The 17-year-old who gained national attention during the 2023 elections for appearing in a viral photograph with Peter Obi’s campaign motorcade, Alabi Quadri, has shared the harrowing details of his detention at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Alabi recounted the moment that marked the beginning of his ordeal, his arrest by the police following an incident in his community.

Naija News reports that he revealed that the viral photo with Obi’s motorcade seemed to have made him a target for trouble, with some individuals threatening his family.

Quadri explained that he had no idea that a conflict had broken out in his area the day he was arrested. Returning home from his job as a motor boy, he was ambushed by local area boys, who handed him over to the police.

“Since the viral campaign picture surfaced, it seems like some people have been keeping a close watch on me.

“Someone even threatened my mum, saying that the money they had given me would be split in two, or else she wouldn’t see me again. They warned that they would kidnap me and take me somewhere she couldn’t even use the money,” he said, recalling the fear and confusion surrounding his sudden capture.

Upon reaching the police station, Alabi found himself locked in a cell with older men he didn’t know. He was later transferred to the notorious Kirikiri prison, where his nightmare deepened.

“At the station, they locked me up in a cell with people I didn’t know. They were older men I had never met before, and I was the youngest among them,” he recalled, his voice tinged with the pain of the experience.

He added, “In Kirikiri, my daily task was to clean up faeces from morning until six in the evening because I couldn’t afford to pay the marshall.”

The Lagos State Police Command had claimed that Alabi was arrested and remanded for alleged public disturbance and robbery.

However, his family and supporters have consistently maintained that his arrest was unjust, with many accusing the police of using him as a scapegoat.

After spending several months in detention, Alabi was finally released on April 17, 2025.

Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 years old on April 21, 2025, leaves behind a legacy marked by compassion, humility, and a relentless pursuit of reform.

As the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, his passing not only marks the end of an influential papacy but also places him among the oldest popes in history.

Naija News highlights the ten oldest popes to have ever served, showcasing their enduring legacies and contributions to the Church.

1. Pope Leo XIII – Age: 93 years, 140 days: Reigned: 1878 – 1903

Pope Leo XIII remains the oldest pope to ever serve, living to the remarkable age of 93 years and 140 days. His papacy spanned 25 years, during which he was widely respected for his intellectual contributions and his efforts to bridge Catholic teachings with modern thought.

His leadership during a pivotal era in Church history solidified his status as one of the most influential popes of the modern age.

2. Pope Celestine III – Age: 92 years: Reigned: 1191 – 1198

Pope Celestine III, born Giacinto Bobone, was elected pope at 85 years old. Despite his wish to retire, he served for nearly seven years until his death at the age of 92.

His papacy was marked by attempts to mediate conflicts and his desire for resignation, which was not granted during his time as pope.

3. Pope Francis – Age: 88 years: Reigned: 2013 – 2025

Pope Francis, known for his focus on social justice and reform, led the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death in 2025.

As the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope, he made significant contributions to the Church’s engagement with marginalized communities.

He passed away on April 21, 2025, a day after making a final public appearance at the Vatican.

4. Pope Gregory XII – Age: 88 years: Reigned: 1406 – 1415

Pope Gregory XII holds the distinction of being one of the few popes to voluntarily abdicate the papacy. He stepped down at 88 years old during the Western Schism to help restore unity in the Church. Despite his resignation, Gregory XII remains one of the oldest popes to have served.

5. Pope Clement XII – Age: 87 years, 305 days: Reigned: 1730 – 1740

Pope Clement XII was elected pope at 78 years old and served for a decade until his death at 87 years and 305 days. His papacy is remembered for his leadership in consolidating the Church’s finances and addressing various ecclesiastical matters.

6. Pope Clement X – Age: 86 years, 9 days: Reigned: 1670 – 1676

Pope Clement X, born Emilio Bonaventura Altieri, became pope at 79 and served for six years, passing away at 86 years and 9 days. His papacy reflected a deep reverence for tradition and a commitment to his faith, even as he advanced in age.

7. Pope Benedict XVI – Age: 85 years, 318 days: Reigned: 2005 – 2013 (Resigned)

Pope Benedict XVI made history when he resigned from the papacy in 2013 at 85, becoming one of the few popes to voluntarily step down.

His papacy, which began in 2005, was marked by his intellectual depth and commitment to maintaining traditional Catholic teachings. Benedict XVI passed away in 2022 at the age of 95.

8. Pope Pius IX – Age: 85 years, 107 days: Reigned: 1846 – 1878

Pope Pius IX holds the record for the longest papacy, serving for nearly 32 years. During his tenure, he faced significant challenges, including the loss of the Papal States and the declaration of papal infallibility. He passed away at 85 years and 107 days in 1878.

9. Pope Innocent XII – Age: 85 years, 107 days: Reigned: 1691 – 1700

Pope Innocent XII was elected to the papacy at the age of 75 and served until his death at 85 years and 107 days in 1700. His papacy was defined by his commitment to reforming the Church and eliminating nepotism, a persistent issue during his time.

10. Pope Lucius III – Age: 85 years: Reigned: 1181 – 1185

Pope Lucius III, born Ubaldo Allucingoli, assumed the papacy at the age of 81. Despite his advanced age, he served the Church during a time of great political and religious turmoil, including tensions with the Holy Roman Emperor. He passed away at 85 in 1185.

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Trade and Export, Shimite Winifred Bello, has passed away.

The renowned Trade and Economic expert allegedly died as a result of domestic violence.

Human rights activist and Delta State Governor’s aide, Harrison Gwamnishu, confirmed the sad news in a Facebook post on Monday, April 21, 2025.

Another Delta human rights activist, Comrade Victor Ojie, popularly known as Wong Box, also confirmed the development.

“Marriage is not by force oh. It’s better to lose your marriage than to lose your life oh,” Ojie wrote.

Shimite’s aide, Tameta Sunday, also confirmed her death, alleging that Shimite’s husband killed her.

“It’s very difficult to type RIP boss, knowing fully well an ugly soul called pastor with a gentle look as a husband cut all the positive plans we had together,” his post partly reads.

Late Shimitte was the Coordinator of the Delta State UNIDO Centre.

She was the focal person for the implementation of the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme in Delta State.

She produced and presented “African Pot”, a TV documentary that promoted traditional African cuisine, tourism and culture.

The deceased was a member of the Steering Committee of USAID/NEXTT (Nigerian Expanded Trade and Transport) – Lakaji Trade Corridor.

She was a member of the Board of Directors of FESECA – Foundation for Economic Change in Africa.

She served as Contributing Editor on Travel and Tourism with Daily Trust, Leadership and others.

Meanwhile, reactions have trailed her death with many advising women to walk out of abusive marriages.

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former aide to Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that any attempt by the government in power to manipulate the 2027 general elections will be resisted.

He also said that should the polls or its results be tampered with, this would create dire consequences for the country.

Baba-Ahmed said this in a viral video seen by Politics Nigeria.

The former leader of the Northern Elders Forum who just resigned his position as a presidential aide said conducting a bad election might lead to Nigeria’s end.

“Conducting a bad election in 2027 may lead to the end of Nigeria, I swear to God,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He further stated that elders from the Northern region would soon take a stand on the nation’s politics ahead of the 2027 election.

“There will be a time we will come out and say it’s okay, and it’s soon. This injustice is over. We know who we are,” he warned.

As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church now faces a critical moment in choosing its next spiritual leader.

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City, setting in motion the process to select his successor.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, a Ghanaian prelate who may make history as the first Black Pope, is among the top contenders for the papacy.

Turkson, previously the Bishop of Cape Coast, attracted notice abroad when Pope Benedict XVI named him a peace envoy to South Sudan.

While stressing respect for local cultural norms, Turkson has spoken out against anti-LGBTQ+ policies in Africa.

According to ET Now, he was a major player in the 2013 conclave selecting Pope Francis and is still a revered, moderate voice inside the Church.

Originally appointed cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003, Turkson presently acts as Pontifical Academy of Sciences’ chancellor.

The Week reports that his opinions on homosexuality, environment, and social justice have sometimes caused him conflict with more orthodox cardinals and bishops in Ghana, his own country.

Originally from a family of ten children in Western Ghana, Turkson started his seminary education in New York as well as Ghana.

He continued his study at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome following his ordination in 1975, obtaining a licentiate and doctorate in scripture studies.

Speaking German, French, Italian, and English, he is well-known for his intellectual depth and worldwide viewpoint.

Pope John Paul II named him Archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, in 1992; he became a cardinal in 2003.

Pope Benedict XVI invited Turkson to Rome in 2009 to head the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, a post he kept under Pope Francis

He started as the first prefect of the newly established Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in 2016.

Turkson moved from his post at dicastery in April 2022 to become chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

According to Deccan Herald, the concept of an African pope is gaining more popularity since the Catholic population of Africa is rising gradually.

Turkson is among the most eminent personalities in the debate on the papacy’s destiny as the Church confronts a turning point.

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has revealed that over N10 million has been raised in just four days for 17-year-old Quadri Alabi, who was allegedly wrongfully arrested and charged by the police in Lagos.

Effiong made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, where he appeared alongside Alabi.

He accused officers of the Amukoko Police Division of falsifying Alabi’s age and collaborating with local area boys to frame him for a crime he did not commit.

Alabi was arrested earlier this year and charged in connection with a street fight in the Amukoko area. However, Magistrate Adetola Olorunfemi later freed him based on legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins. 

Effiong alleged that some police personnels subjected Alabi to an internal police trial as part of what he described as “an evil, sinister, oppressive, and corrupt scheme” orchestrated with support from rogue area boys.

“The boy sitting next to me, Quadri Alabi, as you know, went viral in 2023 during one of Peter Obi’s campaign tours. He spontaneously jumped in front of the convoy, raised his hand, and the photo went viral. That moment changed his life,” Effiong said.

He added that the publicity brought Alabi fame and donations, which soon attracted harassment.

“Local area boys began extorting him, saying he hadn’t ‘settled’ them. They even told his mother to buy a cow, cook rice, and throw a feast for the community. When she refused, the threats continued,” he said.

Effiong stated that this was not the first time the area boys had targeted Alabi.

“The second time, in January, he was returning home from work when he was arrested by area boys known as Leggy and Baba Waris. They claimed he ignored them despite the money he had received from Peter Obi and handed him over to the police.”

He further alleged that Alabi was detained illegally for a week and eventually charged alongside four adult men he had never met before.

“They accused him of armed robbery said to have occurred on January 22 at 10 p.m. No identification parade was conducted, and there was no evidence linking him to the crime,” Effiong said.

On the issue of age falsification, Effiong said the police deliberately stated Alabi’s age as 18 to allow his trial in a regular court.

“The police falsely claimed he was 18 in court documents. If they had said he was 17, the court would have treated the matter differently—possibly not even remanding him in a regular prison,” he said.

Alabi, recounting his experience, said, “I was just at the entrance of my house when the police came and arrested me. The area boys pointed me out. At the station, I was the youngest there. I was locked up with older men. They asked me what I did, and I said nothing.”

He added that the area boys had earlier taken his phone and money before handing him over to the police.

On the donations, Effiong confirmed that support from Nigerians had been overwhelming.

“We’ve raised over N10 million in just four days for Quadri. The goal is to relocate him from Amukoko and secure a source of income for his mother, who is a petty trader,” he said. “This shows the strength of the Nigerian spirit.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to continue to devote his life to the promotion of peace and service to humanity in the country and across the globe.

Jonathan stated this on Sunday in Abuja at a reception organised by the “Friends of Dr Goodluck Jonathan” on his receiving the 2025 prestigious Sunhak Global Peace Prize Award in Seoul, South Korea.

The former president said that it has always being his desire to impact lives and promote peace in his space.

“I wouldn’t say much, but only to thank you and to reassure you that my commitment to peace will continue. I will continue to do my little best until the last day I will live on earth. I believe that’s the only way I can serve God, by serving man,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan said that though he suffered while growing up as a child because of his humble background, he always felt sad seeing people suffering or seeing a country going through crisis.

The former governor of Bayelsa added that it was his desire to see that no Nigerian suffer any lack, even though it was not so easy or possible for any president to achieve that.

“That has been my fear, and that was why I was very reluctant when I was approached to come to the centre, to be a vice president.

“I said, look, Bayelsa is a small state. Let me see what I can do with this small state, whether I can make significant changes, but today here I am,” he said.

Jonathan appreciated the organisers of the Sunhak Global Peace Prize Award for counting him worthy, saying I never expected it.

Jonathan also appreciated the organisers of the reception for the great honour, even though he initially declined it.

“I also appreciate all those who attended this reception. I have listened to the comments from all of you, and I can only say thank you for those good words. They are quite encouraging,” he said.

The 2023 Presidential Candidate of Labour Party , Peter Obi, said that Nigeria would continue to celebrate Jonathan for the sacrifices he had made to make the country peaceful.

Obi, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said everybody knew what Jonathan represented and the hope he had brought to Nigeria’s democracy.

“There is no special day to celebrate this award other than today, Easter day, which is a day of sacrifice. We will continue to celebrate you for the sacrifice you made for this country to be at peace.

“You have put in a lot of effort to ensure there is peace in Nigeria, Africa and the world as a whole,” Obi said.

The Chief Host of the occasion, Azibaola Robert, said that the friends of Jonathan found it worthy to celebrate him for the global recognition.

Robert, an entrepreneur and Managing Director of Kakatar Group, described Jonathan as someone who has a strong passion for peace.

He described the event as an appreciation of the pattern of life that Jonathan had lived and for the impact he had shown as a politician and a statesman.

Robert said that Jonathan, as a brother, has created a big character very hard to step into because every day, there is a new lesson to gain from his presence.

He described the celebrant as a God-sent not only to his Bayelsa people but to Nigeria and the rest of the world.

Amb. Hassan Tukur, a former Principal Private Secretary to the former President, described the Sunhak Global Peace Prize Award as well-deserved.

He said that Jonathan had demonstrated his love for peace during the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Guinea-Bissau and many other countries across the globe, during and after his tenure as president of Nigeria.

He recalled how Jonathan led ECOWAS, AU and UN to restore peace in Côte d’Ivoire in the aftermath of the crisis that followed the disputed 2010 presidential runoff election between former president Laurent Gbagbo and his former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara.

“Without President Jonathan’s intervention, the peace wouldn’t have been possible. He saved lives, he saved people, and he saved the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

“Today, the country is one of the most peaceful countries in this sub-region.

“There was also crisis in Mali when Jonathan was in office. He was the only President who took his plane and went to Mali in the middle of crisis, sat down there for 12 hours negotiating with all the various interested parties.

“Up to date, the Malians are grateful that he was the only sitting president who visited their country in the height of their crisis and addressed their problems,” he said.

Tukur said that Jonathan also saved Kenya from going into war that would have claimed many lives in that country.

He said that even after leaving office, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation was working hard to promote peace in the region.

“This honour is not only to former president Jonathan and his family, but to Nigerians and the country.

“He is a humanist. He is a man of peace. He is a man of integrity. And he is a man of foresight,” Tukur said.

Former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, described Jonathan as a patriot and transformer, who the country would continue to cherish his legacy and good examples.

“All Nigerians are delighted in this award, because Mr President, for all his days in power, both as governor of Bayelsa state and President of Nigeria, upheld the ethics of peace and national transformation.

“It is not easy to find in our clan, around this continent, a leader who will say the presidency of a nation is not worth the blood of the citizen.

“That statement was epochal and it stood him up. In 2015, he made a national sacrifice, he refused the fight. He handed back government, the first time in Nigeria that someone would lose an election and refuse to go to court.

“May the significance of this event, impact on our nation, and our search for peace in all communities in Nigeria, yield fruits with this recognition from far away South Korea,” he said.

Some of the dignitaries at the events include Dame Patience Jonathan; King Amalate Turner, the paramount Ruler of the Oloibiri Kingdom in Bayelsa State; and Olori Opeoluwa Ogunwusi, Wife of Oni of Ife ,who conducted the toast.

Also present were former aides to Jonathan, former governors and former ministers.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Jonathan received the 2025 and sixth series of Sunhak Peace Award, organised by Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation in Seoul, South Korea, on April 11.

Jonathan became the third person and the first African leader to win the category of the award, after former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and Prime Minister of Cambodia, Mr Hun Sen.

He was recognised for his consistent mediations and pro-democracy activities to bring peace to the African continent.

Established in 2015, the biennial Sunhak Peace Prize honours individuals and organisations that have shown extraordinary services to global peace and well-being in the areas of sustainable human development, conflict resolution or ecological conservation.

NAN

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88.

The Vatican confirmed that the pontiff passed away on Easter Monday at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City.

Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber,
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning.

Farrel said the Pope died at exactly 7.35am.

His death comes hours after he greeted Catholic faithful who were at the Vatican on Sunday for the Easter mass.

The announcement by Cardinal Farrel read, “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.

“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

It would be recalled that Pope has been undergoing recovery after he was discharged from the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital.

After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.

The Pope was admitted on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.
Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.

In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection.

As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.

In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass, which has yet to be announced.

The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements, including how the Pope’s mortal remains are to be handled after death.

The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin.

According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.

“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”

Several governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are increasingly drifting from the party’s expected trajectory ahead of the 2027 presidential election, raising concerns of a repeat of the internal divisions that undermined the party’s chances in the 2023 polls.

While some governors are believed to be forging quiet alliances with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has openly declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid.

Speaking during the flag-off of the Akwa Ibom–Cross River segment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, Governor Eno stated:

“Let me end by assuring our people-loving president, who will complete eight years because we are going to stand by him. He cannot start this work and abandon it. Somebody else may not finish it.”

Doubling down at a subsequent state function, Eno criticized those who, in his words, “speak from both sides of the mouth,” declaring:

“I’m supporting Baba Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term. When the time comes, I’ll tell you why… For now, no need to lie to ourselves.”

He added that while his position may be politically strategic, it does not negate his PDP membership.

“I’m entitled to my opinion,” he said, adding that Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured him of support for a second term in 2027.

Eno is not alone in his apparent political realignment. In Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori—successor to Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa—has also shown signs of gravitating towards the APC.

At a recent event tagged the “Uzere Declaration for Tinubu and Oborevwori,” Oborevwori’s Chief of Staff, Prince Johnson Erijo, called on the Isoko people to support both Tinubu and the governor, pledging 70,000 votes for them in 2027.

Oborevwori’s attendance at a separate event alongside First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, where traditional rulers in Delta pledged support for Tinubu’s re-election, has further fueled defection rumours.

Meanwhile, in Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke has not openly declared support for Tinubu. However, campaign billboards featuring Tinubu and Adeleke in Iwo Local Government Area have stirred political tension.

The APC accused the PDP of leveraging Tinubu’s image to boost Adeleke’s appeal, an allegation Adeleke’s camp denied but did not refute entirely.

Adeleke had earlier praised President Tinubu for “upholding the rule of law” following the 2025 local government elections in Osun, describing him as a “true democrat.”

Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara have also commended President Tinubu, particularly for his perceived non-interference in judicial proceedings.

Observers say the ongoing defiance within the PDP echoes the behavior of the G-5 governors in 2023, led by then-Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

The group—which also included Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu)—openly opposed Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy and none faced disciplinary consequences.

In fact, APC won three of the five G-5 states in the 2023 presidential election. Today, Wike remains a key political figure and is currently serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

He has repeatedly expressed support for Tinubu and praised fellow PDP governors who back the president.

Wike, like others, insists that support for Tinubu does not equate to APC membership, citing “national interest.”

Many political pundits have asserted that the decision and activities of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral, Ibok-Ete Ibas, in recent times are provocative and deviating from his primary duty of restoring peace in the oil-rich state.

On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu imposed a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly for a period of six months.

Tinubu claimed that the decision was made to bring peace back to the state, which has been experiencing political unrest due to a dispute between the governor and the legislature.

However, Tinubu was being economical with the truth, as he failed to point out Fubara’s issue with his predecessor cum Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Despite the outrage over the declaration of a state of emergency, Tinubu swore in Ibas as the Rivers State Sole Administrator on Wednesday, March 19, at Aso Rock, alongside his Attorney General and Minister of Justice,  Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and other aides.

Dismantling Fubara’s Structure

Since Ibas’ appointment, he has been systematically and diligently dismantling all the institutions of governance Fubara created in the state.

To consolidate power, the sole administrator appointed a serving Naval Officer, Commodore Aminu Shehu, as his Chief of Staff.

Ibas sacked all political appointees, suspended the heads of all MDAs in the state and approved the reconstitution of boards for various agencies, commissions, and parastatals.

Rather than allow the most senior officials to administer the councils in the interim, Iba also appointed sole administrators to take charge of the 23 local government areas and reconstituted the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) with Michael Odey as Chairman, which violates a Federal High Court order, which restrained him from appointing administrators for the LGAs.

Recall that in July 2024, when the Edo Governor, Monday Okpebholo, suspended all the elected LG chairmen, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, declared it illegal and unconstitutional.

It is thought-provoking and needless for Ibas to sack democratic institutions in the state and create a parallel political structure.

Govt At A Standstill

It is absurd that Ibas asserted that the Supreme Court’s ruling and the lack of an appropriation law necessitated the cancellation of all pending procurements, directing that all affected MDAs refund the tender fees paid by contractors during the period in question.

Having been given all the money accruing to the state government, which was hitherto seized, Ibas is proposing a new budget, a proposition that has alarmed the House of Representatives.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, had last week reminded Ibas that, by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he must report to the National Assembly in running the affairs of the oil-rich state.

The Sole Administrator may be acting at the behest of President Tinubu, but at the expense of the citizens, who yearn for the dividends of democracy.

Amidst the current happenings, 11 governors elected under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have gone to court to challenge Ibas’ appointment.

Does Ibas Have An Agenda In Rivers?

Although Ibas’ responsibility was the restoration of peace, there has not been a serious breach of the peace as such since his appointment.

Niger Delta human rights activist, Ann-Kio Briggs, in an interview with Channels Television, accused Ibas of pouring petrol to the fire President Tinubu sent him to quench in the state.

She said Ibas’s actions in the state were contrary to what the president sent him to do.

Similarly, Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has asked Tinubu to remove Ibas for breaching the presidential order.

The senior advocate argued that the retired naval chief contravened the orders contained in the Official Gazette dated March 18, 2025, and titled, ‘State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025.

Sustainable Way Forward

In an interview with Naija News, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, stated that political elites should pursue peace between Fubara and Wike, rather than mere talks.

He said, “All that was needed to solve the contrived political crisis would have been for Tinubu to tell his minister to steer clear of Rivers State and allow Fubara to exercise the mandate given to him by the electorate since he has a full-time job in Abuja.

“Nevertheless, I believe Tinubu, who appointed Ibas is watching to see how he is carrying out his responsibilities. What is happening in Rivers state is a case of a fight between two brothers, Nyesom Wike and Sim Fubara. My counsel remains that all political stakeholders should work very hard to reconcile them. Political elites should be concerned about the reconciliation and not putting fire to already tense states by taking sides.

“There is nothing between Fubara and Wike that cannot be resolved. Those who are close to them should advise them to ignore the hurts and come together as brothers, they are both Rivers, and nobody should be more Rivers than the other man or loving of Rivers State than the other.

“I believe the solution to Rivers is embedding an accommodating brotherhood repair between both of them. Any other thing people are saying without gearing towards peace are mere talks. Tinubu has declared a state of emergency, and he is the only one who has the power to remove it.”

While Tinubu blamed Fubara for all the crisis, Wike, the real villain, is having a ball and boasting he wanted the Governor’s removal but the President saved him.

As the days pass, the responsibility lies with Tinubu to caution Ibas and provide him with a framework for exercising his powers and responsibilities in restoring peace in Rivers State.