COVER
Rivers: Ibas Orders Council Heads to Submit Financial Reports
By David Torough, Abuja
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas yesterday directed the Heads of Local Government Administration in the 23 local government areas of the state to submit the activities of their respective councils.
This is as the State Government announced the suspension of all the political office holders, especially those appointed by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a related development, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, again appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Ibas’ order was contained in a letter addressed to the HLGAs, dated March 24, 2025 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Itong Awani.
According to the letter, the HLGA appointed by the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, are to submit the report to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government.
The letter titled ‘Re: Submission of Report of The Activities of Your Councils’ was obtained by newsmen on Wednesday.
Some of the requirements to be submitted include functions of councils, the number of staff on a nominal roll, and sources of revenue of the LGAs, among others.
Also, the heads of local government administration are to submit the report on or before Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The letter reads, “His Excellency, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has directed that all Heads of Local Government Administration should submit the Report of their Councils to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs.
“I am also to inform you that all submissions using the format listed below should reach the office of the undersigned on or before Wednesday, 26h March 2025 for onward transmission to the office of the Sole Administrator, Government House, Port Harcourt, for further necessary action.
“Submission template: Introduction/Preamble, Functions of the Council. Number of Staff on Nominal Roll, stating cadre by cadre, Sources of Revenue Generation in the LGA.
“Activities of the Council/On-going and Completed Projects for the past 2 years, Achievements of the Council, Challenges, recommendations, Conclusion. Kindly treat it as urgent and keep to the timeline of submission.”
Recall that Fubara had directed the former elected Government Chairmen in the 23 LGAs to hand over to the HLGA following the Supreme Court judgment which nullified the LG elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission in 2024.
Meanwhile, RSIEC had, before the appointment of Ibas as Sole Administrator, fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct fresh local government elections after it met with political parties and other stakeholders in the state.
Ibas Suspends Rivers Political Office Holders
The Rivers State Government has announced the suspension of all the political office holders, especially those appointed by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Those suspended are Secretary to State Government (SSG), the Chief of Staff, Commissioners, chairmen and members of all boards, councils of agencies, commissions, institutions and parastatals, special advisers, special assistants and senior special assistants.
The government said the development was in line with the powers conferred on the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The statement was titled: ‘The Rivers State Government announces the suspension of political office holders and appointees in Rivers State’.
The statement that emanated from the official mailing box of the Rivers Government was signed by the Chief of Staff to the Administrator.
The statement reads: “This suspension takes effect from Wednesday March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their MDAs.
“Where there may be no permanent Secretary, they are to hand over to the most senior director or head of administration.”
Diri pushes for dialogue
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has again appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Diris said Tinubu should rather set up a committee to reconcile the different parties to the dispute in the state.
Diri, who contended that the Rivers crisis can be resolved through dialogue, also emphasised that the Ijaw ethnic nationality was not in conflict with the President or the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He made the appeal on Wednesday, at the Emergency Stakeholders’ Congress of the Ijaw National Congress, at the Sani Abacha Hall of the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.
Diri urged Tinubu and the National Assembly to constitute a committee of eminent personalities to immediately intervene and restore peace and bring the legally constituted government back to office in Rivers State.
He said, “Again, I restate that this is the time for dialogue because it is a lose-lose situation for people of Rivers State. l urge Mr. President and the National Assembly to waste no time in inaugurating a committee of eminent personalities that will immediately intervene and bring back peace and the constituted government of Rivers State back to office.
“The South-South Governors’ Forum, of which I am chairman, had urged the president to reconsider his stance and allow for dialogue among the parties.
“However, let me be unequivocal. The Ijaw nation is not in conflict with the Federal Government nor do we have any dispute with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
He maintained that the Ijaw people remain committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria and, as one of the major and largest ethnic groups, alongside other ethnic nationalities, had made immense sacrifices for the country’s unity and prosperity.
He said, “Today, we must again draw from the fountain of wisdom. It is imperative that we resist being manipulated and refuse to be drawn into a conflict orchestrated by desperate people propagating their agenda. We must approach every situation with discernment, ensuring that our actions align with long-term goals rather than short-term interests.
“Our contributions, political, economic, and environmental, are undeniable. We should continue to advocate for justice, fairness, and inclusivity within a united Nigeria. I urge all Ijaws, especially our vibrant youths, to exercise restraint, maintain peace, and steer clear of actions that could escalate tensions. Our future is best secured through engagement, dialogue, and strategic partnerships.
“Let us continue to build a harmonious and prosperous Ijaw nation and, by extension, the Niger Delta. However, while we embrace peace, let no one mistake our pacifist approach for cowardice. We are a people of indomitable spirit, forged by history, rich with courage and stamina. Our heritage is outstanding and we will defend our collective dignity against any form of denigration.”
In a welcome address, the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, appreciated Ijaw men and women of good conscience, Niger Deltans, Nigerians and the international community for their unflinching support for justice and equity in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
Okaba stressed that the position of emergency rule and suspension of any governor by President Tinubu, under whatever guise, constituted a great assault on the principles of justice, democratic governance and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.
He noted that the infractions on the rights of the Ijaws in Rivers, who had been denied the governorship position for over 24 years, were not a partisan issue but a fundamental challenge to the constitutional framework that guides the rights and economy of every Nigerian citizen.
Okaba added that the gathering was not another talk shop but to remind the Ijaws that their strength was not merely numerical but derived from the bond of unity and love for their motherland.
The INC leader also urged the Federal Government to reconsider its actions and respect the Sovereignty of the Rivers people.
In her keynote address, rights activist, Ms. Annkio Briggs, said the forefathers of the Ijaw nation like King Koko of Nembe, King Jaja of Opobo, Isaac Adaka Boro and others that fought for the rights of their descendants, foresaw the happenings of today and noted that it was now the responsibility of the people to safeguard and improve on what they hold in their custody.
Briggs emphasised that it would be a great disfavour if the current generation of the Ijaw nation does not do better than their forebears.
She commended those who stood with Rivers State since 2023 when Governor Siminalayi Fubara was sworn in, describing it as true Ijaw unity.
Briggs extolled the qualities of the late Pa Edwin Clark, saying he always led from the front, preempting the oppressors of the Ijaws.
She also appreciated the INC for always standing for truth and justice, adding that any other Ijaw group outside the INC, particularly in Rivers, was only speaking for themselves and not for the Ijaw people.
The one-day stakeholders meeting was attended by prominent Ijaw leaders, including the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the first military governor of Rivers State and current Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, another former governor of Rivers, Chief Rufus Ada-George, a former deputy governor of the state, Gabriel Tobi as well as a former deputy governor of Bayelsa, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Others were Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali, notable traditional rulers from across Ijaw land and president, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri among others.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils.The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.
A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request. The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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