Politics
Rivers in turmoil: APC leaders intervene as Fubara faces fresh impeachment threat
Some APC bigwigs have reportedly begun moves to find a “political solution” to the unfolding crisis.
“There are underground moves already aimed at dousing the tension and resolving the matter. A political solution is being sought. Both the governor and the FCT minister are already being reached out to,” a top source close to the APC leadership told one of our correspondents.
Findings by the newspaper showed that, to avoid another round of violent crisis in the state, political gladiators and some top officials of the Federal Government close to the two parties had begun moves towards resolving the matter.
“The Presidency is being briefed about the developments. The President will intervene. However, key members of the government, as well as some top politicians, are already reaching out to both men,” a top politician familiar with the development said.
The political crisis in Rivers State escalated on Thursday as the Rivers State House of Assembly commenced fresh impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Odu, issuing them a seven-day notice to respond to allegations of gross misconduct.
At plenary presided over by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, the House said the action was prompted by the governor’s alleged refusal to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill for legislative consideration.
The 27 lawmakers aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accused the governor and his deputy of deliberately frustrating the Assembly’s constitutional responsibilities, describing the alleged infractions as impeachable offences.
The impeachment process was initiated following a motion moved by the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, and seconded by Silvernus Nwankwo.
Allegations
Earlier, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read a notice of allegations of gross misconduct against the governor, relying on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Jack listed seven allegations against Fubara, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, alleged extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to comply with Supreme Court rulings on the financial autonomy of the legislature, seizing salaries and allowances of the state lawmakers and the Assembly Service Commission, among others.
Following the presentation of the notice against the governor, the Deputy Leader, Linda Stewart, also submitted a notice of gross misconduct against the deputy governor.
The allegations against the deputy governor include reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds; obstructing the House from performing its constitutional duties; conniving to allow unauthorised persons to occupy government offices without legislative screening; seeking budgetary approval from an unauthorised group instead of the legitimate House of Assembly; and seizure of salaries and allowances meant for the Assembly and the Assembly Service Commission.
Speaker faults governor
Amaewhule said the alleged misconducts were largely centred on the presentation of the budget and spending outside the state’s appropriation law.
“It is important to note that the particulars of these allegations relate mainly to the presentation of the budget and spending outside the appropriation law,” the Speaker said.
“But we are not here to debate the notice. The notice has been served, and the impeachment process has commenced.
“In any case, the governor does not even want to present any budget. If he wanted to, he would have done so long ago. Siminalayi Fubara is a mistake. Rivers State has never had it this bad.”
Amaewhule claimed that Rivers State was the only sub-national government in Nigeria yet to present a 2026 appropriation bill.
“In the entire Nigeria, Siminalayi Fubara and Prof. Ngozi Odu are the only people at the sub-national level who have not presented an appropriation bill for 2026,” he said.
“I doubt if anywhere in Africa you will find a government that has not presented an appropriation bill in this 21st century.”
The Speaker further alleged that even when the Assembly approved spending in 2023, the governor abandoned the approved budget and awarded contracts outside the appropriation law.
“He approved spending in 2023, but he abandoned the budget and started awarding contracts outside the law. Our schools are not functioning properly, roads are bad, hospitals are not fully operational, and our youths are unemployed,” Amaewhule alleged.
“So, in other words, what the governor is doing with our funds, funds of Rivers people, the poor Rivers men and women who have paid taxes, is to change our money to dollars and give to Rivers people to stop us from surviving the constitution.
“For how long are we going to allow this to happen? Our schools are not functioning. Our schools are not functioning the way they should. The Rivers people are suffering. Our youth are not being employed. Our roads are bad.
“Our hospitals, health centres are not fully functional. A lot of them are having issues. Rather than follow through the process, what the governor has decided to do is to save money, change it to dollars to subvert the will of the Rivers people, to subvert the constitution.”
‘Threat to democracy’
Describing the governor as a threat to democracy, Amaewhule declared that “enough is enough,” insisting that the law must take its course.
He claimed President Bola Tinubu had intervened severally to persuade the governor to change course.
“Mr President has done his best. He gave the governor a second chance, and another one, but the governor refused to change,” he said.
“Let the law take its course. The law has to take its course. We thank Mr President. He is a father. Mr President has done his best. Mr President has spoken to the governor. In my presence, Mr President told the governor, ‘I’m giving you a second chance.’ The governor refused.
“He gave him another one, but the governor refused. How many times? Distinguished colleagues, I thank you for your contributions. Prayers have been properly conveyed by members.
“Distinguished colleagues, by this motion, this house thereby condemns the refusal of the governor of Rivers state to present the 026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Appropriation Bill 2026 in line with the Rivers State laws and the constitution, respectively, as well as reckless spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State.
“On this, the house is declaring that the house will not proceed with any action for presentation of the 026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Appropriation Bill 2026 until the investigation of gross misconduct levelled against the governor has been completed,” Amaewhule declared.
He said a formal communication will be made to the governor so he can respond to the allegations within seven days.
“I am in receipt of the letter, and in pursuance of the 1999 constitution, I will ensure that the letter is forwarded to the governor within seven days,” he noted.
The Speaker added that the House would suspend consideration of the 2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Appropriation Bill until the impeachment investigation is concluded.
He announced that a formal communication would be forwarded to the governor, giving him seven days to respond to the allegations, in line with constitutional provisions.
The House thereafter adjourned proceedings until January 15.
State Government urges calm
Governor Fubara had yet to respond to the development. Still, a senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the government would only react after receiving a formal notice from the Assembly.
“There are procedures for these things. Any response now would imply that the government has received a notice, which it has not,” the source said.
“Let them have their field day. The world is watching. Our priority is peace and stability in Rivers State.”
APC rejects impeachment
The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, aligned with former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, rejected the impeachment process.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, the party described the development as unfortunate, warning against importing internal PDP disputes into the APC.
The APC noted that during the emergency rule in the state, President Tinubu transmitted a budget to the National Assembly, which was approved in June and July 2025.
“That budget, totalling N1.485tn, is expected to run until August 2026. The constitution also allows a six-month spending window into a new fiscal year,” the party stated.
“Our position as of today on this matter is that we solemnly reject the resort to an impeachment process against our governor and his deputy.
“It will be totally untenable for our party to keep quiet when an obvious hangover from strife that occurred within the PDP is allowed to resurface in our great party.
“It is important to say to Rivers people and Nigerians that since the latest threat of impeachment centers on the budget, may we remind ourselves that under the period of emergency rule, a budget was transmitted to the National Assembly by the President and Commander-in-Chief in May 2025 which was approved by the Senate on 25 June 2025 and subsequently by the House of Representatives on July 22 2025 for a total sum of N1.485tn.
“Interestingly, this budget is for one year and should run up till August 2026 and if the governor is comfortable with the composition of the said budget, he may elect not to present any supplementary budget. Besides, the constitution allows for a six-month spending window into the new fiscal year by a state governor,” the party stated.
The APC urged its members in the Assembly to resist external pressures and discontinue the impeachment process.
A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu has nullified the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary election for Enugu West Senatorial District, ruling that no valid primary was conducted and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard Hon. Uche Eneh as the party’s candidate.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday by Justice Segun-Bello in suit No. FHC/EN/C’S/153/2026, following a legal challenge instituted by Barr. Ugochi Ohajekwe, who is aligned with the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led Enugu State Working Committee of the party.
The court held that the NDC National Working Committee (NWC), which is legally empowered to conduct the party’s primary under the Electoral Act, did not organise any primary election for the senatorial district on May 29, 2026.
Justice Segun-Bello consequently ruled that the primary purportedly conducted by the state working committee was invalid, stressing that the committee lacked the legal authority to organise the exercise.
The judge further declared that no valid primary election was conducted by the NDC for Enugu West Senatorial District.
The suit was filed by Ohajekwe through her counsel, Kelvin Eya, Esq., who argued that the party’s national leadership failed to conduct a valid primary election in Enugu State.
She maintained that the only exercise held was organised by the state chapter under the leadership of Dr. Johnpaul Anih and challenged the process through which Eneh emerged as the party’s senatorial candidate.
The court also nullified INEC’s publication of Eneh’s name and ordered the commission to disregard him as the NDC candidate for the district.
The judgment came days after another Federal High Court sitting in Abuja removed Hon. John Nwokeabia as the NDC candidate for Awgu/Aninri/Oji River Federal Constituency and declared Hon. Chijioke Okereke the duly elected candidate.
Reacting to the Enugu judgment, the NDC State Secretary, Dr. Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, described the ruling as a victory for democracy.
Okafor accused the party’s National Working Committee of working against the presidential ambition of Mr. Peter Obi, alleging that its failure to conduct primaries in the state or initiate meaningful reconciliation had exposed its undemocratic approach.
He said the judgment had vindicated the position of the state leadership, adding that although the ruling might appear to be a setback for the party, it would strengthen internal democracy and discourage the violation of members’ rights.
According to him, the judiciary has once again demonstrated that no individual or group is above the law, stressing that political parties must respect fairness, transparency, equity and the rights of their members.
He described the judgment as a warning to party leaders against imposing candidates without following due process.
Okafor also warned that continued disregard for the Electoral Act and the legitimate aspirations of party members could undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
The latest ruling adds to the legal disputes surrounding the NDC’s candidate-selection process in Enugu State, with the party’s national and state leaderships facing continuing disagreements over the conduct of its primaries.
Politics
‘The Lord Fights for the Righteous’ – Agbese Speaks on Quiet Project Delivery, Political Attacks and More
Honourable Ibrahim Sani Bsc
Hon. Philip Agbese, the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency and Labour Party leader in Benue State, has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering tangible results as the general elections approach.
While seeking re-election, the lawmaker insisted that his focus remains on the work rather than political distractions or personal glory.
Agbese said a responsible lawmaker must keep working without being drawn into the negative campaigns and underhand tactics of rivals.
The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives says he draws quiet strength from his faith and prefers to leave every battle in God’s hands.
“The best advert for the kind of massive projects we have executed come from the people, not self-glorification,” Agbese stated.
“I deliberately refused to blow my own trumpet all these three years. I am grateful that critical segments of the society have taken notice of our monumental development projects.”
He added, “A good lawmaker works day and night and is not bothered by political opponents. I believe in the scripture that says we should leave vengeance to God. As it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.’ The Lord fights for the righteous.
“From the onset, we made education a clear priority and by the grace of God, we are delivering. We have so far built seven schools across the constituency, all constructed to international standard and fitted with tiles for the children.
“The record is there. Among them is the first one-storey primary school in our federal constituency. Many of our projects have come under heavy attacks but thank God that in the end, light has prevailed.”
Beyond education, his interventions also include health and market facilities, ICT training and empowerment for the youths, a befitting royal home for a monarch, solar electrification, farm inputs and equipment, as well as recreation, sports and agricultural support.
Despite the volume of work, Agbese is known for shunning fanfare. He rarely commissions his own projects and is often already planning the next one once delivery is complete.
“I am not the kind of person who loves to show off, especially when there is still more work to be done. That is why I hardly commission my own projects,” Agbese explained.
“Each time a project is delivered, I am already looking forward to starting the next one and not taking glory. I dread fanfare and do not love the spotlight like many others. The work itself is what matters.”
Beyond constituency projects, Agbese has built a strong legislative record in the National Assembly.
He holds the distinction of moving the highest number of motions and bills by any lawmaker from Benue State, including the Bill for the establishment of the College of Agriculture, Agila, which has already been passed.
He has also been a consistent voice on national issues, notably championing equal national honours for the Senate President and the Speaker, and taking a frontline position during the state of emergency debates in Rivers State.
“The work continues with the same energy,” Agbese noted. “Whether it is constituency projects, motions, bills or standing up on issues of national importance, the responsibility is the same — to serve effectively and without distraction. We remain committed to the people of Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo.”
Politics
2027: Tomorrow Is Here Group Rallies Thousands of Nsukka’s Voters for APC, Mbah, Tinubu’s Re-elections
…Our zone has settled for APC, can’t be deceived again – Igboetiti boss
The Tomorrow Is Here Movement (THM), a prominent political support group in Enugu State, has mobilised thousands of voters across Enugu North Senatorial District, popularly known as Nsukka Zone, in support of the re-election of Governor Peter Mbah, President Bola Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The mobilisation, which featured a victory walk across several communities in the district, attracted thousands of residents and supporters, with political leaders declaring that the zone was increasingly aligning with the APC ahead of the elections.
The Executive Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Ugwu-Amadieze, reaffirmed the commitment of the zone to the APC, insisting that Nsukka voters would no longer be deceived by politicians without credible development agendas.
The rally, tagged “Victory Walk for All APC Candidates in Enugu North Senatorial Zone,” commenced at Opi, Nsukka, and proceeded through Orba, Obollo-Afor and Obollo-Eke in Udenu Local Government Area, before extending to Ogrute, Enugu-Ezike, in Igboeze North; Ibagwa-Aka in Igboeze South and other communities in Nsukka Local Government Area.
Speaking during the exercise on Monday, the Leader of the movement, Chief Tony Okonkwo, thanked the people for their massive participation, disclosing that the mobilisation, initially planned for about 200 persons, attracted thousands of supporters.
He attributed the turnout to the growing acceptance of the Mbah and Tinubu administrations, citing infrastructure development, educational interventions, healthcare delivery, agricultural empowerment and improved transportation.
“We were not prepared to see this number of people enduring a long walk across different parts of the zone that took several hours. Your presence today shows appreciation for what Governor Peter Mbah and President Bola Tinubu are doing.
“The ongoing dual carriageway from 9th Mile through Igbo-Etiti, Nsukka and Udenu to Benue is a major infrastructure investment that will transform our communities. Nsukka has also produced its first indigenous Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Professor Simon Ortuanya, after 50 years. Our people are benefiting from federal appointments, agricultural programmes and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
“Under Governor Mbah, we have witnessed improved security, Smart Green Schools in every ward, modern healthcare facilities and ongoing road projects. Over 50 CNG buses are also operating from the Nsukka Central Terminal, providing affordable transportation and security to passengers.
“These are visible interventions. We are glad that our people are embracing the APC. The good work must continue, and this is possible if we support the APC from the Presidency to the House of Assembly,” he said.
In his remarks, Ugwu-Amadieze urged voters to reject attempts by opposition politicians to exploit tribal sentiments and political emotions ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that the APC had demonstrated greater commitment to the development of the zone.
He said the massive turnout at the victory walk reflected the willingness of residents to identify with Governor Mbah, President Tinubu and other APC candidates.
“What happened today was a victory walk for Governor Peter Mbah, President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates in the zone. From what we have witnessed across Nsukka, I can boldly tell you that our people are happy to identify with Governor Peter Mbah.
“Our zone has settled for APC. We cannot be deceived again by politicians who have no clear agenda for our people. Our people have embraced the ideology behind the broom and are ready to vote for all APC candidates.
“When we approached Governor Mbah with two requests; to assist in securing the Vice-Chancellorship of the University of Nigeria for an indigene of Nsukka and to consider the dualisation of the Penoks–Nike–Ugwogo–Ekwegbe–Opi–Nsukka road, little did we know that he would exceed our expectations within a short period of time. That has never happened in the history of our zone. The people of Nsukka are prepared to reciprocate his commitment through their votes in 2027,” he declared.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Igboeze North Local Government Area, Dr. Chris Onyekachi, reaffirmed his people’s support for the APC, attributing increased financial capacity of subnational governments to the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration.
He said improved allocations to state and local governments had created opportunities for increased development interventions and infrastructure delivery at the grassroots, urging residents to support the continuity of the ongoing reforms.
Similarly, the Deputy ALGON Chairman and council boss of Igboeze South Local Government Area, Barr. Ferdinand Ukwueze, said the achievements of the Mbah administration and interventions by local government councils had demonstrated the APC’s capacity to deliver development.
He expressed confidence that the party would secure victory across the senatorial district in 2027, assuring that APC candidates would receive massive support from voters in the zone.
Among dignitaries who attended the rally were the APC State Secretary, Chukwudi Nnadozie; APC State Financial Secretary, Hon. Ejike Idodo; Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ezenta Ezeani; Dan Shere; William Amuta; Hon. Favour Asogwa; and the Deputy Mayors of Udenu and Igboeze South Local Government Areas.
Others included Chief Chukwukwurote Odo, popularly known as Messiah na Nsukka; Hon. Mrs. Nkiru Ugwuagu, Deputy Mayor of Ezeagu Local Government Area; Vitalis Okonkwo (Oil Money), Special Personal Assistant on Grassroots Mobilisation; Osita Ajih; Local Government Coordinators of the Tomorrow Is Here Movement; and several other APC and THM faithful.
2027: At last NDC Speaks On Peter Obi’s Healt
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed concerns over the health of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, insisting that the former Anambra State governor is in good health but requires adequate rest due to exhaustion from his demanding political schedule.
The party’s Deputy Campaign Spokesperson, Dr Sam Omale, gave the clarification during an interview on Channels Television, explaining that Obi’s frequent travels, hectic engagements and commitment to political activities had taken a toll on his energy.
According to Omale, the former governor maintains a demanding routine, often travelling between different locations within short periods while attending to numerous political and other responsibilities.
He noted that Obi hardly has enough time to rest, considering the intensity of his engagements and the energy he devotes to his political activities.
Omale expressed amazement at the presidential candidate’s ability to sustain such a hectic schedule, given the number of places he visits and the volume of activities he undertakes daily.
He, however, stressed that Obi’s need for adequate rest should not be interpreted as a sign of ill health, maintaining that the concern was primarily about physical exhaustion arising from his demanding schedule.
The party’s clarification comes amid public concerns over the presidential candidate’s health as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has said he and former governor Peter Obi remain close friends despite their political differences.
Soludo made the clarification during an interview with BBC News Igbo on Monday, where he addressed recent disagreements between his administration and Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The governor said the relationship between their families remained cordial, stressing that their political disagreements had not affected their personal relationship.
“Peter Obi and I are good friends. Our two families are on good terms,” Soludo said.
He added that although they had different political interests, both men understood that politics should not define their personal relationship.
“When it comes to politics, give me mine, give him his. It’s politics that is being done,” he added.
Soludo said Obi’s decision to support another candidate during the last Anambra governorship election did not affect their relationship, noting that he eventually secured victory.
“He has someone he thinks should be the governor of Anambra. I am also listening. He supported the person he wanted. But I won by the grace of God,” he said.
Obi governed Anambra State for two terms between March 2006 and March 2014 under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Soludo also disclosed that he personally invited Obi to join APGA in March 2022 to contest the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, the invitation was made at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, with the broader objective of mobilising the Igbo people politically.
“It was me myself who invited him to APGA so he could run, early March 2022 at Nnamdi Azikiwe University,” he said.
The governor, however, explained that he later withdrew his support for Obi’s presidential ambition because he believed his candidacy could weaken the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and improve the electoral chances of President Bola Tinubu.
“In fact, I also wrote to him that his participation would take away a lot of votes from the PDP and make it easier for Tinubu to win,” Soludo said.
He further argued that even a united opposition might struggle to defeat an incumbent administration, noting that political alliances alone do not guarantee electoral victory.
Soludo’s comments come amid a disagreement between the Anambra State Government and Obi over the state’s debt profile.
The controversy followed a September 14 statement by the state Commissioner for Finance, Izuchukwu Okafor, who said the state was still repaying loans obtained by previous administrations, including those of Obi and his successor, Willie Obiano.
Obi rejected the claim, insisting that he left no outstanding debts when he left office. He also maintained that his administration did not owe salaries, pensions or contractors and left N2.1 billion in the state’s ecological fund.
However, the state government subsequently disputed his account, alleging that Obi left $123.77 million in debt.
Amid the exchange, Obi said there was no personal disagreement between him and Soludo, adding that he and his wife were godparents to the governor’s children.
Soludo’s latest remarks appear to reaffirm his position that the disagreement between them is political rather than personal.
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