The Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has issued a strong warning to the newly appointed sole administrators of the state’s 23 local government areas, cautioning them against financial recklessness and abuse of office.

During a meeting held on Friday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Ibas made it clear that accountability and transparency would be the guiding principles of his administration, despite growing controversy over the appointments.

“I will not tolerate any form of recklessness, abuse of office, or misuse of public funds,” he declared.

“You are here to serve the people, not yourselves. Every kobo spent must be accounted for, and the people must see value for their money.”

The administrator urged the new officials to focus on key sectors including sanitation, environmental management, primary healthcare, the welfare and discipline of local government staff, education, and youth development.

“These are the key areas by which your performance will be assessed in the coming weeks,” he said.

“This is not the time for excuses. It is the time for results.”

He stressed that local government administrators must embody transparency and integrity in all their dealings.

“The people deserve to know how their money is being used. You owe them not only accountability but also dedication to their well-being,” Ibas said.

To ensure effective oversight, Ibas announced plans to implement mechanisms that will track local government activities and ensure adherence to proper governance procedures.

“We will establish a robust monitoring system to ensure that public funds are used judiciously. There will be zero tolerance for financial recklessness or any form of corruption,” he added.

Meanwhile, the political tension surrounding the appointments continues to mount. Governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have condemned the move, calling it a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and a threat to democracy.

“The appointment of unelected individuals to administer local governments is a violation of the constitution and an affront to democracy,” a PDP governor said at a recent press conference.

“We urge President Tinubu to act before it is too late.”

Despite the criticisms, Vice Admiral Ibas reaffirmed his commitment to restoring peace, order, and democratic principles in Rivers State.

“Your mandate is clear: restore peace and stability in your respective councils, and help return our democratic institutions to full operation,” he told the administrators.

“This responsibility is sacred, and you must carry it out with discipline, care, and utmost respect for the people you serve.”

As his tenure nears its end, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has officially hinted at his impending exit during a regional electoral summit in Gambia.

Speaking at the extraordinary general assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Banjul, Yakubu said this would be his final attendance as INEC Chair, sparking a fresh wave of political speculation over his replacement.

Yakubu’s absence earlier in the week had fueled rumors of his removal by President Bola Tinubu, particularly after a Labour Party delegation was received by Acting Chairman Sam Olumekun at the INEC headquarters.

The Commission, however, clarified that Yakubu was away for official duties in Gambia, and his position remains intact for now.

Addressing colleagues at the ECONEC meeting, Yakubu, who previously led the ECONEC Steering Committee, expressed concern over the retreat of democracy in West Africa, noting that while all regional countries were under democratic rule in 2017, four have since backslid into non-democratic governance.

He expressed hope for a democratic resurgence in the sub-region.

Meanwhile, attention is now shifting to who might succeed Yakubu and from which region the next INEC boss should emerge.

The discussion has already generated tension, with northern stakeholders urging President Tinubu to avoid a Southwestern nominee.

Critics argue that any move to appoint a Yoruba successor would only deepen suspicions of ethnic favoritism, especially given Tinubu’s existing appointments.

Some believe that appointing a Yoruba INEC Chair could precondition the outcome of the 2027 elections in favour of the incumbent president.

In response, Southwest elder statesman and Afenifere chieftain, Senator Femi Okurounmu, defended Tinubu’s right to appoint anyone he deems competent, stating, “Nobody should play up any ethnic sentiment now if Tinubu decides to pick a Yoruba man to replace Yakubu.”

Okurounmu also pointed out that since Nigeria’s independence, no Yoruba has ever headed the electoral commission—whether as FEDECO, NECON, or INEC.

He listed past chairmen, noting they have come from various regions, but none from the Southwest.

Northern elder, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, echoed a similar view, saying the President should not be pressured or distracted by ethnic debates.

“The constitution gives him the power to appoint the INEC Chairman,” he said, “and he has enough political experience to act in the nation’s interest.”

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) also dismissed attempts to influence Tinubu’s decision.

Its leader, Birtus Porgu, described the ongoing political lobbying as “a waste of time,” insisting the President is not one to bow to pressure.

In the same vein, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yerima Shetima, and the Director General of the National Consultative Front (NCFront), Wale Okunniyi, called for reforms that would take the power of appointing the INEC Chairman away from the presidency, advocating a more democratic process instead.

While the conversation continues, INEC spokesperson Rotimi Oyekanmi confirmed that Yakubu’s absence was simply due to his participation in the international meeting and had nothing to do with his tenure or status.

The Yoruba Youth Socio-Cultural Association (YYSA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to completely overhaul his cabinet in order to address what they describe as lopsided appointments and to promote fairness across Nigeria’s regions.

In a statement released on Friday, the National President of YYSA, Olalekan Hammed, emphasized that a cabinet shake-up was necessary not only to ensure equitable regional representation but also to bolster the president’s chances for re-election in 2027.

Hammed stated: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should consider total overhauling of his cabinet to ensure equity and fairness in terms of unbiased regional representation in the appointments made into various ministries, departments, and agencies.

“At present, we have categories of aggrieved people who are unhappy with the appointments made so far.

“The first set of people are people who believe that their zone is not duly represented in various political offices while some party chieftains have the mindset of being used and dumped for the fact that they are yet to be rewarded.

“The last set of aggrieved people are the Southwest Muslims who believe that during the Buhari/Osinbajo regime youths that were favoured with an appointment from the region were majorly Christians and they had very high expectations during 2023 electioneering that Muslim/Muslim ticket of president Tinubu would correct the anomaly but only to discover that it even worse.

“Moreover, it is not too late for the president to appease all the categories of people that are dissatisfied or felt betrayed by his lopsided appointments.”

As the 2027 general elections draw closer, opposition parties in Nigeria continue to grapple with internal divisions and shifting allegiances.

Amid this turbulence, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has emerged as a new force, declaring its readiness to reshape the nation’s political future.

In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP announced that its National Working Committee (NWC) had mapped out strategies to strengthen the party’s grassroots and diaspora presence.

The party said these measures would enable it to compete decisively in the 2027 elections.

Despite ongoing talks of political realignment, the SDP insists it is not entering any merger.

“We’re running on a clean slate,” the statement emphasized, stressing that the party would remain ideologically distinct while maintaining an open-door policy for progressive-minded Nigerians—especially youths and professionals—committed to rebuilding the country.

However, tensions flared when New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) chieftain Buba Galadima alleged that former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai—who recently defected to the SDP from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—was merely acting as a placeholder for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking in an interview with AIT, Galadima questioned the political value el-Rufai could bring, noting his past electoral losses in Kaduna even while in power.

“El-Rufai lost ground in his own state when he was governor. Now, from outside government, he’s expected to deliver results? That’s not realistic,” Galadima said, dismissing the SDP’s momentum as “noisemaking.”

He also expressed surprise that Atiku would associate with el-Rufai, recalling the latter’s previous criticisms of the former vice president.

Galadima instead projected the NNPP as the true vehicle to unite Nigeria’s opposition forces ahead of 2027.

Neither Atiku nor el-Rufai has responded to Galadima’s claims, though both were recently linked to a proposed coalition of opposition figures.

While the SDP appears to be the likely political platform for such an alliance, the party reiterated its independence during its April 8 meeting, which was chaired by National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam.

The party positioned itself as the credible alternative to both the APC and PDP, promoting a vision anchored on social justice, good governance, and inclusive development.

Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is facing internal strife.

Several of its governors have reportedly distanced themselves from the national leadership, throwing the future of the party’s May NEC meeting into doubt.

Sources say at least five PDP governors are exploring alliances with other parties, including the APC and newly forming coalitions.

The rift is reportedly fueled by lingering disputes surrounding the influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike within the party, and the loyalty of Acting National Chairman Ambassador Iliya Damagum to Wike’s camp.

This division has rendered the party’s leadership structure ineffective, raising concerns about its capacity to serve as a credible opposition.

In a move to address the crisis, several PDP governors and party heavyweights—including former Senate President Bukola Saraki—met at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.

Although Atiku was not present, his close allies were reportedly part of the discussions, which focused on creating a united PDP front for 2027—with or without a broader coalition.

Elsewhere, regional political dynamics are also intensifying.

In the Southwest, the newly formed Oodua Unity Group (OUG) was launched to champion Yoruba interests.

The group’s mission includes cultural preservation, socio-political advocacy, and a push for regional autonomy or outright self-determination.

According to OUG’s Administrative Secretary Kola Aare, the group was formed to unite fragmented Yoruba self-determination movements under a single, non-partisan coalition.

The group draws inspiration from the unresolved recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, which supported internal self-determination for ethnic nationalities.

As opposition forces jostle and new alliances emerge, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has issued a stern caution.

Its Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman SAN, urged politicians to focus on governance rather than premature campaigns.

Speaking at the ACF’s NEC meeting in Kaduna, Osuman criticized early politicking amid the worsening socioeconomic crisis, calling for leadership focused on alleviating insecurity, hunger, and poverty.

He emphasized that genuine service to the people should take precedence over political ambition, and urged the ACF to remain a moral compass by speaking truth to power.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside prominent political figures including ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, paid a courtesy visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna on Friday.

A video posted on social media platform X captured moments from the visit, which drew a number of political heavyweights.

Among those present were former Minister of Communications Isa Pantami, ex-Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, Senator Gabriel Suswam of Benue, and former Adamawa Governor Jibrilla Bindow.

Sharing highlights of the visit on his verified X handle, Atiku described the interaction with Buhari as memorable.

“As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations,” he explained.

“Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015–2023,” Atiku stated.

“It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour.”

While the exact details of the meeting were not disclosed, the gathering has sparked interest in political circles, given the calibre of the visitors and the timing of the visit.

Photos from the meeting circulated online shortly after, capturing Buhari warmly receiving the dignitaries and engaging them in light-hearted conversation.