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Senate Approves Tinubu’s State of Emergency Rule In Rivers State

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Senate in Session

The Senate, at its plenary on Thursday, approved President Tinubu’s State of Emergency Proclamation in Rivers State.

Earlier, the red chamber moved into closed session to consider the President’s request.

However, knowing that it would be a Herculean task to secure the required 2/3 of the Senate to approve the request, the Senate went into close session and adopted the voice vote which is subject to manipulation by the presiding officer, the Senate President.

When the Senate plenary commenced on Thursday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the official communication from President Tinubu to formally inform the Senate of his decision.

In the letter on the 2025 State of Emergency in Rivers State, Tinubu said

“In compliance with the provisions of Section 305(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby forward, for the consideration of the Senate, copies of the official gazettes of the 2025 State of Emergency Proclamation.

“The main features of the proclamation are as follows: A declaration of a state of emergency in one state of the federation, namely, Rivers State.

“The suspension from office of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and all members of the State House of Assembly.

The appointment of a retired Vice Admiral as Administrator to oversee the state, subject to any instructions or regulations issued by me.

“While I look forward to the Senate’s expeditious consideration of this matter, please accept, Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

Akpabio quickly committed the letter to the “Committee of the Whole Senate for immediate consideration”.

Immediately after this, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion to reorder the items on the Order Paper of the day to consider the state of emergency proclamation first.

He said “Mr. President, in accordance with Order 1(b) of our rules, I move that we reorder the agenda on the Order Paper to enable us to take the first order of the day, which is my motion pursuant to the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Mr. President has just read the correspondence from the President regarding this proclamation. I so move.”

The Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro in seconding the motion said, “Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I second the motion moved by the Senate Leader that the Senate reorders its Order Paper for today to take the first order of the day. I so second”.

The Senate President said “Distinguished colleagues, the motion has been moved and seconded that we reorder the items on our Order Paper. Those in support, say ‘Aye.’ Those against, say ‘Nay.’ The Ayes have it”.

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) who rose on a point of order drew attention to the specific provisions of Senate rules, saying “as senators, we are guided by two key documents: the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate Standing Orders.

“Specifically, Order 135 of our rules outlines the procedure for handling a state of emergency proclamation. It states that when the President issues such a proclamation, he shall, in a closed session, brief the Senate on the circumstances leading to the decision.

See also FG Inaugurates 10-Man Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce Supreme Court judgement on local governments autonomy

“In light of this, Mr. President, I respectfully request that we adhere to Order 135 and move into a closed session for this briefing.”

Senate President noted his point of order and duly upheld it and therefore said “Senate will now proceed to a closed session as required by Order 135”.

However, when it was clear that the House of Representatives has already approved the state of emergency proclamation by President Bola Tinubu, it was just a matter of time that the Senate would most likely toe the same line after the close session, which was what happened.

 

 

 

 

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Clergy Urged To Put Members’ Welfare Above All Else

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At a solemn ordination service in Abuja, senior church leaders have called on pastors to make the well-being of their congregations a top priority, following the example of Jesus Christ.

Speaking during the priesthood ordination and installation of a Sub Dean at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, the retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okene, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Ajulo, described pastors as shepherds charged with the care of their flock. He urged them to shun worldly distractions and focus on meeting the spiritual and material needs of their members.

Bishop Ajulo also encouraged the newly ordained priests to remain faithful to their calling by teaching God’s word without compromise.

In his charge, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, urged the new clergy to preach the undiluted gospel and foster religious harmony wherever they serve. He expressed confidence that their new roles would help promote peace and unity in society.

The service also featured prayers for national leaders and divine intervention in addressing the current global economic challenges.

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1,000 Prayer Warriors Storm Ilorin for Tinubu, Nation’s Deliverance

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

In a dramatic show of faith and patriotism, over 1,000 fiery prayer warriors from across Nigeria will descend on Ilorin, Kwara State, this Saturday, lifting their voices in intense intercession for President Bola Tinubu’s success and Nigeria’s survival in the face of biting economic woes and mounting insecurity.

The spiritual siege, themed “Walking in Domini”, is the maiden convention of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), with its Kwara State Chairman, Evangelist Thomas Adeboye, vowing that “heaven will hear and respond to Nigeria’s cry.”

Aside from marathon prayers, the gathering will roll out free medical outreach to locals across Kwara’s LGAs, a gesture aimed at touching both body and soul.

Adeboye, lamenting Nigeria’s “troubling economic and security realities”, called for a nationwide prayer uprising, insisting that Tinubu has shown the will to revive the nation but needs massive divine backing to succeed.

“Banditry, a collapsing economy, and political tension demand we seek God’s face like never before,” he declared. “We will storm heaven for wisdom for the President and governors to steer Nigeria to safety.”

The convention will also feature awards to distinguished personalities, soul-lifting worship, fiery sermons, and unity-driven lectures—all capped with thunderous prayers for Nigeria’s redemption.

Adeboye urged the President to ensure every policy has “a human face,” stressing that Nigerians must not only endure but also enjoy the fruits of governance.

With the OAIC promising to reaffirm believers’ authority in Christ and rally spiritual boldness in the face of national challenges, Ilorin is set to become the epicentre of a powerful spiritual warfare for Nigeria’s destiny.

 

 

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Nigerian Anglicans Condemn Lesbian Archbishop of Wales, Deepening Global Anglican Rift

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…Church leaders accuse Welsh counterparts of “spiritual decadence” and “abandonment of faith”

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a forceful condemnation of the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. The move is the latest in a series of developments that have deepened divisions within the global Anglican Communion over sexuality and doctrine.

In a statement from Primate The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the church denounced the election as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and a sign of “spiritual decadence” and “an outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Archbishop Ndukuba warned that Bishop Vann’s elevation compromises the Anglican Church’s global mission and could obstruct evangelism. He compared the situation to the controversial tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, who also faced intense criticism from conservative Anglicans for her progressive views.

The Primate accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the “ongoing crisis” around same-sex issues, stating that the election is a “clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).

The Church of Nigeria called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “rebels” and “apostates” and to instead support conservative bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared. He concluded with a solemn warning that without repentance, the Church in Wales risks losing “complete relevance” and its leaders will face judgment.

 

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