News
Rivers: Group Lauds Appeal Court Judgement Rejecting Tenure Elongation for Ex-LG Chairmen
The National Vanguard for Rule of Law (NVRL) has commended the Court of Appeal’s decision to strike out two appeals filed by former Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State, loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike.
The appeals sought to extend their tenure, but the Court of Appeal found them to be without merit.
In a statement by its President, Comrade Johnson Babatunde, the NVRL praised the justices of the Port Harcourt Division for their courage and integrity in delivering a sound judgment, despite alleged attempts to induce them with money to pervert justice.
He said the judgement is a resounding victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the people of Rivers State.
Babatunde added that the ruling serves as a strong message to politicians who seek to exploit loopholes and manipulate the system for personal gain.
The group believes that this judgement gives Nigerians hope in the judiciary and demonstrates that the court remains the hope of the common man.
The appeals, marked CA/PH/137M/2024 and CA/PH/145M/2024, were filed by Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and six others, challenged the decisions of the lower court on the elongation of their council leadership tenure.
However, the Court of Appeal found the appeals to be without merit and consequently struck them out.
Babatunde said: “We commend the justices of the Portharcourt Division for once again delivering a sound judgment, upholding the rule of and giving Nigerians hope in the judiciary.
“We understand the enemies of Rivers State have been inducing judges with money to deliver black market judgments in their favour. We believe that the Justices of the Portharcourt Division must have been tempted with all forms of inducement to pervert justice, but as men of courage and integrity, they have chosen to uphold the rule of law.
“We criticize the former Local Government Chairmen for their attempt to subvert the democratic process and extend their tenure illegally.
“Their actions were driven by a desire for self-preservation and a disregard for the welfare of the people they were elected to serve. Their tenure elongation bid was a brazen attempt to defy the constitution and perpetuate themselves in office.
“We commend Governor Simi Fubara and the Rivers State Government for their unwavering commitment to upholding the constitution and defending the interests of the people.
“We urge the government to continue to prioritize the welfare and well-being of the people, and to ensure that democratic governance is entrenched in Rivers State”.
The NVRL also called on Nigerians to support judges who deliver sound judgments and urged the people of Rivers State to continue to support Governor Fubara in delivering dividends of democracy to the state.
The group encouraged the people to prepare for the forthcoming local government elections to replace those who sought to extend their tenure through illegal means.
News
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
News
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
News
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism
-
News9 hours ago
N10bn Alleged Loot: SGF Akume’s PA ,Torhile Uchi Turns Chinery
-
News14 hours ago
Obi donates N20m to Colleges of Nursing in Ahiara and Ihiala
-
News14 hours ago
Kano Emirate Tussle: Appeal Court halts Emir Sanusi’s reinstatement
-
News14 hours ago
Damagum bows as PDP Govs move to re-assert ‘selves over party affairs
-
News5 hours ago
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
-
News6 hours ago
2027: Oyetola’s leadership’ll pave way for APC’s victory in Osun — ex-Speaker
-
News5 hours ago
Opposition no longer safe with recruitment of Osun PDP members into Amotekun – APM
-
News14 hours ago
Tinubu’s administration not running govt in secrecy — AGF Fagbemi