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Ex-Commissioner Warns Fubara’s APC Defection May Weaken Wike’s Control in Rivers

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Ex-Commissioner Warns Fubara’s APC Defection May Weaken Wike’s Control in Rivers

According to Austin Tam-George, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) changed the state’s political landscape by reducing the power of the group that supported Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.

The previous three weeks have seen a shift in the state’s political calculations, according to Tam-George, who also noted that Wike and his supporters were uneasy about the development.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, the former commissioner explained that this was the reason Wike had visited a number of the state’s local government districts in recent weeks.

He claimed that the governor’s defection reduced the Wike camp’s power over the Rivers State Government and compelled them to look for fresh means of regaining control.

But he cautioned that the state and its citizens will eventually suffer from the protracted political unrest and instability brought on by the contest.

“The political calculation in Rivers State has changed due to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s move to the APC in the last 21 days,” Tam-George stated.

“You know, over the last two weeks or so, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has been moving from one local government area to another, threatening the Rivers State government, and at one point insulting the APC’s leadership structures.”

He went so far as to accuse the Tinubu administration and a few high-ranking officials of traveling to Rivers State specifically to solicit bribes or cash from the state government.

“So, what I believe is happening is that the governor’s defection has clearly put the Wike camp’s initial leverage over the governor in jeopardy, and they are looking for a way to assert what they perceive to be a threat to their leverage.”

“But the regrettable thing is that this kind of instability ultimately affects the state.”

‘Not Appropriate’ – Obono-Obla Criticizes Shettima’s Alleged Warning to Wike

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‘Not Appropriate’ – Obono-Obla Criticizes Shettima’s Alleged Warning to Wike

According to former presidential prosecution aide Okoi Obono-Obla, Vice President Kashim Shettima’s purported warning to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesome Wike about the All Progressives Congress’s leadership in Rivers State is superfluous.
According to reports, Shettima said the governors are the party’s leaders in their states during a speech in Enugu on Wednesday.

Given that the Minister had made it apparent that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is not the head of the APC in Rivers State, some people had taken Shettima’s remarks as a direct warning to Wike.

In an interview with the Daily Post, Obono-Obla stated that there is no disagreement on leadership since the party’s rules automatically designate the governor of a state under its control as the party’s head.

“However, the Vice President is not wholly incorrect to make such an assertion if the Governors assume such a toga by convention within the Party,” he stated. However, since Minister Nyesom Wike is not an APC member in Rivers State, it might not be appropriate to address it to him.

However, Obono-Obla pointed out that although there is no clause in the APC Constitution designating APC-elected governors as the Party’s leaders in their respective states, they do so implicitly and customarily.

He said that this method is contentious since some contend that governors take advantage of the lack of a clearly defined function and its obligations to grant themselves total authority, which they frequently utilize to encourage cronyism and godfatherism.

In order to ensure that leadership duties are appropriately defined and to prevent the misuse of convention, the party stalwart urged for clarification in the APC Constitution.

Rights Group Condemns Detention of Man for Online Criticism

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Rights Group Condemns Detention of Man for Online Criticism

Amnesty International has condemned the Nigerian Police’s illegal imprisonment of a man for his online criticism of a government figure.

The police detained Abubakar Salim in Abuja after conducting surveillance in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria, according to Amnesty International’s official X account. According to reports, the arrest took place prior to Amnesty’s Wednesday public announcement.

The group demanded that Mr. Salim be released as soon as possible by the Nigerian government. “Abubakar Salim must be freed immediately and without conditions by the Nigerian government. Criticizing a government official should not result in punishment.

The organization denounced the police and called the arrest a “abduction” and “abuse of power,” even if the precise social media post that led to Mr. Salim’s imprisonment is unknown at the time of this report.

“Abubakar Salim’s detention demonstrates blatant misuse of power, and he did not conduct any crimes. He has the right to criticize any government official, regardless of their stature or position.

“It is unacceptable and demonstrates disrespect for the rule of law to detain Abubakar Salim merely for exercising his right to free speech.”

Amnesty International claims that neither the police nor his attorneys were informed of the reasons why security personnel were keeping an eye on him before he was apprehended by heavily armed guards.

The police allegedly denied detaining him at their facility, according to the family. However, according to Amnesty International, Mr. Salim was being held at Abbatoir, “a notorious police detention center where past detainees were tortured.”

This incident demonstrates a history of disagreements over the detainee’s whereabouts and the arresting authority.

Samuel “Sammy West” Daniels, the brother of actress and filmmaker Regina Daniels, was recently arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, however his family stated that the police made the arrest.

Later, the police explained that Mr. Daniels was taken into custody by officers dispatched from Abuja on a formal mission.

Arbitrary arrest trend
Amnesty International, however, denounced Mr. Salim’s arrest on Wednesday as a violation of his right to free speech and highlighted the alarming practice of detaining people for criticizing public authorities on social media.

“Young people’s freedom of expression in Nigeria is under growing threat.” For merely voicing their ideas online, many young Nigerians have faced threats, arrests, unlawful incarceration, and abuse. This is inappropriate and illegal.

An X user echoed Amnesty International’s comments and bemoaned the practice of arbitrary arrests, stressing the need to raise awareness of the problem in order to guarantee justice.

“Freedom of speech is allowed, but freedom after is not guaranteed,” stated liberal Misterko. Unfortunately, this is the current situation. To guarantee that justice is served, we must all take a stand and spread the word.

The situation involving Mr. Salim is a sign of a systemic problem rather than an individual incidence. For example, in July 2025, Abubakar Gossima, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was arrested by Jigawa State police for what close associates said was a social media message that was considered disrespectful to a politician.

Jigawa Govt Takes Action Against Contractors Accused of School Feeding Scam

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Jigawa Govt Takes Action Against Contractors Accused of School Feeding Scam

Contractors participating in the state school food program have been suspended by the Jigawa State Government. This comes after accusations of fraud and subpar service.

This was revealed on Wednesday when Hon. Auwal D. Sankara, the state Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties, inspected a few schools in the Dutse local government.

According to him, the government’s efforts to guarantee accountability and safeguard the welfare of pupils included the inspection.

“The monitoring team found irregularities, including incomplete food deliveries to boarding schools, supply of substandard food items, and inflated student population figures,” he said.

Inspectors discovered a significant disparity between official records and the actual student population at the Girls Model Boarding School in Kudai. A physical head count revealed just 681 pupils, despite school records indicating a population of 1,008.

The contractor, Jibrin Maifata, was immediately suspended after the commissioner observed that the meal was unsafe for students to eat.

A shipment of rice that was sent to the Government Commercial Secondary School in Dutse was turned down because it did not adhere to the necessary criteria. Because of the event, the Commissioner later fired Alhaji Sule Zai, the Chairman of the School Feeding Contractors.

At the School for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Dutse, three contractors—Kamalu Sulaiman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abanderi, and Alhaji Umaru Chamo—were suspended for providing students with inadequate food supplies.

According to Hon. Sankara, the actions were consistent with the administration’s commitment to accountability and openness in public programs as well as Governor Umar A. Namadi’s 12-Point Agenda.

He threatened to prosecute anyone caught misusing funds intended for the welfare and nutrition of students.

He stated that in order to guarantee value for public dollars and adherence to criteria in all social intervention programs, inspections would continue throughout the state.

Lagos State Responds to Tacha: Handling Underage Beggars Requires Firm Enforcement, Not Emotion

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Lagos State Responds to Tacha: Handling Underage Beggars Requires Firm Enforcement, Not Emotion

Tokunbo Wahab, the state commissioner for environment and water resources in Lagos, has reacted to reality TV star Tacha’s criticism of the detention of young street beggars.
According to reports, Wahab posted a video on Wednesday that captured the moment when men from the state’s environmental taskforce apprehended a juvenile beggar.

Tacha responded by denouncing the situation and claiming that the administration had let the kids down.

She maintained that the government should set up appropriate vocational centers with boarding facilities that teach useful skills like shoe-making, design, photography, and videography rather than detaining the kids.

In response to her social media post, Wahab emphasized that the government is not responsible for raising children who are uncooperative.

“Dear Tacha,” he wrote, We appreciate your concern.

It is not appropriate to approach advocacy and enforcement with emotion or snap decisions. Laws, statistics, and long-term social responsibility must serve as their compass.

There is no denying the existence of poverty or the risks that kids encounter on our roads. The presence of juveniles on key highways, like Lekki-Epe, is the exact reason that intervention is required, not the reason to stop enforcing the law. In the guise of compassion, leaving kids to avoid fast-moving cars is negligence, not empathy.

First off, Lagos State public schools offer free tuition and free WAEC examination fees. Additionally, Lagos offers free technical colleges, vocational centers, and skill-building programs throughout the state. Many of these programs teach trades including fashion, shoemaking, photography, ICT, and creative arts. In addition to government facilities, free training and empowerment programs are often organized by community leaders, NGOs, religious organizations, and even elected politicians throughout the state. It is incorrect to say that there are no interventions, even though they might not be flawless.

The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development offers free admission to children who are interested in learning skills, while others are returned to their parents, most of whom do not reside in Lagos. This information may be of interest to you. Every time these children are arrested, they are profiled. However, raising uncooperative kids is not the government’s job.

“Dear Tacha, we would be prepared to collaborate with you and others to help remove children like these from the streets, going beyond social media, just like everyone else who has worked with the state. Please contact either me or @Mo_ogunlende, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development.The

APC Responds to Atiku: Democracy in Nigeria Remains Secure

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APC Responds to Atiku: Democracy in Nigeria Remains Secure

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s assertions that Nigeria’s democracy is in danger have been rejected by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which calls them humorous and alarmist.

Through his spokesperson Paul Ibe, Abubakar warned on Tuesday that a de facto one-party state could result from the Tinubu administration’s deliberate weakening of opposition parties and reduction of Nigeria’s political space.

Along with policies and actions that, in his opinion, compromise democratic norms, he claimed that Nigerians have suffered from extreme economic hardship for almost three years under the Tinubu-led government.

In reaction, the former vice president and his African Democratic Congress, or ADC, party were “afraid of their own shadows,” according to a statement released on Thursday by Lagos State APC spokesman Seye Oladejo.

He emphasized that under President Tinubu, democratic institutions were operating regularly and encouraged the opposition to cease attempting to gain significance by forecasting the demise of a democracy that has developed despite their “constant doomsday prophecies.”

“The opposition’s diminishing relevance is under threat, not Nigeria’s democracy,” stated Oladejo. “Democratic institutions have operated as intended since May 29, 2023.”

“The legislature has exercised oversight, elections have been held, courts have decided cases, and citizens continue to enjoy constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.”

“The opposition has demonstrated, litigated, and spoken freely—hardly signs of a democracy under siege.”

Oladejo went on to say that internal inconsistencies and “inherent deceit” make the ADC more vulnerable.

He characterized the coalition as a precarious organization whose main goal is to become president, with its leaders nursing personal entitlement and threatening disruption if their goals are not fulfilled.

He declared, “No political house built on sand can withstand the inevitable internal whirlwind that follows unchecked ambition without ideology.”

“Blaming the ruling party for the apparent desperation of ADC leaders, who already view the upcoming elections as their final opportunity on the national scene, is dishonest.”

He underlined that democracy does not fall apart because individual goals are unfulfilled and that winning and losing are essential components of the democratic process.

The ADC coalition “seems to have its expiration date engraved upon it,” according to Oladejo. Unfortunately, longevity does not appear to be a part of it.

“What we are seeing is not the defense of democracy, but the final upheaval of a political system held together by impatience, fear, and the diminishing significance of its key players.”

He confirmed the tenacity of Nigeria’s democracy under President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing that continuing reforms—while difficult—are based on the values of democratic accountability, the rule of law, and the constitution, which cannot be undone by those who have lost Nigerians’ trust.

As a result, we counsel Atiku Abubakar and his new political allies to face reality head-on. Nigeria has no fear.

“Democracy is not crumbling. The opposition is just afraid of its own shadow and the obvious fact that Nigerians have moved on, according to Oladejo.

Dele Momodu Warns Against Emotional Call for Atiku’s Withdrawal – Peter Obi Speaks Out

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Dele Momodu Warns Against Emotional Call for Atiku’s Withdrawal – Peter Obi Speaks Out

According to Dele Momodu, a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the demand that former vice president Atiku Abubakar quit from the 2027 race because to unfiltered feelings and sentiments is equivalent to a great tragedy.
According to reports, the announcement comes after certain supporters of Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, demanded that the ADC offer him its presidential ticket.

Remember that Peter Obi just left the Labour Party to join the ADC after receiving over six million votes to place third in the 2023 presidential election behind Atiku?

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, was among the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders who made fun of Peter Obi’s defection and speculated that he might become Atiku’s running mate.

However, well-known individuals like human rights advocate Aisha Yesufu and political economist Pat Utomi have threatened to withdraw their support if Peter Obi accepted a vice presidential position on an Atiku-led ticket.

In response, Momodu denied that Atiku will drop out of the 2027 presidential contest in favor of Peter Obi in an interview with Punch on Thursday.

The seasoned journalist added that the former vice president has no reason to drop out of the race, pointing out that attempts to undermine Atiku’s ambition have become a recurrent storyline in the media.

“A number of individuals have requested that I counsel former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to voluntarily withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest,” he stated.

They say he’s too old when I ask why. Not that they are aware of any impending death for him. Not that President Bola Tinubu is healthier than him.

“Tinubu can and should run out of unjustified hatred and prejudice, but Atiku cannot and should not run.

“I’ve read that the worst of us shouldn’t take precedence over the greatest. With all due respect, what or who makes us the worst? Is it because Atiku is more intelligent and articulate than the majority of his peers and political opponents?

Is it the case that his renowned persona, accomplishments in business, academics, technology, philanthropy, and his efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law constitute his cardinal sins?

He is undoubtedly not a saint, but since he left office in 2007, he has surpassed the majority of his contemporaries by not being a parasite that feeds on the government.

“It is a great tragedy to ask our most seasoned and worldly candidate to sacrifice his qualifications on the altar of unadulterated emotion and primordial sentiments.”

Nigerian Stock Exchange Surges 50% YTD, Valuation Reaches N98.4 Trillion

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Nigerian Stock Exchange Surges 50% YTD, Valuation Reaches N98.4 Trillion

As renewed investor demand increased market capitalization by N542 billion in a single session, the Nigerian stock market maintained its bullish momentum at the beginning of the week, extending its year-end surge.

With year-to-date (YTD) returns reaching 50% for the first time since late October, the benchmark index returned to a significant milestone as a result of the advance, which was mostly fueled by positioning ahead of the new year.

The All-Share Index (ASI) closed at 154,389.53 points, up 849.70 points, or 0.55 percent, at the end of trade. Concurrently, the market’s overall capitalization increased to N98.432 trillion, demonstrating the strength of the revitalized confidence that permeates the market despite modest trading volumes.

Strong price growth in a variety of large- and mid-cap equities, especially in the consumer goods and financial services industries, served as the rally’s main driver.

Guinness Nigeria, BUA Foods, UACN, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), and Eunisell Interlinked were notable drivers of the day’s gain, indicating a definite preference for fundamentally sound firms as investors adjust portfolios ahead of 2026.

According to market observers, the most recent surge supports the story of a robust Nigerian equities market, which is bolstered by strengthening macroeconomic indicators and careful bargain hunting after periods of profit-taking earlier in the quarter.

United Capital Plc predicts that the market will remain cautiously optimistic in the coming days. The investment firm stated in a note that “the Nigerian equity market is likely to trade cautiously positive this week, supported by steady GDP growth, strong external reserves, and broad-based sector gains.”

“While profit-taking may limit sharp rallies, investors will focus on fundamentally strong stocks in consumer goods, banking, and industrials.”

Wide-ranging Gains Increase Market Sentiment

Gainers just outweighed losses, and the market’s breadth indicated improving mood. In contrast to 37 decliners, 41 equities closed in positive territory, indicating widespread participation as opposed to a rise spearheaded by a few heavyweights.

The top gainers were Austin Laz & Company and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, which both closed at N3.52 and N41.80 after increasing by the maximum 10%. As fresh interest in mid-cap names continued to pick up steam, Eunisell Interlinked followed closely, gaining by 9.95 percent to close at N96.70 per share.

Peter Obi Decries Power Struggle Amid Worsening Poverty in Nigeria

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Peter Obi Decries Power Struggle Amid Worsening Poverty in Nigeria

Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has bemoaned the fact that Nigerians are living in abject poverty while politicians are occupied with power struggles.

Obi claimed that Nigeria is regressing while other countries are rescuing millions of people from poverty in a post on his verified X handle on Thursday.

According to Obi, the startling figure of over 62% of Nigerians, or 141 million people, living in poverty shows that over half of the country’s population is in appalling circumstances.

A hard reality faces our country as we politicians fight for jobs and control of party structures, frequently exchanging posts even before elections are over.

The number of Nigerians living in poverty increased from 81 million in 2019 to over 139 million in 2025, according to World Bank data. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of Nigerians living in poverty increased by 14 million, from 115 million to 129 million.

According to projections, this number would rise to approximately 141 million in 2026, which means that between 2023 and 2026, an extra 26 million Nigerians will fall into poverty.

These dire predictions are supported by the Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026 report, “Turning Macroeconomic Stability into Sustainable Growth.” A staggering 141 million people, or 62% of the population, are predicted to live in poverty by 2026.

The paper emphasizes that poor real income growth and continuously high living expenses would continue to worsen poverty despite recent attempts at stabilization.

The majority of Nigerians won’t see enough income growth to offset rising expenses. Sustained high prices resulting from energy, logistics, and exchange-rate volatility will continue to be a hardship even though headline inflation may decline.

Because food accounts for up to 70% of their overall consumption, low-income people are particularly exposed to price shocks and food inflation.

Micro, small, and medium-sized businesses that depend on local customers are under tremendous strain as a result of this growing tide of poverty, which also reduces demand and decreases purchasing power. If we don’t see strong job creation, productivity growth, and efficient social safety measures, a persistent rise in poverty might destroy state finances, deplete human capital, and obstruct economic recovery.

“We are on a very different path than countries like Indonesia and India. From 35–40% in 2000 to an astounding 5.3% now, India has substantially decreased extreme poverty. Due to persistent investments in social safety, health care, and education, poverty in Indonesia has decreased from over 30% in 2000 to about 8%.

In the meantime, poverty in Nigeria has increased from roughly 40% in 2000 to a startling 62% now.

Can we accept that a child born in Nigeria today has one of the highest chances of being born into poverty worldwide? The fact that 141 million Nigerians live in poverty is a clear threat to our future as well as a national failing. It’s time to stop being complacent. Macroeconomic stability, investments in agriculture, food supply, logistics, education, health, productivity, and the creation of large-scale jobs are all structural reforms that are now necessary rather than optional, he said.

Former Ghana Finance Minister Held by US Immigration Authorities

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Former Ghana Finance Minister Held by US Immigration Authorities

In the midst of ongoing legal issues in his native Ghana, where he is accused of corruption, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities.
Records from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) show that Ofori-Atta, 66, who was Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 to 2024, is being detained at an immigration facility in Virginia.

Ofori-Atta was detained on Tuesday due to concerns about the “status of his current stay in the United States,” according to a statement issued by his legal team on Wednesday. The statement also stated that Ofori-Atta had applied to extend his visa after undergoing medical treatment, including surgery for prostate cancer.

The attorneys stated, “His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously,” adding that Ofori-Atta was cooperating fully with the authorities.

Ghanaian authorities officially accused the former minister with corruption in November 2025 after declaring him a fugitive in February of that same year. Ghana has not seen him since January 2025.

The accusations are related to his time under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, when he oversaw crucial discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and spearheaded contentious tax measures.

When Ofori-Atta might be freed or whether he intends to go back to Ghana to stand trial were not disclosed by the legal team.

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