A former Nigerian career diplomat, Ibrahim Mohammed Bashir, Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), has stated that the alleged sexual harassment case involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has put Nigeria’s image to the test. Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan This follows the report filed by the embattled senator at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Natasha, who was suspended by the Senate, has…

It is no longer news that President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu announced the emergency measure and appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.), as the administrator to oversee the state’s…

To avert security unrest in the state, the National President of the South South Youth Initiative (SSYI), Mr Oscar Imeabe, has beckoned on Rivers State youths to adhere to law and order as the political turmoil continues to unfold. In an interview session held on Wednesday, Imeabe, who is also the spokesperson for the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), demanded the vacation of Nyesom Wike, the…

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State, following his controversial declaration of a state of emergency. The ceremony, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was attended by top government officials, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, and Presidential Principal Secretary Hakeem Muri-Okunola. Tinubu’s decision to install an administrator comes after he suspended…

The Federal Government (FG) has announced that Rivers State’s allocation from the Federation Account will be directed to the state’s Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas. Speaking at a press briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State. He described the intervention as a…

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as both unconstitutional and reckless. The New Daily Prime reported that Mr Tinubu suspended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. Additionally, he appointed Ibokette Ibas, a retired vice…

Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State. He described it as a direct assault on democratic governance. Condemning the move, George declared, “This is absolute Armageddon—total disrespect for constituted authority. The Constitution has been viciously violated.” Expressing his outrage, he continued, “We can’t keep quiet. This is recklessness of the…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a clear act of political manipulation and bad faith.   The New Daily Prime reported that Tinubu, in a nationwide address, announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers for six months. He then appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibokette Ibas, as the…

Less than two hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months alongside the 27 lawmakers. The president, during the live broadcast, said, “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…

The political battle between pro-Wike allies and Governor Siminalayi Fubara continues to escalate following the Supreme Court judgment, causing significant setbacks to the economy and development of Rivers State, with residents bearing the brunt of the turmoil. Since December 2023, Governor Fubara and 27 lawmakers, including Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA), Martins Amaewhule, have been locked in a prolonged political crisis. The conflict stems from allegations…

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,…

Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers State, Suspends Governor Fubara and Lawmakers, Appoints Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Administrator President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. The announcement was made on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in a…