Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, attended his first National Economic Council (NEC) meeting today at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Ibas was appointed to the position by President Bola Tinubu following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in March 2025.

READ MORE: Tinubu Swears In Ibas As Rivers Sole Administrator

The NEC meeting, which is being presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, gathered a number of state governors and deputy governors from across the 36 states of Nigeria to discuss important national economic issues.

Among the notable figures in attendance was Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress.

Governor Oborevwori led the opening prayers at the meeting on the instruction of Vice President Shettima.

Other state governors present included Rev. Fr. Hycinth Alia of Benue State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, and Bassey Otu of Cross River, along with several deputy governors.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending his long-standing association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which he was elected in 2023.

The switch was confirmed on Wednesday  after a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba.

According to his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the decision came after extensive deliberations.

READ ALSO: Edo LP Senator, Neda Imasuen Set To Join APC

“This move followed wide consultations with political stakeholders and is in the interest of Delta’s long-term development,” Ahon stated.

Oborevwori was welcomed into the APC by senior party figures, marking what observers are calling a calculated political maneuver with potential ramifications for the 2027 elections.

More to follow………….. 

The Labour Party (LP) in Edo State may be on the verge of losing another key figure, as Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, is reportedly considering a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Party insiders and political observers say the senator is under increasing pressure from APC leaders to switch allegiance, with recent developments pointing toward an imminent move.

Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges, recently stated that the Supreme Court’s verdict on the LP crisis might have come too late to prevent the damage already done, which has resulted in multiple defections across the country.

READ MORE: Okpebholo Inspects Agro, Road Projects In Edo Central

The senator is said to have a close working relationship with several prominent APC figures in Edo State and has been seen at various public functions alongside them.

Notably, he once served as a senior legislative aide to his predecessor, Senator Matthew Urhoghide—now an APC member—and also acted as Director General of the APC Campaign Council for the upcoming September 21 governorship election.

Further fueling speculation, Hon. Eugene Utubor, Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Political Mobilisation and Engagement, visited the senator on Tuesday night to lobby him into joining the APC and supporting the governor’s developmental drive.

Sources privy to the lengthy meeting described it as productive.

In a statement following the visit, Imasuen praised Governor Okpebholo’s leadership, saying, “The governor has done remarkably well in such a short time. It is crucial that we come together to ensure the success of his vision for our people. Every well-meaning Edo citizen is encouraged to rally around the governor as he works diligently for our collective progress.”

While no official defection has been announced, Imasuen’s words and actions suggest his exit from the Labour Party could be only a matter of time.