Author: New Daily Prime

Senate President Godswill Akpabio paid a visit to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at his Abuja residence on Tuesday evening, just hours after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. The visit was confirmed by Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, who shared the news on X (formerly Twitter). Olayinka posted, “The Uncommon Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during his visit to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in his residence today.” At the time of reporting, no official statement had been released regarding the specific agenda of the meeting. However, Akpabio’s visit came at…

Just one day after declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu has met with Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas, the newly appointed sole administrator tasked with overseeing the state’s governance. Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at approximately 12:48 pm (local time) for the crucial meeting, which comes amid a tense political crisis in the oil-rich state. On Tuesday, March 18, Tinubu declared the emergency measure, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. In a national broadcast,…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the Sole Administrator for Rivers State following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, for six months. This move comes in the wake of a state of emergency declared in Rivers to address the ongoing political unrest. Admiral Ibas, a seasoned military officer with an extensive career in the Nigerian Navy, was previously the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a role he held from 2015 until his retirement in 2021. His new appointment places him at the helm of governance in the state,…

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has voiced strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, deeming it an essential step towards restoring stability to the region’s turbulent political environment. In a statement released on Tuesday, March 18, by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Matawalle emphasised the significance of this decisive move in addressing the ongoing political crisis, which has hindered the effective governance and welfare of the people of Rivers. Matawalle reflected on President Tinubu’s address regarding the state of emergency, acknowledging the gravity of the…

Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Simi Fubara, said despite unwarranted provocation and machinations by those opposed to him to cause trouble in the state, it has been safe, secured and peaceful under his watch. He has also condemned the imposition of the state of emergency in the state. He made the claims in a statement he personally endorsed on Wednesday. Fubara in the statement he personally signed said: “I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility and calm, as we navigate this unfortunate moment in our state’s political history. “Since assuming office as your Governor, all my…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his family members are reportedly being held hostage at the Government House in Port Harcourt by a contingent of heavily armed soldiers, sources have revealed. The incident took place on Tuesday night, shortly after President Bola Tinubu invoked Section 180 of the Nigerian Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. The state of emergency follows a rapidly escalating political feud between Governor Fubara and lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, who recently initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara. These actions appear to be an attempt to settle political scores following a fallout between…

On Tuesday, March 18, the Nigerian Senate passed for first reading a bill aimed at amending the Nigerian Data Protection Act of 2023, with the goal of compelling major social media platforms and independent bloggers to establish physical offices within Nigeria. Titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, Mandating the Establishment of Physical Offices within the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms, and for Related Matters, 2025,” the bill was introduced by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta State. The proposed amendment requires platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp,…

Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made serious allegations against the Nigerian Senate, describing it as a “secret society” where lawmakers are intimidated into silence by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. In an interview with the BBC Hausa, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that senators are too afraid to voice differing opinions for fear of losing opportunities, privileges, and their ability to speak in the Senate. Akpoti-Uduaghan further accused the Senate leadership of creating a culture of fear, where any criticism of the Senate President or opposing his views could result in retaliation, including being sidelined from parliamentary activities. “There is this…

By Damilola Olufemi and Friday Omosola The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a new and significant turn with the federal government’s decision to withhold the state’s monthly allocation, citing a court order. This move has sparked widespread debate, raising concerns about economic instability, governance paralysis, and political maneuvering in one of Nigeria’s most strategic oil-producing states. The feud between Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been at the center of this development. The power struggle between both leaders escalated following Wike’s alleged unilateral appointment of commissioners and…

By Alade Adisa The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed an incident on the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline (TNP) and has assured residents that the situation is under control. While confirming that the facility is operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the police disclosed that two individuals have been arrested for questioning regarding the incident. The command stated that the event occurred on Monday night and reiterated that there is no immediate threat to residents or the environment. Investigation Ongoing, Cause of Fire Unclear The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Rivers State Command, Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko,…