Politics
Why Tinubu Must Douse Political Flames In Rivers State
Besides former governor of Rivers State, Nysom Wike ensuring the emergence of Siminalayi Fubara as his successor, not much was in the public space about the two before the firing of rockets on Sunday night.
However, no one can deny knowledge of the fact that the game is politics. The aim is fortune and fame, while the ammunition for political ambitions are the peoples blood and their well-being.
If a civil conflict of political gladiators was teed-off with rockets at the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Complex, it is left for the public to imagine what could follow.
In less than 24 hours, the warlords have demonstrated a level of desperation that serious countries cannot ignore.
Recall that the people of Rivers State and indeed Nigeria had gone to bed, hoping to wake up to a peaceful working week, before the political hawks struck with the salvo of a bomb.
A bomb, heralding a civil conflict?
However, before the public could place the warfare properly, many thought it was mere accident, within 12 hours, members of the RSHA, said to be numbered 24, had removed the majority leader, Edison Ehie and served an impeachment notice on Gov Fubara.
The move, now being interpreted as being the script of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had one objective, conquer and annex Rivers State to Wike’s political empire.
Those behind the firebomb would have been taken aback that men of the Rivers State Fire Service were able to douse the flames from the bomb on Sunday.
Undeterred, the legislators met early Monday morning and signed an impeachment notice against the governor.
It was gathered that the anti-Fubara lawmakers, led by Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, met at about 6am on Monday, to perfect the impeachment notice.
In addition to removing the majority leader, Hon Ehie, other legislators opposed to the impeachment of the governor were suspended.
Among the lawmakers suspended were Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West, Hon Adolphus Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro and Hon Victor Oko Jumbo, representing Bonny.
From the notice of impeachment, made public by Hon Sylvanus Nwankwo, the member representing Omuma constituency, the notice was brought pursuant to section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
According to him, the impeachment notice was predicated on “gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of the office of the governor.’’
The public is sending grave danger, not just for Rivers State, but the entire Niger Delta, the national economy and the peace of Nigeria.
They point to how hostilities in the Niger Delta crippled Nigeria’s economy until late President Umoru Yaradua came up with the amnesty initiative.
They also note that the economic muscle of Rivers State is such that whoever is governor can impact the steering of the political ship of the Nigerian state.
The roles of Rotimi Amaechi in ousting Goodluck Jonathan, which aided Muhammadu Buhari into office, and that of Wike in enthroning Tinubu are fresh in the minds of political watchers.
Probably for these reasons, elder statesman and the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, has urged President Tinubu to call Wike and the security forces in Rivers State to order.
Chief Clark expressed great concern over the political fireworks witnessed in Rivers State between Sunday and Monday.
He said, “I have been reliably informed that there is a plot to unlawfully remove Governor Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers State, who has spent only about five months in office.
“I understand the sad episode is being orchestrated by the immediate past governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike.
“And that the intention is to remove the governor, force his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu to resign, and install the Speaker of the House of Assembly, another Ikwerre person, as the governor of the state. Let me warn strongly, we won’t allow that to happen!
“President Bola Tinubu must call Nyesom Wike and the security agencies in Rivers State to order, to avert any untold crisis in Rivers State.”
Recounting what has transpired in the melodrama, Chief Clark noted, “Last night, the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly was burnt in what apparently is part of the plot to destabilize the state.
“The governor was tear-gassed and was even threatened with being shot at when he visited the assembly complex after the incident to assess the level of damage.
“We are not in a barbaric state where people can do whatever they like; we are in a democracy and the tenets of constitutional democracy must be upheld by all.’’
On the larger picture, the elder statesman cautioned against fomenting political crisis in Rivers State which could have wider implications for the Niger Delta region.
“Rivers people have suffered enough political crises. The state should not be allowed to degenerate again into its dark past, and the Niger Delta region by extension.
“The consequences would be dire for the stability of the region and the national economy.
“What has Governor Fubara done wrong? Refusing to be further ‘remote controlled’?
“Mr Nyesom Wike was governor for eight years, nobody hassled him. He governed Rivers State like an emperor, he did not show any iota of respect and regard to anyone, not even those who imposed him on Rivers people in 2015.
“President Tinubu must act fast and avert the unfolding crisis in Rivers State in the interest of his administration, the nation’s democracy, and the country at large. A word is enough for the wise.”
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
SEE MORE: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
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“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has explained that the persistent crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party compelled him to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
The governor’s defection was formally announced on Monday by his deputy, Mani Mummuni, after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state and supported by political stakeholders across Zamfara.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: PDP Crisis Deepens as Appeal Court Upholds Ban on Ibadan Convention
According to the statement, Governor Lawal had remained committed to the PDP despite the ongoing leadership crisis and had made several efforts to reconcile factions within the party.
However, attempts to achieve peace and unity reportedly failed, leading to prolonged legal battles.
The development followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court.
The earlier judgment had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governor was said to have informed political stakeholders during a series of meetings that he would make a final decision about his political future after the appellate court delivered its ruling.
Following the judgment, Lawal concluded that joining the APC would better position him to continue what he described as the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission.”
His defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Zamfara State and could influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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