Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of the state, pledging to continue prioritizing their interests.

Speaking shortly after his arrival at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, Governor Fubara expressed heartfelt gratitude to residents for the overwhelming show of support at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

“I know everyone expected me to speak when I landed,” he said, addressing a crowd of supporters.

“But let me start by appreciating the wonderful people of Rivers State. The reception I received truly humbled me. It was more than a welcome, it was a demonstration of love, confidence and solidarity.”

The governor emphasized that the turnout wasn’t just celebratory but symbolic of the deep connection between his administration and the citizens.

“It wasn’t just about numbers. It was about the bond we share with the people we serve,” Fubara said.

“By God’s grace, we will continue to do those things that have earned your love and support. We appreciate you, and we love you, but God loves you even more.”

Governor Fubara also announced that he would deliver a formal statewide address at 6 pm, during which he will extend his appreciation to all those who played roles in restoring peace and stability in the state.

“In that broadcast, we will thank everyone who helped return normalcy to Rivers,” he stated.

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Ulasi, has said that any political party that has Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, automatically gains 30–40% of the national vote heading into the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Ulasi expressed optimism about the possibility of Obi returning to the PDP, saying the former Anambra State governor would bring credibility and widespread support to any political platform.

“I’ll be happy if he joins the PDP because he brings credibility. Any party with him already has more than 30 to 40 per cent of the vote. He has massive support across the country,” Ulasi stated.

Ulasi, however, noted that Obi’s political direction remains unclear. According to him, although Obi contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party and recently appeared at an African Democratic Congress (ADC) event, he currently lacks a confirmed platform for the 2027 race.

“To the best of my knowledge, Peter Obi has no defined platform at the moment. He ran under Labour in 2023 and I saw him at the ADC event. So, it’s unclear where he stands politically right now,” Ulasi added.

On the contentious issue of zoning within the PDP, Ulasi advocated for fairness in the 2027 presidential ticket, calling for it to be “micro-zoned” to the South-East, the only major region yet to produce a president in Nigeria’s democratic history.

“If we are to be honest, the presidency should be micro-zoned to the South-East. It’s the only geopolitical zone that has never produced a Nigerian president,” he asserted.

Ulasi also gave insights into the PDP’s internal strategy, saying the party is working toward restructuring and positioning itself as a serious contender in 2027.

“At the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, almost seven governors were present. It was refreshing. The focus now is on rebuilding and reorganising the party for the next general elections,” he said.

Peter Obi previously served as Governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014 and was the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2019 elections.

He left the PDP in May 2022 shortly before its presidential primary and went on to contest under the Labour Party, where his campaign, popularly referred to as the Obidient Movement, energized a large youth following and reshaped Nigeria’s political discourse.

Obi finished third in the 2023 elections, trailing Bola Tinubu of the APC and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.

An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has issued an order stopping the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) and the state government from proceeding with the scheduled local government by-elections in 59 wards across the state.

Justice Mary E. Itsueli, serving as a vacation judge, granted the interim injunction in response to an ex parte motion filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The party was represented by legal counsel Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, Michael Ekwemuka, and P.W. Akwuen.

In the motion (Suit No: B/247M/2025), the PDP sought leave to initiate a judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision to hold by-elections for councillorship positions, arguing that the current councillors still have valid tenures that run until September 2026.

The party maintained that any declaration of their seats as vacant was unlawful.

In a certified true copy of the ruling dated September 16, 2025, Justice Itsueli ordered a suspension of any further actions related to the planned elections.

“The Respondents are to stay further actions and are restrained from conducting the election or taking any further steps in connection with the planned Local Government by-election across 59 wards… particularly as it relates to the seats/offices of the duly elected Councillors in their respective wards,” the judge ruled.

The matter has been referred to the Chief Judge of Edo State for assignment to a regular court.

A return date has been set for September 30, 2025.

In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, key loyalists of former President Muhammadu Buhari have pledged their support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, signaling a widening rift within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development took shape during a private meeting in Abuja, where former state chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Buhari’s original political base, met with Atiku at his residence.

Atiku, who is currently leading efforts to consolidate a new political force under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), welcomed the CPC bloc and assured them of a shared commitment to reshape Nigeria’s political future.

The CPC leaders, who once formed the backbone of the APC’s grassroots strength, accused the Tinubu-led administration of straying from the founding ideals of the coalition that brought the party to power in 2015.

“We are the true followers of Buhari, and we are here today, Sir,” one of the leaders said.

“When this coalition started, we identified early on with the party we wanted to align with. President Buhari has left an unprecedented mark in this country’s history, and we won’t allow that legacy to be erased.”

Declaring their intention to fully merge with the ADC, the CPC bloc hailed Atiku as the leader of a new political direction, one they say aligns more closely with Buhari’s original vision of inclusive and transparent governance.

“We are ready to merge into the new political platform that God has chosen for us—appointing you as the leader—being the ADC,” the spokesman declared.

Their open endorsement of Atiku is expected to intensify internal tensions within the APC, particularly in the North, where Buhari’s influence remains strong.

Another CPC figure, drawing comparisons between Buhari’s era and the current administration, criticized the government’s departure from the original ideals of the CPC-APC coalition.

“You don’t need to be told who the CPC people are, look at former Attorney-General Malami, former Governor El-Rufai, and others who stood by Buhari,” he said.

“Now compare them to the people holding power today.”

In his remarks, Atiku welcomed the CPC leaders and described the meeting as a strategic step toward forming a viable alternative to the APC.

“This meeting is a continuation of your political journey and your enduring struggle,” Atiku said.

“With your support, we can transform this movement into electoral success.”

He reiterated his commitment to building a people-oriented government rooted in inclusivity, peace, and national unity.

Atiku also urged them to take the ongoing voter registration exercise seriously.

“The coalition we are building under the ADC is people-driven. I encourage you to mobilize your supporters and ensure they participate actively in the voter registration process.”

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has returned to Port Harcourt, the state capital, following the official end of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state.

Fubara arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport around 11:50 am on Friday and was received by a large crowd of supporters who had gathered at the VIP wing in anticipation of his return.

His arrival came over 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu formally ended the emergency rule that had been in effect since March 18, 2025.

Although the Rivers State House of Assembly resumed legislative activities on Thursday, Fubara was noticeably absent from the Government House, where hundreds of supporters had also gathered to welcome him back.

Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, were suspended from office for six months following a political crisis in the state that prompted President Tinubu to declare emergency rule.

As part of the federal intervention, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as sole administrator for the oil-rich state.

In a broadcast shortly after handing over on Wednesday night, Ibas urged political leaders in the state to prioritize dialogue and mutual respect going forward.

The political conflict in Rivers began months after Fubara took office in May 2023. A rift between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, quickly escalated into a broader power tussle that split the state House of Assembly and threatened governance.

The crisis culminated in President Tinubu’s emergency proclamation in March.

However, signs of reconciliation began to emerge in June when Tinubu met with key stakeholders including Fubara, Wike, Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule and others.

Despite opposition from some quarters, Ibas proceeded to inaugurate the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), chaired by Michael Odey.

Local government elections were held on August 30 across all 23 councils.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 20 local government areas, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victories in the remaining three.

When announcing the end of the emergency rule on Wednesday, President Tinubu stated that the intervention was necessary to prevent a descent into anarchy, given the political volatility at the time.