Politics
George Condemns Tinubu’s ‘Unconstitutional’ Rivers Moves
Former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has strongly condemned what he described as efforts of President Bola Tinubu to legitimise illegally in Rivers State by constituting an electoral body that will conduct local government elections in Rivers State under a sitting sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu, in a letter presented and read by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during a plenary session, requested confirmation for the appointment of a Chairman and six Members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), with reports saying that these nominees were proposed by Vice Admiral Ibas (rtd.), the sole administrator responsible for overseeing the state’s affairs.
The president, also in the letter, requested for confirmation of other appointments into key offices in the state, underscoring the necessity of such appointments to facilitate effective governance during the emergency period and to assist the administrator in managing state functions efficiently.
Chief George gave this position on Monday at a press conference which took place at his Ikoyi office and was attended by key leaders of the party, including former Deputy Governor Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Chief (Mrs) Aduke Maina, Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Oshodi, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor- Akerele, former Chairman PDP of PDP in Lagos State, Captain Tunji Shelle (Rtd), among others, insisting that giving room for a sole administrator to conduct local government election under a democratic system of government amounted to illegality.
The PDP chieftain, in his address titled: “Enough of executive recklessness and brigandage,” sadly noted that recent events in Rivers State were indications that the administration of the nation’s democracy remained problematic, citing the current move by President Tinubu to legitimize what he termed illegality in the state through the request he made to the Senate for approval of key appointments in the state as part of the measures instituted under the state of emergency.
George, who is also the Atona Oodua of Yoruba land argued that the move implied that a person in office illegally was now being mandated to conduct council elections in this oil-bearing state, declaring that the step taken so far by President Tinubu had no doubt made Nigerians to doubt his claim of being a democrat.
“Twenty-six years after the restoration of civilian governance, a growing number of Nigerians are left questioning the authenticity of a government that claims to be of, by, and for the people. It is time for us to confront these challenges head-on and demand a democracy that truly serves its citizens.
“The president’s insistence on these appointments reveals a troubling disregard for democratic principles, this move raises serious concerns about the concentration of power and undermines the very fabric of our democratic institutions, suggesting a calculated effort to bypass accountability and manipulate state functions at a time when the people’s voice should be paramount.
“The implication of the above is that a person in office illegally is now being mandated to conduct council elections in this oil-bearing state.
“I want to reiterate that what the president is doing in this Rivers matter is completely illegal and Nigerians know this. Constitutionality is being disregarded and disrespected. It is not possible for illegality to overcome legality. It will never happen, now or later,” Chief George stated.
“Those in charge of the polity have closed their ears to reasoning and deliberately come out with policies capable of disintegrating the country. Pitiably, lovers of Nigeria are too timid to challenge them.
“It is disheartening that Nigeria is precariously and dangerously staggering on the path of self-destruction. I pray this trouble does not start from Rivers State.
“The president is not the government. The governor is not the government. It is the people that constitute governance and government. The moment you take the mandate of the people away, it is no longer democracy. That is exactly what is happening in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking further, Chief George equally condemned some state governors and members of the PDP that left the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), assuring that the main opposition party remained a well-structured platform that can weather all storm.
The PDP chieftain assured that the party would bounce back strong and better, stressing that it is those leaving it that would regret their action and be put to shame, just as he urged them to go and learn from those who left the party in the past who latter retraced their steps back to the party.
Tribuneonlineng.com
Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been stopped from contesting the 2028 governorship election in the state The Federal High Court in Akure, the state capital, gave the ruling on Thursday, March 12, citing the Supreme Court judgment that presidents and governors can spend more than eight years in office Thus, the governor, who has been sworn in twice, would be spending more than eight years should he win the 2028 governorship election
The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital, has ruled that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state did not have the legal right to contest the 2028 governorship election in the state.
According to the trial court, electing the governor would be a violation of the constitutional limit of eight years in office. Justice Adegoke delivered the judgment that Aiyedatiwa cannot seek re-election in 2028 on Thursday, March 12.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa first assumed office on December 27, 2023, after the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. He was again sworn in on February 24, 2025, after he was declared the winner of the November 16, 2024, governorship election in the state.
According to The Tribune, the court held that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not allow a president or governor to stay in office for over eight years, citing the decision of the Supreme Court in Marwa v. Nyako to support its claim. A member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Akin Egbuwalo, through his lawyer, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), sought the interpretation of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as it relates to the tenure of the governor.
Reacting to the court ruling in an interview on Channels TV, the governor explained that he did not see it coming, citing that he was only in office to govern and was not even thinking of re-election for now. He added that he will only contest if the people want him to continue and the constitution permits it.
His comment has started generating reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their comments:
Safety Cabal
“The Governor is more interested in future opportunities to contest; he has not justified the essence of his being elected. I pity the people of Ondo State.”
Okilori criticised the governor:
“Ondo state is so unfortunate to have this man as Governor. Despite all support masses gave him during Aketi situation and sickness.”
Taiwo alleged that the governor did not have any capital project to point to:
“Baba won do another term by fire by force, the man no get anything to offer the state, no better capital project , 3 more years to go.”
Onyeka Clinton urged the media house to fix the transmission problem:
“Does this station know that its clips blink? Please, they should work on it so that it will be easy for us to watch online post. Sometimes I wonder if they don’t notice it.”
Court Ruling On Re-election: I Never Saw It Coming; I Have To Hire Lawyers To Defend Me; We'll Face It, says Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State Governor. #PoliticsToday pic.twitter.com/QkRREAcvcy
— Channels Television (@channelstv) March 12, 2026
Senator Ipalibo Banigo has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Banigo’s defection letter was read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
As reported by The Punch, the federal lawmaker said her decision to join APC is to advance development in Rivers State and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Banigo, representing Rivers West Senatorial District, said her decision is intended to align politically with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“The decision follows extensive consultations with my constituents, my political associates, and critical stakeholders across my senatorial district, given the prevailing internal divisions, protracted leadership disputes, and ongoing litigations within the People’s Democratic Party, which have adversely affected cohesion.
“This decision is also predicated on my resolve to join my political mentor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in supporting President Bola Tinubu, to actualize his re-election bids and enable the President to continue his evident economic reforms, which have significantly improved the economic situation, enhanced currency stability, and driven numerous infrastructural developments across our dear nation.”
Zamfara state deputy governor, Mani Malam Mummuni, has announced the defection of the state’s leadership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The news means President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has further consolidated his political grip across Nigeria following the defection of the Zamfara state government to the APC.
In a video that has gone viral, the announcement was made by Zamfara Deputy Governor Mani Malam Mummuni on behalf of Governor Dauda Lawal, confirming that the state leadership had formally aligned with the ruling party.
The move widens Tinubu’s influence at the subnational level, with the APC now governing more than 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states. The development reinforces the party’s dominance as 2027 general elections draw near.
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