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?”
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has published the names and personal particulars of presidential candidates who will contest the 2027 general election.
Daily Voice gathered that the list puts the number of presidential candidates at 19, with each candidate accompanied by a nominated running mate.
The publication brings further clarity to the field ahead of the presidential election and places the candidates’ credentials and other personal information before the Nigerian public.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking another term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Vice President Kashim Shettima remains his running mate.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is contesting under the African Democratic Congress, ADC. The former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is his running mate.
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is also on the list. Obi is contesting under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.
The publication also includes the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which is fielding Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate. Umaru Babangida is listed as his running mate.
African Action Congress, AAC, has Omoyele Sowore as its presidential candidate, with Haruna Garba Magashi as his running mate.
Other candidates include former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, with Buba Musa as his running mate.
The National Democratic Party, NDP, is represented by Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori, while Uchenna Anthony Chukwuemeka is listed as her running mate.
The Young Progressives Party, YPP, is fielding Anita Zugwai Chukwu as its presidential candidate, with Egbeola Olawale Mertins as the vice-presidential candidate.
Rufai Adekunle Omoaje is the candidate of the Action Alliance, AA, while Shehu Hussaini is listed as his running mate.
The Boot Party has Sunday Adenuga as its presidential candidate and Usman Turaki Mustapha as his running mate.
Samuel Memeh is contesting under the Democratic Liberty Alliance, DLA, with Alex Balogun as his running mate.
Daniel Danerechukwu Nwanyanwu is the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, presidential candidate. Hassan Khalid is listed as his running mate.
The Labour Party, LP, is fielding Sunday Chibuzor Okereke, with Hajja Bintu Konto as his running mate.
Iken Esther Okereke is the presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement, NRM, while Samuel Magdalene Gali is the vice-presidential candidate.
Abbas-Bin Aliyu is contesting under the Action Democratic Party, ADP, with Chinazam Ike as his running mate.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, is represented by Suleiman Mohammed Dikwa, while Abubakar Isah is listed as his running mate.
The Social Democratic Party, SDP, is fielding Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo, with Usman Mohammed Bugaje as his running mate.
Seyi Makinde is listed as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, with Ibrahim Adamu Bala as his running mate.
The Action Peoples Party, APP, has Kabiru Yusuf as its presidential candidate, with Peace Egobia Ofordile as his running mate.
The publication of the candidates’ details followed the requirement for INEC to make the particulars submitted by political parties and their candidates available for public scrutiny.
The documents contain information such as dates of birth, educational qualifications, occupations and other personal details supplied by the candidates.
The exercise gives political parties, candidates and members of the public an opportunity to examine the information submitted to the electoral commission.
It also provides an important reference point ahead of the commencement of the next stage of the electoral process.
According to INEC, the publication of candidates’ particulars is tied to the provisions of the Electoral Act. Section 29(3) requires the commission to publish the personal particulars of nominated candidates after receiving the relevant nomination documents.
Tinubu is seeking to retain the presidency for the APC after winning the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku is returning to the presidential contest on a different platform after leaving the PDP for the ADC coalition.
Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election, is also returning to the race under the NDC.
Moreover, the information released by INEC contains qualifications ranging from primary and secondary school certificates to university degrees and higher academic qualifications.
For instance, Tinubu’s submitted particulars include a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University.
Shettima submitted records of his primary and secondary education, as well as degrees in agricultural studies, while Atiku’s documents include his First School Leaving Certificate, West African School Certificate and a master’s degree in International Relations.
Amaechi also submitted details of his academic background, including his university education and legal qualifications.
Obi’s records include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Kwankwaso’s credentials include a Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering from Kaduna Polytechnic and his National Youth Service Corps certificate.
Recall, INEC had earlier fixed the presidential and National Assembly election for February 20, 2027, before subsequent revisions to the electoral timetable.
The commission’s current online election calendar lists January 16, 2027 for the Presidential and House of Assembly election and February 6, 2027 for the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
INEC has also urged political parties, candidates and voters to follow the approved timetable and comply with the rules governing the electoral process.
A former House of Representatives aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Danjuma, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Danjuma, popularly known as Garkuwa Babba, was the ADC aspirant for the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency and also served as National Chairman of the ADC House of Representatives Aspirants Forum.
He announced his defection after meeting with Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, Naija News understands.
During the meeting, Danjuma declared his support for the APC and pledged to mobilize his political network and grassroots supporters for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said he would support Governor Yahaya’s senatorial ambition, the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna, and other candidates of the party.
Danjuma said his decision to leave the ADC was largely influenced by Yahaya’s leadership, performance and development record in Gombe State.
He praised the governor for what he described as tangible development across the state, saying his achievements had boosted confidence in the APC and reduced the appeal of opposition parties among voters.
According to him, joining the APC was a deliberate move to support continuity, stability and further development in Gombe State.
Receiving Danjuma, Governor Yahaya welcomed his decision to join the APC, describing the development as a major boost for the party.
The governor assured the new APC member and his supporters of an inclusive and united party, stressing the importance of unity, loyalty and collective effort.
Yahaya said the APC remained open to individuals and groups who shared the vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Gombe State.
He added that Danjuma’s political experience, network and grassroots reach would be valuable to the party.
The governor also urged APC members and stakeholders to remain united, saying the strength of the party depended on its ability to accommodate different interests while working towards the development of Gombe State.
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