Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Chief Onueze Okocha, has urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to shelve any plans to probe Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who served as the Sole Administrator of the state earlier this year.

Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, Okocha advised lawmakers to redirect their efforts towards rebuilding the state through meaningful legislative action, rather than initiating inquiries that may be seen as politically motivated.

Ibas was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as Rivers State’s sole administrator between March and September 2025, following the temporary suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Since his departure from office, calls have emerged for an investigation into his six-month tenure.

However, Okocha warned that such a probe might be perceived as a witch-hunt, arguing that Ibas was not accountable to the state assembly but to the President who appointed him.

“I think Vice Admiral Ibas deserves respect. He was brought in to carry out a specific mandate during an emergency. He neither reported to the assembly nor was answerable to them,” Okocha said.

He emphasized the need for harmony among the three arms of government, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, stating that conflict would hinder progress in the state.

“If Rivers State must move forward, the focus should be on restoring peace, strengthening institutions, and rebuilding democratic structures, not engaging in retroactive political battles,” he added.

Okocha concluded by urging the lawmakers to prioritize legislative responsibilities that promote development and stability over politically divisive actions.

The Abia State Government has fired a sharp rebuttal at the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, over his recent criticism of Governor Alex Otti’s administration.

In a statement released Monday, the government described Kalu’s comments as “ignorant, misleading and politically motivated.”

Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, accused Kalu of drawing “infantile comparisons” between Governor Otti and his predecessors, claiming the Deputy Speaker lacked basic economic understanding.

“Abia’s year-to-date FAAC allocation for 2025, including local governments, stands at ₦125 billion. If Kalu’s claim of ₦38 billion monthly were true, the total would reach ₦304 billion,” Ekeoma said.

“Is that a figure a Deputy Speaker should be associated with if he’s serious about governance?”

Ekeoma also addressed the worsening value of the naira and rising project costs. He explained that what ₦3.2 billion buys today would have cost ₦1 billion in 2023.

“A project that was ₦1 billion in 2022 now demands nearly ₦4 billion. Kalu seems oblivious to that,” he stated.

Turning to governance achievements, the statement highlighted that the Otti administration raised the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to between ₦70,000 and ₦74,000 and expanded the verified state workforce from 31,000 to over 67,000.

The government further accused Kalu of hypocrisy, suggesting his political attacks stem from a personal ambition ahead of the 2027 governorship race.

“If Kalu cared about his constituents, he’d acknowledge how many workers were previously excluded from payrolls. Yet he remained silent then,” the release claimed.

Ekeoma lambasted Kalu’s recent appearance at an Aba event, calling it a showpiece move.

“He staged a public commentary when he could’ve done it privately if sincere,” he said.

The statement concluded with a counseled message: “Kalu should focus on his legislative duty and not mislead Nigerians with flawed figures. He might want to chill, grab a cold drink, and wait until it’s time to seriously declare his ambitions.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja, was Monday, asked to issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining former President Goodluck Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party in the country for the purpose of contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The court was equally urged to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from accepting from any political party, Jonathan’s name or publishing same as a duly nominated candidate for the presidential contest.

While ex-President Jonathan was cited as the 1st defendant in the matter, both INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation, were listed as 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.

Specifically, the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/ 2025, hich was brought before the court by a lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, posed a lone question for the court to determine:

“Whether in view of the combined provisions of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and their conflated interpretation, the 1st Defendant is eligible, under any circumstances [whatsoever] to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”

Upon the determination of the question, the plaintiff, sought four principal reliefs, to wit:

“A declaration of this Honourable Court that upon an intimate reading and complete understanding of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended the first Defendant [GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN] is ineligible to stand for or occupy the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“A declaration of this Honorable Court that in view of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended the 2nd Defendant [the INEC] lacks the constitutional power to receive from any political party the name of the first defendant or publish same as the candidate of any political party for the election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria holding in 2027 and other years to come.

“An order of perpetual injunction of this Honourable Court restraining the first Defendant [Goodluck Ebele Jonathan] from presenting himself to any political party in Nigeria for nomination as its candidate for the general election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria holding in 2027 and other years to come.

“An order of perpetual injunction of this Honourable Court restraining the 2nd Defendant [INEC] from either accepting from any political party in Nigeria the name of the 1st Defendant [Goodluck Ebele Jonathan] or publishing same as a candidate for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria holding in 2027 and other years to come.”

As well as, “an order of this Honourable Court directing the 3rd Defendant [Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation] to ensure compliance with the decisions and Orders of this court.”

In an affidavit of facts that was deposed to in support of the suit by one Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff told the court that he is an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law.

He told the court that the 1st defendant was first sworn in as President on May 6, 2010, following the death of then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on the May 5,2010, having previously been the Vice-President.

The plaintiff said he recently saw on various national dailies and television stations, reports on Jonathan’s intention to contest for the presidency in 2027.

“That the Plaintiff believes that the 1st defendant, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election, has exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures as President.

“That if the court does not intervene timeously, a political party may present the 1st defendant as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, thereby breaching the Constitution.”

On his locus standi (legal right) to institute the action, the plaintiff maintained that part of his duties, as a lawyer, is to forestall a violation of the constitution and to uphold the rule of law.

“There are chances that one of the political parties in Nigeria may favour the 1st defendant to stand as its presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to be conducted and overseen by the 2nd Defendant.

“If unchallenged, the 1st defendant may enter the 2027 presidential race on the platform of one of the political parties in Nigeria and may possibly emerge the winner of the said election.

“In the event the 1st defendant is returned as elected and sworn as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come in 2027, it will mark the 3rd time the 1st defendant will be taking oath of office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In the event the 1st defendant is returned as elected and sworn as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come in 2027, the plaintiff as a Nigerian citizen, would become one of the those under the governance control of the 1st defendant [who by virtue of his office would be saddled with the responsibility of executing the laws of the country].

“As a Nigerian lawyer trained in Nigerian constitutional law, the plaintiff has come across a provision in the Nigerian constitution stating that a person who was sworn-in as President to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.

“The plaintiff knows that the 1st defendant was indeed, on the 6th May, 2010, sworn in as President to complete the term for which (former) President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was elected as President as a consequence of the demise of the former President on the 5th day of May, 2010.

“The 1st defendant after being sworn in on 6th May, 2010 to complete the term of late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was subsequently elected into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sworn in on the 27th May, 2011.

“I know that if the 1st defendant eventually wins the forthcoming 2027 general election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (which is for a term of 4 years spanning 2027 to 2031), he will have exceeded 8 years being the cumulative maximum years a Nigerian President is to stay in office.

“As a Nigerian Lawyer trained in Nigerian constitutional law, the plaintiff knows of a provision in the Nigerian constitution stating that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of the same Constitution”

“The plaintiff being a lawyer committed to the reign of constitutionalism, an unrepentant apostle of the rule of law and a known crusader for democratic governance especially in Nigeria, does not wish to be governed by any person or group of persons who may have taken control of the Government of Nigeria in a manner not contemplated by the Nigerian constitution.

“The plaintiff has instituted this suit in the public interest, in the defence of the rule of law and accentuation of the supremacy of the Constitution and to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian Constitutional order.

“It will be in the interest of justice for this Honourable Court to grant the prayers contained on the face of this Originating Summons,” the affidavit further read.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

Calls are intensifying for President Bola Tinubu to dismiss the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, following serious allegations of certificate forgery.

The controversy stems from claims that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have disowned the academic and service certificates attributed to the minister.

Further intensifying the scandal, court documents have emerged showing that Nnaji admitted the university did not issue him the degree certificate he claims to possess.

In a recent ruling, Justice Hausa Yilwa of the Federal High Court, Abuja, denied the minister’s request to block the release of his academic records.

His application sought an interim injunction to prevent UNN from disclosing his academic history, a move the court rejected.

In response to the growing controversy, two leading civil society organisations, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria, have called for Minister Nnaji’s immediate resignation or dismissal.

CISLAC Executive Director Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani emphasized that public office should not be used to cover deceit, stressing that academic qualifications should not be manipulated for political gain.

“If you lie about your certificate, it’s a serious matter. The honourable thing is to resign and apologise,” Rafsanjani said.

“Leadership is about integrity. You can’t preach honesty while benefitting from fraud.”

He also criticised what he called the president’s silence, suggesting that Nnaji’s proximity to Tinubu might be shielding him from accountability.

Similarly, Professor Ademola Adaranijo, a law expert, urged the federal government to suspend the minister pending a thorough and transparent investigation.

He argued that a firm stance on such issues would demonstrate a government commitment to integrity and restore public confidence.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi weighed in on the controversy via a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.

Though he did not mention Nnaji by name, Obi called for severe penalties for politicians involved in certificate forgery, describing it as a criminal offence that undermines trust in governance.

“How can we ask young Nigerians to be honest when our leaders engage in fraud?” Obi asked.

“We must end the era where deceit and forgery are rewarded with power.”

Obi also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its lax vetting process, urging for reforms that require candidates to submit academic certificates at least six months before elections.

He emphasized the need for electoral laws to treat forgery not as a technical oversight, but as a serious criminal act.

“True leadership begins with truth. Criminal offences like forgery must be addressed with the seriousness they deserve,” he said.

As of the time of reporting, Minister Uche Nnaji has not publicly responded to the allegations or the growing calls for his resignation.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his intervention in its lingering dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The company pledged to continue delivering petroleum products without disruption.

In a Sunday statement, the refinery also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the ministers of labour and employment and other top government officials who assisted in ending what Dangote described as PENGASSAN’s “disruptive actions.”

“We are grateful to the President for his intervention, through his ministers and senior officials, which resulted in the abatement of the disruptive actions of PENGASSAN against the Refinery,” the statement read.

“We remain very grateful to these officials for their patriotism and national service.”

Dangote also thanked Nigerians for their support and encouragement.

“You gave us hope and reinforced our belief in Nigeria and its people as the backbone of our enterprise.”

“Be assured that we will continue to work for and in your interest, protecting that interest against rent seekers, economic saboteurs and squatters.”

To the employees who kept operations running, the company added, “we thank and appreciate you.”

The company affirmed its commitment to serving Nigeria “faithfully, diligently, and through uninterrupted production of petroleum products.”

“Our commitment to the Nigerian nation and our pact with its people remain undiluted, undiminished and unalterable, notwithstanding distractions from detractors and saboteurs.”

The Federal Government announced last Wednesday that the industrial dispute between Dangote and PENGASSAN has been resolved.

The reconciliation meeting, initially at an impasse, was escalated to the Office of the NSA under the leadership of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi.

Negotiations included government heavyweights, such as Wale Edun (Minister of Finance) and Atiku Bagudu (Minister of Budget and Economic Planning), representations from the DSS, National Intelligence Agency, and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, as well as additional participation from the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha.

The dispute had centered on unionisation issues and Dangote’s alleged termination of over 800 Nigerian workers, prompting PENGASSAN to call a nationwide strike.

After the final meeting, PENGASSAN announced the suspension of its industrial action.

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly in talks with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over a potential presidential comeback in the 2027 general elections, DAILY GAZETTE has learned.

Multiple members of the ADC National Working Committee confirmed, under anonymity, that discussions are ongoing between Jonathan and top ADC officials, with the possibility of the former president running under the party’s platform gaining traction.

While Jonathan has not made any public declaration about returning to politics, his recent surge in public appearances and private meetings with political stakeholders has fueled speculation.

In September alone, he met with 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, as well as ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark and other leaders of the coalition party.

A senior party source said discussions with Jonathan “largely centred on the 2027 elections and the future leadership of Nigeria.”

The source added that ADC sees Jonathan as a “patriotic Nigerian and a great asset” who could unify opposition forces.

Another insider revealed that Jonathan may consider the ADC platform if a consensus candidacy is agreed upon, without internal competition from figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

“He hasn’t made his ambition public, but all indications from our discussions suggest he’s giving it serious thought,” the source said.

ADC Youth Leader Balarabe Rufai described the party as the “only credible alternative” in the face of internal crises within the PDP and Labour Party.

He praised Jonathan’s integrity and global reputation, stating that ADC offers a trusted platform for any patriotic Nigerian seeking real change.

“Jonathan is a respected elder statesman. His engagement with ADC leaders is focused on the future of the country,” Rufai said.

ADC National Treasurer, Mani Ibrahim, also confirmed the party’s ongoing consultations with several stakeholders, including eminent Nigerians, as part of preparations for 2027.

“We have a roadmap and are working diligently. The feedback from citizens, especially youths, has been encouraging. People want change,” Ibrahim said.

In response, All Progressives Congress (APC) Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the possibility of Jonathan making a comeback, regardless of the platform.

“We defeated him when he was in a stronger position with the PDP. Defeating him now under a weaker party like the ADC will be even easier,” he said.

Despite the growing speculation, questions around Jonathan’s eligibility persist.

A 2018 constitutional amendment bars anyone who has been sworn in twice as president or governor from seeking re-election.

Legal experts remain divided on whether this applies to Jonathan, who was sworn in first after the death of President Yar’Adua and later elected in 2011.