Politics
Wike using his influence to undermine democracy in Rivers – CHRICED
The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, describing the ongoing political drama orchestrated by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as a “shameful circus.”
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, on Wednesday, CHRICED accused Wike of manipulating state institutions and using his influence in the Presidency to undermine democratic governance in Rivers State.
“At the center of this turmoil is Nyesom Wike, whose disruptive actions continue to destabilize Rivers State,” CHRICED stated.
“Despite holding no constitutional role in the state’s administration, Wike has positioned himself as an unelected overlord, orchestrating political drama and exploiting his relationship with the Presidency to undermine democratic institutions.”
A key issue raised by CHRICED is the recent trip of suspended Rivers State lawmakers to the United Kingdom for a supposed “capacity building” program.
The organization questioned the legality and funding of the trip, insisting that it was nothing more than a diversionary tactic to distract from the democratic crisis at home.
“This UK trip is nothing more than a diversionary spectacle, a shameful circus at the expense of the suffering people of Rivers State,” the statement read.
“While the state faces democratic decay, these suspended lawmakers and their enabler indulge in luxury abroad, disconnected from the crisis they have helped create.”
The human rights group also criticized the Nigerian Police for violently suppressing peaceful protests by Rivers residents who have been demanding accountability.
“The deployment of tear gas to suppress citizens peacefully demanding justice is a grave violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and assembly,” CHRICED added.
“Such repression is unacceptable in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned.”
CHRICED further denounced the role of the Rivers State military administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), accusing him of unconstitutional actions, including appointing 23 local government administrators and setting up the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
“As an unelected occupant of the Rivers State Government House, Ibas has no authority to make such appointments. His actions represent a direct affront to the will of the people,” the organization added.
Calling for urgent federal intervention, CHRICED warned that the silence of the Federal Government was enabling a dangerous precedent where certain individuals act above the law.
“Rivers State is not at war, but it is bleeding, wounded by political excess, greed, and unconstitutional interference,” the statement read.
“The people of Rivers deserve peace, justice, and leadership that reflects their will, not one imposed through backdoor manipulations and foreign retreats.”
CHRICED concluded by demanding the immediate restoration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s democratically elected government and the dismissal of Wike as FCT Minister.
“Nyesom Wike and Ibok-Ete Ibas are liabilities to democratic governance and national stability. Let Rivers breathe! Let democracy prevail!,” the statement concluded.
A faction of Accord Party has held its own governorship primary, where Mr. Clement Bamigbola emerged as the faction’s governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election.
This is coming just four days after the emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the party’s flag-bearer.
Recall that the party under the leadership of Maxwell Mgbudem, on Wednesday, held a similar exercise which produced Governor Ademola Adeleke as the party’s candidate.
However, a faction of the party rejected his emergence, insisting that Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem is not the legally recognized national chairman of the Accord Party.
In a fresh development on Sunday, about 300 delegates of the Accord Party from across Osun State elected Bamigbola as the factional candidate during a primary held at Regina Suite, Osogbo.
Bamigbola emerged through a voice vote conducted by the delegates, after which the Chairman of the Primary Committee, Hon. Olufemi Ogundare, declared him the party’s candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
President Bola Tinubu and leaders of ECOWAS countries are currently meeting in Abuja.
The 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government is taking place at the State House Conference Centre, in Abuja.
Leaders of West African countries at the meeting include President Julius Bio (Sierra Leone, ECOWAS Chair), President Patrice Talon (Benin), José Maria Neves (Cabo Verde) and Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire).
Others are Adama Barrow (The Gambia), John Mahama (Ghana), Umaro Embaló (Guinea-Bissau), Joseph Boakai (Liberia), Bassirou Faye (Senegal) and Faure Gnassingbé (Togo).
The meeting is coming against the backdrop of five turbulent years for West Africa, which saw coups in Mali (2020, 2021), Burkina Faso (twice in 2022), and Niger (2023).
The latest incidents include an attempted coup in Benin on December 7, 2025, and renewed instability in Guinea-Bissau.
At the time of filing this report, details of the meeting are yet to be disclosed.
Politics
Breaking: Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death, Warns Against Politicisation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Saturday while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Reacting to the incident, the governor condemned what he described as widespread misinformation and speculation on social media, warning against any attempt to politicise the deputy governor’s death.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor,” Diri said.
“If anyone truly loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.”
The governor further urged the public to focus on mourning and honouring the late deputy governor, noting that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in his honour.
“If anyone is issuing statements to eulogise him, let it end there. Let us mourn him because Bayelsa State is in a mourning mood,” he added.
Governor Diri also called for unity and love among the people, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Speaking during the condolence visit, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a committed and dedicated individual who played a key role in the activities of his foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programs,” Jonathan said, adding that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly in that role, even more than when he served as deputy governor.
The man who tackled a gunman to the floor and saved people from getting sh0t at Bondi Beach in Australia has been identified as Ahmed al Ahmed.
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