Good morning! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo in a viral video claimed that the Bola Tinubu-led federal government is the worst ever. Asari, once a supporter of Tinubu and the APC, expresses disappointment, stated that some Niger Delta people, especially the Ijaw ethnic group, are angry with the current government. He had earlier assured the Ijaw people that the government would perform well, but now sees the Tinubu administration as a nightmare for them. Asari suggested that the political crisis in Rivers State is a litmus test for Tinubu’s leadership, and if there are consequences of alleged bad governance, it may start in Rivers State.
2. Meanwhile, the backed-Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, has declared vacant the seats of 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Governor Siminalayi Fubara supported this move, and Ehie’s faction, with only four members, plans to inform INEC of the vacancies and conduct fresh elections to fill them. The announcement came amid a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, leading to a split in the assembly. The budget presentation by Governor Fubara coincided with the demolition of the assembly complex due to damage from a previous explosion and fire incident. Legal experts note that Ehie’s actions are legally justified until the court order is vacated, while Femi Falana emphasizes the legality of declaring vacant seats for lawmakers who defect to another party.
3. A deadly bank robbery occurred in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, resulting in five deaths, including two officers of the Amotekun security outfit. Masked robbers, numbering about twenty, stormed the town, shooting indiscriminately and robbing banks at Odo Oja and Oke-osun simultaneously. They attacked the Amotekun Corps first, then broke the banks’ security doors with dynamite, making away with an unspecified sum of money. The Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti expressed shock over the incident, emphasizing the need for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, despite the presence of military checkpoints and a Police Area Command in the town.
4. The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has denied media reports about a proposed N1 billion budget for a foreign trip to Geneva in 2024. She clarified that the funds are allocated for obligations, overhead, and maintenance costs of Nigeria’s Trade Office in Geneva, with a current debt of N499 million. She said the budget aims to service outstanding debts and maintain Nigeria’s global standing. Uzoka-Anite emphasized transparency, stating that the budget proposal is N1,610,183,599, with personal costs at N805,379,820, overhead costs at N204,058,434, and capital costs at N600,745,345.
5. During the 2023 carol of nine lessons at the School of the Blind in Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the wife of the Governor, commended the students for their talents and commitment despite their challenges. She emphasized the government’s dedication to the well-being and inclusion of community members, particularly those with special needs. Governor Otti pledged increased attention to the challenges faced by the School of the Blind and called for collaboration between the government and philanthropic individuals. Mrs. Otti also made donations to the school.
6. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has declared Israelis determination to continue the war on Gaza, despite international pressure. US President Joe Biden called for a change in Israel’s conservative government, and the UN General Assembly backed a non-binding resolution for a ceasefire. The death toll in Gaza has risen significantly, and both sides are facing severe consequences, with hospitals overwhelmed and conditions worsening, especially with the arrival of winter rain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s commitment to continue until victory.
7. Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems in a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM revealed she received death threats due to pregnancy rumors sparked by her appearance at the Burberry’s Spring/Summer 2024 London Fashion Week show. She clarified that she was not pregnant and refuted claims that she was involved with American rapper Future. She also expressed her admiration for YBNL star Asake, emphasizing that her relations with him was solely for work-related reasons, particularly directing a music video for him.
