything.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other organizations were ordered by the Supreme Court to refrain from releasing funds to the Rivers State government until it explicitly disobeyed court orders in a new judgment on Friday.

The five-man panel of the court unanimously rejected Fubara’s cross-appeal challenging the legitimacy of the House of Assembly, which Martin Amaewhule presided over as the Speaker.

Supreme Court Rejects Trump Bid To Freeze $2bn In Aid Payments

President Donald Trump’s request to freeze some $ 2 billion in foreign aid payments was rejected on Wednesday by a divided US Supreme Court.

The court upheld a lower court’s request to pay the administration for payments on contracts that have already been paid for in its first significant decision regarding a legal challenge to Trump.

First Bank Flags Off 40-Storey Head Office At Eko Atlantic

The groundbreaking ceremony for First Bank’s new, iconic head office building in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, was held on Wednesday.

Governors, senators, ministers, and industry captains were present at the event, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima, billionaire Aliko Dangote, and Femi Otedola.

The 40-storey project is supposed to be Nigeria’s tallest building, according to a bank spokesman, Olayinka Ijabiyi.

Due to its technologically advanced, eco-friendly, and sophisticated construction, which would set a new standard for Africa’s financial services sector, the statement said in part.

The groundbreaking ceremony, in his opinion, marked the start of a transformational journey that affirms the bank’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

According to him, the new corporate headquarters was created with sustainability in mind, with a green-certified building that lowers operating costs and positions FirstBank as a leader in sustainable banking practices.

Olusegun Alebiosu, the bank’s CEO, called the groundbreaking “a significant milestone” in the bank’s pursuit of excellence.

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Our new corporate structure, which embodies our commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainability, is envisioned as a world-class structure. We think that this development will be crucial in fostering Africa’s economic growth and development, bringing long-term value to all of our stakeholders, he said.

Femi Otedola, the chairman of FirstHoldCo, remarked, “Today’s gathering highlights the value of collaboration and support from various sectors in bringing our ambitious plans for the new headquarters to life. As we work together to make this vision a reality, we value the unwavering support of our customers and stakeholders.

Tinubu Appoints Adeladan Olarinre, Mukhtar Muhammed As New Perm Secs

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mukhtar Muhammed and Adeladan Olarinre as new permanent secretaries to fill vacancies in the Federal Civil Service.

Eno Olotu, the director of information and public relations for the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), made this known in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja.

Olarinre will represent Oyo State, and Muhammad will represent the region’s North-West geopolitical zone.

Olotu emphasized that the appointments were made in accordance with the administration’s commitment to excellence, competence, and meritocracy in the civil service.

She urged the new permanent secretaries to bring a wealth of their expertise and experience to their positions, which will advance the delivery of public services and advance the government’s development goals.

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To fill vacancies in various states and geopolitical zones, the federal government appointed eight new permanent secretaries from Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kebbi, Rivers, and Kaduna.

This builds on the eight permanent secretaries from the Southeast and South-South regions that were appointed in June 2024, including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara, and.

Didi Walson-Jack, the head of the Federation’s civil service, praised President Tinubu for his commitment to upholding accountability, meritocracy, and professionalism.

She claimed that the appointments show how committed the administration is to providing a competent and results-oriented public service that meets Nigerian standards.

Akpabio Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations As Senator Natasha Submits Fresh Petition

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He reacted to the allegations on Wednesday at the resumption of plenary in the Senate, after a week’s recess.

Dismissing the allegations, Senator Akpabio said, “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria”.

The Senate President, who said he had been inundated with calls on the matter since February 25, and that he was aware of the growing social media discourse, urged Nigerians, the media, and social media users to refrain from drawing conclusions and instead await the court’s decision on the matter.

READ ALSO: Senator Natasha Returns To Senate Amid Seat Controversy

However, immediately after his remarks, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raised a petition under Order 40, accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment and abuse of office.

She requested permission to step forward and formally lay the petition before the chamber.

The Senate subsequently referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, directing it to review the matter as soon as practicable.

The Senate was hit by controversy in February when a seat rearrangement escalated into a confrontation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President. The dispute over the seat has sparked tensions within the Senate, leading to the allegation of sexual harassment by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and raising fresh concerns about decorum and conduct within the legislative body.

On Wednesday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the Senate Chamber in the company of her husband amid the controversy.

In a brief but affectionate moment, the Senator shared a kiss with her husband before proceeding into the chamber to take her seat.

PHOTOS: Protest At National Assembly In Support Of Natasha

On Wednesday, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters stormed the National Assembly complex.

This is when Senator Neda Imaseun’s Senate ethics committee will begin its investigation into Senators Natasha Uduaghan’s inability to follow the Senate’s rules.

Cans of tear gas were reportedly fired as the protesters gathered, but security forces prevented them as they regrouped and regrouped.

As they demanded that President Bola Tinubu step in, the protesters accused Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, of silencing and demonizing women.

They claimed that there are human rights issues with allegations of sexual misconduct.