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Emergency Rule: Punch Editorial went overboard -CRP

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Senator Bola Ahamd Tinubu

 

A grassroot social political organisation, Concerned Rivers People, CRP has carpeted the Punch Editorial of April 15, 2025, declaring that it went overboard.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Alex Nwogu, Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Rivers People declaring that:

“Our attention has been drawn to an editorial in today’s Punch Newspaper, under normal circumstances, we could have ignored it but the narrative captured in the said editorial are misleading.

“It’s difficult to believe that the Editorial team did not do a thorough investigation that’s always associated with it before the said publication as structures of governance are set aside under Emergency Rule.

“The Sole Administrator is in place because of the State of Emergency. How is he expected to work with officials of the suspended Administration.

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“Before then the Supreme Court had voided the Local Government Election that brought the sacked Council Chairmen. The question that the Editorial failed to address is; are those appointed from Akwa Ibom or Abia State?

“Or better still are they from anywhere close to Lagos or Ogun State? This the editorial adequately failed to thrash out.

“Again, from what purview is Punch trying to create an impression that there’s a hidden agenda in the whole arrangement in Rivers State?

“An Emergency Rule is simply:”an urgent, unexpected, and usually dangerous situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment and requires immediate action.

“The Sole Administrator has six months to bring about peace, reconcile aggrieved parties and ensured that residents life and property are secured.

“In what way has the Sole Administrator violated any of the rules as his first mission in Rivers State is to troubleshoot which he has been doing immediately he assumed office.

“The job of the Sole Administrator is to go to areas that there are troubles in Rivers and shoot at the trouble to bring about peace.

“The local government was one heavily troubled area and to bring about peace he appointed fresh administrators to peacefully run the affairs of the councils.

“Calling for the reinstatement of the suspended governor was the climax smirking that all is not well with the Editorial.

“Siminalayi Fubara was the purveyor and advocate of all that has transpired in Rivers State calling for his reinstatement barely two months after he was suspended creates a very wrong impression about the Editorial.

“CRP is demanding that the Punch Editorial should be reviewed and all necessary avenues should be explored to get the right information before jumping to press.

“It is not a healthy development for journalism that such an editorial should emanate from a reputable newspaper like Punch without weighing it from all angles.

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Legacy of a Progressive Intellectual: Symposium and Book Launch to Honor Late Comrade Abubakar Sokoto Mohammed mni in Abuja

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A coalition of friends, colleagues, and comrades will gather on April 29, 2026, to celebrate the life and enduring legacy of the late Comrade Abubakar Sokoto Mohammed mni, a titan of Nigerian progressive intellectualism and social justice.

Comrade Mohammed, who passed away on December 11, 2025, was widely regarded as an incorrigible patriot and a cornerstone of the socialist movement in Nigeria. Throughout a distinguished career spanning Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), he remained a steadfast advocate for academic freedom, gender equality, and the transformation of Africa.

The memorial event aims to honor his decades of struggle—from his pivotal role in the Movement for Progressive Nigeria (MPN) and the anti-apartheid movement to his contributions as a founding member of Women in Nigeria (WIN) and a staunch leader within the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Event Highlights:

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• Symposium: Under the theme “Scholars and the Social Question in Nigeria: Reflections on the Life of A.S. Mohammed,” the session will be chaired by Senator Dr. Yahaya Abdullahi. Distinguished panelists include Dr. Yusuf Bangura, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Prof. Aliyah Adamu Ahmad, and Dr. Julie Sanda.
• Book Launch: The event will feature the formal presentation of Comrade Mohammed’s major original work, The Satiru Revolt of Peasants and Slaves in Sokoto, 1906. The session will be chaired by the former Governor of Sokoto State, H.E. Mal. Yahaya Abdulkarim mni, with a review by Prof. M. J. Kuna.
• Endowment Fund: All proceeds from the book launch will benefit an Endowment Fund established to support the late Comrade’s family and the noble causes he championed.
• Biographical Tribute: Dr. J. Maina will present a biographical sketch detailing the life of the man many knew as a “crusader for the common good.”

Event Details:

• DATE: April 29, 2026
• TIME: 9:00 AM
• VENUE: BON Elvis Hotel, 2 Monrovia Street, Wuse 2, Abuja

Comrade Sokoto mni lived a life that inspires, leaving a legacy worthy of preservation. By documenting his struggles and advancing the discourse on justice and development, we ensure that his rich engagements continue to inspire the hope of making Nigeria a better country.

Members of the general public, the academic community, civil society, labour and the media are cordially invited to attend this day of reflection and celebration. The occasion offers an opportunity to reflect on a life devoted to justice and nation-building while contributing to a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.

Y. Z. Ya’u

 

For the Committee

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Kano Gov’t Meets Lawyers, Approves 75% of Demands, Orders Salary Payments

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved 75 percent of the demands put forward by the state’s lawyers’ association, following their recent industrial action.

The decision is part of the government’s broader efforts to address challenges within the judiciary sector and enhance the welfare and working conditions of government-employed legal practitioners.

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As part of the measures, the governor also directed the immediate payment of two months’ outstanding salaries owed to newly recruited lawyers who had yet to receive their entitlements. The directive was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs.

The lawyers’ association has welcomed the development, describing it as a clear indication of the administration’s responsiveness and commitment to addressing their concerns.

The resolution is expected to bring the industrial action to an end and pave the way for the full resumption of legal and judicial activities across Kano State.

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FG Amends Charges Against Malami, Withdraws Terrorism Financing Allegation

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The federal government has amended charges filed against Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF), and his son Abdulaziz, removing the allegation bordering on terrorism financing.

At the court session on Wednesday, Akinlolu Kehinde, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), informed the court about the amendment and applied to substitute the former charge.

The amended charge borders on illegal possession of firearms.

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Shaibu Aruwa, counsel to the defendants, confirmed that his clients were served with the amended charge and agreed that the fresh charge be read to the defendants.

Consequently, the amended charge was read to the defendants, to which they pleaded not guilty.

Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, allowed the defendants to continue on the bail terms and conditions granted to them on February 27.

The case has been adjourned to May 26 and June 15 for trial.

In the amended charge, the prosecution alleges that arms and live cartridges were found in Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.

Malami and Abdulaziz were first arraigned by the DSS on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

The DSS accused Malami of refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to the office of the attorney-general for prosecution.

On February 27, the ex-AGF and his son were each granted bail of N200 million with two sureties in like sum.

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