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Fubara vs Wike: No end time for Rivers crisis, ‘the jungle has matured’

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The Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zaccaeus Adangor, SAN has rejected his redeployment to the Ministry

There is no foreseeable end to the political crisis rocking the oil-rich state. All peace deals seem to have collapsed irretrievably.

In the words of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, “the jungle has matured” and what began in October 2023 as a mere misunderstanding between members of the same political families has been mismanaged and allowed to snowball into a major crisis. How did the once peaceful and progressive Rivers arrive at this troubling point?

The midnight attack and bombing of the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly in October 2023 by yet-to-be-unmasked hoodlums opened the public chapter of the Rivers political crisis. An impeachment scare reportedly caused the assault on the arm of the government. The former Majority Leader of the House, Edison Ehie and two others were suspended by the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. The lawmakers sat at the conference hall and issued an impeachment notice to the governor.

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The executive moved in bulldozers and pulverized a significant section of the assembly complex, saying the area was uninhabitable because of the impact of the explosives on the building. The House was split, with pro-Fubara lawmakers electing Ehie as their speaker. Afterwards, they relocated their legislative sitting to the Government House.

All hell was let loose after 27 lawmakers abandoned the political platform through which they were elected, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). This immediately altered the Rivers State’s political configuration.

Ehie declared the seats of the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike vacant, citing constitutional provisions and insisting that they have ceased to be members, immediately after they defected to another party. He also wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and called for fresh elections to fill the position he earlier declared vacant. The development led to a flurry of legal battles, judicial orders and counter-orders.

READ ALSO  “What I Would Do With Wike If I Were Fubara”: Ex-APC Governorship Candidate Reacts to Rivers Crisis

Youths and residents sided with the governor and barricaded the main entrance to the Government House. Over 10 commissioners and Wike’s loyalists resigned their appointments in Fubara’s cabinet in solidarity with their political leader.

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The once peaceful Rivers State was on edge. There were signs of possible breakdown of law in the air. The state elders woke up and sought mediation. However, the elders were factionalized and biased. Some pitched their camp with Wike, absolving him of wrongdoing. Others identified with Governor Fubara and accused Wike of trying to strangulate and emasculate his estranged godson. The state was in a quagmire with confusion looming.

Concerned about the escalating crisis and possible violence, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened to unite the warring factions. Tinubu’s intervention was based on the love he has for Wike, Fubara and the entire Rivers people. He may have remembered how Rivers played a crucial role in his election and the red carpet reception he received when he visited to inaugurate some projects as the President-elect.

READ ALSO  2027 Presidency: Peter Obi To Withdraw For Jonathan

The intervention of Tinubu led to the promulgation of the Eight-point Peace Accord. All the warring parties endorsed the agreement, which brought a glimmer of hope that the crisis in the oil-rich state would be settled.

Despite the pressure mounted on him by some powerful stakeholders to reject the peace deal, Fubara insisted that he would implement it. Perhaps to facilitate the implementation, the governor convinced Ehie to resign his membership of the House and take up a new role in his administration as the Chief of Staff.

Source: The Nation

 

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Politics

2027 Presidency: Peter Obi To Withdraw For Jonathan

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan is looking more likely to run against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Recent events in the political scene are fueling this possibility.

On Thursday, Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate from the Labour Party, had an important and private meeting with Jonathan in Abuja. Click link to continue reading.

Things Fall Apart: Peter Obi, Atiku 2027 Presidential ambitions tears ADC

The Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party have ruled out dropping names and party structures for the 2027 general election, but would

READ ALSO  “What I Would Do With Wike If I Were Fubara”: Ex-APC Governorship Candidate Reacts to Rivers Crisis
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“What I Would Do With Wike If I Were Fubara”: Ex-APC Governorship Candidate Reacts to Rivers Crisis

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Fubara would not be able to make any decision

A former governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tonye Cole, has responded to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

Cole explained what he anticipates will happen to the suspended governor, Sim Fubara, when he eventually returns to office.

Additionally, the APC chieftain shared what actions he would take regarding the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, if he were in Fubara’s shoe. click link for full details

Legit reports that Fubara, who was suspended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for six months is expected to return to office on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

READ ALSO  2027 Presidency: Peter Obi To Withdraw For Jonathan

Cole said Fubara would not be able to make any decision when his suspension is eventually lifted without interference.

The APC chieftain said Fubara would find himself in a difficult situation in running the affairs of the state. He stated this while speaking on Channels Television’s

The Morning Brief on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. The co-founder cried out, stating that Fubara would not be able to exercise his full authority as the governor of the oil-rich state.

READ ALSO  “What I Would Do With Wike If I Were Fubara”: Ex-APC Governorship Candidate Reacts to Rivers Crisis

“We cannot be in a situation where we have an elected governor of a state, like Rivers State, which is a very critical state not just for the people of Rivers but Nigeria as a whole, and what you then see is that you have an elected governor that has zero powers.

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“I don’t think it portends well at all. It’s extremely difficult, and I think the governor will be finding himself in a very difficult situation” Cole advised Fubara to reach out to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, and agree on how he can make certain decisions in the state.

READ ALSO  2027: Could Peter Obi Steps Down For Jonathan? Two Possible Outcomes

“What I would do if I were him would be to now sit down with the honourable minister and appeal for some leeway to allow certain decisions to be taken by me as governor, and others to be taken by him, whatever peace agreement they had.”

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2027: Could Peter Obi Steps Down For Jonathan? Two Possible Outcomes

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As we approach the 2027 presidential elections, the possibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan positioning himself as a formidable challenger against the current President, Bola Tinubu, is gaining traction.

This shift in the political landscape is bolstered by recent events that suggest a strategic realignment among key political figures. Click link to continue reading.

2027: Jonathan's name unsettles ADC, APC as PDP set to unveil zoning formula

Notably, Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, recently held a crucial and discreet meeting with Jonathan in Abuja. This gathering has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about potential collaborations or endorsement scenarios leading up to the elections.

Should Obi choose to withdraw in favor of Jonathan, two significant outcomes could arise. First, Jonathan’s experience and recognition as a former president could galvanize support from a broader spectrum of voters, potentially positioning him as a strong contender against Tinubu. Second, such a move would indicate a willingness among prominent political figures to unify against a common opponent, which could reshape the dynamics of the race and influence the strategies of other candidates.

READ ALSO  2027 Presidency: Peter Obi To Withdraw For Jonathan

As we analyze these developments, the political implications surrounding the 2027 election continue to evolve, inviting further scrutiny and conversation about the future of Nigeria’s political landscape.

Recently, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, engaged in a significant and discreet meeting with Jonathan in the heart of Abuja.

“Today in Abuja, I had the privilege of meeting my esteemed elder brother, a distinguished statesman, and leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan @GEJonathan. Our closed-door discussion was fruitful, centering on the pressing issues facing our beloved nation,” he stated.

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An insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that influential political figures across the country are keenly interested in seeing Jonathan run for the presidency in 2027, urging Obi to consider stepping aside for the former president.

READ ALSO  2027: Could Peter Obi Steps Down For Jonathan? Two Possible Outcomes

As Obi contemplates addressing his passionate Obidient Movement, various proposals are being considered, should both factions find common ground.

The source added that Jonathan might choose to align himself with a prominent candidate from the northern region, potentially selecting either Rabiu Kwankwaso or Bala Mohammed as his running mate.

In the meantime, the PDP Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, has formally endorsed Shekarau as the consensus national chairman in anticipation of the party’s convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

READ ALSO  “What I Would Do With Wike If I Were Fubara”: Ex-APC Governorship Candidate Reacts to Rivers Crisis

This strategic move has garnered support not only from Jonathan but also from Peter Obi, who, during their recent discussions in Abuja, expressed solidarity with the PDP’s goals.

A close associate of both leaders noted that they swapped insights regarding the political landscape as it shapes up for 2027, commending Mohammed’s efforts to stabilize the PDP and steer it away from the betrayals that have marred its reputation in recent years.

For Obi to accept such condition, according another source, there must be three important appointment that will come directly from him if all plans work in 2027.

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Fresh Crisis Looms In Lagos As Sanwo-Olu, Obasa In Supremacy Battle… Speaker Gives Governor Standing Order

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Warnings are emerging that a new political showdown may soon erupt in Lagos State, pitting Governor Sanwo-Olu against Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The unresolved tensions between these two influential figures suggest that the battle for supremacy is far from over.

Reports indicate that the Speaker, emboldened by a perceived directive from the executive, is contemplating a bold move to confront the governor. The air is thick with anticipation as these political rivals seem poised to clash once more, each determined to assert their dominance in the state’s power dynamics.

Another Executive-Legislative showdown is brewing in Lagos State as the House of Assembly under the speakership of Mudashiru Obasa today asked the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to withdraw appointment letters to appointees who are yet to be “cleared by the Assembly.”

READ ALSO  2027 Presidency: Peter Obi To Withdraw For Jonathan

It is a public knowledge that Obasa and Sanwo-Olu are not on good terms. This was believed to be one of the reasons behind Obasa’s recent removal.

However, the speaker managed to secure the backing of the “powers that be,” who facilitated his return as speaker.

At plenary on Tuesday, lawmakers angrily reacted to what they described as “the growing practice of political appointees assuming office without the constitutionally required confirmation of the House.”

Obasa said the development was a direct challenge to legislative authority, warning that it “tests the powers of the House.”

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He held the Head of Service responsible for issuing appointment letters without legislative clearance and announced that the official will be summoned to explain.

READ ALSO  2027: Could Peter Obi Steps Down For Jonathan? Two Possible Outcomes

Obasa further urged the Governor to withdraw all letters issued to appointees yet to be screened.

This follows a motion titled “Need for Government Appointees to appear before the House for Confirmation.”

Hon. Setonji David, Deputy Chief Whip, cited Sections 126 & 198 of the 1999 Constitution, stressing that no public officer should assume office without legislative screening, warning that such actions undermine separation of powers and weaken accountability.

Hon. Desmond Elliot called the development “an insult to the House,” insisting that no appointee or institution should defy Lagos laws.

Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh noted that some agencies operate without legal frameworks, which erodes due process in a state built on the rule of law.

READ ALSO  “What I Would Do With Wike If I Were Fubara”: Ex-APC Governorship Candidate Reacts to Rivers Crisis

Hon. Stephen Ogundipe reminded all aspiring public officers that confirmation is not a mere formality but a safeguard to ensure competence, integrity, and good character.

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Hon. Kehinde Joseph demanded sanctions for repeated constitutional breaches and urged that any funds spent by unconfirmed officers be refunded to government coffers.

Hon. Rasheed Shabi condemned the lack of respect for legislative authority, describing the issuance of appointment letters without confirmation as a direct affront to the Constitution.

The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to forward the Assembly’s resolution to the Governor for immediate action.

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FULL LIST: 20 States Tinubu Will Win Against Atiku, Jonathan, Obi In 2027 Election (SEE MAP)

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As Nigeria’s political scene changes, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces big challenges in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.

He will encounter tough competition, with several opponents emerging among his rivals. This election could be one of the hardest fights of his political career. Click link to continue reading.

FULL TEXT: President Bola Tinubu’s national broadcast on 2024 Democracy Day

2027: How Jonathan as PDP candidate may favour Atiku to become President (Full voting breakdown)

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has resurfaced as a formidable competitor, adding to the list of Tinubu’s political adversaries. His return to the political arena could complicate Tinubu’s path to reelection, as Jonathan is a seasoned politician with substantial support.

READ ALSO  2027: Could Peter Obi Steps Down For Jonathan? Two Possible Outcomes

Prior to Jonathan’s emergence, Tinubu was already contending with other well-known political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi. Both Abubakar and Obi ran against Tinubu in the 2023 election but were unable to secure victory.

In the lead-up to the 2027 contest, they have united within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and expressed their intentions to challenge Tinubu once again. Atiku Abubakar has made it clear that he intends to run as a northern candidate, while Peter Obi has publicly stated his desire to limit his presidency to a single term, aiming to govern for four years before yielding power back to northern Nigeria.

READ ALSO  “What I Would Do With Wike If I Were Fubara”: Ex-APC Governorship Candidate Reacts to Rivers Crisis

However, this pledge has drawn criticism from fellow coalition members.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has openly criticized Obi’s assertion of a one-term presidency, arguing that it raises doubts about the sincerity of his intentions.

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El-Rufai has been vocal in advocating for a southern candidate to oppose Tinubu in the election, suggesting that Obi’s statement lacks credibility among the electorate.

Despite these challenges, many analysts believe that President Tinubu may still secure victories in several key states, leveraging his political strategies that could potentially surprise his opponents in the 2027 election. The states where Tinubu is likely to perform well include:

  1. Benue
  2. Kaduna
  3. Zamfara
  4. Nasarawa
  5. Plateau
  6. Borno
  7. Niger
  8. FCT
  9. Akwa ibom
  10. Rivers
  11. Imo
  12. Ogun
  13. Osun
  14. Ekiti
  15. Ondo
  16. Oyo
  17. Lagos
  18. Kogi
  19. Kwara
  20. Edo
READ ALSO  “What I Would Do With Wike If I Were Fubara”: Ex-APC Governorship Candidate Reacts to Rivers Crisis

These states, each with their unique political dynamics and constituencies, could prove crucial for Tinubu as he navigates the complexities and rivalries of the upcoming election.

 

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FULL LIST: Analyst Reveals 20 States Jonathan, Atiku May Win Against Tinubu In 2027 Election

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As Nigeria approaches its upcoming presidential election, the political landscape is becoming increasingly charged, particularly for incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu could encounter significant challenges from former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, both of whom are gearing up to launch strong campaigns for the 2027 election.

Tinubu may face formidable challenges from former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, both of whom are preparing to launch vigorous campaigns in 2027.

READ ALSO  2027: Could Peter Obi Steps Down For Jonathan? Two Possible Outcomes

The upcoming election is shaping up to be an intriguing contest, with several prominent political figures signaling their intentions to challenge Tinubu’s presidency.

Among them, Goodluck Jonathan has been actively engaging in strategic consultations with various political stakeholders, seeking to build alliances and strengthen his position for a potential comeback.

Despite some critics pointing to notable achievements during his tenure, President Tinubu’s policies have faced backlash, which could culminate in a tough electoral battle. The following list of 20 states reflects a blend of political discontent and regional dynamics that may hinder Tinubu’s chances of securing victory in these areas:

READ ALSO  “What I Would Do With Wike If I Were Fubara”: Ex-APC Governorship Candidate Reacts to Rivers Crisis

1. Kano
2. Sokoto
3. Kaduna
4. Taraba
5. Niger
6. Zamfara
7. Benue
8. Anambra
9. Enugu
10. Abia
11. Bayelsa
12. Oyo
13. Adamawa
14 Kwara
15. Bauchi
16. Kebbi
17. Delta
18. Jigawa
19. Katsina
20.Ebonyi

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The insights derived from this analysis underscore the multifaceted challenges that President Tinubu could encounter in these states, ranging from personal grievances to broad political influences.

READ ALSO  “What I Would Do With Wike If I Were Fubara”: Ex-APC Governorship Candidate Reacts to Rivers Crisis

As the election draws nearer, the dynamics within these regions will be closely monitored and could significantly impact the overall electoral outcome in 2027.

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