Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the recently held local government elections in Rivers State, describing the process as illegal, undemocratic, and a threat to Nigeria’s constitutional order.

Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Obi criticized the conduct of the polls, which were overseen by a sole administrator, an appointment that has already stirred controversy across political and legal circles.

Obi did not mince words in his criticism, branding the exercise as “rascality taken too far” and warning that such undemocratic practices pose a serious danger to the future of governance in Nigeria.

> “The conduct of the Rivers State local government election is rascality taken too far,” Obi wrote. “It represents a double tragedy for our democracy when a sole administrator—himself illegally appointed—dares to conduct an election that should empower the people. This is not democracy; it is the outright desecration of its very foundation.”

The former Anambra State governor argued that the election process violated both the spirit and letter of the Nigerian Constitution, stripping the people of their right to choose their leaders, particularly at the grassroots level where governance has the most direct impact.

He further described the process as morally indefensible and legally untenable, stating that “illegality can never give birth to legitimacy.”

Obi’s remarks come amid growing outrage over the rising use of caretaker committees and sole administrators to oversee local governments across the country—an issue many legal analysts say undermines Nigeria’s federal structure and local government autonomy.

Calling for a return to democratic accountability, Obi urged political leaders to respect the will of the people by safeguarding the sanctity of the ballot box.

> “We cannot pretend to practise democracy while silencing the will of the people,” he said. “True progress can only be achieved when leaders derive their mandate from the people’s votes—not from contraptions that mock democracy.”

Observers have noted that Obi’s statement reflects widening calls for electoral reform and constitutional compliance, especially at the third tier of government. Civic groups, legal experts, and pro-democracy activists have continued to warn that failure to uphold democratic processes at the local level could further erode public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a strong warning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cautioning that any move to welcome Peter Obi back into its ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections would be politically disastrous.

Speaking during a media chat on Monday, Wike criticised the party’s leadership for failing to learn from the missteps of the 2023 election cycle, which he said contributed to its poor performance at the polls.

He recalled how internal concerns were raised in 2022 about the dangers of allowing both the party’s presidential candidate and national chairman to come from the North, an arrangement he described as unjust, unbalanced, and politically tone-deaf.

“From day one, I told my colleagues in PDP, you are shooting yourself in the foot,” Wike said.

“You cannot have both the presidential candidate and the national chairman from the same region. It was clear that it would cost us dearly, and it did.”

The former Rivers State governor went further to describe the decision as a “double theft” of key positions within the party, saying that the refusal to uphold fairness and zoning principles eventually backfired.

“You stole the presidential ticket and also stole the national chairmanship. I said it would purge you, and it did. I have no regrets.”

Wike insisted that for the PDP to rebuild and remain relevant, it must return to the principle of power rotation, emphasizing that the presidency should shift to the South in 2027.

Reacting to speculations about Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, possibly returning to the PDP, Wike was blunt in his disapproval.

“Bring Obi to where? To the same party he insulted and described as rotten? You want to kill the party? If ambition can take you to Satan’s house, that’s your business—but don’t drag PDP into that.”

He argued that allowing Obi back into the PDP fold would not only erode what is left of the party’s ideological foundation but also expose it to ridicule.

“There’s no ideology anymore, no principle. It’s all about ambition. If you want to destroy the PDP, go ahead—bring Obi.”

Wike restated his long-held position that equity, justice and zoning remain non-negotiable if the PDP hopes to reclaim its political footing ahead of the next election.

In a candid conversation on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El‑Rufai urged former governors Peter Obi (Anambra) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) to abandon their pledges to serve only one term if elected president.

Both Obi and Amaechi have publicly advocated for four-year presidencies, with Obi asserting that he can deliver meaningful change within that timeframe.

Amaechi, also promising to step down after a single term, framed it as a move to promote political rotation and stability.

But El‑Rufai pushed back. Drawing on his experience as a two-term governor, he issued a blunt assessment:

“I don’t think anyone believes that. You should not constitutionally give up what is yours,” he said, adding that four years simply isn’t enough to enact substantive reforms.

He went further, warning that politicians often reverse such pledges after taking office:

“Politicians make these promises, but once in power, things change. Stop saying ‘I will do four years’ or ‘I will do eight years’ nobody believes you.”

El‑Rufai also revisited the high-stakes debate on power rotation, revealing that his support for the South’s turn at the presidency in 2023 stemmed from a consensus reached among APC founding leaders.

He recounted rallying northern governors to toe the party line, underscoring that zoning is still a strategic tool parties use to maximize electoral appeal.

The usually quiet compound of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Emene, Enugu State, came alive on Saturday as over 1,000 people gathered for the grand finale of the Prof. Paul Nnamchi Tech Hub and Youth Innovation (PPNTAYI) free computer training programme, a celebration of digital empowerment, community and new beginnings.

The event, marking the end of a month-long training that ran simultaneously in Mbu (Isi Uzo LGA) and Emene (Enugu East LGA), was more than a graduation, it was a festival of hope and transformation.

As Prof. Paul Nnamchi, the brain behind the initiative, arrived at the venue, the atmosphere turned electric. Men, women and children lined the entrance of the church compound, singing and dancing.

Some waved palm fronds, others simply clapped, but all shared the same emotion gratitude.

He was welcomed not just as a political figure, but as a community builder.

“We are not here for politics today,” said one elderly man with tears in his eyes, “We are here to thank a man who brought computers and knowledge to our doorstep.”

The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Ejiogu, opened the event with heartfelt prayers, urging the beneficiaries to see their new skills as a divine opportunity to rise above limitations.

The ceremony was far from ordinary. A mix of calisthenics, cultural displays, and modern breakdance routines painted a picture of how tradition and innovation can exist side by side.

Prof. Nnamchi surprised everyone by joining the performers on stage, dancing with school children, sharing laughter and handing out tokens.

There were no political speeches at this point, just joy.

“Today, Emene danced,” someone in the crowd whispered.

Engr. Daniel Igwe, the lead facilitator, told the audience that over 1,000 students completed the training, an initiative that provided free computer literacy classes, from basic desktop use to introduction to coding, internet research and digital productivity tools.

“This wasn’t just about teaching people how to use computers,” Igwe said.

“It was about giving young people the confidence that they belong in the digital age and they can compete anywhere.”

The beneficiaries, mostly young students, school leavers, and even market women, received certificates, notebooks and in a touching gesture, some of the best-performing participants received cash prizes and additional educational support.

One recipient, 18-year-old Chiamaka Ugwu from Mbu, couldn’t hold back her excitement:

“I’ve never touched a laptop before this programme. Now I can type, create PowerPoint slides, and use email. I feel unstoppable.”

In a moment that shifted the tone of the event, Prof. Nnamchi used the occasion to announce his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), drawing mixed reactions but mostly applause.

He linked his decision to the recent federal assent for the establishment of the University of Agriculture, Akọ-Nike, describing it as a sign of responsive leadership and opportunity for the region.

“This isn’t about party colours,” he said.

“It’s about results. It’s about doing more for the people who have put their faith in me.”

He promised to continue supporting education and youth development, regardless of political affiliation.

With emotions high and spirits lifted, Prof. Nnamchi reaffirmed his commitment to expanding the programme across more rural and urban communities in Enugu State.

“This is not the end,” he said. “It’s only the beginning. Digital knowledge is power and we will not leave any child behind.”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has reasserted dominance in Rivers State’s political landscape. In the recently held August 30 local government elections, the APC won 20 LGAs, while the PDP secured 3. All elected officials, regardless of party, are known Wike loyalists.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara lost his own local government area, Opobo-Nkoro, to the APC. The elections were conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), now headed by Dr. Michael Odey, an appointee of the federally imposed state administrator.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the polls as a “travesty of democracy,” calling them sham elections conducted by an illegitimate administration.

He accused the Tinubu-led federal government of orchestrating a “political occupation” in Rivers and called on opposition parties and the international community to reject the results.

The conflict between Wike and his estranged political godson Governor Fubara erupted in late 2024 over control of the State House of Assembly and key appointments.

Following an attack on a vital oil pipeline and mounting instability, President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngobi Odu and All House of Assembly members.

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) was appointed as State Administrator and began sweeping changes, replacing local officials loyal to Fubara and appointing those aligned with Wike.

The August 30 local government election was conducted under the emergency administration.

Notably all 23 elected chairmen are male; all vice-chairmen are female, a gender policy initiated by Wike.

Ogbonna Nwuke, a former House of Reps member, questioned the legitimacy of the results, citing widespread voter apathy. He challenged claims of Wike’s popularity if voter turnout was low.

Meanwhile, critics maintain that Wike’s regained dominance is temporary and built on a shaky legal foundation. Opposition is expected to mount legal challenges in the coming weeks.

The emergency rule in Rivers is scheduled to end on September 18, 2025, but uncertainty remains over the political future of the state, the fate of Governor Fubara and the legitimacy of the new local government structure.

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has made a bold prediction about the 2027 presidential election, stating that President Bola Tinubu will not only lose but will struggle to place higher than third.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, El-Rufai said he has done a thorough political analysis and concluded that the 2027 elections are unlikely to produce a winner in the first round and that Tinubu will be absent from the final runoff.

“I have done the maths, I have done the analysis. Tinubu has no pathway to win. At best, he will come third,” El-Rufai declared.

He added that even with the influence of state machinery, such as INEC, security forces, and financial resources, victory is far from guaranteed. Drawing parallels with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss in 2015, he said:

“President Tinubu may think he has money, INEC, the police, the army. But if he wants to learn a lesson, he should have a chat with ex-President Jonathan. He had all these in 2015 and we got him out. The situation now is even worse.”

The former governor, who is now affiliated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a known critic of the Tinubu administration, stressed that promises of incumbency power and political might have been overstated.

Despite being a strong campaigner for Tinubu in 2023, El-Rufai admitted:

“I was one of Bola Tinubu’s biggest supporters, but I couldn’t even deliver Kaduna State to him.”