Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas Commits to Law and Order in Rivers State Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the newly appointed Administrator of Rivers State, has assured that he will work closely with all stakeholders to restore peace and stability in the state. His statement came after his official swearing-in ceremony, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday. The brief inauguration event was witnessed by key government officials, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside other presidential aides. Ibas Outlines Priorities for Rivers State Speaking to journalists at the State House, Ibas emphasized the importance of law and order, stating that without security and stability, meaningful development in Rivers State would be unattainable. “We all understand the circumstances that brought us here. As clearly stated by Mr. President in his national address, maintaining law and order is the primary focus,” Ibas noted. “For any progress to be achieved in Rivers State, ensuring peace and stability is of utmost priority. I will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to foster security and governance, not just in the state but across Nigeria.” State of Emergency in Rivers and Ibas’ Appointment President Tinubu, in his national address on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to ongoing political tensions. As part of the emergency measures, the President appointed Ibas to oversee the state’s administration for an initial six-month period. Who is Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas? Ibas, born on September 27, 1960, has had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Navy. He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1983 and steadily rose through various command positions before being appointed Chief of Naval Staff by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2015. He held the position until his retirement in 2021. Following his retirement, Ibas was appointed as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, where he served between 2021 and 2023, further enhancing his diplomatic and leadership credentials. Implications of the State of Emergency The state of emergency in Rivers State is a significant development that has sparked reactions from political analysts and stakeholders. Many are watching closely to see how Ibas will navigate the crisis and restore confidence in governance. Read more about Nigeria’s governance structure here. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
Lagos Speaker Engages in Peace Talks, Set to Withdraw Lawsuit The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has refuted claims that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, will be stepping down as part of the leadership crisis resolution within the House. The party clarified that Obasa’s resignation was not included in the agreed terms of settlement. Following his re-election, Obasa engaged in a peace dialogue with lawmakers to mend differences and foster unity within the legislative body. Additionally, he has confirmed his intention to withdraw the lawsuit he had previously filed regarding his removal. Leadership Crisis Resolution: Facts vs. Speculations The leadership dispute saw Mrs. Mojisola Meranda stepping down as Speaker, paving the way for Obasa’s re-election. However, reports surfaced that a deal had been struck for Obasa to relinquish his position within 48 hours, allowing a new Speaker from Lagos West to take over—a claim now dismissed by the APC. On Monday, key stakeholders, including the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) Chairman, Pa Tajudeen Olusi, Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), met with the opposing lawmakers to find a resolution. APC Clarifies Obasa’s Position Lagos APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, debunked the speculation surrounding Obasa’s resignation, stating that such an arrangement was never discussed. “To the best of my knowledge, there was no point during negotiations where Obasa’s resignation was mentioned as part of the settlement,” Oladejo affirmed. Regarding the lawsuit against fellow lawmakers, Oladejo confirmed that Obasa would withdraw the case imminently in the interest of restoring harmony within the House and ensuring party unity. Closed-Door Reconciliation Meeting In a bid to mend internal divisions, Speaker Obasa convened a private reconciliation session with 39 legislators at the assembly complex. The meeting, attended by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, commenced at 2:10 PM. According to sources, the primary goal was to ease tensions and align lawmakers towards a unified legislative direction. A credible insider disclosed that Obasa’s lawsuit against the Lagos State House of Assembly and 33 legislators at the Ikeja Court would soon be withdrawn. Additionally, the House has been instructed to resume its legislative duties the following day. For further insights into the Lagos Assembly’s ongoing leadership developments, visit Vanguard for credible updates. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
