Politics
Rivers LG poll: Tension, uncertainty as Wike’s allies, Fubara’s camp set to clash
There is tension and uncertainty in Rivers State over the conduct of the local government election in the state scheduled for today.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the command would comply with the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which restrained the police and the Department of State Services from participating in the poll.
Iringe-Koko said the decision was sequel to the directives by the Force Legal Department.
The statement read, “On July 19, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the local government election.
“Additionally, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that again prohibited the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the local government election.
“Given these circumstances, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence.”
Parties berate police
Reacting, the All Progressives Congress loyal to a former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, said the decision was an aberration.
Chizi Enyim, the Chief of Staff to the state APC chairman, Emeka Beke, berated the police for not arresting those who protested at the command headquarters, urging the police not to participate in the election.
Enyim stated, “First of all, the APC is participating in the election and we have fielded chairmanship and councillorship candidates. What the police are saying is a decision to the rule of law.
“The said judgement by Hon. Justice Lifu did not even say that the election should be stopped but that the police should not cover and also that INEC should not release voter register to RSIEC. But as we speak, the voter register has been displayed in almost all the polling units across the state. So, those who are not comfortable with the situation should go to court.
“What the police are doing is trying to overthrow the government of Siminalayi Fubara and why is the IG interested in the affairs of Rivers people because it is his duty to protect those who are going to vote. Those who said they would not participate should go to court and if the court invalidates the election, fine and good. The election has not been invalidated so what is the IG’s interest?”
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and media aide to the Rivers State Governor, Jerry Omatsogunwa, said the decision of the police to withdraw from the election would not make any difference.
He stated, “I think all the elections that have been happening in this country, there is always tension. You saw what happened in Edo State and all the shenanigans; the police were there and all those things happened.
“Even all the serious violence that has been happening in elections, they have always been there. So, why not do something different to see if this one will be far better than the ones we have been seeing before? So, for me, the police not participating has no effect.
“Don’t also forget that the citizens have a right. Citizens can arrest criminals and hand them over to the police. “But, I also hope that the police are not telling us that tomorrow is a crime-free day that anything can just happen and nobody will be prosecuted because they are the ones that lay the foundation for anything like that to happen.”
Our correspondent gathered that the APC, led by Chief Tony Okocha, and the PDP, led by Chukwuemeka Aaromin, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, boycotted the election, citing lack of due process by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
NBA kicks against court ruling
Speaking with Saturday Punch, the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), said it was unheard of that a court would issue an order stopping the police from carrying out its primary duty.
He said, “Whatever be the purport of the orders, the police have a continuing duty to provide security for the purpose of River State. If the Rivers State electoral committee insists on going ahead with the election, the police have the duty to provide security and I find it strange that a court order suggests that the police should abandon their constitutional duty of providing security to the people of Nigeria.
“The police have an abiding and unending duty to provide security, whatever be the case in Rivers and that duty can never be suspended by the court and the duty of the police is to stay out of the political scene in Rivers and ensure the protection of lives and property in Rivers and ensure that if any person is insisting on going ahead with the election that there is no destruction of voting materials or destruction of lives and properties and that nobody is injured.
“The police have a duty and should be worried that a court will purport or allege to have ordered them not to do their duty because no court in any circumstance should grant such orders and it is an embarrassment for the rule of law if indeed it is true for a court to have ordered that the police should not provide security.
“If indeed that order was made, then it is evidence of rascality and invitation to break down of law and order and no self-respecting police should rely on such an order to abdicate from his responsibility.”
Tension in Rivers
Early Friday morning, some men said to be dressed in police unform were alleged to have invaded the headquarters of the RSIEC.
The men were allegedly deployed from a neigbhouring state, as one of the trucks that conveyed them bore the name of the state that donated the vehicle.
Our correspondent, who was at the RSIEC headquarters along Aba Road, observed that some of the men had no knowledge of the city as they were cited with household property.
A source said, “The men, who were in police uniform, did not know why they were coming to Port Harcourt. They were seen with mattresses and cooking utensils. So, it looked like they came with the intention for election duty but those behind the deployment obviously have other reasons.
“As you know, the police said clearly that it would enforce the Federal Court order against the RSIEC. This means they will neither participate in the election nor provide security. The police even advise other security agencies to follow suit by not providing security.”
It was, however, gathered that a group of youths arrived at the scene later and chased the men out of the area.
Election must hold – Fubara
Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, should be held responsible if anarchy broke out in the state.
Fubara, while speaking to journalists at the Government House, Port Harcourt, in reaction to the attack on the RSIEC office, also accused the Nigeria Police Force of serving the interest of an Abuja-based politician to scuttle the planned election.
He said an already scheduled local government election, barely hours away, could not be stopped or truncated because a particular person did not want it conducted.
The governor said the police had been informed and were expected to discharge their statutory professional security duties, particularly because the court also directed so in its judgement on the election.
He said, “In the early hours of this morning (Friday), I got a security report that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission office has been invaded by the Nigeria Police.
“I was really surprised because before that time, I got a copy of a signal withdrawing the police officers that were guarding the premises. So, I had to drive to the place myself since the facility belongs to the Rivers State Government.
“Getting to the scene, and to the shock of everyone who accompanied me there, I met the presence of some fierce looking policemen in one truck and three other empty Hilux vans trying to force their way into the premises.
“And, I had to stop them. In the process, we discovered that that movement was a deliberate attempt by the Nigerian Police Force, both the Rivers State Command and the headquarters in Abuja, to steal the electoral materials. But by the special grace of God, that act was foiled.”
Fubara also questioned why the police allegedly allowed their officers to engage in illegal acts that suggested that they had become enemies of the state.
“Here are the questions: first, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, is it not an agency, and a process that is being controlled by the state government? Is it not a system that is governed by the law of the state? Why is Rivers State’s case different?”
Responding to questions from journalists, the governor said the state government sent a copy of the court judgement mandating that the election should hold to the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, Director, DSS, and other security agencies, which he believed had been communicated to the President.
“On the aspect of the police withdrawing their services, I don’t think the police (are) supposed to be part of the election process. What the police should do is to protect lives and property, ensure that nobody comes to cause a fight or burn people’s property.
“In fact, police don’t need to be close to the polling units or the voting centres. What is important is for them to ensure that the lives of the people of Rivers State are protected, and their properties are protected.
“On the issue of the election, I don’t think if they withdraw their services, it is going to mar the process. Not at all!
“So, if the police are not providing (security), I strongly believe that some other agencies will provide security for the election,” he added.
Protesters demand council election
Meanwhile, angry protesters defied the heavy rainfall and marched to the RSIEC office, singing and chanting, ‘election must hold’.
The protesters, believed to be supporters of the governor, mounted canopies, while singing and drumming, with one side of the road blocked by security operatives.
The protesters also called on the police to leave the state if they were tired of doing their job.
Expressing his anger over plans of the Rivers State Police Command to stop the voting exercise on Saturday, Fubara also said, “Keep your security, I do not need it. It happened in Anambra State. This election must be held on Saturday. The result will be declared, the winners will be sworn in.”
Meanwhile, the RSIEC denied reports on social media that its Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), resigned his appointment.
The RSIEC Commissioner for Public Affairs and Civic Education, Tamunotonye Tobins, described it as the handiwork of mischief makers.
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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