The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), has demanded a refund of ₦300 million from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), following the association’s recent decision to relocate its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.

In a statement signed by Hector Igbikiowubo, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Sole Administrator, Ibas criticized the NBA’s justification for moving the event despite having accepted the state’s payment for hosting rights.

> “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association, despite its ‘principled position,’ failed to address the refund of the ₦300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government,” the statement read.

He urged the NBA to demonstrate integrity by promptly refunding the amount, arguing that it was unethical to benefit from a state the association now publicly discredits.

The NBA had cited alleged breaches of democratic norms and the rule of law under the sole administration as part of its reasons for the relocation. However, Ibas dismissed those claims as misleading, uncharitable, and unbecoming of a legal body that prides itself on fairness and justice.

Defending the legality of his administration, Ibas stated that the state of emergency declared in Rivers was a constitutional necessity, responding to a breakdown of public order. He emphasized that President Tinubu acted within his constitutional authority by appointing a Sole Administrator to stabilize the state.

> “The Sole Administrator’s mandate is clear: to oversee a transitional period that ensures the return of full democratic governance,” Ibas said, referencing the Supreme Court ruling in Suit No. SC/CV/1176/2024 which invalidated elections held in violation of the Electoral Act.

He added that the NBA’s position ignores judicial precedent and oversimplifies a complex constitutional issue for political gain.

> “Rather than contributing to unnecessary tension, we expect the NBA—as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s democracy—to engage constructively, offering solutions instead of amplifying divisive narratives,” the statement concluded.

The Sole Administrator reaffirmed his commitment to restoring democratic institutions and upholding constitutional rights across Rivers State.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has declared the party’s full support for the creation of Anioma State, describing the long-standing demand as a “done deal.”

Ganduje made the declaration while officially welcoming members of the Delta Unity Group from Ika Federal Constituency into the APC during a high-profile gathering in Delta State.

The event witnessed the presence of several APC leaders from Delta and Edo States, including Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District. Nwoko described the development as a “defining moment for Delta politics and the Anioma people.”

In a statement signed by Michael Ogar, media consultant to Senator Nwoko, Ganduje was quoted as saying that the APC is “fully aligned with the aspirations of the Anioma people,” noting that the proposal has the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC governors, the National Assembly, and the broader party leadership.

> “The creation of Anioma State is not just an aspiration; it is a commitment that reflects equity, justice, and the unity of our nation,” Ganduje asserted.

Senator Nwoko, a vocal advocate for Anioma State, hailed the announcement as a major step forward in correcting what he called a regional imbalance in the Nigerian federation.

> “This is the clearest signal that the dream of Anioma State is not only alive but now anchored at the very heart of national policymaking,” Nwoko said. “Our people deserve inclusion, and this is the pathway to lasting justice and balance.”

The development is expected to strengthen APC’s foothold in Delta State, particularly in Delta North, as grassroots mobilization around state creation gains momentum. Political observers view the announcement as a strategic move by the ruling party to deepen support in the South-South region ahead of future elections.

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have firmly distanced themselves from any ongoing merger speculations, asserting that the party will not dissolve into any coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) meeting held on Monday, April 15, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The meeting was chaired by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed.

“The PDP remains open to welcoming individuals and groups who share our vision of reclaiming power and entrenching good governance,” the Forum stated. “However, we are not involved in, nor are we contemplating, any form of merger or coalition that compromises our identity.”

Amid recent internal controversies, the Forum reiterated its earlier decision from the Asaba meeting, emphasizing that the position of National Secretary remains zoned to the South East. Following the Supreme Court judgment, the governors recommended that the Deputy National Secretary serve in an acting capacity until a substantive appointment is made.

The governors also expressed solidarity with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, describing the federal government’s moves towards declaring a state of emergency in the state as “an ordeal” inflicted on the people of Rivers.

“We stand by Governor Fubara and will oppose any undemocratic attempts to destabilize the government of Rivers State,” the communiqué read.

To reinforce constitutional safeguards, the governors announced plans to seek legal clarity from the Supreme Court on the process for declaring a state of emergency.

On the worsening insecurity across the country, particularly in Plateau, Borno, Edo, and Katsina States, the Forum called for a “bottom-up security approach,” empowering state governments to serve as first responders to violent threats.

The governors condemned the recent attacks in Plateau State and extended condolences to the victims’ families and affected communities.

In a move to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, the PDP Governors fixed May 27, 2025, for a PDP Stakeholders Meeting and scheduled the National Convention to hold in Kano from August 28 to 30, 2025.

Two key committees were set up to facilitate the convention process:

Zoning Committee: Chaired by Governor Douye Diri (Bayelsa), with Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) as Vice Chairman, and Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) as Secretary.

National Convention Committee: Headed by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (Adam

…Your Father Never Backed Mine – Atiku’s Son Fires Back at Bauchi Gov’s Son

Tensions are rising within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 presidential election as sons of two political heavyweights—former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed—engaged in a heated verbal exchange over political loyalties.

Mohammed Atiku-Abubakar, son of the former Vice President, on Monday lashed out at Shamsu Bala Mohammed, son of the Bauchi Governor, accusing him and his father of never supporting Atiku’s presidential bids in both 2019 and 2023.

This follows Shamsu’s recent comment threatening that his father will not back Atiku in the 2027 election—an assertion that provoked a sharp response.

Mohammed Atiku-Abubakar dismissed Shamsu’s remarks as “arrogant” and indicative of “an exaggerated sense of relevance,” insisting that Atiku never received political support from Governor Bala.

“The only difference now is that Shamsu has removed the mask and now we do not have to worry about the feigned impression of any support from his father,” he said in a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja.

He further stated, “Let it be known to Shamsu that never has Atiku dissipated an ounce of energy towards his father’s political travails. Atiku’s politics transcends such shenanigans, and he has consistently remained above bar.”

Mohammed also referenced remarks by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who had accused Governor Bala of covertly working against Atiku during the 2023 presidential election, a claim that has further strained intra-party relationships.

“It is noteworthy to mention that Governor Bala Mohammed’s presidential ambition is the reason for his poor management of the PDP Governors’ Forum, where he couldn’t command the respect and control of his colleagues,” he added.

While dismissing any notion of political betrayal, Atiku’s son accused the Bauchi Governor of “secret hobnobbing with Tinubu’s government,” further fueling speculations about shifting allegiances ahead of the 2027 race.

He concluded his statement by urging Shamsu to focus on meaningful political discourse “that advances our dear country Nigeria, not on needless rantings.”

The public spat underscores growing tensions and potential realignments within the PDP as the countdown to 2027 begins.