Dons EzeBREAKING: TINUBU SWEARS-IN IBAS AS RIVERS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR
BREAKING: TINUBU SWEARS-IN IBAS AS RIVERS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR President Bola Tinubu has sworn- in the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), into office. Tinubu swore Ibas into office at about 03:00 pm at the State House, Abuja. The brief ceremony was witnessed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola. Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 12:48 pm (local time). On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure. The crisis, which had paralysed governance in the oil-rich state, stems from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. As part of the directive, the President also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored. Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Tinubu announced, “In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State has failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025 and I so do. “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months. “In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”
BREAKING: TINUBU SWEAR-IN IBAS AS RIVERS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR
BREAKING: TINUBU SWEARS-IN IBAS AS RIVERS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR President Bola Tinubu has sworn- in the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), into office. Tinubu swore Ibas into office at about 03:00 pm at the State House, Abuja. The brief ceremony was witnessed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola. Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 12:48 pm (local time). On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure. The crisis, which had paralysed governance in the oil-rich state, stems from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. As part of the directive, the President also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored. Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Tinubu announced, “In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State has failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025 and I so do. “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months. “In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”
BREAKING: TINUBU SWEARS IN IBAS AS RIVERS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR
BREAKING: TINUBU SWEARS-IN IBAS AS RIVERS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR President Bola Tinubu has sworn- in the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), into office. Tinubu swore Ibas into office at about 03:00 pm at the State House, Abuja. The brief ceremony was witnessed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola. Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 12:48 pm (local time). On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure. The crisis, which had paralysed governance in the oil-rich state, stems from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. As part of the directive, the President also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored. Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Tinubu announced, “In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State has failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025 and I so do. “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months. “In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”
SIM FUBARA LEAVES RIVERS GOVT HOUSE AS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARES TO TAKE CHARGE
SIM FUBARA LEAVES RIVERS GOVT HOUSE AS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARES TO TAKE CHARGE Suspended governor of Rivers State governor, Sir Similanayi Fubara, has left Government House, Port Harcourt. Sources told Daily Trust that the governor moved out on Wednesday morning. This is just as the new Sole Administrator of the State , Admiral Ekwe Ibas (rtd) is warming up to resume duty. A reporter who visited Government House on Wednesday morning observed that the place was calm. At least three armoured personnel carrier were stationed at the main entrance of the Government House. A security source said there was change of guard at the seat of power as all the security details of the Government House have been removed and replaced. “The Governor left Government House this morning and the new administrator is yet to resume. We are expecting him any moment from now. The security details in Government House have been reshuffled. I can tell you that everywhere is calm and nothing is happening as we speak now.” In the meantime residents of Port Harcourt are going about their normal businesses as there is no sign of break down of law and order. President Bola Tinubu had declared State of Emergency on Tuesday, citing the vandalisation of pipelines and inability of stakeholders to resolve the political crisis in the state despite a series of interventions.
SIM FUBARA LEAVES RIVERS GOVT HOUSE AS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARES TO TAKE CHARGE
SIM FUBARA LEAVES RIVERS GOVT HOUSE AS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARES TO TAKE CHARGE Suspended governor of Rivers State governor, Sir Similanayi Fubara, has left Government House, Port Harcourt. Sources told Daily Trust that the governor moved out on Wednesday morning. This is just as the new Sole Administrator of the State , Admiral Ekwe Ibas (rtd) is warming up to resume duty. A reporter who visited Government House on Wednesday morning observed that the place was calm. At least three armoured personnel carrier were stationed at the main entrance of the Government House. A security source said there was change of guard at the seat of power as all the security details of the Government House have been removed and replaced. “The Governor left Government House this morning and the new administrator is yet to resume. We are expecting him any moment from now. The security details in Government House have been reshuffled. I can tell you that everywhere is calm and nothing is happening as we speak now.” In the meantime residents of Port Harcourt are going about their normal businesses as there is no sign of break down of law and order. President Bola Tinubu had declared State of Emergency on Tuesday, citing the vandalisation of pipelines and inability of stakeholders to resolve the political crisis in the state despite a series of interventions.
EMERGENCY RULE: PDP GOVERNORS TO DRAG TINUBU TO COURT
EMERGENCY RULE: PDP GOVERNORS TO DRAG TINUBU TO COURT The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) has vowed to challenge the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and other elected officials of the state in court. On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers, suspending the governor, his deputy and members of the State House of Assembly. In a statement signed by its chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the PDP governors asked the President to accept that he had made a mistake and reverse the decision. The forum accused the President of bias, noting his failure to acknowledge the role played by his Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in fueling the political crisis in Rivers. Part of the statement said, “We stand in solidarity with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the good people of Rivers State at this very difficult and trying moment of the state’s political history. There is no other time that our philosophy of ‘TOUCH ONE TOUCH ALL’ is more apt than now. “He who goes to the court of equity must go with clean hands. Mr. President , your silence on the active role played by your Minister of the FCT in the Rivers impasse is golden and enabling. He has become a law unto himself because he was playing out your script. Now we know. This is totally unstatemanly, biased, and divisive. “We state categorically that this unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party and other opposition parties is today, the greatest threat to democracy in our dear country. “Nigeria and it is an ill wind that will blow no one any good. It is a dangerous course of action that will not only endanger our hard won democracy, but will exacerbate the crises in the nation, deepen mistrust, elevate security threats, destroy the economy, and our national cohesion and stability.” The Governors also said ” The Forum completely aligns itself with the position of the NBA and promises to subject Section 305 (3) of the Constitution to judicial interpretation. This authoritarian shenanigan is unacceptable and cannot stand. “Mr President is therefore called upon to listen to wise counsel and the voice of reason, as well as accept that he made grevious mistakes and acted in haste, and reverse this atrocious and retrograde decision before it is too late.”
SOLDIERS HOLD FUBARA, FAMILY HOSTAGE IN RIVERS GOVT HOUSE
SOLDIERS HOLD FUBARA, FAMILY HOSTAGE IN RIVERS GOVT HOUSE Siminalayi Fubara, the elected governor of Rivers State, and his family members were reportedly being held hostage at the Government House, Port Harcourt by heavily armed soldiers Tuesday night. It was gathered that they were held hostage moments after President Bola Tinubu invoked Section 180 of the Nigerian Constitution to proclaim a state of emergency in Rivers. Tinubu based his move, which has been heavily criticised by many, including Ijaw groups and PANDEF, on a prolonged and rapidly escalating political feud led by state lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, who commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara last week to settle scores in his fallout with Wike. Peoples Gazette quoted Rivers government sources to have said that soldiers carrying out the president’s instructions on declaring the state of emergency barricaded all entrances and exits to the government house immediately after the president’s speech. According to the sources, attempts by Fubara and his family to pack their belongings out of the Government House have been rebuffed by the soldiers, who suppressed all movements around the premises. “We are being held hostage,” an affected official told The Gazette from the scene on Tuesday night. “They said they don’t have instruction to let anyone leave the premises.” It was unclear whether the soldiers implemented their duties as instructed or were overzealous in following specific orders. Spokespersons for the Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters did not immediately return requests seeking comments about the soldiers’ treatment of the Fubara and his family. Tinubu’s declaration to suspend the feuding parties from office for six months, effective Tuesday, sparked furious debates across social media as netizens argued whether the president had constitutional grounds to suspend an elected governor whom the state lawmakers have not yet impeached. Efforts to impeach Fubara began on Monday, barely 24 hours before Mr Tinubu imposed an emergency ordinance. Lawyers like Inibehe Effiong and Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana have slammed the president for taking the law into his own hands without regard for the Constitution’s position. The president named the retired chief of naval staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the military administrator in Rivers in the interim. South-South leaders, PANDEF condemn emergency rule Meanwhile, several South-South leaders and stakeholders have decried President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and impropriety of brazenly backing the Federal Capital Territory Minister against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s citizens According to the one-time Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, the decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State was ill-advised. “The president’s action is not well thought out. The situation in Rivers State has not met any of the conditions prescribed by the constitution for the declaration of a state of emergency by the president. It falls short of it. “So the president’s action is ill-advised and not based on the provisions of the Constitution. For me, it is part of a script to take over the control of Rivers State, which they had already written and have been acting stage-by-stage and scene-by-scene.” Former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eric Omare Esq., said: “President Tinubu took a wrong decision; I strongly condemn his one-sided action, and again, removing Governor Fubara won’t solve the problem.” “The President’s intervention in the Rivers State crisis has been one-sided. His actions and body language have encouraged the FCT Minister, Wike, to fuel the crisis up to this point. “If Governor Fubara is blamed for not doing enough to handle the situation, what has the president done in response to Wike’s unnecessary outbursts, which laid the foundation for the tension in the past week? “I think that an unbiased president should have called Wike to order…
SOLDIERS HELD FUBARA, FAMILY HOSTAGE IN RIVERS GOVT HOUSE
SOLDIERS HOLD FUBARA, FAMILY HOSTAGE IN RIVERS GOVT HOUSE Siminalayi Fubara, the elected governor of Rivers State, and his family members were reportedly being held hostage at the Government House, Port Harcourt by heavily armed soldiers Tuesday night. It was gathered that they were held hostage moments after President Bola Tinubu invoked Section 180 of the Nigerian Constitution to proclaim a state of emergency in Rivers. Tinubu based his move, which has been heavily criticised by many, including Ijaw groups and PANDEF, on a prolonged and rapidly escalating political feud led by state lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, who commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara last week to settle scores in his fallout with Wike. Peoples Gazette quoted Rivers government sources to have said that soldiers carrying out the president’s instructions on declaring the state of emergency barricaded all entrances and exits to the government house immediately after the president’s speech. According to the sources, attempts by Fubara and his family to pack their belongings out of the Government House have been rebuffed by the soldiers, who suppressed all movements around the premises. “We are being held hostage,” an affected official told The Gazette from the scene on Tuesday night. “They said they don’t have instruction to let anyone leave the premises.” It was unclear whether the soldiers implemented their duties as instructed or were overzealous in following specific orders. Spokespersons for the Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters did not immediately return requests seeking comments about the soldiers’ treatment of the Fubara and his family. Tinubu’s declaration to suspend the feuding parties from office for six months, effective Tuesday, sparked furious debates across social media as netizens argued whether the president had constitutional grounds to suspend an elected governor whom the state lawmakers have not yet impeached. Efforts to impeach Fubara began on Monday, barely 24 hours before Mr Tinubu imposed an emergency ordinance. Lawyers like Inibehe Effiong and Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana have slammed the president for taking the law into his own hands without regard for the Constitution’s position. The president named the retired chief of naval staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the military administrator in Rivers in the interim. South-South leaders, PANDEF condemn emergency rule Meanwhile, several South-South leaders and stakeholders have decried President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and impropriety of brazenly backing the Federal Capital Territory Minister against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s citizens According to the one-time Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, the decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State was ill-advised. “The president’s action is not well thought out. The situation in Rivers State has not met any of the conditions prescribed by the constitution for the declaration of a state of emergency by the president. It falls short of it. “So the president’s action is ill-advised and not based on the provisions of the Constitution. For me, it is part of a script to take over the control of Rivers State, which they had already written and have been acting stage-by-stage and scene-by-scene.” Former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eric Omare Esq., said: “President Tinubu took a wrong decision; I strongly condemn his one-sided action, and again, removing Governor Fubara won’t solve the problem.” “The President’s intervention in the Rivers State crisis has been one-sided. His actions and body language have encouraged the FCT Minister, Wike, to fuel the crisis up to this point. “If Governor Fubara is blamed for not doing enough to handle the situation, what has the president done in response to Wike’s unnecessary outbursts, which laid the foundation for the tension in the past week? “I think that an unbiased president should have called Wike to order…
GOVERNOR PETER MBAH FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF 141 URBAN ROADS IN ENUGU
GOVERNOR PETER MBAH FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF 141 URBAN ROADS IN ENUGU Governor Peter Mbah has flagged off the construction of 141 urban roads across 13 zones of the state capital, insisting residents of the city and Enugu State deserved nothing but the best. The beneficiary zones are Abakpa, Achara Layout, Asata, Awkunanaw, Coal Camp, Independence Layout, New Haven, Old GRA, Thinkers Corner, Trans-Ekulu, and Uwani. Performing the symbolic flag-off at Ologo under Coal Camp Zone Enugu North LGA and Monaque Avenue in Awkunanaw Zone, Enugu South LGA, Mbah explained that the roads were part of his administration’s vision to eradicate poverty, grow Enugu State’s economy to $30bn and make the state a premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and for living. “For me, this is not about putting a black pavement on our roads. What I see is empowering our women and making sure that we create a platform for them to generate wealth. Do not forget that our commitment is to eradicate poverty, and we know that we cannot just wish the eradication of poverty into existence. We need to do the necessary things required by government to ensure that we have zero hunger. We know what critical infrastructure like roads do for our communities. “We know that it will ensure that those that are doing business have more patronage, and even those living here will no longer have to spend so much on transportation because the cost of transportation will reduce. If a Keke (commercial tricycle) man that is supposed to carry you knows he will drive on a good road, he will charge you less. What that does is that it provides you more disposable income and thereby chasing poverty away from our community,” he stated. The governor explained that the 141 roads had been organised into 17 lots to ensure completion in the next three months, assuring that funds had been provided, while due diligence was done on the contractors to ensure that the jobs were awarded to capable hands only. Meanwhile, a resident of Ologo, Chief Chris Okaka and President-General of Amechi-Uwani, Chief Ifeanyi Nnaji, hailed Mbah for remembering Ologo and Monaque Avenue neighbourhoods after over forty years of neglect by successive governments. “For the past forty years, nobody has done this road. We went house to house to collect money to do one other side of the drainage. After doing one side, we could not do the other because everyone was complaining of hardship. “But I told them that Peter Mbah was coming and he would do it. Your Excellency, today you are here to do the road. We have said that by 2027, any other poster we see here, we will tear it off. You are going for your second term.” Likewise, the Council Chairman of Enugu North, Hon. Ibenaku Onoh, and his Enugu South counterpart, Hon. Caleb Ani, said the governor’s ward-based development had made things easier for the 17 local government councils. “Therefore, we will hold down the grassroots politics for you by following your example in prioritising everything that affects the people. At the right time, the people of Enugu State will reward you with more support,” Ono stated. The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation, promised intensive supervision in addition to all necessary steps taken during project preparation to ensure the delivery of quality jobs. The contractors, on their part, also assured the governor of quality and timely project delivery, having passed the stringent procurement processes and conditions set by his administration.
RIVERS ASSEMBLY BACKS EMERGENCY RULE, PLEDGES SUPPORT TO SOLE ADMINISTRATOR
RIVERS ASSEMBLY BACKS EMERGENCY RULE, PLEDGES SUPPORT TO ADMINISTRATOR The Rivers State House of Assembly has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state. This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, by the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule. Amaewhule said the Assembly would abide by the president’s decision, even though it was not what they had hoped for. “We assure our constituents that we will abide by this declaration, even though it is not what we prayed for. Mr. President has acted in the best interest of the country,” Amaewhule said. The Speaker blamed Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the crisis in Rivers State, accusing him of ignoring court judgments and failing to govern in line with the constitution. “The condition of our dear Rivers State today is mainly because of the malfeasance of the governor, who serially disobeyed court judgments and obstructed the Rivers State House of Assembly,” he stated. Amaewhule called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with the Sole Administrator appointed by the president to oversee the affairs of the state. “We urge everyone to remain calm as the Sole Administrator assumes duty. Rest assured that the Assembly will give him all the necessary support to restore order,” he added. The Speaker also thanked the people of the state for their patience, prayers and support during this period of emergency. On Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months. He said the decision was taken to restore stability in the state that has been witnessing political turmoil as a result of the disagreement between the state governor and the state lawmakers. Following his declaration, the president appointed a former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibokette Ibas, as an administrator for Rivers State.