Following the barrage of political crises currently tearing apart the political fabric of the state, the All Progressive Congress (APC) chapter in Rivers State, has called for declaration of a state of emergency.
The demand was made in Port Harcourt by the caretaker committee chairman, Tony Okocha during an interaction with journalists.
Okocha who blamed the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara for the unrest, said the state is at war, and the only way for residents to live in peace, is for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state.
This is as Fubara mandated the auditor general of the state, to begin the audit of the accounts of the 23 Local Government Areas for the past three years.
While swearing in the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the Local Government Areas, the governor said the measure is intended to serve as a check for the incoming officials.
He urged the caretaker chairmen not to see themselves as superheroes, but to protect the interests of their people, and demonstrate that the government made the right choice in appointing them.
He emphasised that the current events are a product of democracy.
The caretaker chairmen nominated by the governor include; Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson, Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth, Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green, Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs, Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan, Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree, Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua, Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon, Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa, Emouha LGA – David Omereji, Etche LGA – John Otamiri, Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden, Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji, Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana, Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe, Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi, Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan, Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald, Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam, Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip, Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo, and Tai LGA – Matthew Dike.
Chelsea reliable defender, Marc Cucurella may join Spanish giant, Real Madrid before the end of the current transfer window.if information from transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano are anything to go by.
Romano In a latest transfer update, said Real Madrid has reached verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.
“Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho” the update read.
FIFA has come under scrutiny after several high-profile players, including Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior, were discouraged from speaking Spanish during media engagements at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The issue first surfaced ahead of Morocco’s Group C clash with Brazil when a Spanish-speaking journalist attempted to question Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi in Spanish.
Despite Hakimi, who grew up in Madrid and speaks the language fluently, indicating he was comfortable answering in Spanish, event officials reportedly insisted that questions be asked in English.
Hakimi attempted to reassure organizers that language would not be a barrier, but officials maintained that no Spanish translator was available for the session. A compromise was eventually reached, with the reporter asking the question in Spanish while Hakimi responded in English.
The controversy intensified during Brazil’s media session when Vinicius Junior was also interrupted while responding to a question in Spanish.
The Real Madrid forward, who is more comfortable speaking Portuguese or Spanish than English, was reportedly asked by organizers to switch languages.
Rather than continue in Spanish, Vinicius opted to answer in Portuguese before turning his attention back to Brazil’s World Cup preparations.
The incidents sparked widespread debate among journalists and fans, many of whom questioned why Spanish—a language spoken by millions across North America—was effectively restricted at a tournament being hosted largely in the United States.
According to Spanish media outlet El País, FIFA only provides Spanish-language translation services at World Cup press conferences involving Spanish-speaking nations such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.
For all other teams, questions and answers are expected to be conducted either in English or the official language of the participating country.
The policy has generated criticism online, with many supporters arguing that multilingual communication should be encouraged at a global event like the World Cup.
The backlash was particularly strong in Vinicius’ case, as the Brazilian forward appeared visibly uncomfortable being asked to communicate in English.
The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a highly anticipated encounter between Brazil and Morocco, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
With the issue now drawing international attention, FIFA may face increasing calls to review its media language guidelines as the tournament progresses.
Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has warned federal and state governments against negotiating with and rewarding terrorists.
According to Falana, the practice is illegal.
He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Amnesty International Second Annual General Meeting in Abuja on June 13, 2026.
Falana claimed it is public knowledge officials of the Federal Government and some State Governments have been holding meetings and negotiating with terrorists and bandits, which has led to thousands of ‘repentant’ criminals being forgiven and given cash gifts of undisclosed sums of money.
Asserting that the “satanic Boko Haram sect and similar bodies have been proscribed” under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, Falana insisted that “their members and allies shall be prosecuted and not pampered and forgiven by the Nigerian State.”
Highlighting the legal consequences, he quoted Section 22 of the Act, stating: “A person who knowingly—(a) arranges, manages, assists in arranging or managing, participates in a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, (b) collects, or provides logistics, equipment, information, articles or facilities for a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, or (c) attends a meeting, which in his knowledge is to support a proscribed entity or to further the objectives of a proscribed entity, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of at least 20 years.”
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