The Labour Party has condemned attempts to intimidate Vice President Kashim Shettima into retracting the remarks he made during the public presentation of a book by former Justice Minister, Mohammed Adoke, SAN.

The opposition party described the alleged intimidation as a disservice to Nigeria.

Acting National Chairman of the LP, Nenadi Usman Usman, said this on Saturday in Abuja, stating that those pulling the strings behind the scene should be made aware of the fact that it was unethical to undermine the person and Office of the Vice President.

This was contained in a statement by Usman’s Senior Special Adviser (Media), Ken Asogwa.

“At the public presentation of the book ‘OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block’ authored by former Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) in Abuja on Thursday, Vice President Kashim Shettima made a remark that was as honest as it was instructive.

“He recounted how, in 2013, during the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, both the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and Attorney General Adoke stood firm in advising President Goodluck Jonathan that he lacked the constitutional powers to remove any elected office holder, including a sitting governor.

“Vice President Shettima’s acknowledgment of that principled stance, particularly as it related to his own tenure as Governor of Borno State, was a refreshing demonstration of candour until a follow-up statement from his office attempted, rather clumsily, to distance his remarks from the current situation in Rivers State,” the statement said.

According to the statement, it is disingenuous for the Vice President’s handlers to pretend not to know that Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) – which governs the declaration of a state of emergency – has not changed since 2013.

It added that the section confers no power whatsoever on the President to remove a sitting governor under any guise, including the declaration of emergency rule.

The Labour Party applauded Shettima for his “rare moment of honesty in drawing attention to what was clearly an unconstitutional act – the illegal removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara earlier in March under the pretext of political chaos and breakdown of law and order by President Bola Tinubu”.

The Director General of the World Trade Organization, WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, haz tasked the Niger Delta Development Company, NDDC, to find lasting solutions to the economic challenges currently plaguing the oil-rich region.

The Niger Delta has suffered environmental degradation in decades of oil and gas exploration.

Okonjo-Iweala gave the charge on Saturday during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the NDDC.

According to her, the neglect of the socio-economic prosperity of the region has led to widespread frustration, which has culminated in restiveness among the people.

The WTO boss urged NDDC to give special attention to the economic development of the Niger Delta.

“Let me first congratulate the NDDC for the work it has carried out for the people of the Niger Delta.

“If I’m a bit critical in my speech, you know me, I mean it for good, because I think you have done a lot, but you still have a lot to do.

“The NDDC was established in 2000 by former president Obasanjo, as a successor to OMPADEC, which had been in operation since the days of the military government. This was in response to the cries of marginalisation and underdevelopment by the people of the Niger Delta, where Nigeria’s oil and gas resources are concentrated,” she said.

Following media reports of the locking out of hundreds of persons from gaining access to the Edo State Government House during the celebration of Friday’s Supreme Court judgment, Governor Monday Okpebholo has ordered the immediate redeployment of security officers involved in the incident.

The governor who also ordered for probe on the incident, announced the constitution of an investigative committee to identify all those involved.

He assured the public that anyone found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action.

He added that his administration would not tolerate acts that seek to ridicule or alienate the very people who stood by him.

OSUNDAILY NG had on Friday reported that hundreds of persons including members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, market women and youths were denied access to the Government House by security operatives who said they were acting on order from above.

The security personnel also alleged that it was only Very Important Personalities, VIPs, that were allowed into the Government House for refreshments.

Those to be redeployed include the Camp Commandant and security personnel who were on duty at the Government House when the incident happened.

The governor, who expressed deep regrets over the incident, described the action of the security operatives as unacceptable and inconsistent with his leadership style.

He said he remains a people-focused and accessible leader who holds the media and his supporters in the highest regard.

According to him, the exclusion of invited guests and supporters was not only unauthorized but also in complete contradiction to the spirit of the celebration.

“This decision did not originate from me, nor does it reflect my values. I will never knowingly authorize any action that disrespects our supporters or members of the press.

“As a governor elected by the people, I remain committed to openness, inclusion, and respect for every stakeholder,” he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering an atmosphere of unity and transparency, assuring all supporters and stakeholders of their valued place in the journey to rebuild and reposition Edo State.