By George Mgbeleke

Rivers State Governor, Fubara, has reiterated that security remains the cornerstone of every prosperous society, stressing that peace and stability are indispensable to sustainable development.

In a statement signed by Head Information and Public Relations Unit, Juliana Masi Governor Fubara made the assertion on Sunday at the Gala Night marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration held in Port Harcourt.

The Governor, represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, commended the Nigerian Army for its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and maintaining peace across the country.

“As everyone knows, security remains the vital foundation of any prosperous society, and a nation sleeps in peace because brave men and women stand awake in its defence,” he said.

He paid tribute to fallen military personnel, describing their sacrifices as invaluable to Nigeria’s unity and democratic growth.

“We honour those who have paid the ultimate price and stand in solidarity with the families they left behind. Their sacrifices continue to preserve our nation’s unity, protect our territorial integrity, and sustain our democracy,” the Governor stated.

Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies operating in the state.

According to him, the strong partnership between the Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has significantly contributed to improved peace, security, and economic growth in the state.

“We sincerely appreciate the Nigerian Army’s relentless efforts in maintaining law and order in Rivers State, creating an environment where residents can live and sleep peacefully,” he added.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the Nigerian Army Day Celebration provides another opportunity to strengthen public support, deepen civil-military relations, and execute community development projects across Rivers State.

He noted that as part of the celebration, the Army undertook several intervention projects, including the renovation of Community Secondary Schools and the provision of solar-powered boreholes to improve the welfare of host communities.

Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasized that achieving lasting national security requires the trust, cooperation, and active participation of citizens.

“As an Army, we recognize the indispensable role of the people in supporting our efforts to achieve national security objectives within a joint, multifaceted, and dynamic security environment. Enduring security can only be achieved through a strong partnership between the military, other security agencies, and the communities we are sworn to protect. This understanding forms the basis of our Civil-Military Cooperation Projects Scheme and other non-kinetic operations,” he said.

The Army Chief expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Government and its people for their continued support of the Nigerian Army, assuring them of the military’s commitment to both kinetic and non-kinetic operations in addressing security challenges.

“We will continue to collaborate with other security and intelligence agencies, as well as local communities, to provide a secure and enabling environment for socio-economic development.

“I urge all Nigerians to continue to trust the Nigerian Army and remain steadfast in supporting our collective efforts toward ensuring lasting peace, stability, and national development,” he said.

The evening also had special performances from Mr P (formerly P Square), Duncan Mighty, the Rivers State Cultural Troupe and others.

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Jackson Lekan Ojo, has said the controversy over the disowned “Presidential Investment Agency” has turned Nigeria into “a laughing stock” in the global community.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately suspend top government officials linked to the scandal pending investigation.

Ojo, a security expert and global affairs analyst, made the call in a statement issued Monday in Abuja.

The ex-APC chieftain listed those who should be sent on administrative leave to include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Finance; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Head of Service of the Federation; and the Director-General of the Budget Office.

“I hereby make the following recommendations: that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation should go on administrative leave until after the investigations; the Chief of Staff should go on administrative leave; the Governor of Central Bank, the Head of Service of the Federation, the Head of Budget Office and some Directors should also go on administrative leave until after investigation.

“There are lots of other persons that should go because these are complicit and they must not be allowed to use their offices to cover up the investigation,” he said.

Ojo recalled that former Ministers of Humanitarian Affairs, and Science & Technology were sacked over allegations of financial impropriety and forgery, insisting the current issue involving the President’s Chief of Staff should not be an exception.

He said President Tinubu and his administration would “woefully fail the integrity test” if Gbajabiamila is not suspended pending conclusion of investigation into allegations levelled against him by Prince Matthew Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the purported agency.

The Presidency has since dismissed Adeyemi as an impostor.

The security expert faulted the Presidency’s quick dismissal, saying critical questions remain unanswered.

“It is so disheartening and disappointing that the presidency is taking Nigeria for granted and treating all of us as morons,” he said.

“How did a fake man get an office space at the Federal Secretariat? How did a fake man get his budget passed from the presidency to the National Assembly?

“How possible was it for an impostor to play host to ambassadors from different countries and other dignitaries, including the Chairman of EFCC? Also, how did a fake man get approval for the recruitment of 300 staff?”

Ojo urged the President to act decisively to protect Nigeria’s image.

“President Tinubu should please save Nigeria from further embarrassment and be courageous enough to suspend Femi Gbajabiamila immediately, pending the completion of thorough investigation over the issue.

“Mr. President should allow the SGF, CoS, Head of Service, Budget Office, Governor of Central Bank, Minister of Finance, etc to be thoroughly questioned and possibly suspended till investigation is concluded.

“Handling this issue with levity and unnecessary political sympathy will further damage Nigeria’s image globally,” he stated.

He warned: “If only one person could penetrate through the office of the Chief of Staff, to the Budget Office, to the Accountant General, to the Head of Service, to the National Assembly and to the Governor of Central Bank with fake documents and succeed, that is to say nothing is safe in this country.”

By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

The Minna Federal High Court Division in Niger State,has adjourned to 9th,July 2026 to commence hearing into the suit filed challenging the election of Prof. Prof Yakubu Mohammed Auna at the All Progressive Congress (APC),purported Primary election.

Alhaji Shehu Samaila Auna has approached the court demanding for the cancellation of the election claiming that the Primary election was not conducted as claimed.

Joined in the suit number FHC/MN/CS/ 542026 include Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC), Shehu Saleh Slow,,Safiyanu Yahaya, Emma Alamu and Sani Doma as defendants

The plaintiff prayed the court to determine whether the second defendant satisfy the requirements of the provisions of sections 84 (1),(2),86,87 (1) of the Electoral Act,2026 in producing the first defendant as her candidate,for the seat of member,representing Magama/ Rijau Federal Constituency for the 2027 General election as announced by the Niger State House of Representatives Primary Election Committee and returning officer,having regards that no primary election was conducted in the said constituency.

Similarly,the plaintiff prayed the court to demand whether the first defendant is validly nominated as the second defendant’s candidate for the seat of member,representing Magama/Rijau Federal constituency in the National Assembly in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections in view of the fact that the second defendant did not hold any primary for the nomination of candidate for Magama/ Rijau Federal Constituency,in flagrant disregard to the provision of section 84 (1),(2),86 and(3) of the Electoral Act,2026.

The plaintiff further demanded that “ whether the first defendant is validly nominated as the second defendant’s candidate for the seat of member representing Magama/ Rijau Federal constituency in the National Assembly in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections in view of the fact that the second defendant did not conduct any primary election for the nomination of candidate for Magama /Rijau Federal constituency,in the flagrant disregard to the provision of sections 84 (1),(2), 86,87,(1),(2),and(3) of the electoral act,2026.

“ If the answer to any of the questions above is in the negative,whether the third defendants can validly accept the nomination of the first defendant as her candidate for the seat of member representing Magama/ Rijau Federal Constituency in the forthcoming 2026 General Elections.

“ By the virture of the flagrant disregard to the provisions of sections 84 (1(,(2),86,87(1),(2) and (3) of the electoral act,2026,the nomination of the first defendant by the second defendant as her candidate for the seat of member representing Magama/ Rijau Federal Constituency in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections was not validly conducted,therefore null and void”

However,the inability to serve the two defendants in the suit with the hearing notice as filed in the court by the counsel to the plaintiff could not allow the case to be heard.

Efforts to serve them with the hearing has not being successful as they have been envading the service.

The counsel Mohammed Abdullahi Esq, to the plaintiff prayed the court to adjougned the case pending when the hearing notice will be served on them.

At this point the presiding Judge ,Justice Mohammed Aminu Dan Ige then adjougned the case to the 9th,July 2026 and order that they should be serve before the adjougned date.