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
Minister Nyesom Wike defends his position amidst calls for removal from office Wike emphasizes that only President Tinubu can decide his fate Former governor boasts of his contributions to Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.
Port Harcourt, Rivers State – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has dismissed calls for his removal from office. Wike said that such decisions rest solely with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former Rivers State governor stressed that the power to sack him lies solely with the President. From breaking news to viral moments. Follow Legit.ng on Instagram. As reported by The Punch, Wike stated this on Sunday, January 11, 2026, during a thank-you visit to Obio/Akpor.
Wike addressed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youths in the area. “Don’t bother about people who say ‘sack him.’ If my appointor believes I cannot offer anything again, he has the right, not that you should tell him. I am proud that the people of Obio/Akpor, the people of Rivers State, and Nigerians know we have not disappointed them in the FCT.”
The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Gift Worlu, described Wike as a major asset to the council, the state, and the nation. “When it comes to who should be President of Nigeria in 2027, we know where to go. As for the governorship of Rivers State, we know where not to go. We will not go the way of ingratitude, disappointment, or disloyalty.”
Recall that President Tinubu reportedly intervened in the feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike amidst rising tensions. Tinubu and Wike are set to meet abroad to discuss the ongoing Rivers state crisis and potential impeachment.
Wike’s ally denied involvement in the impeachment plot, claiming Rivers’ lawmakers are driving the actions against Governor Fubara.
Dailyvoice.ng earlier reported that President Tinubu was urged to immediately remove Wike as the minister of the FCT to ensure stability returns to Rivers state. NADECO, a pro-democracy group, made the call, citing the impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
Ahead of the 2027 election, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele has predicted that eight APC governors will oppose President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Primate Ayodele prophesied that a prominent political figure will defect to the ADC coalition, ‘creating a shocking political shift’
Lagos-based Ayodele is widely known for issuing prophecies on a variety of subjects, including Nigerian and global politics, the economy, security, and sports Oke Afa, Lagos State – Ahead of the 2027 elections, Primate Elijah Ayodele has said that about eight All Progressives Congress (APC) governors will work against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party.
In a statement to Daily voice on Friday, January 9, signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church said the governors may either remain in the APC or defect to an opposition party, but would still work against the president and the ruling party ahead of the election.
Primate Ayodele said:
“I see about eight governors working against APC ahead of 2027. It’s either they stay in the party to work against the party or move to an opposition party.
“President Tinubu will not find it easy in the election. There are so many things around him that look real, but they are not. They will soon start getting uncovered, so he has to prepare. Ayodele Furthermore, Primate Ayodele disclosed that a prominent figure in Nigerian politics will soon defect to the coalition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
His words: “I am seeing a big name decamping to the ADC very soon. It will be a shocker to people and the political scene of the country. It will happen very, very soon.”
Meanwhile, the ADC has maintained that the 2027 elections would be between the citizens and the APC.
The party urged the opposition governors to rise boldly, deliver fresh ideas and lead citizens out of ‘national despair’, stressing that this was what Nigerians expected from them.
Earlier, Daily voice reported that Primate Ayodele denied allegations levelled against him by Bayo Adelabu, minister of power, regarding an alleged blackmail attempt.
A media outlet had reported that Adelabu, a chieftain of the ruling APC and supporter of President Tinubu, accused Primate Ayodele of attempting to extort N150 million from him for “spiritual intercession” to make him governor of Oyo State. However, in a statement sent to Legit.ng, and signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele denied ever attempting to extort the minister, explaining that he had only asked Adelabu to purchase the trumpets.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has revealed that about eight APC governors will work against President Tinubu and the ruling party ahead of 2027.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the prophet stated that the governors may remain in APC or decamp to an opposition party, but regardless, they will work against the president and the ruling party towards the election.
“I see about eight governors working against APC ahead of 2027. It’s either they stay in the party to work against the party or move to an opposition party.”
“President Tinubu will not find it easy in the election; there are so many things around him that look real, but they are not. They will soon start getting uncovered, so he has to prepare.”
Furthermore, Primate Ayodele made it known that a big name in Nigerian politics will decamp to the coalition party, ADC, very soon.
“ I am seeing a big name decamping to the ADC very soon. It will be a shocker to people and the political scene of the country. It will happen very, very soon.”
It would be recalled that the prophet earlier warned that President Donald Trump is working towards unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president of the country. He noted that US actions in helping Nigeria aren’t what it seems to be, but have a hidden agenda.
He had also said that Abubakar Atiku, one of the contenders for the presidential ticket, will be pressured to step down for former president Goodluck Jonathan
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