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President Tinubu Intervenes in Renewed Rivers State Crisis, Summons Wike

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

President Bola Tinubu has intervened to address the escalating political conflict in Rivers State, reportedly summoning the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to a meeting abroad. This move comes amid renewed impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The Impending Meeting

According to a top presidency source, the meeting is scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, following the President’s visit to France. The source indicated that President Tinubu views the latest political maneuvers as a potential threat to stability.

“The President must see the danger in what Wike is doing. I am aware he has summoned him to a meeting in Dubai… Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will call him to order,” the source stated. The insider further warned that targeting the state’s first Ijaw governor could provoke unrest in the Niger Delta, with severe consequences for the national economy.

Renewed Impeachment Move

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The crisis intensified on Thursday when 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Minister Wike, initiated fresh impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.

The seven-count notice, read by Majority Leader Major Jack, accuses the governor of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, and failure to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on legislative financial autonomy. Deputy Governor Odu faces allegations of reckless spending and obstructing the Assembly.

Speaker Martins Amaewhule defended the move as being “in the interest of Rivers State,” criticizing the governor for not presenting the 2026 budget.

This development shatters a fragile peace brokered by President Tinubu after a previous impeachment crisis led to a six-month state of emergency in March 2025. The truce collapsed shortly after emergency rule ended, with Wike accusing Fubara of reneging on agreements and vowing to block his second-term bid, despite both now being members of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).

While a presidential aide declined to confirm the foreign meeting, stating only Wike’s camp could do so, senior APC officials revealed growing party discontent.

A national leader confirmed plans to brief the President upon his return, noting that “some of our leaders believe Wike should have respected the President and the party because Fubara is now one of our governors.”

A member of the APC National Working Committee criticized Wike’s actions as “a show of disregard for the President, the APC, and national interest,” suggesting they project the President as weak.

An ally of Minister Wike denied his involvement in the impeachment plot, affirming that “Wike is the number one supporter of Mr President.” The ally confirmed the minister’s return to Abuja on Sunday but did not verify the meeting with Tinubu.

Former Senator Andrew Uchendu described the recurring crisis as “an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State” and called for an inclusive dialogue, urging the President to restore order.

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APC Extends Membership Registration, Reschedules Congresses and Convention

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a revised timetable for its internal activities, extending its electronic membership registration and rescheduling upcoming congresses and its national convention.

The decisions were reached during the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party outlined the key changes.

The electronic membership registration exercise has been extended from January 31 to February 8, 2026. According to the statement, the extension follows requests from party stakeholders and is intended to allow more supporters and members to register or validate their membership.

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Furthermore, the schedule for party congresses has been adjusted. Ward congresses are now set to hold on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while the National Convention has been rescheduled for March 27–28, 2026.

The statement also clarified that some states would be excluded from the forthcoming state congresses. Osun State, Ekiti State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are exempted due to upcoming elections, while Rivers State is excluded because of the subsisting tenure of the current party executive committees in the state.

Additionally, the NWC confirmed the constitution of a National Convention Planning Committee. The party noted that further details regarding the adjusted timetable and the composition of the planning committee would be communicated in due course.

These changes mark a significant recalibration of the APC’s internal electoral calendar as it prepares for its national convention and subsequent political engagements.

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Turaki-Led PDP Faction to Appeal Court Ruling, Affirms Legitimacy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced it will appeal a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that refused to grant its request for an order of mandamus. The court, in its Friday judgment, stated that granting the order would amount to reviewing decisions of courts of equal jurisdiction—a ruling the faction described as “not unexpected.”

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the faction confirmed it has directed its legal team to file an appeal immediately and take all necessary legal steps to defend its standing.

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Despite the legal setback, the faction asserted that its leadership, which emerged from the PDP’s Ibadan convention, remains legally intact and unaffected. The statement called on members to stay calm and resolute, assuring them there is “absolutely no cause for alarm” and that the party’s “rebirth movement remains firmly on course.”

The development is part of an ongoing internal dispute over leadership and legitimacy within the PDP, with rival factions seeking judicial affirmation. All eyes are now on the appellate courts, whose decisions could significantly influence the party’s structure and direction ahead of future political activities.

The faction expressed confidence that higher courts would ultimately uphold its position, stating it “awaits the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.”

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Fayemi Denies Alleged Closed-Door Meeting with Kwankwaso

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has denied reports claiming that he held a closed-door meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence.

Fayemi, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, dismissed the report in a statement issued by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, describing the claim as false and urging the public to disregard it.

The report, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, was shared by several social media handles alongside an old video clip showing Fayemi greeting Kwankwaso at his residence.

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According to the statement, the former Ekiti governor had met Kwankwaso only once in the past year and not in any private political setting.

“Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said.

It added that, “At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post.”

The former governor acknowledged that he and Kwankwaso have been friends since their time as governors, but stressed that their relationship is personal and non-partisan.

He noted that the friendship is “based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the progress of Nigeria, rather than on any political alignment.”

Fayemi also cautioned against attempts by political actors to attach partisan interpretations to private relationships, noting that many of his friends and associates are either not involved in partisan politics or belong to different political persuasions.

The statement added that Fayemi’s associates “span the entire spectrum of Nigeria’s political terrain.”

It, therefore, reaffirmed the former governor’s commitment to national unity, principled engagement, and responsible public discourse.

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