The unfolding political crisis in Rivers State took another dramatic turn on Friday as Florence Nwaeke, the wife of former Head of Service of the state, George Nwaeke, raised alarm over her husband’s whereabouts.

Late on Friday, a visibly distressed Mrs. Nwaeke told journalists she was deeply worried about her husband’s safety, stating that she had no idea where he was.

Struggling to contain her emotions, she made a desperate appeal for help. “When he got to Abuja, he called that he had landed. I said, ‘Thank God’,” she recounted.

However, what followed left her in shock. “The next thing I saw this night: people were calling me and said he got an interview. I said, ‘What interview? Interview for what?’ Not until I saw things flying on the internet that he granted an interview. What happened? I said, ‘That is not my husband. That is not my husband.’”

According to her, she immediately attempted to reach her husband but received no response. “So I sent him a message. I said, ‘Are you under duress?’ I sent him a message. I said, ‘Have they kidnapped you? Talk to me now. Why are you not talking to me?’ This is the message I sent to him when I saw his interview online.”

Overwhelmed with fear, she continued her plea. “Oh, Jesus, help me. Nigerians, help me. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. Look at the message I sent to him. See the message I sent to him. I said, ‘Daddy, why? Were you in hostage?’ I said, ‘Why didn’t you talk to me?’ These are the messages I sent to him, but he didn’t reply to me. His numbers are not going through. Nigerians, help me! Nigerians, help me!”

Her distress call came after her husband had granted an exclusive interview in which he made several allegations against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Among other claims, Mr. Nwaeke alleged that the governor was supporting Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s 2027 presidential ambition and that he had held meetings encouraging militants to carry out attacks on oil facilities and other assets.

In another video, Mrs. Nwaeke directly appealed to Governor Fubara to intervene. “Governor, help me. My husband is in trouble,” she pleaded.

“He is in trouble.” She further claimed that her husband had been forced to resign under pressure and was now being coerced into making false statements.

“I said, ‘Daddy, why? Were you in hostage?’” she repeated. “Why didn’t you talk to me?”

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara responded to the allegations by dismissing them as baseless, suggesting that Mr. Nwaeke had either been paid or forced to make false claims against him.

“The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me,” the governor said in a statement late Friday.

To support his position, the governor shared screenshots of alleged chats between Mr. Nwaeke and his Chief of Staff, Ederson Ehie.

The chats appeared to show Mr. Nwaeke seeking financial support and pledging loyalty in return, citing his N500,000 salary as insufficient to meet his needs.

The remains of former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Doyin Okupe, were laid to rest on Friday in his hometown of Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Okupe, who served as Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to President Goodluck Jonathan, passed away in Lagos on March 7 at the age of 72.

His final burial service was held at the Wesley Methodist Cathedral, Iperu-Remo, and was attended by notable figures, including Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Senator representing Ogun East Gbenga Daniel, former First Lady of Benue State Arc. Yemisi Suswam, Hon. Kayode Amusan, Chief Alex Onabanjo, Senator Lekan Mustapha, and members of President Bola Tinubu’s media team, such as Bayo Onanuga and Tunde Rahman.

Delivering the sermon, the Methodist Archbishop of Egba-Yewa and the Archbishop of RIYE, Adegbemi Atanda Adewale, reflected on Okupe’s passing as a reminder of life’s impermanence and the importance of serving both God and humanity.

“The death of Okupe is a loss and a reminder of the impermanence of life and the importance of living a life that honours God and serves humanity,” he said.

The Archbishop urged the congregation and the people of Ogun State to use their talents, time, and abilities to make a positive difference in society.

He highlighted Okupe’s life as proof that those in positions of power and privilege should strive to impact the lives of others.

Adewale also praised the late Okupe’s dedication to the welfare of his people and family.

Governor Abiodun, in his remarks, described Okupe as a man of impactful service, resilience, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria, his family, and his faith.

“He was a media guru, articulate, and fearless spokesman. He was a professional in politics and not a professional politician; he was a very reliable, dependable, and principled man,” Abiodun said.

The governor emphasized Okupe’s strong convictions, noting that he remained steadfast in his views unless persuaded by deep personal conviction.

“He would not change his viewpoint or position because anyone tried to influence him, except out of conviction, out of an inner conviction,” he added.

Abiodun further noted that Okupe maintained personal relationships regardless of political differences.

“As dogged a politician as he was, he did not define his personal relationships. He could take a political stance against you, but that would not stop him from having a good friendship with you.

“So, he drew a line between politics and personal relationships,” he said.

The governor urged those present to live a life of impact, treating others with kindness and respect.

He stressed that making a meaningful difference does not require holding political office.

“It is not only when a person becomes a politician that they can live a life of impact,” Abiodun concluded.

Suleiman Nazif, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has officially resigned from the party and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The former senator, who represented Bauchi North in the National Assembly, announced his departure in a statement released on Friday.

He cited consultations with his supporters and the need for a more effective political platform as key reasons for his decision.

“This decision comes after extensive consultation and in response to the admonition of the people whose voices I have always valued and respected throughout my political journey,” Nazif stated.

He reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and national development, saying, “My dedication to democracy, nation-building, and a brighter future for Nigeria remains unwavering. Consequently, I have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to help build a strong, robust political platform that upholds democratic principles and fosters a more effective leadership recruitment system in Nigeria.”

Nazif was a key figure in the PDP, serving as a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT).

His defection comes amid ongoing internal crises within the PDP, which have led to an increasing number of party members switching allegiances to other political groups.

Gov. Kefas, 

Lawmakers in the Taraba State House of Assembly have refuted claims that they received a N150 billion bribe before approving Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas’ request for a N350 billion bond.

The allegations were made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the state, with former ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Ardo Jika, voicing concerns over the loan’s approval.

Jika questioned the rationale behind securing such a large bond without a clear framework for its utilization and repayment.

He also criticized the state government, noting that despite a significant increase in federal allocations from N3 billion to N13 billion per month and a rise in internally generated revenue (IGR), there had been little visible development.

Responding to the allegations, the lawmakers, through the House Committee Chairman on Information, Nelson Len, dismissed the claims as baseless and misleading.

“The claim that we were given N150 billion is false, baseless, and misleading,” Len stated during a press briefing in Jalingo on Saturday.

He defended the approval process, explaining that the bond was legally presented to the Assembly and that the lawmakers acted in the interest of the state’s development.

“We approved the bond because it is aimed at fostering development in Taraba State. The funds will be accessed in N20 billion tranches and will be used for meaningful projects,” he explained.

Len further rejected suggestions that the Assembly was merely a rubber stamp for the governor, maintaining that the lawmakers remained independent and committed to the people’s welfare.

“We are not puppets to the governor,” he asserted, emphasizing that the House would continue to uphold accountability and transparency in governance.

The Nigerian Senate has instructed the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to halt the proposed sale of Lafarge Cement Plc to a Chinese company, citing concerns over national security and economic sovereignty.

Lafarge Cement, a major player in Nigeria’s construction and industrial sectors, operates in Ewekoro Local Government Area, Ogun State.

The Senate’s decision aims to ensure that any divestment safeguards national interests.

During Thursday’s plenary, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (Ogun Central) presented a motion stressing the strategic importance of Lafarge Cement to Nigeria’s infrastructure and economic development.

He underscored that the company is not merely a business but a vital contributor to Nigeria’s growth.

Holcim AG, the majority stakeholder in Lafarge Africa with an 83.8% share, has agreed to sell its stake to Huaxin Cement Co, a Chinese manufacturer, in a $1 billion deal set for completion in 2025, pending regulatory approval.

Expressing concerns over the sale, Senator Salisu warned that the deal could result in capital flight, job losses, and weakened regulatory oversight in the cement industry.

He also highlighted that Nigerian investors have shown interest in acquiring Lafarge but face obstacles in participating.

“We cannot afford to wake up one day and realize that our cement industry, one of the backbones of our economy, is entirely in foreign hands,” he said. “This is a matter of economic patriotism.”

The Senate emphasized the importance of protecting Nigeria’s strategic assets and urged the government to implement policies that encourage local investment in critical industries.