Politics
Rivers crisis: Tinubu stop Fubara’s removal, protesters arrested
President Bola Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party governors on Tuesday intervened to stop the impeachment moves against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The President conferred with the embattled governor and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, disclosed this shortly after the Nigeria Police Council met for the first time under the Tinubu administration.
Both Wike and Fubara had attended the meeting which was held at the State House.
However, photographs and videos capturing the moment were muffled by security operatives who threatened any media house that published them with eviction from the Presidential Villa.
Some cameramen confided that while others were asked not to take photographs and videos of the two men, those who had done so before the directive were asked not to publish them.
This happened as the police arrested about 120 youths in Port Harcourt for protesting the moves to impeach the governor.
Sources said the youth had attempted to invade the official residence of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, in Port Harcourt, but they were repelled by the police, who dispersed them with gunshots.
The youth were demanding Amaewhule’s eviction, claiming that he was no longer the House Speaker.
The protesters had attempted to pull down the gates to the speaker’s residence while demanding his eviction from the building but the police quickly responded to the situation and arrested some of them.
It was gathered that a stray bullet hit one of the youth who bled profusely and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
But a member of the Ijaw Youths Council, who simply gave his name as Thankgod, condemned the arrest, saying, “We did not touch his (Amaewhule’s) gate. We were just at a peaceful protest over what took place at the state House of Assembly.
“You know that some members (lawmakers) said they had signed a notice of impeachment on the governor, and we said it is illegal. It was a peaceful protest. You can see we are not armed.”
Online videos showed the youth sitting on the ground at the premises of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau in Port Harcourt.
Our correspondent gathered that among those arrested was the state Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Chijioke Ihunwo.
Ihunwo, before his later arrest said the youth would continue the occupation until they were sure that Fubara was secured.
He stated, “I want to condemn what happened in the state on Monday that a few persons want to cause a crisis in our state by wanting to impeach the governor of the state, Fubara.’’
Police spokesman
When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Irnge-Koko said she would find out and get back to our correspondent.
But she had yet to do as of the time of filing this report on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, a senior police source confirmed the incident, saying, “Those arrested are about 200. One of them is the Chairman of NYCN, Chijioke Ihunwo.
“One was seriously injured. The ones arrested are in custody,” he stated.
However, an official police source said no fewer than 120 protesters were arrested by the police.
Reacting to the arrest, the Spokesman for the Ijaw Youths Council, Worldwide, Bedford Benjamin, confirmed the development but said the youth had no intention of attacking Amaewhule’s residence.
He said the aggrieved youth only went there on a peaceful protest and condemned the decision of security agents to fire at them.
Benjamin said there was an unconfined report that someone was killed by the bullets adding that many of the protesters sustained injuries.
He said one of the youth and Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, Ihunwo and many others were arrested and thrown into a cell.
Bedford said: “We condemn in strong terms the sporadic shooting at peaceful protesters at the factional speaker’s residential area in Rivers state. One person is feared dead from the shooting many others sustained gun wounds and other degrees of injuries.
“We demand the unconditional release of the chairman of Rivers State Youth Council and the numerous Ijaw youths who are being arrested and detained unlawfully.
“Peaceful protests are backed by law, and anybody who is bent on usurping the will of the people will be resisted by the people.”
Continuing, he said, “We urge those saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the state not to play politics in the discharge of their duty as that can lead to further dangerous outcomes.
“The IYC calls on the Federal Government to step in immediately before the outcome disrupt the economy of the state and by extension the nation. We cannot afford this level of civil criminality in a democratic system”.
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Earlier on Tuesday, the youth occupied the entrance leading to the Government House along Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt as they continued their Monday protest against the planned impeachment of the governor by some lawmakers.
The protesters vowed to resist any attempt to oust Governor Fubara from office through the back door
The youth numbering over 1,000 besieged the Government House gate with music bands dancing and singing in solidarity in support of the governor.
The state Chairman of the NYCN, Ihunwo, who was one of the leaders before his later arrest said the youth would continue the occupation until they are sure that Fubara is secured.
He stated, “I want to condemn what happened in the state on Monday that a few persons, who want to cause a crisis in our state by wanting to impeach the governor of the state, Fubara.
“It is uncalled for. This is just the beginning and we are going to occupy the streets. We are saying no to godfatherism. The youths will occupy the streets because we have a governor that has a passion for Rivers youths.”
The incident occurred 24 hours after 26 members moved to remove Fubara over the alleged breach.
Bauchi gov
Confirming Tinubu’s intervention on Tuesday after the Villa meeting, the Bauchi State governor said, “The President is on a call; He is speaking to both parties to douse the tension.”
The former FCT Minister further explained, “We had a closed session where very serious national issues that have security implications were discussed. That is the problem emerging in Rivers.
“The President, in his usual leadership position, intervened, and then it will appear there will be peace in that respect. He has shown that he’s a President for everybody. A President of the PDP and a president of the APC by intervening today and bringing succour and solace to the people of Rivers and Nigeria.
“He is making sure he did not use his big hammer and biro to emasculate us as the opposition. We found this to be very good. And going forward, we pledge that we are going to work with him to bring good governance to the people of Nigeria.”
Also, governors elected on the PDP have intervened in the crisis.
The Chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, Mohammed in a communiqué read after a meeting of the group at the Oyo State Lodge in Abuja, commended the President for his intervention in the Rivers State political crisis.
He said, “The PDP governors were alarmed at the recent developments in Rivers State and welcome the intervention of Mr. President to bring the crises to an end. The meeting urged all parties to the Rivers State crises to sheath their sword and resort to peaceful means of resolution
“The forum further offers its platform for a quick and just containment of the issues involved.”
‘Crisis resolved’
After reading the prepared speech, Mohammed explained that the crisis between Wike and Fubara had been resolved.
He said: “As you can see, our brother governor is here; he has resolved the matter with his mentor.”
Meanwhile, the kinsmen of the Rivers governor from the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality have called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately redeploy the state Commissioner of Police, Emeke Nwonyi, over the crisis that rocked the state House of Assembly and the attack the governor suffered on Monday.
The kinsmen under the aegis of ‘Ida Obolo Sim Vanguard’ a Pro-Peoples Democratic Party Support group, while condemning the activities of the Nigeria Police Force, said it was most embarrassing that CP Nwonyi-led state command supervised the ill-treatment meted out on the governor without recourse to professionalism.
Former Chairman of the Andoni Local Government Area of the state, Gogo-Ogute Isaiah, made the call at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, saying the attitude of the CP portrayed him as incompetent.
Politics
Breaking: Court of Appeal Sets Aside Judgement Ordering Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Parties
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court which ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision on Tuesday, declared the judgement ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the parties “null and void.”
Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered INEC to deregister the parties over their performance in the 2023 general elections.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the affected political parties — the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) — approached the Court of Appeal seeking to nullify the Federal High Court judgement.
However, the three-member panel of the appellate court, presided over by Justice Abba Mohammed, held that the trial court lacked the judicial power to entertain the case in the first place.
The Court of Appeal also faulted the Federal High Court for proceeding with the delivery of the judgement despite an order by the appellate court directing a stay of proceedings, which included the delivery of the judgement.
The appellate court described the Federal High Court’s decision as “a nullity,” stating that the action of the trial court amounted to “judicial impertinence” or what the Supreme Court had described as “judicial insubordination.”
The court further held that the first respondent lacked the locus standi to institute the action in the first place, and consequently set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court.
“The evidence before the court clearly shows compliance with Section 225A of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The judgement of the trial judge was perverse,” the Court of Appeal held.
The former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to focus on ensuring the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.
In a statement on Sunday in Enugu, Okechukwu noted that credible elections remained the strongest antidote to intra-party impunity.
He was responding to the INEC Chairman’s recent call on political parties to adhere strictly to principles of internal democracy during a courtesy visit to former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Minna, Niger.
According to Okechukwu, the INEC Chairman has consistently emphasised the issue of internal democracy, having made similar remarks in Akwa Ibom in March 2026 and again in Abuja in June 2026.
He said, “Whereas one agrees with the Chairman that strict observance of internal democracy within political parties is of paramount importance.
“However, the greatest incentive for political parties to uphold internal democracy is the consistent conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections by INEC.”
He argued that political scientists had long maintained that political parties were more likely to respect democratic principles and popular will when electoral processes are credible and transparent.
“Political party leaders will do everything within the ambit of the law to keep their houses in order and present the most acceptable and popular candidates when they are confident that elections will be free and fair.
“In such circumstances, they are compelled to obey the wishes of the electorate. However, when elections are perceived as lacking transparency, internal party conflicts and impunity are more likely to thrive,” he said.
Okechukwu also dismissed the allegation of other political parties feelings that INEC is the handgun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC chieftain said that APC needed free and fair elections as core patriots who are committed to the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall progress of every Nigerian.
“I dismiss the handgun allegation, as APC needs free and fair elections,not only for legitimacy with our 31 state governors, but for the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall good governance,” he said.
He maintained that the APC remained a formidable political force and that credible elections would ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and political parties alike.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, says Buhari didn’t publicly back Tinubu in the 2023 All Progressives Congress primary due to religious and ethical concerns.
In an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday, Lawal revealed that Buhari was initially hesitant to back Tinubu due to religious and ethical considerations regarding his suitability as a successor.
Lawal claimed that, however, after extensive discussions, the late president agreed to remain neutral and allow party delegates to decide the candidate at the convention.
According to the former SGF, Tinubu played a critical role in previous APC election campaigns by providing resources and political strategists, making it difficult for Buhari to oppose his presidential ambition outright.
“Bola Tinubu brought people and we coarced him to change the trajectory of the campaign through those his people.
“Buhari is a human and he’s a decent guy. So I am the only person that confront him with these facts.
“He will not say I don’t know. He would not say it’s a rumour because I was there.
“So why would he deny him (Tinubu)? Why would he… in the end he said okay,” Lawal said.
Lawal added that before the APC presidential convention, he advised Buhari to refrain from backing any aspirant and allow party delegates to choose the candidate.
“As we were going to the convention, I said, ‘Oga’, let’s make a deal. I said look, this man (Tinubu), we now know that on the basis of your religion and your ethics and your upbringing, you don’t want to hand over to this man, but he has helped us get here.
“So there’s no way. Let’s make a deal. Stay neutral and allow me to run the process.
“If we go to the convention and the party faithfuls defeat him, so be it. Your hand is not in it.”
Lawal said Buhari initially rejected the proposal, insisting that if he allowed him to manage the process, Tinubu would emerge as the party’s candidate.
“But Buhari said that’s not an excuse. I know you, you will give Bola Tinubu this ticket.“I say, are you God now, sir?
“Buhari said, no, you started with me since 2002. So I know how you work. I know your methodologies. That man, if I leave him to you, he’ll get the ticket.”
Lawal said he responded that even if Tinubu secured the APC ticket, Nigerians would still decide the outcome of the presidential election.
“I say, okay, okay, granted. If he gets the ticket, it means you are now a prophet. However, you’re ascribing to me qualities I don’t have.
“But let’s assume it happens. Supposing the general election rejects him, is that you?”
He added that Buhari also expressed concern over whether Tinubu would be fair to members of their political camp if elected president.
“He mentioned some things. This man, is he going to be fair to our people? Is he going to be this?
“I said, yes, as long as I’m there, you know, I can checkmate him.
“He said, ‘Okay, deal.’”
Ahead of the APC presidential primary in June 2022, Buhari repeatedly urged party delegates to choose a candidate they believed could advance the party’s ideals but stopped short of publicly endorsing any of the aspirants, despite intense lobbying by contenders, including Tinubu.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, went on to defeat other leading aspirants, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, to clinch the APC presidential ticket.
He later won the February 2023 presidential election and was sworn in as president on May 29, 2023.
Politics
Enugu NDC Passes Vote Of Confidence On Dr. Johnpaul Anih-Led State Exco, Warns Against Destabilisation
The Enugu State chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee (SWC), reaffirming its confidence in the current leadership and warning individuals allegedly plotting to destabilise the party to desist.
The resolution was reached on Saturday during an expanded meeting of the state working committee, party stakeholders, candidates and members, who commended the state executive for its leadership, commitment and efforts at repositioning the NDC in Enugu State.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of the party in Isiuzo Local Government Area, Hon. Jonathan Ogbu, said the current state leadership had transformed the fortunes of the party in Enugu.
“This is the only leadership of the party that emerged through a valid congress monitored by INEC, and any attempt by Enugu politicians spending dollars in Abuja to destabilise the party will be firmly resisted”.
“Without the current leadership, nobody would be hearing about the NDC in Enugu State today. The Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive has given the party life and made it attractive through its programmes and grassroots mobilisation,” he said.
Corroborating his position, the Igboeze North Local Government Chairman of the party, Hon. Kingsley Ape and his Aninri counterpart, Hon. Stephen Ajah, stated that the achievements of the present leadership had positioned the party to participate effectively in the forthcoming local government elections.
According to them, without the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive, the NDC would not have been on the ballot for the forthcoming local government chairmanship and councillorship elections in Enugu State.
The party leaders declared that they remain firmly behind Dr. Anih and his executive, insisting that the State Working Committee enjoys the overwhelming confidence and support of the party’s grassroots structure across the 17 local government areas of the state.
They further warned that any attempt to tamper with the existing leadership could trigger a mass exodus of members from the party in Enugu State.
The stakeholders also cautioned individuals allegedly fomenting crisis within the party, urging them to steer clear of activities capable of undermining the unity, stability and progress of the NDC.
According to them, any attempt to create parallel party structures or sow discord among members would be firmly resisted in the interest of preserving the party’s cohesion ahead of future political engagements.
The members equally expressed concern over what they described as the actions of the party’s national leadership, alleging that recent developments could further deepen internal disagreements if not handled with fairness and respect for due process.
They urged the national leadership to refrain from actions capable of escalating tensions within the party, stressing that internal disputes should be resolved in line with the party’s constitution and democratic principles.
Reaffirming their loyalty to the NDC, the stakeholders called on members across the state to remain united, focused and committed to building a stronger political platform.
They pledged their continued support for the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee and maintained that the Enugu chapter would continue to protect the integrity of the party while working tirelessly to advance its political objectives in the state.
Kwankwaso disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, saying the agreement was aimed at ensuring power returns to the North after a single four-year tenure in line with the party’s power-sharing arrangement.
The former Kano State governor said he had no reason to doubt Obi’s commitment to honouring the agreement.
“Oh yes, I personally believe him. I don’t think, based on what I now know about him, that he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen,” he said.
Asked whether the understanding had been documented, Kwankwaso replied that both the party and the two candidates signed separate agreements.
“We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,” he said.
Explaining the substance of the agreement, Kwankwaso said it provides for a single four-year tenure for Obi before the presidency returns to the North.
“The agreement is what you said, that for four years, we will work together, team together as a group, party, friends and brothers so that after his term of four years (2027-2031), it comes back to the North. That is the general agreement.”
“Together we felt that the presidency should go to the South for four years; thereafter it will come back to the North.
“We believe that should be the consensus of everybody in this country so that we can move together as a family, both North and South,” he said.
On whether he intends to contest the presidency in 2031, Kwankwaso said the party remained focused on winning the 2027 election while keeping its long-term political plans in view.
“We have a short-term plan which we are executing now and, of course, we also have our medium and long-term plans for the country, and that is what we are working on now,” he said.
Obi had in May announced that he would serve only one term if elected president, saying the decision was intended to promote political stability and strengthen national unity.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day, with a gun to my head, longer than four years,” Obi had said.
The NDC has consistently defended its power-sharing arrangement, presenting the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a consensus aimed at balancing the country’s regional interests ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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