Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called on Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State to neutralize the political influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, before the 2027 elections.

Adeyanju made this statement on his X handle while reacting to the Supreme Court’s recent judgment that outlawed caretaker committees in local governments and halted federal allocations to Rivers State.

Blaming Wike for the ongoing political crisis in the state, Adeyanju urged Fubara to take decisive steps to make the former governor politically irrelevant.

“Since Wike has chosen to act against the collective interest of Rivers people, he must be dealt with accordingly,” Adeyanju said.

“His influence must be curtailed, and his opposition to progress should be met with the full weight of Governor Fubara’s authority.”

He expressed confidence that by 2027, Fubara would emerge stronger and fully capable of defeating any political resistance from Wike.

The Supreme Court’s ruling also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold allocations to Rivers State until Fubara ensures governance aligns with constitutional provisions.

The court further ruled that legislative activities in the state must continue under Martin Amaewhule’s Speakership.

A former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 elections, Charles Udeogaranya, has stated that former military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s recent remarks on the January 1966 coup have set the stage for an Igbo presidency in 2027.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Udeogaranya commended Babangida’s clarification, describing it as a significant step toward correcting historical misconceptions that have long been used to marginalize the Igbo people in Nigeria’s leadership.

His reaction comes after the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, called on the Federal Government to apologize for decades of exclusion and political sidelining of the South-East.

Speaking at the launch of his book A Journey in Service, Babangida emphasized that the 1966 coup was not an Igbo-led conspiracy—an assertion that has often been used to justify the region’s lack of access to the presidency.

Udeogaranya, a committed follower of Nnamdi Azikiwe’s political ideals, argued that justice demands the presidency be zoned to the South-East in 2027.

“For decades, false narratives have been used to deny Ndigbo the opportunity to lead Nigeria. Babangida’s statement invalidates these claims and paves the way for an Igbo president in 2027,” he said.

He urged the APC, PDP, and Labour Party to prioritize Igbo candidates in the next presidential election, stating that such a move is essential for national reconciliation and economic progress.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed concerns over a possible impeachment following the Supreme Court’s ruling, which reaffirmed the authority of 27 lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike.

The Supreme Court, in its ruling on Friday, ordered the Federal Government to halt financial allocations to Rivers State until Fubara submits the state budget to the pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule.

The ruling also nullified the local government elections conducted by Fubara’s administration in 2024.

Despite the judgment, Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, dismissed any fear of impeachment, stating that the governor remains focused on governance and the will of the people.

“The governor is not afraid. He has the mandate of the Rivers people. We are proceeding with the inauguration of projects, and the Supreme Court did not remove him—it only placed a temporary hold on state allocations,” Johnson said.

Asked whether Fubara would comply with the order to present the budget before the pro-Wike lawmakers, Johnson explained that the government would study the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before making any decision.

Meanwhile, the Rivers Elders Forum has cautioned against any undue pressure on the governor to seek reconciliation with Wike.

Speaking on behalf of the group, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe stated that Rivers people would not succumb to intimidation.

“Rivers State will not beg anyone. We will not allow the state to be taken over by external forces,” Sara-Igbe said.

In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Fubara directed all 23 local government chairmen elected under the annulled poll to vacate their offices by Monday.

He instructed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take charge pending new elections.

“Given the Supreme Court’s decision, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to assume control of the councils until fresh elections are conducted,” Fubara stated.

He acknowledged disagreement with the judgment but emphasized that his administration would comply with the law while reviewing its legal options.

Tensions remain high in Rivers State amid speculations that the former LG chairmen may attempt to reclaim their positions.

Some, like Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, have indicated that they will await further directives from the pro-Wike lawmakers.

The crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a new turn as fresh efforts are being made to reinstate Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.

Obasa was removed on January 13, 2025, along with the former Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, by 32 lawmakers, who subsequently elected Mojisola Meranda as the new Speaker.

However, recent developments indicate that top political actors are making overtures to lawmakers to reconsider their stance and restore Obasa to his former position.

According to sources close to the Presidency, members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) have been asked to step in and persuade lawmakers to support Obasa’s return.

This move follows the disbandment of the Bisi Akande-led committee, which was initially set up to resolve the crisis. Reports suggest the committee was scrapped after its findings indicated that Obasa had lost the backing of the majority.

A reliable source disclosed:

“The Bisi Akande committee has been disbanded. The President has now reached out to GAC members, urging them to influence their loyalists in the Assembly to reinstate Obasa as Speaker.”

Additionally, those in the State Executive Council with political influence over Assembly members have reportedly been asked to rally support for Obasa’s comeback.

Meanwhile, the former Speaker himself is said to be reaching out to lawmakers individually to mend fences.

With both factions refusing to back down, legal action is now being considered as a potential resolution.

Sources indicate that if political negotiations fail, the courts may ultimately decide the matter.

“The President wants Obasa back, but the lawmakers are firmly behind Meranda. If neither side concedes, the courts will determine the rightful Speaker,” said a source within the Presidency.

Obasa has already taken the matter to court, suing Meranda, the Assembly, and 36 lawmakers over what he described as his “unlawful” removal.

Justice Yetunde Rukayat Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court has scheduled a hearing on the case for March 7, 2025.

Amid tensions in the House, the Acting Clerk, Babatunde Abubakar, has instructed all staff and legislative aides to work remotely until further notice to prevent disruptions.

In an official memo titled “Amendment to Remote Work Schedule Arrangement,” Abubakar stated that the decision was taken to ensure safety and stability within the Assembly.

“This measure aligns with the directive of the Head of Service and will remain in effect until the leadership crisis is resolved. Officers should remain available for assignments as needed,” the memo read.

This move follows a standoff between Assembly staff and DSS operatives, who had sealed offices and blocked lawmakers from holding plenary sessions.

Meanwhile, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), has distanced the group from Obasa’s removal, insisting they were not consulted before the decision was made.

“The GAC was not involved in Obasa’s removal. We only became aware of it after it happened. The lawmakers acted on their own without consulting the party leadership.”

However, he criticized the lawmakers for failing to escalate their grievances earlier, stating that the party should have been allowed to intervene before the crisis reached its current level.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State has suspended Kabir Sani-Giant, the Special Adviser to Governor Nasir Idris on Power and Politics, over an unusual incident at the Government House.

In a statement released in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, the party’s state secretary, Alhaji Sa’idu Muhammad-Kimba, confirmed the immediate suspension of Sani-Giant.

According to Muhammad-Kimba, the decision followed an incident on February 8, 2025, when the aide allegedly brought a snake into Government House, causing panic among officials, dignitaries, and other attendees.

The party condemned the act as inappropriate and embarrassing, stating that it had the potential to tarnish the APC’s image.

“Sani-Giant’s suspension remains in effect while further investigations are conducted. Any recurrence of such behavior could lead to expulsion from the party,” Muhammad-Kimba stated.

He emphasized that the APC viewed the conduct as a serious violation of its principles and standards, warranting immediate disciplinary action.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has attributed the failure to implement the 2014 National Conference report to political betrayals and efforts by certain individuals to undermine his administration.

Jonathan made this revelation during a condolence visit to the residence of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, where he was accompanied by former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma, PDP chieftain Bode George, former NDDC Managing Director Timi Alaibe, and Badagry Port Development Limited CEO Didi Ndiomu, among others.

Reflecting on the challenges of his administration, Jonathan stated that some powerful figures—including the then Speaker of the House of Representatives—actively worked against him, creating a hostile political climate that made it impossible to implement the confab’s recommendations.

“The political turbulence at the time was overwhelming. Some individuals were determined to bring my government down, and that was a major reason why the 2014 National Conference report could not be implemented,” he said.

Despite these setbacks, Jonathan expressed pride in the conference, which brought together over 500 delegates from different backgrounds to deliberate on key national issues.

He maintained that the recommendations were free from political bias and could still serve as a blueprint for addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

Expressing optimism, he said, “The report contains valuable proposals that can positively transform the country. I believe that one day, the right leadership will revisit and implement it.”

During the visit, Jonathan also paid tribute to Pa Adebanjo, describing him as a national hero and a pillar of democratic struggle.

Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who also visited Adebanjo’s residence, lauded the late Afenifere leader as a committed democrat and a defender of progressive ideals.

Atiku was accompanied by media personality Dele Momodu and Lagos PDP governorship candidate Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), among others.

Tension is mounting among local government chairmen elected under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, following the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which invalidated the local government elections conducted in Rivers State.

DAILY GAZETTE recalls that in September 2024, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register for the Rivers State local government elections due to INEC’s failure to update it as required by law.

The ruling was based on Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates that local government elections must now follow the same procedure as Area Council elections.

A similar legal challenge is currently unfolding in Enugu State.

On September 10, 2024, the opposition Action Alliance (AA) filed an Originating Summons at the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division (Suit No. FHC/EN/CS/157/2024), through its lawyer, Chukwunonso Daniel Ogbe.

The party is contesting the validity of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC)-conducted local government elections, arguing that INEC failed to publicly display the voters’ register at least 90 days before the polls, as required by Sections 19(1), 104, and 150 of the Electoral Act 2022.

Despite the pending suit, ENSIEC proceeded with the September 21, 2024, local government elections, in which the PDP won all 17 council seats.

The case, being defended by Tanimu Inuwa, SAN (for INEC) and Dr. Kingsley Udeh, the Enugu State Attorney General (for ENSIEC), is scheduled for hearing before Justice M.G. Umar on May 15, 2025.

With the Supreme Court’s recognition of Section 150 of the Electoral Act as binding for local government elections nationwide, political actors in Enugu are closely watching how the case unfolds, as it could have far-reaching implications for the legitimacy of the current local government administration in the