Politics
Rivers crisis: Ex-LG chairpersons flout police order, stage protests
Former council chairpersons from 21 of the 23 LGAs in Rivers have led protests in their respective council areas.
Last week, Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, asked the heads of local government administration to immediately assume control of the 23 council areas.
This followed the end of the three-year tenure of the council chairpersons.
Despite the governor’s directive, some of the former LGA chairpersons reportedly attempted to resume duties at the council secretariat, but were chased away by youths.
The development heightened the political tension in Rivers as residents protested at some of the LGA secretariats.
Police officers fired multiple shots to disperse protesters at the various LGA headquarters.
The 23 LG secretariats have since been barricaded by the police.
A STATE POLARISED
Rivers has been embroiled in political crisis since Fubara fell out with Nyesom Wike, his predecessor.
On Monday, Onengiyeofori George, a former chairman and his followers, marched through Buguma, the council headquarters of Asari-Toru LGA, gyrating to songs praising Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
They held posters with inscriptions urging the police to continue occupying the council headquarters.
Some of the inscriptions reads: ‘Sim Fubara Can’t Continue to Act As He Likes’ and ‘There’s No Vacancy in Asari-Toru Council’.
The protest by the pro-Wike former LGA bosses is coming despite an advisory against protests as issued by the Rivers police.
The Rivers police command had asked the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to shelve the protest.
On Saturday, Clifford Paul, president of NULGE in Rivers, had given Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, a four-day ultimatum to order officers to vacate the 23 LG secretariats in the state.
Paul had said the police siege at the LG headquarters has prevented NULGE members from accessing their offices.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, Grace Iringe-Koko, police spokesperson in Rivers, said the command received intelligence of a possible hijack of the protest.
“The police command respects the right to lawful assembly but has received credible intelligence indicating potential infiltration of the planned protest on Monday,” the statement reads.
AMENDED LG BILL
In April, the Rivers assembly passed the local government amendment bill into law despite Fubara’s refusal to give his assent.
The amendment empowers the lawmakers, via resolution, to extend the tenure of elected chairpersons of LGAs and councillors, where it is considered impracticable to hold elections before the expiration of their three-year term in office.
The Rivers assembly said the amendment was to ensure that LGA elections were conducted before the expiration of the administration.
Fubara declined assent to the bill, but the assembly vetoed his decision.
However, a court judgment nullified the amendment to the local government law.
The verdict was appealed, and the appellate court is yet to deliver judgment on the matter.
The 27 house of assembly members had said they would resist attempts by Fubara to install caretaker chairpersons in the LGAs.
Source: The Cable
The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has revealed who can decide the fate of suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Legit recalls that the Nigerian Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6, 2025, following a resolution that barred her from parliamentary activities for six months.
Speaking on behalf of the Clerk’s office, Mullah Bi-Allah said: “The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse or interpret Senate decisions.” …click link for full details
The prospects of former President Goodluck Jonathan emerging as a contender against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections are increasingly promising, fueled by recent developments within the political landscape.
On Thursday, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, engaged in a significant and discreet meeting with Jonathan in the heart of Abuja. Click link to continue reading.
“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.
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.
As Obi contemplates addressing his passionate Obidient Movement, various proposals are being considered, should both factions find common ground.
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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.
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.
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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.
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Popular Nigerian cleric and founder of Champions Royal Assembly, Prophet Joshua Iginla, has called on citizens to intensify their prayers for the nation’s leaders, particularly focusing on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In a recent prophetic message delivered to his congregation, Iginla emphasized the urgent need to address the health of both leaders. …You can watch Iginla’s video from 0:01 to 0:26 minutes
He stated that spiritual support through prayer is essential for enabling them to effectively fulfill their responsibilities in guiding the country.
In his words, “We need to be praying for our leaders. I have talked about two important leaders that needs our prayers in this country. I see our president and the FCT minister need prayer for their health. They should pay more attention to their health.”
The prophecy comes amid renewed conversations about the well-being of public office holders in Nigeria. Earlier this year, speculation swirled around Nyesom Wike’s health, prompting widespread media reports. The former Rivers State governor, however, swiftly dismissed the rumours, insisting he was in good condition and capable of handling his ministerial responsibilities.
For President Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, concerns about his health have also been a recurring subject of public debate, both during his election campaign and after his inauguration. Although the presidency has repeatedly assured Nigerians of his fitness to govern, the topic continues to surface in political discussions.
Politics
Did Tinubu’s Ally Wike Suffer Heart Failure in UK, Fighting for His Life? Here is What We Know; Wike’s Spokesperson Shares Update
A report by Sahara Reporters, which has been widely shared on internet, claims that Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
A post circulating on social media has sparked new speculation about the health status of Minister Wike.
This post has been viewed by over 12,000 people and makes the claim regarding his health condition: “Breaking News. Wike Suffers Heart Failure in UK. Presently Battling With His Life.” …Click link for full details
Wike, serving as the minister of the FCT since 2023, is a key ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Legit reports that while Nigerian hospitals battle with inadequate equipment and funding, most of the country’s politicians routinely travel for medical treatment in the United Kingdom (UK).
However, checks by Legit.ng indicate that no other reputable platforms have the report
Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communication and social media to Nyesom Wike, on Sunday, September 14, disclosed that his principal will be on a popular political show on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
The online news platform said sources privy to the minister’s health status informed it that Wike has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and is currently under medical management in the UK. Apart from that, no such articles from any credible news outlet.
The same claim about Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), appear here.
Wike, governor of Rivers state from 2015 to 2023, is widely considered a strong ally of President Bola Tinubu.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member supported Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2023 poll. Tinubu eventually won the 2023 presidential election.
Wike was the leader of the G5, a group of then-PDP governors who were aggrieved with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the PDP national leadership at the time.
After his inauguration on May 29, 2023, Tinubu appointed Wike as the minister of the FCT, Abuja, apparently as a reward for his support to the president during the election.
Lately, users put up posts on social media claiming that Wike suffered a heart failure and is in grave danger of dying. But how true is this? We probed..
Wike ‘away from duty’
We discovered that the story about Wike’s alleged severe illness was published by Nigerian blog, Sahara Reporters. The media outlet said sources privy to the minister’s health status informed it that Wike has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and is currently under medical management in the UK. Apart from that, no such articles from any credible news outlet.
Also, we found that it has been a while since Wike appeared at public events. Wike was last seen at the flag off of the emergency rehabilitation and dualisation of the Karu Interchange, Customs Clinic Junction road, Abuja, on Wednesday, September 3.
The video and photographs can be seen below:
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, flagging off the reconstruction and dualisation of Karu Road, from Karu Interchange to Customs Clinic Junction, and other Karu township roads in AMAC, FCT, today. pic.twitter.com/PipjdpaiBR
— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) September 3, 2025
He has been represented at two public events since that time, fuelling rumours that he might be out of the country for medical reasons. On Thursday, September 4, chief of staff Chidi Amadi stood in for Wike at the flag off the distribution of fertilisers at 50 percent subsidised rates to farmers across the six area councils of the FCT.
Similarly, on Thursday, September 11, Mariya Mahmud Bunkure, the minister of state for the FCT, represented Wike at the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria (APSON’s) 24th annual general meeting (AGM) and scientific conference in Abuja. Vanguard noted Mariya filling in for Wike at the event.
Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, who is vocal on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), and is often swift to quash certain reports related to his principal, has yet to issue a statement to debunk or confirm the development.
As discussions surrounding a potential resurgence of former President Goodluck Jonathan become increasingly prominent, various governors and influential political figures have commenced efforts to mobilize support for him in an election expected to be highly competitive.
Some states have been identified as pivotal battlegrounds, where Jonathan’s prospects for success may be substantially enhanced. Click link to continue reading.
Politics
Pray for Tinubu, Wike: They Need Prayer For Their Health, They Should Pay More Attention To Their Health – Iginla
Popular Nigerian cleric and founder of Champions Royal Assembly, Prophet Joshua Iginla, has called on citizens to intensify prayers for the nation’s leaders, with particular emphasis on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
During a recent prophetic message to his congregation, Iginla stressed that the health of both leaders requires urgent attention. According to him, spiritual support through prayer is essential for them to effectively carry out their duties in steering the affairs of the country. …You can watch Iginla’s video from 0:01 to 0:26 minutes
In his words, “We need to be praying for our leaders. I have talked about two important leaders that needs our prayers in this country. I see our president and the FCT minister need prayer for their health. They should pay more attention to their health.”
The prophecy comes amid renewed conversations about the well-being of public office holders in Nigeria. Earlier this year, speculation swirled around Nyesom Wike’s health, prompting widespread media reports. The former Rivers State governor, however, swiftly dismissed the rumours, insisting he was in good condition and capable of handling his ministerial responsibilities.
For President Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, concerns about his health have also been a recurring subject of public debate, both during his election campaign and after his inauguration. Although the presidency has repeatedly assured Nigerians of his fitness to govern, the topic continues to surface in political discussions.
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