Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A former President of the Nigeria and African Union of Journalists, Lanre Ogundipe, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, warning that the decision could have dire economic and political consequences for the nation. In a statement on Tuesday, Ogundipe described the declaration as a “disservice” to the country, arguing that the crisis in Rivers State should have been resolved politically rather than through emergency rule. He questioned the advice that led to Tinubu’s decision, warning that it could plunge the country into further instability. “Mr. President, should we not count…

The Psalmist calls the attention of those who identify as believers to the fundamentals of true worship and acceptable service unto God. Psalm 24:3 enunciates the parameters of acceptable worship, of the almighty. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully…”_ In Nigeria, religious pretentiousness displayed as true piety, has, to a large degree, replaced true godliness. Book of Isaiah chapter 58, unequivocally denounces religious observations that do not measure…

President Bola Tinubu consulted the National Assembly before declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, the House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, has said. On Tuesday, Tinubu announced the emergency rule following the political crisis in the state. He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State Assembly. The president appointed retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s administrator. In a statement, Rotimi said the president met with key lawmakers before making the decision. Those present included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, among others. Security chiefs,…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his family were reportedly held hostage at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday night by heavily armed soldiers following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. The development came shortly after Tinubu invoked Section 180 of the Nigerian Constitution to justify his decision, citing the ongoing political turmoil in the state. The crisis, largely fueled by a bitter power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, escalated last week when pro-Wike lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor. Sources within the Rivers State Government hinted that troops moved…

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state  has dismissed two of his aides over alleged gross misconduct. This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Grace Umezurike, on Tuesday. According to the statement, the affected aides are Felix Okemini (Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security– Ebonyi North Senatorial District) and Mr Nnanna Nwangele (Special Assistant to the Governor on Airport Security). The governor directed the affected officers to hand over all government properties in their possession to the SSG by the close of work on Tuesday. “The officers should henceforth not be seen…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has convened an emergency meeting at its headquarters in Abuja following a controversial move by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to revoke the land rights of the party’s national secretariat. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the FCT minister informed the PDP that the Right of Occupancy for the party’s national secretariat, located at Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja, had been revoked. Wike’s decision cited the party’s failure to pay its annual ground rents for the last two decades, covering…

Daud Olatunji Six Christian pilgrims from Sagamu, Ogun State, have reportedly fled a camp in Nazareth, Jerusalem, during their Christian holy pilgrimage, sending shockwaves through the Nigerian delegation. According to PLATFORM TIMES, the incident occurred on Monday night when the six pilgrims, including five males and one female, escaped the camp by sneaking through a window. A source, who spoke to PLATFORM TIMES on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, revealed that the pilgrims were part of a larger Nigerian contingent. They had been in Jerusalem for the pilgrimage but had fled to another…

The former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has leveled serious allegations against his successor, Governor Uba Sani, accusing him of collecting 40 percent kickbacks from contractors before awarding government contracts. El-Rufai made the accusation during an interview with Freedom Radio Kaduna on Monday, where he vehemently denied any involvement in corrupt practices during his tenure. He claimed that despite overseeing contracts worth billions, he never personally met with contractors, working exclusively through commissioners and permanent secretaries. “I have never stolen a kobo from anyone. If any contractor has given me a bribe, let him come forward,” El-Rufai asserted. He…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has officially revoked the land allocated to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its proposed national secretariat in the Central Business District of Abuja. In a letter dated March 13, 2025, titled “Notice of Right of Occupancy with File No.: MISC 81346 in Respect of Plot No.: 243 within Central Area District, Abuja,” Wike communicated the revocation, which was signed by the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze. The letter, issued on Tuesday, states that the PDP failed to pay the annual ground rent for the property for a period…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of democratic principles. In a statement issued and signed by President, Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN,on March 18, 2025, the NBA expressed serious concerns over the suspension of the state’s governor, deputy governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which was announced by the President as part of the emergency measures. According to the NBA, the declaration was made in response to political tensions and the reported vandalization…