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BREAKING: Tinubu intervenes in Rivers Political Crisis, Advises Governor Fubara

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has addressed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, revealing his efforts to restore peace both privately and publicly.

Speaking to leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Tuesday in the presidential villa in Abuja, Tinubu said he had foreseen the current situation and urged them to return home and work for peace while upholding the rule of law.

He advised Governor Siminalayi Fubara to implement the recommendations given to him and respect the rule of law, noting that the Supreme Court remains the highest authority in the country. He also called on Niger Delta leaders to support him in achieving this goal.

The president’s remarks came after the Supreme Court upheld Martins Amaewhule as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

In its ruling delivered on February 28, the Supreme Court ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant General of the Federation, and other financial institutions to withhold funds from the Rivers State government. The court accused the government of “flagrant disobedience” to judicial orders and stated that compliance with the law was necessary before funds could be released.

The decision marked a political setback for Governor Fubara, as the five-member panel of justices unanimously dismissed his cross-appeal challenging the legitimacy of the House of Assembly under Speaker Martins Amaewhule. The ruling affirmed the authority of the 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Additionally, the Supreme Court nullified the recent local government elections in Rivers State, declaring them invalid due to violations of the Electoral Act.

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BREAKING: President Tinubu Break Ramadan fast with Fubara, Wike, Others in Abuja

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu is currently hosting Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, and other top government officials for an Iftar dinner at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The gathering, which includes governors, ministers, and heads of key ministries, departments, and agencies, is part of the annual Ramadan tradition where the president breaks fast with political and government leaders.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and several members of the federal cabinet are also in attendance.

Among the governors present are Alex Otti of Abia, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, and Uba Sani of Kaduna.

Others include Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Mohammed Bago of Niger, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa, and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi.

Also in attendance are heads of key federal agencies, including Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, acting controller general of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, comptroller general of the Federal Fire Service, and Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Top oil industry leaders, including Abba Kyari, group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and Farouk Ahmed, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, are also present.

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BREAKING: Supreme Court sacks all Rivers Local Government Chairmen loyal to Fubara

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Supreme Court has invalidated the local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on October 5, 2024, citing significant breaches of the Electoral Act.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur ruled that the election was null and void due to a lack of substantial compliance with electoral laws and guidelines. According to the court, RSIEC failed to adhere to proper procedures, particularly by continuing voter registration after officially announcing the election date.

Justice Tukur emphasized that the electoral commission’s actions violated Section 150 of the Electoral Act, which outlines the necessary procedures for conducting local government elections.

The court further noted that the hurried process leading up to the election compromised its credibility, rendering the entire exercise unlawful.

More to come…

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BREAKING: Terrorists dare Wike, Kidnap Five in Abuja

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Terrorists, popularly known as bandits, stormed the Chikakore community in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday evening, kidnapping five residents, including an entire family.

The heavily armed terrorists, numbering about 20, arrived at the Health Centre extension axis of Chikakore around 11 pm.

According to police sources, the attackers targeted the homes of their victims, including Adesiyan Akinropo, a resident from the Southwestern part of Nigeria. The bandits kidnapped Akinropo, his wife, his son, and a visitor, as well as another neighbour, bringing the total number of abducted persons to five.

The attack also left a woman severely injured, with a deep wound on her head inflicted by the butt of a gun. She was rushed to the hospital, where she received treatment for her injuries.

It is understood that police operatives from the Byzahin division arrived at the scene an hour and a half after the incident, but the attackers had already escaped with their victims.

“The bandits have resumed attacks in Chikakore. We need a police division here in this community. We have land and a five-bedroom apartment already built to accommodate the police but there is no deployment yet.

“In the Sunday incident, the policemen came one and a half hours after the bandits had escaped with their victims,” a resident lamented.

A meeting between the police and community leaders has been scheduled for Monday to discuss the incident.

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“I won’t settle rift with Fubara” – Wike

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he won’t be resolving the ongoing conflict he has with Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara.

Wike made the disclosure during a media briefing in Abuja on Sunday, where he criticized Fubara and his supporters for refusing to implement President Bola Tinubu’s directives.

The minister stated, “I’m wondering, what conflict to resolve? Mr President, in his wisdom, called all parties. He said withdraw the impeachment notice, you go and do this, you go and do that, but they never returned to him.

“The Assembly withdrew the impeachment notice; you did one and two, and then you sent people to go to court. Elder, have you gone back to Mr President to tell him we can’t do three and four? Nothing.

“I have never seen this in my life — for a president to call parties, and one party goes back and says it’s political. Who does that?”

The conflict between Wike and Fubara began months following Fubara’s inauguration as governor.

The struggle between the two is allegedly due to control of the state’s political resources.

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I’m fit and healthy, Wike denies alleged medical trip to London

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed rumors suggesting he is facing health challenges.

Speaking during a media briefing on Sunday, Wike emphasized that he is in good health, which enables him to carry out the demanding responsibilities of his office.

The clarification comes in response to earlier reports, including social media claims, alleging that Wike was flown to London last week for a medical emergency. The former Governor of Rivers State firmly denied these reports.

“God has given me good health; that’s why I have the energy to do what I’m doing,” he stated.

His media aide, Lere Olayinka, also refuted the rumors, questioning how Wike could have been rushed to London on Thursday and returned on Friday to visit various communities in Abuja.

Taking to the X platform, Olayinka remarked, “They are saying FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was rushed to London for medical attention on Thursday night. They are even quoting time and aircraft number.

“Sebi Wike was flown to London on Thursday night for urgent medical treatment, and he used witchcraft to come back on Friday to visit Dape Community in Life Camp, Gishiri, and Pigba Sama communities in Abuja.

“The Minister will also use witchcraft to return to Abuja on Monday to commission road projects.”

Olayinka further criticized individuals spreading the rumors, saying, “People who haven’t done any medical check-up in ten years are questioning the health of a minister who is always visible, doing his job. Make una kontinu.”

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Beggars, scavengers sue Wike for N500m over arrests

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Some vulnerable FCT residents including the scavengers, beggars, petty traders, among others, have filed a suit against the minister, Nyesom Wike, demanding N500 million in damages over alleged breach of their fundamental rights.

A legal practitioner, Abba Hikima, filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/3024 before Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja on behalf of the vulnerable residents.

Hikima, listed as the applicant in the originating motion dated Nov. 19, 2024, but filed Nov. 20, 2024, said he is suing in public interest for the protection of vulnerable citizens in Nigeria.

The applicant sued Wike; Inspector-General (I-G) of Police; Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as 1st to 4th respondents.

The lawyer also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Federal Government of Nigeria as fifth to sixth respondents respectively.

He is praying for an order awarding the sum of N500 million as general and exemplary damages for the violation of the fundamental rights of the affected citizens.

He prayed the court to declare that “the arbitrary arrest, detention without charges, harassment and extortion of homeless persons, scavengers, petty traders, beggars and other vulnerable Nigerians resident in the FCT, constitute a violation of their fundamental rights.

The rights, they said, are guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 41 and 42 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as altered).”

“A declaration that the treatment of vulnerable citizens, including verbal harassment, physical threats, extortion, and detention without charge, constitutes inhumane and degrading treatment contrary to Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

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I brought you back to life politically, Wike blasts Odili

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Federal Capital Territory FCT minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has hit back at a former Governor of Rivers state, Dr Peter Odili who he said was politically dead until he decided to revive him.

Describing him as a sycophant who would praise any government in power for pecuniary gains, Wike said he won’t be shocked if Odili goes ahead to arrange a new wife for the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Recalling how Odili praised him to high heavens when he (Wike) was governor, the minister said Dr Odili went as far as hanging his (Wike’s) portraits in all the rooms in his house, including the kitchen ams toilets.

Describing Dr Odili as a rent seeker, he said “an elder statesman should not be a trader and a sycophant all the time.”

Dr Odili was quoted to have said that Fubara stopped Wike from turning the state into a private estate.

Odili who spoke at a Christmas ballad organized by him in honour of Governor Fubara and his family, said the governor summoned an unusual fortitude to confront the quest by Wike to capture Rivers state through ferocious, but unnecessary political war.

“Governor Fubara confronted the challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the State as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance and made civil servants and Rivers people happier as it used to be” he said.

Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said Wike spoke on Sunday at a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Anglican Communion, Eliozu Parish of the Diocese of Evo in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

He said it was unfortunate that somebody who was supposed to be seen as an elder statesman and a father could reduce himself to a sycophant and a trader.

“Must you be a trader all the time? As governor for eight years, what else are you looking for?”, Wike queried.

Speaking further, the Minister said; “You know, I didn’t want to say anything, but somebody called me last night, and told me what someone said in the social media. I said until I read it myself. This morning, I read in the newspapers, what our former Governor, Sir Dr Peter Odili said.

“What did he say? He said that the present governor has been able to stop one man who wanted to convert Rivers State to his personal estate.

“Between him and myself, who has turned Rivers State to his personal estate? His wife is a Chairman of Governing Council, his daughter is a commissioner, his other daughter is a judge and he is the general overseer. Who has now turned Rivers State to his private estate? I am sure if care is not taken, if there is a chance, he can even arrange a marriage for the governor.

“It was his nephew, his late elder brother’s son who was recommended for commissioner. He took the slot and gave it to his own daughter. Someone who didn’t remember to stand for the son of his late elder brother, is that an elder statesman?”

Wike said it was painful that Dr Odili, out of political sycophancy, has forgotten all that he said in the past, adding that; “All of you here remember when I was governor, this same Odili praised me to high heavens. In fact, he said then that all past governors in Rivers State combined did not do better than me.

“In 2007 after he left office, he couldn’t come near power in the State because Amaechi was the governor then. He was gone!

“Like somebody said that God will use someone to lift up someone. When I came in as governor in 2015, I won’t use the word resurrected, but I brought him back to life.

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HeadlinesOpinion

The man Wike: The many misconceptions and how he saved Southeast region from ravaging terrorist infiltration

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezemuo Wike means many things to different people. Among Ndigbo, Wike is mostly seen as a villain or someone who denied their son Peter Gregory Obi the opportunity to be elected Nigerian President in 2022. Most Igbos hold the view that Wike is anti-Igbo. But is Wike anti-Igbo? Did he save the southeast region from what could have been a devastating infiltration by a ruthless invading terrorist group, disguised as herdsmen? The answer is capital and loudest YES. Hard to believe, you’d say!


It is hardly known in most quarters that Wike saved Southeast Nigeria from a devastating planned infiltration of that axis by a terrorist group, disguised as herdsmen. The personality of Wike reminds me that villains have their virtues too. He is no saint, but he is definitely not the demon many brand him.

Those who know Wike know he wears the face of a Lion; roars, and acts like one. He is a man who has defeated the pangs of fear. Some would even say Wike has many things in common with Donald Trump – Blunt, assertive, impetuous, stubborn and untamed when he sets out on a mission. He loves those he loves and would do everything to protect them. Wike’s assertiveness has earned him fewer friends and more enemies, perhaps. Within the political space, Wike could be said and rightly too to be the most misconstrued political figure in Nigeria today. Amid threats and opposition, the man Wike talks tough; hardly apologetic. He remains defiant.


As an Igbo man, I can say that Barr. Nyesom Wike deserves his flowers from the Igbos if only they knew the role he played during the infamous tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Former President Muhammadu Buhari hated Wike for a reason. That reason was the fact that Wike was a huge hindrance to a mission that had been planned and sealed for execution. During President Muhammadu Buhari’s era, the invading killer-herdsmen have mapped out their infiltration strategy. The plan was to do whatever that could be done to hasten an unholy occupation of the Southeast and South-South Regions. South West was relatively safer, partly because the stakeholders of the region knew the plan and made adequate conventional and nonconventional arrangements to secure that region.

Furthermore, the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari was made possible through the efforts of key political figures from South West, particularly President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. That largely guaranteed the Southwest safety.
Benue State was targeted as a feasible route for this infiltration. What did Wike do? Wike hurriedly formed a strong alliance with former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and the then Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. This alliance was majorly to counter the planned infiltration cum occupation of the target regions (South East and South-South). A move that Samuel Ortom is still bearing the brunt to date.
Unlike Benue and Enugu States, Rivers State enjoyed better revenue inflow. Wike made available all the necessary resources that were needed in that subtle war of infiltration. Wike was the lone oak tree that defied the raging storm at that moment. Wike may be a villain, but his vision, political flexibility and behind-the-scenes activities are great political virtues that cannot be overlooked by any political pundit.

Ndigbo, need I say again, Wike deserves his flowers from us. Villains have their virtues too!


Light Shedrack is an international business ideation specialist and good governance advocate. He can be reached via: lightsheddie26@gmail.com

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BREAKING: FCT Minister Wike Reportedly Dissolves Appeal Court Panel Over Rivers LG Election Ruling

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly ordered the secret dissolution of the Special Court of Appeal in the FCT that gave a favourable ruling on the Rivers State Local Government Elections.

The panel was “quietly disbanded” after it upheld the Rivers State Local Government elections conducted by the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The controversy surrounding the Rivers State Local Government Elections has been ongoing, with the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullifying a judgement of the Federal High Court that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the conduct of local elections in the state.

The appellate court panel, led by Onyekachi Otisi, had held that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, citing Section 28 of the Electoral Act, which does not accommodate elections conducted by state governments.

The court had held that “The Electoral Act does not apply to local government elections and the lower court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the appeal.”

According to sources, Mr. Wike is not happy with the development.

The FCT minister has reportedly reached out to Senior Judicial officers and fixers, secretly disbanding the first panel that gave the favourable ruling.

The new panel approved by Wike is litigating on the matter from Abuja, where Wike’s wife is also a senior judge. Wike is also enraged over the decision of the accountant general to pay Rivers allocation based on what he claimed was a mere “stay of execution.”

“The panel that sat to hear the new appeal was headed by Justice Hamah Barka and it also has Justice Adebukola Banjoko and Justice Peter C. Obiora. Wike got upset and reached out to Senior Judicial officers and fixers. He secretly disbanded the first panel that gave the favourable ruling,” SaharaReporters quoted a source as saying.

“Ironically, Justice Barka had recused himself from the Rivers State issue in the panel earlier set for the same purpose, saying he was under attack by some forces claiming he was compromised,” the source further revealed.

“The new panel approved by Wike is litigating on the matter from Abuja Where Wike’s wife is also a senior judge,” the source added.

“Wike is also enraged over the decision of the accountant general to pay Rivers allocation based on what he claimed was a mere “stay of execution.”

The federal government had initially said it would halt the October monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue payment to Rivers State, citing a court order as the reason. However, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) later cited a subsisting appeal, saying that the allocation could not be stopped.

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