Politics
Rivers: Supreme Court has declared war in the State – Amaechi’s ally
Also, the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, who are the major beneficiaries of the court judgment, held a plenary immediately they learnt about the ruling.
In another development, the FCT minister was seen in a viral video with his allies, including some former and serving senators praising God for the victory at the Supreme Court.
They include Senator Allwell Onyesom, Magnus Abe, Kelechi Nwogu, Emeka Woke, Chibudom Nwuche. They sang and danced with the FCT minister in celebration of the court judgment.
Verdict, victory for democracy – Wike
Commenting on the judgment, Wike said the verdict reinforced the principle that a budget must be presented to a duly constituted legislature, ensuring that governance remained lawful and accountable.
He described the judgment as victory for democracy and the people of Rivers State.
“Let’s give God all the glory and honour. God has helped to do it for everybody and for the interest of the people and the state.
“A governor would go and bring down the House of Legislature, and we will act as if nothing has happened to an arm of government that is independent,” Wike added.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court had on Friday affirmed the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers House of Assembly members as valid lawmakers of the House.
The apex court said it was unconstitutional for Fubara to work with only four out of the 31 House of Assembly members.
The justices berated Fubara for breaking down the Rivers House of Assembly building as a way to stop the defected 27 lawmakers from sitting, thereby forcing them to sit outside to carry out their lawful activities.
“Four members sitting as purported members of the House of Assembly in disobedience to the subsisting order of the court is a nullity,” the apex court held.
The court added that the legislature represented the fulcrum of the Assembly and must be protected at all costs.
Justice Emmanuel Agim ordered that the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who were unlawfully redeployed out of the Assembly, be allowed to resume work alongside other Assembly workers.
The court queried Fubara for collapsing the Assembly building and using his immunity under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to carry out “barbaric acts” against the rule of law.
“It is my view that it is indiscipline born out of executive powers. This is a joke taken too far,” Justice Agim added.
Speaking further, he stated the 27 members of the House of Assembly must be allowed to resume their duties without being stopped.
“The government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms of government. The illegal actions of the governor cannot be justified,” the court declared.
The Supreme Court awarded N5m in costs against Fubara.
In the same vein, the Supreme Court on Friday made a pronouncement stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government until the State House of Assembly was properly constituted in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.
Specifically, Justice Agim affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court that barred the state’s allocation of funds.
Recall that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on October 24, 2024, had in a judgment issued an order barring the CBN from further disbursing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government.
Court declares LG polls invalid
Also, the apex court declared the October 5, 2024 local government elections in the state invalid.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the court declared the conduct of the local government polls in the state null and void.
The apex court in its decision set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal which nullified the decision of the trial court on the grounds that it had no jurisdiction and restored the decision of the Federal High Court.
The apex court stated that all the necessary conditions required to be implemented were disregarded by the Rivers State Electoral Commission.
Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had restrained the RSIEC from proceeding with the conduct of the council polls on the grounds that the state voter’s register must be updated before the conduct of the poll.
Amaewhule mocks Fubara
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly led by its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, has hailed the judgment of the Supreme Court which recognised him and 26 other lawmakers as authentic members of the Assembly.
Amaewhule stated this during plenary on Friday while reacting to the judgment of the apex court, describing it as victory for democracy and rule of law.
He said with the judgment, Governor Fubara would repent from his sins, pointing out that the governor was running a criminal government with illegal appointees.
This was contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, and sent to newsmen.
The statement was titled, ‘We believe Governor Fubara will repent from his legion of sins, now that the Supreme Court has spoken – Rivers Assembly Speaker’.
Meanwhile, the Chief Tony Okocha-led All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has hailed the Supreme Court judgment which put paid to what it described as the “protracted crisis rocking” the executive and legislative arms of the state.
The state APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, stated this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday and sent to newsmen.
‘Judgment, declaration of war’
On his part, a chieftain of the APC in the state loyal to former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, said the Supreme Court judgment on Friday reinstating the 27 defected lawmakers as valid members of the Rivers of Assembly was a declaration of war on the state.
Eze described the ruling on Rivers crisis as not only a “black Friday” in the country’s nascent democracy, but a “declaration of war against Rivers State”.
Eze, who was the spokesman for the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (n-PDP), however, commended and congratulated the governor for being a man by surviving the “onslaught of anti-democratic forces in Nigeria all these while.”
By Petrus Obi, London
London — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Odii, has intensified his criticism of the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru, insisting that the people of the state deserve a different approach to governance.
Odii, who spoke with EverydayNewsngr.net in London, said what he described as the “fire brigade approach” of the Nwifuru administration was not the kind of governance Ebonyi needs.
According to him, the state requires a government with a clear vision, long-term planning and the capacity to deliver meaningful development to its people.
“The fire brigade approach of the Nwifuru government is not what the state needs,” Odii said.
He added: “I am coming to bring a new lease of life to my people.”
Odii’s comments come amid renewed political debate in Ebonyi State following the recent removal of the state Commissioner for Works. The development has attracted attention from opposition circles, with critics using it to question aspects of the administration’s handling of governance and infrastructure.
The PDP chieftain said the people of Ebonyi should expect more than what he described as reactive governance, arguing that development should be driven by a coherent programme capable of producing lasting results.
He maintained that his political ambition was motivated by a desire to provide what he described as purposeful leadership and improve the welfare of residents across the state.
“We deserve better government in Ebonyi State,” Odii said, stressing that his vision was centred on giving the people renewed confidence in government and creating opportunities for them to prosper.
As political activities ahead of the next governorship election continue to gather momentum, governance, infrastructure, accountability and the delivery of public services are expected to feature prominently in the emerging contest.
Odii’s intervention in London is likely to add further momentum to the political conversation, particularly as opposition figures seek to distinguish their vision for Ebonyi from that of the incumbent administration.
STATEMENT BY CHIEF EMMANUEL CHIDI IGWE,
SPOKESPERSON TO CHIEF DR. IFEANYI CHUKWUMA ODII
The 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi State is not a family affair, nor is it a matter to be decided by one individual or political godfather. It is a democratic contest, and Ebonyians will ultimately decide who becomes their governor through the ballot box.
No aspirant should be expected to step down simply because another politician believes he should. Every qualified candidate has the right to contest, present his programme and seek the mandate of the people.
Let me make this clear: since Senator Dave Umahi did not bring Chief Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii into the governorship race, he cannot now claim the authority to ask him to step down. Chief Odii has his own political identity, supporters, convictions and legitimate right to seek the mandate of Ebonyians.
The decision to contest or withdraw belongs to the candidate, while the ultimate decision on who governs Ebonyi State belongs to the people.
The 2027 election should therefore be about issues, programmes, records, accountability and the future of Ebonyi—not political arrangements made by individuals behind closed doors.
Chief Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii is prepared to place his vision and programme before Ebonyians and subject them to public scrutiny. Those seeking to retain power should equally be prepared to defend their records before the electorate.
Ebonyi 2027 is not a family arrangement. It is a contest for the confidence of the people. The people of Ebonyi State—not individuals—will have the final say.
Chief Emmanuel Chidi Igwe
Spokesperson to Chief Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii
Politics
BREAKING: SaharaReporters Report on Arrest of Enugu Traditional Ruler, Ex-Lawmaker Is False and Misleading
The recent publication by SaharaReporters alleging that prominent Enugu traditional ruler, Igwe Obiora Igwesi, his brother and former federal lawmaker, Hon. Uchenna Sunday A. Igwesi (USA Igwesi), and eight others were arrested over an alleged attack on an NDC ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area, is false and deeply misleading.
The report is being described as a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of respected leaders in Enugu State and create unnecessary political tension ahead of the 2027 elections.
Contrary to the claims contained in the publication, there was no arrest ordered by the Inspector-General of Police against Igwe Obiora Igwesi, Hon. USA Igwesi, or the other individuals named in connection with any alleged attack on an NDC meeting. There was also no operation by detectives from Zone 13 Command, Ukpo, Dunukofia, Anambra State, as alleged in the report.
Similarly, the purported petition dated September 15, 2026, and the allegations of conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, assault, threatening violence and stealing are strongly disputed and described as fabricated claims intended to create a damaging narrative around the individuals concerned.
The broader allegation that the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State have experienced coordinated armed attacks allegedly sponsored by Local Government Chairmen to silence the opposition is equally rejected as unfounded.
Attempts to associate Igwe Obiora Igwesi and Hon. USA Igwesi with criminal activity or political violence are viewed as an unacceptable effort to tarnish the image of individuals who have served their communities and contributed to the development of Enugu State.
The public, particularly the people of Enugu State, is therefore urged to exercise caution and verify the facts independently before accepting or circulating the allegations contained in the SaharaReporters publication.
Enugu State remains focused on peace, stability and development. Political disagreements should not be allowed to degenerate into the circulation of unverified allegations capable of inflaming tensions or damaging the reputations of individuals.
The position being maintained by the affected parties is clear: there was no arrest of the named individuals in connection with the alleged incident, no evidence has been presented establishing that any Local Government Chairman sponsored an attack, and the allegations contained in the publication are disputed in their entirety.
The public is encouraged to await verifiable facts from the appropriate authorities rather than rely on claims that have not been independently substantiated.
Fresh legal questions emerge over Chijioke Ugwu’s membership registration after Supreme Court restores party-register provisions
By Our Correspondent
Fresh legal questions have emerged over the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2027 governorship ticket in Enugu State following the Supreme Court’s restoration of key provisions of the Electoral Act dealing with political party membership registers and the conduct of primaries.
The questions centre on Chief Chijioke Peter Ugwu, who was recently announced by the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, as his running mate.
Nnaji announced Ugwu’s selection on September 24, shortly after the Supreme Court delivered its landmark judgment restoring Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. Ugwu’s selection was subsequently reported by several Nigerian media outlets.
But documents and information available to this newspaper raise a question that could potentially become significant if the PDP ticket is challenged in court.
The PDP governorship primary in Enugu State was conducted on May 25, 2026.
However, Ugwu is understood to have registered as a PDP member on May 31, 2026 — six days after the governorship primary.
This means that if the May 31 registration date is accurately reflected in the party’s official records, his name could not have appeared in the PDP membership register submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the May 25 governorship primary.
That immediately raises the question:
Can a person who was not a member of the party on the date of its governorship primary subsequently be selected as the deputy governorship candidate without the Supreme Court’s restored membership-register provisions affecting the ticket?
What the Supreme Court restored
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment delivered on September 24, set aside the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision which had declared the disputed provisions of the Electoral Act unconstitutional.
The apex court upheld the validity of Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2), following an appeal by INEC against the Court of Appeal judgment in the case involving the Zenith Labour Party.
Section 77(5) provides that only persons whose names are contained in a political party’s membership register submitted to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention may participate in the exercise.
Section 77(6) requires political parties to use the membership register submitted to INEC for their primaries, congresses and conventions.
Section 77(7) deals with the consequence of failure by a party to submit its membership register within the prescribed period.
These provisions are now back in force following the Supreme Court judgment. Legal opinions suggest that the law’s insistence on the membership register submitted to INEC is relevant to the validity of the party’s eventual nomination process, depending on how the PDP formally nominated and submitted its governorship and deputy governorship candidates.
The precise documents will therefore be crucial.
Among the questions likely to arise are:
What date did the PDP submit its membership register to INEC?
Was Ugwu’s name contained in that register?
When exactly did Ugwu become a registered PDP member?
Was he a PDP member before the register was submitted to INEC?
How did the PDP formally nominate him as running mate?
Was the nomination made through a procedure recognised by the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution?
The controversy is coming at a sensitive time for the PDP, which has only recently unveiled Ugwu as Nnaji’s running mate. Ugwu, from Nguru in Nsukka Local Government Area, is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and community leader who runs businesses in logistics, contracting, consultancy and hospitality.
However, the governorship candidate and the deputy governorship candidate constitute a single electoral ticket. Therefore, any legal or constitutional issue affecting the eligibility of the deputy governorship candidate automatically has implications for the validity of the joint ticket, including the governorship candidate.
Another legal opinion available to this newspaper insists that “the gubernatorial ticket is a joint one. If the name of a deputy governor is not on the digital register, it invalidates the entire process.”
In the 2019 Bayelsa governorship election, APC’s David Lyon was declared winner. His running mate was Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.
The Supreme Court later disqualified Degi-Eremienyo over the documents he submitted to INEC. The crucial point was that the Supreme Court held that his disqualification affected the joint ticket he shared with David Lyon. Consequently, the court ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Lyon and his deputy.
This happened one day before Lyon was due to be sworn in as governor. The certificate was subsequently issued to Douye Diri of the PDP, who had the next-highest lawful votes and the required geographical spread.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will commence nationwide on October 9.
The development has prompted calls for eligible voters to visit the INEC office in their respective Local Government Areas to collect their PVCs and ensure they are prepared to participate in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, supporters of Hon. Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, Omeiheukwu Akpugoeze, have urged constituents in the Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency to support his bid for a second term in the Federal House of Representatives.
The supporters made the appeal while encouraging eligible residents to collect their PVCs and exercise their franchise in the forthcoming election.
Voters are advised to follow official INEC guidelines and verify the applicable collection procedures and dates before visiting their designated collection centres.
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