Governor Fubara Orders Audit Of Local Government Accounts 

As the political crisis in Rivers State is yet to resolve, the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called for the audit of local government accounts in the state. He gave the order after he swore in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state. The swearing-in ceremony was currently ongoing at the Government House in Port Harcourt, amid tight security.  The swearing comes a day after the governor forwarded the list to the state House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Victor Jumbo. Earlier, the Rivers Assembly passed the Local Government Amendment bill into law but Fubara failed to assent to the bill.  While the governor did not sign the bill, the lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule vetoed him. The amended bill which the governor failed to assent, empowered the Rivers State Assembly to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, their vice, and councillors where it is deemed impossible to hold elections before the end of their three-year tenure. However, the court nullified the amended law, prompting an appeal.  The appeal court is set to deliver a ruling on the matter on June 20, 2024.

Gov Yusuf reappoints Sanusi as Emir of Kano, orders ex-monarchs 48 hours to vacate seats

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the reappointment of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano under the new laws. The governor has given former emirs 48 hours to vacate their palaces and hand over Emirate Council properties to the Commissioner of Local Government, who also serves as State Deputy Governor. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has signed the Kano Emirates Bill 2024 into law, repealing the 2019 Emirate Councils Law that altered the state’s over 1000-year history. By signing the bill, the governor declared that the 2019 law has been repealed and is now history. The signing was attended by the Speaker of the State Assembly, Ismaila Falgore, Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam, Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Baffa Bichi and others. The State Assembly has fulfilled one of its constitutional roles by signing the bill into law.

No order for us to intervene in Niger coup –DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said the Armed Forces of Nigeria is yet to receive an order for any military intervention in the Republic of Niger following the coup that led to the ouster of democratic governance in the country. The Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Thursday, dismissed the online report that the Nigerian military was assembling its forces for military action in the Republic of Niger. According to him, the AFN is yet to receive any order from the appropriate authority to commence military action against the Military Junta in Niger. “It is no longer news that some members of the Republic of Niger Armed Forces seized power from a democratically elected government through unconstitutional means. “In reaction to this illegal takeover of government, the ECOWAS Heads of Government met and a series of options were reached on how to intervene in the crisis. “Military option was the last option to be taken in case every other option fails, to reverse the situation and return the Government of the Republic of Niger to constitutional order. “At the moment, the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff is currently holding an extraordinary meeting in Abuja to discuss the political situation in the Republic of Niger and submit their plans to the committee of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS for consideration. “In conclusion, the Armed Forces of Nigeria cannot proceed on any operation in any of the member states of ECOWAS without the mandate from the Authority of Heads of States and Government,” he said.