Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has dispelled recent media claims suggesting he appointed his daughter, Mrs Helen Obareki, as the First Lady following his wife’s passing.

Clarifying the situation during a recent visit by Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, Eno underscored that First Ladies are never appointed but are naturally positioned alongside governors.

Governor Eno’s wife, Mrs Patience Umo Eno, tragically passed away on 26 September 2024, with her family by her side.

As a result, the governor has asked his daughter, who served as her mother’s special assistant, to coordinate the Office of the First Lady, ensuring the continuity of essential social projects.

Eno explained the decision as a family comfort and a practical solution, stating, “Appointing her as the coordinator is not an appointment of a First Lady. You don’t appoint a First Lady.”

He elaborated, “In light of this sad situation, it is not only proper but also comforting and assuring for the daughter, who had been her closest assistant, to coordinate the lofty programmes of the office.”

With Mrs Obareki as coordinator, the governor emphasised that his late wife’s signature initiative, the “Golden Initiative For All,” which supports women, the elderly, and vulnerable groups, would continue uninterrupted.

He highlighted his daughter’s qualifications for the role, citing her experience, education, and long-standing involvement in these projects.

Governor Eno’s comments aimed to provide clarity, noting, “First Ladies come with the governor. This isn’t a political appointment but a natural continuation.”

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has stated that the embattled Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, remains impeached.

Obaseki made this statement on Friday in reaction to a comment credited to Shaibu, warning Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to guard against attempts by political appointees to loot government properties.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki told Edo workers to disregard what he described as “infantile ramblings,” asserting that Shaibu remains impeached until the court’s determination and therefore lacks the power and authority to issue directives or warnings to any staff employed by the Edo State Government.

Recall that in July, the Federal High Court in Abuja voided the impeachment of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

Justice James Omotosho, while delivering judgment in the suit, ordered that Shaibu be reinstated to office because the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in impeaching him.

On Tuesday, September 24, Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed two separate motions filed by the Edo State Government and the State House of Assembly against the reinstatement of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of the State.

The court also awarded a total cost of ₦400,000 against the Edo State Government and the State Assembly.

In response to Shaibu’s status as deputy governor, Obaseki insisted in the statement on Friday that, “Our attention has been drawn to the very ridiculous statement purportedly signed by the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, in which he warned Permanent Secretaries and Heads of MDAs to guard against the looting of government properties by political appointees.

“We want to restate that Philip Shaibu remains impeached as the Deputy Governor of Edo State until the court’s determination and therefore lacks the power and authority to issue directives or warnings to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of MDAs, or any staff employed by the Edo State Government.

“We urge all Edo workers to disregard the infantile ramblings of the impeached deputy governor and continue with their lawful duties without fear of intimidation or harassment while ensuring the delivery of quality and effective service to the people of Edo State.”

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has asked the national assembly to create a single six-year single tenure for anyone who becomes president of Nigeria.

Abubakar, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, said the presidency should be rotational among the six geo-political zones of the country.

In a memorandum to the senate ad hoc committee on the constitution review, Abubakar said he is proposing amendments to sections 130(1), 135(2), and 137(1)(b) of the constitution.

“Add paragraph ‘A’ to section 130(1) to read – ‘the office of the president shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the Federation on a single term of Six Years flowing between the North and South on the single term of Six Years respectively,” the former vice-president said.

“Amend Section 135(2) to read – ‘subject to the provisions of the subsection (1), the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of Six Years commencing from the date.

“Amend Section 137(1)(b) to read – ‘he has been elected to such office before’.

“The implication of the above is that political parties are allowed a very wide latitude to breach the perimeter of laws on elections.

“Such indiscipline by political parties and infidelity to the electoral parameters yield chaos in the system.

“The above amendments will enthrone the discipline that is needed in a democracy.”

The former vice-president said his amendments are trying to address the “pitfalls” in the country’s electoral laws.