Politics
Rivers Political Turmoil: Fragile Peace Returns As Tinubu, PDP Govs Forum Intervene
Fragile peace has returned to Rivers State after the political skirmishes heralded by the rocket fired into the States House of Assembly Complex last Sunday and the impeachment notice served on Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Following the escalation of hostilities from the camps of the immediate past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike and Fubara, voices of reason called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene.
Consequently, the warring parties met with President Tinubu on Tuesday with a view to finding a political solution to the matter.
The PDP Governors Forum also me with the parties.
Biztellers reports that the two meetings held in Abuja.
However, those familiar with the political terrain of Rivers State and the individual sparing partners aver that the end of the matter is not in sight, yet.
While the embattled governor, Fubara who had publicly declared willingness to lay his life in the struggle, is backed by the PDP, the Ijaw nation and other pro-democracy elements, his bitter mentor, Wike is known to be a dogged fighter and unrelenting bull in the in the field of politics.
These traits, analysts told Biztellers would ensure that the battlers are merely back to the drawing boards.
They would be looking into their different bags of mischief with a view to outdoing one another in the battle for the soul of Rivers State.
Political watchers expressed the view that there would be strategic realignments in the in the battlefield of Rivers State’s politics in the coming days.
However, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, assured that both Wike and Fubara met with President Tinubu with a view to resolving the issues.
While that was happening, there were skirmishes in Port Harcourt, as pro-Fubara elements, identified as Ijaw youths besieged the residence of Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule.
The protests, staged on Tuesday led to arrests, with the Police firing gunshots, feared to have left one dead and several others injured, some fatally.
Biztellers gathered that several arrests had been made with those taken into custody said to be more than 100.
But the youths are not deterred.
To show their resolve, the youths have been posting videos of their peaceful occupation of the embattled Speaker’s official residence and their sitting on the ground at the premises of the Rivers State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (RSCIIB) to press home their point.
It was gathered that prominent among those arrested was Rivers State’s Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Chijioke Ihunwo.
He had stood strongly in condemnation of the efforts to oust Gov Fubara.
Before his arrest, Ihunwo said, “I want to condemn what happened in the state on Monday that a few persons want to cause a crisis in our state by wanting to impeach the governor of the state, Fubara.’’
On his part, Wike on Tuesday, received leaders of ethnic nationalities from the Niger Delta region, in his office in Abuja.
He kept sealed lips on the political brouhaha in Rivers State, and volunteered that what was important was supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Events of the coming days would show if supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda would see to drastic changes in the political terrain of Rivers State.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its decision to back Northern candidates in the 2027 general elections, citing the urgent need to address the worsening socio-economic and security challenges facing the region.
In a communique issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, the forum expressed deep concern over the economic state of Northern Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, attributing the region’s struggles to flawed governance and poor policy decisions.
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The ACF criticized the Federal Government’s economic policies, describing them as detrimental to the livelihoods of Northern citizens.
According to the communique, signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the policies have compounded the already dire economic conditions in the region.
The statement reads, “Arewa people remain at a great disadvantage, being already worse off economically compared to other parts of Nigeria. While economic reforms are indeed desirable, they should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve. Policies must have a human face.”
The forum noted that the North faces chronic food insecurity, limited educational and vocational opportunities for youth, and a heavy reliance on small-scale economic activities.
“Livelihoods are currently dependent on micro activities. The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now,” the communique emphasized.
The ACF also addressed the pervasive insecurity in the North, warning that the situation has begun to erode public confidence in the government.
“Security is an irreducible minimum of human existence. In this regard, insecurity in its various manifestations remains the most worrisome challenge of Arewa people, that has even started to corrosively undermine the authority of government,” the forum stated.
It condemned the government’s response to the crisis, arguing that the Federal Government has failed to meet its primary duty of safeguarding lives and property.
“That those whose responsibility it is to provide security will be saying they are doing their best is unacceptable,” the communique said. “The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure.”
The ACF faulted what it described as the “flawed leadership selection process” under the Tinubu administration, claiming it has elevated individuals without the requisite competence or experience to key positions.
It urged the Federal Government to “review, reassess, reevaluate, and re-order the direction of its economic policies with a view to giving it the needed human face.”
Looking ahead to the next general elections, the ACF pledged its support for Northern politicians who demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the region’s challenges and fostering national development.
“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic conditions, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters much worse,” the communique stated.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to prioritize completing ongoing projects and avoid leaving any abandoned during his second term in office.
Ganduje made the call on Wednesday at the APC’s national secretariat in Abuja after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented Certificates of Return to Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Adelami Olaide.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s re-election was marked by a sweeping victory in all 18 local government areas of the state during last Saturday’s governorship election.
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Ganduje praised the outcome, describing it as a testament to the people’s confidence in the APC-led administration.
“I am happy about the landslide result. The election is not the effort of the elite and middle class alone; it is also through the effort of the grassroots,” Ganduje said. “Out of 203 wards, APC won 202, losing only one ward. This is a victory embraced by all.”
Ganduje highlighted the importance of continuity and urged the governor to leverage his experience from the previous administration led by the late Rotimi Akeredolu.
“As a deputy, you knew how projects were started by your late governor. You were part of it, also as a governor for 10 months, and now as a re-elected governor. For the next four years, you will continue,” he said.
“You know the terrains, geography, and physical landscape of all 18 local government areas. Use these insights to carve out projects that will improve the lives of the Ondo people.”
Meanwhile, Ondo APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, commended Ganduje’s leadership and strategic direction, which he credited for the party’s success in the election.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support for Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, despite internal opposition from some party stakeholders.
“We have finally killed PDP in Ondo,” Adetimehin declared. “Most of the leaders of that party have defected to the APC. With the landslide victory in this election, it is clear to the whole world that there is no PDP in Ondo.”
He further described Ganduje as a mentor whose leadership had been instrumental in uniting the party and ensuring victory at the polls.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded Akeredolu and completed his tenure before securing re-election, has pledged to focus on delivering on his mandate and completing critical projects in his second term.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally issued certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, following their victory in Saturday’s governorship election.
The presentation ceremony took place on Wednesday at INEC headquarters in Abuja, where the commission’s National Commissioner for Ondo State, Kunle Ajayi, handed over the certificates.
Biztellers reports that Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent governor, emerged victorious in the election, securing 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.
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The results were announced in Akure on Sunday by the Returning Officer, Professor Olayemi Akinyemi, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja.
Election observers described the polls as peaceful and credible, commending INEC for improved logistical arrangements.
The event was attended by top APC officials, including the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and other party members.
Ganduje hailed the outcome as a triumph for democracy in Nigeria.
“Since 1999, we have been enjoying democracy, and we always fine-tune it to ensure it is fair, free, and decent, so that it is the vote of the people that counts,” Ganduje said.
PDP Rejects Results
Despite widespread praise for the conduct of the election, the PDP has rejected the outcome, describing it as fraudulent. Its candidate, Ajayi, vowed to challenge the results in court.
Aiyedatiwa Pledges Better Leadership
Speaking after receiving his certificate of return, Aiyedatiwa expressed gratitude to the people of Ondo State for renewing his mandate.
“The mandate you have just renewed via your huge votes across 18 LGAs where we won convincingly has placed a burden on me to serve you better than I did before now,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa initially assumed office in December 2023 following the death of his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
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