Photo: Governor Fubara, President Tinubu,and Nyesom Wike

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has pledged to restore peace between him and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, assuring his predecessor that he would avoid actions that could be interpreted as disrespectful.

This was the outcome of their yesterday’s closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, in Abuja.

Although President Tinubu had previously brokered a peace agreement between Wike and Fubara, political tensions resurfaced several months after the emergency rule was lifted.

President Tinubu convened the meeting as part of efforts to de-escalate the growing rift between Wike and Fubara.

Recently, a fresh impeachment move was initiated against Fubara by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly believed to be loyal to Wike.

The lawmakers accused the governor of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, alleged extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission and failure to comply with a Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the state legislature.

The Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, was also accused of reckless expenditure, obstructing the activities of the House, and permitting unauthorised persons to occupy offices within the Assembly complex.

The allegations followed earlier accusations made against the governor and his deputy before the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025, which resulted in the suspension of both officials for six months.

• Peter Obi address the protesters

Protesters on Monday besieged the entrance of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, insisting that electronic transmission of results is critical to strengthening trust in Nigeria’s elections.

The protest, tagged ‘Occupy National Assembly’, follows the Senate’s recent passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, during which the lawmakers rejected a proposal to make electronic transmission of results mandatory, a decision that has continued to attract criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures across the country.

The protest, organised by Nigerian youths, pro-democracy activists and civil society groups, was joined by Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election ( and now in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party.

Obi faulted the Senate’s decision and urged lawmakers to allow the electoral process to run without restrictions.

“Allow the election to go through the normal process. Whatever the outcome is, we will accept it. Why introduce confusion after the process?” he said.

Obi emphasised that the rejection of electronic transmission of results by the Senate undermines public confidence in the electoral process and raises concerns about transparency and credibility ahead of future elections.

The protesters called on the National Assembly to reconsider the clause in the interest of democratic integrity.

Participants at the demonstration included members of civil society organisations, women’s groups and a handful of members of the opposition , who converged at the main entrance of the National Assembly early on Monday morning.

A former member of the Abia State House of Assembly, representing Ukwa East Constituency, Chief Paul Taribo, along with Mrs Theresa Oxford Nwabara and their supporters numbering over 100, have defected to the Labour Party in the state.

Chief Taribo, who was until recently a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said that his decision to join the Labour Party was motivated by Governor Alex Otti’s achievements and his desire to contribute to the Governor’s re-election in 2027.

The former APC chieftain pledged his loyalty and commitment to the Labour Party, assuring members of his readiness to work to deepen the party’s presence and influence in Ikwueke East Ward and Ukwa East council Area.

The former APC chieftain pledged his loyalty and commitment to the Labour Party, assuring members of his readiness to work to deepen the party’s presence and influence in Ikwueke East Ward and Ukwa East council Area.

Chief Taribo expressed his confidence in Otti’s leadership style, vision, and developmental agenda, as well as that of the Chairman of Ukwa East council, Hon. Chibunna Akara.

He said; “I left my former party , the APC, to join the Labour Party, because I m motivated by the visible achievements of Governor Alex Otti and the desire to contribute to his re-election.

These are the major factors that informed my decision to align with the Labour Party.

”In his remarks, Chairman of Ukwa East LGA, Hon. Chibunna Akara described the ex-lawmaker as a valuable addition to the party, stressing that the Labour Party remains a broad, inclusive platform that welcomes all well-meaning individuals committed to service and development, regardless of their political background.