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Wike Signals Renewed Political Showdown in Rivers as Tension Mounts Ahead of 2026

Published

2 days ago

December 28, 2025

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike

Wike Signals Renewed Political Showdown in Rivers as Tension Mounts Ahead of 2026

Fresh political tension in Rivers State may be looming following comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, suggesting that the long-running rift in the state is far from resolved.

Wike’s remarks have cast doubt on the sustainability of the widely publicised political truce between him and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, fuelling speculation about a possible return to open political confrontation as 2026 approaches.

The former Rivers State governor spoke on Saturday during a meeting with political stakeholders from Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas, shortly after a thanksgiving service organised by Chibudom Nwuche, Chairman of the South-South Development Forum, in Ochigba community, Ahoada East LGA.

Addressing his supporters, Wike declared that full-scale political activities would resume from January 2026, a statement that immediately triggered reactions across the state’s political landscape.

Without naming individuals, the FCT minister criticised some political actors he accused of enjoying the benefits of the 2023 general elections without taking risks when it mattered most. He alleged that many who now openly identify with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu failed to publicly support him during the height of the campaign.

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“In 2023, it was difficult for so many people to come out and say, vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike said.
“But we did it when it was tough… we stood firm, and today that mandate is very strong.”

He questioned the credibility of those now praising the President, asking where they were during the peak of the electioneering period when political tensions were highest in Rivers State. According to Wike, such individuals neither spoke out nor mobilised their supporters in support of Tinubu.

Wike assured his loyalists that their sacrifices would not be forgotten, stressing that political loyalty is tested during difficult moments, not after victory has been secured.

Reaffirming his readiness for renewed political engagement, he told the gathering: “From January next year, we will start politics.”

The minister also spoke at length on political trust and agreements, insisting that he does not believe in deals that cannot be honoured.
“Agreement is agreement,” he said. “Anything you know you cannot do, don’t say it.”

Wike described himself as one of Nigeria’s most criticised politicians, attributing the scrutiny to his refusal to compromise on principles or abandon agreements once reached.

Despite the charged political undertone of his remarks, Wike reassured the people of Ahoada of his continued support, urging them not to be anxious and assuring them that events would unfold at the appropriate time. He also reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that his political alignment remains unchanged.

The event was attended by several prominent political figures, including Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Philip Aduda, Senator Wilson Ake, Senator Olaka Wogu, ambassador-designate Aaron Chukwuemeka, OCJ Okocha, Ferdinand Anabrabra, and other political associates.

The comments come amid lingering uncertainty over the fragile peace arrangement in Rivers State, which followed months of legislative deadlock, protests and federal intervention. Recent statements from key actors continue to raise questions about the durability of that settlement and the future of political stability in the state.

Wike Signals Renewed Political Showdown in Rivers as Tension Mounts Ahead of 2026

Related Topics:Featured Political Showdown Rivers Wike

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Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

Published

15 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Bello Muhammad Sani

Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

Suspected gunmen have launched a deadly attack on Gebbe community in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, leaving an undisclosed number of people feared dead and several others injured.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants struck suddenly, firing sporadic gunshots that threw the community into panic, forcing residents to flee to neighbouring villages and nearby bushes for safety.

Local sources disclosed that the exact number of casualties could not be immediately ascertained due to the scale of the attack and the displacement of residents. The incident has reportedly left the community, which has not experienced such violence in years, in a state of shock and trauma.

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Confirming the incident, the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said police operatives have been deployed to the area to assess the situation.

“The police are currently on ground to determine the number of casualties and injured persons. An official statement will be issued as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

Some residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that security agencies have mobilised to restore calm in the area.

Meanwhile, community members have appealed to the Kebbi State Government and security agencies to provide urgent intervention, describing the attack as unprecedented in the history of Gebbe community.

Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

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Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

Published

15 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu

Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

No fewer than three persons were killed and several others injured following violent clashes between youths and security operatives in Katsina metropolis, Katsina State.

The unrest reportedly began late on Friday, December 27, around 10:00 p.m., when police operatives raided suspected criminal hideouts in Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters in an attempt to arrest a suspected drug dealer identified as Uzairu, popularly known as Kuda.

According to the Katsina State Police Command, the suspect resisted arrest and raised an alarm that attracted suspected gang members, who attacked the officers in a bid to free him. During the ensuing struggle, a firearm was discharged, hitting Uzairu. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

Tension escalated the following day during Uzairu’s funeral procession, as youths allegedly clashed again with security personnel at the graveyard. Two persons were reportedly hit by stray bullets during the confrontation.

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Police authorities confirmed that one of the victims died on arrival at the hospital, while the second is currently receiving treatment.

Amid the violence, the youths allegedly set ablaze a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) outpost and attempted to burn a nearby police outpost before security reinforcements were deployed to the area.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, said the clashes resulted in the death of two civilians, while another injured victim is responding to treatment.

DSP Aliyu explained that during the initial raid, the police team was attacked, an operational vehicle was damaged, and several officers sustained injuries. He added that one policeman was stabbed with a knife while suspects attempted to disarm him.

“During the struggle to secure the rifle, a shot was released, hitting and injuring the suspect, who later died in the hospital,” he said.

He further disclosed that on December 28, suspected miscreants hijacked the funeral procession, attacked security personnel, burned the NSCDC outpost, inflicted a deep machete wound on a policeman, and damaged a police patrol vehicle.

The police spokesperson said calm has been restored following the deployment of additional police and NSCDC personnel to the area.

DSP Aliyu added that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.

Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

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Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos

Published

15 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos

At least two persons were killed and 16 others injured following a fuel tanker crash in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Sunday evening.

The accident occurred near the Polo Field Club Roundabout, close to St. Louis College, when a laden fuel tanker reportedly lost its brakes shortly after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout and rammed into several vehicles.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Peter Longsan, said emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to prevent further casualties.

According to Longsan, 18 persons were involved in the crash. Two male adults died on the spot, while 16 injured victims were rushed to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) for medical treatment. The corpses of the deceased were deposited at BUTH.

He explained that the accident was reported to the FRSC at about 6:49pm on December 28, 2025, prompting immediate rescue operations by the FRSC in collaboration with other security and emergency agencies.

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To avert a possible fire outbreak, the area was cordoned off and traffic diverted, while security agencies prevented looting. Fortunately, Longsan said there was no spillage of petroleum products, significantly reducing the risk of explosion.

Agencies involved in the operation included the FRSC, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, NSCDC, Operation Rainbow, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.

Following the rescue operation, the petroleum product was safely transloaded, damaged vehicles were removed, and the road was fully cleared, restoring traffic flow by Monday morning.

Commending the coordinated response, FRSC Plateau Sector Commander, Olajide E. Mogaji, praised stakeholders and community members for their cooperation and reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility.

He urged motorists to drive cautiously, especially during the festive season, and advised the public to report emergencies using the FRSC emergency number 122.