The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has said that the intervention of President Bola Tinubu in the political crisis that rocked the state earlier this year was timely and reassuring.

Ibas stated this on Saturday at the grand finale of the 25th anniversary of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to him, the President’s decisive actions restored order and strengthened governance in the state.

“Let me express our sincere appreciation to His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to peace and stability in Rivers State and the broader Niger Delta.

“His intervention in restoring order and governance in the state was timely, firm, and deeply reassuring. Mr President continues to demonstrate strong political will for regional development, economic equity, and national cohesion. We are indeed grateful,” Ibas said.

It will be recalled that the Niger-Delta state had plunged into political turmoil after a fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which led to chaos in the state assembly and tension in the state.

Reacting to the crisis, President Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in March, suspending Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and appointing Ibas.

The move sparked both praise and legal backlash.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that in June, Fubara and Wike resolved their rift after a peace meeting with Tinubu, pledging to work together to restore stability in Rivers State.

They were later seen at a public gathering after the peace talks.

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media & Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has denied that the current administration is sidelining politicians that were loyal to former president Muhammadu Buhari.

Dare made the assertion while answering questions on the Mic On podcast with Seun Okinbaloye.

Seun asked pointedly if Tinubu chased out the ‘Buhari boys’ (the CPC bloc of the All Progressives Congress, APC) and he brought in the ‘Lagos boys’

“When a new government comes in and this is constitutional – the right of the president to build his cabinet, you can’t take it away.

“The first criteria for you to be appointed is that you are a Nigerian.

“It’s not whether you are a Tinubu boy or a Buhari boy.”

Seun pressed in and insisted all of the major pillars of the economy are manned by the Tinubu boys, he replied: “As a leader, you must also bring in lieutenants that you trust.

“When he was governor, he had people that served him and over the years, they have been with him throughout the journey.

“I don’t think there is any deliberate attempt to sideline anyone.

“Any oath you take when you’re sworn in, is not to any president. But to the Nigerian constitution and the Nigerian people.”

Isaac Afolabi has joined Albanian side KF Laçi from Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL club Abia Warriors.

The details of the youngster’s move to KF Laçi were not disclosed.

Afolabi made 24 league appearances for Abia Warriors.

He helped the Umuahia-based club qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup last season.

Afolabi was one of the outstanding performers for Abia Warriors during the last campaign.

He joined the 2024 Federation Cup finalists from Shooting Stars in 2023.