The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wike

  • Obi’s return will sink PDP, Wike warns

    Obi’s return will sink PDP, Wike warns

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against banking on the return of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as a survival strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Speaking during a media chat on Monday, Wike said the PDP failed to learn from its mistakes in the 2023 polls, particularly its decision to field both the presidential candidate and the national chairman from the North.

    According to him, this lopsided arrangement alienated other regions and contributed to the party’s defeat.

    “From day one, I warned them. You cannot have the presidential candidate and the national chairman from the same region. But they ignored it. I told them it would backfire, and it did,” the former Rivers State governor stated.

    Read Also: No apologies leveraging Obi’s popularity to win election – Moghalu

    Wike accused party leaders of arrogance and injustice, insisting that his opposition to the zoning imbalance was justified.

    “They stole the presidential ticket and also the national chairman. I said it would purge them, and it did. I don’t regret it,” he added.

    Wike insisted that the only way forward for the PDP is to respect zoning and return power to the South.

    On speculation that Obi may return to the PDP, Wike dismissed the idea as “dangerous” and “hypocritical.”

    “To what? Bring Obi back to where? The same Obi that called PDP rotten? Now, because of ambition, the party is suddenly good for him? That will kill the party,” he said.

    He added that such a move would destroy what little credibility the party has left.

    “If you want to destroy PDP, bring Obi back. Ambition without principle is dangerous. Without justice and equity, PDP has no future,” Wike said

  • Wike’s aide knocks Atiku over comments on River council poll

    Wike’s aide knocks Atiku over comments on River council poll

    Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his comments on the just-concluded local government elections in Rivers State.

    The elections, held across 23 local government areas (LGAs), saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) win in 20 LGAs while the remaining three were won by other parties.

    Many opposition voices, including Atiku, described the polls as flawed and undemocratic.

    Reacting on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Olayinka mocked Atiku, calling him a “Permanent Presidential Runner.”

    He argued that Atiku had no moral right to condemn the rivers election, pointing to Atiku’s past actions.

    Olayinka reminded Nigerians of when Atiku tweeted about the killing of Deborah Samuel, a student murdered in Sokoto in 2022.

    Read Also: Atiku, ADC differ on CVR online registration figures

    Atiku had condemned the killing but later deleted his tweet after facing backlash from some supporters in the North.

    According to Olayinka, a man who could not “boldly and honestly” stand by his words in the face of such a serious issue as murder has no grounds to attack the conduct of an election.

    He dismissed Atiku’s statement as “nonsensical nonsense.”

    Olayinka urged Nigerians to ignore Atiku.  

  • Wike: Rivers LG poll clears coast for Fubara’s return

    Wike: Rivers LG poll clears coast for Fubara’s return

    • Suspended governor’s absence on election day raises concerns

    • Massive voters’ turnout in rural communities

    • APC wins in first declared result

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has said that Rivers State is only a step away from the lifting of its emergency rule.

    This, he said, followed the successful conduct of the local government elections conducted in the state yesterday.

    Wike, the immediate past governor of the state, said with the emergency rule due to expire on September 18, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the state House of Assembly “will come back to their job.”

    He spoke to reporters soon after casting his vote at about 11:15am in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007 in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

    The elections were conducted across the 23 local government areas.

    It was generally peaceful.

    Turnout of voters, though massive in the rural communities, was low in the cities.

    Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor were devoid of their usual hustling and bustling as many residents chose to stay indoors.

    Apart from regular patrols by security agencies, especially the police and persons on essential duties, other vehicles were off the roads in compliance with the restrictions on human and vehicular movement by the police.

    The ever busy Port Harcourt Slaughter Road, Ada George, Elekahia and other areas were deserted while all markets, malls and other business areas were shut down.

    READ ALSO: 2027: Racing for keys to Agodi govt house job (2)

    Youths were seen playing football on major roads.

    But it was a different story in the rural areas, particularly Ogoni communities like Baroko, Bera, Bidera and Biera, where opinion leaders mobilised residents to the various polling units to cast their votes.

    A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, was seen monitoring the exercise as an election observer.

    However, suspended Governor Fubara was not sighted in Port Harcourt or his community in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.

    His ward 5 in Opobo-Nkoro was said to have witnessed little voting activity.

    It was also learnt that leaders of the disbanded Simplified Movement across the state stayed away from the elections

    Sources said Fubara was out of the country.

    The Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), went round to monitor the election.

    He was seen moving around polling units to observe the process and to ensure that the exercise was peaceful and orderly.

    The FCT Minister described the exercise as peaceful.

    He played down the low turnout of voters in places like Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor, saying: “When you go to commercial areas, you don’t expect a large turnout of people. But when you go to residential areas, you expect a huge turnout.

    “Particularly as I am here now, this is my community; you can see the large turnout. So it is in other areas.

    “If you go to the rural areas, you expect more participation. For those people who are non- indigenes of Rivers State, they feel they don’t have any one participating in election.

    “I am very happy with the turnout of people. I have got reports from the rural areas that people came out to exercise their franchise.”

    Wike said since the election was conducted in accordance with all legal processes, there was nothing to worry about in the actions of some aggrieved persons.

    He credited President Bola Tinubu for the successful conduct of the election.

    His words: “We have to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for making sure that this election is conducted.

    “First of all, if election is not conducted, you know the Supreme Court had said there is nothing like technical committee, and if there are no elected people, funds will not come from the Federation Account to the local government councils, and that means that if the emergency rule is lifted without local government election, we would still have the same problem.

    “Now that the local government election has been conducted, it means that there are elected people. Therefore, they will get funds directly from the Federation Account.

    “Everybody is coming out for this election in order to stabilise the grassroots.

    “We are very glad we are conducting this election, and at the end of the day, the elected people will emerge and sworn in, and we know that we have elected people.”

    “I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election. You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of the carrying of ballot boxes.

    “You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the election is very peaceful.

    A suspended Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member of the House of Assembly, Igwe Aforji (Eleme Constituency), acknowledged the orderly conduct of the election.

    “I commend the organisers of the election. I can confess to you that we have never had it this good at the grassroots level. It has manifested today that the people are interested in knowing who will be their chairmen and councilors,” he said.

    He also hailed the people of Eleme for coming out en masse to take part in the election.

    He said: “I believe that nobody will contest (the result of) this election, because it reflects the wish of the people.

    “The turnout shows that everybody wants the candidate of the APC and I believe that he is cruising to victory. He is a good product.

    “Nobody will want to contest this election because even me, as a PDP member, I know he is going to win.”

    The APC chairmanship candidate in Gokana, Confidence Deko, described the election as free, fair and most credible.

    He said: “It was a peaceful election we had around here. What you see here is massive. That is to tell you how the people embrace the election.”

    The South-South Chairman of APC, Victor Giadom, said the orderly conduct of the election was a sign of better things to come in 2027.

    He said: “This is a sign of what will happen in the 2027 general elections. The election was peaceful. There was no violence.

    “We have a united front for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu where all shades of political opinions come together to foster stability and the future appears to be exceedingly bright.”

    Sole Administrator Ibas, in a statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Media, Rivers State Government, Hector Igbikiowubo, expressed profound satisfaction at the peaceful and orderly conduct of the local government election.

    He described it as a decisive and positive step towards restoring full democratic governance at the grassroots level.

    Ibas said he was highly encouraged by the commendable conduct of voters and election officials, which he said created a calm and secure atmosphere for the exercise.

    Ibas said: “I am very happy with what I have witnessed today. The process has been notably peaceful, from the significant turnout to the orderly conduct of both voters and election officials.

    “I am confident that at the end of the day, we will have a credible set of results that we will all be proud of as a state.” 

    He said situation reports from across the state corroborated his firsthand observations, pointing to a smooth, credible and largely incident-free exercise.

    “Generally, the situation has been calm and seamless across the state.

    “We have not received any major negative report, which is a testament to the collective desire for peace and normalcy.”

    Ibas said that the people of Rivers had unequivocally shown their desire to elect a legitimate leadership that they could identify with at the local level.

    He insisted that the successful poll was in direct alignment with the primary objective of his mandate to stabilise the state and return it to democracy.

    He said: “Certainly, all indigenes of Rivers State want and deserve grassroots leadership they can call their own. That is what this process represents.

    “For me, facilitating this foundational tier of democracy is a core objective of my mandate: to put the state back on its stable, democratic path and to empower its people.”

    The state of emergency was declared on March 18 by President Tinubu following months of a running battle that pitted Fubara and his supporters against Wike and his supporters including the majority of the state’s lawmakers.

    In the heat of the crisis, the suspended governor ordered the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex and recognised four members of the state House of Assembly who were loyal to him as constituting the legislative arm.

    Some explosions also occurred in the state following threats by some people to cause trouble on account of the crisis.

    The Supreme Court, in a February 28, 2025 ruling in respect of about eight consolidated appeals on the political crisis in the state, said: “A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    “In this case, the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot.

    “As it is there is no government in Rivers State.”

    Tinubu had said  in a broadcast: “Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.”

    Consequently, the Governor, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State were suspended for an initial period of six months and Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) was nominated as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state.

    Three months after the emergency rule went into effect, Tinubu convened a high-level peace meeting at the State House in Abuja, bringing together key actors in the conflict for a rare face-to-face dialogue.

    At the closed-door meeting were Fubara, Wike, suspended Rivers Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and several other lawmakers embroiled in the dispute.

    Wike confirmed later that the parties to the Rivers State dispute had settled their differences and machinery had been set in motion for the restoration of all suspended democratic activities and institutions.

    APC wins in first declared LG poll result

     Early results yesterday showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had established a massive lead following the ongoing computation of the local government elections.

     It was gathered that the APC was cruising to victory in 20 local government areas while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was doing well in three.

     Already, the APC had been declared winner of the Tai Local Government Area.

     APC in a declared result was said to have polled 70,080 to defeat the PDP, which came a distant second with 1,245 votes.

     The total valid votes were declared as 72,770; rejected votes, 326 while total number of votes was 73,096.

  • Wike’s bountiful harvests of projects, testaments of Tinubu’s good governance – Okotie-Eboh

    Wike’s bountiful harvests of projects, testaments of Tinubu’s good governance – Okotie-Eboh

    •  By Oke Adamudagha

    Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, son of Nigeria’s first Finance Minister and former Regent of the Warri Kingdom, has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, as a dependable ally and a true instrument of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Okotie-Eboh made this assertion while celebrating the harvest of landmark projects commissioned in Abuja by President Tinubu, who was represented at different times by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

    He commended President Tinubu for his foresight in appointing Barr. Wike as FCT Minister, noting that the choice was “a decision well taken” and a clear demonstration of the President’s commitment to good governance.

    According to him, Wike has not only justified his appointment but has also exceeded expectations by delivering critical infrastructure within a short period, transforming Abuja into a modern capital city befitting Nigeria’s pride of place in Africa.

    He explained that he was celebrating Wike’s uncommon achievements over the execution of bountiful projects within just two years in office. Any president, he said, who has a minister like Wike, can confidently rest, knowing there would be no regrets in such an appointment.

    Okotie-Eboh highlighted that Wike has successfully delivered numerous public projects ranging from road infrastructure to administrative buildings, bridges, and recreational facilities, pointing out that these projects were commissioned by top government officials on behalf of the President, symbolizing the Renewed Hope Agenda in practical action.

    Among the major road infrastructure projects completed under Wike are the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) right-hand service carriageway from Idu to Kubwa, and the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Stage II left-hand carriageway from Ring Road I to Wasa Junction.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s gas production rises to 7.59BSC daily

    Other notable roads include Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, Arterial Road N16 Maitama–Katampe (Gishiri), and Collector Road CN2 (Zakari A. Kyari Street) in Mabushi, linking Judges’ Quarters in Katampe.

    The FCT Minister has also delivered six new rural road projects across the area councils. These include Naharati Road (Abaji), Yangoji–Sukuku–Ebo Road (Kwali), Paikon-Kore–Ibwa Road (Gwagwalada), Garage Junction to LEA Secretariat Road (Kuje), Gabo–Tokulo Road (Bwari), and the Saburi Access Road (AMAC).

    Additional rural road projects such as the Paikon-Kore–Ibwa stretch (9 km), Yangoji (11.3 km), Kuje dual carriageway (5 km), Naharati–Ukya–Angwan Hausawa Road (5 km), and the Gaba–Tokulu Road (7.2 km) have further deepened rural connectivity and several ongoing projects to reshaping Abuja’s transportation system.

    He explained that these projects, along with new access roads such as the Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III (a six-lane 4 km stretch) and the road linking N16 to Judges’ Quarters through N20 (Wole Soyinka Way), are improving the city’s central connectivity, while the Urban infrastructure and central area upgrades have also received attention and the International Conference Centre (ICC).

    Similarly, the Greater Abuja Water Supply Network (Loops 1, 2, 5 & 6) has been completed, while modern bus terminals have been constructed in Mabushi and Kugbo to ease urban transportation. The Abuja Light Rail System was another major milestone. Initially stalled, it was revived under Wike’s leadership, upgraded to 97% completion, and relaunched in May 2024.

    Residents enjoyed free rides throughout the year as part of Wike’s effort to encourage patronage and restore public confidence in rail transportation, while Institutional and civic projects have also been delivered. The Vice President’s official residence, abandoned for years, was completed and inaugurated under Wike.

    The establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, with a Head of Service and permanent secretaries, has strengthened administrative capacity within the FCT, as Schools and hospitals have not left out. Nineteen schools have been rehabilitated, with health facilities in Gwarimpa, Gwagwalada and Utako upgraded.

    The resurfacing of 57 km of roads in the city center has improved mobility, while justice infrastructure such as the Court of Appeal complex has been completed.

    On security, Wike’s administration provided vehicles and motorbikes to enhance rural policing, while capacity development programs have improved the efficiency of FCT staff, noting that under Wike, the FCT achieved a 95% budget implementation rate in 2024 — an unprecedented feat in its history.

    He further observed that revenue generation rose by 53.5% in the first half of 2023 compared to 2022, thanks to reforms introduced in the FCT-IRS. And also

    In the area of staff welfare, Wike ensured the payment of minimum wage, arrears, and promotions, while introducing training and advancement programs under the LEAD-P initiative.

    Okotie-Eboh declared that “Nobody will raise an eyebrow if Barrister Nyesom Wike is referred to as the instrument of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, considering the joy and commendations Nigerians showered on him during the unveiling of these gigantic projects.”

    He explained that Wike’s track record in Rivers State as governor has been replicated in Abuja, proving that capacity, commitment, and political will can transform any environment.

    He emphasized that Nigerians have every reason to celebrate the FCT Minister because his efforts have restored confidence in governance, demonstrated result-oriented leadership, and strengthened public trust in the Tinubu administration.

  • Wike hails Tinubu over Rivers council poll

    Wike hails Tinubu over Rivers council poll

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, praised President Bola Tinubu over the process of the ongoing local government election in the state.

    Wike, who expressed satisfaction over the process, said: “since the Supreme Court has said there is nothing like caretaker committees in local governments, if there are no elected people, funds will not come from the Federation accounts to the local government accounts. So, if the emergency rule is lifted and there is no local government election, we will still have the same problem”.

    Wike commended the people of the state for turning out in large numbers to participate in the ongoing local government election.

    He spoke while addressing reporters after casting his vote at Polling Unit 007, Ward 9 (Rumuepirikom Kingdom), Obia/Akpor Local Government Area.

    The FCT minister said: “I want to thank RSIEC for carrying out a successful conduct of local government elections. Let me make it clear that this is a local government election and I expect particularly the media to have done their homework very well in knowing where the residential areas and commercial areas are.

    “When you go to commercial areas, you don’t expect a large turnout of people but when you go to residential areas, of course, you expect people to turn out.

    “This is my community, I can see the turnout of people in this particular unit, so it is in other units.

    “But If you go to a place where you have commercial activities, you don’t expect many people”.

    The Minister disclosed that the people of the state are happy to participate in the local government election.

    Wike added: “Rivers people are happy to have their own people contesting elections, so I’m very happy with the turnout of people and I have gotten a lot of reports from the rural areas that people came out very well to participate in the election, so I’m happy”.

    He dismissed fears that the Supreme Court might set aside the ongoing local government election.

    “There was no election by law, the Supreme Court said there was no election. Today we are holding an election that is why you see people coming out to cast their votes.

    “If you do something that is not known to law, of course, it will be set aside and now that the process is very clear and known to law, nobody is worried. All the people are doing is just to come out and cast their votes for whoever they want to represent them at the local government,” he said.

    Wike said with the conduct of the polls, local governments are sure of getting their funds directly from the federation account as directed by the Supreme Court.

    He pointed out that the successful conduct of the election would go a long way in stabilizing the grassroot level.

    Read Also: Wike votes, says coast clear to lift Rivers emergency rule 

    Wike further added: “That is why we have to thank Mr President for making sure that this election is conducted. First of all, if an election is not conducted, you know that the Supreme Court has said there is nothing like caretaker committees in local governments and if there are no elected people, funds will not come from the Federation accounts to the local government accounts.

    “That means that if the emergency rule is lifted and there is no local government election, we will still have the same problem. Now that the local government election is holding, it means that there will be elected people and they will get funds directly from the federation account.

    “Everybody must stand out to support this particular election in order to stabilize the grassroot level. By the time the emergency rule is lifted in September, it means that the governor and state Assembly will come back, so without local government it will not have been complete.

    “So, we are very glad that today we are conducting this election and by the end of the day, elected people will emerge, sworn in, and we will know that we have elected representatives at the grassroot level.”

  • Wike votes, says coast clear to lift Rivers emergency rule 

    Wike votes, says coast clear to lift Rivers emergency rule 

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has voted in the ongoing Rivers State Local Government Elections. 

    Wike cast his vote around 11: 15am in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of the State.

    He described the exercise as peaceful and flayed concerns over the non-usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the poll.

    He said: “I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election. You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the election is very peaceful.

    “Of course we are concerned, but people are trooping out. Before the election closes, you will see the number of persons.  So, we are very happy that, at the end of the day, this election has been conducted very peacefully and successfully.”

    Wike said with the conduct of the local government elections, the coast was clear for the lifting of the emergency rule.

    He said: “So having done this, then the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, meaning that the local government has representatives, the state government has its own elected representatives, so we are good to go”.

  • Abdulsalami, Obasanjo, Jonathan, Ali Pate, Wike to commission care365 health hub in Abuja

    Abdulsalami, Obasanjo, Jonathan, Ali Pate, Wike to commission care365 health hub in Abuja

    Nigeria is set to witness a historic milestone in healthcare on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, as former Heads of State, eminent leaders, top government officials, and global experts will gather at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, for the grand unveiling of the Care365 Health Hub.

    The hub is a transformative healthcare innovation conceived in the United States and now launched in Nigeria.

    The event will be led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Chief Host and Chairman of Care365 Health Hub, who is the driving force behind the innovation.

    According to the schedule of the event, former Head of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the Occasion will preside over the unveiling.

    Read Also: Indigenous company gets Jonathan’s praise at unveiling of two aircraft

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, will commission the innovation.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan will be the Guest of Honour and also billed to grace the landmark occasion include  Honourable Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, alongside State Governors, Ministers, senior government functionaries, leaders of the organized private sector, the international community, CEOs of banks, and captains of industries from oil and gas, telecoms, insurance, and other sectors.

    Giving details of the innovation, the CEO/Founder, Ngozi Joseph Odumuko said the Health Hub introduces four pioneering products designed to transform healthcare access and delivery including Care365 Health Monitoring Kiosk – a smart self-service device for instant vital checks such as blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, oxygen level, and more.

    Part of the innovation titled Care365 Mobile Clinic is a flexible, mobile healthcare solution to reach underserved and remote communities while Care365 Health Hub Telemedicine Mobile & Web App enables seamless virtual consultations with doctors, e-prescriptions, referrals, and health record management.

    Part of the unique services of the hub will be in form of Specialist Doctors Pool which is a network of highly skilled doctors from the United States, Europe, Canada, Asia, and Nigeria, providing global-standard medical expertise.

  • Rivers LG poll: Wike makes fresh bid to regain political structures

    Rivers LG poll: Wike makes fresh bid to regain political structures

    • Election skips legal hurdles
    • Security agents embark on show of force ahead of voting

    Federal Capital Teriritory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike looks poised to put his popularity in Rivers State to test today as residents vote in the local government election.

    The election is coming just a few weeks to the expiration of the six-month state of emergency imposed on the state in March by President Bola Tinubu.

    The minister’s influence had come under serious strain in the political face- off between him and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, whose candidates had swept the LG polls conducted in the heat of the crisis last year.

    But the Supreme Court’s judgement that nullified the election, the emergency rule and the reconciliation between Wike and Fubara have evolved a template for another local government poll.

    In the run up to today’s polls, Wike’s loyalists and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts defected to the Chief Tony Okocha-led All Progressivss Congress (APC) and picked APC forms to contest the elections.

    The loyalists emerged chairmanship candidates of the APC and were screened and cleared by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to contest the election.

    Of the 23 local government areas in the state, chairmanship candidates linked to Wike are contesting the election on APC platform in 20 local government areas while three others are running as PDP members.

    Candidates linked to Wike in PDP are contesting in Obio-Akpor, the minister’s Local Government Area; Port Harcourt and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni.

     Out of the 16 political parties cleared by RSIEC to contest the election, only PDP and the APC candidates were seen campaigning for votes ahead of the polls.

     The two parties held the grand finale of their campaigns that attracted mammoth crowd of residents and party stakeholders.

    Multiple litigations by aggrieved stakeholders had threatened the election ,sparking fears that the poll could be halted by the court.

    A state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the state Capital, however, failed to issue an order stopping the election in a suit filed by a lawyer.

    Justice Stephen Jumbo, dismissed a motion ex parte filed by a lawyer, one Williams Abayomi-Stanley against President Bola Tinubu, Attorney-General of the Federation, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and its Chairman to stop the election.

     Justice Jumbo said it lacked merit but granted a motion.

     The judge, however, granted a motion for substituted service on  the defendants.

     He also directed that the conduct of the August 30th Local Government Council elections should go ahead as scheduled and adjourned till 10th of September, 2025 for hearing on the substantive suit.

     A non-governmental organisation, the Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership led by another lawyer, Chizy Enyi, filed a similar suit against the poll.

    Read Also: Wike’s aide Olayinka advocates mandatory NIN, ID for social media accounts

    He named the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice-Admiral, Ibok-Ete Ibas,  State government, Attorney-General of the state and RSIEC as defendants.

    The group, in its originating summons, asked the court to determine whether the Sole Administrator could lawfully and/or validly exercise the duties and powers conferred on the Governor of the State under sections 176(1)  and (2), 197 (1)  and (3) and 198 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) as exercised with respect to the appointment of the Board Members of the RSIEC.

    They wanted the court to issue an order setting aside the nomination, appointment, constitution and presentation of the purported Board Members of the RSIEC made sometime in May, 2025, by the sole administrator.

    They also sought an order of the Court setting aside all actions carried out by the board members of the RSIEC, including the conduct of the Rivers State Local Government elections.

    They also wanted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st defendant by himself, privies, agents, assigns, administrators and/or howsoever so named, from interfering or further interfering and usurpation of the exclusive powers.

    A last minute effort to stop the poll came from  the Emeka Beke-led APC in the state.

     It asked the court to stop the exercise.

    In a suit filed by Awoala Joybel Emine on behalf of the party’s executives, the faction claimed that candidates published by the RRSIEC were impostors.

    The party asked the court to compel RSIEC to recognize candidates nominated by the Emeka Beke-led exco as the authentic APC flag bearers and to nullify any election conducted without their inclusion.

    The RSIEC says it is ready for the polls.

    The police issued a warning to cultists and troublemakers planning to disrupt the local government elections.

    The state police command also restricted  human and vehicular movements from Friday midnight to 6pm on the election day.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, said those on essential duties were exempted from the movement restriction.

    Adepoju commended the people of the state for  their peaceful disposition and understanding since emergency rule began in the area.

    Adepoju said all arrangements had been made to ensure a free, fair and peaceful elections adding that  all the security agencies would participate in the exercise with the police as the lead agency.

    He said:  “All materials for the election will be escorted and there will be a robust security for people to exercise their franchise. We will be there for them before, during and after the elections. Those who want to foment trouble should desist because we are not going to take it kindly.

    “We have also done the needful to ensure that all cult activities and those that may want to disrupt the peace during the elections have been checked”.

    The Sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) ordered all government offices to close by 12pm yesterday  as part of the preparations for the election.

    Ibas in a statement signed by the Acting Head of Service, Dr. Inyang Brown, said the development was to enable civil servants travel to exercise their civic responsibility by casting their votes during the election.

    Security agencies in the state yesterday embarked on  a show of force to reassure residents of their safety ahead of the local government elections.

    The  police, army, navy,  Navy, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other allied agencies, were seen patrolling  the major streets of Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor during the exercise.

    The exercise kicked off at the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters on Moscow Road and featured a convoy of patrol vehicles showing their  readiness to maintain peace and order during the election.

    The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, earlier reeled out comprehensive security measures to ensure a free, fair, and credible exercise.

    Under the  state of emergency Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu and the state House of Assembly were suspended and an administrator was appointed.

  • Cross–boundary crimes threat to FCT, neighbouring states, says Wike

    Cross–boundary crimes threat to FCT, neighbouring states, says Wike

    • Minister tasks states on joint security operations

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday raised concerns about cross-border crimes threatening the nation’s capital and its neighbouring states.

    He urged security agencies in the G-7 states to intensify joint operations and intelligence sharing to tackle the challenges.

    The minister, who was represented by the FCT Head of Service, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, spoke at the opening of the G-7 States Technical Committee meeting at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.

    Wike said the complexity of emerging threats, ranging from kidnappings and banditry to human and drug trafficking, requires synergy, collaboration, and innovative strategies.

    READ ALSO: Echoes of terrorism

    He said; “The nature of threats has become increasingly dynamic, and criminal elements are exploiting technology and porous boundaries. Only through coordinated operations can we overcome them.”

    The G-7 Security Forum, established in 2007, brings together security chiefs from the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kaduna, Benue, and Plateau states to share intelligence, review security trends, and adopt joint strategies.

    The latest meeting was convened following reports of resurging criminal activities across the fringes of the FCT.

    Wike praised security operatives for their sacrifices and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to providing resources and platforms to strengthen regional security cooperation.

    Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, AIG Usaini Gumel said the G-7 collaboration has proven its relevance over the years.

    He said; “Alone, each state may not achieve the desired results, but when seven states come together to fight a common enemy – crime and criminality – the outcome is always greater.”

    The IGP urged members to develop lasting strategies that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    FCT Police Commissioner and Chairman of the G-7 Technical Committee, Ajao Adewale, also called for deeper inter-agency collaboration and sustained intelligence sharing.

    Citing recent successes, the police chief narrated how the arrest of a Nasarawa-based kidnap syndicate led to the capture of its leader, Muhammad Tahir, who had coordinated operations across Nasarawa and Plateau states.

    Adewale said over N7.4 million ransom was recovered from the group, underscoring the need for cross-border cooperation.

    “This case shows that cross-boundary crimes cannot be fought in isolation but through intelligence-driven collaboration,” he said.

    The Commander of Defence Headquarters Garrison, Maj.-Gen. Alechenu Alechenu, described the G-7 initiative as a critical framework for tackling sophisticated criminal networks. 

    He pledged the military’s continued support to civil authorities in protecting the FCT and its neighbouring states, warning that no single agency can win the war against insecurity alone.

    Also, Brig.-Gen. Bisi Onasanya underscored the critical link between security and economic growth.

    He stressed that nations cannot thrive when the safety of lives and property is compromised.

  • Cross-border crimes threatening Abuja, neighbouring states – Wike

    Cross-border crimes threatening Abuja, neighbouring states – Wike

    …tasks G-7 states on joint security operations to curb menace

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday raised alarm over cross-border crimes threatening Abuja and its neighbouring states.

    Wike urged security agencies across the G-7 states to intensify joint operations and intelligence sharing to tackle the challenges.

    The minister represented by the FCT Head of Service, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, gave the charge at the opening of the G-7 States Technical Committee Meeting held at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.

    Wike said the complexity of emerging threats ranging from kidnappings and banditry to human and drug trafficking requires synergy, collaboration, and innovative strategies.

    He said, “The nature of threats has become increasingly dynamic, and criminal elements are exploiting technology and porous boundaries. Only through coordinated operations can we overcome them”.

    The G-7 Security Forum, established in 2007, brings together security chiefs from the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kaduna, Benue, and Plateau states to share intelligence, review security trends, and adopt joint strategies.

    The latest meeting was convened following reports of resurging criminal activities across the fringes of the FCT.

    Wike commended security operatives for their sacrifices and reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to providing resources and platforms to strengthen regional security cooperation.

    Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, AIG Usaini Gumel said the G-7 collaboration has proven its relevance over the years.

    He said, “Alone, each state may not achieve the desired results, but when seven states come together to fight a common enemy crime and criminality the outcome is always greater”.

    The IGP urged members to develop lasting strategies that align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    FCT Commissioner of Police and Chairman of the G-7 Technical Committee, CP Ajao Adewale, also called for deeper inter-agency collaboration and sustained intelligence sharing.

    Citing recent successes, he revealed how the arrest of a Nasarawa-based kidnap syndicate led to the capture of its leader, Muhammad Tahir, who had coordinated operations across Nasarawa and Plateau states.

    Read Also: Cross-border crimes threatening Abuja, neighbouring states – Wike

    Adewale said over ₦7.4 million ransom was recovered from the group and underscored the need for cross-border cooperation.

    “This case shows that cross-border crimes cannot be fought in isolation but through intelligence-driven collaboration,” Adewale stressed.

    The Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison, Major General Alechenu Alechenu, described the G-7 initiative as a critical framework for tackling sophisticated criminal networks. 

    He pledged the military’s continued support to civil authorities in protecting the FCT and its neighboring states, warning that no single agency can win the war against insecurity alone.

    Also, Brigadier General Bisi Onasanya underscored the critical link between security and economic growth, stressing that nations cannot thrive when the safety of lives and property is compromised.

    He noted that the convergence of the G7 Commissioners of Police, heads of military formations, and senior security officials was not only timely but also strategic in reinforcing collaboration towards safeguarding the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its contiguous states.

    Onasanya recalled the security challenges of the early 2000s, warning against complacency in the face of current gains.

    “It will be very dangerous for us to rest on our oars because it is not yet Uhuru. This gathering must translate into actionable strategies that guarantee that every man and woman in the FCT and neighboring states can go to bed with their two eyes closed,” he said.

    Onasanya urged participants to make meaningful contributions, assuring that their deliberations would go a long way in shaping sustainable solutions for the security architecture of the nation’s capital.

    The meeting also spotlighted the impact of insecurity on education.

    The Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Education Secretariat, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, warned that abductions of teachers in rural communities were worsening the out-of-school children crisis despite the government’s renovation of 73 public schools. 

    Similarly, the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, stressed that insecurity in vulnerable communities was discouraging teachers from serving and pushing more children out of classrooms. 

    “We cannot continue this way because the negative impact of out-of-school children is too dangerous to ignore,” she said.

    FCTA Director of Security Services and Secretary of the G-7 Technical Committee, Mr. Adamu Gwary, reaffirmed that while states may record individual successes, greater results are achieved collectively.

    “This program comes at the right time, especially considering the current security challenges. Alone, each state may not achieve the desired results, but together, the outcome is always greater,” he said.

    The G-7 Committee is expected to map out vulnerable areas, develop operational strategies, and recommend decisive measures to strengthen security in the region.