The suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he is not desperate to return to office. Fubara stated this at the service of songs held in honour of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, organised by the Rivers Elders Forum on Sunday,May 11.

The embattled governor responded to several speakers at the event who referred to him as “Governor” and strongly criticised his suspension, calling for immediate reversal.

However, Fubara distanced himself from their remarks, describing them as personal opinions.

According to him, such comments were not likely to promote peace.

“Not everything is by oshogbe,” he cautioned, hinting at his preference for a more strategic and less confrontational approach to the ongoing political crisis.

“Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit has already left there,” he said

Fubara further warned that some of the actions taken by some of his supporters, though well-intended, had only worsened his situation.

He urged the attendees to focus on the tribute of Edwin Clark who lived a selfless life advocating for the Niger Delta region and not make it about politics.

President Tinubu had on March 18 suspended Gov Fubara, his deputy and the entire State House of Assembly members for six months over the political crisis between himself and his godfather and former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike.

The Obidient Movement has called for an electoral reform in Nigeria to safeguard the country’s democracy.

This is as the movement said the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, and the Press needs to be reformed to save Nigeria’s democracy from suffocating.

Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of Obidient Movement made the call at an event in Enugu State.

In a statement he signed and forwarded to Ekwutosblog , Tanko also called for the unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, into three different parts.

According to Tanko: “I stand before you today with a profound sense of concern regarding the present condition of our democracy in Nigeria. It is a matter that demands our serious attention, as the health of our democratic institutions directly impacts the future of our society.

‘Consider the recent national elections. Many observers, both within our nation and internationally, have raised significant questions about their fairness and transparency. Allegations of irregularities have led a substantial portion of our population to doubt the legitimacy of the outcome. When the very process of choosing our leaders is called into question, the foundation of our democracy is shaken.

“We must also examine the independence of crucial institutions such as our courts and security agencies. There is a growing perception that these bodies are increasingly influenced by political interests. For a democracy to thrive, these institutions must operate without fear or favor, providing essential checks on power. When their impartiality is in doubt, the rule of law itself is potentially compromised.

“The widespread disappointment following the last elections, evident in numerous protests and legal challenges, highlights a critical issue: a significant number of Nigerians feel their voices are not being heard. This disconnect between the governed and those who govern poses a serious challenge to the stability of our democracy.

“Democratic institutions basically consist of the four estate of governance. Namely: The Executive, the Legislature, the Judiciary, and the Press.

“However, this principle neglects the most important aspect of government, which is the people; so for emphasis I will include the people as the fifth estate of governance, because without them, the preceding four has no use. The executive, legislative, judiciary and press are there to serve the people.

“Our democracy is suffocating and the aforementioned institutions need radical reforms before we can get it right.

“Our demand on electoral reforms to safeguard our democracy.

“Strict compliance to educational qualifications with evidence.

“Compulsory Debate.

“All registered voters must vote.

“National Assembly Must be based on Proportional Representation.

“Electronic transmission of results.

“Borden of proof should be on INEC to justify the result presented.

“Decampee seat must be declared vacant and election repeated.

“Diaspora voting and voting should take place anywhere in the country without moving your voters card.

“Voters card should be consolidated into one with value attached to it to encourage registration.

“Justice Muhammad Uwais report should be considered.”

On the issue of unbundling INEC into three, he said: “Electoral Commission.

“Enforcement Commission.

“Delinition Commission.

“And the Appointment of INEC Chairman.”

New Delhi [India], May 11 (ANI): Director General Naval Operations Vice Admiral A N Pramod on Sunday said the Indian Navy has full maritime dominance and is prepared to deliver a massive blow in response to any provocation from Pakistan, under the ongoing framework of Operation Sindoor.

Vice Admiral Pramod issued a clear warning to Pakistan stating, “This time, if Pakistan dare take any action, Pakistan knows what we are going to do, that’s all,” he said.

Speaking in Delhi, the Director General Naval Operations said, “I will make few sentences and leave it for your imagination. First of all, we have quantitative and qualitative edge to deliver a massive blow to our adversary. And we completely dominate in the maritime front.”

He added that the Navy‘s role is part of a broader joint operations plan. “Indian Navy‘s action is part of the escalation ladder mechanism which we have worked out amongst three services.”

Earlier, The Indian Armed forces on Sunday held a detailed news conference addressed by the Director Generals of Military operations, Naval operations and Air operations, detailing the success of Op Sindoor in eliminating terror targets deep inside Pakistan.

Vice Admiral A N Pramod informed that the Indian Navy‘s operational edge at sea played a decisive role in Pakistan‘s “urgent request for ceasefire.”

Vice Admiral Pramod said, “Along with the kinetic actions by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, the overwhelming operational edge of the Indian Navy at sea contributed towards Pakistan‘s urgent requests for a ceasefire yesterday.”

Additionally, Vice Admiral Pramod said the Indian Navy executed a swift and calibrated maritime response after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, deploying major combat assets within 96 hours.

“In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attacks, on innocent tourists by Pakistani-sponsored terrorists, the Indian Navy‘s carrier battle group, surface forces, submarines, and aviation assets were immediately deployed at sea with full combat readiness in concert with the joint operation plan of the Indian Defence Forces,” Vice Admiral said during a press briefing.

The Vice Admiral stated that weapon firings were conducted in the Arabian Sea to refine procedures and validate readiness. “The aim was to revalidate our crew, our armament equipment and platform readiness to deliver various ordnance on selected targets precisely,” he added.

Following the drills, forces remained forward deployed in the northern sea region. “Our forces remained forward deployed into the Northern Sea in a decisive and deterrent posture with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets, including Karachi, at a time of our choosing,” the Vice Admiral informed.

Vice Admiral Pramod said Pakistan‘s naval and air assets remained largely inside harbours or close to shore. “The forward deployment of the Indian Navy compelled the Pakistani naval and air units to be in a defensive posture, which we monitored continuously,” he said.

He emphasised the Navy‘s operational awareness throughout. “We had and continue to have good battlespace transparency, using our maritime domain awareness grid.”

India’s response, he said, was deliberate. “Our response has been measured, proportionate, non-escalatory and responsible from day one.”

“The calibrated approach considered all options, including the ability of the Indian Navy for offensive action from and at sea,” Vice Admiral Pramod said.

He said that the use of naval force was part of a larger, integrated plan.

“As part of this escalation control mechanism, the application of force by the Navy was planned in a synchronised manner, in coordination with the Army and Air Force,” he added.

He highlighted the inter-service cooperation, noting, “The highlight being teams from the three services working closely in an integrated manner. “

Vice Admiral Pramod said, “As we speak, the Indian Navy remains deployed at sea in a credible deterrent posture to respond decisively to any inimical action.”