APC now holds majority in Edo State House of Assembly after four PDP lawmakers defected, with leadership changes expected soon

A significant political shift has unfolded in the Edo State House of Assembly following a letter from the All Progressives Congress (APC), confirming its new majority status.

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The development comes after four lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the APC, marking a new phase in the state’s legislative landscape.

On Tuesday, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku confirmed that the APC had formally notified the Assembly of its increased membership. The letter, which was not made public, heralds a major change in the balance of power in the House.

The PDP lawmakers who switched allegiance to the APC are Donald Okugbe, representing Akoko Edo Constituency II; Bright Iyamu, representing Orhionmwon South Constituency II; Richard Edosa, representing Oredo West Constituency; and Sunday Ojezele, representing Esan South East.

This move has altered the composition of the House, giving the APC a total of 13 members, compared to the PDP’s 11.

In addition to these defections, the Labour Party also saw its lone representative join the APC, further consolidating the latter’s dominant position.

The letter sent by the APC was titled “Notification of APC Majority Status in the Edo State House of Assembly” and formally communicated the party’s new majority standing.

Speaker Agbebaku acknowledged the change, stating, “Going by this letter, it means APC now has a majority in the House.”

He extended his best wishes to the defected lawmakers, adding, “I want to wish the decampees well, and I wish them good endeavours.”

With the APC now holding a clear majority, attention is turning to the future leadership structure of the Assembly.

The Speaker revealed that he was awaiting another communication from the APC, which will include the official nomination of its principal officers.

This is expected to pave the way for further leadership changes in the coming days, as the APC prepares to assert its influence in the legislative body.

As political analysts continue to monitor the situation, this shift in power could have significant implications for the governance of Edo State, particularly in terms of the Assembly’s legislative priorities and decision-making processes.

With the APC now firmly in control, the stage is set for an impending reshuffle that will shape the direction of the House of Assembly in the months ahead.

President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has sparked a national debate, with critics questioning the decision and its implications

President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has ignited a firestorm of controversy across Nigeria.

The decision, which involves the suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months, has left many questioning its legality and the implications for democracy in the state.

Tinubu’s move has drawn widespread condemnation and concern, with many political analysts arguing that the situation in Rivers does not warrant such drastic action.

The crisis in the state, which has been described as a political power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has now escalated to the point where the President felt compelled to intervene directly.

In his nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, President Tinubu nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator to oversee Rivers State during the emergency period, citing the governor’s inability to control the unrest as the main reason for the intervention. The declaration was made under Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution.

This is not the first time such actions have been taken in Nigeria. In 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State, and similar actions were seen in Ekiti in 2006 and in three states in the northeast in 2013 under former President Goodluck Jonathan due to security concerns.

However, the current situation in Rivers has sparked debate, with critics pointing out that there are other states with ongoing security crises that have not faced similar measures.

**Atiku Abubakar,** former Vice President and presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has labelled the decision as politically motivated, arguing that Tinubu’s involvement in the political turbulence in Rivers makes him responsible for the crisis. Atiku condemned the lack of preventative action and described the intervention as a failure of the government.

Similarly, **Omoyele Sowore**, the 2023 presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), accused Tinubu of using the state of emergency to “pacify his criminals,” implying that the move is part of a broader political strategy.

Veteran journalist **Jackson Ude** also criticized the President’s action, suggesting that the crisis was primarily caused by the ongoing political feud between Fubara and Wike. Ude argued that by suspending Fubara while leaving Wike untouched, Tinubu was showing bias and failing to address the root causes of the conflict.

The tensions in Rivers have been brewing for months, with Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike reportedly engaged in a power struggle.

Wike, who is now serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been accused of undermining Fubara’s governance efforts, using his position within the federal government to influence the situation in Rivers State.

The state of emergency declaration has raised serious questions about the constitutionality of the decision and whether it represents an overreach of executive power.

Many Nigerians are also questioning why similar actions have not been taken in other states where banditry, herdsmen violence, and other security challenges persist.

The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State has now escalated to a national issue, with significant implications for Nigeria’s democracy and governance.

As reactions continue to pour in, the true impact of the President’s state of emergency declaration remains to be seen.

What is clear is that this move has set the stage for more heated debates and may influence the political dynamics of the country in the months to come.

Rema defends his self-confidence, clarifying that acknowledging his greatness doesn’t equate to arrogance, but rather hard-earned success

Nigerian music sensation Rema has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent statement in which he ranked himself among Afrobeats’ top four artistes.

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Speaking in an interview with *Rolling Stone*, the “Calm Down” hitmaker clarified that his self-confidence should not be mistaken for arrogance, stressing that his recognition of his own success is rooted in his dedication and hard work.

The 24-year-old singer’s comment had drawn attention after he included himself in a list of top Nigerian musicians. Rema, however, believes that acknowledging one’s greatness is not an act of boasting but rather a reflection of belief in one’s own journey.

He expressed his frustration over the backlash, questioning why it’s controversial to stand by one’s success.

“So on ‘Heis’, I was talking a lot of s**t. It is not cocky. It is like, what stops you from saying you’re the best? You can say it and stand your ground. It is even humble to say four,” Rema explained.

The artist also drew comparisons to rapper Kendrick Lamar, pointing out that unlike Lamar’s diss track “It’s just big me,” which often involves tearing others down, he does not feel the need to diminish other artists to lift himself up.

Instead, Rema emphasized that his belief in his place within Afrobeats is part of a larger vision of unity for the genre.

“I didn’t pull down the two, I didn’t pull down the three. I just see myself as one of the greats, and it’s a problem. I’m not saying ‘oh f**k everybody.’

I really vouch for the unity of Afrobeats,” he said, reinforcing his stance of fostering collective success within the African music scene.

Rema’s comments come at a time when Afrobeats is experiencing global recognition, with Nigerian artistes like him continuing to lead the charge in the international music scene.

His openness about his confidence highlights a broader trend where many artistes are asserting their place in the global music hierarchy, which continues to spark conversation about self-promotion and humility in the industry.