Politics
Fubara: Rivers begins transition to democratic governance
Rivers State Government has announced the commencement of transition from emergency rule to democratic governance.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, invited all critical stakeholders to a church service as part of the transition process.
Ekwutosblog reports that the development comes nearly six months after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state.
Tinubu made the pronouncement in a nationwide broadcast on March 18, 2025.
The emergency rule was imposed at the height of the political crisis in the state, following a fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Ekwutosblog reported that the struggle for control of Rivers’ political resources led to an intense face-off between Wike and Fubara.
President Tinubu, in his broadcast, expressed deep concern over the political crisis in the state and accused Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly.
He subsequently announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months.
The President also suspended all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
However, Wike later reconciled with Fubara, and their reunion was made public during a visit to President Tinubu in June, after several months of hostilities between the two politicians.
Since then, Wike has taken control of the state’s political structure following the recently conducted Local Government Elections, in which his allies won all available seats.
However, with the emergency rule coming to its end, as part of the activities, an interdenominational church thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt.
The thanksgiving, scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Ecumenical Centre, will require all guests to be seated by 9:30 a.m.
According to the statement, those invited include permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, chairmen and members of boards and governing councils, as well as captains of industry.
The statement also named the Rivers Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), as the Special Guest of Honour.
It read: “The Government of Rivers State is pleased to invite Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, Heads of State Security and Para-Military Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Chairmen and Members of Boards and Governing Councils, Captains of Industry, Government Officials, and invited guests to the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service, as part of the transition activities to usher in democratic governance in Rivers State.”
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.
“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.
“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”
How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun
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