I withdraw from guber race for peace to reign in Rivers -Fubara

 

 

Rivers state Governor, Simi Fubara on Wednesday withdrew from the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship primaries.

In a statement, the Governor said he withdrew so that the peace in Rivers State would not be shattered.

 

Below is his statement:

 

 

MY DECISION TO WITHDRAW FROM THE RIVERS  STATE  GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARIES

 

 

 

Fellow Rivers People,

 

After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC gubernatorial primaries. I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party.

 

Leadership is ultimately about sacrifice. There comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good of the people. Rivers State is bigger than any individual, and at this critical moment, the peace, stability, and unity of our dear state must take precedence over every personal interest.

 

To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel. Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way. But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain. My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people.

 

As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose. It is enough to say that I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else.

 

I sincerely thank our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for the platform and support extended to me throughout this process. I also express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and encouragement.

 

The APC remains our collective home, and I urge all party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and committed as we continue to build a stronger and more united future together.

 

Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming River’s state Gubernatorial election not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity and I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers state till the end of my term.

 

Thank you, and may God bless Rivers State.

 

Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS

Governor, Rivers State

May 20, 2026 .

Tinubu still distrusts me over my past support for Obi – Cubana Chief Priest

 

 

Popular Nigerian businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu still views him with suspicion due to his support for Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election.

 

Speaking during a livestream with popular streamer Peller, Chief Priest addressed politics, loyalty, and his current relationship with the Tinubu-led administration.

 

“President Bola Tinubu does not really trust me as an Igbo man that I am. He looked at me with one eye because he believes that this one worked for Peter Obi before at the last election,” he said.

 

Chief Priest explained that he later switched support to the All Progressives Congress (APC) because he did not want to remain on what he described as the “losing side” politically.

 

Responding to questions about why he stopped supporting Obi, he said: “Because I don’t want to lose again because they say first fool not be fool, na the second fool be proper fool.”

 

Looking ahead to the 2027 presidential election, Chief Priest dismissed Obi’s chances, stating that the former Anambra governor was “not serious” and insisting that “serious people will win.”

 

The remarks have sparked mixed reactions online. Some critics accused the Chief Priest of political opportunism, while others framed his comments as reflective of Nigeria’s highly competitive political climate.

 

Chief Priest was among several celebrities who openly supported Obi and the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 elections before later aligning with Tinubu and the APC.

 

He recently obtained an APC nomination form to contest a House of Representatives seat but reportedly withdrew shortly before the primary election.

 

This latest revelation adds to ongoing debates about loyalty, political realignment, and celebrity influence in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. Starnews.

I won’t accept results, Delta APC primaries manipulated to favour preferred candidates — Ned Nwoko

 

Senator Ned Nwoko has rejected the primary election result of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries in Delta North, Delta saying it was manipulated to favour selected candidates.

In an interview, the Delta North senator expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the primaries, insisting that the process lacked fairness, transparency and credibility.

“I wouldn’t accept. Because I have a mandate. I have a mandate by the people,” he declared.

He insisted that the exercise was compromised from the onset through coordinated efforts allegedly designed to produce predetermined results.

 

“The process was manipulated from day one. The State Government. It’s something that they conspired to produce results,” Nwoko stated.

 

Nwoko claimed that his political camp was in possession ward-by-ward results and video evidence from the primary election, adding that the materials had already been forwarded to relevant authorities for proper review and investigation.

 

He  dismissed a viral video showing former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, being declared winner, arguing that the footage represented only one ward out of the 98 wards involved in the exercise.

 

“I want you to understand something. The video that you saw, where Ifeanyi Okowa was announced as the winner, was just one video from one ward out of 98 wards. Maybe they should show us other videos. They must show us the figures,” he said.

He explained that his earlier decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stemmed from frustrations over alleged political restrictions imposed on him by the Delta political establishment.

 

“I was in PDP. I got elected as a PDP Senator. But I realized that my people there, the Governor Okowa himself, didn’t allow me to operate freely,” he said.

 

The embittered lawmaker expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would intervene in the matter, while reaffirming his loyalty and commitment to the APC.

 

“I’m not going to say I’m going to work against the party; I’m going to work for the party. But I can assure you of this: I’m sure that the President will intervene in this matter,” he added.

Sunrisereporters.

Tinubu must borrow to build infrastructure, fix economy, – Daniel Bwala

 

 

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, has defended the Federal Government’s continued borrowing from international financial institutions, insisting that Nigeria is not yet in a dangerous debt situation despite growing public concern.

 

Bwala made the remarks in an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday, responding to reports that many Nigerians had flooded the World Bank’s Instagram page, urging the global lender to halt loans to Nigeria.

 

“The World Bank, IMF, and other global experts have continually said Nigeria’s borrowings are still in amber, not red. We’ve been able to establish a revenue ratio. It’s not much, but it’s not a danger signal,” Bwala said.

 

He explained that the government has limited funds to finance infrastructure and stimulate economic growth, making borrowing necessary. “We do not have sufficient funds to deal with infrastructure and stimulate the economy, so we have to do what we have to do. Borrowing is part of it,” he added.

 

Addressing the social media backlash, Bwala suggested that some critics might have political motives given the approaching election season. However, he acknowledged that citizens have the right to express their concerns.

 

“Leadership cannot be guided solely by social media opinions,” he said. “We must act according to law, due process, and expert advice. The World Bank, IMF, and experts have said our borrowing is amber, not red. It is not a danger.”

 

Bwala also compared Nigeria’s borrowing to that of other countries, including the United States, emphasizing that borrowing is a common practice worldwide.

 

He concluded that the Tinubu administration sees borrowing as essential for financing infrastructure and capital projects needed to reposition the economy.

 

“On our own part, we know we have to invest in infrastructure, we know we have to invest in capital projects, and that is why we are borrowing. Borrowing is not leprosy,” Bwala said.

 

The government continues to face criticism over rising debt amid economic hardships, inflation, and the removal of fuel subsidies. Starnews.

Kaduna NDC backs proposed Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, vows to defeat APC in 2027

 

 

The Kaduna State chapter of the National Democratic Congress NDC has declared support for a proposed presidential ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that the alliance could unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress at both the national and state levels.

 

The declaration was made on Wednesday during the party’s first expanded joint executive committee meeting held in Kaduna, the state capital.

 

The meeting brought together key stakeholders of the party, including governorship aspirants, National Assembly hopefuls, House of Assembly aspirants, zonal executives, local government chairmen and ward leaders from all 23 local government areas of Kaduna State.

 

Party officials described the gathering as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the NDC’s grassroots structures and position the party ahead of future political contests.

 

Speaking during the meeting, Kaduna State Chairman of the party, Mordecai Ibrahim, said the NDC was entering the political space with the objective of offering Nigerians what he called “genuine hope” after years of hardship under APC administrations.

 

According to him, the APC-led governments since 2015 had failed to improve the living conditions of Nigerians and had instead worsened economic hardship, insecurity and governance challenges across the country.

 

“We all know that the APC has dragged Nigeria and Nigerians 50 years backwards since it assumed power in 2015,” Ibrahim stated.

 

“Nigerians are indeed groaning today under President Bola Tinubu’s administration like the children of Israel groaned under Pharaoh’s slavery,” he added.

 

The party chairman argued that rising inflation, unemployment, insecurity and economic instability had deepened public frustration nationwide, creating an opportunity for alternative political movements to emerge.

 

He disclosed that despite not receiving widespread public attention in the past, the party had quietly built political structures across Kaduna State over the last several months.

 

According to him, the NDC had already established organisational structures in all 255 wards across the state and was preparing to formally unveil its state secretariat.

 

“We may not have been heard, but we have taken time to build our foundation to be solid and deeply rooted underground. Now it is time to announce our presence in the state,” Ibrahim said.

 

The chairman further revealed that the party had significantly increased its membership mobilisation targets ahead of the next election cycle.

 

He explained that the initial target of recruiting 500 members per ward had now been raised to 1,500 members per ward.

 

The new target, according to him, is aimed at helping the party register at least 1.5 million members across Kaduna State before October 31.

 

Ibrahim also announced new internal requirements for politicians seeking to join the NDC from other political parties.

 

According to him, defectors intending to contest elective offices on the platform of the party would first be required to formally resign from their previous political parties before becoming eligible.

 

The chairman expressed confidence that the party was positioning itself not only to take over power in Kaduna State but also to emerge victorious at the national level in the 2027 elections.

 

“With the calibre of aspirants we have gathered in the state, and our presidential candidate which is now obvious, our destination in NDC is Aso Rock Villa in 2027,” he stated.

 

The meeting also featured discussions on party unity, grassroots mobilisation and strategies for expanding political participation among youths and women.

 

Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, one of the governorship aspirants of the party, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, explained that the gathering was organised to consolidate the party’s structures and prepare members for the coming elections.

 

He said the meeting also served as an opportunity for aspirants and party officials to interact and align their political goals with the broader interests of the party.

 

“What we are doing here today is to see ourselves, have a conversation with our aspirants and also put before us that the party is supreme and that we have to build the party for us to win the election, not only in Kaduna but everywhere,” Abdulkarim said.

 

The governorship aspirant, who described himself as an ICT expert, disclosed that the party already had more than 30,000 officials spread across Kaduna State.

 

He added that members had collectively agreed to prioritise the growth and stability of the party above individual ambitions.

 

Abdulkarim also spoke about ongoing political alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election, claiming that the “Obidient Movement” had aligned with the NDC at the national level.

 

According to him, Peter Obi had already secured the party’s presidential ticket while discussions were ongoing regarding the selection of Kwankwaso as his running mate.

 

“Our principal, Mr Peter Obi, has already secured the ticket for NDC and hopefully his running mate will be Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” he stated.

 

He argued that a political alliance involving Obi and Kwankwaso would appeal strongly to Nigerian youths and voters seeking a new direction for the country.

 

“At least if you have these two people, every young man and young woman in Nigeria will believe this is exactly the kind of combination we want — people who care about education and are trying to lift young people,” Abdulkarim added.

 

The aspirant also expressed concern over what he described as increasing religious division and political tension within Kaduna State.

 

He called on residents of the state to embrace unity and peaceful coexistence regardless of ethnic or religious differences.

 

“We want Kaduna to return to what it used to be. We believe the diversity God gave Kaduna is meant to give it an edge above other states,” he said.

 

Political observers say the endorsement of a possible Obi-Kwankwaso alliance reflects growing conversations among opposition groups seeking broader coalitions capable of challenging the APC in the next general election.

 

Both Obi and Kwankwaso emerged as influential political figures during the 2023 presidential election, attracting significant support among youths and voters dissatisfied with Nigeria’s traditional political establishment.

 

Analysts believe any future alliance between the two politicians could reshape opposition politics ahead of 2027, especially in Northern and Southern regions where both leaders maintain considerable political influence.

 

However, neither Obi nor Kwankwaso had officially confirmed any joint presidential arrangement with the NDC as of the time of filing this report.

 

The APC has also not responded to the comments made by NDC officials in Kaduna regarding the party’s plans for the 2027 elections.

 

Political stakeholders are expected to continue monitoring developments as opposition parties intensify consultations, coalition talks and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the next electoral cycle. Ngorladi.

2027 Presidency: Don’t fall into enemy’s trap, Lamido warns Jonathan

 

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has cautioned former President, Goodluck Jonathan, against yielding to calls from political elites and Nigerians to contest in the 2027 general elections.

Lamido, in a post via his Facebook page, described the current political atmosphere in the country as murky and dominated by unserious, self-seeking and self-serving characters.

Lamido, one of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged Jonathan not to succumb to the ego-caress calls, insisting that he should remain partisan.

 

According to him, while the appeals for Jonathan’s return may be appreciated, they amount to a “desperation call” lacking depth and long-term vision.

 

Lamido added that the growing calls urging Jonathan to return to active politics were largely driven by frustration over the country’s current challenges, rather than by any well-structured political ideology. Newspot.

2027: NDC clears Peter Obi for presidential primaries

 

 

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has cleared Peter Obi to take part in the party’s presidential primary election.

The NDC screening committee, led by former Ebonyi governor Sam Egwu, cleared Obi in Abuja on Tuesday.

 

Obi announced the development in a post on X on Wednesday.

 

He wrote: “Yesterday, May 19th, I went to Abuja for the Presidential screening arranged by our party, and it lasted more than two and a half hours.

 

“They took the time to look over all my papers, such as my degree certificates, NYSC documents, and age declarations. While I was talking, I also answered questions about what I imagine for a new Nigeria and the kind of leadership our country really needs at this moment.

“After that, I was approved and got the presidential nomination form that I had paid for earlier.

 

“I want to praise the screening committee, headed by former governor Sam Egwu, for their careful and professional work. I also want to thank our party’s leaders for supporting the democratic process. A New Nigeria is POssible.”

Newspot.

2027: Peter Obi reacts to Goodluck Jonathan joining presidential race

 

 

Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has reacted to reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan has joined the 2027 presidential race.

 

Speaking to journalists immediately after his screening in Abuja, Obi said he was not in any way looking at who is contesting.

 

The ex-Anambra State governor added that he was only focused on building a better Nigeria, where the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody.

 

“Democracy is about people offering themselves for service and being voted for. I’m not in any way going around looking at who is contesting. I’m concentrating on how to build a better Nigeria.

“My priority ahead of the 2027 presidential election is to build a united, secure and prosperous Nigeria through inclusive governance anchored on the constitutional principle of federal character. Newspot.

We are not united as a nation; my goal is to bring Nigeria together – Obi

 

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said that uniting the country will be his foremost priority if he is elected President.

He also said that he believes that good governance should ensure that mothers no longer live in fear regarding the safety of their children.

 

Obi stated these after completing his party’s screening process by the Party to contest the next presidential election.

According to him, the path to achieving his vision begins with fostering unity across the nation, emphasising the importance of adhering to the Nigerian Constitution, which promotes federal character and inclusivity.

A secure and united country, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party said, is essential.

 

“We want mothers to feel safe when their children head to school or work. We envision a Nigeria where travel throughout the country can be done without fear. Many Nigerians currently go to sleep uncertain about their next meal, and this situation must be transformed.”

 

“Politicians are too focused on upcoming elections while the citizens are suffering. This has to change,” he added.

 

He highlighted the need for a nation where public resources are not turned into private wealth, insisting that a strong fight against corruption is crucial for the benefit of all citizens.

 

The former Governor of Anambra State also discussed the length of the screening process, clarifying that it reflects true democratic practices.

“The NDC is committed to doing things right. The purpose of the screening was to ensure candidates meet constitutional qualifications and can provide necessary documentation,” Obi explained.

 

Regarding his status as the sole candidate, Obi commented, “I don’t know if anyone else has submitted an application. Until the party officially names me as the only candidate, that remains to be seen.”

After the screening, Obi commended the screening committee headed by the former Governor of Ebonyi state Dr Sam Egwu for doing a thorough job and being very professional.

He also commended the party’s leadership for upholding democratic principles.

You cannot govern by hiding corpses, Atiku tells Tinubu

Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar has condemned in the strongest possible terms the abduction of schoolchildren and educators in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and the brutal killing of innocent Nigerians in Katsina State, including a pregnant woman, describing the tragedies as further proof that Nigeria is bleeding under a government that has reduced leadership to post-tragedy press statements.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he was particularly heartbroken by the news of the gruesome murder of one of the teachers abducted in the Ogbomoso kidnapping incident, describing the continued bloodshed across the country as not merely a breakdown of security, but a frightening collapse of leadership at the highest level.
“At a time when armed criminals are abducting schoolchildren, slaughtering innocent citizens, and turning communities into graveyards, President Tinubu’s response remains the same tired ritual: condemn the killings, threaten that the perpetrators will face the ‘full wrath of the law,’ and then wait for the next massacre.
“Nigerians have heard this script too many times. It has become painfully predictable and utterly meaningless.
“President Tinubu must stop governing by obituary statements.
“Enough of the recycled outrage. Enough of the empty threats. Nigerians are dying, and this government keeps responding with press releases.
“A President who only finds his voice after blood has been spilled is not leading but presiding over failure.
“The horrifying abduction in Ogbomoso and the gruesome killings in Katsina are not isolated incidents. They are part of a grim national pattern in which criminals operate with terrifying confidence because they no longer fear the Nigerian state.
“When terrorists can invade schools, abduct children and teachers, butcher pregnant women, sack entire communities, and disappear without consequence, it is because the authority of the state has collapsed.
“What comfort is ‘the full wrath of the law’ to families already burying their loved ones? What solace is another presidential statement to parents now terrified that sending their children to school may be a death sentence?
“Even more disturbing are reports suggesting deliberate attempts to suppress images and documentation of these atrocities from reaching the Nigerian public.
“If this government is indeed more interested in censoring evidence of mass killings than in preventing the killings themselves, then that is not merely incompetence — it is cruelty of the highest order.
“No serious government hides the blood of its citizens to protect political optics.
“A government that cannot protect the living but seeks to censor evidence of their deaths has lost every moral right to govern.
“This is no longer just a security failure. It is a moral failure. A leadership failure. A national disgrace.
“Nigerians deserve more than performative outrage and ceremonial condolences. They deserve a government that can protect lives, defend communities, and act before tragedy strikes — not one that merely reacts after the damage is done.”
Atiku called for the immediate rescue of all abducted victims in Oyo State, urgent and decisive security action across vulnerable communities, and a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s increasingly ineffective security architecture. Sunrisereporters.