Former Rivers State gubernatorial candidate Tonye Cole has shared his thoughts on the ongoing conflict involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Speaking during an interview with News Central TV, Cole explained that Governor Fubara has little choice but to continue his current struggle if he wants to maintain his position.

“Yes, I would have advised him differently,” Cole said. “But Sim Fubara has no option if he wants to survive than to continue the fight that’s on. He started it, and there’s no going back for him now.”

Cole pointed out that Fubara’s challenges began right from the way he assumed office. According to Cole, Fubara didn’t have much control over his administration, with key decisions being influenced by others, particularly the minister who helped him rise to power. Cole described Fubara as a “puppet figure,” which likely made him uncomfortable.

To escape this situation, Cole emphasized the importance of negotiation. “At the beginning, he needed to find allies to help him navigate out of his position. It’s the only way,” Cole explained. He criticized how a recent meeting called by the president didn’t focus on negotiation but instead placed demands on Fubara, which may have escalated tensions.

Cole concluded that Fubara’s survival as governor now depends on continuing his fight. However, he suggested that a better approach would have been to seek understanding and cooperation from the start.

The situation remains tense, and many will be watching closely to see how Governor Fubara handles the challenges ahead.

Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, finds himself mired in deep political and legal troubles.

Following his dramatic ousting on Monday, January 13, for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office, Obasa’s efforts to regain his footing appear futile.

Reports indicate that Obasa, currently in the United States, attempted to meet President Bola Tinubu during the latter’s visit to the UAE for the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

However, his request for clearance was reportedly denied, further isolating him from the political corridors of power.

EFCC lurking around for Obasa
To add to his woes, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are reportedly stationed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and prepared to arrest him upon his return.

Insiders suggest that Obasa has delayed his homecoming, fearing imminent detention. Efforts to challenge his impeachment have also failed.

“His legal adviser confirmed the impeachment’s legality,” a source revealed, noting that Obasa has reluctantly accepted his fate.

Agege constituents distance themselves from Obasa

Meanwhile, attempts to rally support from his Agege constituents have failed. Residents claim they had long warned him about his alleged misconduct.

Civil society groups sidelined during Obasa’s tenure have refrained from intervening, labelling the impeachment an “internal legislative matter.”

Dissent is brewing within the Agege chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Prominent members have reportedly demanded the resignation of state cabinet officials linked to Obasa.

Obasa’s once-ambitious political movement, “Muda Eko Obasa Lagos 2027,” has disintegrated. Party loyalists have withdrawn their support, leaving him politically stranded.

Furthermore, whispers from local groups suggest they are compiling a dossier of Obasa’s alleged assets for submission to the EFCC, tightening the legal noose around him.

Obasa’s career trajectory now serves as a cautionary tale of overreach and political isolation, marking a stark downfall for a once-prominent figure in Lagos politics.

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, accusing him of multiple statutory and financial infractions.

Obasa was subsequently replaced by his deputy Lasbat Meranda. Mrs Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, was also a former chief whip of the House.

The removal came days after The Gazette reported how Mr Obasa oversaw the withdrawal of N43.5 billion for back up vehicles for lawmakers, as well as other controversial activities.

According to several reports, Obasa was in Atlanta when he was impeached.

Mr Obasa, 52, was first elected Speaker on June 8, 2015, resuming office alongside former one-term governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Repeated charges of fraud and political thuggery have marked his speakership. In 2020, The Gazette published a series of investigations detailing how Mr Obasa diverted Lagos funds to his personal firms and bank accounts. Sahara Reporters at the time also uncovered Mr Obasa’s assets across Lagos.

The EFCC invited him to be questioned after the anti-graft office became overwhelmed by media reports of Mr Obasa’s mismanagement. He denied all allegations, and no charges were filed after he met with detectives.

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has visited Nigeria’s former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at his residence in Minna, Niger State.

Obi, in a post via his X account on Thursday, confirmed that he visited IBB after his visit to Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi.

The Labour Party chieftain disclosed that the discussions between him and Babangida focused on national issues.

According to Obi, he also used the opportunity to wish the former leader a happy new year.

The former Anambra State Governor described IBB as a wise man whose perspective on issues he is always ready to listen to.

“From Jigawa state, I travelled to Minna, Niger State to pay a visit to a father figure, elder statesman and leader, the former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at his residence in Minna, Niger State. The visit was an opportunity to wish him a happy New Year and to exchange thoughts on national issues.

“General Babangida’s wisdom and perspectives remain very important and I always deeply appreciate the chance to visit him and listen to his invaluable advise and words of wisdom.

“A new Nigeria is POssible!” Obi wrote.

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has addressed the flying report of a possible merger deal with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

Obi disclosed during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday morning, during which he discussed the state of the nation.

The former Anambra State governor revealed that no agreement has been established with other parties yet. Instead, he called on all lovers of Nigeria in the political space to come together in 2027 and defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he accused of mismanaging the country’s resources.

Obi also expressed concerns about the security situation in Nigeria. According to him, the needless deaths caused by banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping-for-ransom are “unfortunate”. Furthermore, he criticized the high level of corruption in Nigeria and the increasing cost of governance, which has led to a significant rise in public debt under the current APC administration.

In the 2023 presidential election, President Bola Tinubu of the APC secured the highest number of votes, with 8,794,726 votes. Atiku Abubakar of the PDP came second with 6,984,520 votes, while Obi came third with 6,101,533 votes. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP finished fourth, claiming victory in his home state of Kano with 1,496,687 votes.

Notably, Obi and Kwankwaso were both members of the PDP before the last election but left due to irreconcilable differences.

There have been rumours of a merger of the three opposition candidates ahead of the next elections in 2027.

Politics Nigeria

Udengs Eradiri, the former Labour Party governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, has criticised the party’s leadership.

Eradiri, who recently left the Labour Party, said the political platform is corrupt and unprincipled like the existing parties in the country.

Explaining his decision to quit the party, Eradiri said the actions of the electorate and the political class disheartened him.

“I thought Nigerians truly meant it when they cried for good governance. It’s just a farce. Nigerians are not serious. They’re just looking for who will give them money,” he told Punch.

Eradiri recounted his experience campaigning across Bayelsa State, witnessing extreme poverty and neglect. Yet, on Election Day, he said, voters prioritized monetary inducements over genuine leadership.

“In my village, money was deployed in millions. It was ‘see and buy.’ The election was a disgrace,” he lamented.

He also criticized the complicity of security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the flawed process.

Eradiri accused the Labour Party’s national leadership of corruption and mismanagement, alleging that party officials in Bayelsa sold him out during the election.

“The state said they sent N50 million to Abuja, but when it came to sharing, the people in Abuja said, ‘The money agreed was N100 million, why are you bringing N50 million?’”

He further claimed the Labour Party’s National Chairman failed to address allegations of corruption in Bayelsa, despite taking swift action in similar cases in other states like Rivers and Imo.

“The revelation from Abuja has shown that they are as rotten as the same system they claim to be fighting,” he said.

Eradiri also revealed that he paid N25 million for his nomination form—N10 million more than others—under the promise of a refund, which he has yet to receive.

A former activist and commissioner, Eradiri expressed frustration with the state’s handling of its abundant natural resources.

“Bayelsa is too rich to be in this quagmire. What are we doing with the resources we have?”

Eradiri, now seeking new political avenues, described his foray into politics as an eye-opener.

“I was fooled into thinking leadership in Nigeria could be different. But I remain committed to the ideals of good governance and will continue to fight for change,” he concluded.