Fubara meeting wit Tinubu na sign say peace don dey near for Rivers politics?
Dis meeting wey hold bypass di Minister of di Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for di political tok-tok, wey dey fuel speculations wey dey make many pipo dey feel say di suspended governor fit dey reinstated soon.
Di meeting, wey hold behind closed doors for di President private Bourdillon residence for Ikoyi, Lagos, mark di second known meeting between Tinubu and Fubara in recent times.
Di first meeting na a four-hour meeting wey happun for London. E hold while di President bin dey recover from medical treatment in Germany.
One tin wey dey noticeable from both meetings na di absence of Nyesom Wike, di political godfather and critic of Fubara, wey don also admit say e bin no dey aware of di President plan to declare a state of emergency for di State wey happen on 28 March 2025, more than two months ago.
Wike later confam for one media chat say e no bin dey consulted bifor di suspension of democratic institutions in Rivers State.
Di imposition of emergency rule for Rivers State, wey President Tinubu announce after prolonged political unrest, lead to suspension of all elected institutions and di appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd) as sole administrator—a move wey don draw sharp criticisms from civil society groups, legal scholars, and opposition politicians.
'Handshake no mean anytin until di State of emergency dey lifted' - Ann Kio Briggs'
One of such pesins wey don criticise dis imposition of di State of emergency and a elder for Rivers State na Ann Kio Briggs, a notable Niger Delta rights activist.
She tell BBC Pidgin say a handshake between Governor Fubara and President fit mean a lot of tins but until di State of emergency dey lifted and democratic rules reinstated for di State, e no make sense.
Ann Kio Briggs say di State of emergency for Rivers still no dey acceptable and wen she see di picture of di handshake between Fubara and Tinubu, e still no remove di reality of di impact of di state of emergency on di State and di pipo.
"No be about a handshake wit di President but na about weda di President understand wetin dey go on for Rivers State.
Na about di President listening to di pipo of Rivers State and more critically, na about wetin Governor Siminialayi Fubara dey prepared to do for di pipo of Rivers State and to realise say just becos pesin dey prepared to do somtin no mean say dat na di best tin for di pipo, if di pipo no agree wit am.
Foto dem wey di presidency release afta di meeting show Tinubu and Fubara dey smile, a gesture wey many pipo feel say fit signal say negotiations dey progress behind di scenes.
'Na good sign for Rivers State' - Henry Ekine
For Henry Ekine wey be lawyer and di National legal adviser, Committee for Human Rights, say di handshake between Fubara and Tinubu na good signal as govnor Fubara wey still be di elected govnor of Rivers State get right to visit and interact with di President.
E tell BBC Pidgin say e dey okay to speculate say such visit fit give an indication of a possible truce and lifting of di suspension on di Governor.
Ekine say Section 305 of di Constitution wey President Tinubu rely on to declare di State of emergency na to di effect say di State of emergency fit dey lifted at any time, even a day after di proclamation. So e no mean say e must complete di six months wey bin dey declared bifor di emergency fit dey lifted.
"E dey possible say about three months into di State of emergency di President fit exercise dat discretion or power again to even lift di State of emergency, but e dey important to note say di President fit lift a part of dat State of emergency e declare.
"Di possibility dey say di President fit lift di suspension of di Governor of Rivers State and di House of Assembly while di State of emergency go continue until di six months end.
"I bin don tok bifor say di State of emergency fit dey declared without suspending di governor or di House of Assembly. So e mean say di governor fit dey called back to office and di State of emergency continue for di remaining three months.
"Seeing di President and di govnor of Rivers State in dat very cordial posture for di picture na clear indication say peace fit dey very close, especially as di Governor sef don tok say discussions dey go on. Dat na di best for Rivers State." E tok.
Any end in sight?
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Ibas Rtd still dey kontinu to act as usual, wey dey raise concerns say di emergency rule fit dey extended or institutionalized.
On Tuesday, e announce di appointment of 11 new permanent secretaries for Rivers State, wey e swear in on wednesday and dis action dey further deepen fears say di interim arrangement fit become permanent.
Despite public silence from both di presidency and di governor media teams regarding di meetings, political observers note say di timing, wey dey come just few days to Democracy Day, dey suggest a calculated effort to restore normalcy while managing di internal gbege within di PDP and di broader political implications for 2027.
Wetin Wike don tok so far?
For media chat on Monday, Wike say e no get any personal grudge against Fubara but insist say di govnor go align imself wit individuals e describe as "enemies of di State," wey include former PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, former Transportation Minister Dr. Abiye Sekibo, and former lawmakers Austin Opara, Lee Maeba, and Celestine Omehia—eey hin be former allies but now don turn rival.
Wike tok and contradictions don further shake di political waters for Rivers becos as e dey call for loyalty to President Tinubu leadership, e also dey lament say e dey sidelined from critical decisions regarding im home state.
Wetin Governor Fubara don tok so far?
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara dey mainly silent since all dis tins dey happun.
Wen e handover of state affairs to di sole administrator, Fubara urge im supporters to remain calm and avoid divisive actions.
During Late Pa Edwin Clark night of tributes, e lambast some of di pipo wey dey protest about di State of emergency and criticise to dey careful with wetin dem dey tok and to ask am weda eem don check with am to see if e gree with dem?
E say im spirit don comot for Goment House but e still dey committed to di peace process and to work in di best interest of di State but say e for good if pipo no use dia actions and toks to spoil di peace process Wey dey ongoing.
For im Democracy Day massage on 29 May, e praise Tinubu for intervening in di political crisis and tell di pipo of di State to keep hope alive.
As June 12 dey approach, all eyes dey on di presidency to see weda President Tinubu go lift di emergency rule and restore democratic governance in Rivers - or e go kontinu to play di long game for di political gameboard?
Na wetim di pipo dey wait to see.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
18 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The leaked phone call that could ring the changes for one of Thailand's most powerful dynasties
It was a call to someone she considered an old family friend. When Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra picked up the phone to Hun Sen, the powerful former leader of neighbouring Cambodia, she was trying, she says, to ease tensions that had erupted over a border dispute. Instead their conversation, curiously published in full by Hun Sen himself after an initial clip was leaked, has sparked a fresh political crisis in Thailand that could signal the end of her premiership and significantly dent the position of her family, the powerful Shinawatras. It is also likely to usher in a new chapter of political uncertainty in a country prone to military coups and judicial warfare. On Tuesday, the constitutional court suspended Paetongtarn from office pending an ethics investigation, just days after 10,000 people took to the streets demanding her resignation. The leaked phone recording has caused outrage in Thailand, where Paetongtarn's critics feel she is, at best, too politically naive to protect her country's interests – and, at worst, a traitor. In the recording, Paetongtarn can be heard addressing Hun Sen as 'uncle', saying that if there were anything he wanted, she would 'take care of it' and criticising a senior Thai military commander. Paetongtarn, 38, had never served in government before she became prime minister less than a year ago. She took office only after after her predecessor Srettha Thavisin was disqualified by a court ruling. The Shinawatras – no stranger to street protests, punitive court rulings or even military interventions – have weathered many political storms before. The family's patriarch, former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006, has remained one of Thailand's most influential, and controversial politicians, even after spending more than 15 years in self-imposed exile. But Paetongtarn, Thailand's youngest prime minister, took office at an especially difficult moment, presiding over an unlikely coalition formed after her father struck a Faustian bargain a year earlier, through which his party joined with his old enemies to form a government. The controversial arrangement was mutually beneficial, allowing conservatives to keep a new threat – the youthful pro-reform Move Forward party – out of office. Thaksin, who had been in self-imposed exile to avoid corruption charges, returned to the country without spending as much as 24 hours in prison. Still the uproar this week has sparked questions about whether the latest crisis could mark the final chapter for the powerful Shinawatra dynasty. 'I think the elite have become more and more confident that they might not have to rely on Thaksin any more,' says Pavin Chachavalpongpun, professor at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University. 'Paetongtarn will eventually be overthrown in whichever way … they have run out of representatives from the Shinawatra dynasty,' Pavin says. Even if other relatives step forward, in his view 'Thai people have had enough'. Paetongtarn is now the fourth in her family to be prime minister, but over the years she has witnessed her family's power wax and wane. As a student, Paetongtarn lived through Yellow Shirts protests that rallied against her father and eventually forced him from power. Later, in 2008, Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat was prime minister briefly, but was dismissed by a court ruling. Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, who served as prime minister from 2011-2014, was also removed by a court order, followed by a coup, in 2014. Many of the protest leaders who rallied against Paetongtarn on Saturday are veteran activists who once rallied against her relatives. The focus of the anti-Paetongtarn protests is, however, different from those in the past. 'There are legitimate reasons for staging a protest to insist on the prime minister stepping down,' said Dr Napon Jatusripitak, visiting fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 'But of course, in a political context like Thailand, protests take on a life of their own.' There is concern that if rallies escalate and become unmanageable, they could be used as a pretext for a military coup – though most analysts do not consider this to be an immediate threat. There are other steps that could be taken to permanently oust Paetongtarn or protect elite interests, including the filing of court cases. 'At this stage, the conservative establishment hasn't exhausted all its options. We haven't yet gone through the full circle of protests, judicial interventions yet,' said Napon. The same day that Paetongtarn was suspended, her father Thaksin also appeared in court to face lese majesty allegations. Thaksin had likely hoped the case, which relates to comments he made to South Korean media in a 2015 interview, had gone away. Thaksin first rose to power in 2001, and developed a loyal support base among voters in the country's poorer, rural north-east after offering policies that improved livelihoods. But he was loathed by the military royalist establishment, and a long-running power struggle between the two sides has led to a cycle of protests, military and court interventions ever since. Even before the current crisis, Pheu Thai, the party founded by Thaksin, was already struggling to deliver on its election promises, while its decision to make a deal with its old enemies threatened its credibility. In the short term, deputy prime minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, has taken over as caretaker while the constitutional court considers the case against Paetongtarn. Wanwichit Boonprong, political scientist at Rangsit University, said the Pheu Thai-led government will seek to do 'everything to prevent the dissolution of parliament because the government party is not ready to run in the election'. Even if Paetongtarn survives the constitutional court investigation, other bodies including the anti corruption agency, may launch their own inquiries. Protest groups may also continue their rallies. Paetongtarn is, said Wanwichit, considered 'politically bankrupt'. It is unclear what happens next – and whether Thaksin will be able to strike a deal. And the family's old-friend-turned foe, Hun Sen, may also continue to cause trouble from across the border. He has previously threatened to 'expose' comments made to him by Thaksin, which he claims include insults to Thailand's powerful monarchy. The details of such remarks, if indeed they do exist, is yet to be seen. 'If you act arrogantly, I will expose everything you told me,' he said.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Profile of ADC, why opposition leaders choose am as di rival party for 2027?
All eyes for Nigeria now don turn to di African Democratic Congress (ADC) afta di political party emerge as di anchor party for di opposition coalition to try to remove President Bola Tinubu from office for di 2027 general election. Di official announcement happun on Wednesday for di Shehu Yar'Adua Centre for Abuja, wia dem also announce former Senate President David Mark, and former govnor of Osun State Rauf Aregbesola as interim national chairman and secretary of di party. Dis na di most ogbonge move wey di opposition politicians don make so far since di tok-tok about a possible joinbodi start. However, many pipo still get questions about dis ADC party, how e come into existence, dia performance for former elections, and why dem chose am as di vehicle wey go carry di coalition. ADC brief history Founded in 2005 as di Alliance for Democratic Change by Mr Ralph Nwosu - a politician from Awka, Anambra State, in di southeast region of Nigeria - di party later change dia name to African Democratic Congress and dia slogan na 'Arise and Shine Nigeria'. Inec register dem in 2006 ahead of di 2007 general elections wia di party bin get candidates but dem no win any position. Dia first presidential candidate na Professor Pat Utormi who get just about 50,849 votes for dat election. Dia first win bin come in di 2011 elections wia dem win some five seats for di National Assembly. From di 2007 general election till date, di ADC don dey field presidential candidates for each election, as follows: Di ADC primary election for di 2023 general election bin cause plenty controversy as two big aspirants - former deputy guvnor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu and Dumebi Kachikwu. Eventually, Kachikwu win di primary and contest di election wia e get only 78,930 votes. Crisis in di ADC Like many political parties for Nigeria, di ADC dey also go through serious gbege wey many political sabi pipo say e fit affect dis new opposition joinbodi. In 2022, Justice Binta Nyako of di federal high court Abuja bin sack Ralph Nwosu as di national chairman of di ADC, and pronounce one Ms Patricia Akwashiki as di authentic National Chairman of the party. Di judge also grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining oga Nwosu and im National Working Committee from parading diasef di National Chairman and NWC members of di party. Even though oga Nwosu bin appeal di judgement, e no dey clear weda di higher court bin reverse di decision. Already, Ibe Kachikwu, presidential candidate of di ADC in 2023 don tok say Ralph Nwosu no be di national chairman of di ADC and say di opposition joinbodi wey e dey lead no go get head. Kachikwu say e go challenge di "hijack" of di ADC by "some old politicians" for court. APC mock di joinbodi Di ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who bin win power in 2015 sake of a similar joinbodi of different opposition parties, don wave off dis ADC movement and describe am as a joke. Bayo Onanuga, di tok-tok pesin for President Tinubu, say di former APC politicians wey join di ADC na pipo wey bin don comot for di party years ago sake of dia personal interests. "Diz politicians na desperados, hungry for power, not for di benefit of Nigerians but for diasef. Dem want power at all costs because dem no fit endure anoda four years for di political wilderness ..." Anoda big APC member and di Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, say dis ADC joinbodi tin na di best pathway for APC to retain power by di next general elections. Keyamo say di law forbid one pesin to be member of two political parties di same time, so di politicians wey embrace di ADC don already disqualify demsef from di elections. "Wen di dust go settle, you go discover say di PDP and di Labour Party don lose sometin, di ADC only gain sometin wey be like caricature, but di APC lose absolutely notin," Keyamo tok. E continue say: "Wetin all of dis mean be say since di 2023 elections, di APC don dey stronger, but di opposition parties don dey fragmented and bicom weaker. Evribodi gatz make sacrifices - Peter Obi Presidential candidate of di Labour Party for di 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, bin dey present for di event on Wednesday wia dem unveil di opposition coalition. However, e no dey clear weda he go now resign from im Labour Party and join di ADC. Obi tok for a post on im X handle say di commitment of di joinbodi group na "to sacrifice and work together towards di 2027 General Elections, to make sure say Nigeria go get competent, capable, and compassionate leadership". "No one group fit change Nigeria alone. To dismantle di structures wey don keep our pipo for poverty and insecurity, we must build bridges, not walls even wen dose bridges no dey easy," Obi tok. Meanwhile, former Minister of Transport Chibuike Amaechi don announce im resignation from di APC to join di ADC. Amaechi who bin contest di APC presidential ticket wit Tinubu, tell tori pipo say e resign from di APC on Tuesday, and even bifor den, e neva attend dia meeting. "Di last time dem invite me to dia meeting, I cut dem warning," Amechi tok. "I bin neva believe say Tinubu na material to govern di kontri. "Nigeria don dey completely destroyed. Pipo no fit eat. Money no dey to buy food. Evritin don scatter. Inflation dey very high. And di federal goment dey busy going around trying to hijack di election," Amaech tok.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
African Democratic Congress: Nigeria's Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi form new party to challenge Bola Tinubu
Nigeria's two main opposition leaders have joined a new political party to challenge President BolaTinubu and his ruling party in the next Abubakar and Peter Obi have chosen the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their new political home after breaking away from their respective parties - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP). This is one of the biggest shake-ups in Nigerian politics since the end of military rule in political heavyweights from Tinubu's All Progressives Congress (APC) party have also thrown their weight behind the new political movement. Why have they formed a coalition? The announcement of the ADC is the culmination of a series of talks between the leaders to put up a united front in the 2027 election, rather than splitting their vote. Tinubu won the 2023 election with just 37% of the vote after opposition supporters were divided between Abubakar who got 29%, and Obi with 25%.Obi had broken away from the PDP after the party chose Abubakar as its presidential candidate. At the unveiling of the ADC, interim chairman David Mark said it was an attempt to save the country's democracy and to stop Nigeria from becoming a one-party the PDP and LP are also battling internal crises which some believe were instigated by external Shehu Iliyasu said Abubakar and Obi are learning the lessons of the last election."Both Atiku [Abubakar] and Obi felt they came so close in 2023 and would have maybe won on a joint ticket so they want to amend their mistake by working together this time around," he told the BBC. Who are the main characters in the ADC? Tinubu's biggest challengers in the last elections, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are the face of the there's a long way to go before candidates are officially announced, political commentators are predicting that Abubakar will have another shot at the presidency - it would be his fifth attempt - with former Anambra governor Obi as his vice-presidential political heavyweights in the coalition include former Senate President David Mark, who like Atiku is leaving the PDP, former Tinubu ally turned foe Nasir El-Rufai and powerful minister in the last dispensation Rotimi Amaechi. What are their chances in 2027? Analyst Ben Kenneth say he believes the coalition has a better chance of defeating Tinubu than last time."If you look at what Atiku and Obi got in the last election, it's clear to see that they would've won assuming they worked together, so it's a good thing they have realised they need each other,' he noted. However, another analyst Sani Hamisu feels Tinubu has a better chance now than in 2023."In Nigeria and Africa, when a leader is in office seeking a second term, he hardly loses, it is very rare and that's why I feel Tinubu has a better chance now than when he wasn't in office in 2019," he said. Is the ruling party worried? The ruling party says it is not bothered in the least by the coalition which it does not see as a real chairman Ali Bukar Dalori told BBC Hausa the coalition would have no impact on the APC."Nobody is talking about a coalition except in Abuja. Even in Abuja, they are in a hotel, and when they are defeated in elections, they will leave the country," he said. What are the main political parties saying? The country's biggest opposition party, the PDP had since ruled out joining the coalition, preferring to face the APC on its Labour Party also called on its supporters to remain focused and resolute behind the party, denying any plans to join a coalition. More BBC stories on Nigeria: Nigeria's major tax overhaul explainedWhat is behind the wave of killings in central Nigeria?Culture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
