Politics
Lord of Rivers? Outrage as Sole Administrator Ibas Sacks 23 LG Bosses, Defies Court Summons
Lord of Rivers? Outrage as Sole Administrator Ibas Sacks 23 LG Bosses, Defies Court Summons
In a stunning move that has rocked the political foundations of Rivers State, Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) is under fire for sacking all 23 local government caretakers and the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), barely 24 hours after a Federal High Court ordered him to appear and justify his intended actions.
Ibas, appointed to temporarily steer the state’s affairs following months of political crisis, drew fierce backlash on Wednesday when his administration announced sweeping changes in local governance and state institutions—moves widely described as unconstitutional and reeking of “executive recklessness.”
A Defiant Stroke of Power
Through a statement issued by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, Ibas appointed new administrators across all 23 LGAs and replaced the RSIEC chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), with Dr. Michael Odey, a relatively unknown figure. Odey will work with six commission members—four of whom are professors—raising eyebrows over the sudden academic-heavy restructuring.
“All appointments take effect from Monday, April 7, 2025,” the statement declared, ignoring the pending court proceedings in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, where civic group PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative had sought a legal halt to Ibas’s actions.
Court Summons Ignored
Justice Adamu Muhammed of the Federal High Court had, just the day before, summoned Ibas to defend his decision before making any appointments. Yet the ink on the summons was barely dry when the state government released the controversial list of appointees.
Governor Sim Fubara’s Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, condemned the move, calling it “impunity taken to the pro-max level.”
“He’s acting like a lord unto himself. We cannot have that in a democracy,” Omatsogunwa said. “Even the National Assembly has dismissed the budget Ibas claimed he was preparing. That is not the mandate he was given.”
Systemic Overhaul or Power Overreach?
In a series of rapid-fire decisions, Ibas has also:
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Suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)
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Cancelled all ongoing procurement and tender processes
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Ordered refunds of all fees paid by contractors
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Appointed new chairmen and members to both the civil and local government service commissions
While Ibas’s camp claims these moves are part of a constitutional cleanup, critics argue they are a flagrant abuse of interim powers and a slap in the face of due process.
Rivers on Edge
Civil society organizations, legal experts, and pro-democracy groups have all weighed in, warning that Ibas’s actions could deepen political instability in the oil-rich state.
“This is a constitutional crisis in motion,” said Courage Msirimovu, lead counsel for PILEX. “When a court summons is ignored, it’s not just a violation of law—it’s an insult to the entire justice system.”
The Bigger Picture
Vice Admiral Ibas was installed during an intense standoff between warring factions within the state’s political structure. But his recent actions have shifted the narrative—from a neutral mediator to what some now label “a rogue overlord.”
With the court case still pending and political tensions escalating, all eyes are on the judiciary—and the streets of Rivers may not remain calm for long.
Politics
Governor Bago Inaugurates APC Digital Media Sub-Committee Ahead of National Convention
Governor Bago Inaugurates APC Digital Media Sub-Committee Ahead of National Convention.
Governor Umaru Bago has inaugurated the Digital Media Sub-Committee for the forthcoming National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scheduled to hold on March 27 and 28, 2026 in Abuja.
Chairing the sub-committee, Governor Bago tasked members with the responsibility of effectively communicating the party’s manifesto to the public.
He emphasized the need to leverage social media platforms to highlight the achievements and ongoing efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that communication gaps have posed challenges that must now be decisively addressed.
The Co-Chair of the sub-committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, echoed the Governor’s position, urging members to project the activities of both the party and the government to a broader audience.
He called for a deliberate and coordinated effort to showcase the party’s achievements and policy direction, stressing the importance of shaping a compelling and consistent narrative across all digital platforms.
Delivering a presentation to the committee, Otega Ogra, SSA to the President on New Media, who serves as Secretary of the sub-committee, outlined strategic focus areas to guide the team’s operations.
His presentation highlighted communication priorities and actionable steps to achieve the committee’s mandate and strengthen the party’s digital engagement.
Politics
VP Shettima Set to Lead Delegation to Zamfara as Governor Dauda Lawal Formally Joins APC
VP Shettima Set to Lead Delegation to Zamfara as Governor Dauda Lawal Formally Joins APC
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finalized plans to receive Vice President Kashim Shettima for the formal defection and reception of Governor Dauda Lawal into the ruling party, scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
State APC Chairman, Tukur Danfulani Maikatako, disclosed this during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Gusau, the state capital. He noted that the Vice President would be joined by the party’s national leadership to mark what he described as a landmark political realignment in the state.
Maikatako expressed the party’s excitement over Governor Lawal’s return, recalling that Zamfara had historically been an APC stronghold and that the Governor was previously a bona fide member of the party before his earlier exit.
“We all know that Zamfara has long been one of the APC’s stronghold states, where the defected Governor was once a bona fide member. Now that he has decided to return home, having been satisfied that the APC remains his second choice after the one he left for obvious reasons,” Maikatako stated.
The Chairman called on all party faithful across the 147 wards in the state’s 14 local government areas to turn out en masse to honour the Vice President’s visit. He emphasized that the event was strategically positioned to bolster the party’s popularity and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strong appeal for unity, Maikatako urged members to set aside all factional tendencies, stressing that the APC remained one political family with shared goals, particularly the ambition to make Zamfara and Nigeria great again.
Echoing similar sentiments, a former state APC Chairman, Lawal M. Liman, appealed to members to cascade the message to their wards and local government areas. He reinforced the need for cohesion, noting that the party’s collective strength would be critical to achieving success in future elections.
All eyes are now on Gusau as the ruling party prepares for a high-profile political gathering expected to further consolidate its influence in Zamfara State.
Politics
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named as a member of the presidential entourage that will accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on a historic two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Zamfara State Government House on Monday, the Governor will depart Abuja for the UK on Tuesday for the visit, which is scheduled to take place on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of the British Royal Family.
During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
The presidency has outlined that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which are expected to lead to expanded bilateral discussions and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which showcases contemporary art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
The Zamfara State Government expressed confidence that Governor Lawal’s participation in the high-level delegation will provide valuable networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State. The visit will also see Governor Lawal display his repertoire of knowledge on global policy and corporate governance and also pitch the Mineral and Farming rich state to potential investors during the bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
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