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Ibas confirms release of funds withheld under Fubara
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The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has confirmed the release of withheld local government allocations.
The Supreme Court had in its landmark judgment over the political crisis in the state, directed that the state allocation fro the federation account should be withheld until the State House Assembly properly appropriates the funds for usage.
But briefing the State House correspondents at the presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the funds could be released if the sole administrator requested for it.
Answering questions on whether the Federal Government would release the allocation from the federation account to the state, the minister said “If the administrator requests it, I will say it should be released to him.
“And to me, it will be in order for the release of that fund because the event of the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things.”
During a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administrators in Port Harcourt, on Friday, Ibas confirmed that the funds had been released.
He said necessary steps would be taken to promptly pay workers’ salaries and also expressed concern over the delay in salary payments across local government areas, acknowledging the struggles of affected workers.
He said, “I sincerely feel the pain of these workers, many of whom have endured months of financial strain. Let me assure that the withheld allocations have now been released, and I hereby issue a directive that all the necessary steps be taken to ensure that these salaries are paid without further delay.
“As leaders we must feel the pains of our people and offer them a more positive, inclusive and transformative leadership. This is the mandate I have accepted and it is the standard I expect from all of you.
“To this end, I hereby direct further that all Local Government Areas furnish my office with a wage bills by way of briefing through the office of the Head of Service.
“This will enable me acquaint myself with the situation as this will enable me deal with such matter. All such submissions should be supported with relevant documents to provide clarity and ensure accuracy.”
Ibas, who warned that financial accountability would be strictly enforced, directed all local government areas to submit their wage bills, supported by relevant documentation, through the office of the Head of Service.
Administrator Ibas said good governance is not just a slogan but a commitment to changing the negative narrative within the next six months.
He also urged local government administrators to do the needful, saying that, “You must take the lead in ensuring security within your domains.
Responding, the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees and Administrator of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Clifford Paul, acknowledged the developmental strides made in the state despite political conflicts.
He commended the Federal Government for appointing the sole administrator, attributing the decision to his competence and leadership ability.
He pledged to support peace and stability while urging the administrator to prioritise workers’ welfare.
No fewer than 76 ISWAP terrorists have abandoned their enclaves and surrendered to troops within the North-East theatre of operations as part of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), and continued operational successes.
The North East geopolitical zone comprises six states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe.
In a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, revealed that among those who surrendered were key members of the terrorist network, due to relentless military pressure.
“The development highlights the devastating impact of the sustained offensive by Operation HADIN KAI, which continues to dismantle terrorist strongholds, disrupt command and logistics structures, and deny the insurgents freedom of action across the theatre”.
“Persistent military operations have continued to degrade the terrorists’ combat capabilities while eroding confidence within their ranks and leadership. Within the last week alone, a total of 76 terrorist foot soldiers with some families surrendered to troops”
“They are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing, and other established procedures in accordance with extant operational protocols,” the statement reads in part.
According to Captain Goni, the operational gains demonstrate the effectiveness of the Nigerian military’s comprehensive counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategy, combining precision combat operations, intelligence-led engagements, and coordinated joint efforts with partners.
He added that “the Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in its mission to completely defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East and the pressure on the remaining terrorist elements will continue unabated until they are completely neutralised or forced to surrender”.
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Ex-Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over a fresh plot to keep the opposition party, the African Democratic Congress, off the ballot in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, he said elements within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government want to use political and legal machinations to exclude the ADC from the ballot.
Atiku urged its supporters to reject every attempt to cherry-pick which opposition parties are permitted to participate in the coming election.
He noted that the ruling party may conspire against democracy but would not decide.
“We are fully aware of their plots. While they seek to sow confusion within the opposition, we know their real target is the ADC because it represents the most credible alternative.
“We therefore call on all Nigerians—not just ADC members and supporters— to rise in defence of democracy and reject any attempt by the ruling party to cherry-pick which opposition parties are permitted to participate in the next general election.
“Our message to the APC and the hooded men plotting in dark chambers is simple: you may conspire, but you will not succeed. If the APC is truly confident in its popularity, why is it so terrified of the ADC?” Atiku added.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits, on Monday, attacked the Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, killing a teacher and abducting an unspecified number of students who were writing the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination.
The assailants reportedly invaded the community while the examination was in progress, opening fire and throwing residents into panic. One teacher was killed during the attack, while another sustained gunshot injuries.
Residents said the gunmen took away several students and some teachers before fleeing the area. The exact number of those abducted had yet to be determined as of the time of filing this report.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that military personnel stationed in the community had left for a patrol in nearby Uba, about 16 kilometres away, shortly before the attackers struck.
“The soldiers were not around when the terrorists invaded. They came in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately and causing panic. They abducted students writing the NECO examination along with some teachers,” the resident said.Death & Tragedy
The attack disrupted the ongoing examination and forced residents to flee for safety as the gunmen operated freely in the community.
The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident, saying security agencies had been notified and that several students remained unaccounted for following the raid.
Efforts to rescue the abducted victims were said to be ongoing, while authorities were yet to disclose the exact number of those kidnapped or provide further details on the operation.
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