Court fixes October 31 for jurisdiction ruling on Dagogo’s suit against Tinubu.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 31, 2025, to deliver its ruling on the issue of jurisdiction in a suit filed by former House of Representatives member Farah Dagogo, challenging President Bola Tinubu’s constitutional authority to suspend democratically elected officials during the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.

The suit, No. FHC/PH/CS/50/2025, lists as defendants the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (Rtd.), who served as the Rivers State Administrator during the emergency rule period.

At Friday’s hearing, counsel to the plaintiff, Babafemi Adegbite, adopted his written arguments supporting the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, after taking submissions from both parties, reserved his ruling and adjourned the matter until October 31.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Adegbite reiterated his client’s stance that President Tinubu exceeded his constitutional powers by suspending elected officials in both the executive and legislative arms of the Rivers State Government.

He said, “Even though they have now been reinstated, the action remains unconstitutional. We need a clear judicial pronouncement to prevent future occurrences.”

Adegbite maintained that the reinstatement of the affected officials does not make the case academic, noting that the core issue revolves around constitutional integrity and the scope of presidential power.

He further distinguished Dagogo’s suit from previous emergency rule cases that were struck out for lack of jurisdiction, insisting that the facts and legal issues in this case are different.

Police Disclose Identities of Imam, Worshippers Killed in Zamfara Mosque.

Tragedy struck in Zamfara State on Friday when gunmen stormed a mosque in Yantodon Daji village, Tsafe Local Government Area, killing the Imam and four worshippers during morning prayers.

Three other people were abducted in the raid.

The State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Maikaba, who confirmed the incident, said the attackers deliberately targeted the mosque to provoke public outrage.

“We believe the bandits deployed this method just to draw attention. They have seen the reaction when a mosque was attacked in Malumfashi, Katsina State, and that is why they carried out a similar act here in Zamfara,” Maikaba told journalists.

According to him, the armed men opened fire indiscriminately on worshippers, killing five people before whisking away three others to an unknown destination.

Those killed were identified as:
Sale Dangero, 75
Mamman Yaro, 72
Malam Lawali Bataribas, 67
Malam Jafaru, a retired ASP, 68
Malam Safiyanu, 55

The abducted victims were named as Danyaye Alh. Gambo, Malam Basiru, and Ibrahim Bello.

Maikaba added that preliminary investigations traced the assault to a notorious bandit leader, Bakin Malam, and his loyalists operating around the Makera axis.

He assured residents that security operatives were already on the trail of the attackers and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice

Deji Adeyanju Petitions ICPC Over N283.3Billion Received During 6-Month Tenure Of Ex-Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas

Breaking News: Rivers Gov, Fubara Returns to Port Harcourt After Emergency Rule | Fintter

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has returned to Port Harcourt after six months away from office.

Fubara arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport around 12:19 p.m. on Friday, a day after President Bola Tinubu officially lifted the emergency rule imposed on the state in March.

Dressed in a blue shirt and a black baseball cap, the governor was received by a cheering crowd of supporters who had waited at the airport’s VIP wing.

Although the Rivers House of Assembly resumed sitting on Thursday, Fubara did not immediately return to the Government House despite the large number of residents who gathered there to welcome him.

His predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, told Channels Television that Fubara was under no legal obligation to resume the same day the emergency was lifted.

Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, had been out of office since March 18, when Tinubu declared a state of emergency over political unrest in Rivers. The president had appointed retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as interim administrator.

Ibas officially stepped down on Wednesday night, calling on political actors in the state to embrace peace, respect, and dialogue.

Fubara Fails to Return to Government House After Reinstatement.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday failed to return to the Government House in Port Harcourt despite being reinstated following the lifting of the six-month emergency rule in the state.

The development came as thousands of supporters gathered at the gates of the Government House from as early as 6 a.m., expecting the return of the governor.

By midday, however, many of the supporters left for their homes as the governor’s whereabouts remained unknown.

Among those at the scene were sacked local government chairmen loyal to Fubara, including Chijoke Ihunwo of Obio/Akpor and Ezebunwo Itche-Mati of Port Harcourt City. Notably absent were allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and newly elected local government chairmen seen as loyal to him.

Fubara’s absence followed Wednesday’s declaration by President Bola Tinubu formally ending emergency rule in Rivers State, which had suspended the governor, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the House of Assembly. During the period, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) served as sole administrator.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly resumed plenary on Thursday at the legislative quarters conference hall, with Speaker Martins Amaewhule presiding.

State lawmakers have launched a probe into state finances under Ibas’s tenure and requested Governor Fubara to forward a list of commissioner-nominees for screening.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara to submit a list of commissioner nominees for consideration. The request came as the Assembly resumed sitting, a day after President Bola Tinubu lifted the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State.

Although Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, were expected to take over leadership immediately, they had not arrived at the Government House in Port Harcourt as of Thursday evening. Supporters and officials gathered awaiting their return.

The emergency rule, declared in March due to a political crisis, suspended the governor, his deputy, and the Assembly. Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who administered the state during the period, handed over on Wednesday and urged politicians to embrace dialogue and respect.

Tension Erupts at Rivers Government House as Aides of Outgoing Sole Administrator Protest Unpaid Allowances.

Drama unfolded on Wednesday morning at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, when aides of outgoing Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), staged a protest over unpaid allowances and entitlements.

Eyewitness reports said the aides, visibly enraged, accused Ibas of attempting to vacate office without settling financial commitments owed to them. 

The situation, described as chaotic, saw some aides and members of his security team crying openly while chanting accusations that he was “sneaking away” with the state’s resources.

The uproar forced senior officials within the Government House to step in, calming the aggrieved staff with assurances that their grievances would be addressed. After much persuasion, the protesters dispersed, though not without lingering resentment.

Ibas, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the peak of the Rivers political crisis between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor-turned-political rival, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, is expected to hand over to Fubara on Thursday, September 18, following a recent reconciliation brokered by the President.

News Brief:
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has commenced formal transition activities ahead of the state’s return to democratic governance, six months after a state of emergency was declared. The process begins on Sunday, September 14, 2025, with an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt. Ibas, who received the report of the August 30 local government election on Friday, said his mandate to restore peace, stabilize governance, and safeguard economic assets had been fulfilled. He thanked security agencies, civil servants, and community leaders for their support during his tenure.

#RiversTransition #Ibas #DemocracyRestoration

Rivers Budget Controversy: Fubara Proposed ₦1.1trn, Ibas Pushed ₦1.8trn Approved by NASS – Tariah

Former media aide to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Opunabo Inkor-Tariah, has raised alarm over alleged financial discrepancies in Rivers State under the six-month emergency rule, which is scheduled to expire on September 18, 2025.

In an interview reported by Vanguard on Wednesday, Inkor-Tariah insisted that Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) must provide a full account of how state funds were managed during the period.

He revealed that while Governor Siminalayi Fubara had initially presented a budget of about ₦1.1 trillion, Admiral Ibas submitted a revised budget of nearly ₦1.8 trillion to the National Assembly—an increase of over ₦600 billion—which was swiftly approved.

“Governor Fubara’s original budget was about ₦1.1 trillion, but Admiral Ibas presented a revised budget of nearly ₦1.8 trillion to the National Assembly, which was approved for spending during the emergency,” he stated.

According to Inkor-Tariah, Rivers generates more than ₦20 billion monthly from internally generated revenue (IGR), yet there has been little visible development on the ground to justify such massive spending. He argued that Rivers people deserve transparency and accountability in how public funds are utilized.

He further criticized the sidelining of Governor Fubara, describing him as a “ceremonial governor” with limited influence under the emergency arrangement.

“The Assembly will come back, the local government chairmen are Wike’s men, while commissioners will come from Fubara. So, Fubara will come and remain like that,” he warned, suggesting that the governor’s power may remain curtailed even after the emergency ends.

Inkor-Tariah dismissed Admiral Ibas’ claims of restoring peace, saying ordinary citizens, including youth corps members, insist that insecurity and hardship have worsened since Fubara’s suspension.

He described the emergency rule as a political tactic rather than a genuine response to insecurity, arguing that it was designed to weaken Fubara and consolidate control for entrenched political interests.

The former aide also maintained that political influence in Rivers is still firmly controlled by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who dominates both PDP and APC structures in the state. This, he noted, makes the 2027 elections a decisive moment for Rivers politics.

Beyond Rivers, Inkor-Tariah said dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration is deepening nationwide. He warned that if grievances are not addressed, there could be a push for a united opposition front to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.

Rivers Politics: Ibas Reportedly Orders Handover Report for Governor Fubara Amid One-Term Speculation

Reports from Rivers State suggest that former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), has allegedly instructed his close associates to begin preparing a comprehensive handover report for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

According to emerging details, the move is linked to political calculations that the emergency rule in Rivers State may not be extended, and that Fubara’s tenure could be limited to just one term.

Ibas, who is currently on vacation, has long been seen as an influential power broker in the South-South. His reported directive is being interpreted not only as an administrative step but also as a political signal that Fubara’s time in office is already being measured.

The political crisis in Rivers has deepened in the past year, following escalating tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The rift has drawn interventions from the Presidency and security agencies, sparking speculation about a possible extension of emergency rule. However, insiders linked to Ibas insist Abuja has no such plan, a stance that could further weaken Fubara’s grip on power.

The suggestion that Fubara may be restricted to a single term has added another layer to Rivers’ tense political climate. While the governor insists he is committed to serving the people, critics argue that his battles with entrenched political interests have already damaged his re-election prospects for 2027.

Analysts note that preparing a handover document this early in Fubara’s tenure could either be a show of foresight or a clear political message to both allies and rivals. It also raises the question of who might be positioned as Fubara’s successor, with factions in both the PDP and APC already maneuvering for dominance ahead of the next election cycle.

For now, Ibas has not publicly commented on the matter, and his reported instructions remain unconfirmed. But the development underscores the perception that Rivers State is at a political crossroads, with decisions made today likely to shape not only Fubara’s fate but also the balance of power across the South-South region.

Rivers Sole Administrator makes fresh appointment.

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) on Wednesday appointed chairmen and members of eight boards of the Rivers State University Governing Council.

The newly appointed members will be chaired by Okey Wali, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Ibas also made similar appointments for the members of the board of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

In this case, Sampson Parker, a former Rivers State commissioner for health will serve as chairman.

Also, the Chief Medical Director,Chizindu Alikor will retain his position.

Samuel Nwanosike, an associate of the former governor Nyesom Wike was appointed as the chairman of the board of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency.

Nwanosike had earlier served as the chairman of the Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

Also, Wokoma Amakiri was appointed managing director.

Let it be categorically stated that Rivers State is not under military rule. The current Administrator of the State, Vice Admiral (retd) Ibok-Ette Ibas, is a retired military officer, just as Senator Dickson is a retired police corporal

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, on Wednesday, presented a proposed N1.48 trillion 2025 appropriation bill to the House of Representatives.

He outlined an ambitious fiscal strategy aimed at rebuilding critical infrastructure, enhancing social services, and fostering inclusive development, all within the context of the ongoing state of emergency in the State.

Ibas, however, voiced concern over the lack of cooperation from certain suspended government officials, which he said created obstacles in forming a fully comprehensive budget.