Politics
Rivers LG Poll: Wike beaten as APP wins 22 Chairmanship positions
The Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), has declared 22 chairmanship candidates of the Action Peoples Party winners of the October 5, 2024 local government elections in the state.
He said the candidates, after collation of results, scored majority of valid votes cast in two-thirds of their respective wards in the 22 LGAs.
Enebeli added that the result of the chairmanship position for Etche LGA was stood down by the commission because of its expansive landscape with 19 wards, which slowed down the collation process.
Justice Enebeli, who is also the Chief Electoral Commissioner for the election, declared the results in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
The results declaration was witnessed by members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council from 18 political parties, leaders of the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society groups, returning officers, journalists and other stakeholders.
The RSIEC chairman stated that the polls closed at 3pm and witnessed a large turnout of voters who defied the rain, adding that thereafter, the results started trickling in.
He stated, “It is, therefore, heartwarming that I stand before you all today to affirm the smooth, safe, free, fair, credible and transparent, all-inclusive, successful, violence-free and most treasured conduct of the 2024 Rivers State Local Government Council election despite all odds.”
Fubara’s loyalists commend poll
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Ward 10 in Port Harcourt LGA, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Okpara, congratulated the state for “a peaceful outing.”
He said, “The turnout was good. Those who boycotted did so for what I would classify as selfish reasons because you do not want elections to hold in Rivers State. The Federal Government, and by the Supreme Court’s pronouncement, had stated that at the end of this month (October), any local council that is not democratically elected would not receive their funds and other resources. So, it means that if this election does not hold, Rivers State at the local government level will not receive their allocation. Then, you do not wish Rivers well.
“The thousands of people that work at that level, the families that depend on them, how will they survive? So, indeed those who don’t want the election to hold are the true enemies of Rivers State. But thank God both Rivers people and residents turned out, at least with what I have followed.”
Our correspondent noted that almost all the frontline candidates who were hitherto members of the PDP later emerged as candidates of the APP in the 23 local government areas of the state.
The APP candidate in Obio/Akpor LGA, Chijioke Ihunwo, shortly after casting his vote in Ward 1, unit 40, lauded the RSIEC for conducting a credible election.
Ihunwo said, “I will describe the election as a very peaceful one despite the fact that the enemies of our state tried to disrupt the entire activities of RSIEC.”
No election in Wike’s hometown
Officials of the RSIEC were nowhere to be found in Ward 9, Rumueprikom, Obio/Akpor LGA of the state, hometown of the FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike.
Our correspondent, who monitored the election, discovered that as of 12 noon, RSIEC officials and materials were nowhere in sight in the community though some voters were spotted waiting anxiously.
A voter, who gave her name as Oluchi, said, “Election did not hold in Rumuiprikom; that’s what we noticed. But in other places, they’re doing elections. We don’t even know what happened.”
A similar situation was observed on NTA Road, Mgbuoba and Ozuoba communities in Obio/Akpor LGA.
While the APC faction loyal to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi took part and fielded candidates for the election, the Tony Okocha camp boycotted the elections, citing lack of transparency and due process.
Similarly, the PDP faction loyal to the FCT minister, pulled out of the election with the state chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron, accusing RSIEC of bias.
Gunmen attack ward
Our correspondent observed that though elections had ended in many parts of the state, there was violence in areas where suspected political thugs and some men in police uniform wreaked havoc.
The incident, which took place at the Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City LGA, saw the RSIEC officers and voters scampering for safety.
Our correspondent gathered that about 21 Hilux patrol vans with heavily armed men drove into the election venue and immediately fired tear gas canisters.
RSIEC officials, who had set up their stand to begin accreditation in Ward 19, which had 10 units, were chased out.
The armed men, some of whom were masked, also asked the officials to remove their vests and hand them over and went on to cart away all election materials.
It was further gathered that the armed men also shot tear gas canisters directly into the crowd of voters and bystanders at the entrance of Ibe Street in Elekahia.
Many RSIEC officials, voters, and residents of the community ran into Ibe and Boms streets in a confused manner, creating tension.
When contacted, the Rivers police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was not aware of the incident.
The declaration of the result followed two explosions in some parts of the state.
The explosions occurred at the All Progressives Congress secretariat along Aba Road and the Obio/Akpor Local Government secretariat, just outside Port Harcourt.
Iringe-Koko, in a press release, noted that both explosions happened almost simultaneously.
She further stated that police units responded swiftly, visiting the scenes and collecting samples for investigation.
The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command has been alerted to two explosions that rocked the city of Port Harcourt today, Saturday, October 5, 2024.
“The first explosion was reported at the APC secretariat on Aba Road at approximately 3am. A security guard reported hearing a loud bang and, upon investigation, observed three black Toyota Hilux vans speeding away from the scene.
“The explosion caused significant damage, destroying the gate and shattering the windows of the building. Additionally, the security building was set ablaze.
“The second explosion occurred at the Obio/Akpor Council secretariat around 3:30am. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a black Toyota Hilux van and a white Toyota Sienna minivan drive past the secretariat.
“The occupants of these vehicles allegedly threw an object, suspected to be a stick of dynamite, which shattered the roof and caused damage to the generator house of the complex.
“In response to these incidents, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Anti-Bomb Squad has been mobilised to both locations.
“An improvised explosive device was recovered at the APC secretariat, and the team has identified the use of incendiary materials in the arson of the security building.”
Iringe-Koko said the anti-bomb squad had collected samples from both scenes for forensic analysis, adding that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
She also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
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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