Politics
Ibas Confirms Fulfillment Of Presidential Directive In Rivers State
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has affirmed that the Emergency Rule declared by President Bola Tinubu has accomplished its intended purpose in the state.
Speaking at Government House, Port Harcourt, during a ceremony where the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) presented its comprehensive report on the recent local government elections, Ibas stated that the presidential mandate handed to him has been “sufficiently achieved.”
READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: Court Blocks Ibas From Swearing In New Commission Members
The administrator highlighted that the successful conduct of elections across all 23 Local Government Areas, coupled with the swearing-in of democratically elected Chairmen and Councillors, represents the direct fulfillment of the presidential directive issued to him on March 18, 2025.
He praised RSIEC for conducting a “fair, credible, and transparent” electoral process, which has earned recognition both within and beyond the state.
“Mr. President’s mandate to me was clear: to stabilize the state, create an enabling environment for the re-establishment of its institutions, and return Rivers State back to full democratic governance.
“With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government chairmen and their councils, I believe we have decisively achieved the mandate that we were given,” Ibas said.
He added: “For once, an election was conducted where nobody was harassed, where people went out freely to express themselves and to select whom they wanted as their leaders. This is a testament to the peaceful and enabling environment we have collectively fostered.”
Ibas also assured that his administration would carefully examine the RSIEC report and issue an official government white paper in due course.
RSIEC Chairman Dr. Mike Odey, who presented the detailed election report, described the exercise as a “historic achievement” for the state and the nation.
He noted that the document provides a full account of the entire process, from the initial election notice to stakeholder engagement, polling, collation of results, and the final announcement of winners.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
SEE MORE: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
ALSO READ: NNPC Secures Tinubu’s Approval for $20bn FID on Bonga Deepwater Project
“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has explained that the persistent crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party compelled him to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
The governor’s defection was formally announced on Monday by his deputy, Mani Mummuni, after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state and supported by political stakeholders across Zamfara.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: PDP Crisis Deepens as Appeal Court Upholds Ban on Ibadan Convention
According to the statement, Governor Lawal had remained committed to the PDP despite the ongoing leadership crisis and had made several efforts to reconcile factions within the party.
However, attempts to achieve peace and unity reportedly failed, leading to prolonged legal battles.
The development followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court.
The earlier judgment had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governor was said to have informed political stakeholders during a series of meetings that he would make a final decision about his political future after the appellate court delivered its ruling.
Following the judgment, Lawal concluded that joining the APC would better position him to continue what he described as the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission.”
His defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Zamfara State and could influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Airfares Likely to Rise as Aviation Fuel Price Spikes by 80%
Shell Completes Turnaround Maintenance on FPSO, Resumes Production at Bonga
Sahara Group expands fleet with new 40,000 cbm LPG Carrier
NATO Shoots Down Third Iranian Missile in Turkey
Inside Tinubu’s Closed-Door Meeting With Opposition Leaders – SDP, IPAC Reveal Details
Defections Won’t Break PDP in Sokoto, Says Former Senator Gada
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Things To Know About Threads, Zuckerberg’s Twitter-like App
hhwtki
hij9cw
Enjoyed examining this, very good stuff, appreciate it.
That is very fascinating, You’re an excessively professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to searching for extra of your great post. Additionally, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and coverage! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for!
I am incessantly thought about this, appreciate it for putting up.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
Generally I don’t read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.
Good post. I learn something tougher on different blogs everyday. It’s going to always be stimulating to learn content material from other writers and follow slightly one thing from their store. I’d choose to use some with the content on my weblog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide you with a link in your internet blog. Thanks for sharing.
Hi this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!
Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Thanks for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.
Thanks for any other informative web site. The place else may I get that kind of information written in such a perfect method? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now running on, and I have been on the look out for such info.
Very interesting details you have observed, regards for putting up.
Respect to post author, some excellent selective information.
you’ve an ideal weblog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my blog?