Opinion
Rivers: Why Fubara May Fight Again!
By Ismail Omipidan
The return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara after the expiration of the six-month emergency rule has been widely applauded by many Nigerians. To avoid any unguarded utterances, the governor, on his return to the state, appeared to tactfully distance himself from his army of supporters who had thronged the Rivers State Government House on Thursday. Instead, he showed up yesterday, and promptly delivered a statewide broadcast to the people of the state.
Before his return, there were concerns over the details of the peace deal that paved the way for his reinstatement. While some argued that he would serve only one term, others insist that the arrangement heavily favours his estranged godfather and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Wike was on Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye on Thursday. He declined to reveal details of the peace deal. But any peace deal whose terms remain shrouded in secrecy cannot, in my view, be regarded as fair or just. I stand to be corrected.
For now, it appears that only Wike, Fubara, and perhaps President Bola Ahmed Tinubu know the exact contents of the peace deal or understanding.
However, as a trained political communication specialist, I find that Fubara’s statewide broadcast offers a glimpse into parts of the agreement. This is particularly evident in paragraph 10 of his speech, where he stated: “To those who have expressed genuine fears, frustrations, and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood.” In essence, the governor acknowledged that the public’s fears and doubts about the peace deal are not unfounded. By validating these concerns and admitting that he understands them, Fubara tacitly concedes that there are indeed contentious aspects of the arrangement.
The governor was, however, quick to add that “nothing has been irretrievably lost; there remains ample opportunity for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness.” My understanding of these lines are these: One, even if there is a clause for now in that peace deal that would prevent him from seeking a second term, his good behaviour and willingness to play ball, going forward may make change their minds, thereby adjusting the peace deal to allow him seek a second term. Two, certain things that he was not too pleased with could equally be adjusted as time goes by, once he showed genuine reconciliation efforts. And by shunning the crowd on Thursday, the governor appears to be ready for a genuine reconciliation.
For me, the only reason Fubara may be willing to fight again is if, after abiding religiously by the terms of the peace deal without reservations, he is still denied a second-term bid.
Already, he has been stripped of critical levers of power: he has no control over the local governments in the state, he is not in charge of the House of Assembly, and, if the feelers I’m getting are anything to go by, he is unlikely to be in full control of his cabinet either. Having been politically weakened on all fronts, it would be unwise and indeed provocative to further deny him a re-election ticket. In our recent political history, the only governor who was denied a second-term ticket on the basis of non-performance was Chinwoke Mbadinuju of Anambra State under the PDP in 2003. So far, no one can say Fubara hasn’t performed, as such, non performance cannot be adduced as a reason should they decide to strike. My point is, if they do, as being planned, it will be on the basis of politics, a development that may trigger another round of political unrest in the state.
With the benefit of hindsight, Fubara would have already seen the end of Wike’s dominance in Rivers politics, if not for Wike’s current status as a minister, backed firmly by the very man who appointed him.
The special adviser on media to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Ejimofor Opara, has criticized Peter Obi over his recent remarks concerning the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, describing the comments as “careless and self-serving.”
Opara made his remarks known in a statement posted on Facebook and titled “One Statement Too Many — Peter Obi Slaps Finland and Nigeria’s Judiciary.”
Opara argued that the presidential flagbearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) comments are a direct insult to the judicial institutions of both Nigeria and Finland.
The backlash follows Obi’s recent declaration made from Maryland, USA, claiming that there is no valid justification for Kanu’s continued detention.
Opara pointed out the irony in Obi’s position, reminding the public that the former Anambra governor has historically been a significant beneficiary of the legal system.
He stated that “Peter is a product of the Nigerian Judiciary,” referencing how the courts restored Obi’s gubernatorial mandate in 2006 and intervened again in 2007 after political maneuvers threatened his office. According to Opara, Obi should be an ambassador for the judiciary rather than attacking it to pander to criminal elements, warning that “for a man going into a major election, pandering to terrorists is not an advantage.”
The Governor’s aide further emphasized that Obi’s criticism completely undermines the painstakingly transparent legal processes carried out by international and domestic courts. He noted that the judiciary intentionally permitted a live broadcast of Kanu’s final proceedings “precisely to avert careless statements like the one Obi made.”
Opara added that Obi is willing to jeopardize institutional integrity solely to advance a “futile personal ambition,” asserting that the presidential hopeful now owes an open apology to both the Nigerian judiciary and the courts in Finland.
His words, “Even if the judiciary pretends not to have seen Obi’s gaffe, history books will not forget that persons like Obi existed solely to destroy institutions and individuals who made them, just to advance a futile personal ambition. Peter owes both the Nigerian Judiciary and the courts in Finland an open apology.”
It can be recalled that in September 2025, a Finnish district court sentenced Simon Ekpa, Kanu’s protégé to six years in prison for using illegal means, weapons, and explosives to promote the independence of the purported Biafra region.
Shortly thereafter, in November 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment after convicting him on seven terrorism-related charges, ruling that his broadcasts explicitly incited deadly violence against security forces and citizens in the region.Nigerian investment opportunities
In a video making the rounds on social media, the clergyman was preaching during one of the church’s services when he spoke to his congregation about his passing
According to him, if the rapture is delayed, his death is likely to happen on a Sunday. He said he would attend church, worship God, dance, and rejoice before returning home.
In the recording, the respected cleric added that after getting home, he would eat pounded yams and then peacefully depart.
One of the reasons he spoke about his death was while preaching on healing and good health. According to him, it is possible for a person to remain healthy for the rest of their life and not necessarily become sick before dying.
He further stated that when God heals a person completely, such an individual may never have to battle illness again.
Watch the video here
Seven students of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, have been abducted by suspected bandits who invaded their off-campus residence located on the outskirts of the Low-Cost area of Kaura Namoda town.
The Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Hon. Mannir Haidara Kaura, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, stating that security agencies had launched operations to secure the safe return of the abducted students.
“The incident occurred, and security operatives are currently carrying out rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped students,” Haidara said.
One of the students of the institution, Ibrahim Ahmad, disclosed that one of the abducted students had managed to escape, leaving three male and three female students still in captivity.
Meanwhile, a group known as the Concerned Citizens of Kaura Namoda expressed alarm over what it described as the worsening security situation in the area, allegedly perpetrated by a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Bello Dansadiya, and his gang.
In a statement, the group recalled previous incidents, including the abduction of two senior lecturers who were held captive for more than two months despite the payment of ransom.
It also cited the kidnapping of three residents and a district head from his residence located near a military base.
“Alarmingly, all these victims are reportedly still being held in a well-known bandit camp around Dajin Yamma, yet no rescue operations have taken place. Where are the fighter jets and armoured vehicles?” the group queried.
The Zamfara State Police Command also confirmed the abduction, saying security operatives had intensified efforts to rescue the victims.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the incident occurred at the students’ residence on the outskirts of the Low-Cost area of Kaura Namoda.
He confirmed that one of the victims escaped, while efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining six students.
According to him, the institution itself remains well secured.
“The school premises have been fortified with adequate security personnel, making it extremely difficult for bandits to penetrate,” he said.
Explaining how the incident happened, Abubakar said one of the students reportedly stepped outside at night to relieve himself and inadvertently left the door open.
“One of the students went outside during the night, claiming he wanted to urinate. In the process, he left the door open. Coincidentally, bandits passing through the area entered the house and abducted the students,” he said.
The police spokesperson added that members of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, had launched a coordinated rescue operation.
“Our VCRU personnel, together with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, are working to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students,” Abubakar said.
-Source: Daily Trust
Marketers, Depots Release New Petrol Prices as Dangote Refinery Slashes Price
JUST IN: Makinde Announces Death of Soldier During Oyo Pupils Rescue Operation
JUST IN: Saraki Gets Fresh Appointment
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
I’m A Married Man, I Can Never Get Myself Involved With Such A Thing, Delta Gov Aide Reveals Why He Offered Comfort ₦500,000 Job
Lagos Imposes ₦250,000 Fine For Illegal Waste Disposal
-
News2 days agoIslamic New Year: Full List of States Declaring Public Holiday Revealed
-
Business1 day agoPetrol Prices Drop As Dangote Refinery Announces New Rate
-
Politics2 days agoFULL LIST: APC Governorship Candidates for 2027 Elections Emerge
-
Politics2 days agoBREAKING: Kenneth Okonkwo Dumps Atiku, Gives Shocking Reason
-
Business10 hours agoJUST IN: Saraki Gets Fresh Appointment
-
Uncategorized2 days agoBREAKING: Niger Governor, Bago Declares One-Day Public Holiday
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: Court Orders INEC to Deregister ADC, Four Other Political Parties
-
Politics2 days agoBREAKING: APC Suffers Major Defeat as PDP Wins 20 LGAs in Council Election