The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd.), has denied reports claiming that he summoned the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, for questioning.

The claim, widely circulated on social media, was described by the state government as “false and misleading.”

In an official statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dede Friday, Ibas described the reports as “fraudulent announcements” deliberately spread to incite unrest.

“The Rivers State Government has become aware of fraudulent announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

“These malicious fabrications are designed to mislead the public, create panic, and disrupt the peace in Rivers State.

“One such false report claimed that Governor Fubara and his deputy had been summoned to the Government House to explain certain appointments and other state matters,” the statement read.

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (retd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has summoned suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Dr Ngozi Ordu, to appear before him at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

This was contained in a special announcement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika.

Worika disclosed that the summons forms part of an official inquiry into appointments made during the Fubara administration over the past two years.

According to the statement, Fubara has been directed to present comprehensive documentation and records related to appointments made while in office.

This includes, among other things, the rationale and procedures that guided those decisions.

The full statement reads:

“RIVERS GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

“The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, has formally summoned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu, to appear before him for an inquiry into the appointments made under their administration over the past two years.

“Sir Fubara is directed to present all relevant documents and records pertaining to appointments, including justifications and procedures followed during his tenure. The session will also serve as an opportunity for the suspended Governor to provide a clear and detailed explanation as to why he believes he should be reinstated to office.

“Both parties are expected to appear in person as follows:

Date: Friday, 18th April, 2025
Time: 10:00am Prompt
Venue: Conference Room, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt

Attendance is mandatory. This process forms part of the Sole Administrator’s ongoing efforts to restore transparency and accountability and lasting peace in the governance of Rivers State.
Signed:
Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika
Secretary to the State Government”

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has debunked speculations of the party planning to join any coalition or merger.

The resolution was made in a communiqué issued at the end of the Forum’s meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday.

After the meeting which lasted about six hours behind closed doors, the Chairman of the Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who read the communiqué clarified that rather, the PDP remains open to welcoming individuals, parties, and groups committed to rescuing Nigeria and promoting good governance,

“The Forum resolved that the PDP will not join any coalition or merger. However, as a major opposition party, it welcomes any party, persons, or groups willing to join it with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027,” the communiqué read in part.

On the recent Supreme Court judgment on the national secretary position, the Forum recommended that the deputy national secretary act in the position pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive Secretary from the South East geopolitical zone.

On the spate of insecurity in parts of the country, the Forum expressed concerns over the rising insecurity, particularly in Borno, Katsina, Edo, and Plateau States.

The group called for a review and re-organisation of the nation’s security architecture, advocating a bottom-up approach that empowers sub-national governments to play a more active role in safeguarding their territories.

The Forum also declared its solidarity with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the current political crisis in the State, and the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu.

The Forum announced plans to hold a national meeting on May 27, 2025, where a Zoning Committee would be constituted ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for August 28 to 30, 2025, in Kano.

The communiqué also listed members of the Zoning and National Convention Committees, with Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State named Chairman of the Zoning Committee, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State heading the National Convention Committee.