Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has taken disciplinary action against 87 top government officials who failed to show up at a key state event.

Among those suspended are 25 commissioners, 14 senior special assistants, 24 special assistants, and 22 permanent secretaries.

The action was confirmed in a statement released late Monday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor.

According to the statement, the absentees are to observe a one-month working suspension without pay.

“The Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has directed that the underlisted government functionaries proceed on a one-month working suspension without salary for failure to attend an important government function,” the statement read.

The measure takes effect immediately, and the affected officials are prohibited from signing any official documents for the duration of their suspension.

Commissioners are also expected to hand over duties to their respective permanent secretaries.

Uzor emphasized the governor’s stance on accountability and public service ethics:

“The Governor remains firm in ensuring all government officials uphold the highest standards of conduct and dedication in serving the people of Ebonyi State.”

The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State, has named its newly constructed Convocation Arena in honour of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike.

Built in 2023 during Wike’s tenure as Governor of Rivers State, the arena was officially commissioned on Saturday by the state’s acting Governor, Ibok Ibas.

The event formed part of the university’s 35th Combined Convocation ceremony and its golden jubilee celebration.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, Professor Owunari Georgewill, traced the university’s convocation history back to its first in 1982.

“We are proud today, to celebrate the 35th convocation in our 50th year of existence in this fantastic edifice, built two years ago by Rivers Government during Wike’s administration,” he said.

Acting Governor Ibas praised Wike’s significant role in advancing the university’s infrastructure, calling the convocation arena a symbol of vision and dedication.

“The ultra-modern convocation arena, now proudly inaugurated, is a testament to what is possible when vision is aligned with commitment. Your Excellency, we honour your foresight,” he stated.

“This arena, both in design and purpose, is not only a venue for convocation, it is also a sanctuary where dreams are validated; where academic journeys culminate in triumphs; and where future leaders will be publicly honoured.”

He added that the facility is expected to host policy dialogues, innovation showcases, and ceremonial events that will shape generations of students.

“It will involve policy dialogues, innovation exhibitions and ceremonies that shaped the character and capacities of generations to come.”

Highlighting the symbolic nature of the structure, Ibas noted: “The infatuation of the edifice was symbolic, stressing that it represents continuity and a bridge between legacy of excellence and the promise of tomorrow.”

In his remarks, Wike who also received an Honorary Doctor of Political Science (D.Sc Honoris Causa) from the university expressed deep appreciation for the recognition.

“I must place on record that my wife and entire family hold this honour as pre-eminent and totally gratifying. Our gratitude knows no bounds,” he said.

The minister credited the university for shaping the foundation of his personal and professional growth.

“UNIPORT availed me the rich and concrete intellectual foundation upon which my socio-economic and political ascendancy have been fittingly predicated. I was educated both in character and learning.”

He added that his enduring support for the university stems from a sense of gratitude:

“It is in the light of the foregoing that I have always strongly believed that every alumnus should give back to the university as a mark of pure gratitude. This also explains why I freely give to this institution whenever I have had the opportunity to do so.”

Other dignitaries honoured with doctorate degrees included Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; and Aminu Masari, Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees.

Former ANPP members have cautioned President Bola Tinubu that they may leave the APC unless the vice‑presidential slot remains with their group.

At an Abuja press conference on Monday, officials representing the ANPP‐former members, who call themselves the Association of Former ANPP Members, voiced concerns of marginalisation by the CPC and ACN factions within the APC.

Prof. Vitalis Ajumbe, the group’s National Coordinator, reading from a communiqué, asserted:

“The ticket you are serving will be disappointed if you choose another person outside the ANPP block in APC as your Vice President. The Vice Presidential seat remains sacrosanct for the ANPP bloc as the second largest contributor to the formation of APC.”

He added that under the previous administration, “The ANPP bloc in APC suffered serious political marginalisation under late General Muhammadu Buhari for the eight years of his reign.”

Ajumbe further added “Late Muhammadu Buhari’s abandonment of ANPP where his political career started and where he twice secured presidential tickets was quite inhumane. He treated us like a club of political pariahs.”

Speaking on current trends, he contrasted Buhari’s tenure with Tinubu’s, saying:
“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected, we thought he would change the trend, but to our dismay, the situation is getting even worse under his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.” He disclosed plans to consult with state and zonal members soon, warning:

“We may be tempted to seek greener political pastures elsewhere should the APC‑led government of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu reject us.”

Responding to the group’s threats, Deputy National Organising Secretary Nze Duru criticized their approach, cautioning that “democracy does not thrive on threats and intimidation.” He argued:

“I don’t think that party politics is a matter that is done on the basis of condition, which is you either give it to me or I walk away. It should also not be seen in the light of ‘my way or the highway.”

He reiterated that the vice‑presidential office was not automatically assigned and insisted:
“We must always remind ourselves that we are in a democracy. The office of the VP is not always on one ballot. It is the responsibility of the president to appoint or decide who he will like to be so vice president.”

Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, former Governor of Gombe State and current representative of Gombe North Senatorial District, has reiterated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains a highly respected political leader in northern Nigeria, even after his move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Speaking during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting, Dankwambo stressed Atiku’s enduring relevance and influence in the region.

“It’s time to rebuild our party, today it’s not about contesting for elections. But we have leaders we recognise like in the north; Atiku Abubakar is our leader, we love and like him and by virtue of his position as a former vice president he is our leader whether he is in PDP or ADC,” he said.

Dankwambo urged party members in Gombe and beyond to concentrate on rebuilding the PDP as it prepares for the 2027 general elections, rather than focusing on personal political ambitions at this time.

“We are not talking about contests now. All we are after is to rebuild our party and position it for victory. All those wishing to contest should wait. Let’s build the party first,” he stated.

The senator emphasized the PDP’s commitment to internal democracy, asserting that it remains the only party in the country to have successfully conducted congresses at every level, from ward to zonal and is actively planning for its national convention.

“PDP remains the only party that has held its Congress from the ward level, to the local government to the state and zonal level and is currently working to hold the national convention,” he said.

Also speaking at the meeting, Ali Isa JC, who represents Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, revealed that the PDP has resolved its internal disputes and confirmed that its upcoming national convention will take place in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He further disclosed that the party’s legal team has been tasked with pursuing defectors who secured electoral victories under the PDP platform but later switched allegiance to other parties.

The PDP, he said, has engaged “senior lawyers to challenge defectors who won elections on the PDP platform but later decamped,” with the goal of reclaiming “those stolen mandates.”