Politics
Rivers: Tinubu forced Fubara to sign ‘Abuja proclamation’ – Ex Commissioner
Briggs who was spoke to journalists in Rivers state on Wednesday, said Governor Fubara signed the resolution under duress following alleged indirect threats issued by President Tinubu before handing the Governor the document to sign.
The Former Commissioner said he was at the villa with other Rivers elders who were equally invited, hence he witnessed first-hand what transpired at the venue.
He said President Tinubu threatened that there would be consequences, should Governor Fubara refuse to endorse and abide by the document which he described as a “presidential proclamation”.
Briggs said, “I was there, so I’m a witness and what I say is primary, not secondary. We were invited to a meeting but that was not a meeting, what happened is that Mr. President walked in with a written resolution, addressed us declared that what he had in his hand is a presidential proclamation, and emphasized the fact that he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, therefore, he can whip anybody who dares to say no to what he is saying would face the consequences.
“That is not democratic. That, in a simple layman’s word is a threat. He wrote the resolution but refused to read it but handed it to Dr. Peter Odili to read and interject and each time he interjects, it comes with a subtle, polite and smiling insult and thereafter, he asked the Governor to speak.
Let’s get it very clear, if you are in the position of the Governor, what would you do, get up? say no to Mr President with that kind of subtle but energetic threat?
The Former Commissioner disclosed that most Rivers people who were present at the meeting including Adokiye Amaesimaka were shocked at the President’s attitude and decided to ask questions.
“That being the case, one of us asked him (President Tinubu) a simple question, to be specific, Adokiye Amaesimaka asked him, you said Sim should do this, Governor should do that, you have not said what the 25 or 27 assembly members that defected from PDP to APC without consulting their constituency and constituents, what they should do.
“And of course you can see the situation, the President’s reaction was very clear and simple but very dangerous.
“It was a concrete intimidation to say he’s the leader, in fact he withdrew from his seat and said I’m the leader of the APC in Nigeria and you’re telling me that when babies are born into my family, I should ask them to go? No they can’t go, we have welcomed them and I want anybody who was there to contradict what I have said.
Recall that Governor Fubara and Wike the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have been at loggerheads over control of the state’s political structure since October.
A development gave rise to President Tinubu’s intervention on Monday, where all parties agreed to an eight-point resolution signed by Fubara, Wike, and other Rivers stakeholders.
Some of the resolutions had directed that all impeachment proceedings against the Governor be dropped, as well as all matters instituted in courts consequent upon the crisis be dropped, among others.
Meanwhile the state Commissioner for Information, Joe Johnson had insisted that Governor Fubara didn’t sign the peace agreement with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike under duress at the presidential villa on Monday
Johnson, who spoke on Wednesday during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics programme, explained that he was at the meeting and did not see the Governor negotiate from a position of weakness.
“There is nothing to doubt about it, we have gone beyond the issue as to who signed and who didn’t sign, if you listen to the Governor at the Pamo University convocation ceremony yesterday, he said no price is too high for peace and the Bible that we all profess says we should pursue peace with all men at all cost.
“I was in that meeting and for anybody to say the Governor was negotiating from a weak position is an overstatement and I take exception to it.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the Islamic pilgrimage of Umrah, during which he will offer prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
The Presidency announced the trip in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the visit will provide the President with an opportunity for spiritual reflection and devotion as he seeks divine intervention in the affairs of the country.
“While in Makkah, President Tinubu will perform the religious rites associated with Umrah, seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people,” Onanuga stated.
The President’s planned pilgrimage comes amid mounting expectations from Nigerians for concrete government interventions to address prevailing economic hardship, insecurity and other challenges confronting the nation.
Before departing Abuja, Tinubu is expected to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen its operations at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The Presidency, however, did not provide further details on the newly acquired equipment or its operational capabilities.
Onanuga disclosed that the President would return to Nigeria next week after completing the religious exercise.
No specific date was given for his return, while the statement was also silent on whether he would undertake other official engagements during his stay in Saudi Arabia.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has cautioned opposition political figures against making defamatory statements, dismissing allegations that he ordered a private facility to deny a political party access for its proposed town hall meeting.
The governor issued the warning while reacting to a viral social media video alleging that he personally directed the management of the facility not to host the opposition party’s event.
In a statement, Mbah described the allegation as baseless and a deliberate attempt to misrepresent his administration.
“My attention has just been drawn to a video circulating on some social media platforms, alleging that I gave an order denying a political party use of a private facility for their townhall event. This is preposterous and utter falsehood, because I did not,” he stated.
The governor criticised what he described as the opposition’s desperate attempt to attract public attention through unfounded allegations.
“This is shameful and reveals a desperate pattern adopted by the opposition to attract attention,” he added.
Mbah maintained that while democracy guarantees freedom of expression, such freedom should not be misconstrued as an unrestricted licence to malign or defame others.
“There’s no doubt that democracy guarantees freedom of expression. It should be noted, however, that it does not grant anyone the right to defamation,” he warned.
He further reminded political actors that democratic institutions provide legitimate avenues for seeking redress whenever they feel aggrieved, rather than resorting to what he described as defamatory accusations.
“Democracy also offers avenues to seek redress. So, let it be known that there are redlines that should never be crossed,” the governor declared.
Mbah reiterated that he had no involvement in the alleged denial of the facility, distancing himself from claims linking his administration to the controversy.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Anambra state chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC has described as false narrative the trending story that the trio of Presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi, Sen Victor Umeh and Sen Tony Nwoye are currently at daggers drawn following the alleged doctoring of the list of candidates for the 2027 general election in Anambra North Senatorial District.
It is being alleged that the doctoring was executed by Sen Tony Nwoye representing the Senatorial District which resulted in the withdrawal of names of nominees of Nwoye for the Presidential Campaign Council of the party .
Dismissing this narrative, the Anambra state Chairman of the NDC , Hon Ikem Uzoezie stated that the report is not only fales but unfounded contending that it is a recipe for those who are apprehensive of failure in the coming election.
“One would have chosen to keep quiet over this issue but it is important to that we as a party make the following clarifications;
“There is no such thing in our great party the NDC and there can never be and the party is more focused in executing the 2027 general elections and we do not need to be distracted by the machinations of the opposition who are apparently awear of the obvious fact that they have lost the election ”
Uzoezie described the party as one that has respect for rules and guidelines in respect of the the nomination of candidates and we indeed did the needful which can be verified at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“For those who have chosen name dropping and name calling as a trade, we urge them to desist from such unlawful act and the party would not hastate to take appropriate actions in that regard”
Uzoezie advised party faithfuls not to allow themselves to be used as a tool in distabizing the party urging them to remain focused.
The Federal Government has approved a monthly transport allowance of N70,000 for public servants as part of measures to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living across the country.
The intervention, which will run for six months beginning in November 2026, is expected to provide eligible workers with a cumulative sum of N420,000 each by April 2027.
The approval followed a conciliation meeting between representatives of the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), held in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
According to the memorandum reached at the meeting, the transport support will apply across all levels of the federal public service, while state and local governments are encouraged to participate in the intervention.
However, the agreement did not specify the exact payment dates, disbursement channels or whether beneficiaries would receive the allowance alongside their monthly salaries.
The N70,000 transport support is separate from the existing national minimum wage and is designed as a temporary intervention to ease workers’ transportation expenses.
Beyond the transport allowance, the government also approved the settlement of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026.
Payment of the arrears is scheduled to commence in November and will be spread across three equal monthly instalments.
In another development, the Federal Government agreed to clear 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers within three months, beginning in December 2026.
The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission was equally directed to conclude its assessment of the financial implications of adjusting the Consolidated Health Salary Structure within three weeks.
On the lingering minimum wage issues, both parties agreed to establish a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee, which is expected to commence deliberations immediately.
The meeting also considered outstanding hazard allowances for agricultural officers, with the verification of eligible beneficiaries and associated financial implications expected to be completed within two weeks.
Similarly, a proposal seeking tax relief for workers will be forwarded to the National Executive Council for consideration.
The Federal Government and the NLC are expected to reconvene after one month to assess the implementation of the resolutions.
Meanwhile, workers in state and local government services may have to await further directives from their respective authorities, as the agreement does not automatically establish that all states have approved the N70,000 monthly intervention.
Politics
Nnamani, Nwobodo, Chime, Ugwuanyi, Arthur Eze, Get Advisory Roles As Mbah Unveils Campaign Council
…Council to Be Inaugurated Tuesday at Enugu International Conference Centre
The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a formidable campaign structure ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Governor Peter Mbah emerging as Chairman of the Campaign Council comprising 51 directorates.
The council, unveiled on Monday, October 26, brings together prominent political figures, former governors, serving lawmakers, technocrats and party stakeholders in what appears to be a major political mobilisation drive ahead of the elections.
Among those listed for advisory roles are Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Jim Nwobodo, former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, former Governor Sullivan Chime, immediate past Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Professor Bart Nnaji, business mogul Arthur Eze, Frank Nweke Jr. and Madueke, among others.
According to the list jointly signed by the state APC Chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, and Secretary, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, the APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, and Chukwunweike will serve as Vice Chairmen.
Chief Charlie Mbah was appointed Director-General of the Campaign Organisation, while Dr. Eric Oluedo will serve as Secretary-General.
The campaign structure also provides for three Deputy Directors-General representing the state’s senatorial districts.
They are Deacon Okey Ogbodo for Enugu East, Dr. Dan Shere for Enugu North and Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye for Enugu West.
In the media and publicity directorates, Barr. Steve Oruruo was named Campaign Spokesperson and Director of Public Communication, with Dr. Austin Okolie serving as Co-Spokesperson and Dr. Malachy Agbo as Secretary.
Two members of Governor Mbah’s media team, Mazi Uche Anichukwu and Dan Nwomeh, will head the Directorate of New Media and Strategic Communication and the Directorate of Mainstream Media, respectively.
Dr. Collins Ogbu will serve as Secretary of New Media and Strategic Communication, while Dr. Reuben Onyishi takes the corresponding position in Mainstream Media.
Other key appointments include Barr. Victor Udeh as Director of Administration, while former APC State Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, will head the Fundraising Committee, assisted by Arc. Uche Nwatu as Co-Director.
Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla (Rtd.), was appointed Chairman of the Security Directorate, with former Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo (Rtd.), serving as Secretary.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology will oversee the Directorate of Government Appointees Coordination, covering federal and state appointees, while Prof. Chidiebere Onyia will serve as Secretary.
Former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, was appointed to head Inter-Party Affairs.
For senatorial coordination, Senator Osita Ngwu will oversee Enugu West, Senator Ikeje Asogwa will coordinate Enugu North, while Senator Kelvin Chukwu takes charge of Enugu East.
Explaining the composition of the council, Chukwunweike and Nnadozie said the extensive campaign structure was deliberately designed to accommodate diverse political interests and ensure grassroots participation across the state.
According to them, the 51 directorates reflect the party’s determination to involve communities, wards, local government areas, professional associations, women, youths, elders and support organisations in its preparations for the 2027 elections.
They stressed that appointments into the council should not be regarded merely as political recognition but as responsibilities requiring commitment and measurable results.
“Appointment into the campaign structure is therefore not merely an honour; it is a call to duty, accountability and measurable contribution,” the statement read.
The unveiling marks a significant organisational step for the Enugu APC as it moves to consolidate its political machinery ahead of the next general elections.
The Campaign Council will be formally inaugurated on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
All appointed members have been directed to be seated before 3pm.
-
Education2 days agoCaleb British International School Wins Zenith Bank Young Innovators Challenge, Bags ₦5m Prize
-
Politics5 days agoEbonyi NDC Reps Candidate Calls for Probe of Attack on Assembly Candidate
-
News4 days agoOnline Media Professionals Association Emerges in South-East
-
News4 days agoMbah Moves to End Excessive Agency, Legal Fees, Arbitrary Rent Increases in Enugu
-
News4 days agoModern Onitsha Main Market With Over 6,000 Shops Ready for Christmas
-
Politics5 days ago2027: Odii’s Camp Tells Nwifuru to Quit Governorship Race
-
Crime4 days agoGunman Robs Female POS Operator of N200,000 in Enugu, Threatens Pursuers
-
Health4 days agoEbola Scare: FG Moves to Establish Treatment Centres in States as Contacts Rise to 53