Paul Ibe, media aide to former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has raised the alarm, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has begun the move to rig the 2027 general elections.

According to Ibe, who spoke in a YouTube interview, the ruling party, knowing that it has nothing to show after more than two years, has opted for rigging as the only available option.

He alleged that President Bola Tinubu-led APC is working hard to “ensure that there is no opposition, whether it’s in the independent media, civil society or political parties, that is what they are doing”.

He further claimed that the battle against opposition figures is “because they (APC) have nothing to offer after two years retaining mandate”.

“The only way for them to win an election is to begin the process of rigging it and that process has already started”.

Ibe also lamented that the democracy, which he claimed “was purchased at a very high price”, has been replaced with dictatorship under the current administration.

“The democracy that we have been practicing since 1999, was purchased at a very high price. A lot of activists were killed in that process.

“I believe that those who sacrificed their lives for what we are enjoying today, they will be sad in their graveyards seeing what is playing out now.

“What is playing out is dictatorship and that is why people like Sowore are being harassed and intimidated”, he said.

Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has said he will hand over power to a governor from Anambra Central Senatorial District at the end of his tenure, stressing that zoning of the governorship seat among the three senatorial districts has become an established practice in the state.

Soludo made the remark during an endorsement rally for his re-election bid and the return of Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezi, a former member of the House of Representatives, to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at Abatete, Idemili North Local Government Area.

He explained that the zoning arrangement, which began with Anambra North, was followed by Anambra South, where he hails from, and will, after his tenure, move to Anambra Central.

While welcoming Ibezi back to APGA, the governor described the party as the political identity of the state.

“Anambra is APGA, and APGA is synonymous with Anambra,” he said.

Soludo noted that his re-election campaign has grown into a grassroots movement, with communities independently organizing endorsement rallies.

“We are going round the state welcoming major people back into the fold. APGA has never been more united and stronger than it is today,” he added.

Expressing confidence of victory for APGA across the state’s 5,720 polling units and 326 political wards, Soludo urged voters in Idemili North—known for its large voter population but low turnout—to reverse the trend in the November 8 election.

He also assured residents that ongoing development projects in the area would be sustained.

Secretary to the State Government and Director General of the Soludo–Ibezim Campaign Organization, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, highlighted some of the governor’s projects in Idemili, including the construction of two smart schools and recruitment of teachers.

APGA National Chairman, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, and State Chairman, Barr. Ifeatu Obiokoye, also welcomed Ibezi back into the party, saying his return further strengthens APGA’s dominance in the area.

Several government officials and community leaders, including the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma; Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor; Special Adviser on Youths, Dr. Nelson Omenugha; Mayor of Idemili North, Mr. Stanley Nkwoka; Mayor of Idemili South, Mrs. Amaka Obi; and others, pledged their support for Soludo’s re-election.

At the event, community members presented a ₦20 million cheque in support of the governor’s campaign.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he resisted the pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu, saying his decision was guided by a desire to secure peace, stability, and progress for the people.

Fubara stated this on Friday during a statewide broadcast after his return to the state following the expiration of the emergency rule.

The governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the state of emergency imposed on the state and ordered his reinstatement.

Their aircraft with number 5N-BTX touched down at 12:15 pm and they were received to a heroic welcome.

On the ground to receive Governor Fubara were several of his supporters, including a former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah; former Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Orji Ngofa; former Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara; and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.

Others present were former Commissioner for Youths, Chisom Gbali; former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi; former President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese; former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; as well as former council chairmen of Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Ichemati, among others.

President Tinubu, on Wednesday, announced an end to the emergency rule, which ended the six-month tenure of ex-naval chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as Rivers State sole administrator.

Rivers State has faced one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

Once allies, their fallout over control of state structures and resources split the House of Assembly, sparking impeachment moves, protests, and violence, including the burning of the Assembly complex.

President Tinubu intervened with a peace deal, which failed to calm frayed nerves, before the declaration of emergency rule.

In a statement on the cessation of the emergency rule on Wednesday, made available by the Presidency, the President said, “The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025.

“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

Fubara was expected to resume on Thursday as many of his supporters thronged the gate of the Government House along Azikiwe Street, Port Harcourt, as early as 6am on Thursday, but the governor failed to resume.

Assembly begins plenary

On Thursday, at its first plenary after six months, the state House of Assembly called on the governor to immediately forward the list of commissioner-nominees to it for screening and confirmation.

The plenary was presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The Assembly also called on the governor to submit the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, while noting that members would review how funds were spent during the six months of emergency rule.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, the Assembly gave details of the resolution.

The statement read, “Returning from a six-month emergency rule induced by the political impasse in the state in the recent past, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, at its first legislative sitting, through a motion, set the legislative agenda for the remaining part of the third season of the 10th Assembly.”

The statement indicated that the House Leader, Major Jack, on behalf of eight co-sponsors, in a motion, averred that the House considered it imperative to set the agenda to reflect current realities, while House members, in their contributions to the debate on the motion, applauded the motion and expressed support for all the prayers therein.

Addressing the state, Fubara described the emergency rule period as “enormously challenging” but said he willingly abided by the declaration to allow room for peace to be restored.

“As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that the sacrifice was not too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.

“This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of the state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions and all other actions that we endured during the difficult period,” he said.

The governor commended President Tinubu for brokering a peace deal between all parties involved in the crisis, noting that the intervention helped reconcile him, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Our leader, Nyesom Wike, all members of Rivers State House of Assembly, and I as your governor have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear state,” Fubara said.

Expressing gratitude to Tinubu, the governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the president, promising never to take his intervention for granted. He also appealed to residents who remain sceptical about the peace process.

“To those who have expressed genuine fear, frustration and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood.

“However, nothing has been irretrievably lost. There remain ample opportunities for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness,” Fubara assured.

Fubara, however, charged political leaders, stakeholders, and institutions in the state to ensure that the peace achieved endures.

Fubara noted that with peace restored, his administration’s focus would now return fully to governance and service delivery.

‘Bond with Rivers continues’

Speaking shortly after he arrived at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor assured the people of the state that his government would continue to work in their best interest.

He expressed his gratitude to the people and residents of the state for the warm reception he received earlier at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in IKwerre local government area of the state.

However, no prominent politician loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike or any of his known supporters were present at the airport to welcome the governor.

-Punch