Otive Igbuzor, executive director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), says it does not speak well of Nigeria’s democracy that nine million of the country’s 200 million population played the decisive role in electing President Bola Tinubu in 2023.

According to the final tallies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from all 36 states and Abuja, Tinubu garnered about 36.6 percent or 8.79 million valid votes, while Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), trailed behind with 29.1 percent or 6.98 million of valid votes.

Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) received 25.4 percent or about 6.1 million votes.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at a political dialogue on election credibility threshold in Nigeria, organised by the LSD, Igbuzor said more Nigerians need to be involved in the electioneering process.

“It doesn’t speak well of the country’s democracy that nine million Nigerians, representing 26 percent of the country’s 200 million population, played the decisive role in the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the polls,” he said.

“So, that pillar of our work is very important for us. Why is it that people don’t vote in Nigeria, and what can we do to make them vote?

“And then the last pillar, pillar four, is monitoring key stakeholders in the electoral process. And this, what we are doing today, is dealing with the credibility of elections.

“So, we want to have indices to measure credibility. And our aspiration is that we will create an index, just like we have a poverty index, so if there is an election in the US, we go to the US and use the index to measure it.

“If there is an election in Ghana, we go to Ghana and use the index to measure it. That is our aspiration.”

He said notwithstanding the challenges associated with democratic rule in the polity, it is still better than military rule.

On his part, Iroro Izu, a lecturer in the department of political science and international relations at Nile University, recommended that transparency and accountability checkers should be developed and used to gauge the operational credibility of the key stakeholders in future elections.

Izu also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create more polling units to make voting centers easier, more convenient, and more accessible.

“As recommended by the Mohammed Uwais electoral reform commission, INEC should be unbundled to several independent entities for purposes of efficiency and effectiveness to the end that one of such entities will deal with election offences,” he said.

“Another will deal with political parties’ conduct, especially in the area of primary elections; also, a third entity could be in charge of massive re-orientation of citizens, politicians, security personnel, and other stakeholders.

“Civil society organisations with vast experience in election matters should be engaged in the training and retraining of election workers and in election monitoring.

“INEC, as an impartial player in the election enterprise, could use any legal measure to execute and achieve its mandate.

“Traditional rulers and religious leaders should be co-opted in sensitisation campaigns and appeals to the consciences of all stakeholders involved in the election business.

“The law should be guaranteed to ensure the conduct of all elections in one day to avoid continued subtle disenfranchisement of many as a result of lethargy or voter fatigue.

“INEC should make it an official policy to prioritise the use of political science and statistics graduates in election duties.

“This is because most times INEC staffers who engage in questionable dealings during elections do so out of ignorance of how the process should work. It is true that they are trained, but most times the training period is too short, abrupt, and inconclusive.”

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the federal executive council (FEC) has approved N158 billion for the procurement of electric vehicles for the north-east.

Speaking on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the Harvard Kennedy School alumni on a Nigeria-Ghana trek at the presidential villa, Abuja, Shettima said FEC gave the approval last week.

The vice-president said the federal government is investing heavily in electric vehicles to ease the hardship caused by petrol subsidy removal.

“We are investing massively in green technology – electric buses, electric cars and electric tricycles. Just two weeks ago, the Federal Executive Council approved an expenditure of N158 billion for the procurement of those items for the North East and it will be replicated in other sub-regions of the country,” he said.

Shettima also commended President Bola Tinubu’s decisive leadership, saying that the removal of the petrol subsidy was a crucial step towards economic growth.

He, however, assured that measures being put in place to address the challenges caused by the subsidy removal such as alternative energy sources, and investment in green technology will soon improve the living standard of Nigerians.

“When we assumed the mantle of leadership, the greatest albatross around the neck of the Nigerian government over the past 50 years had been subsidy on petroleum products. We came to a point where we either get rid of the subsidy or the subsidy will get rid of the Nigerian nation,” Shettima said.

“So, my boss (President Tinubu) took the bullet, and we knew that if we failed to address the fuel subsidy scam within the first three weeks of the administration, we wouldn’t dare to do that again. In his inaugural address, he took the bullet and announced the removal of the fuel subsidy. And we should know the consequences of unveiling a masquerade; they came after us. We stood our ground and the fuel subsidy was gone.”

He also highlighted the administration’s fiscal reforms, including the unification of exchange rates, which he said has curbed corruption in the foreign exchange market.

Shettima urged the delegation to ignore the negative narratives about Nigeria and focus on the development strides of the government.

Also speaking, Jumoke Oduwole, minister of trade, industry, and investment, said Nigeria is leveraging its trade policy under the World Trade Organisation (WTO), with a strong focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Oduwole said while oil and gas remain a significant revenue source, the country is shifting its focus toward export diversification, particularly in the technology sector, which now contributes approximately 70 percent to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP).

‘THERE’S STABILITY IN ALL SECTORS DUE TO TIMELY POLICIES’

Responding to questions on government policies and the economy’s direction, Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, said the country’s economic trajectory has improved significantly under Tinubu’s leadership.

“Today, there is stability in all sectors of the economy due to timely and sound policies, reduction in frivolous spending, removal of petroleum subsidy that was draining the government of up to 5% of the GDP and drawing from the Central Bank far beyond the limits,” Edun said.

According to Edun, inflation rates are declining, exchange rates have stabilised, and the cost of food and energy is becoming more affordable, while the fiscal deficit shows there is a commitment to prudence by the government.

On her part, Olu Verheijen, special adviser to the president on energy, said the energy sector has undergone significant structural reforms.

Verheijen added that although the sector contributes less than 10 percent to Nigeria’s GDP, it remains a crucial source of foreign exchange earnings and fiscal income.

The presidential aide said a key policy focus of the Tinubu administration is to position energy as a catalyst for economic diversification and revenue generation, aiming to boost productivity and earnings across various sectors.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers state.

The opposition party says the president does not have the power to suspend Siminalayi Fubara, an elected governor.

On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political crisis in the south-south state.

The president also suspended Fubara, his deputy and the members of the state assembly.

The president nominated Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the administrator of Rivers state.

In a statement condemning the state of emergency in Rivers, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said suspending an elected governor is “unconstitutional”.

“The PDP outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and will of the people of Rivers State by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State,” the statement reads.

Ologunagba said the appointment of an administrator to govern the state is a “clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution”.

“The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on an attempt at state capture. It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State,” Ologunagba said.

“Nigerians are invited to note that the situation in Rivers State and the reasons adduced by the President cannot justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the State under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent.

“The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-Party State and turn the country into a fiefdom

“In any case, nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution relied upon by the President in the declaration grants him the exclusive powers to declare or execute the declaration of a state of emergency without recourse to the statutory approval of the National Assembly.

“Mr President should recognize that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over the government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation.

“For emphasis, Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged.”

Ologunagba said Ibas not to take any “action or step which is capable of derailing smooth democratic” in Rivers state.

Says Amaewhule, 26 Lawmakers Not Members Of PDP

Rivers State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, has threatened to expel the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike if the political crisis engulfing the state continues unabated.

PDP alleged that the former governor had committed several anti-party activities that the various organs of the party should not hesitate to commence a process of either suspending him or be expelled from the party.

Speaking during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the acting state chairman of the PDP, Robinson Ewor also dismissed the Supreme Court judgment to the extent that Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers actually defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“Supreme Court made three essential orders. At this stage, Supreme Court erred in law. The FCT minister is in the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and you know no man can serve two Gods. Even the bible says it, you will satisfy one, you won’t satisfy the other one.

“Because Nyesom Wike is serving in the government of Ahmed Tinubu, there is no way his loyalty will be in PDP any more. His loyalty 100 percent is in APC. What constitutes anti-party activity is that if you take actions that brings the party to disrepute. That is anti-party activity. The FCT minister has taken several actions that have brought the PDP to disrepute.

“The party will take action at the appropriate time. You have organs of the party. We have the NEC, NWC and the state executive committees. The party organs trickles down to the wards. You know the challenge Wike created in this state for us as a party. The day we properly take over the party in the state, we will discipline Nyesom Wike for anti-party including suspension or expelling him from the party.

“The party will do that at the appropriate time. We will expel him from the party depending on the gravity of the offence”, Ewor said.

The PDP acting chairman said the position of the party is that “Martins Amaewhule and co defected from the PDP to the APC. He announced on the floor of the House of Assembly. He deposed to the affidavit in Abuja High Court. Supreme Court erred in law. Amaewhule and 26 others are not members of our party.

“If they were members of our party, the Supreme Court had ordered you to go and receive the budget but what are they doing now? Even the President had acknowledged that the 27 lawmakers had defected from the PDP. It is not about what the Supreme Court said”.

The party however hailed Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his commitment to implementing the judgment of the Supreme Court for the good of Rivers people and appealed to the 27 lawmakers to see reason and also comply in a way that would be for the betterment of the state.

“Though the Supreme Court said that Martins Amaewhule and 26 others never defected from the PDP, we have sufficient evidence including affidavit they deposed to. Martins Amaewhule read their defection letter on the floor of the House of Assembly. Tony Okocha, the then APC chairman received them. We as a party can tell you that they are no more our members. The Supreme Court has given what they asked and what they did not ask for”.

The party appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to sheathe his sword and allow peace to return to the state so that Governor Fubara can concentrate on governance.

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria, is a distinguished Nigerian naval officer and diplomat.

He served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy from July 2015 until his retirement in January 2021.

In recognition of his outstanding service, he was appointed as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana in 2021.

On the 18th of March 2025, he was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to become the administrator of Rivers State.

Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas: Educational Background and Naval Training

Ibas began his early education at Nko Primary School before completing it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971. He proceeded to Hope Waddell Training Institute (1972-1976) and later attended the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja (1977-1979).

His naval journey commenced at the Nigerian Defence Academy on June 20, 1979, as part of the 26th Regular Course, leading to his commission as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.

His commitment to professional development saw him undergo extensive military training.

Distinguished Naval Career of Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas held numerous key positions in the Nigerian Navy. As a midshipman, he served aboard NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu.

After commissioning as a sub-lieutenant, he was a watchkeeping officer on NNS Ayam and NNS Ekpe. Between 1993 and 1996, he became the executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe.

He later commanded the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997–1998) and Forward Operating Base Ibaka (1998–2000). Excelling in the Senior Staff Course, he was appointed as a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2000–2002) and later served as Director, Maritime Warfare (2009–2010) and Deputy Commandant (2014).

Ibas was the naval provost marshal (2003–2004) and principal staff officer to the Chief of Naval Staff (2004–2005). He served as command operations officer, Western Naval Command (2006) and commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo (2006–2009). He later became chief staff officer, Naval Training Command (2010–2011), chief of administration, Naval Headquarters (2011–2012), and Navy Secretary (2012–2013).

He commanded the Western Naval Command (2013–2014) before being appointed chief of logistics (2014) and GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings (2014). On 13 July 2015, he became the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff.

Diplomatic Role and National Service

Upon retirement from active naval service, Ibas transitioned into diplomacy, serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana from 2021. His appointment underscored his vast experience in security, strategic relations, and international diplomacy.

Personal Life and Interests

Vice Admiral Ibas is married to Barrister Theresa Ibas, and they are blessed with children. Beyond his professional engagements, he enjoys reading, watching documentaries, and playing golf.

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday in a nationwide address on the crisis rocking Rivers State, declared Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state.

Naija News gathered that the President issued the declaration after suspending the Governor of the State, Siminalayi Fubara for six months.

Also suspended by the President according to the provision of the constitution is the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Tinubu, in his declaration, stated, “In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.

“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.

“This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”

Youths from the Niger Delta region, under the banner of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), have called on President Bola Tinubu to remove Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from office.

The group warned that failure to address their demand could negatively impact Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

In a mass demonstration on Tuesday, thousands of IYC members blocked the East/West Road for over ten hours, disrupting economic activities and vowing to continue their protests unless their demands are met.

The protest, which brought business and travel to a halt, was a direct response to what they described as insulting comments made by Wike against the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

IYC President, Dr. Alaye Theophilus, who led the protest, told Vanguard, “The youths have come out today to say enough is enough. The FCT Minister’s uncomplimentary statements about the Ijaw Nation are unacceptable. We are here to demand that President Tinubu call him to order.”

The protests were triggered by Wike’s remarks, in which he referred to the Ijaw people as a “minority within the minorities,” a statement that IYC leaders considered highly disrespectful.

Theophilus emphasized, “We cannot allow one man to cause problems in Rivers State and disrespect the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality as if he is an emperor. Wike’s claim that the Ijaw are a ‘minority within the minorities’ is an insult taken too far.”

Naija News reports that the IYC leader also blamed Wike for the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, warning that if the situation is not addressed, President Tinubu will be held accountable for any escalation.

The East/West Road is a major economic route connecting the Niger Delta to Lagos and the Northeast, and continued protests, Theophilus stated, would severely disrupt businesses and economic activities.

“The President must understand that if he values his 2027 re-election ambition, he should act now and remove Wike to restore peace in Rivers State,” Theophilus declared.

The demonstration, which included Ijaw youths from Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States, was marked by peaceful chanting and the display of banners calling for Wike’s removal. However, Theophilus warned that if no action is taken by Friday, March 21, the IYC would resume its protests.

The IYC also urged the federal government to act swiftly to prevent further disruptions and protect the economic stability of the region.

The group made it clear that their protests would continue if their demands were not met, signaling the potential for future unrest.

President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu for six months.

“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” he said in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday.

Details later…

Nigerian actress Adebanke Adeyeye Awa, better known as Debanke is now a mother. The actress on her birthday in February had announced that she was expecting her first child.

Debanke shared a photo of herself cradling her baby bump and described her newfound blessing as the best birthday gift.

Moments ago on her official Instagram account, the Yoruba actress shared photos of herself from the hospital bed as she revealed that her newborn arrived safely into the world on January 29th.

The new mum cradled her baby in her arms, an emotional look on her face. Debanke captioned the post:

“My sunshine arrived safely into this world on 1/29/2025

Second slide: Is that moment you realize that every contraction was a gift

I’m officially a MOM!”.

The actress’s colleagues filled the comment section with congratulatory messages and prayed for the newborn.