News

FCT minister, Wike revokes right of occupancy of new PDP National Secretariat

Published

1 day ago

March 18, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

…over inconsistent regulatory procedures

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocation for the new Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Central Business Area of Abuja.

According to a statement released by the FCT Administration, the land allocation for the PDP’s proposed new headquarters, which had been a subject of controversy since its approval, has now been rescinded.

The Minister reportedly cited “inconsistent documentation and non-compliance with regulatory procedures” as primary reasons for the revocation.

Wike, who has been at the forefront of several administrative reforms in the FCT, emphasized that the move aligned with his administration’s commitment to transparency and the enforcement of land-use policies in the capital.

“The decision was taken in the interest of the public good and to uphold the integrity of our land administration system,” Wike was quoted to have said in a terse statement to the press.

In a swift riposte, the PDP condemned the action, describing it as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine the party’s growth and operations.

“This decision is an outright attack on the PDP and an attempt to stifle the opposition in the country,” the party said in a statement, vowing to challenge the revocation in court.

PDP’s revoked plot of land is one of the over 4,000 land allocations reportedly affected in the revocation, which the FCTA hinged on failure by allottees to pay ground rents for upwards of ten years. Many allottees of land in the centre if Abuja, according to the FCTA, had not paid Ground rents for 40 to 43 years.

News

JUST-IN: Fubara leaves Rivers govt house

Published

1 hour ago

March 19, 2025

Naijablitznews

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has vacated the Government House in Port Harcourt.

The governor reportedly moved out on Wednesday morning, ahead of the anticipated arrival of Admiral Ekwe Ibas (rtd), who has been appointed as the new Sole Administrator of the state.

A visit by Daily Trust to the Government House on Wednesday morning revealed a calm atmosphere, with at least three armoured personnel carriers stationed at the main entrance.

A security source confirmed that there had been a change of guard at the seat of power, with all of the governor’s security details replaced.

“The governor left Government House this morning and the new administrator is yet to resume. We are expecting him any moment from now. The security details in Government House have been reshuffled. I can tell you that everywhere is calm and nothing is happening as we speak now,” the source said.

Meanwhile, residents of Port Harcourt have gone about their normal business, and there have been no signs of a breakdown of law and order.

This development follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, citing the ongoing vandalization of pipelines and the failure of political stakeholders to resolve the crisis despite previous interventions.

News

Rivers Crisis: Reps Adjourn Without Tinubu’s Communication

Published

1 hour ago

March 19, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…NASS has until Thursday to receive President Tinubu’s letter – Rep. Isiaka

By Gloria Ikibah

Despite earlier claims by the House of Representatives’ spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, that President Bola Tinubu had sent a communication regarding the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, lawmakers on Wednesday confirmed that no such message was received.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that on Tuesday, Rep Rotimi in a statement said that the House would read the President’s communication during Wednesday’s plenary. However, contrary to this, no letter from Tinubu was presented before the House adjourned its sitting to Thursday.

Addressing journalists after plenary, Rep. Adegboyega Isiaka clarified that the National Assembly still has until Thursday to receive the President’s communication. However, as of Wednesday’s session, no official correspondence had been received.

He said: “As we all see, it’s becoming very worrisome and becoming a threat to democracy itself. So I think that the step the President has taken is just to ensure that we put a halt to what is happening in Rivers.And I think in my view, of course there are opinions that maybe it’s against the Constitution and all of that.

“I’m not a lawyer, I’ve not looked at that very deeply. But whatever it is, that can be tested.But a leader has to take a step, and I think that is what has happened. In terms of it coming to the House, we also expected that that would happen today, but it has not happened. But I think the law also allows that that can be done within 48 hours.So the 48 hours is still within the time frame. So let’s see what happens tomorrow, and then we can take it down from there.

Responding to questions if some members avoided plenary so that the House will not form a quorum, he said, “I don’t think there was anything about people avoiding because there will not be quorum.

Speaking further he explained that: ” The law says that it must come, and I know that the President is a democrat and will do what is necessary. Well, the letter from the President has not come, so there must be a reason for that.I’ve not asked the spokesman what was responsible for that. But the most important thing is that there is no communication today.

News

Sole Administrator may not Takeover From Fubara until NASS ratifies

Published

2 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Naijablitznews

The appointed Sole Administrator for Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), will not take charge of the state’s affairs until the National Assembly ratifies the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Recall in a nationwide address on Tuesday, Tinubu announced that Vice Admiral Ibas would take over the administration of Rivers State, following the escalating political crisis that has seen the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

President Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency and suspend key officials in the state comes amid a political standoff between Governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The declaration aims to restore order and resolve the ongoing crisis that has paralyzed governance in the state.

Despite the President’s declaration, sources who spoke with TheNation indicate that Vice Admiral Ibas is yet to assume leadership in Rivers State. He is expected to do so only once the National Assembly ratifies the state of emergency.

No Military Presence At Government House
Interestingly, despite declaring a state of emergency, according to TheNation, there has been no military presence at the entrance of the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Chairpersons Shared N655.932 Billion In April
Unlike previous reports indicating military deployment, investigations revealed no military tanks or personnel were stationed at the Government House gates on Wednesday.

Instead, personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS) were observed patrolling the premises. Two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), which are regularly stationed at the Government House by the police, were seen near the entrance.

However, no additional military units were present to enforce the state of emergency.

The governor reportedly moved out on Wednesday morning, ahead of the anticipated arrival of Ibas, who has been appointed as the new Sole Administrator of the state.