By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

In order to address various land use violations and other issues in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister Nyesom Wike at the weekend inaugurated two significant ad-hoc committees with a two-week timeframe to review the issues and submit recommendations.

The committees include: Review of controversies surrounding River Park Estate and the other on the review of Land use/purpose clauses of land and properties at locations overtaken by commercial and other activities, were also charged to discharge their duties with utmost professionalism. Inaugurating the committees, Wike emphasized their significance in streamlining the FCT Administration’s services and restoring order to the city’s development, stressing that their work must be impartial and free from any external or internal influence.Explaining the terms of reference of the Committee on the River Park Estate, which is chaired by the General Counsel/Secretary of the Legal Services Secretariat, Salman Dako, the Minister said the Committee will review the issues surrounding the estate and investigate reported violations of the agreements made between the FCT Administration and the developers of the mass housing project.The Minister said, “The first Committee has to do with the issues that cropped up in the River Park Estate. Sometimes, the government will give out letters of intent to those that will say they want to develop mass housing and the government will always have an agreement or what you may call Memorandum of Understanding. We find out in most cases that these agreements are being violated. So, this Committee is to look into the issues that have to do with River Park Estate and advise the government on the necessary steps to take in order to correct some of these anomalies.“The assignment must be concluded in two weeks. There will be no extension of time. So, if it requires you to sit from morning till night, may it be so. We are not going to delay.“And let me warn you that it must be done professionally. I don’t want to hear of any issue of influence from outside. If I hear that somebody has interest, be it from outside or from the FCTA, particularly AGIS and Land Administration Department, you know the consequences of it. So, it must be done strictly and anywhere you require assistance, let me know. If there is any Department that is trying to obstruct you from getting information, let me know in time”, Wike stressed.Regarding the second committee on Land Uses/Purpose Clauses of Land properties at Locations overtaken by commercial and other activities, headed by the Director of Development Control, Town planner Mukhtar Galadima, the FCT Minister disclosed that it will focus on widespread land use violations in the FCT.The committee, he stated, will identify properties where the original purpose outlined in the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), such as residential use, has been illegally converted to commercial activities and vice versa, without government approval.The Minister highlighted that these violations have deviated from the Abuja master plan, stressing that the committee’s recommendations will help the government determine appropriate actions, which could range from outright revocation of land titles to levying penalties and charging for formal land use conversion.In addition to inaugurating the committees, Barr. Wike also directed the heads of relevant departments, including Lands, AGIS, Development Control, and Urban and Regional Planning, to immediately provide a comprehensive list of all defaulters on ground rent payments, including those from 2024 and 2025, for enforcement.The Minister who underscored the urgency of the action, explained that generating revenue from outstanding ground rent was vital to the funding of critical infrastructure projects in the 2025 budget, which he revealed has been assented to by President Bola Tinubu.

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago has mourned an elder statesman, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh.In a condolence message through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the Governor describes the death of the former minister as a great loss not only to Benue State but Nigeria as a whole.

He recalls the immense contributions of the deceased to nation-building when he held various positions at different times. The farmer governor maintains that the deceased will surely be remembered for his proficiency and impact on agriculture, politics, and playwriting.He commiserates with his Benue State colleague, Hyacinth Alia, the Och’Idoma, HRM John Elaigwu Odogbo, the family of the deceased, and the entire people of the state over the devastating loss.”The farmer governor prays that God will repose the soul of the deceased, grant him eternal rest, and comfort all the loved ones he left behind.The late Audu Ogbeh served as the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development between 2015 and 2019, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP from 2001 to 2005 and the Federal Minister of Communications from 1982 to 1983, among others.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Leaders in Rivers State have kicked against the conduct of local government election by the unelected Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd).

In their separate reactions to the plans by the Sole Administrator to conduct local government polls, they are in agreement that such an exercise could lead to a constitutional crisis.

They added that allowing an illegal Sole Administrator to conduct the polls has dire implications for the Nation’s democracy.

Atiku, who stated these following the condemnation and protests by some key stakeholders in the State led by Atedo Peterside against the conduct of Local Government elections in Rivers State, said the provisions of the constitution must be observed and respected by the Federal Government.

The Peterside-led group had warned the Federal Government against making nonsense of Nigeria’s democracy with the planned local government election in Rivers.

Atiku, who took to X handle on Saturday, took a critical look at the development, stressing that all constitutional and legal procedures have been totally jettisoned and observed in breach, all in a desperate attempt to conduct Local Government elections by an illegal Sole Administrator that is being prompted.

Atiku wrote on X: “It is in one’s interest to help put out the fire in your neighbour’s house to safeguard against your house being torched.

“I agree that what is playing out in Rivers State, with an illegal sole administrator, unknown to our constitution, conducting council elections, has implications for the rest of the country.

“I join other men and women of goodwill to condemn this absurdity unequivocally,” he emphasised.

The Rivers State major stakeholders and advocates for democratic principles expressed deep concern over what they described as the “violation of constitutional governance and due process in the unlawful” attempt to hold Local Government Council elections in the state.

The stakeholders in a joint statement addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declared that Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution vests exclusive responsibility for local council elections in state governments, stressing that a federally appointed agent—lacking any legal foundation—cannot lawfully step into this role.

The concerned stakeholders further said that the doctrine of agency, affirmed in landmark cases such as Adebayo v. Plastic Ltd. and Okafor v. Umeh, holds that an agent’s authority is strictly derivative; and emphasised that without a constitutional grant, the actions of the Sole Administrator are ultra vires and void.

They therefore declared that it is a blatant usurpation of state autonomy which desecrates the federal architecture and impedes democratic governance, stressing that the proposed Local Government Council elections in Rivers State are nothing short of an underhand assault on the nation’s democracy and a brazen flouting of the Nigeria’s Constitution.

The concerned stakeholders included: Atedo N A Peterside, H.E Celestine N Omehia, Prince Uche Secondus, Chief Dr Abiye Sekibo, Senator Lee Maeba, Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside, Senator Andrew Uchendu, HE Engr Tele Ikuru, Prince Fafaa Dan Princewill, Dr Austin Tam-George, Donu Kogbara, Hon Dr Sokonte Davies, Dr Glory Emeh, George Feyii, Hon Honourable Asita, Surv Sam Agwor, Ann-Kio Briggs, HE Group Captain John Ibiwari Ben-Kalio (rtd) and Pastor Tonye P. Cole.

Others are Ambassador Oji Nyiminote Ngofa, Hon Randolph Iwo O. Brown, and Engr Reynolds Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack.

They noted that the elections, orchestrated by a “Sole Administrator” with no constitutional mandate and allegedly imposed by the federal government, threaten the very foundations of Nigeria’s federal system, the rule of law, and the peace of Rivers State.According to the stakeholders; “There is currently no legally constituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) as mandated by Sections 2, 3, 5, and 12 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2018. Consequently, any electoral activities undertaken by such an illegal body are null and void.“The combined interpretation of the specified sections of the RSIEC Law alongside Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) establishes that only the elected Governor, upon confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly, is empowered to appoint the Chairman and members of RSIEC.“Any appointment process outside this constitutional procedure is invalid and unconstitutional.“The illegitimate Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has flagrantly ignored the mandatory 90-day notice requirement before an election, as stipulated in Section 20 of the RSIEC Law.“With no formal notification for candidate nominations, polling timetables—and an election date of August 30, 2025, announced on short notice—this process bears a resemblance to the 2024 polls, which the Supreme Court annulled due to procedural failures.“Ignoring these safeguards is not an oversight; it is a deliberate attack on the principle of due process.“Courts across the land are actively adjudicating the legality of the Sole Administrator’s appointment and the very existence of a functioning RSIEC.“Yet, despite pending Supreme Court and Federal High Court injunctions—and multiple sub-judice challenges by political parties—electoral machinery grinds on under a so-called “emergency” guise.“Rivers State has been plunged into a constitutional crisis and a de facto state of emergency due to the federal suspension of its executive and legislative branches. If INEC deems its elections untenable under such conditions, how can local government polls—unrelated to any genuine emergency—be justified?The concerned stakeholders therefore, called on President Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Judiciary, civil society, the media, the international community, and all defenders of democracy to intervene decisively.They warned saying; “Rivers State stands at a crossroads, currently to impunity or uphold the Constitution and the will of the people. The choice is ours and the stakes could not be higher”.