Politics
Tensions Erupt Again In Rivers As Fubara, Assembly Clash
Just weeks after Rivers State emerged from six months of emergency rule, the uneasy calm between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly has shattered, reigniting the political hostilities that have defined the state’s governance crisis for over a year.
The Assembly, led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the governor are once again trading accusations, signalling that the peace pact brokered in September may be slipping away.
Assembly Accuses Fubara of Neglecting Schools
At its 31st Legislative Sitting, the Assembly sharply criticised the condition of public schools across the state, lamenting vandalised facilities and crumbling infrastructure. Acting on the findings of the House Committee on Education, lawmakers questioned Governor Fubara’s handling of state resources.
They revived claims that over N600 billion was left in the treasury by former Sole Administrator Rear Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (rtd) and accused the executive of failing to use the funds to address basic educational challenges.
Speaker Amaewhule painted a grim picture: “Primary and secondary schools in Rivers are collapsing. One teacher to two classes, no water, no electricity—and this is happening right next to major institutions. It is abandonment.”
He said that while the government found money for protests, it had stalled the employment of 10,000 workers initiated by the previous administration.
“When it’s time to hire teachers, there is suddenly no money. But for protests, funds appear,” he charged.
Govt Counters: ‘That Notice Wasn’t Meant for Fubara’
In a quick response, the Rivers State Government dismissed reports that the Assembly had issued a notice of misconduct to Governor Fubara. According to the government, no such document was officially directed to or received by the governor, describing the circulating notice as part of an orchestrated narrative to escalate tension.
Fubara: ‘Employment Will Be Based on Real Needs, Not Politics’
Governor Fubara, speaking before the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, said the rot in the education sector did not begin under his watch and insisted his administration was already taking steps to address longstanding problems.
He rejected suggestions that he had abandoned the proposed employment of 10,000 workers:
“I will employ, but only according to what the state genuinely needs. I will not make political appointments just to please certain people.”
The governor insisted that education, healthcare and security remain priorities, citing ongoing work at major zonal hospitals as evidence of progress despite political pressures.
Assembly Declares Support for Tinubu, Reaffirms Loyalty to Wike
In a development that has stirred further controversy, the Assembly passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and called on him to seek re-election in 2027.
The motion, sponsored by House Leader Major Jack and supported by 25 lawmakers, also reaffirmed “unwavering loyalty” to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, regarded as the political godfather of the Assembly’s faction.
Speaker Amaewhule described the president as a “father who deserves continued support.”
Public Backlash: ‘Unproductive and Self-Serving’
The Assembly’s endorsement sparked sharp criticism online. Paul Ibe, spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accused the legislators of ignoring the needs of their constituents.
“No resolution focused on the people of Rivers. All centred on Wike and Tinubu. The most laughable was asking Tinubu to run for 2027 immediately.”
He suggested the lawmakers might be paving the way for renewed instability:
“Is Wike setting the stage for another state of emergency?”
Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has predicted that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could suffer an implosion if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secures the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.
Baba-Ahmed made the assertion on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he spoke on the dynamics within the coalition-backed party and the ambitions of its leading figures. According to him, Atiku is strongly positioned to emerge as the ADC’s flagbearer if the party conducts a national convention, a development he believes would trigger an exodus of aggrieved aspirants and supporters.
“If ADC goes to convention, and it certainly will, because that’s what former Vice President Atiku wants, he will get the ticket,” Baba-Ahmed said. “And then, a lot of people will walk out because a lot of people are in that party only for the same thing. They want the ticket.”
He argued that the ADC is currently accommodating several high-profile political actors whose interests are bound to clash once the process of selecting a presidential candidate begins. Baba-Ahmed also referenced the posture of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, suggesting that Obi’s political style does not align with competitive party primaries.
“One of the reasons Peter Obi is saying, ‘Look at me, I’m not here for number two, I’m not here for convention, I’m here to fly the flag,’ is that he has people who were initially whispering politely to him,” he said. “But now they are saying, ‘Join the queue. You’re not the only one with ambition here.’”
He added that Obi was accustomed to being adopted as a consensus candidate rather than contesting against multiple aspirants. “Peter Obi doesn’t do convention. He just goes there to be anointed,” Baba-Ahmed said, suggesting that such expectations could fuel tensions within the ADC.
The former presidential adviser concluded that the outcome of the party’s convention could destabilise the coalition. “So, the ADC will bleed after its convention because almost certainly former Vice President Atiku will win the ticket, and when he does, some people will walk out,” he said.
A prominent northern political figure has outlined what he believes is the only realistic path for Peter Obi to emerge as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The politician, Umar Ardo, said Obi’s ambition within the ADC depends largely on the decision of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to him, Obi cannot clinch the party’s ticket unless Atiku withdraws from the race.
Ardo, who convenes the League of Northern Democrats and once sought the governorship of Adamawa State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shared his views during a televised interview on Tuesday. He maintained that the current political structure of the ADC strongly favours Atiku.
Moreover, He explained that Atiku remains the dominant force within the party and would easily defeat any challenger if a primary election were held today.
Ardo insisted that repeated primaries would still produce the same outcome unless Atiku decides otherwise.
“Well, the ADC, as it is currently constituted, if it goes for primaries a hundred times, Atiku will win a hundred times. There is absolutely no doubt about that. How Peter Obi and his supporters react is what will determine the election,” Ardo said.
“I am not saying that Peter Obi cannot be the candidate of the party; however, he can only be the candidate of the party if Atiku steps down,” he added.
Despite his position, Ardo acknowledged Obi’s political relevance and described him as a major asset to the ADC. He noted that the former Anambra State governor commands a large and loyal voter base across the country.
He said Obi’s popularity, which he estimated at over six million votes, is one of the reasons the ADC is keen on keeping him within its fold. According to Ardo, the party sees Obi as a strategic figure who can strengthen its chances in the next election.
Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, recently aligned with the ADC after months of consultations with party stakeholders. His move sparked wide reactions within opposition circles and among his supporters nationwide.
Obi formally addressed his supporters during a political gathering held in Enugu on December 31, where he explained the motivation behind his decision to join the ADC. He described the move as a fresh political journey aimed at national renewal.
The ADC has recently attracted several heavyweight politicians from across the country. Among them are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Senate President David Mark.
These political actors are part of a growing opposition coalition seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
As a result, the group adopted the ADC as its common platform last year in a bid to present a united front.
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