••• “Still Finding My Feet,” Ibas Tells Lawmakers Amid Federal Takeover of Rivers Assembly

● Kefas Akase 

After a string of no-shows that drew sharp attention, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, Sole Administrator of Rivers State, finally faced the House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee investigating the deepening political turmoil in the state.

The long-anticipated meeting, held Friday, April 25, 2025, came after weeks of mounting pressure and rescheduled appearances. Ibas, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in the wake of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suspension, used the session to ask for more time before offering a full briefing.

“I sincerely apologise for my earlier absence. I’ve only just assumed this responsibility and am still trying to stabilise,” Ibas said during the meeting, appealing to the lawmakers for patience.

The committee, which is operating under the National Assembly’s constitutional authority to assume the functions of the embattled Rivers State House of Assembly, convened the session behind closed doors after Ibas’ brief remarks. Journalists were asked to step out as deliberations continued privately for roughly an hour.

When the doors reopened, Ibas exited the venue without addressing the media.

Last week, the committee postponed its interactive session with Ibas following a formal request from him, citing his engagement at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. It marked his first attendance at the NEC since assuming the role of state administrator.

The NEC session, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was attended by several governors and deputy governors across the federation.

Ibas’s appeal for time now places the burden on the House committee to determine how long it will wait as the federal intervention in Rivers’ political affairs deepens. GMTNewsng

● Kefas Akase 

Tensions peaked in Abuja on Thursday as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) staged a large-scale protest at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), effectively locking out Minister Nyesom Wike from his office. The workers, drawn from Area Council staff, teachers, and primary health personnel, demanded the full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage – a commitment they say has been long ignored.

Chanting solidarity songs and wielding placards bearing messages like “We Demand Living Wages Now” and “Wike, Governance Not Drama,” the demonstrators marched from Labour House to the minister’s office in Area 11. Upon arrival, they met heavily armed security personnel guarding locked gates, but remained undeterred. “This is not Rivers State, where showmanship passes for governance,” said Comrade Jemah Mada, spokesperson for the protesters. “This is the capital of Nigeria, and we demand responsible, people-focused leadership.”

Attempts by Mandate Secretary Lawrence Garki to pacify the protesters on Wike’s behalf were firmly rejected. The crowd booed him down, insisting on hearing directly from the minister. “We didn’t come here to listen to proxies,” shouted one protester. “The minister must come out and explain why civil servants are starving while politicians live large.” Another union member, Grace Ibrahim, added, “All we ask for is a wage that can sustain a family – not handouts, not promises.”

Beyond salary demands, the protestors called for the immediate removal of the six Area Council Chairmen, accusing them of negligence and mismanagement. “This rot goes beyond Wike,” said an FCTA health worker who requested anonymity. “But as the minister, he must lead by example. We need governance rooted in service delivery – not endless politicking.”

The protest underscores growing frustration with Wike’s perceived focus on political theatrics over governance. “It’s time the minister stops being a controversial figure and starts acting like a statesman,” said Comrade Mada. “The FCT deserves leadership that prioritizes development, welfare, and dignity for workers. Until then, we’ll keep the gates locked and the pressure on.”

In response to the development, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has summoned the six Area Coincils chairmen. GMTNewsng

● Kefas Akase 

In a move stirring political tension and speculation, the Kaduna State Government has revoked housing allocations made on public school lands – allocations widely believed to have been approved during the administration of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Although the revocation was officially approved last year, it only recently came to light, reigniting questions over the political motivations behind it. “The revocation order has been conveyed to all allottees, while steps are being taken to refund amounts paid in respect of the sold houses as directed by His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State,” the government confirmed.

The timing of the revocation is particularly notable given El-Rufai’s recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) – a dramatic shift that has unsettled the political landscape in Kaduna. Critics and observers alike are questioning whether this bold policy decision is grounded in public interest or rooted in political vendetta.

Governor Uba Sani, however, insists the decision is part of a broader push to reclaim educational spaces and prioritize learning. “Effective learning can best take place in a conducive atmosphere without distractions and sundry interferences,” he said, underscoring his administration’s emphasis on education as a key pillar of human capital development.

Sani has repeatedly argued that education is “not just a leveler but also a ladder for upward mobility which can transform lives and improve livelihoods.” Since taking office, he has taken visible steps to bolster educational infrastructure across the state. One of his first decisions in office was a significant cut in tuition fees for state-owned tertiary institutions, announced on August 21, 2023.

His administration has since constructed over 2,336 new classrooms, renovated 707 more, and supplied thousands of furniture units for both teachers and students. “Indeed, the Sani-led administration has built over 2,336 new classrooms, renovated more than 707 others and provided 3,704 and 30,742 furniture, for teachers and pupils,” the statement noted.

In addition to this, the government has improved water and sanitation facilities, installing 918 cubicle toilets and drilling 51 boreholes in schools across all local government areas.

Yet, despite these achievements, the shadow of politics looms large. Was this revocation a long-overdue correction of potentially improper land use, or a strategic swipe at a former ally-turned-rival?

As the state continues to watch closely, the move could either burnish Sani’s reformist credentials- or fuel claims of political score-settling in Kaduna’s ever-volatile political arena. GMTNewsng