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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the revocation of its land occupancy rights by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is an attempt to “stifle opposition parties” in the country.
In a letter dated March 13, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, director of land administration at the FCT administration, said the revocation of the secretariat land title was due to “non-payment” of ground rent.
Ground rent is a yearly fee landowners pay for the right to occupy and use their property.
Nwankwoeze said the PDP has failed to pay the annual ground rents due on the property from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP spokesperson, said the land title revocation is a threat to democracy.
Ologunagba said the revocation affected both party buildings—Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5, which currently serves as the national secretariat, and the uncompleted 11-storey edifice in the Central Business District.
“The attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to revoke the right of occupancy of the national secretariat of the PDP is highly condemnable,” Ologunagba said.
“It is aimed at stifling opposition in this country and, of course, a drive towards totalitarianism, and it is a threat to democracy.
“It is an attempt to stifle opposition.”
Ologunagba added that the national working committee (NWC) of the PDP would take a position on the revocation after an emergency meeting.
The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State can be traced back to October 2023, when tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, escalated.
Naija News reports that the situation worsened on 29 October 2023, when a section of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex was bombed, further heightening the political tensions.
Fubara and Wike have been engaged in a prolonged power struggle over control of political structures in the state, with both sides vying for influence.
On 7th October 2024, the conflict took a more violent turn when three local government secretariats were set on fire, intensifying fears of further unrest.
In December 2023, the political crisis deepened when 27 lawmakers from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) “defected” to the All Progressives Congress (APC), sparking a constitutional debate over their actions. The Rivers State High Court ruled that the seats of the defecting lawmakers were vacant, a decision that was later challenged and led to a series of ongoing legal battles.
These events have culminated in the president’s decision to declare a state of emergency in the state to restore stability and address the ongoing political unrest.
According to The Nation, here is a timeline of the Rivers political crisis:
29 October 2023 – A section of the State House of Assembly Complex went into flames after suspected arsonists bombed it. This was on the eve of the impeachment attempt on Governor Fubara.
30 October 2023 – Some lawmakers, backed by Wike, initiatedimpeachment proceedings against Fubara
31 October 2023 – President Bola Tinubu mediated in the political rift between Fubara and Wike at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The mediation failed after a short while.
11 December 2023 – The 27 pro-Wike lawmakers announced their defection from the PDP to APC, citing divisions within the PDP.
12 December 2023 – A State High Court in Port Harcourt, via an order, cleared the way for Governor Fubara-backed four-member Assembly to hold legislative business without interference by the Amaewhule-led faction.
13 December 2023 – Edison Ehie, the speaker of the four-member faction, declared vacant the seats of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers who defected to the APC, setting the tone for another phase of the political fight.
Fubara presented the N800 billion 2024 budget to the four-member assembly.
14 December 2023 – Fubara signed the N800 billion 2024 appropriation bill into law. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Zacchaeus Adangor, resigned, citing “personal principles.”
15 December 2023 – More Wike’s loyalists resigned as commissioners, increasing the tally to nine.
18 December 2023 –Fubara and Wikesigned a peace deal at a meeting convened by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
20 December 2023 – The lawmakers withdrew theimpeachment notice against Governor Fubara.
31 December 2023 – Ehie, the factional speaker, who led a four-member Fubara-backed assembly, resigned.
4 January 2024 –Ehie withdrew a contempt suit against pro-Wike lawmakers, suggesting the political crisis in the state was approaching an end.
17 January 2024 – Rivers Assembly reconfirmed the nine pro-Wike commissioners who resigned from the cabinet in December
22 January 2024 – A Federal High Court in Abujaset aside the state’s N800 billion budget signed into law in December 2023 by Governor Fubara.
26 January 2024 – The Rivers Assembly stripped Governor Fubara of the power to appoint caretaker committees for local government councils after the assembly rejected the governor’s veto against its legislation.
24 April 2024 – Governor Fubara reshuffled cabinet, and redeployedthree Wike-backed commissioners. The commissioners rejected their redeployment and resignedhours later.
6 May 2024 – Governor Fubara declared that Rivers had no House of Assembly.
8 May 2024 – Victor Oko-Jumbo, a lawmaker from Bonny Constituency, emerged as the speaker of a three-member Rivers Assembly, creating more confusion and deepening the political crisis in the state.
10 May 2024 – Fubara relocated the legislative business of the Assembly to the Government House in Port Harcourt. A State High Court in Port Harcourt barred Wike’s allies from parading themselves as lawmakers.
13 May 2024—Governor Fubaravowed to probe the administration of his predecessor, Wike
15 May 2024 – Five more commissioners resigned, citing various reasons.
21 May 2024 – A State High Court in Port Harcourt nullified the amended Rivers local government law, which granted tenure extension for the local government council officials in the state
7 June 2024 – Rivers State Government approved N19.6 billion for the reconstruction of the Rivers House of Assembly Complex, six months after it was demolished.
18 June 2024 – Fubara, in a statewide broadcast, directed outgoing council officials to vacate office immediately following the expiration of their tenure.
19 June 2024: Governor Fubara inaugurated the chairpersons of the caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas in the state.
25 June 2024 –Dynamite exploded near Hotel Presidential along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, during a protest in solidarity with Wike.
4 July 2024—The Appeal Court in Abuja reinstated the pro-Wike lawmakers. The appellate court said the lower court lacked jurisdiction to grant the ex parte order it issued.
9 July 2024 – Pro-Wike lawmakers gave Governor Fubara a seven-day ultimatum to re-present the 2024 budget to them for consideration, their first legislative action after reinstatement.
21 July 2024 – A Federal High Court in Abuja declined pro-Wike lawmakers’ prayer to stop Governor Fubara from spending state funds.
13 August 2024 – Wikevowed never to support Fubara again in his political life, saying his successor was “ungrateful”.
25 August 2024 – APP in Rivers State asked Governor Fubara to seek re-election in 2027 under the party platform, claiming that the PDP had lost relevance in the state.
4 September 2024 – Justice I.P.C Igwe of a State High in Rivers orders Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct local elections in the state, using the 2023 voters register.
20 September 2024 – A Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit seeking to sack pro-Wike lawmakers.
21 September 2024 – Governor Fubara’s allies picked APP forms for local elections, following PDP’s boycott of the exercise.
30 September 2024 – A Federal High Court in Abuja barred INEC from releasing voters’ register to RSIEC for local elections and further barred the police from providing security for the exercise.
4 October 2024 – Governor Fubara visited the RSIEC office and allegedly foiled an attempt by the police to “cart away” materials meant for the local elections. Police barred operatives from providing security for the election.
5 October 2024 – Fubara conducted local elections in the state where chairmanship candidates of APP won in 22 local councils in Rivers while Action Alliance won in one.
6 October 2024 – Fubara inaugurated chairpersons at Government House.
7 October 2024 – Police unsealed local government secretariats after four months.
8 October 2024 – Governor Fubara constituted a seven-man judicial panel of enquiry to investigate the cause of post-election violence and make recommendations for the state government.
10 October 2024 – The Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed the nullification of Rivers 2024 budget. The appellate court affirmed pro-Wike lawmakers as the legitimate legislative authority in the state.
Governor Fubara filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, insisting the seats of the defected lawmakers remain vacant.
February 2025 – The Supreme Court restored Amaewhule’s position as the speaker, reinstated the others as legitimate members of the assembly, and nullified the local election organised by Fubara’s administration.
The lawmakers subsequently gave the governor 48 hours to re-present the budget.
The Governor had vowed to implement the order of the Supreme Court despite disagreeing with the verdict.
His efforts to re-present the budget were unsuccessful as the lawmakers denied him access to the assembly quarters last Wednesday.
On Monday, the battle took a new twist when 26 lawmakers served a notice of alleged misconduct against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The notice of misconduct against the duo marks a resumption of the impeachment plot against them.
18 March 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Fubara and Odu for six months and declared a state of emergency in the state.
Otive Igbuzor, executive director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), says it does not speak well of Nigeria’s democracy that nine million of the country’s 200 million population played the decisive role in electing President Bola Tinubu in 2023.
According to the final tallies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from all 36 states and Abuja, Tinubu garnered about 36.6 percent or 8.79 million valid votes, while Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), trailed behind with 29.1 percent or 6.98 million of valid votes.
Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) received 25.4 percent or about 6.1 million votes.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at a political dialogue on election credibility threshold in Nigeria, organised by the LSD, Igbuzor said more Nigerians need to be involved in the electioneering process.
“It doesn’t speak well of the country’s democracy that nine million Nigerians, representing 26 percent of the country’s 200 million population, played the decisive role in the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the polls,” he said.
“So, that pillar of our work is very important for us. Why is it that people don’t vote in Nigeria, and what can we do to make them vote?
“And then the last pillar, pillar four, is monitoring key stakeholders in the electoral process. And this, what we are doing today, is dealing with the credibility of elections.
“So, we want to have indices to measure credibility. And our aspiration is that we will create an index, just like we have a poverty index, so if there is an election in the US, we go to the US and use the index to measure it.
“If there is an election in Ghana, we go to Ghana and use the index to measure it. That is our aspiration.”
He said notwithstanding the challenges associated with democratic rule in the polity, it is still better than military rule.
On his part, Iroro Izu, a lecturer in the department of political science and international relations at Nile University, recommended that transparency and accountability checkers should be developed and used to gauge the operational credibility of the key stakeholders in future elections.
Izu also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create more polling units to make voting centers easier, more convenient, and more accessible.
“As recommended by the Mohammed Uwais electoral reform commission, INEC should be unbundled to several independent entities for purposes of efficiency and effectiveness to the end that one of such entities will deal with election offences,” he said.
“Another will deal with political parties’ conduct, especially in the area of primary elections; also, a third entity could be in charge of massive re-orientation of citizens, politicians, security personnel, and other stakeholders.
“Civil society organisations with vast experience in election matters should be engaged in the training and retraining of election workers and in election monitoring.
“INEC, as an impartial player in the election enterprise, could use any legal measure to execute and achieve its mandate.
“Traditional rulers and religious leaders should be co-opted in sensitisation campaigns and appeals to the consciences of all stakeholders involved in the election business.
“The law should be guaranteed to ensure the conduct of all elections in one day to avoid continued subtle disenfranchisement of many as a result of lethargy or voter fatigue.
“INEC should make it an official policy to prioritise the use of political science and statistics graduates in election duties.
“This is because most times INEC staffers who engage in questionable dealings during elections do so out of ignorance of how the process should work. It is true that they are trained, but most times the training period is too short, abrupt, and inconclusive.”
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the federal executive council (FEC) has approved N158 billion for the procurement of electric vehicles for the north-east.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the Harvard Kennedy School alumni on a Nigeria-Ghana trek at the presidential villa, Abuja, Shettima said FEC gave the approval last week.
The vice-president said the federal government is investing heavily in electric vehicles to ease the hardship caused by petrol subsidy removal.
“We are investing massively in green technology – electric buses, electric cars and electric tricycles. Just two weeks ago, the Federal Executive Council approved an expenditure of N158 billion for the procurement of those items for the North East and it will be replicated in other sub-regions of the country,” he said.
Shettima also commended President Bola Tinubu’s decisive leadership, saying that the removal of the petrol subsidy was a crucial step towards economic growth.
He, however, assured that measures being put in place to address the challenges caused by the subsidy removal such as alternative energy sources, and investment in green technology will soon improve the living standard of Nigerians.
“When we assumed the mantle of leadership, the greatest albatross around the neck of the Nigerian government over the past 50 years had been subsidy on petroleum products. We came to a point where we either get rid of the subsidy or the subsidy will get rid of the Nigerian nation,” Shettima said.
“So, my boss (President Tinubu) took the bullet, and we knew that if we failed to address the fuel subsidy scam within the first three weeks of the administration, we wouldn’t dare to do that again. In his inaugural address, he took the bullet and announced the removal of the fuel subsidy. And we should know the consequences of unveiling a masquerade; they came after us. We stood our ground and the fuel subsidy was gone.”
He also highlighted the administration’s fiscal reforms, including the unification of exchange rates, which he said has curbed corruption in the foreign exchange market.
Shettima urged the delegation to ignore the negative narratives about Nigeria and focus on the development strides of the government.
Also speaking, Jumoke Oduwole, minister of trade, industry, and investment, said Nigeria is leveraging its trade policy under the World Trade Organisation (WTO), with a strong focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Oduwole said while oil and gas remain a significant revenue source, the country is shifting its focus toward export diversification, particularly in the technology sector, which now contributes approximately 70 percent to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP).
‘THERE’S STABILITY IN ALL SECTORS DUE TO TIMELY POLICIES’
Responding to questions on government policies and the economy’s direction, Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, said the country’s economic trajectory has improved significantly under Tinubu’s leadership.
“Today, there is stability in all sectors of the economy due to timely and sound policies, reduction in frivolous spending, removal of petroleum subsidy that was draining the government of up to 5% of the GDP and drawing from the Central Bank far beyond the limits,” Edun said.
According to Edun, inflation rates are declining, exchange rates have stabilised, and the cost of food and energy is becoming more affordable, while the fiscal deficit shows there is a commitment to prudence by the government.
On her part, Olu Verheijen, special adviser to the president on energy, said the energy sector has undergone significant structural reforms.
Verheijen added that although the sector contributes less than 10 percent to Nigeria’s GDP, it remains a crucial source of foreign exchange earnings and fiscal income.
The presidential aide said a key policy focus of the Tinubu administration is to position energy as a catalyst for economic diversification and revenue generation, aiming to boost productivity and earnings across various sectors.
Says Amaewhule, 26 Lawmakers Not Members Of PDP
Rivers State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, has threatened to expel the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike if the political crisis engulfing the state continues unabated.
PDP alleged that the former governor had committed several anti-party activities that the various organs of the party should not hesitate to commence a process of either suspending him or be expelled from the party.
Speaking during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the acting state chairman of the PDP, Robinson Ewor also dismissed the Supreme Court judgment to the extent that Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers actually defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“Supreme Court made three essential orders. At this stage, Supreme Court erred in law. The FCT minister is in the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and you know no man can serve two Gods. Even the bible says it, you will satisfy one, you won’t satisfy the other one.
“Because Nyesom Wike is serving in the government of Ahmed Tinubu, there is no way his loyalty will be in PDP any more. His loyalty 100 percent is in APC. What constitutes anti-party activity is that if you take actions that brings the party to disrepute. That is anti-party activity. The FCT minister has taken several actions that have brought the PDP to disrepute.
“The party will take action at the appropriate time. You have organs of the party. We have the NEC, NWC and the state executive committees. The party organs trickles down to the wards. You know the challenge Wike created in this state for us as a party. The day we properly take over the party in the state, we will discipline Nyesom Wike for anti-party including suspension or expelling him from the party.
“The party will do that at the appropriate time. We will expel him from the party depending on the gravity of the offence”, Ewor said.
The PDP acting chairman said the position of the party is that “Martins Amaewhule and co defected from the PDP to the APC. He announced on the floor of the House of Assembly. He deposed to the affidavit in Abuja High Court. Supreme Court erred in law. Amaewhule and 26 others are not members of our party.
“If they were members of our party, the Supreme Court had ordered you to go and receive the budget but what are they doing now? Even the President had acknowledged that the 27 lawmakers had defected from the PDP. It is not about what the Supreme Court said”.
The party however hailed Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his commitment to implementing the judgment of the Supreme Court for the good of Rivers people and appealed to the 27 lawmakers to see reason and also comply in a way that would be for the betterment of the state.
“Though the Supreme Court said that Martins Amaewhule and 26 others never defected from the PDP, we have sufficient evidence including affidavit they deposed to. Martins Amaewhule read their defection letter on the floor of the House of Assembly. Tony Okocha, the then APC chairman received them. We as a party can tell you that they are no more our members. The Supreme Court has given what they asked and what they did not ask for”.
The party appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to sheathe his sword and allow peace to return to the state so that Governor Fubara can concentrate on governance.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria, is a distinguished Nigerian naval officer and diplomat.
He served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy from July 2015 until his retirement in January 2021.
In recognition of his outstanding service, he was appointed as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana in 2021.
On the 18th of March 2025, he was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to become the administrator of Rivers State.
Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas: Educational Background and Naval Training
Ibas began his early education at Nko Primary School before completing it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971. He proceeded to Hope Waddell Training Institute (1972-1976) and later attended the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja (1977-1979).
His naval journey commenced at the Nigerian Defence Academy on June 20, 1979, as part of the 26th Regular Course, leading to his commission as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.
His commitment to professional development saw him undergo extensive military training.
Distinguished Naval Career of Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas held numerous key positions in the Nigerian Navy. As a midshipman, he served aboard NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu.
After commissioning as a sub-lieutenant, he was a watchkeeping officer on NNS Ayam and NNS Ekpe. Between 1993 and 1996, he became the executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe.
He later commanded the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997–1998) and Forward Operating Base Ibaka (1998–2000). Excelling in the Senior Staff Course, he was appointed as a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2000–2002) and later served as Director, Maritime Warfare (2009–2010) and Deputy Commandant (2014).
Ibas was the naval provost marshal (2003–2004) and principal staff officer to the Chief of Naval Staff (2004–2005). He served as command operations officer, Western Naval Command (2006) and commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo (2006–2009). He later became chief staff officer, Naval Training Command (2010–2011), chief of administration, Naval Headquarters (2011–2012), and Navy Secretary (2012–2013).
He commanded the Western Naval Command (2013–2014) before being appointed chief of logistics (2014) and GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings (2014). On 13 July 2015, he became the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff.
Diplomatic Role and National Service
Upon retirement from active naval service, Ibas transitioned into diplomacy, serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana from 2021. His appointment underscored his vast experience in security, strategic relations, and international diplomacy.
Personal Life and Interests
Vice Admiral Ibas is married to Barrister Theresa Ibas, and they are blessed with children. Beyond his professional engagements, he enjoys reading, watching documentaries, and playing golf.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday in a nationwide address on the crisis rocking Rivers State, declared Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state.
Naija News gathered that the President issued the declaration after suspending the Governor of the State, Siminalayi Fubara for six months.
Also suspended by the President according to the provision of the constitution is the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Tinubu, in his declaration, stated, “In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.
“This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”
Youths from the Niger Delta region, under the banner of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), have called on President Bola Tinubu to remove Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from office.
The group warned that failure to address their demand could negatively impact Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
In a mass demonstration on Tuesday, thousands of IYC members blocked the East/West Road for over ten hours, disrupting economic activities and vowing to continue their protests unless their demands are met.
The protest, which brought business and travel to a halt, was a direct response to what they described as insulting comments made by Wike against the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
IYC President, Dr. Alaye Theophilus, who led the protest, told Vanguard, “The youths have come out today to say enough is enough. The FCT Minister’s uncomplimentary statements about the Ijaw Nation are unacceptable. We are here to demand that President Tinubu call him to order.”
The protests were triggered by Wike’s remarks, in which he referred to the Ijaw people as a “minority within the minorities,” a statement that IYC leaders considered highly disrespectful.
Theophilus emphasized, “We cannot allow one man to cause problems in Rivers State and disrespect the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality as if he is an emperor. Wike’s claim that the Ijaw are a ‘minority within the minorities’ is an insult taken too far.”
Naija News reports that the IYC leader also blamed Wike for the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, warning that if the situation is not addressed, President Tinubu will be held accountable for any escalation.
The East/West Road is a major economic route connecting the Niger Delta to Lagos and the Northeast, and continued protests, Theophilus stated, would severely disrupt businesses and economic activities.
“The President must understand that if he values his 2027 re-election ambition, he should act now and remove Wike to restore peace in Rivers State,” Theophilus declared.
The demonstration, which included Ijaw youths from Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States, was marked by peaceful chanting and the display of banners calling for Wike’s removal. However, Theophilus warned that if no action is taken by Friday, March 21, the IYC would resume its protests.
The IYC also urged the federal government to act swiftly to prevent further disruptions and protect the economic stability of the region.
The group made it clear that their protests would continue if their demands were not met, signaling the potential for future unrest.
President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu for six months.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” he said in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday.
Details later…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocation for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja.
The decision was conveyed in a letter dated March 13, 2025, titled “Notice of Right of Occupancy with File No: MISC 81346 in Respect of Plot No: 243 within Central Area District, Abuja.”
Signed by the Director of Land Administration (FCT), Chijioke Nwankwoeze, the letter cited the PDP’s failure to pay annual ground rents from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025, as the reason for the revocation.
The letter read, “I have been directed to refer to the above Right of Occupancy granted to PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT and inform you that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja.
“The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for twenty (20) years, from Ist of January 2006 to 1st of January 2025. This is despite the many publications made by the FCT Administration since 2023 in several national dailies and on electronic media requesting all allottees of plots in the Federal Capital Territory to pay up every outstanding bill and ground rent on their property.
“You would please note that the said breaches by PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT (MISC 81346) run contrary to the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”
Details shortly…
[TheNation]
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The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to probe allegations about Standard Organisation of Nigeria’s reversal of its decision to shut down 18 companies found wanting in the production and distribution of substandard building materials, especially manufacturers of iron rods.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Edo lawmaker, Mr Billy Osawaru.
Osawaru, a member of the All Progressives Congress urged the House to ask SON to do everything possible to eliminate fake products particularly building materials from the Nigerian market and ensure only quality products find their way to markets nationwide.
Osawaru had expressed concern about the incessant occurrence of building collapse in Nigeria, a development he attributed to the use of substandard products, poor regulatory practices and poor construction processes.
Quoting statistics from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Osawaru said that Nigeria recorded 47 building collapses across 14 states in 2024, with Lagos State accounting for about 56 per cent of them through 13 incidents, followed by Abuja with 4.37 per cent having recorded six collapse incidents.
He lamented that the use of substandard materials has sent numerous lives to their early grave, adding that at least, three buildings have collapsed in different states since January 2025, leading to several deaths and casualties.
“This is a clear indication that the Standard Organization of Nigeria has not done enough to prevent further occurrences.
“Study has revealed that poor quality of materials and cheap labour contributed about 53 per cent of building collapse in Nigeria with most of them being private residential buildings executed by indigenous companies and locals.
“SON allegedly reversed its decision to shut down 18 companies implicated in the production and distribution of substandard building materials, particularly iron rod manufacturers.
“The reversal, reportedly influenced by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has sparked criticism from different quarters, raising concern over the government’s commitment to enforcing quality standards in the construction industry.
“The alleged defaulted companies responsible for production of substandard building materials especially irons hides under the weak enforcement mechanisms in Nigeria to flood the Nigerian market with inferior products while exporting products of high quality to countries where substandard materials are not tolerated,” he said.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to investigate the organisation and make useful recommendations on how to tackle the scourge of substandard building materials in the country.
[Punch]
AMIDST the heightening tension in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting behind closed doors with the Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Also present at the meeting are the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.
Besides, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon.Tajudeen Abbas, and the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, were also spotted at the Presidential Villa.
It is unclear if the presiding officers of the National Assembly are part of the meeting with security chiefs.
Those in attendance are the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Directors General of the Department of State Service, DSS, Mr Adeola Ajayi and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Mohammed Mohammed.
Although the agenda of the meeting is not made public at the time of filing this report, it may not be unconnected with the security situation in the country.
Besides, the meeting is coming on the heels of is an explosion that rocked a section of the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community in Gonna Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The explosion occurred late on Monday night near the Bodo-Bonny Road under construction.
Recall that the youth wing of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, had given the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike a 48-hour to apologize to the Ijaw nation over his recent utterances on the political crisis in Rivers State.
The ultimatum issued to the minister to apologize over his alleged attack on PANDEF and South-South leaders expired on Monday.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adamu Garba has issued a warning to members of his party.
He warned that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike may “scatter” the party like he did to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
According to Garba, Wike if allowed to continue what he termed overreach on Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State, he would scatter APC like he did to PDP before 2027.
In a post on Facebook, he wrote: “If we allow Wike to continue his overreach on Fubara in Rivers, he’ll scatter us before 2027 as he scatters the PDP before 2023.
“Amid current situation, the timing is very poor.
“There is wisdom in exercising restraint even when you appear more powerful.”
Nigerian actress Adebanke Adeyeye Awa, better known as Debanke is now a mother. The actress on her birthday in February had announced that she was expecting her first child.
Debanke shared a photo of herself cradling her baby bump and described her newfound blessing as the best birthday gift.
Moments ago on her official Instagram account, the Yoruba actress shared photos of herself from the hospital bed as she revealed that her newborn arrived safely into the world on January 29th.
The new mum cradled her baby in her arms, an emotional look on her face. Debanke captioned the post:
“My sunshine arrived safely into this world on 1/29/2025
Second slide: Is that moment you realize that every contraction was a gift
I’m officially a MOM!”.
The actress’s colleagues filled the comment section with congratulatory messages and prayed for the newborn.