President Bola Tinubu has summoned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid a growing probe into the state’s finances during the recently concluded emergency rule.

Sources confirmed that Ibas arrived at the State House around 5:50 p.m., dressed in native attire, and was accompanied by Finance Minister Wale Edun and EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede. Notably, Edun had earlier entered the Villa briefly, returning later with a file, highlighting the significance of the closed-door engagement.

Ibas officially ceased to act as administrator on September 17, when the six-month emergency rule imposed in March 2025 expired.

President Tinubu had previously ordered the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly.

At its first sitting post-emergency rule, the Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, moved to investigate the management of public funds under Ibas, focusing on expenditures from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and contract awards made during the interim administration.

While Ibas has publicly rejected the probe, asserting that his government acted within legal limits, financial records show that Rivers State received at least ₦254.37 billion from FAAC between March and August 2025—during his tenure.

The visit comes amid rising political tension in Rivers State, with speculation surrounding Governor Fubara’s possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has downplayed the possibility, it acknowledges the governor’s right to make political decisions.

Speaking on the matter, Rivers PDP Chairman Dr. Robinson Ewor said, “Whatever decision the governor takes is personal,” and noted he had not been formally informed of any defection plans.

Fueling the rumours further was the sighting of APC Governors’ Forum Chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma, escorting Fubara into President Tinubu’s office earlier in the week.

Fubara’s recent statewide broadcast also raised eyebrows, as he failed to credit the PDP for its role during the political crisis, despite the fact that 11 PDP governors took the APC-led federal government to court in defense of democracy in Rivers State.

Reports also indicate that part of a peace agreement allegedly signed by Fubara in June included a commitment to join the APC, a move seen as key to consolidating Tinubu’s grip on Rivers ahead of the 2027 general election.

On the proposed probe of Ibas, PDP Chairman Ewor emphasized that while Rivers citizens didn’t elect the sole administrator, he is still accountable to the State Assembly, not the general public.

Meanwhile, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) has urged all political stakeholders in Rivers to avoid a fresh crisis.

Speaking during the 2nd ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar in Port Harcourt, themed ‘Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Parliamentary Efficiency, Ethical Governance and Development in the ECOWAS Region’, Ndume stressed the importance of collaboration between the executive, legislature and judiciary.

“They must function together. You can’t have democracy without the legislature, executive, and judiciary working, each independently, but for the people,” Ndume said.

He also praised Governor Fubara for maintaining peace and stability during the emergency rule, describing his conduct as “mature and leadership-driven.”

Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), has praised President Bola Tinubu’s intelligence, caution and strategic approach, comparing him favorably to former U.S President Donald Trump despite Tinubu’s absence from this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Akinterinwa emphasized that Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA should not be seen as a sign of weakness or diminished global influence.

“When you are on equal footing with your counterparts, how can anyone claim Donald Trump is better than Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu? He is not,” Akinterinwa stated.

“Tinubu is as intelligent, if not more so, than Trump. He is more cautious and takes a more strategic approach.”

The former NIIA chief explained that diplomatic protocol plays a crucial role in determining leaders’ interactions at international forums.

“In diplomacy, water always finds its own level. A vice president attending such events cannot easily engage with leaders senior to him,” he said.

Akinterinwa also suggested that the dynamics of global politics, especially the attitudes of the United States, influence such interactions.

He described Trump as unpredictable and critical of countries that pursue independent foreign policies.

“Trump tends to act first and think later. He has been known to embarrass our president unnecessarily. Because Nigeria is charting an independent path in foreign affairs, Trump disapproves. He wants to maintain his image as the leading power in global politics,” Akinterinwa added.

President Tinubu attended the 78th UNGA in 2023 and delivered Nigeria’s national statement.

However, he skipped the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025, respectively, sending Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria and deliver the national address on his behalf.

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has categorically denied reports suggesting he has submitted a letter expressing intent to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The denial came as a prompt response to widespread speculation early Friday that Kwankwaso, who also once served as Defence Minister, had initiated formal discussions with the APC and was in talks with the party’s National Chairman behind closed doors.

In a statement released by his media team and personally signed by Kwankwaso, he dismissed the rumours as baseless “online statements” lacking any factual foundation.

“We have become aware of some online claims suggesting that we have submitted a letter of intent to join a political party in the country,” the statement said.

“We wish to clarify that no such letter has been submitted to any party. The public is advised to rely on official channels for any future updates on this matter.”

The rumours have stirred considerable political conversation as the 2027 general elections loom, intensifying speculation about possible realignments in Nigeria’s complex political arena.

Earlier on Friday, sources within the APC reportedly claimed that Kwankwaso had discreetly reached out to the party’s national secretariat expressing interest in joining.

Additionally, reports indicated ongoing discussions between him and the APC leadership, which sparked significant attention on social media and within party circles.

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

This demand follows the recent decision by the Senate to lift Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension.

Afenifere stressed that the end of her suspension should not overshadow the need to uncover the truth behind her accusations.

In a statement released on Thursday, Afenifere’s National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, praised the Senate leadership for upholding the rule of law in recalling the senator.

“We commend Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate leadership for reinforcing the country’s commitment to the rule of law,” Omololu stated.

However, the group insisted that the senator’s serious allegations must not be overlooked.

“For over six months, where is the evidence supporting her grave claims?” Omololu questioned.

Afenifere urged relevant authorities including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

The group also referenced Natasha’s previous unproven sexual harassment claim against former presidential aide Reno Omokri, which was eventually settled out of court.

“Does this history not cast doubt on her current allegations against Akpabio?” Omololu asked.

Afenifere further criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan for publicising her claims via international media outlets such as BBC, CNN, Sky News, and Deutsche Welle, arguing that this damaged Nigeria’s image abroad.

The group also questioned her attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) session in New York, suggesting that if she participated without proper nomination, it would reflect poorly on the integrity of Nigerian public institutions.

“If Natasha attended the IPU meeting without official nomination, it exposes manipulation of public offices for personal gain,” the statement added.

In March 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months following a confrontation in the Senate and her sexual harassment petition against Akpabio.

She alleged the incident occurred in December 2023, but the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed her complaint on procedural grounds.

Despite a court order restraining disciplinary actions, the Senate proceeded with her suspension, which included freezing her salary and barring her from official functions.

Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the suspension in court, maintaining it was a retaliation for her allegations.

While the Senate cited misconduct as the reason for the suspension, the case gained international attention due to her media interviews abroad.

The issue remains unresolved, with Afenifere now urging federal agencies to investigate the claims.

Meanwhile, DAILY GAZETTE reports that Natasha resumed her duties at the National Assembly on October 7, 2025, immediately describing Akpabio as a dictator.