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.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections, a mass protest voting movement may be building up in Anambra South Senatorial District, following reported moves by members of major political parties to support the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Ebuka Onunkwo.
The development is said to be linked to grievances among some members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the treatment allegedly meted out to Onunkwo during previous political contests.
Onunkwo, who had previously contested the Anambra South senatorial seat under APGA, later emerged as the NDC candidate for the 2027 election.
Although the ADC is currently embroiled in legal disputes over the authentic candidates and the conduct of its primary elections, some members of the APC and APGA are also reportedly dissatisfied with developments within their respective parties.
It was gathered that a section of APGA members, in particular, are backing Onunkwo as a form of protest over the conduct of the party’s senatorial primary, while some members of other parties are also believed to be considering voting for him irrespective of their party affiliations.
Confirming the growing support for Onunkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of NOWAS Oil and Gas Limited and a major stakeholder in Anambra South politics, Chief Ignesus Ikechukwudere Nnubia, said the NDC candidate currently enjoys widespread acceptability across party lines.
Nnubia said the growing support for Onunkwo had made his party affiliation less significant, arguing that voters would ultimately vote according to their conscience and assessment of the candidates.
He said, “At the moment, the number of APGA members with him and supporting him makes one wonder what is left of that party. Even the remnants of the PDP have pitched their tents with him, while members of the ruling APC at the national level are also behind him.
“So, the party that he belongs to is not a factor at all. You know that it is a game of numbers, and people are going to vote according to their conscience and not necessarily because of the political party they belong to.
“People are not bound to vote for their party, and some of them are ready and willing to vote for him.
“We are not talking about the party because he will surely get votes from the NDC, APGA, APC and even other political parties that are already closing ranks to support him as their candidate.”
Nnubia further described Onunkwo as the candidate currently standing tall among the contenders for the Anambra South senatorial seat, expressing confidence that his emergence would usher in what he described as a “new dawn” for the district.
He said political parties should not be the major consideration for voters, stressing that what matters most is the ability of elected representatives to improve the lives of their constituents.
According to him, political parties exist because of the people, and therefore the influence of party structures and incumbency has its limits during elections.
Nnubia said those factors would ultimately be tested by the electorate in the 2027 election, which he described as a contest in which voters’ choices would determine the outcome.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Ebonyi State election, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has pledged to attract more than ₦2 trillion in private-sector investment to the state within six months of assuming office if elected.
Odii made the pledge while addressing supporters in Lagos ahead of the formal commencement of his campaign.
He said his investment strategy would cover key sectors of the Ebonyi economy, including mining, hospitality, real estate and manufacturing.
According to the PDP candidate, he has identified more than 2,000 prospective investors, each capable of investing about ₦1 billion in the state.
“I have over 2,000 people who can invest ₦1 billion each. When you multiply it, you will get over ₦2 trillion. This has been structured in such a way that all aspects of the economy will be involved,” Odii said.
He said the proposed investment drive was designed not only to inject capital into the state but also to create jobs, expand the productive base of the economy and provide opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs.
Odii said Ebonyi’s natural resources and strategic location placed it in a strong position to attract large-scale investments if its economic potential was properly harnessed.
He promised that his administration would prioritise private-sector participation, industrialisation and job creation while creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors.
The candidate also said existing businesses in the state would be supported to expand, while new investors would be encouraged to establish operations across various sectors.
His pledge comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with economic development, employment generation and wealth creation featuring prominently in his campaign message.
The proposed ₦2 trillion investment target within six months, if achieved, would represent a significant boost to Ebonyi’s economy and rank among the most ambitious private-sector investment mobilisation plans proposed in the state.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The planned visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Anambra State has sparked controversy following a protest by the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Emma Anosike, that the party was not informed about the visit.
Anosike said the APC in Anambra was never consulted or briefed about the proposed visit, adding that the party was taken aback by reports that the wife of the party’s national leader and presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would be visiting the state without recourse to the state chapter.
He said, “It is indeed strange that the First Lady of our presidential candidate is visiting Anambra State without recourse to the party in the state.
“The party wishes to state categorically that we are not part of the arrangements for the reception of our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, because the party was never put in the picture.”
Anosike also dismissed the mantra that “The Progressives Are Working Together”, being canvassed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), describing it as a smokescreen by the ruling party in Anambra to hijack President Tinubu’s re-election from the APC.
He said, “For instance, the APGA-led government in Anambra State did not interface with us on the organisation of the visit, and the party wonders if the progressives are indeed working together.”
The APC chairman, however, said the development would not compromise the First Lady’s visit, urging all APC members and supporters in the state to turn out and give Senator Oluremi Tinubu a warm welcome.
He stressed that despite the party’s reservations over the arrangements, APC members remained committed to welcoming the First Lady to Anambra State.
Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sagir Saleh, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saleh, who served as deputy governor under former Governor Isa Yuguda, announced his resignation in a letter submitted to the party leadership in Katagum Local Government Area.
He cited personal reasons for his decision but did not provide further details.
His exit comes amid growing disagreements within the Bauchi APC following the party’s 2027 governorship primary. Other prominent members, including former governorship aspirant Bala Jibrin and Sunusi Kunde, an associate of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, have also reportedly left the party.
Jibrin, a former National Auditor of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), resigned on August 31, 2026, following his opposition to the emergence of former Bauchi Governor Muhammad Abubakar as the APC’s 2027 governorship candidate.
He had criticised the primary process and questioned how the candidate emerged.
Kunde also resigned from the APC in August, submitting his resignation to the party chairman of Beti Ward in Misau Local Government Area.
The latest departures are coming as efforts continue to resolve internal disputes and disagreements among APC members in the state.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to assassinate former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ayodele issued the warning in a video shared on his verified X account on Sunday, urging both opposition figures to strengthen their security and remain vigilant.
The cleric did not identify those allegedly behind the purported plot but claimed that attempts were being made to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
According to him, divine intervention would prevent the alleged plan from succeeding.
“Obi and Atiku, be very conscious of your security. They are looking for any means to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
“But God will never allow it to happen. Watch out and be cautious about your security,” he said.
Ayodele also urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider travelling to the United States, alleging that there were forces in America working against his political fortunes.
The claims come as political activities and realignments intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
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