Politics
Nobody can intimidate me, impeachment not a coup – Wike
Justice O. Ben-Whyte issued the restraining order after Fubara’s lawyer, Damian Okoro, argued before him an ex parte application marked IHC/230/CS/2023.
The judge, in his ruling, held that: “It is hereby ordered that the parties in the case maintain the status quo in the case by the applicant as the Governor of Rivers State pending the application of the Motion on Notice.
“The case is hereby adjourned till the 14th of November, 2023 for the argument of the Motion on Notice.”
The court injunction is the latest in the unfolding political drama in Rivers State, which began on Monday night with the bombing of the state Assembly complex over the plot by the lawmakers to remove the governor. The lawmakers’ action is at the instance of Fubara’s predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Wike, on Wednesday, refused all entreaties to resolve the political feud with Fubara despite the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum.
At a meeting with PDP governors in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike justified the impeachment plot against Fubara as constitutional.
He also warned Fubara against any alliance with his political enemies to undermine him.
But undeterred by the minister’s belligerence, Fubara at a forum in Port Harcourt, hinted that the crisis would be resolved, describing his relationship with Wike as that of a father and son.
Moves by 24 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike to impeach Fubara had resulted in turbulence in the state on Monday, as the governor’s loyalists stormed the assembly complex in protest against the plot.
In a bid to resolve the spat between the two men, the President held a meeting with Wike and Fubara on Tuesday while the PDP governors led by their Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, also met with the minister 24 hours later.
Governors who attended the meeting included Governors Ahmadu Fintri (Adamawa), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau) and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.
Addressing journalists after the meeting that lasted about 25 minutes, the Bauchi State governor described Wike as ‘a jolly good fellow who is dispensing national service to Nigeria as a minister of the FCT.’
He noted, “Because of the maturity and leadership of the minister and the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, this crisis is going to be nipped in the bud.
“We know the person of Wike, his contribution to politics and national development; we know his relationship and his achievements in politics. So, we are not surprised that this matter is coming to an end.”
Wike justifies stand
However, the former Rivers State governor told his guests that he could not be intimidated while justifying the impeachment plot against Fubara as constitutional.
Wike stated, “They (PDP governors) have talked about the crisis in Rivers state. Let me tell anybody who cares that nobody can intimidate me.
“It does not matter whether you go and bring thugs, or you say you are Ijaw, if I want to do something, I will do it. Impeachment is not a military coup; impeachment is provided under the constitution.’’
Reacting to speculations that the crisis stemmed from the financial demands he was making on his successor, he said, “About the rumours of money; all that is rubbish. I just left office a few months ago and I am now the FCT minister. So, which money?
‘’But nobody can take away our political structure, no one. I have listened to them and for me, you cannot work and people will begin to bring enemies, those who fought you; nobody does that.’’
The ex-governor cautioned those peddling alleged rumours and lies on social media, stating that he had “the capacity to fight back.”
He added, “I am not a political ingrate, but don’t touch the political structure in Rivers State; I will not shut my eyes. Forget about the Obidients and the Atikulates, who have lost, who felt I did not support them and those whom I revoked their C of O (Certificate of Occupancy).
“Wike did this and that because I did not support their presidential candidates; all those things I am not perturbed, I will only do what is right.”
On what transpired at the meeting, a source hinted that Wike narrated his grievances against Fubara to the governors in turn who appealed to him to allow peace to reign in Rivers State.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source said, “Wike told the governors how he struggled to ensure Fubara succeeded him, but now, the Rivers State governor is empowering his political enemies and distorting his political structure to bring him down.
“President Tinubu made some recommendations to Governor Fubara and Wike for peace to reign. So, the governors agreed to wait for the result and also plan to have a similar meeting with the Rivers State governor.”
Meanwhile, Fubara expressed confidence on Wednesday that the crisis between him and Wike would be resolved.
Fubara stated this when the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, led a military delegation to the Government House in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.
Fubara further said it was not out of place for “a father and a son to have problems.”
He said, “For our dear state, I know everybody is wondering what’s going on, what’s not going on. We are okay, there is no problem.
“If we have an internal issue, it will be resolved and everything will go back to normal.
“There is nothing wrong if a father and a son have a problem; if there is any problem, but I don’t think there is anything. Whatever it is, we will definitely resolve the issue.”
In the now-controversial post shared on his social media page, Osborne wrote: “In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
The comment quickly generated reactions online before the Akwa Ibom State Government moved to terminate his appointment.
In a letter dated June 2, 2026, the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor announced his immediate disengagement.
The termination letter, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, stated that Osborne Ubong Okon had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.Politics
According to the letter, the decision was taken over actions the office described as disloyal.
“You are hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect and from today, 2nd June 2026,” the memo read.
The letter further cited “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to keep the office “purified” as reasons for the dismissal.
The office also issued a warning to members of the public and government officials regarding future dealings with the former aide.
“Any person having dealings with the above-mentioned former Media Aide in relation to this office of his former engagement does so on his/her own peril,” the statement added.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the limits of political expression for government appointees and the expectations of loyalty within public service, particularly when comments are directed at the presidency.
Neither Osborne nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the development as of the time of filing this report.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday at the Assembly complex in Dutse, the state capital, as the party continues to deal with the fallout from recent primaries.
The action comes amid a wave of suspensions across Jigawa APC following the recently conducted primary election.
Several special advisers and special assistants have already been suspended statewide over alleged anti-party activities from state level down to local government level.
Maigari, who doubles as the councillor representing Auyo Ward, was suspended after the House considered a motion by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dansure.
The motion sought disciplinary action against the lawmaker for conduct deemed harmful to party cohesion.
Moving the motion during the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Dansure urged members to support the suspension.
He said the House must act to protect the integrity of the ruling party ahead of 2027.
According to him, the actions of the Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His actions are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress,” Dansure told the House.
He argued that anti-party conduct at the grassroots level could undermine APC’s performance in future elections.
He said the House could not fold its arms while party discipline was being tested.
“Hon. Haruna Maigari is hereby suspended as Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council over alleged anti-party activities,” Dangyatin announced during plenary.
The Speaker also said the House remains committed to party discipline at all levels of governance in the state.
Dangyatin then constituted an investigative committee to look into the matter and report back within two weeks.
“The committee is expected to establish facts and recommend further action based on its findings,” he said.
The Speaker also directed the suspended lawmaker to hand over all official documents in his possession to the Deputy Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council.
He said the handover must be done immediately to ensure continuity of council business.
Meanwhile, the House also received a formal notification from Governor Umar Namadi regarding an official trip.
“The governor is billed to attend a two-day West African Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana,” the Speaker said during the plenary session of the Assembly.
Dangyatin, who explained that the governor’s foreign engagement will hold between June 2 and June 3, 2026, added that “the governor’s participation is aimed at attracting investment to Jigawa’s rice value chain.”
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mr. Samson Chukwu Nnamani has declared that he remains the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.
Nnamani made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Enugu.
Reacting to allegations that he was suspended from the party before the PDP governorship primary election, Nnamani dismissed the claim, questioning how a supposedly suspended aspirant could participate in the exercise and secure votes.
“The purported claim that I was suspended is very funny. If I was suspended as they claim, how can they attribute votes for me during their kangaroo primary,” Nnamani questioned.
Represented by his Media Director, Dr. Buchi Nnaji, the PDP chieftain said his authenticity derives from the present recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of which he is a member.
The clarification followed the emergence of multiple claimants to the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State.
Nnamani insisted that the party was no longer factionalised following INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, noting that the panel which declared him winner where sent from their headquaters, Abuja.
Nnamani expressed gratitude to PDP leaders and supporters whom he said turned out massively on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to elect him as the party’s governorship candidate.
He pledged to reposition Enugu State through infrastructure development, job creation and people-oriented policies.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, economic development, youth empowerment, quality education, improved healthcare and enhanced security for all residents,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was to build “a greater Enugu State where opportunities abound for every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.”
According to him, his administration would prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, support for small businesses and welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“We shall also review and remove policies and practices that are truncating the wellbeing, economic survival and social advancement of the citizens,” he stated.
Nnamani further called on stakeholders, party faithful, youths, women, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu State to join hands in building “a united, peaceful and progressive state.”
“Together, we can achieve the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.
The Presidency has reacted following the circulation of an alleged WhatsApp voice note in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly claims he begged opposition figure Peter Obi to step down ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The reaction came on Wednesday from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Onanuga condemned the audio file, labeling it a fabrication and called for legal action against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan who shared it.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.,” Onanuga tweeted.
In the viral video, VeryDarkMan used the alleged leaked audio to urge Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu’s reelection bid in the upcoming 2027 polls.
Recall that just days ago, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a landslide nationwide direct primary election.
During that contest, Tinubu faced a lone challenger, Edo State businessman and APC chieftain Stanley Osifo. The President won with 10,999,162 votes from the 12,643,306 registered party members, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, is widely expected to fly the flag for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Both Obi and Tinubu hail from the southern region of Nigeria and are set to face last year’s runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to lead the ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyichukwuma Odii, has accused Governor Francis Nwifuru of running the state like a personal family business.
Odii made the remark shortly after emerging as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election following the party’s primary election conducted across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to party supporters in Abakaliki, Odii said the 2027 election would be about rescuing Ebonyi from poor governance and restoring economic growth and public welfare.
“Ebonyi can never be consumed. Ebonyi can never be conquered. Ebonyi can never become a personal family business, and we are here for the rescue of our dear state,” he stated.
The PDP flag bearer pledged to improve the welfare of civil servants and teachers while promising policies aimed at reviving the state’s economy.
Odii also dismissed fears over political opposition ahead of the election, insisting that his focus remained the development and progress of Ebonyi State.
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