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Sole administrator resume duty as National Assembly support Tinubu Rivers state of emergency declaration
Nigeria President Bola Tinubu swear in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator of Rivers State plus latest development around di state of emergency and oda top stories.
Summary
- Sole administrator of Rivers state Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.) don land Rivers state
- House of Reps approve Tinubu state of emergency declaration
- Peter Obi, Atiku and oda opposition leaders ask National Assembly to oppose Tinubu state of emergency call
- Stakeholders react to Tinubu declarations
- Truck explode, kill six and injure odas for Nigeria capital, Abuja
Live Coverage
Helen Oyibo, Karina Igonikon, Annette Arotiba and Onyinye Chime
Atiku say opposition don ready to challenge Tinubu for 2027
Wia dis foto come from, Atiku Abubakar
Former Nigeria vice president Atiku Abubakar don announce say opposition figures for di kontri dey ready to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for di 2027 presidential election.
Atiku wey bin run for presidency under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 2023 general elections yarn dis one for one press conference for Abuja on Thursday.
Oda opposition figures wey include former Kaduna State govnor Nasir El-Rufai follow dey di press conference wey shele for Yar’adua centre.
Atiku say di gathering na di birth of opposition coming togeda ahead of di next elections.
As e dey answer questions on weda di opposition coalition press conference na di coming togeda of opposition leaders, Atiku say, “Dis na di birth of di coalition of opposition ahead of 2027."
Rivers Sole Adminstrator in closed door meeting wit security chiefs for di State,
Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (Rtd), currently dey in a closed-door meeting wit senior security officers, federal goment delegation and state goment officials for Goment House, Port Harcourt.
Di meeting dey hold for di Rivers State executive chambers with di head of service, permanent secretaries and security personnel.
Di administrator promise to address di media after e receive a formal briefing from officials of di state goment and service commanders.
Di Sole Administrator arrive Goment House alongside some top military personnel and a representative of di National Security Adviser.
Wia dis foto come from, RSGH Media
Wetin we call dis foto, Sole Administrator with Goment officials and security chiefs for Government House Port Harcourt 
Wia dis foto come from, RSGH MEDIA
Wia dis foto come from, RSGH MEDIA
Wia dis foto come from, RSGH MEDIA
Wia dis foto come from, RSGH MEDIA
Wia dis foto come from, RSGH MEDIA
Wia dis foto come from, RSGH MEDIA
Wia dis foto come from, RSGH MEDIA
Wia dis foto come from, RSGH MEDIA
NiMet put Kano, Sokoto, Bauchi and odas at high risk as cases of Meningitis rise
Wia dis foto come from, Nimet/X
Di Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) don list six states for northern Nigeria as high-risk states sake of Meningococcal Meningitis outbreak.
Di states include Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe & Borno.
Nimet for one post on X tok say di outbreak of Meningitis wey dey rise for di northern states na sake of dust, humidity and heat.
Di agency say make public health agencies take preventive actions to stop di spread of di infection.
Recently, some states for northern Nigeria bin announce cases of di disease.
Senate approve approve Tinubu declaration of state of emergency for Rivers
Wia dis foto come from, Godswill Obot Akpabio
Di Senate don approve President Bola Tinubu declaration of state of emergency for Rivers State.
Dis dey come afta di House of Representatives also approve di proclamation for plenary on Thursday.
Joint committee of both chambers go oversee di administration of affairs for Rivers State during di state of emergency period.
Di Senate go also establish a mediation committee wey consist of eminent Nigerians to help resolve di state political crisis.
No chook hand for action wey go undermine di interest of Rivers pipo - Peter Obi to Labour lawmakers
Wia dis foto come from, Peter Obi/X
Labour party presidential candidate for di 2023 general election Peter Obi don call on members of di party for di National Assembly say make dem no do wetin go undermine democracy and di will of di pipo.
Oga Obi for one statement on X make dis call as di lawmakers dey ready to review President Bola decision to declare state of emergency for Rivers state.
House of Reps don already approve Tinubu declaration but di Senate still a closed door session ontop di mata.
Obi tok say for di past 26 years, di kontri don witness “disregard for educational qualifications for electoral positions, massive rigging, and now di unconstitutional removal of elected officeholders.”
Di Labour party chieftain urge di lawmakers to stand as true defenders of justice and not to chook hand for wetin go undermine di interest of Rivers pipo.
"No participate or support any action, decision, or vote wey go compromise di integrity of our democracy, undermine di interests of di pipo of Rivers State, or go against our core values of fairness, equity, and transparency,” e tok for di statement.
Who be Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas wey Tinubu appoint Administrator of Rivers State?
Wia dis foto come from, RSGH
Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas na retired Nigerian Navy Vice Admiral, and di 22nd Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of di Nigerian Navy from 2015 to 2021.
Dem born am on 27 September 1960.
Na for Nko, Cross River State, south-south Nigeria dem born am and e join di Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 26 Regular Course on 20 June 1979 and commissioned sub-lieutenant on 1 January 1983.
E attend Nko Primary School, Nko, for 1966 and complete am for Big Qua Primary School, Calabar for 1971. E kon proceed to Hope Waddell Training Institute Calabar from 1972 to 1976.
Between 1977 and 1979, e attend School of Basic Studies Ogoja bifor e go di Nigerian Defence Academy for 1979.
Ibas don attend several military courses both home and abroad, wey include; di Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy for India from April 1983 to May 1984 and Primary Pilot Training for 301 Primary Flying Training School at Nigerian Airforce Base for Kaduna from April 1986 to October 1987.
E hold a Master's Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University for Islamabad, Pakistan. E also be alumnus of di National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan, among odas.
On military appointments, Ibas don hold many appointments for di Nigerian Navy wey include; Flag officer Western Naval Command, GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited, commander of di Naval Air Base, Ojo, among odas.
Di administrator of Rivers State dey married to Theresa Ibas and dem get three children togeda.
Nigeria Senate dey closed door session to deliberate Rivers state of emergency
Di Nigeria Senate don enta one closed door session to discuss President Bola Tinubu declaration of state of emergency for Rivers State plus im suspension of Govnor Siminalayi Fubara and oda elected officials.
Di Senate President Godswill Akpabio announce di closed session afta im read one letter from Tinubu for plenary on Thursday.
Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele move motion for closed door session afta dem read di letter, according to Order 135 of di Senate rules.
Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro second di motion.
Breaking, Di sole administrator for Rivers state don land Government House Port Harcourt,
Wetin we call dis foto, Sole Administrator land Rivers State Government House Di Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas Rtd wey President Tinubu appoint after e declare state of emergency for Rivers State don land Government House to resume duties.
Breaking, House of Reps approve Tinubu Emergency declaration for Rivers state
Wia dis foto come from, Tajudeen Abbas/X
Di House of Representatives don approve di declaration of state of emergency for Rivers State, south-south Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday bin declare a state of emergency for Rivers state and suspend di Govnor Siminalayi Fubara, im deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of di Rivers State House of Assembly for six months sake of di political crisis wey dey rock di state.
According to di Constitution, two-thirds of di National Assembly get to agree for di rule to take effect.
Tinubu bwrite to di National Assembly for dia approval to support di emergency rule declaration.
Di Speaker of di House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbass read di president letter during one plenary session on Thursday.
Wen dem put am to a voice vote, majority of di lawmakers back di President Tinubu declaration, and approve im decision.
Di speaker later announce say 243 members attend di sitting based on di attendance register for di day.
Breaking, Di National Assembly must stand on di right side of history - Atiku Abubakar
Di 2023 presidential candidate of di Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, im Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, plus oda opposition leaders, don call on di National Assembly to oppose President Bola Tinubu declaration of a state of emergency for Rivers State.
Atiku, wey tok on behalf of di opposition leaders for one news conference wey dey go on for Abuja, Nigeria capital tok say President Tinubu misuse Section 305 for di Rivers state mata.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke dis unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate di elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly of Rivers State.
“We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against dis illegal action wen e come bifor dem for approval.
“Di National Assembly must stand on di right side of history and no allow make e dey used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.” Atiku tok.
At least six pipo die and several odas injure for Karu fire explosion - Authorities
At least, half a dozen pipo don kpai from explosion wey happen for Karu, one suburb of di Nigeria capital Abuja on Wednesday evening, according to official figures.
Eyewitnesses tell BBC Pidgin say di number of casualties dey more dan dat.
Na around 7:00pm, residents begin hia explosions like bomb and evribodi fear as dem bin tink say na anoda Boko Haram attack.
Operatives of di Federal Road Safety Corps, FCT Fire Service, and di Councillor wey dey represent Nyanya Ward for di Abuja Municipal Area Council, tok say na one trailer wey carry Dangote Cement cause di accident.
Mathew Danjuma Yare, di Nyanya Ward Councillor, tell BBC Pidgin say di trailer driver no gree stop wen VIO (Vehicle Inspection Officers) pipo dey stop am, bicos big trucks no suppose dey go on dis road from 4pm to 9pm, so as e dey try to run, e lose control and start to dey hit-hit cars wey dey for holdup. Na so e catch fire.
Karu Bridge, di exact spot wia di accident happen na popular bus stop along di Abuja-Keffi expressway.
Wetin be Section 305 wey President Tinubu invoke to declare state of emergency for Rivers
Wia dis foto come from, Presidency/X
Di State of Emergency wey President Bola Tinubu impose for Rivers State on Tuesday night go officially take effect if two-third of di members of di National Assembly vote to approve am.
Dat na according to di Nigeria constitution, and e dey expected say di lawmakers go soon meet to vote on di matter.
Tinubu tok say e take di decision sake of how di political crisis for Rivers State dey get worse and e don lead to destruction of federal goment oil infrastructure for di state.
Di Nigerian leader say na why im invoke Section 305 of di Nigerian constitution.
Section 305 of di constitution give di president power to declare a state of emergency, and di conditions for dat include:
- If di kontri dey for war
- If real danger dey say di kontri fit involve for war, or say di kontri fit dey invaded
- If actual breakdown of public order and public safety for di kontri or any part of di kontri dey, wey require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security;
- If danger dey say breakdown of public order and public safety fit happen for di kontri or any part of it, and extraordinary measures dey necessary to avoid am
- If ogbonge natural disaster happen for di kontri or any part of am, or if danger dey say big natural disaster fit happen wey go affect pipo wella for di kontri
- If any oda public danger dey wey go be threaten di existence of di Federation
- If di governor of a state, wit support from di state assembly, ask di president to do so
Rivers state of emergency na to protect Nigeria economic source – AGF
Wia dis foto come from, @naptipnigeria
Wetin we call dis foto, Attorney-General of di Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi Nigeria Attorney General of di Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, say President Tinubu declaration of state of emergency for Rivers State na ‘very bold decision’ to protect di kontri economic source.
Di AGF accuse di Rivers State Govnor Simi Fubara say im dey ‘telegraph’ or guide militants to vandalise oil pipelines.
“I say so wen im call dem say, oh, im go let dem know wen time reach for dem to act,” di AGF tok for claim wey BBC no fit prove weda or not na true.
According to di number one lawyer for Nigeria, one week afta Fubara tok, di militants begin vandalise pipeline.
Oga Lateef say for today Nigeria, di kontri dey rely very heavily on oil and anybody wey “torch di pipelines no be just enemy of Rivers State but also enemy of of Nigeria.”
South-South Governors Forum react to declaration of state of emergency for Rivers State,
Wia dis foto come from, Douye Diri
Wetin we call dis foto, South south Governors forum call for di cancellation of di state of emergency for Rivers State Di South-South Governors' Forum say dem dey concerned with di six-month declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as e no dey constitutional.
Chairman of di forum and Governor of Bayesla State, Sen. Douye Diri for statement say though dem recognise di President constitutional duty to maintain law and order throughout Nigeria, dem sef as governors dey equally mandated to secure peace and stability in dia states.
E note say di current political situation in Rivers State no satisfy di criteria for declaring a state of emergency as outlined in Section 305(3) of di Nigerian Constitution (as amended) and di president also no follow di specific procedures and guidelines for di removal of a governor and deputy governor, as detailed in Section 188, and similar provisions for di removal of members of di House of Assembly and di dissolution of parliament.
“We believe say di political disputes in Rivers State between di Governor and di House of Assembly suppose, ideally dey resolved through legal and constitutional means, rather than by executive fiat.”
To reduce tensions and establish a foundation for enduring peace, di South south governors forum propose di rescission of di State of Emergency and encourage all parties to remain calm, uphold peace and di constitution of di Federal Republic of Nigeria and dialogue.
Sole administrator expected to assume duty for Rivers state afta swearing-in
Wia dis foto come from, Presidency/X
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) dey expected to assume im role as di Sole Administrator of Rivers State on Thursday, 20 March.
Dis na afta President Bola Tinubu swear am in for di State House, Abuja, di kontri capital yesterday.
Im swearing in happun less dan 24 hours afta President Tinubu declare state of emergency for Rivers state, south-south Nigeria sake of di crisis wey dey happun for di state.
E make di declaration for one nationwide broadcast on Tuesday 18 March.
Reports say security operatives don full ground for di Rivers state government house to receive di vice admiral.
E dey expected say e go address di pipo of di state wen e land.
All eyes dey on di National Assembly to ratify state of emergency
All eyes dey on di Nigeria National Assembly as we enta day two of di stipulated time line wey di kontri constitution give im lawmakers to ratify any president declaration of state of emergency.
Di Nigeria Senate and House of Representatives bin seat on plenary on Wednesday but bin no address di issue as many of di lawmakers turn no show.
Sector 305 of di Nigeria Constitution make am mandatory for di legislative arm to ratify di di president state of emergency wit two-third of votes.
President Bola Tinubu bin announce di removal of Rivers State Governor, Simi Fubara, on Tuesday evening come replace am wit military sole administrator. But im action go only fit dey legal wen di National Assembly ratify am.
Who be sole administrator and wetin go be di work of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas?
Wia dis foto come from, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas/Facebook
Sole administrator na concept wey di Nigeria military bin invent through military decree wen dem bin rule Nigeria at different times between 1970s to 1999 wen di kontri return to civilian rule.
During di military era, all di states for Nigeria bin get im own sole administrator.
So, who be sole administrator, which kain power im get and wetin bin im work?
Ogbonge Nigeria lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun Adegboruwa, say sole administrator mean say "one single pesin go combine all di powers of state give im sef, including legislative and executive powers.
"Dem go suspend di constitution, and di administration of dat state go solely depend on di decision of one single individual. Im no go follow due process, and nobody fit question in decision, or review am.
"For dis situation, all di rights of di pipo and di institutions for di state go dey suspended."
Adegboruwa say di purpose of imposing state of emergency na to allow di military to rule by dictatorship.
But for Tinubu broadcast wen e nominate di sole administrator for Rivers state after suspending Govnor Fubara, e say for dis case, di administrator no go make any new laws.
E go, however, dey free to formulate regulations as e go find say dey necessary to do im job, but such regulations go need to dey considered and approved by di Federal Executive Council and promulgated by di President for di state.
Timeline of di political crises for Rivers State, See how di political crises start and how e don develop till now,
Di declaration of a state of emergency for Rivers State by President Tinubu on tuedsay 18 March 2025 na di climax of di political crises wey don dey Rock di oil rich state since October 2023.
Sabi pipo say di crises na sake of a disagreement between di State Governor Siminialayi Fubara and im predecessor and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and e manifest with di attempt by di State Assembly to impeach di Governor for 30 October 2023.
Dis na a timeline of di political crisis for Rivers State:
1. On October 29, 2023, di Hallowed Chamber of di State Assembly bin dey set ablaze by unidentified individuals. Di following day, October 30, 2023, lawmakers gada for di assembly complex auditorium, wia dem initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing five articles of misconduct. But a faction of four lawmakers loyal to di governor led by di former House Leader Edison Ehie break out. Governor Fubara try to enter di Assembly complex but police resist am using water canons.
2. By November 30, 2023, Justice Omotosho of di Federal High Court issued an order to restrain di National Assembly from interfering in di affairs of Rivers State Assembly.
3. On December 11, 2023, 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike defect from di Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to di All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaker of di House Martins Amaewhule say dia move dey in line wit Section 109 of di 1999 Constitution and ensure strict compliance with due process. E say, “We make sure say we no do anytin outside di 1999 Constitution. Section 109 (1g) allow serving legislators wey wan defect to do so with a proviso say dia is a division in di party. Dia is clearly a division in di PDP, so in line with dis section, we don defect to APC.” Amaewhule add say dem provide all necessary evidence of di party division as required by di Constitution to legitimise ria defection.
4. Upon dia defection, di remaining four lawmakers wey still remain for di PDP, come elect Edison Ehie as di new speaker and e declare di seats of di 27 lawmakers vacant as dem don defect.
5. On December 13, 2023, Governor Fubara personally supervise di demolition of di Assembly complex say e get some structural defects sake of di fire outbreak earlier.
6. On same day, di Governor present a N800 billion 2024 appropriation bill to di four-member Assembly led by Edison Ehie for di Government House.
7. On December 17, 2023 di APC led by Tony Okocha as Chairman receive di defected Assembly members for a grand reception for Port Harcourt Polo Club.
8. On December 18, 2023, Governor Fubara and im predecessor, Nyesom Wike, sign an eight-point presidential peace agreement, brokered by President Tinubu.
9. Di Amaewhule-led Assembly begin hold plenaries for di Rivers State Assembly Quarters. On January 26, 2024, dem override Governor Fubara veto to enact four new laws. Tensions escalate further wen FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, insist during a media chat say di political structure of Rivers State must remain intact, and warn against any attempts by di governor to change am.
10. For July 2024, Justice Omotosho dismiss case against di defection of di 27 lawmakers for lack of proof.
11. On 21 September 2024, Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court in Abuja, dismiss a suit wey seek to replace 27 members of di Rivers State House of Assembly over dia alleged defection. Na di Action Peoples Party (APP) wey drag di 27 state lawmakers to court for violating di constitution after dem publicly announce dia defection. Justice Lifu cite Justice Omotosho judgment wey dismiss di case.
12.On October 5, 2024, di state government conduct local council elections despite a court order wey stop di exercise. Di newly elected chairmen bin dey sworn in di following day.
13. On December 30, 2024, Governor Fubara present a N1.18 trillion 2025 budget to a three-member House led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.
14. On February 28, 2025, di Supreme Court give judgement wey recognise Martin Amaewhule led Assembly, nullify di local goment elections wey hold on October 5 2024 and ask di governor to represent di 2025 budget to di Amaewhule led Assembly. E also give order to stop any Federal allocation to di State until di Govenor represent di 2025 budget.
15. Governor Fubara promise to comply with di Supreme Court ruling. However, im attempts to present di budget bin dey repeatedly blocked by di Assembly, and on March 12, 2025, dem lock am out wen e go present di budget.
16. On March 17, 2025, di Assembly initiate impeachment proceedings against di governor, citing allegations of gross misconduct.
17. Di crisis reach a climax on March 18, 2025, wen President Tinubu declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing complete breakdown of governance and escalating political instability. E suspend di governor, deputy governor and di State Assembly members for an initial six months. E nominate Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas Rtd as Sole Administrator of di State.
2023 govnorship candidate for Rivers state Tonye Cole speak on di state of emergency
Wetin we call dis Video, ‘Tinubu for fit solve di political crisis for Rivers state before dis time’ Na on Tuesday evening Nigeria President Bola Tinubu for inside nationwide broadcast bin declare a state of emergency for Rivers state as di political crisis dia bin continue to take new turn and twist.
Di president say im decision bin become necessary to solve di problem and protect di state.
But im decision don spark many reactions.
