Again, Tinubu steps in on Rivers’ crisis
Last week, fresh presidential mediation into the political standoff in Rivers State gave hope that the end to the disagreement is in sight.
- Again, Tinubu steps in on Rivers’ crisis
- Don’t nominate northerner as Presidential candidate, Amaechi tells ADC
- E-transmission breeds controversy ahead of 2027
- INEC seeks N873.78bn for 2027 election
- El-Rufai, former Kaduna governor, cries out over harassment
- Nenadi Usman’s LP faction takes over secretariat
- Atiku, Makinde hold secret meeting with IBB
- Fubara sacks cabinet
- US lawmakers move to sanction Nigerians over killings, finger Kwankwaso
- Murtala Mohammed remembered
There were reports that President Bola Tinubu met with key political actors from Rivers State last Sunday, as the Presidency moved to ease tensions surrounding the prolonged political crisis in the oil-rich state.
The closed-door meeting at the Aso Rock brought together the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Two days later, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated that he had urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to halt the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, following renewed intervention by President Tinubu.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting projects in Abuja, Wike said lawmakers had been asked to “do the needful” in line with the President’s directive, expressing optimism that both the Assembly and the governor would act to bring lasting peace to Rivers State.
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Don’t nominate northerner as Presidential candidate, Amaechi tells ADC
As the race to the 2027 general election begins, former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that nominating a northern presidential candidate could weaken its chances in the South, urging the party to factor zoning into its 2027 strategy. Amaechi, a former Transportation Minister, was speaking in Kano last week, noted that he would back whoever emerges as flagbearer, but stressed that only a broadly appealing candidate can boost the party’s national prospects.
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E-transmission breeds controversy ahead of 2027
The Senate has conditionally approved electronic transmission of election results to the IReV portal ahead of the 2027 poll. The amendment requires presiding officers to transmit signed results electronically where network coverage permits. It, however, decided that the INEC was at liberty to employ manual methods, relying on Form EC8A in the event of network challenge. But Nigerians are saying that the discretionary proviso could allow the Commission to do whatever it likes with the result. The opposition insists that “real-time” must be reflected in the copy and made mandatory to the INEC. The last may not have been heard on the debate as citizens await the Harmonisation Committee of the bicameral legislature.
INEC seeks N873.78bn for 2027 election
Last week, Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), presented its budget for the 2027 general election to federal lawmakers. INEC requested N873.78 billion for the 2027 general election, the request came amid threats of sanctions from lawmakers over delayed Treasury fund releases and compliance breaches by federal agencies. Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, said the funds were separate from the Commission’s N171 billion 2026 operational budget, stressing that preparations for the polls began in line with statutory requirements. Speaking at the presentation, Adams Oshiomhole, former Edo State governor, cautioned against diverting resources from INEC’s core mandate.
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El-Rufai, former Kaduna governor, cries out over harassment
There were reports that Security operatives attempted to arrest Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor, without a warrant and seize his passport at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, his lawyers said last Thursday. El-Rufai said the incident occurred on his arrival in Abuja from Cairo, and was captured in a video that later circulated on social media. In a post on X, he described the move as an illegal attempt to arrest him, adding that no warrant was presented.
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Nenadi Usman’s LP faction takes over secretariat
The Nenadi Usman-led national caretaker committee of the Labour Party (LP) formally assumed control of the party’s national secretariat in Utako, Abuja, on Tuesday, signalling a fresh phase of rebuilding the party, following the Supreme Court judgment affirming her leadership. Speaking to party faithful, stakeholders, and journalists after taking over the office, Usman described the handover as both symbolic and pivotal for the party’s future, noting it was the first official activity at the secretariat since the April 4 Supreme Court ruling that ended a prolonged leadership crisis.
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Atiku, Makinde hold secret meeting with IBB
Atiku Abubakar, former vice president and Seyi Makinde, Oyo State governor, had a meeting in the week, with retired General Ibrahim Babangida at his Hilltop Mansion, Minna, Niger State. The development sparked speculations about their strategies ahead of the 2027 general election. Atiku, who recently left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arrived earlier with aides, including Ben Obi and Kashim Imam, while Makinde appeared more than an hour later for a private discussion. Observers noted that Makinde did not leave the mansion with Atiku, highlighting the discreet nature of the engagement. The meeting may signal attempts at political reconciliation after the two fell out before the 2023 presidential election, when Makinde and four other governors- Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Samuel Ortom, and Okezie Ikpeazu- formed the G5 coalition opposing Atiku’s PDP candidacy.
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Fubara sacks cabinet
Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State governor, last Thursday sacked the State Executive Council and ordered immediate handover to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by Onwuka Nzeshi, chief press secretary to the governor.
According to the statement, the governor ordered all Commissioners and Special Advisers to immediately hand over their duties to the Permanent Secretaries or the highest-ranking officials in their respective ministries. Governor Fubara wished the departing Executive Council members luck in their future endeavours and thanked them for their contribution to the state.
The sack happened days after Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) minister, acknowledged attempts at reconciliation to end the state’s long-running political crisis.
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US lawmakers move to sanction Nigerians over killings, finger Kwankwaso
The United States lawmakers introduced a bill seeking to designate Fulani militias as terrorist groups and impose sanctions on certain Nigerians, including former presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged religious persecution and killings in Nigeria. The issue has caused uproar in the polity, with those close to Kwankwaso saying it is either a case of mistaken identity or purely politically motivated. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya movement have defended Kwankwaso, flatly rejecting the claims.
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Murtala Mohammed remembered
The world gathered in Abuja to mark the 50th anniversary of Murtala Mohammed, who was assassinated on February 13, 1966. The gathering reflected on the leadership qualities of the late Head of State and wondered why the country has not replicated leaders like him 50 years later. Former president Goodluck Jonathan, who spoke at the event, said it was high time the ruling class began to give opportunity to the youth to lead, as according to him, if the likes of the late Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, Yakubu Gowon and Theophilus Danjuma led the country in their 30s, Nigeria’s youths of today should be given the opportunity.
