The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant for the arrest of Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), after he failed to honor a 72-hour ultimatum to appear before the lawmakers.

The warrant was issued on Monday during plenary, as the Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, seeks to investigate Enebeli’s role in the October 5, 2024, local government election, which was nullified by the Supreme Court.

This development adds to the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara had earlier extended an invitation to the Assembly members for dialogue on implementing the Supreme Court’s verdict.

The Supreme Court had not only annulled the local government elections but also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State government due to alleged non-compliance with court orders.

Additionally, the court upheld the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly and directed them to resume legislative activities.

Despite the controversy, Enebeli has scheduled a fresh local government election for August 9, 2025, in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has officially joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in what is being viewed as a major political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was warmly received by Adewole Adebayo, SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, who described the move as a step toward national renewal.

Confirming El-Rufai’s entry into the party via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Adebayo hailed his arrival as a boost to the SDP’s mission of rescuing Nigeria from years of misgovernance.

“On behalf of teeming members of the @TheSDPNg and patriotic democrats who believe in Nigeria’s inevitable greatness, I heartily welcome my dear brother @elrufai to our party.

“With the hardworking and sagacious Mallam joining our ranks, an avid worker for the people has been enlisted in our forces against poverty and insecurity.”

Adebayo further emphasized the importance of implementing Chapter 2 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which focuses on fundamental human rights, social justice, and national development.

He urged other like-minded politicians to join the SDP’s movement, insisting that “Good politics begets good governance.”

El-Rufai’s defection has sparked widespread reactions, with many seeing it as a direct critique of the APC’s handling of national issues.

His transition to the SDP—an opposition party known for its progressive stance—has fueled speculation that more political heavyweights may follow suit.

Political analysts believe his departure from the APC could be a turning point in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, particularly as discontent grows within both the APC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The former governor, who also served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, had previously downplayed speculation about leaving the APC.

However, his latest move suggests a decisive break from the ruling party’s direction.

With El-Rufai now in its fold, the SDP appears to be positioning itself as a credible alternative to the APC and PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adebayo’s message also took a veiled jab at the two dominant parties, referring to their years in power as “the locust years.”

Meanwhile, sources indicate that El-Rufai held closed-door meetings with key political figures on Sunday, though the details of those discussions remain undisclosed.

As the 2027 political race gradually takes shape, the SDP’s “Hope Again” campaign could gain momentum among Nigerians seeking a fresh political direction.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering an extension for the sale of its expression of interest and nomination forms for the Anambra State governorship primary, amid concerns over the party’s participation in the November 8 election.

Originally set to run from February 26 to March 5, the sale of forms was priced at 5 million naira for expression of interest and 35 million naira for nomination.

However, reports indicate that no aspirants have purchased the nomination forms so far, prompting the party to consider extending the deadline to March 12.

Party insiders attribute the lack of interest to an ongoing leadership tussle between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye over the position of PDP National Secretary.

The Court of Appeal in Enugu had ruled in December that Ude-Okoye was the rightful nominee, but Anyanwu has since taken the matter to the Supreme Court.

Speaking on the issue, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba confirmed the party’s plan to extend the sale of forms but dismissed claims that no forms had been sold.

“We are extending the deadline to allow wider participation. That is the spirit of democracy,” Ologunagba said.

“The claim that no aspirants have obtained forms is incorrect. If that is reported, it would amount to fake news.”

He further stated that the extension was a routine decision and had no connection to the Supreme Court dispute over the national secretary position.

The party is expected to officially announce the new deadline in the coming days.

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued an ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, demanding his resignation within 48 hours or risk impeachment.

During a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, APC state chairman Tony Okocha accused Fubara of committing several impeachable offenses, as highlighted in a Supreme Court judgment.

These include governing with only 12.5 percent of State Assembly members, controversies surrounding the state budget presentation, and irregularities in local government elections.

Okocha also criticized the governor’s recent invitation to the State House of Assembly through a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, calling it “absurd” and “embarrassing.”

He argued that the ongoing political situation in the state requires serious legislative action rather than what he described as a meeting of “connivance.”

He questioned why the governor was calling lawmakers to discuss their sitting venue, pointing out that they had already been holding sessions.

According to him, budget matters should not be up for debate but rather for implementation.

The APC chairman warned that Fubara was sitting on a “keg of gunpowder,” emphasizing that the party had previously cautioned him, but he ignored their advice, believing he had the ultimate authority.

“Where is the ‘red biro’ now?” Okocha asked, mocking the governor’s previous assertion of control.

Meanwhile, the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the State Assembly reconvened this morning, with sources confirming that key discussions include rejecting the governor’s invitation, addressing the budget presentation, and scrutinizing the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has confirmed his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party he helped to form, following the circulation of a widely shared resignation letter.

The letter, titled “Onwards to the future”, captures El-Rufai’s reflections on his time in the APC and his reasons for leaving.

“As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC will align up to the time I choose to retire from politics.

“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party.

“On my part, I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the capricious trajectory of the party. Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish. Today, the 10th of March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately.

“Subsequent to this, I had concluded consultations with my mentors, colleagues and loyalists alike about the future, and have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”

While El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the resignation, sources within his camp confirmed that all arrangements had been finalized for the submission of his resignation letter at his ward in Kaduna.

A close associate who served as a commissioner under El-Rufai’s administration revealed that the former governor’s move to the SDP was not unexpected.

“Yes, we are all aware that he (El-Rufai) will tender his resignation from APC today, Monday, 10th March 2025, and join SDP. That is all we have been waiting for,” the source stated.

The source further noted that those within El-Rufai’s inner circle had been anticipating the move, which had been the subject of discussions among his supporters.

Despite the letter not being posted on El-Rufai’s social media pages, a platform he frequently uses, the source vouched for its authenticity.

Last week, reports indicated that El-Rufai’s ally, Nasiru Abdullahi Maikano, had been appointed as the interim chairman of the SDP’s Caretaker Committee in Kaduna State.

El-Rufai’s recent meetings with prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, have further fueled speculation about his next political steps.

Additionally, he has engaged in discussions with key SDP leaders, solidifying his decision to switch parties.

Neda Imasuen, the chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, has been permanently disbarred in New York, United States, over allegations of fraud and professional misconduct.

Documents obtained by DAILY GAZETTE reveal that Imasuen was stripped of his legal licence after he defrauded a client, Daphne Shyfield, of millions of dollars in legal fees.

Despite receiving payment to represent her in a case in 2009, he allegedly failed to appear in court and later fled to Nigeria, avoiding disciplinary proceedings.

The New York Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts, after multiple failed attempts to obtain his response, formally disbarred him in May 2010.

The ruling prohibited him from practicing law in any capacity or appearing before any court in the state.

Despite this history, Imasuen was elected as the senator representing Edo South under the Labour Party in 2023 and now oversees ethical and disciplinary matters in the Senate.

His role has come under scrutiny, especially after he dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing procedural technicalities.

His case mirrors that of several Nigerian politicians with tainted pasts, including President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was disbarred in Georgia for misappropriating client funds.

Imasuen has not publicly addressed his New York disbarment.

However, his appointment to a key Senate ethics position raises concerns about accountability and governance in Nigeria’s leadership.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, recently visited key political figures, including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and prominent cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare.

El-Rufai’s meetings with Aregbesola and Bakare took place in Lagos, while his visit to Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, was in Adamawa.

The former Kaduna governor was accompanied by former Adamawa Governor, Jibrilla Bindow and Musa Halilu, a prominent traditional titleholder in Adamawa.

El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has recently been critical of the ruling party and appears to be exploring new political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

His recent engagement with members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has further fueled speculation about his next political move.

Aregbesola, a former APC stalwart, was expelled from the party’s Osun chapter in January following internal conflicts.

Meanwhile, Atiku has been vocal about forming a broad political coalition to challenge the APC in the next election.

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 presidential elections, the political landscape is already heating up.

Politicians are actively engaged in alliances, defections, and strategic moves in response to crises rocking major political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).

The PDP, widely regarded as the leading opposition party after securing second place in the 2023 presidential election, has been battling internal strife.

The crisis began when the G-5 governors, led by then-Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, demanded that the party’s presidential ticket be zoned to the South.

When Atiku Abubakar, a northerner, secured the party’s ticket, the group insisted that the party’s then-national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, step down in favor of a Southerner.

However, Atiku’s camp opposed this, arguing that Ayu should remain in office until after the election.

This division contributed to PDP’s electoral defeat, with Wike’s faction openly opposing the party’s presidential bid.

Since then, the struggle for control within the PDP has intensified, particularly as Wike, now a minister in the APC-led federal government, continues to wield influence within the party.

Many believe Wike’s actions are part of a broader strategy by the APC to weaken the PDP ahead of 2027.

“Wike is being used by the APC-led Federal Government to destroy the PDP, no doubt about that. Look at what is happening in Rivers State; the governor has been reduced to nothing, all thanks to Wike backed up by the Federal Government.”

“How can the Supreme Court rule that the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, who announced their defection from the PDP to the APC in the open, never defected? How can anyone describe that?”

“It tells you that a power greater than Fubara is at work and the intention of that power is to continue causing crisis in the party until the 2027 election has come,” a concerned PDP chieftain lamented.

Beyond Rivers State, PDP is facing a leadership tussle over the national secretary position, with Senator Sam Anyanwu and Sunday Ude Okoye both laying claim to the role.

Similarly, the party is grappling with internal strife in Bayelsa State, compounding its challenges ahead of the next election cycle.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) is also struggling with leadership disputes.

Following the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on September 4, 2024, a Caretaker Committee led by former minister, Nenadi Usman was formed.

However, Julius Abure, the party’s national chairman, challenged the move in court. The legal battle ended with a ruling in Abure’s favor, rendering Usman’s committee illegal and deepening divisions within the party.

The instability has already led to defections among LP lawmakers at both national and state levels.

Similarly, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which placed fourth in the 2023 presidential election, is embroiled in a three-way power struggle.

Party founder, Boniface Aniebonam has accused 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of hijacking the party, while Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf also leads a separate faction.

The crisis has fractured the party, leading analysts to believe that internal disputes will undermine its chances in 2027.

Observers speculate that these opposition party crises are being fueled by the ruling APC to weaken any formidable challenge in 2027.

However, the APC itself is not immune to internal discord.

There is growing discontent among APC leaders in the North, particularly those who played key roles in President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 victory but feel sidelined.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is among those publicly expressing dissatisfaction with the current administration.

Additionally, many in the North feel that President Tinubu’s government has not adequately distributed political appointments and infrastructure projects to their region.

Analysts suggest that the North may not rally behind Tinubu in 2027 as it did in 2023.

If this holds, the APC could face significant challenges in securing reelection.

Added to this discontent is a brewing crisis in Lagos, President Tinubu’s home state.

The leadership struggle in the Lagos State House of Assembly has divided the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the state’s top decision-making body.

The impeachment of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025, and the brief tenure of his replacement, Mojisola Meranda, before his reinstatement, has left lingering tensions among lawmakers.

As a result, 36 out of 40 Assembly members who initially voted for Obasa’s impeachment are still demanding his voluntary resignation.

Many believe that if unresolved, Lagos could become the epicenter of an APC implosion.

Amidst the turmoil in the major parties, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is emerging as a potential alternative.

The party has remained relatively stable, avoiding the internal crises that have plagued its counterparts.

Its leadership, under Shehu Musa Gabam and 2023 presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo, has been strengthening its national presence.

Only recently, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was reportedly seen in a closed-door meeting with Gabam, fueling speculation about possible political realignments.

Some PDP members have also been engaging with the SDP leadership in recent times.

The trio of Olu Agunloye (Secretary), Shehu Musa Gabam (Chairman), and Wole Adebayo (2023 presidential candidate) have worked to maintain party cohesion, an achievement that has impressed political observers.

For the past two years, the SDP has been steadily expanding its influence across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The party’s unity and commitment to its core values—justice, competence, and integrity—have set it apart from other parties.

The SDP has also performed well in recent elections.

In the Ekiti State governorship election, its candidate, Chief Segun Oni, placed second behind eventual winner, Biodun Oyebanji.

In Kogi State, Murtala Ajaka of the SDP finished ahead of the PDP candidate, securing second place.

The party currently holds four seats in the National Assembly—one in the Senate and three in the House of Representatives.

Public affairs analyst and lawyer C.I. Nnamani believes the SDP’s stability could translate into electoral success in 2027.

“It has no baggage among its members, unlike other parties. Its prospects for 2027 are very bright,” Nnamani said.

He attributes the party’s cohesion to the leadership of its 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.

“This is where the political dexterity and sagacity of Adebayo is clearly displayed. If you watch him, you will notice that he has been networking, meeting people of various religions, ethnicity and party affiliation, forming alliances, and preaching the message of good governance which only a person with character, competence and capacity can deliver.

“At the moment, he is arguably the only politician who has no baggage. I stand to be corrected. If there is any, it would be nice to look through. He is clean by all parameters. He is young, which is needed but lacking in our leadership structure. He is cerebral. He is knowledgeable. He knows something about everything. I am not surprised that former House of Representatives member Usman Bugaje endorses his candidacy. If the party features him again as its flag-bearer in 2027, there is every possibility that Nigerians may queue behind; that’s my personal belief,” he stated.

With the major parties embroiled in internal conflicts, the SDP appears to be positioning itself as a viable alternative.

As the 2027 elections approach, the party’s growing stability and appeal could make it a significant force.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to immediately lift the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the decision as unlawful and an attack on free speech.

In an open letter dated March 8, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation warned that failure to reverse the suspension within 48 hours would result in legal action against the Senate leadership.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months last week over allegations of “speaking without permission” and refusing to take a newly assigned seat in the Senate chamber. In addition to her suspension, her salary and allowances were withheld, and she was barred from identifying herself as a senator.

SERAP condemned the Senate’s action as a violation of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fundamental rights, citing Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“No one should be punished for exercising their right to freedom of expression. The Senate should uphold democratic values, not suppress them,” Oluwadare stated.

The group also argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension undermines the political representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District, restricting their ability to participate in governance.

“This suspension does not only violate the senator’s rights but also disenfranchises her constituents, denying them representation in national affairs,” the letter read.

SERAP urged the Senate to revise its Standing Orders to prevent further infringements on free speech and democratic participation.

The organisation maintained that any restrictions on a senator’s right to speak must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate, warning that if Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is not overturned, it will seek redress in court.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has once again postponed its highly anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, now rescheduled for May 15, 2025.

In a statement obtained by DAILY GAZETTE on Sunday, the party’s National Secretary, Sunday Ude-Okoye, cited ongoing zonal, state, local government, and ward congresses, as well as the need for further consultations, as reasons for the delay.

The meeting was originally slated for March 13.

This marks the fifth time the PDP has postponed its 99th NEC meeting, further highlighting internal tensions within the party.

The crisis has deepened since Umar Damagum took over as acting National Chairman following the court-ordered removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

There have been growing calls for Damagum’s resignation amid rising divisions within the National Working Committee (NWC).

The party had initially planned to hold the NEC meeting on August 15, 2024, to address unresolved issues.

However, it was first postponed to October 24, then to November 28, and later delayed indefinitely.

Amid mounting pressure, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, directed the NWC in December 2024 to convene the meeting no later than February 2025.

On December 5, Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), warned that the continued postponements were damaging party unity and eroding members’ confidence.

Following a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, on January 31, 2025, the governors’ forum proposed March 13 as the new date.

However, the party leadership has now announced another shift, moving the meeting to May 15 after further consultations.

A statement from the PDP read:

“Distinguished NEC members may recall that after extensive deliberations among party leaders, stakeholders, and relevant organs, the meeting was scheduled for March 13, 2025. However, due to emerging issues, including the need to finalize ongoing congresses at various levels and allow for further consultations, the NWC, after engaging with key party stakeholders such as the BoT, PDP Governors’ Forum, and PDP National Assembly Caucus, has decided to reschedule the meeting for Thursday, May 15, 2025.”

The party leadership urged NEC members to take note of the new date and assured them of its commitment to resolving internal matters.

“The NWC sincerely regrets any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciates the understanding of all NEC members,” the statement concluded.