Television Nigerian

Just three months after Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and his political son, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, reached a peace agreement, Rivers State’s political players are preparing for yet another crisis.

There will be another confrontation between the governor and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule and loyal to the FCT Minister.

Recall that in late 2023, just months after the governor took office, a political dispute arose as a result of a fierce struggle between Fubara and Wike over control of the state’s political system.

After the Martins Amaewhule-led state Assembly members entered the conflict in 2024, the confrontation between the two leaders got worse.

Recall that on December 11, 2023, roughly 27 MPs who supported the FCT Minister defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, the defection was not warmly received, and on July 6, 2024, members of the house supported by Fubara declared their seats empty, intensifying the state’s political unrest.

The situation persisted until President Bola Tinubu proclaimed a state of emergency in Rivers on May 18, 2025, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly for six months.

But when Tinubu met with Fubara, Wike, and Amaewhule at the State House on July 27, 2025, he mediated a settlement between the warriors.

Just three months later, on December 1st, 2025, Amaewhule harshly denounced Governor Fubara’s administration, accusing it of ignoring the state’s public primary and secondary schools. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the crisis.

Amaewhule was heard stating that the deterioration under government control is intolerable and shameful in a widely shared video.

It is “a sad commentary,” according to Amaewhule, that public schools in the oil-rich state have gotten so bad that students are learning without teachers, vandals have taken over school property, and one teacher is required to teach two courses at once.

16 lawmakers abandon Fubara’s PDP

On Friday, December 5, Amaewhule and fifteen other assembly members defected from Fubara’s PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress, indicating the start of yet another crisis in the state.

Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1) are among the fifteen legislators.

These include Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Peter Abbey (Degema), Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Assembly-related queries The postponement of Fubara’s commissioner presentation

The assembly confronted the governor on Friday for postponing the submission of a list of commissioner-nominees for screening, which was another indication of a new crisis.

Recall that in September 2025, when the House met for the first time after the emergency rule was suspended, the Assembly asked the governor to send a list of commissioner nominations in order to guarantee efficient state government.

According to the Supreme Court’s verdict, Fubara had previously fired all commissioners chosen during the height of the political crisis because they had not been vetted by the Assembly, which is recognized by the constitution.

But the governor’s inability to send the house a new list of commissioner-nominees has led to yet another confrontation.

Rivers residents don’t need this right now, according to ADC Chairman

The state does not currently require another wave of crises, according to Leader Sampson, Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State branch.

In an interview, Sampson cautioned the assembly members and all stakeholders involved in the developing situation not to put the lives of Rivers people in danger for personal gain.

“Obviously, the state does not need this at this time,” he stated. Following the resolution of their previous problems and the lifting of the state of emergency, we anticipated that the legislative and executive branches of government would work together to advance the state.

But what we observe is what we predicted earlier. We were aware of their self-serving motivation for achieving peace at that time.

“We are unable to even call that one peace agreement.” Certain people’s interests led to the agreement of terms.

As soon as Amaewhule chastised the governor, we were certain that trouble was brewing. When they discussed schools, they were merely searching for a way to pin the governor. They had already decided what they intended to do.

“Everyone is free to engage in politics, but not at the expense of the Rivers people.”

Austin Okai: “They have left Fubara behind.”

In response, Austin Okai, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), questioned why the governor was left out of the party in spite of the reconciliation.

Some of the governor’s followers have also deserted him, according to Okai, who called Fubara “back to his vomit.”

“Despite reconciliation, Wike’s train moved to the APC without carrying him,” he stated.

“Those who stood by him have also deserted him since he returned to his own vomit, leaving him lonely.”

Deji Adeyanju, a human rights attorney and activist, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fight terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria by using the same forceful military action that prevented the recent coup attempt in the Republic of Benin.

According to the newspaper, Adeyanju made this request in a statement on Monday, thanking President Tinubu’s leadership and the Nigerian Armed Forces’ prompt response in preserving democracy in the neighboring West African nation.

Adeyanju declared, “As a Nigerian who values democracy and recognizes the perils of military rule, this is a truly proud moment for me.”

He called Nigeria’s response, which included synchronized ground tactics and Air Force fighter jets, a daring and admirable action that demonstrated the country’s ability to protect democratic ideals outside its boundaries.

He continued, “Let this serve as a clear signal to everyone who seeks to subvert democracy in the Sahel that their days are numbered.”

Adeyanju praised the international assistance but cautioned that if Nigeria does not take significant action to address its domestic security issues, the victory in Benin would be meaningless.

The activist emphasized, “So that Nigeria can truly lead by example, the same might displayed in Benin should be applied with even greater resolve to crush the terrorist groups operating within our borders.”

According to Adeyanju, Nigeria’s leadership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its position as a regional force must result in significant security for its own people.

“Only when people at home feel safe, secure, and protected from insurgents and armed groups is leadership at the regional level valuable,” he declared.

His remarks are made against the backdrop of recurrent terrorist attacks and banditry in Nigeria’s North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, despite ongoing military assaults.

President Tinubu was urged by Adeyanju to tackle domestic security with the same urgency and gravity as the Benin intervention.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been asked by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre (HEDA) to look into a suspected money-laundering transaction involving former president Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose.

HEDA cited a media article from November 25, 2025, in which Fayose acknowledged paying Obasanjo $20,000 in cash as logistical support for attending his 65th birthday celebration in Lagos, in the petition filed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju. In response, Obasanjo acknowledged in public that he had returned the $1,000 payment.

The group claimed that both men’s admissions violated the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which requires bigger amounts to be sent through financial institutions and caps individual cash transactions at ₦5 million.

Section 19 of the Act stipulates penalties for such unlawful activities, according to HEDA.

According to Suraju, Fayose and Obasanjo’s remarks were unmistakable confessions of an illegal financial transaction that was carried out well above the permitted cash barrier.

In order to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s anti-money-laundering system, he encouraged the EFCC to look into and prosecute the incident immediately.

The organization warned that ignoring the episode would erode public trust in anti-money-laundering authorities and jeopardize current attempts to stop the dollarization of the economy.

It used Mr. Precious Uzondu’s recent conviction for foreign exchange transactions as proof of the EFCC’s renewed commitment to upholding the law.

HEDA asked the Commission to take the issue seriously and reiterated its commitment to fostering accountability.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State, has voiced serious worries about Nigeria’s present insecurity issues.

According to reports, Kwankwaso bemoaned that the federal government seemed overburdened and unable to adequately address the nation’s insecurity issues in a personally signed statement posted on his 𝕏 account on Monday.

He claims that state governments’ support of the use of vigilante security groups exposes the federal government’s incapacity.

However, he bemoaned the fact that the vigilante groups lack adequate training and that their use is promoting the spread of light guns and small arms throughout the nation.

“I am deeply concerned about the situation of our national affairs in light of the recent happenings in our country.

“Having worked in the system for many years, I am aware that the Federal Government, working with state and local governments and other crucial partners, has the major responsibility for addressing Nigeria’s growing insecurity.

Unfortunately, it seems that the federal government is overburdened. Its implicit support for state governments setting up and using vigilante security groups with little to no formal training is clear evidence of this. Despite its good intentions, this strategy has unintentionally contributed to the unchecked spread of small guns and light weapons throughout the nation.

The worst part is that people have started to take advantage of this by organizing militias, as some political forces are doing. The precarious peace in our nation is further threatened by such conduct, Kwankwaso wrote.

The former minister of defense went on to express worries about instances of hate speech, harassment, and intimidation on social media motivated by religious and ethnic prejudice, as well as the ethnic profiling of some individuals in other parts of the nation.

He urged the federal government to act quickly to resolve the issues before they became unmanageable.

The growing trend of ethnic and regional profiling of Nigerians within their own nation is equally concerning. Unsettling stories of people being arbitrarily targeted, harassed, detained, and in some cases tortured in other parts of the country have surfaced recently, especially from one region of the country. This is made worse by the rise in hate speech, intimidation, and harassment on social media, which is frequently motivated by religious and ethnic jingoism. The cohesiveness and unity of the country are seriously threatened by these developments.

“To stop these risky trends before they get out of control, the federal government must move quickly and forcefully.

As the Chairman of the Committee on the Control of Small armaments and Light Weapons and a former Minister of Defense, Kwankwaso continued, “I find the current ease with which arms are circulating across the country deeply alarming and unacceptable.”

Nonetheless, he expressed faith in General Christoper Musa (rtd), who was just nominated as Nigeria’s Minister of Defense, to stabilize the situation and turn the tide in the nation’s favor.

Lastly, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to General Christopher Gwabin Musa on his merited appointment as Minister of Defense. The former presidential candidate said, “I am certain that, with the required political will and support, he possesses the competence and experience to make a significant difference in restoring security and stability to our nation.”

Following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, the Nigerian Army has stated that all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers will be suspended.

With almost 600 mass kidnapping cases reported in November alone, the action is a reaction to the nation’s growing insecurity. Among the notable events were the abduction of more than 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State.

President Tinubu declared a national security emergency on November 26 in response to these crimes, ordering the military, police, and intelligence services to greatly increase recruiting and deploy thousands of additional troops in order to counter the growing number of kidnappings and acts of terrorism.

The decision to halt retirements for impacted officers was detailed in an internal memo dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff.

As the Armed Forces step up efforts to address the escalating security issue, the directive emphasized the necessity of keeping experienced people to sustain operational capacity.

Referencing the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, the memo stated that although officers are typically expected to retire upon reaching their age limit, completing 35 years of service, or following repeated promotion or conversion failures, extensions of service are allowed under Paragraph 3.10(e) in the interest of the military’s operational needs.

“A commissioned officer’s military service comprises a period of uninterrupted service in the AFN from the date of enlistment or commissioning to the date of retirement,” the document stated in part. The terms outlined in the HTACOS Officers 2024 define the duration of service. These include meeting age restrictions on different ranks, serving for a maximum of 35 years, and meeting additional requirements listed in Paragraphs 11.02(d) and 17.15, among other current regulations.

“Chapter 3.10(e) of HTACOS Officers 2024 permits officers to extend their service in the interest of the service, despite these limitations.

On November 26, the President and Commander-in-Chief proclaimed a national security emergency, requiring the AFN and other security agencies to be expanded. In keeping with this, it has become necessary to temporarily halt all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect in order to quickly increase manpower.

The circular states that officers who have failed promotion exams three times, passed promotion boards three times, reached the age limit for their ranks, failed conversion boards three times, and completed 35 years of service are all subject to a temporary suspension.

Affected officers may request to serve over their regular retirement dates, according to the Army.

“Officers in these categories should proceed with the standard retirement process if they are not interested in extending their service. According to the document, officers who want an extension should be aware that they will not be able to advance in their careers through career courses, promotion, NA sponsorship, self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental postings.

It stated that the policy will be revised as the security situation improved and instructed all commanders to control morale and distribute the directive.

Ex-Generals and Veterans React to Retirement Suspension
In an interview with Punch, Awwal Abdullahi, Secretary-General of the Military Veterans Federation of Nigeria, described it as a positive step.

“I firmly support it,” he declared. In addition to being insecure, these policemen receive taxpayer funding for their training, yet due to appointments, many are retiring early.

When service heads are appointed, junior officers are asked to leave; however, if their junior is selected, these officers can be transferred to the defense headquarters, where they will directly report to the chief of defense staff.

Additionally, it is a waste of money to retire these trained officers because you appointed their junior because the majority of them have more experience than the junior ones. Thus, I believe that delaying retirement is the best course of action.

Additionally, retired Brigadier General Peter Aro stated that keeping experienced staff would help stabilize command structures during ongoing operations and that the policy was a legitimate short-term emergency reaction.

The Army must improve welfare and offer additional financial incentives, he said, even though the extension’s voluntary character was praiseworthy.

“Retaining seasoned officers and soldiers will help stabilize command, preserve operational experience, and prevent leadership gaps given the scale of insecurity and the shortage of experienced personnel,” Aro said. That aspect of the policy is praiseworthy as officers are required to demonstrate voluntary interest.

However, there must be appropriate welfare and financial incentives because they will not be able to advance in their careers or receive promotions. A higher wage and benefit package based on seniority and the extra years they must serve should be offered to those who have used up all of their opportunities for advancement, age restrictions, or service years. Many might turn down the offer in the absence of such rewards.

In addition, he urged the military to eliminate the “silent dichotomy” between regular officers and short-service entrants and advocated for aggressive recruitment, expedited training, better welfare, and reforms to solve manpower shortages.

Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi (retd.), another retired commander, supported the suspension as well, characterizing it as a sensible measure in a crucial security scenario.

He said that continuing to serve the country after a typical retirement should be viewed as a pleasure and a chance to do so.

This system is well-structured. “I am confident that the leadership will make any necessary changes to the terms and conditions of service,” he stated.

Adewinbi insisted that the current institutions would minimize confusion, dismissing worries that officers who failed promotion exams could find it difficult to serve under junior commanders.

The policy was also applauded by retired Brigadier General George Emdin, who urged the military to abandon the custom of retiring commanders when their classmates become service heads, claiming that this approach deprives the military of important knowledge.

He was against keeping cops who consistently failed promotion tests, nevertheless.

He continued, “The work is dangerous; their welfare should be top-notch.”

The Senate has made it clear that it has not yet received any official petitions against the most recent list of ambassadorial nominees.

While there have been public complaints about the nominees, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu clarified in an interview with Sunday Punch that the Senate can only take action on written petitions that are received through the appropriate channels.

He mentioned that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has been tasked with reviewing the screening procedure and providing a report within a week.

We have not yet received a petition opposing any nomination. I only read the list on Thursday. We anticipate that the committee would forward any petition to the Senate, Adaramodu stated.

Adaramodu underlined that the nominees’ screening by the committee is merely the initial stage of the procedure. The entire Senate will have the chance to interrogate each nominee following the committee’s review before making a final decision.

He went on to say that the Senate still has the authority to reject any nominee who, in light of the committee’s conclusions, is judged unsuited for the position.

“The committee will present its report to plenary following the screening, and the entire Senate will then review the report.” The screening of nominees is not final at the committee level. He clarified that the Senate, the larger chamber, has the authority to accept, reject, or change the committee’s conclusions.

Adaramodu reaffirmed that the Senate would take immediate action in response to any legitimate accusations or petitions made against any nominee.

“Upholding, rejecting, or sustaining the committee on foreign affairs’ report is the responsibility of the committee of the whole, led by the Senate President as chairman,” he said.

All of the governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent re-engineering of the national security architecture, pointing out that the government’s commitment to protect citizens’ lives and property cannot be compromised.

The governors convened in Lagos for a two-day strategic discussion under the auspices of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) to examine various issues impacting the country’s situation.

The gathering was hosted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Eko Hotels & Suites on Victoria Island.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Forum—led by Senator Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State—reiterated its faith in Nigeria’s future as a cohesive, peaceful, and successful nation in a communiqué.

During the meeting, Forum members reviewed the nation’s security situation and thanked President Tinubu for what they described as “improved coordination” between federal, state, and local security structures, as well as for the bravery and sacrifices made by security agencies and community volunteers.

The APC Governors praised the President’s management of security issues, emphasizing that the President’s re-engineering of the nation’s security architecture was necessary.

Gov. Uzodimma read the communiqué and stated that the PGF decided to support the President’s efforts by strengthening intelligence collection, community-based security initiatives, conflict-prevention mechanisms, and assistance for victims of disasters and violence.

“The Forum reviewed the security situation across the country and expressed appreciation for the courage and sacrifices of security agencies and community volunteers, as well as improved coordination between federal, state, and local security structures,” the communiqué states. We therefore decided to make every member state’s local security architecture stronger.

“The Forum applauded Mr. President for continuing to reengineer the nation’s security architecture. Governors reaffirmed that the government’s duty to protect people and property cannot be compromised. In addition to providing assistance to victims of violence and natural disasters, we decided to keep bolstering community-based security programs, intelligence collection, and conflict-prevention techniques.

PGF reviewed the nation’s political, economic, and social landscape and noted that reforms should prioritize enhancing lives, upholding people’ dignity, and increasing possibilities for Nigerians.

The Forum praised the President for his Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to stabilize the economy and establish the groundwork for long-term growth.

“The Forum reviewed the state of the economy and the cost-of-living pressures being experienced by citizens, acknowledging the temporary burdens that accompany necessary macro-economic reforms,” Uzodimma stated. In addition to expressing profound gratitude for the sacrifices being made in the shared goal of a more robust and inclusive economy, governors recognized Nigerians’ tenacity and tolerance.

“We decided to step up state-level initiatives in sectors like food production and distribution, assistance for small and medium-sized businesses, youth employment, social protection for the most vulnerable and impoverished, and targeted relief for low-income households and workers.

“To ensure that things continue to improve, that no group is left behind, and that the gains of reforms continue to translate into visible improvements in the quality of life of the people, the Progressive Governors are committed to working closely with Federal institutions and local governments.”

Infrastructure, urban regeneration, and rural development are crucial for boosting productivity, drawing in investment, and raising living standards, according to the Forum.

The governors resolved to strengthen peer-learning and interstate cooperation in these areas and praised Lagos State in particular for its innovative funding models, transportation reforms, and urban renewal.

With an emphasis on access and inclusion for all communities, the PGF decided to increase investments in roads, housing, public transportation, water and sanitation, digital connectivity, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

It emphasized the importance of designing and delivering infrastructure in a way that is socially equitable, environmentally conscious, and sensitive to the needs of women, youth, people with disabilities, and other frequently marginalized groups.

“The Forum reaffirmed that delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots level requires effective local governance,” stated Uzodimma. In accordance with the Constitution and in collaboration with pertinent stakeholders, governors decided to intensify reforms intended to enhance accountability, transparency, and service delivery in local government administration.

We decided to increase the number of venues for citizen participation, such as town hall meetings, consultations with religious and traditional leaders, civil society, labor, professional associations, youth, and women’s organizations. The Forum reaffirmed that maintaining democratic legitimacy and fostering trust depend on listening to the public, clearly communicating government policies, and modifying implementation tactics in response to input.

The Forum also reaffirmed its steadfast support for the APC and praised the party’s leadership for its initiatives to improve inclusivity, discipline, internal democracy, and reconciliation.

The Governors promised to keep the party stable while making sure the APC remained committed to fulfilling its mandate.

The Forum reiterated its unwavering support for the policies of APC governments at all levels and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. PGF emphasized that Progressive Governors view themselves as trustees of the mandate of the people and as a group of leaders who work together to translate Nigerians’ ambitions into real social and economic results throughout the federation.

The Forum emphasized the value of interfaith harmony, interethnic understanding, and societal cohesion. It urged leaders to use their platforms and voices to promote harmony, moderation, and respect while denouncing crime and hate speech in all of its manifestations.