Good Morning Nigeria: Catch Up On Today's Latest News

Hey Nigeria, Let's Dive Into Today's Top Stories

Good morning, friends! Welcome back to another edition of Naija News, where we bring you the latest headlines shaping our great nation. Today is Thursday, March 20th, 2025, and there's a lot happening across the country. Let’s break it down step by step so you can stay informed.

1. AGF Speaks Out: The Truth Behind Fubara's Suspension

What Happened in Rivers State?

Alright, let's talk about the big news out of Rivers State. Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, stepped up to defend President Bola Tinubu's decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers. This move came after Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, were suspended, along with all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The President appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibokette Ibas, as the sole administrator of the state. The reason? A deep-seated political crisis that left the state in turmoil.

President Tinubu made this call in a nationwide address on Tuesday. He explained that the suspension was necessary because of the ongoing conflict that paralyzed the state government. In response, Fagbemi addressed journalists at a State House Correspondents session, pointing fingers directly at Governor Fubara for the crisis. He criticized the governor's actions, especially the controversial destruction of the State House of Assembly Complex.

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According to Fagbemi, the Supreme Court found that Governor Fubara's actions, including demolishing the assembly building, were likely aimed at preventing an impeachment. It seems like the governor saw the writing on the wall and took drastic measures to avoid removal. Fagbemi emphasized that the Supreme Court's findings left President Tinubu with no choice but to act decisively to restore order in Rivers State.

2. Dangote Refinery: Why They're Halting Naira Sales

Now, let's shift gears to the energy sector. The Dangote Refinery recently announced that it will stop selling petrol in naira. Why? Well, it turns out that their sales proceeds in local currency don't match up with their crude oil purchase obligations. This imbalance is forcing them to rethink their strategy.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Dangote management clarified that they've sold more petrol in naira than the value of the naira-denominated crude oil they received. They also denied rumors that the halt was due to ticketing fraud. Instead, they assured the public that sales in naira will resume as soon as they receive naira-denominated crude from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

3. Admiral Ibas Steps In: A New Chapter for Rivers State

What’s Next for Rivers?

Meet Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retired), the newly appointed sole administrator of Rivers State. In his first public address after being sworn in by President Tinubu, Ibas pledged to work with all stakeholders to restore peace and stability in the region. Speaking with reporters shortly after his swearing-in ceremony at the State House in Abuja, Ibas emphasized the urgency of maintaining law and order in the state.

As a former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibas brings a wealth of experience to the table. His appointment comes after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers due to the prolonged political crisis. The President suspended Governor Fubara and his team for an initial six-month period, clearing the way for Ibas to step in and lead the recovery efforts.

4. PDP Faces Land Revocation: What’s the Story?

Here's something interesting: the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) owes a staggering ₦7.6 million in ground rent from 2006 to 2025. This debt has led to the revocation of their land title in Abuja's Central Area. The FCTA made this announcement during a press briefing after an Executive Committee meeting chaired by Minister Nyesom Wike.

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Contrary to some claims, the FCTA clarified that only one property belonging to the PDP was affected by the revocation. The land hosting the party's national headquarters in Wuse Zone 5 does not belong to the PDP. Instead, it belongs to a Mr. Samaila Ofi, who owes a 28-year ground rent totaling ₦2.85 million. The FCTA has already served the necessary papers to Mr. Ofi at his Kaduna address.

5. Governor Fubara Leaves the Seat of Power

In a significant development, suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, vacated the Government House in Port Harcourt. Reports indicate that he moved out on Wednesday morning, just ahead of Admiral Ibas' arrival. When reporters visited the Government House later that day, they found a calm atmosphere with security personnel stationed at the entrance.

A security source confirmed that a change of guard had taken place, replacing all of Governor Fubara's security details. This marks a new chapter for the state as it transitions under the leadership of Admiral Ibas.

6. Senate Delays Decision on State of Emergency

The Senate decided to postpone its decision on approving the state of emergency in Rivers State. Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved to delay the matter until Thursday, a motion seconded by Minority Leader, Abba Moro. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put the issue to a voice vote, and the majority of lawmakers supported the delay.

This motion, which was the first item on the Senate's agenda, was put on hold before any debate could take place. The Senate acknowledged the severity of the political crisis in Rivers, noting that it has brought the state to a standstill. Efforts by the federal government to restore order have been met with resistance from political parties involved, making the situation even more complex.

7. Labour Unions Call for Reversal of State of Emergency

Not everyone is on board with the state of emergency in Rivers. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have demanded the immediate reversal of President Tinubu's decision. In a joint statement signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and TUC President, Festus Osifo, the unions described the declaration as reckless and unconstitutional.

They argued that President Tinubu's actions violate Part II, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), overstepping executive authority. The unions warned that the decision could have severe socio-economic consequences for workers and residents of Rivers State, disrupting businesses, causing job losses, and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that could discourage investment.

8. Oluwadolarz Speaks Out on Breakup Drama

In the world of entertainment, Nigerian skit maker Oluwadolarz has addressed allegations of infidelity leveled against him by his estranged fiancée, Ifeluv. Ifeluv accused Oluwadolarz of cheating and failing to honor his promises after their engagement. But in a detailed post on Instagram, Oluwadolarz offered his side of the story.

He explained that their relationship issues began when he refused to participate in controversial videos and pranks suggested by Ifeluv, fearing they would harm his brand. He also revealed that Ifeluv moved out on the advice of her director, though he tried to reconcile with her for the sake of their child. Regarding the infidelity claims involving Lola, Oluwadolarz clarified that she had been visiting his studio apartment for over a year and even assisted Ifeluv with her shoots. He accused Ifeluv of lying about having surgery to gain sympathy and repeatedly pressured him to propose.

9. Ijoba Lande Fires Back at Portable

Content creator Ijoba Lande has taken issue with musician Portable for composing a song about his family drama. If you recall, Lande had accused his estranged wife, Dara, of having affairs with multiple men and claimed to have videos as evidence. Portable's song about the scandal didn't sit well with Lande, who vowed that the musician would "pay" for mocking his family.

In a video message shared on social media, Lande said, "Portable, I see all the nonsense you're doing. You're using my life story to sing. You will pay for it. Remember when they slept with one of your wives, and you were crying all over the Internet? Don’t worry, you'll pay for your crimes someday." Lande's response highlights the ongoing feud and the public nature of their disputes.

10. Troost-Ekong Sets the Stage for Rwanda Clash

On the sports front, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has set his sights on securing a victory against Rwanda in their World Cup qualifier match. Speaking with reporters, Troost-Ekong emphasized that the team's objective is to secure all three points, regardless of Rwanda's home-field advantage.

The Nigerian captain assured fans that the players are focused on reviving their World Cup qualifying campaign and are determined to make it happen. Despite the challenges, Troost-Ekong and his teammates remain confident and committed to bringing pride to the nation.

That’s a Wrap for Today’s Headlines

And there you have it, folks! These are the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Stay tuned to Naija News for more updates as they happen. Until tomorrow, keep it real, and remember to keep checking back for the latest news shaping our world. See you soon!