The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for enabling the successful conduct of local government elections in Rivers State, describing it as a significant step toward restoring grassroots governance and complying with constitutional provisions.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote at Polling Unit 007, Ward 9 in Rumuepirikom Kingdom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Wike expressed satisfaction with the turnout and organization of the ongoing council polls.

He highlighted the importance of conducting elections at the local government level, referencing the Supreme Court’s ruling which declared caretaker committees illegal and emphasized that only elected officials could receive funds from the Federation Account.

“If there are no elected people at the local government level, federal allocations cannot be disbursed. That’s why holding this election is crucial,” Wike stated.

The FCT Minister commended the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for its role in ensuring a smooth process and encouraged media professionals to understand the difference in voter turnout between commercial and residential areas.

“You can’t expect a huge crowd in commercial areas. But here in my residential community, the turnout is impressive, and I’ve received similar reports from rural areas,” he said.

Wike praised Rivers residents for participating actively in the polls, noting that the people were excited to vote for their own local representatives.

He said the election marks a significant turning point following the political crisis in the state that had earlier led to the declaration of an emergency rule.

“Now that elections are being held and elected officials will emerge, we are confident that local governments can access funds directly and begin to function properly again,” he added.

He dismissed concerns about legal challenges to the polls, asserting that the process now adheres to constitutional standards.

“The previous situation was not recognized by law. But today’s election is lawful and transparent, so no one should worry about its legitimacy,” Wike explained.

He reiterated that the successful conduct of the local government elections paves the way for lifting the emergency rule and restoring full democratic governance in Rivers State.

“With this election, we are completing the structure of governance at the grassroots. By September, when the emergency rule is lifted, both the governor and the state assembly will return, and local governments will already be in place,” he said.

Wike thanked President Tinubu for supporting the process and urged all stakeholders to back the democratic process for the sake of stability and development at the local level.

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last general election, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent trip to Brazil, describing it as a wasteful exercise that underscores a lack of visionary leadership.

In a statement issued over the weekend in Abuja, Adebayo said the core policies President Tinubu was exploring during his visit are already embedded in the SDP’s manifesto.

He suggested that the President could have saved public funds by engaging with local ideas rather than seeking solutions abroad.

“What President Tinubu is looking for in Brazil is clearly outlined in the SDP manifesto. It’s a matter of leadership, not magic,” Adebayo stated.

He compared Brazil’s successful anti-poverty initiatives, especially under former President Lula da Silva, with Nigeria’s current economic struggles under Tinubu.

Highlighting Brazil’s “Bolsa Familia” program, Adebayo pointed out that it led to a 27% drop in poverty in just four years, a sharp contrast to the rising poverty levels in Nigeria following the removal of fuel subsidies.

“Brazil’s policies are working because they are rooted in strong leadership and effective governance. What we have in Nigeria is the exact opposite,” he said.

Drawing a comparison between Brazil’s Petrobras and Nigeria’s NNPC, Adebayo said the two are worlds apart in terms of transparency and efficiency.

He argued that Tinubu’s approach to managing Nigeria’s oil sector and the broader economy is deeply flawed.

“If Tinubu truly wanted to learn, he didn’t need to fly to Brazil. He could have read the SDP’s manifesto. After all, he was once part of the party,” Adebayo noted.

He expressed mixed feelings about the trip, hopeful that it might open the President’s eyes to better policy models, but disappointed by what he saw as unnecessary spending of national resources.

“Going to Brazil like a tourist to admire what is already within reach in Nigeria is not leadership. It’s a costly distraction,” Adebayo said.

As preparations intensify for its upcoming national convention in Ibadan this November, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is leaning toward selecting new party leaders through consensus rather than open contests, a move aimed at preventing internal conflict.

This approach, sources say, is in response to the divisions caused by the 2022 presidential primaries, which contributed to the party’s poor performance in the 2023 general elections, including the defection of two governors and several top figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In recent months, even former vice president Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President David Mark have left the PDP for the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC).

The PDP is also considering reintegrating Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and his loyalists, following tensions between his camp and the party hierarchy.

Party sources indicate that negotiations are ongoing, with some of Wike’s demands receiving attention including zoning the 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

Wike is also pushing for formal recognition of Chief Dan Orbih as PDP’s South-South Zonal Chairman, and the removal of Chief Ali Odefa as South-East Vice Chairman.

He warned that failing to address these issues could trigger further internal crises.

“If they want another round of crisis, so be it,” Wike said in a recent interview. “I will fight impunity until it is corrected.”

He alleged that party officials undermined a valid congress that elected Orbih, and that a court ruling had invalidated Odefa’s membership in the party, rendering his position illegitimate.

PDP leaders including acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and PDP Governors’ Forum Chair Bala Mohammed have confirmed that zoning the 2027 presidential ticket to the South is part of a broader strategy to reposition the party.

The zoning committee, led by Governor Douye Diri, has recommended that the party chairmanship be retained in the North.

Consultations are now underway to micro-zone the presidential ticket to one of the three southern regions: Southeast, South-South, or Southwest.

Though no one has formally declared a presidential bid, names like former President Goodluck Jonathan and 2023 Labour Party candidate Peter Obi have been floated as potential contenders.

Both have yet to respond to these suggestions.

In a bid to inject new energy, the PDP is reportedly considering a younger national chairman.

Talks are ongoing about selecting someone who bridges the North-South divide, with experience and party loyalty.

One leading candidate is Hon. Teejay Yusuf, a three-term federal lawmaker from Kogi State. Known for his fluency in both Hausa and Yoruba and his unwavering loyalty to the PDP since 1998, Yusuf is seen as a unifying figure.

“We are focused on rebuilding the party and achieving consensus. It’s not about personal ambition,” Yusuf told The Nation, emphasizing that internal consultations were ongoing.

Former Governor Ahmed Makarfi, who previously served as PDP’s national chairman, is being considered for another senior role, possibly continuing as Secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Professor Anthony Agbazuere, has expressed confidence that the South-East region will back President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Ikem Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area, Agbazuere urged prospective challengers to step aside and allow Tinubu to complete his agenda for national development.

According to him, the President has made significant progress in stabilising Nigeria’s economy and restoring public confidence through bold policy decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidies.

“Tinubu’s policies have freed up resources for development at the state and local government levels,” Agbazuere stated.

“The subsidy regime only benefited smugglers and neighbouring countries. Removing it was a courageous decision that allowed funds to be redirected to actual development.”

Agbazuere cited the creation of the South-East Development Commission as another major reason Tinubu’s popularity is rising in the region.

The commission is designed to address longstanding developmental challenges linked to the aftermath of the civil war.

He said many in the South-East appreciate Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as a “special species of man” whose commitment to governance is undeniable.

“Only those with little understanding of economic reality would question his achievements so far,” he added.

The APC chieftain praised Tinubu for initiating the student loan scheme, which aims to support children from low-income families in accessing higher education.

He emphasized that the scheme ensures repayment only begins when beneficiaries gain employment, allowing students to focus on completing their university education.

On fiscal reforms, Agbazuere noted that Tinubu’s government has modernized the country’s tax system by exempting low-income earners and unemployed citizens from paying taxes, a move he described as “unprecedented in Nigerian history.”

He also commended the administration for pushing local government autonomy through a Supreme Court ruling mandating direct allocation of funds to local councils.

However, he accused state governors of frustrating the implementation of the ruling by refusing to comply.

Agbazuere called for unity within the APC and urged Nigerians to give Tinubu the full eight-year opportunity to implement his vision.

“Tinubu inherited an economy where money was being printed to survive, mortgaging the future of our children. He put a stop to that. His leadership deserves continuity,” he said.

The meeting, convened by Chief Ebere Nwachukwu, brought together APC members from the Ukwa la Ngwa bloc.

Nwachukwu emphasized the importance of internal unity as the party prepares for its upcoming congress in October.

He also revealed that APC members in Abia are already strategizing to secure victory in the 2027 governorship election.

Political tensions have escalated in Kaduna State following a controversial political gathering reportedly organized by former governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has disowned the event, distancing itself from the former governor and denouncing the inauguration as illegitimate.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has launched an investigation into reports of violence and gunfire at the scene.

In a statement released on Saturday, the ADC Kaduna chapter, through its Publicity Secretary, Engr. Musa Idris, categorically rejected what was termed the “Official Inauguration Ceremony of the Kaduna State APC, PDP, SDP, LP, NNPP to ADC Transition Committee.” The party stated that it was neither informed about nor involved in the event.

“The ADC in Kaduna State has no knowledge of and is not part of this so-called inauguration,” the statement read.

“Neither the State Executive Committee nor stakeholders across the 23 LGAs were consulted. This is yet another divisive move by Malam Nasir El-Rufai and his allies.”

The party emphasized that El-Rufai is not a registered member of the ADC and has no authority to act on its behalf.

Elder Patrick Ambut, ADC State Chairman, revealed that El-Rufai had promised to finalize his registration with the party following recent bye-elections but failed to do so.

“Instead of formally joining the party, he has continued to portray himself as our leader and has created unauthorized positions not recognized by the ADC Constitution. This is misleading and unacceptable,” Ambut said.

He reaffirmed that the ADC remains under the control of its legitimate leadership and would resist any attempt to destabilize its internal structure or distract from preparations for the 2027 general elections.

“The event in question is illegitimate and should be disregarded by party members, coalition partners, and the general public,” the party stated.

In response to the alleged violence at the venue, the Kaduna State Police Command confirmed that it has opened an investigation.

Police spokesperson DSP Mansir Hassan said officers are looking into reports of gunfire during the meeting and that political thugs may have been involved in disrupting public peace.

“The Command has initiated a thorough investigation into the reported political gathering allegedly hosted by former governor Nasir El-Rufai,” DSP Hassan said.

“Initial findings suggest that the event led to a confrontation involving armed political thugs.”

He added that the event was held without prior notice to the police, in defiance of repeated warnings to political groups.

He cautioned hotels and event venues to avoid hosting unauthorized political meetings or risk being held liable.

“No matter how highly placed, anyone found guilty of breaching the law will face appropriate sanctions,” Hassan warned.

The ADC leadership called on the party’s national body to intervene promptly to prevent further internal division and reaffirmed its commitment to lawful and peaceful political engagement.

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has described the conduct of Saturday’s local government elections across the state as peaceful, orderly, and a significant milestone in the state’s return to grassroots democracy.

Speaking with journalists after monitoring the elections in several local government areas including Emohua, Ahoada East, and Port Harcourt, Ibas expressed satisfaction with the conduct of voters and election officials.

“I am very pleased with what I’ve seen today. The process has been notably peaceful. From the impressive voter turnout to the orderly behavior of electoral staff and residents, everything has gone smoothly,” he said.

Ibas expressed confidence that the elections would produce credible outcomes that reflect the people’s will.

“At the end of the day, I believe we’ll have results we can all be proud of as a state,” he added.

The retired naval officer noted that reports from across the state’s 23 local government areas had been largely consistent with his observations, describing the process as calm, seamless, and largely free of disruptions.

“This reflects a collective yearning for peace and the restoration of democratic governance at the grassroots,” he said.

Ibas also emphasized the importance of reestablishing elected leadership at the local level, adding that it forms a key part of his mandate to stabilize the state and empower citizens.

“Every indigene of Rivers State deserves leadership they can identify with, leaders chosen by the people at the grassroots level. This election is a foundational step toward achieving that,” he said.

Saturday’s poll comes months after the Supreme Court invalidated the previous local government elections conducted on October 5, 2024, under the administration of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The court’s decision necessitated the fresh elections currently underway.

Vice Admiral Ibas, appointed as Sole Administrator in the wake of the political crisis in the state, reiterated his administration’s commitment to rebuilding democratic institutions and restoring stability through lawful and inclusive processes.