Year: 2025

The former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has said the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu is a dangerous affront to the nation’s democracy.

Amaechi, a former Rivers Governor, described the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu and the members of the state House of Assembly as unilateral and reckless and called on the National Assembly to reject the presidential declaration.

The former governor stated this in a statement he personally signed titled ‘My Immediate Reaction To The Undemocratic, Unconstitutional, Suspension Of Elected State Officials In Rivers State’ and obtained by The PUNCH.

The statement reads, “Unequivocally, I condemn the rather brazen and unilaterally reckless suspension and removal of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“With this singular move, Mr President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold.

“Section 188 of the Nigeria Constitution clearly stipulates how a State Governor can be removed from office. And it does not include a fiat declaration, decree or promulgation by Mr. President. Therefore, he cannot appropriate such powers to himself.

“A democratically elected State Governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr. President. The suspension of two key democratically elected arms of Government in Rivers State by Mr. President evidently violates our Constitution, even within the scope and interpretation of Section 305 that the President cited in his broadcast.

“The unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in my dear Rivers State points to a brazen attempt at power grab in the State by forces and persons who do not have such Constitutional powers. The unfolding events in Rivers State in the past months points to a clear orchestrated plot by some persons to unconstitutionally perpetrate and impose themselves on the people.

“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy. Mr President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand.”

Amaechi called on well-meaning Nigerians to speak up, especially the Nigerian Governors Forum, whom he believes can “reverse the Unlawful actions” of the President.

“Politicians across divides should speak up; rise to halt our nation’s descent into totalitarianism. State Governors and Legislators should speak up now. I urge the National Assembly to reject this illegality.

“As a former State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), I am not unaware of the role elected Governors in the country can play to halt this descent and reverse the unlawful actions of Mr. President. I commend the Governors who have spoken against the unlawful suspension.

“The suspension is a very dangerous affront to Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy.”

Air Peace has said travellers will enjoy up to ₦600,000 reduction in airfares when they connect from cities across Nigeria to London with one additional luggage.

The airline said this in a statement by its Head of Corporate Communications, Dr Ejike Ndiulo, on Wednesday.

Ndiulo added that the promo runs until March 31, 2025, with an extended travel period until April 15, 2025.

Air Peace said the airline continues to redefine international travel with its London route, offering seamless connectivity from major domestic destinations.

The statement reads partly, “As the largest airline in West and Central Africa, Air Peace remains steadfast in its vision of fostering prosperity through reliable air travel, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a key player in global aviation.

“With its expanding domestic and international routes, the airline is making it easier for people to explore new opportunities and for businesses to thrive in an interconnected world.”

Ndiulo said the Chairman of the airline, Allen Onyenma, had made the announcement at the Silverbird Man of the Year 2024 Awards held recently in Lagos.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, paid a visit to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, at his residence in Abuja.

The visit was disclosed in a statement by the minister’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.

Olayinka wrote, “The Uncommon Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during his visit to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in his residence today.”

At the time of filling this report, no official statement has been released on the agenda of the meeting.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as “unconstitutional and reckless.”

Obi accused Tinubu of disregarding rule of law and showing a dangerous willingness to trample on democracy.

“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it is a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and tighten its grip on power at all costs.

“It has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, hugely undoing the progress we have made in these 26 years of democratic journey.

“It is a degrading back door imposition of martial rule on a strategic part of the federation with all the implied negatives,” Obi said in a statement on Wednesday via X.

President Bola Tinubu has named Admiral Ibokette Ibas, an administrator for Rivers State.

Ibas was appointed after Tinubu announced the suspension of the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu for six months.

Prior to his appointment, he was the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a position he held until 2021.

Below are things to know about the new administrator:

• Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (CFR, psc+ GSS AM ndc MSc) was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria.

• He enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 26 Regular Course on June 20, 1979, and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.

• Ibas began his primary education at Nko Primary School and later completed it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971.
• He proceeded to Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, from 1972 to 1976, before attending the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja, between 1977 and 1979.
  • He furthered his education at the Nigerian Defence Academy and later obtained a master’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

   

  • He completed the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy, India, between 1983 and 1984, and underwent Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, between 1986 and 1987.
  • In 1990, he attended the Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and later participated in the Amphibious Warfare Course at the United States Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia, in 1992.

   

  • He also specialised in Underwater Warfare at NNS Quorra in 1994 and completed the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, in 1997. Additionally, he attended the National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2005.

   

  • As a midshipman, he was posted on board NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu. After his commission, he served as a watchkeeping officer on NNS Ayam and NNS Ekpe.

   

  • Between 1993 and 1996, he was the executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe. He also served as the commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School from 1997 to 1998 and later led the Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, from 1998 to 2000.
  • • His staff appointments included serving as a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, from 2000 to 2002, and later as deputy commandant in 2014.

     

    • He was the naval provost marshal between 2003 and 2004 and served as the principal staff officer to the Chief of Naval Staff from 2004 to 2005.

     

    • Between 2006 and 2009, he was the commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo, and later the chief staff officer at the Naval Training Command, Lagos, from 2010 to 2011.

     

    • He held several other key positions, including chief of administration at the Naval Headquarters (2011–2012), Navy Secretary (2012–2013), and flag officer commanding Western Naval Command (2013–2014). In 2014, he was appointed chief of logistics and subsequently became the GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited.
    • On July 13, 2015, Ibas was appointed as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a position he held until 2021. Following his retirement from the Navy, he remained an influential figure in national security and maritime affairs.

     

    • On March 18, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state. His role involves overseeing governance and restoring order in the state amid political instability.

Ghana’s President John Mahama’s verified X account was hacked for 48 hours, with cybercriminals using it to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency project, his spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.

The breach, which began on Saturday, was first noticed on Sunday when the compromised account started posting endorsements for Solanafrica, falsely claiming to be “led by Ghana’s President John Mahama to make payments across Africa free using the Solana blockchain.”

The hackers urged Mahama’s followers to invest in the scheme, claiming it was an initiative to revolutionise financial transactions on the continent.

The fraudulent posts were deleted after the President’s team noticed the breach, but the account continued sharing crypto-related content, including hints about the launch of a new memecoin.

“The President’s X account was compromised, and we have taken action to regain control,” spokesman Kwakye Ofosu told AFP on Tuesday.

“The account has now been fully restored, and we urge the public to disregard any suspicious cryptocurrency-related posts from the handle.”

The breach highlights growing concerns over the rise of crypto-related scams in Africa, where digital assets have gained popularity, but regulatory oversight remains weak.

Scammers frequently hijack verified accounts to push fake investment opportunities.

The Rivers State Government has debunked social media reports that former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and a delegation of the Pan Niger Delta Forum paid a visit to the state governor, Similarlyi Fubara, last Sunday.

The state government said the claim was malicious from those trying to cause chaos and lawlessness in the state, describing it as fake news.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Chukwudi said the claims do not deserve a response but for the impression it may create in the minds of the public, insisting that neither Obasanjo nor a delegation by PANDEF visited the state Government House.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a malicious post circulating on social media, claiming that a delegation of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum paid a Solidarity Visit on Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, in Government House on Sunday, March 16, 2025. There is also another planted by some people bent on causing chaos and anarchy in the State, alleging that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, paid a visit to the Governor in Government House, Port Harcourt.

“Ordinarily, we would not have responded to these spurious claims and obvious fake news on social media, but for the erroneous impression they may create on the minds of gullible and unsuspecting members of the public, and indeed, well-meaning Rivers people. For that reason, let it be clarified that there was no such visit by any delegation of PANDEF to Governor Fubara on the said date, neither did Chief Obasanjo visit him as claimed by our detractors.

“So, whatever the purveyors of the vexatious narratives are pushing on social media are only the imagination of enemies of the state, who do not want peace, good governance and even development that the present administration has been working hard to bequeath to the present and future generations. The governor has made it abundantly clear that he would comply and implement, to the fullest, the judgment of the Supreme Court on the political crisis in the State.

“He has already initiated processes to ensure that orders of the apex court are implemented, but the Rivers State House of Assembly has refused to cooperate with the governor to facilitate the resolution of all issues raised by the court. As stated earlier, the governor is ready any day, any time to do the needful to ensure the resolution of the issues and smooth functioning of all arms of government in the state.”