Emphasising the critical role of the media in safeguarding democracy, he described the nation’s airwaves as the “primary infrastructure of our democracy,” urging broadcasters to act responsibly in the lead-up to the polls.
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Fubara, Wike meet truce panel as lawmakers give condition to halt impeachment
This happened as Sunday Vanguard gathered, at the weekend, that the two major principal actors in the crisis, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and his estranged godson, Fubara, have shown a considerable sign of backing down after meeting with the peace and reconciliation committee set up by the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, to proffer solution to the crisis.
A credible source revealed that the 7-man peace committee, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), otherwise known as the Agabi Peace Committee, first met with Wike in Abuja last Thursday before having another round of three-hour interface with Fubara on Friday in Port Harcourt.
The committee, which had earlier met with the Chairman of Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, a very close ally of the FCT Minister, also met with elders and leaders from both Wike and Fubara camps yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Fruitful
“So far, those meetings were very fruitful,” the source said, adding: “Don’t forget that before now people had made public statements. A lot of things were said, but the outcome of those meetings is very encouraging. I can say that there is hope. A real renewed hope. Rivers people respect this committee and I will appeal to Nigerians to allow these illustrious sons and daughters of the Niger Delta region to do their work.”
The Agabi Committee was inaugurated in Abuja, last week, to reconcile the two warring parties and turn in its report within two weeks for further action. It is expected that the Port Harcourt meeting with the elders would proffer a workable solution to bring the political impasse in the state to an end.
The source said that If Wike and Fubara had refused to meet with the committee, for instance, “then there would have been a genuine reason to be afraid that the effort would not yield a positive result”. “He emphasised: “But right now, things are going on very well and there is every reason to hope for the best outcome.”
Fresh Facts
Meanwhile, there may be a fresh reason why the lawmakers, including the four who earlier called for a political solution to the crisis, suddenly rescinded their earlier call for impeachment.
Sunday Vanguard investigations revealed that the lawmakers want to extract a genuine commitment from the governor that they would be given return tickets in the 2027 general elections.
Defection of Atiku’s son: Symbolic coup to APC, personal matter to family
“There is nothing like a gross misconduct against the governor. What these people (lawmakers) want is the assurance that they will return to the Assembly next year. With this attitude of theirs to the governor, they are not sure of coming back. That is the assurance they want. That is the agreement they are talking about,” a key player who pleaded anonymity said.
“If you can recall, this whole problem started when Governor Fubara defected to the APC last December. They knew that the governor would have his automatic ticket in APC and if they don’t get that assurance, then they would be dead politically.”
The player went on: “Wike also wants the same commitment from President Bola Tinubu. He wants to return as a minister. If Fubara wins second term and Wike loses his appointment, he would be dead politically. The minister said so himself. That is why he is using the Assembly to press home his demand from the President.”
He revealed that while the impeachment may not see the light of day beyond the level it has reached, “the minister no more has a direct access to the President. He can only use the Assembly to bargain for his political future.”
APC
In a related development, the state chapter of All Progressives Party, APC, has urged the state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to obey the ruling of the state High Court, which issued an order restraining him from receiving any correspondence from the Speaker of the state Assembly, the Clerk of the House or any other person on the bid to impeach Fubara and Odu.
The Assembly, on Friday, said it had transmitted a letter to the Chief Judge to set up a 7-man panel to investigate allegations the gross misconduct leveled against Fubara and Odu.
But the Chief Emeka Beke-led APC, yesterday, said, having analyzed the issues leading to the latest step taken by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to proceed with the Impeachment process, “we note that Honourable members who trumpeted loyalty to our party and Mr President can give themselves to the unfolding choreographed legislative coup d’etat against the collective interest, growth and development of our party in the state.”
The statement, signed by Darlington Nwauju, spokesman for the party, called on the “Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State to respect yesterday’s interim injunction in Suit No OYHC/7/CS/2026 that restrained him from receiving or acting on the resolutions of the Rivers State House of Assembly”.
It further said: “We warn again that this is a needless legislative overreach, having observed the recalcitrance on the part of members of the House of Assembly, including APC members.
“Thus, no matter how beautifully crafted the allegations against the Governor and his Deputy are, they are still very subjective in the court of public opinion. This unfortunate path chosen by the legislative arm therefore serves as dangerous footnote to the health and survival of the APC in Rivers State.”
The party, however, called on the national leadership of APC to immediately activate internal mechanisms available to the National Working Committee, NWC, under Article 21(b)(iii) of the 2022 Constitution (as amended) to save the party from an embarrassing situation.
50,000 Ijaw
Also, yesterday, it was learnt that more than 50,000 people of Ijaw extraction in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states have allegedly transferred their voting units to Rivers State preparatory to the governorship election next year.
Confirming this, President of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Dr Alaye Theophilus, said: “We are solidly with Fubara. He is an Ijaw man. Yes, over 50,000 Ijaw people of voting age have transferred their units to Rivers State. Nobody wants to take any chances. Fubara must go for second term.”
President of Ijaw National Council, INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba, equally called on the leadership of APC to take responsibility by protecting Fubara against impeachment.
“If Fubara is eventually impeached, then we will see this as a betrayal of the Ijaw nation and it will not be good for our democracy. Adams Oshiomhole had once said that the moment you join APC, your sins are forgiven. Why is Fubara’s own different? He must be protected,” he stated.
Wike-Fubara impasse
The Wike-Fubara crisis in Rivers State began as a bitter power struggle between the governor and his former political mentor. Although Wike helped Fubara win the governorship in 2023, their relationship quickly soured amid disputes over control of state politics, legislative cooperation and implementation of agreements they had reached.
The conflict deepened into a full-blown political standoff, with lawmakers loyal to Wike frequently clashing with the governor’s camp, leading to paralysis in governance and repeated legal and political battles between the executive and the legislature.
As part of that escalation, Governor Fubara has faced multiple impeachment threats by the Rivers State House of Assembly, largely aligned with Wike. Lawmakers have initiated impeachment processes at least three times since he took office, with the most recent proceedings beginning in early January 2026. In this latest phase, the Assembly initially moved to impeach Fubara and his deputy, Odu, then briefly paused and rescinded the push, only to later resume the effort. They also asked the state’s Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against both officials. However, a Rivers State High Court intervened, issuing an interim order restraining the Chief Judge from acting on the impeachment request, effectively halting the process for now.
Tinubu
Throughout the crisis, President Bola Tinubu has intervened repeatedly in attempts to contain the political deadlock and avert further instability. In March 2025, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy and the Assembly for six months and appointing a sole administrator to run the state. It was an extraordinary measure aimed at restoring order amid escalating tensions.
On September 17, 2025, the President formally ended the six-month state of emergency after declaring that conditions had sufficiently improved to justify a return to democratic governance. Tinubu explained that intelligence indicated a renewed willingness among stakeholders in Rivers State to engage peacefully in governance, and he did not believe the emergency should continue a day longer than the constitutional six-month period he had originally proclaimed. He has also engaged in mediation efforts between Wike and Fubara, although these truces have often been temporary as disputes resurface, such as in the current impeachment showdown and associated political fallout. (Sunday Vanguard)
A fresh leadership crisis has erupted within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the emergence of a new faction led by political commentator and activist, Alhaja Hafsatu Danladi.
Danladi, who declared herself chairperson of a faction of the ruling party, claimed to have assumed leadership amid what she described as a deepening internal crisis rocking the APC.
In a statement, she asserted that her faction had formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its existence and was seeking the derecognition of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) currently led by Nentawe Yilwatda.
“I, Alhaja Hafsatu Danladi, hereby assert my position as the true and authentic Chairperson of the APC,” she said, insisting that the current leadership structure lacks legitimacy.
Danladi further disclosed plans to approach a Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the legality of the existing party leadership, noting that the move was aimed at restoring due process and internal democracy within the APC.
She also revealed that her legal action would seek an order compelling INEC to withdraw recognition of the NWC under Yilwatda, which she described as an “illegitimate structure” overseeing the party’s affairs.
According to her, the step became necessary to safeguard the integrity of the party and ensure adherence to the rule of law.
The development adds a new twist to the ongoing internal wrangling within the APC, raising concerns about unity and stability in the build-up to future electoral contests.
According to him, the nature of electoral threats has evolved significantly, with digital platforms now playing a central role.
“In the 2027 General Election, the most dangerous weapon will not be a ballot-snatcher’s gun, but a smartphone-user’s lies amplified by an uncritical broadcast station,” he said.
The INEC chairman pointed to provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 designed to curb such risks, including requirements for equal airtime for all political parties and penalties for non-compliance.
“The Act mandates fairness and balance. You must provide a level playing field,” he stated.
He explained that media organisations that fail to comply could face fines of up to N5 million, while responsible officers risk possible imprisonment.
Amupitan also highlighted regulations governing political messaging, including a mandatory 24-hour “media blackout” before election day to limit last-minute voter manipulation. He added that the law criminalises hate speech and inflammatory content, warning against language capable of provoking religious, ethnic, or sectional tensions.
Despite these measures, he acknowledged ongoing challenges such as weak enforcement of regulations, the commercialisation of airtime, and the disproportionate media advantage enjoyed by incumbent political actors.
“Political actors with greater financial resources dominate broadcast space,” he noted, adding that this trend undermines equal access and fairness in the electoral process.
To address these concerns, Amupitan called for stronger collaboration between INEC, BON, security agencies, and the judiciary. He also urged media organisations to uphold higher editorial standards and prioritise accuracy over profit.
“Fact-check in real-time, mobilise voters’ turnout and choose professionalism over profit,” he said.
He concluded by stressing that modern elections are no longer fought solely at polling units, but also in the information space, where public perception can be shaped long before votes are cast.
Amupitan spoke hours after the opposition led a massive protest at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso; Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential Candidate in 2023 and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) marched against INEC under Amupitan, on Wednesday.
The opposition leaders accused the INEC Chairman of working with the ruling party to scuttle ADC chances in 2027.
Amupitan has since denied the allegations.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE Television last week, he had said, ““Let me state very clearly that I’m not a part of anyone’s plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.”
On allegations that the commission did not handle the ADC leadership dispute well, the INEC chairman stressed that the commission acted strictly in line with judicial directives.
“If this judgment didn’t come, would I decide on my own? Even on social media, if you look at people who talk, they speak from their own interests,” Amupitan stated.
“The question is whether they lack confidence in what INEC has done. INEC didn’t make the decision that is causing these grievances.”
Appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi expressed confidence that the opposition party will overcome all hurdles ahead.
“One thing I can guarantee is that we will contest the 2027 election on the ADC platform,” Abdullahi said.
“Regardless of what has happened in Nigeria, we still have confidence in the judiciary. We believe we have a slam-dunk case. If we are granted the accelerated hearing today and the court sits, we are confident that justice will be done. We have no doubt in our minds about that. While we are hoping for the best, we are also preparing for the worst.”
The spokesperson maintained that, since the party had given INEC the recommended 21-day notice for its congresses, it has nothing to fear, adding, “If the same INEC that swore in an affidavit that it was aware of the leadership change in the ADC is now turning around to say what they are saying, they are not going to stop us.”
He emphasised that the party will not simply give up, warning that surrendering would make them complicit in the erosion of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
One-Party State Concerns
Abdullahi accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu of seeking to make Nigeria a one-party state, vowing that the ADC will resist such a development.
“We in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are saying that Nigeria will not become a one-party state in our generation. We will do everything within the law to resist it,” he said.
According to him, President Tinubu is aware of his unpopularity, and the ruling party’s internal polls have pushed it into panic mode.
“The APC has almost all the governors and lawmakers, but Nigerians do not want the party anymore,” he said.
Abdullahi further alleged that the ruling party is making efforts to destabilize opposition political parties because it wants a situation where Tinubu will be the only viable presidential contender in 2027.
“It is the same agenda. They want a situation whereby when we arrive in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the only viable contestant. This is the agenda.
“It is the reason they decapitated the PDP and made it an appendage of the ruling party now; it is the reason they destabilize the Labour Party; it is the reason they destroyed NNPP,” he said.
No Boycott
Asked if the ADC will join calls by some opposition parties to boycott the 2027 election, Abdullahi said the party will never do that.
“We are not going to boycott. Like I said, to boycott is to surrender. I mean, you boycott, you make headlines — then what?” he said.
He added that the ADC carries the hopes of millions of Nigerians who have endured hardships over the last three years and will not disappoint them by boycotting a process that could improve their lives.
Legal Backdrop
In September 2025, Gombe sued at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the legality of the NWC led by David Mark and Aregbesola.
He claimed he should have assumed leadership after Nwosu resigned and alleged that Nwosu’s resignation letter was f week, INEC removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola as chairman and secretary of the ADC from its portal, citing a court order to maintain the status quo.
Abdullahi insists that the process that brought the David Mark-led ADC to power is “clear” and “legal.”
The ADC, which was adopted as a coalition party in July 2025, is positioning itself to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
The party counts prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rabiu Kwankwaso among its supporters. (Channels TV)
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