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Court Asked to Remove Rivers Sole Administrator, Declares Appointment Unconstitutional

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A legal challenge has been filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the removal of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. The suit, lodged on Tuesday by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, contends that the appointment of a sole administrator for the state is unconstitutional.

 

The case lists President Bola Tinubu as the first defendant, alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation, Vice Admiral Ibas, and the Attorneys-General of all 36 states, making a total of 39 defendants. The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, seeks a court declaration that all decisions made by Ibas as Rivers State’s Sole Administrator are null and void.

 

The plaintiff is also asking the court for an order preventing President Tinubu or any of his agents from removing, suspending, or interfering with the tenure of any state governor or deputy governor. Additionally, the suit demands a perpetual injunction stopping the president from appointing sole administrators in any state government house across Nigeria.

 

Jideobi’s legal argument is based on constitutional provisions, including Sections 1, 5(2), 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the 1999 Constitution. He asserts that these provisions do not grant the president the power to remove or suspend a duly elected governor and appoint a replacement, such as a sole administrator. He contends that only the legal processes outlined in the constitution, such as impeachment or resignation, can lead to the removal of a governor or deputy governor.

 

Among the declarations sought, the plaintiff asks the court to nullify the suspension of the Rivers State governor and deputy governor on March 18, 2025. He also wants the appointment of Ibas as sole administrator declared unconstitutional and for the retired admiral to vacate the Rivers State Government House immediately.

 

In a supporting affidavit, Jideobi argues that Nigeria operates a federal system based on separation of powers, and the president lacks the authority to suspend elected officials. He warns that allowing such actions could set a dangerous precedent, leading to the arbitrary removal of governors and potential instability in the country.

 

No date has been set for the hearing of the case.

EVENTS

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES SENATOR IFEANYI ARARUME ON HIS BIRTHDAY

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President Bola Tinubu felicitates Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume, astute politician and accomplished businessman, on his birthday, December 16.

Senator Ararume’s odyssey in politics began in the late 1980s, when he served as the State Treasurer of the Liberal Convention in old Imo State. He later joined the National Finance Committee of the defunct National Republican Convention.

He represented Imo North in the 9th National Assembly. He was first elected in May 1999 and re-elected in April 2003. He also served on several committees and held other official roles.

President Tinubu commends the former senator for his years of service to the nation and contributions to its peace, unity, and progress.

The President describes Senator Ararume as a resolute and shrewd politician, highlighting his courageous and remarkable political journey through the years.

President Tinubu wishes Senator Ararume a happy 67th birthday and prays that God Almighty will grant him more years of good health and strength.

 

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Ndigbo are no longer spectators in the Nigerian project- Minister Dave Umahi dismisses calls for Biafra under Tinubu’s administration

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The Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the all-inclusive style of governance being practiced by President Bola Tinubu has made the agitation for Biafra an unnecessary clamour.

While speaking at the inspection of the Enugu-Anambra road last Saturday, December 13, Umahi said the Tinubu administration had given Ndigbo what they had sought for decades, not through secession, but through what he described as unprecedented inclusion in national governance and development.

He explained that the agitation for Biafra was historically driven by neglect, exclusion and underrepresentation at the federal level, but insisted that the situation had changed under the current administration.

“When a people are fully integrated, respected and empowered within the structure of the nation, the dream they once chased through agitation has already been achieved through cooperation.

The push for Biafran secession over the years was borne out of neglect, exclusion and underrepresentation but today the narrative has changed dramatically under President Bola Tinubu.

The President has deliberately opened the doors of national development to the South-East. Appointments, policy inputs and infrastructure priorities now reflect true federal balance.

Every sector now bears visible Igbo footprints. The emergence of Igbo sons and daughters in strategic positions is a testament to this inclusion.

Biafra was never about breaking Nigeria; it was about being counted in Nigeria. Through inclusion, equity and concrete development, Ndigbo are no longer spectators in the Nigerian project; they are co-authors of its future. When justice finds a people, agitation loses its voice.”he said

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ADC Launches 90-Day Membership Drive, Fixes Dates For Congresses, National Convention

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced a 90-day nationwide membership mobilisation, revalidation, and registration exercise as part of preparations for its internal party activities ahead of 2026.

The party also approved provisional dates for its congresses and the election of delegates at the polling unit, ward, and local government levels across the country.

In circulars issued by its national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the ADC said the congresses are expected to hold between January 20 and January 27, 2026.

The process, the party said, will lead to the emergence of delegates who will participate in its non-elective national convention scheduled for February 2026 in Abuja.

A statement by Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the party, said the decisions were reached at a meeting of the national working committee (NWC) held on November 27, 2025.

Abdullahi said the timetable and activities were approved in line with the resolutions of the NWC and in accordance with relevant provisions of the party’s constitution.

The ADC said further details on the membership exercise, congresses, and convention will be communicated to party members and stakeholders in due course.

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