The Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on Rivers State has summoned the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.).
The committee directed Ibas to appear before it for a “comprehensive interactive session” on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
According to a statement by Reps spokesman, Akin Rotimi, the session would provide a platform for members of the committee to deliberate on preliminary reports and developments emerging from Rivers State since the sole administrator assumed office.
The Chairman of the Committee and House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, said, “This engagement is necessary to ascertain the true state of affairs in Rivers State and ensure that the House remains properly guided in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities in the public interest.”
A file photo of members of the House of Reps. Photo: X@HouseNGR
The committee said a formal letter of invitation had been sent and acknowledged by the retired naval chief.
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu imposed an emergency rule on oil-rich Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months.
READ ALSO: Again, Women Protest Against Emergency Rule In Rivers
The president immediately nominated Ibas as administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for the first six months.
The president relied on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to make the proclamation. The section interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger, disaster, or terrorist attacks in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.
In about 48 hours, the National Assembly ratified the president’s emergency rule decision despite stiff opposition to the move.
The suspension of Fubara and other democratically elected representatives was expressly rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, and groups including a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar; the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, and a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Others are the founder of Stanbic IBTC bank, Atedo Peterside; a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; a senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana; the LP, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), among others.
The Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on Rivers State has summoned the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.).
The committee directed Ibas to appear before it for a “comprehensive interactive session” on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
According to a statement by Reps spokesman, Akin Rotimi, the session would provide a platform for members of the committee to deliberate on preliminary reports and developments emerging from Rivers State since the sole administrator assumed office.
The Chairman of the Committee and House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, said, “This engagement is necessary to ascertain the true state of affairs in Rivers State and ensure that the House remains properly guided in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities in the public interest.”
A file photo of members of the House of Reps. Photo: X@HouseNGR
The committee said a formal letter of invitation had been sent and acknowledged by the retired naval chief.
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu imposed an emergency rule on oil-rich Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months.
READ ALSO: Again, Women Protest Against Emergency Rule In Rivers
The president immediately nominated Ibas as administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for the first six months.
The president relied on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to make the proclamation. The section interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger, disaster, or terrorist attacks in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.
In about 48 hours, the National Assembly ratified the president’s emergency rule decision despite stiff opposition to the move.
The suspension of Fubara and other democratically elected representatives was expressly rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, and groups including a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar; the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, and a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Others are the founder of Stanbic IBTC bank, Atedo Peterside; a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; a senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana; the LP, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), among others.
According to Vice President Kashim Shettima, at least 15 million Nigerians are in danger of floods in 2025.
He made this known on Wednesday at the start of an one-day workshop in Abuja on the Anticipatory Action Framework for Nigeria.
Shettima emphasized the need for cooperation between government departments, both at state and federal levels, to prevent flooding and other natural disasters in the nation, in contrast to the reactive approach used in the past.
Shettima argued that a military solution to the Plateau, North-East, crisis cannot ever be found, citing the need for a non-kinetic strategy to address security issues in these areas.
The Vice President expressed sympathy for the affected families as well as condemning recent attacks in Plateau state.
Nigeria loses 5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a result of floods, which has a significant economic impact.
However, President Bola Tinubu has approved N15 billion for emergency measures to lessen the flooding’s effects.
Persecondnews recalls that tens of thousands of people were forced to flee into the streets by devastating floods in Northeastern Nigeria in November 2024, causing them to submerge completely into residential areas.
In Borno State, 200 000 people were displaced, and at least 30 people died. One million of those were affected.
Experts noted that Maiduguri is experiencing its worst flood in 30 years, which only adds to the region’s humanitarian crisis.
Nigerian chess champion and social entrepreneur, Tunde Onakoya, is set to challenge a new Guinness World Record with a 70-hour chess marathon in New York’s Times Square — and this time, he is not alone.
In a video posted on Instagram on Tuesday, the 30-year-old founder of Chess in Slums Africa, announced his ambitious goal, alongside five children from disadvantaged communities in Nigeria.
“I’m back here in this very moment that started last year in Times Square,” he said. “We played chess for 60 hours. We pushed the limits of the human mind and gave the world something new to believe in.”
The 30-year-old, who gained global recognition in April 2024 for completing a 60-hour chess marathon with U.S. chess master Shawn Martinez, revealed that his upcoming attempt is not just about records.
READ ALSO: ‘We Have Done It’: Chess Master Tunde Onakoya Breaks World Record, Hits 60 Hours
“Your support helped us build an innovation hub in Lagos, Nigeria, and support the education of thousands of children across Africa. Now I’m back—but this time, I’m not alone. I’m here with five incredible children from Nigeria, who have come from the slums—against all odds—to become champions here.”
“From winning tournaments in Athens, Georgia, to speaking at the United Nations, and winning the gold medal at the United Nations Chess Championship, they (five slum children) have truly shown us that talent is universal, but opportunity isn’t.”
Photo: X @Tunde Onakoya on X
The new attempt is scheduled to run from April 17 to 20, 2025. Onakoya and Martinez aim to surpass the current chess marathon record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian players in June 2024.
“So now we’re in the endgame. There’s a new world record set by two Norwegian players. And on the 17th of April, 2025, I, along with U.S. National Master Shawn Martinez will be breaking that record—and setting a new one for 70 hours.”
The five children, he said, will also participate in the event for a few hours each day. He extended an open invitation to local players in New York.
“This is an open call to every chess player in New York City: if you think you’re good enough to challenge them, we invite you to come play them.”
For Million Dreams
More than a personal feat, Onakoya explained the deeper mission behind the challenge.
“We’re not just doing this for ourselves—we’re doing it for a million dreams. We want to build the biggest preschool in Africa for homeless children.
“The hardest part isn’t staying awake for three days—because a million dreams will do that. But now, more than ever, we need everyone’s support. If you’re in New York, show up at Times Square. Come support us. Help us inspire the world and show the world that it is indeed possible to do great things from a small place.”
In a tweet posted earlier on Saturday via social platform X (formerly Twitter), Onakoya reinforced his commitment.
Photo: X @Tunde Onakoya on X
“My dream is to inspire the world and raise support to build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria,” he wrote.
The non-profit chess organisation The Gift of Chess, a partner in this initiative, also confirmed the challenge.
“Starting April 17th, Tunde_OD & CoachShawnMar will attempt 70 hours of non-stop chess in the heart of Times Square, NYC,” the organisation said in a post. “They are aiming to break their previous record of 60 hours and surpass the current GWR record set by two Norwegians.”
Previous Attempt
In April 2024, Onakoya and Martinez had broken the previous Guinness World Record of 56 hours — held since 2018 by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad — after completing a 60-hour game marathon. However, their triumph was short-lived, with the new 61-hour benchmark being established just two months later.
During his record-setting performance in 2024, New York’s Nigerian community turned out in force, offering traditional meals like jollof rice and energetic music to sustain him. Nigerian superstar Davido also publicly supported him and presented him with a 30BG chain.
Top political figures have praised his efforts. Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, lauded him, stating that his feat was a symbol of “excellence and resilience that distinguishes Nigerians both locally and internationally.” Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu also highlighted that the attempt was “a strong testimony to how greatness can come from anywhere.”
That initial effort, which doubled as a $1 million fundraising campaign, helped elevate Onakoya’s Chess in Slums Africa initiative — a movement he says has provided education and lifelong scholarships to over 200 children across Nigeria. The funds raised were also used to distribute one million chess sets to impoverished communities, in partnership with The Gift of Chess.
In a January 2024 interview with Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Onakoya said growing up in poverty taught him empathy because the real pain wasn’t just lacking money, but being cut off from things like education and justice. He said this experience drives his passion to help others, adding that he wants to be the kind of person he needed when he was younger.
Onakoya, a self-taught chess master, learnt the game in a barber’s shop. Raised in modest circumstances by a mother who worked as a cleaner to support his education, he went on to study computer science at Yaba College of Technology.
Throughout his journey, the Lagos-born chess champion has received national and international acclaim. Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun appointed him in April 2024 as the state’s sports ambassador and likened his cause to that of millions of youths in Nigeria who are struggling to make something out of their lives.
The Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has declared the removal of the re-instated Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, as illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, the court also nullified the proceedings and resolutions of the House held on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was ousted.
READ ALSO: Count Us Out Of Merger, Coalition — PDP Govs
Trial judge, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro also awarded N500,000 as damages for the unlawful and illegal removal of Hon. Obasa and for the psychological embarrassment he suffered as a result of the illegal removal.
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are seen during plenary. Credit: X/@lshaofficial
Obasa had filed a suit against the House of Assembly and the newly appointed Speaker at the time, Mojisola Meranda, to challenge the legality of his removal.
In the suit, filed on February 12, 2025, by his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afolabi Fashanu, Obasa argued that his removal by 36 lawmakers occurred while the Assembly was on recess and while he was out of the country.
He urged the court to declare the process unlawful, arguing that the sitting was invalid as it was held without the Speaker’s authority or any formal delegation of power.
In a judgment which lasted about three hours, Justice Pinheiro first dismissed the preliminary objections challenging the competence of the suit. The court held that non-compliance with pre-action notices does not make the suit inactive.
On the objection that the court does not have the jurisdiction to review the proceedings of the State House of Assembly, the judge held that, “ a court of law can intervene where the provisions of the constitution have not been met during any proceedings of the house of assembly”.
Citing the cases of Usman v Kaduna State House of Assembly, Agbaso Vs Imo State, and Rivers State House of Assembly Vs Government of Rivers State, the judge further held that in cases where there is a lacuna in the provisions of the constitution, the court can intervene.
The court noted that in deserving instances it has also intervened when the house rules have not been properly followed and where fair hearing has not been ensured.
In the present case, the court agreed with the claimant, Hon. Obasa, that the facts of the case are questions that the court can adjudicate upon.
The judge noted that the issues in question has to do with the constitutionality of the procedure of the Lagos House of Assembly on the day the claimant was removed, and especially if due process was followed.
Relying on the rules of the House of Assembly, the court took view that no person other than the leaders of the House have the capacity to write to the Speaker to convene a Meeting of the assembly, and the chief whip is not a leader.
The court also stated that by the rules of the Lagos State House of Assembly, there exists a hierarchy under Order 7.
Rule 30 of the Rules which relates to the authority of the chief whip also does not confer on him such authority.
The court held that every step taken towards reconvening the meeting of the house after it had adjourned indefinitely cannot stand and it is inconsequential that majority of members voted for the meeting.
The Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has declared the removal of the re-instated Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, as illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, the court also nullified the proceedings and resolutions of the House held on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was ousted.
READ ALSO: Count Us Out Of Merger, Coalition — PDP Govs
Trial judge, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro also awarded N500,000 as damages for the unlawful and illegal removal of Hon. Obasa and for the psychological embarrassment he suffered as a result of the illegal removal.
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are seen during plenary. Credit: X/@lshaofficial
Obasa had filed a suit against the House of Assembly and the newly appointed Speaker at the time, Mojisola Meranda, to challenge the legality of his removal.
In the suit, filed on February 12, 2025, by his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afolabi Fashanu, Obasa argued that his removal by 36 lawmakers occurred while the Assembly was on recess and while he was out of the country.
He urged the court to declare the process unlawful, arguing that the sitting was invalid as it was held without the Speaker’s authority or any formal delegation of power.
In a judgment which lasted about three hours, Justice Pinheiro first dismissed the preliminary objections challenging the competence of the suit. The court held that non-compliance with pre-action notices does not make the suit inactive.
On the objection that the court does not have the jurisdiction to review the proceedings of the State House of Assembly, the judge held that, “ a court of law can intervene where the provisions of the constitution have not been met during any proceedings of the house of assembly”.
Citing the cases of Usman v Kaduna State House of Assembly, Agbaso Vs Imo State, and Rivers State House of Assembly Vs Government of Rivers State, the judge further held that in cases where there is a lacuna in the provisions of the constitution, the court can intervene.
The court noted that in deserving instances it has also intervened when the house rules have not been properly followed and where fair hearing has not been ensured.
In the present case, the court agreed with the claimant, Hon. Obasa, that the facts of the case are questions that the court can adjudicate upon.
The judge noted that the issues in question has to do with the constitutionality of the procedure of the Lagos House of Assembly on the day the claimant was removed, and especially if due process was followed.
Relying on the rules of the House of Assembly, the court took view that no person other than the leaders of the House have the capacity to write to the Speaker to convene a Meeting of the assembly, and the chief whip is not a leader.
The court also stated that by the rules of the Lagos State House of Assembly, there exists a hierarchy under Order 7.
Rule 30 of the Rules which relates to the authority of the chief whip also does not confer on him such authority.
The court held that every step taken towards reconvening the meeting of the house after it had adjourned indefinitely cannot stand and it is inconsequential that majority of members voted for the meeting.
