Political Rift Deepens Over Allegations Against Governor Fubara The ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State has taken a new turn as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) express conflicting opinions on the accusations against the embattled Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The controversy escalated when Dr. George Nwaeke, former Head of Service in Rivers State, made damning allegations against the governor. His claims have sparked political tension, drawing both criticism and demands for proof. The Allegations Against Governor Fubara Dr. Nwaeke, who recently resigned from Governor Fubara’s administration, alleged that the governor orchestrated the 2023 bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment. He also claimed to have witnessed a financial transaction involving Edison Ehie, Fubara’s Chief of Staff, to facilitate the attack. In addition, Nwaeke alleged that Fubara was planning to sabotage oil facilities in the Niger Delta, intending to discredit the Bola Tinubu-led federal government. According to him, the governor had made statements hinting at his control over pipeline security and suggested mobilizing local groups for destruction. Further claims included a supposed secret meeting where Fubara allegedly discussed backing a northern candidate in the 2027 elections, potentially Bala Mohammed. Nwaeke’s wife, Florence Nwaeke, later expressed concern over her husband’s safety, hinting that he might have made the allegations under duress. PDP: “Nwaeke’s Allegations Are Politically Motivated” The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Sydney Gbara, dismissed the allegations, stating that Nwaeke had been influenced by political opponents. Gbara argued that the former HoS should provide verifiable proof if his claims were true. “If these allegations were valid, why didn’t he resign earlier? He remained in government until now, making these statements suspicious. He must present evidence to substantiate his claims.” Gbara further stated that Rivers State was experiencing extreme political turmoil, with every action now politicized. He believes the accusations are part of a larger plan to destabilize Fubara’s administration. APC: “The Allegations Are Serious and Must Be Investigated” On the other hand, the APC spokesman, Ikenga Chibike, insisted that the allegations should not be taken lightly. He called on security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into Nwaeke’s claims. “As a former Head of Service, Nwaeke had direct access to the governor and his operations. His claims should be examined seriously rather than dismissed outright.” Chibike further emphasized that Nwaeke was known for his integrity and would not make frivolous accusations. Governor Fubara’s Response Governor Siminalayi Fubara has since denied all allegations, labeling them as a politically motivated attack. He dismissed Nwaeke’s statements, alleging that his former aide had been compromised. Political Implications and the Way Forward This controversy highlights the deep divisions within Rivers State politics, with former allies turning against each other. The accusations could have significant consequences, especially if security agencies decide to investigate further. For more political updates and in-depth analysis, visit LMSINT MEDIA. Stay tuned for more updates on the Rivers State political crisis! READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the former Governor of Kano State and Chairman of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), has dismissed the latest opposition coalition, claiming it lacks the structural framework needed to pose a significant challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. In a statement released on Friday, Shekarau described the coalition as an informal gathering of political aspirants rather than a well-coordinated merger with substantial backing from major opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP). “The alliance of certain opposition members appears promising at first glance. However, this so-called coalition does not have the endorsement of PDP or LP leadership,” Shekarau remarked. He further stated that the coalition is primarily driven by individual political figures rather than established party structures, which significantly diminishes its ability to challenge APC’s dominance. Comparison with APC’s 2013 Merger Shekarau compared the current coalition’s efforts to the successful merger in 2013 that led to the formation of the APC. He emphasized that unlike this new coalition, the APC was formed by merging four officially registered parties—the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). “The APC was not just a spontaneous formation. It was a well-structured political merger involving parties with elected governors, legislative members, and solid grassroots support,” Shekarau explained. Weak Influence in the National Assembly Shekarau also highlighted the passage of the controversial State of Emergency law for Rivers State as evidence of the coalition’s lack of influence over opposition lawmakers. “The National Assembly’s approval of the ‘State of Emergency’ in Rivers State on March 20, 2025, exposed the coalition’s inability to control opposition legislators. If they had real political influence, the APC wouldn’t have secured the required votes,” he argued. Lessons from the 2019 Coalition Failure Citing history, Shekarau recalled the failed opposition alliance of 2019, which saw ten political parties unite against the APC but collapse due to a lack of inclusivity and strategic planning. “The 2019 coalition was launched at the Yar’Adua Center nearly a year before the elections, yet no PDP leaders attended. Without the full engagement of opposition party structures, no amount of informal alliances will make an electoral impact,” he cautioned. Opposition’s Internal Weaknesses Shekarau dismissed the notion that APC’s strategy of absorbing opposition members is solely responsible for weakening the opposition. He argued that internal party mismanagement plays a significant role. “It is naive to blame APC’s recruitment of opposition members as the main reason for opposition weakness. If opposition leaders were committed, they would work on strengthening their parties, securing funding, and mobilizing grassroots support instead of defecting,” he stated. A Call for Genuine Opposition Strategy Despite his criticisms, Shekarau maintained that the opposition still has an opportunity to reorganize and compete effectively in the 2027 elections if they prioritize unity and strategic planning. “It’s not too late. If the opposition embraces a clear vision, strong leadership, and a unified front, they can still position themselves for success in 2027,” he concluded. Read more about the history of political party mergers in Nigeria. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed that he harbors no envy toward President Bola Tinubu, whom he accuses of causing suffering for Nigerians. Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, was responding to recent statements from the presidency, which alleged that he was envious of Tinubu. On Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, criticized Abubakar for his consistent disapproval of Tinubu’s economic strategies. Abubakar has frequently condemned Tinubu’s economic measures, describing them as a “collection of policies” lacking clear plans for effective implementation. In a statement released on Monday by Phrank Shaibu, his special assistant on public communication, Abubakar asserted that Tinubu tends to implement policies without adequately considering their potential impact. “On July 8, 2024, Tinubu declared that import duties on essential goods such as food would be suspended for 150 days. Yet, over 120 days have passed without the policy taking effect, while Nigerians continue to suffer from escalating costs, including food inflation, which now exceeds 40 percent, the highest in decades,” the statement noted. The statement continued, “The blatant disregard for government policy by Tinubu’s appointees, coupled with the finance ministry’s failure to issue a gazette even after four months, highlights the ineptitude and lack of seriousness that typifies the Tinubu administration. “Regrettably, instead of prioritizing governance, they focus on attacking opponents—Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi—while using compromised courts to create discord within the opposition. It’s disgraceful. “Tinubu came to office ill-prepared. He makes decisions first and contemplates the outcomes later. This is evident in the abrupt removal of the petrol subsidy without adequate safety measures. “When he witnessed the resulting impact, he hastily proposed a CNG initiative that neither he nor his ministers have fully embraced, which explains their reluctance to utilize it. The CNG initiative remains stalled due to the absence of necessary gas infrastructure in many states. “It is absurd to suggest that Atiku is envious of Tinubu. Absolutely not—Atiku could never be jealous of Tinubu’s actions that inflict pain on Nigerians. READ ALSO: NAF Airstrikes Free Hostages, Devastate Bandit Camps in Zamfara and Kebbi “Cruelty seems to be the unique trait of Tinubu. No leader who genuinely prioritizes the welfare of Nigerians would covet such an attribute.” Abubakar also highlighted that Nigeria currently has the “worst-performing currency in Africa” and ranks as the fifth-largest economy on the continent, a significant decline from its top position when the All Progressives Congress (APC) took power in 2015.
