Politics
Rivers crisis: Wike camp heads for court as Fubara swears in LG chairmen
The Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress factions on Sunday rejected the conduct and outcome of the local government election, stating that no election was held in the state on Saturday.
The Rivers PDP loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the poll as an exercise in futility, vowing to challenge it in court.
The Wike camp said this as the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, swore in the newly elected council chairmen of the 23 local government areas of the state.
The exercise was held on Sunday at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, hours after the chairmen were issued certificates of return by the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Adolphus Enebeli.
The Saturday council election, which was marred by explosions and gunfire, was won by the Action Peoples Party which secured 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance candidate won one seat.
The APP also won 314 out of the 319 councillorship seats in the 23 LGAs in the state.
The exercise was complicated by the ongoing power struggle between the Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
After losing control of the PDP to Wike, Fubara’s supporters switched to the APP, securing chairmanship positions in their local government areas.
PDP challenges poll
Speaking hours after the election winners were sworn in, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kenneth Yowika, said the party would challenge the conduct of the poll in court.
‘’We are pressing further through the courts to ensure that justice is done and seen to have been done. So, we do not agree nor do we recognize if any swearing-in is taking place today (Sunday) or tomorrow (Monday),” he asserted.
Yowika said from the beginning, the ruling party in the state had insisted on the Federal High Court judgment barring the conduct of the council poll, pointing out that what the state government did was illegal.
Yowika said, “First of all everything concerning that issue is illegal. We have said it clearly that elections should not be held, you know, relying on the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu.
“And I had said before this time that any action taken regarding the issue of the local government will be futile because if we say we are a country that stands by the rule of law, then we should not be doing things that are contrary to the law.
“The law had said do things that will be in line with the judgment of the Federal High Court and the Government of the day has not obeyed that.
“So, we are a law-abiding party. We are not going to come out physically to begin to fight. We had a protest yesterday (Saturday) clearly showing that there was no election.
“And we stand by that decision that we have taken that there was no election, and we wait for the judiciary and other arms of government that should put things in proper perspective to act. We continue to hold on that there was no election.”
Continuing, he said, “We visited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission yesterday and clearly, the world saw that there was no election there. So, we stand by the ruling of the Federal High Court which said that that election should not go on.
“Well, they went ahead to do whatever charade people saw and that is not acceptable by the Peoples Democratic Party. Like we said we are a law-abiding party, and we stand to remain that.”
Similarly, Chibuike Ikenga, Publicity Secretary of the Chief Tony Okocha-led APC insisted on the Federal High Court judgment which restrained the state government from conducting the poll.
Ikenga also said the swearing-in of the election winners ‘is neither here nor there,’ saying the party is pressing further through with the law.
“As a party, we insist on obeying the decisions of the Federal High Court under Justice Peter Lifu. And that is the reason why we did not acknowledge that any election ever took place. But the government is known for disobedience of court order went ahead. So, they are on their own.
“Our position is that you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. So, whether anybody has been sworn in or not is secondary, we are not aware and we are not interested in whether it is taking place today (Sunday) or tomorrow (Monday).
“We are pressing further through the courts to ensure that justice is done and seen to have been done. So, we do not agree nor do we recognize if any swearing-in is taking place today or tomorrow,’’ he stated.
Asked if the party will return to the court based on the latest developments, he said, ‘’The state government already took the matter to the Court of Appeal where they asked for a stay and the stay was refused. So, the matter is on at the Court of Appeal.”
However, the APC loyal to the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the election, saying it would not contest the outcome.
Chizi Enyi, who is the Chief of Staff to the APC Chairman, Emeka Beke, said the party did not lose out because it won a councillor slot.
“The APC won the council slot. We are satisfied with the election held. Our biggest worry was those who said the election should not be held. So, we accept the outcome and we will not litigate it,” he said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Environment and immediate past Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Sydney Gbara, also expressed satisfaction with the election, describing it as the freest and fairest election in the history of the state.
Gbara said, “Yes, I’m very satisfied and I can tell you that this is the freest and fairest and most peaceful election that has been conducted in Rivers State so far. The most striking thing about the election is that there was no police security yet everywhere was peaceful. That is the most interesting thing about the election.
“This is the best election that Rivers people came all out to participate in because they know that their future depends on yesterday’s election.”
Asked why he was excited even though his party did not win any slot, he said the interest of the state is paramount.
Gbara stated, “It is unfortunate that my party withdrew from the contest but as a Rivers man, the interest of the state supersedes any other interest, any personal or individual or group interest.
“For me, it is a step of liberation for the Rivers people and it is a day we have all been waiting for.”
Addressing the election winners, Fubara said the state has now entered into a season of transformation where democracy would not only thrive but the people shall witness the delivery of democratic dividends that satisfy their aspirations.
He acknowledged with great delight the support of Rivers people in the fight to salvage the local government system, according to him, ‘’it was at the precipice of doom because of the activities of some distractive political forces that wanted a grip on it.’’
He said that the pressure to destroy the LG system in Rivers State became intense three days before Election Day when an attempt was made to invade the RSIEC Headquarters.
The governor said, “But the truth remains, desperate situations require desperate measures. We were confronted with a situation where the local governments of this state was heading for doom.
“And the truth about it is, because of the genuine love that we have for this state, we must salvage the local government election. And what we did, with the support of Rivers people, was to salvage the local government council. And to the glory of God, that has been done and dusted.”
Fubara said with the elections now over, his administration would not engage in undemocratic action to confront or fight anybody.
Rather, he promised to deploy peaceful means to protect the state’s assets.
He added, “We will assure the Federal Government that we are not going to be a party to anything leading to the breakdown of law and order in this state. This is because we know quite alright that if there is a breakdown of law and order in this state, Nigeria will suffer, and we are not going to be party to it. That is the reason why our standard, in terms of maturity, was high.”
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), , has expressed concern over what he described as persistent harassment and frustration ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Obi alleged that the actions of the current administration have made his daily activities increasingly difficult and negatively affected his means of livelihood.
The former Anambra State governor claimed he faces constant obstacles and said the pressure has become so intense that he cannot be certain he will be alive to participate in the 2027 presidential election.
“With the way this government is going, I may not even be alive to contest the 2027 election. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is deliberately frustrating. I face frustration every day,” Obi said.
He also alleged that he recently experienced an incident at an airport where his vehicle was locked, citing it as an example of the challenges he claims to be facing.
Obi did not provide further details about the airport incident or identify those allegedly responsible for the action.
The candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, , has unveiled an ambitious legislative agenda aimed at positioning the district as a globally competitive hub for innovation, technology, agriculture and enterprise.
In a statement addressed to the people of Ebonyi Central, Odoh thanked the leadership of the NDC, party members, stakeholders and supporters for entrusting him with the party’s ticket for the 2027 general election.
He described his emergence as a call to service and pledged to pursue legislative initiatives capable of attracting federal interventions, strategic investments and economic opportunities to the district.
According to him, the future of Ebonyi Central depends on electing a senator who can shape transformative legislation, influence national budgets, strengthen oversight and build partnerships that deliver sustainable development.
Odoh argued that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, digital technology, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and precision agriculture require proactive policies to ensure Ebonyi Central is not left behind in the global economy.
He said his legislative priorities would include expanding broadband infrastructure, promoting digital innovation and skills centres, attracting agro-processing and mineral beneficiation industries, and supporting modern agricultural practices to improve productivity and create jobs.
The NDC candidate also promised to unveil a five-part SMART Legislative Agenda detailing plans to strengthen education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, agriculture and investment through purposeful legislation and strategic federal advocacy.
He urged residents of Ebonyi Central to support a vision that would transform the district into a centre of innovation, enterprise and shared prosperity, with the goal of delivering “prosperity in every home, jobs, wealth and opportunity.”
The Ebonyi State Government has moved to dispel speculations of a rift between Governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, NyesomWike, insisting that the governor never threatened the minister and that reports suggesting otherwise were politically motivated.
The clarification comes amid growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, following remarks made by Governor Nwifuru during the June 15 endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates at the .
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Ikeuwa Omebeh, dismissed allegations by factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the governor had threatened Wike.
According to Omebeh, the governor’s remarks were directed at opposition figures allegedly exploiting Wike’s name to spread misinformation and stoke political tension in Ebonyi State, not at the FCT minister himself.
He explained that Nwifuru’s use of the word “consume” was figurative and merely signified that individuals bent on disrupting public peace would face the full weight of the law if they refused to desist.
“The attention of the Ebonyi State Government has been drawn to statements issued by the national leadership of the two factions of the PDP, as well as media reports concerning remarks made by Governor Francis Nwifuru during the endorsement rally,” Omebeh said.
“We wish to state categorically that at no time did His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, issue any threat against the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike.”
The commissioner maintained that Governor Nwifuru and Wike enjoy a cordial relationship built on mutual respect, describing attempts to portray them as political rivals as false and mischievous.
He accused the PDP and some media outlets of twisting the governor’s comments to manufacture an unnecessary dispute between the two leaders for political gain.
Omebeh also urged the opposition to focus on resolving its internal leadership crisis instead of criticising the Nwifuru administration, arguing that the PDP lacked the moral standing to lecture the government on governance.
He further claimed that the opposition had lost political relevance in Ebonyi State and would not pose a serious challenge to the ruling APC in the 2027 elections.
Reaffirming the government’s position, the commissioner said the people of Ebonyi State remained firmly behind Governor Nwifuru and would demonstrate that support at the polls, insisting that attempts to create an imaginary rift between the governor and Wike would ultimately fail.
With the July 11, 2026 deadline for the submission of presidential nomination forms to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fast approaching, political parties are making last-minute efforts to complete the nomination process.
INEC fixed 6:00 p.m. on July 11 as the deadline for political parties to submit the nomination forms of their presidential and National Assembly candidates through its online nomination portal. The exercise, which began on June 27, involves the submission of Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E in accordance with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The commission also scheduled the submission of nomination forms for governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates from July 18 to August 8, while the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates will be published on August 1. Governorship and State Assembly candidates’ particulars will be published on August 29.
Among the major presidential contenders, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has named former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has paired Peter Obi with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
However, President Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has yet to formally announce his running mate, despite widespread speculation that he will retain Vice President Kashim Shettima.
A decision to retain Shettima would put to rest months of speculation over the APC ticket following reports of strained relations between the President and his deputy. The rumours intensified after an APC North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe descended into chaos when supporters of Shettima allegedly attacked the party’s zonal vice chairman, Mustapha Salihu, over the omission of the Vice President’s name during endorsements for Tinubu.
Tinubu secured the APC presidential ticket during the party’s nationwide primaries held on May 23, 2026, defeating his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, by a landslide. He received his Certificate of Return the following day in Abuja but has yet to unveil his running mate.
The APC has maintained that the choice of a running mate remains the President’s exclusive decision.
Of the major parties, only the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose presidential candidate is Sandy Onor, are yet to announce their vice-presidential candidates.
Placeholder Option Still Available
Although July 11 is the deadline for submitting presidential nominations, INEC’s timetable allows political parties to withdraw and replace presidential and National Assembly candidates until August 22.
This provision means the APC could adopt the strategy it used in 2022 by submitting Tinubu’s nomination alongside a placeholder vice-presidential candidate before replacing the nominee ahead of the substitution deadline.
Ahead of the 2023 election, Tinubu initially submitted the name of Ibrahim Masari as a placeholder vice-presidential candidate before Masari withdrew, allowing Shettima to emerge as the substantive running mate. Masari later served in Tinubu’s administration as Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters before being appointed Special Adviser on Political Affairs.
APC Says Upload Process Progressing Smoothly
Party sources disclosed that the APC has already uploaded the nomination details of several House of Representatives and Senate candidates, including those of prominent lawmakers and serving governors seeking Senate seats.
According to one senior party source, the nomination forms of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma have already been uploaded to the INEC portal.
The source expressed confidence that Tinubu’s nomination and that of his running mate would be submitted before the deadline.
“We have covered a lot of ground. The uploading of candidates is going as planned. Our leaders and stakeholders are working round the clock to ensure all candidates are uploaded before the July 11 deadline,” the source said.
Another APC official described the exercise as seamless and transparent, adding that the party remained committed to complying fully with the INEC timetable.
ADC, NDC Confirm Submissions
Officials of both the ADC and NDC confirmed that their presidential candidates’ nomination forms had already been uploaded to the INEC portal.
NDC national leader Seriake Dickson confirmed the submission of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso’s nomination, while ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said the party had successfully uploaded the nomination forms of Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi.
PDP Nears Completion
The Peoples Democratic Party also said it had completed approximately 60 percent of the upload of its National Assembly candidates.
PDP National Organising Secretary Umar Bature explained that about 169 nominations were still pending due to delayed submission of documents by some candidates.
He expressed optimism that the exercise would be completed before the deadline, noting that uploads were being carried out daily as documentation was received.
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