Wike Slams Fubara Over Budget Delay, Accuses Him of Prioritising 2027 Ambition

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sharply criticised Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara over what he described as the neglect of governance and an excessive focus on political positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.

Wike, speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, accused the governor of failing to properly discharge his constitutional duty by delaying the presentation of the state’s appropriation bill while allegedly concentrating on his second-term ambition.

“The governor is yet to submit his budget to the House of Assembly, but he is busy pursuing his second-term ambition,” Wike said.

He warned that continued delay in presenting the budget could cripple governance in Rivers State, stall development projects, and affect the delivery of essential public services.

The exchange is the latest escalation in the prolonged political conflict between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which has split the Rivers State House of Assembly into rival factions and created parallel legislative alignments.

At the centre of the crisis is a struggle for control of the legislative arm, with one faction led by Martin Amaewhule and aligned with Wike, and another group previously recognised under Victor Oko-Jumbo, which has been sympathetic to Fubara.

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In December 2024, Fubara presented a ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget proposal to the Oko-Jumbo-led faction. However, legal and political disputes over the legitimacy of both factions have since complicated budget implementation and governance processes in the state.

The crisis escalated further following a Supreme Court judgment delivered in February 2025, which affirmed earlier Federal High Court orders restricting access to Rivers State’s federal allocations. The apex court directed the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to withhold statutory allocations to Rivers State until due constitutional processes are followed, particularly the presentation of the budget before the properly recognised House of Assembly leadership.

Following the ruling and intervention efforts by President Bola Tinubu, Governor Fubara wrote to the Amaewhule-led Assembly seeking a new date for the presentation of the 2025 budget. In a letter dated March 13, he requested a convenient sitting date to comply with the court directive.

However, tensions persisted when Fubara arrived at the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt with members of his cabinet but was reportedly denied access, despite claims that prior communication had been made.

The Rivers State House of Assembly, aligned with the Wike-backed faction, later insisted that the governor had not fully complied with the Supreme Court judgment. Lawmakers subsequently directed him to re-present the 2025 budget properly before the recognised Assembly leadership.

They also accused Fubara of inconsistency in handling correspondence regarding the budget presentation, deepening the mistrust between both arms of government.

The ongoing standoff has intensified concerns over governance paralysis in Rivers State, with analysts warning that the feud between Wike and Fubara could further destabilise administrative functions if unresolved. Observers say the crisis reflects a broader struggle for political control in the state ahead of the 2027 election cycle, with both camps accused of positioning themselves for long-term influence.

Despite reconciliation efforts reportedly initiated at the federal level, the dispute continues to shape legislative activity, budget implementation, and political alignment within Rivers State.

Wike Slams Fubara Over Budget Delay, Accuses Him of Prioritising 2027 Ambition

Davido Suspends Music Activities to Mobilise Votes for Adeleke’s Re-election

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has announced a temporary suspension of his music activities for two months to support the re-election campaign of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

Davido made the declaration on Tuesday in Ede during the inauguration of the Imole Youth Campaign Mobilisation Team, where he said his decision was driven by both family ties and what he described as confidence in the governor’s performance in office. He noted that the administration still has ongoing projects and responsibilities that require continuity.

He explained that his involvement in the campaign goes beyond familial relationship, stressing that it is also motivated by his belief in the governor’s leadership and developmental efforts across Osun State.

Davido said his goal is to mobilise strong grassroots support for the re-election bid using youth engagement, community outreach, and influence across different parts of the state. He added that the youth structure would play a central role in reaching voters at the grassroots.

He urged members of the campaign team to intensify door-to-door mobilisation across all local government areas in Osun State, encouraging them to directly engage residents and communicate the achievements of the Adeleke administration.

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According to him, the campaign should also focus on presenting the government’s future plans in a clear and relatable manner, particularly to young people and rural communities.

Davido further stressed the importance of unity within the campaign structure, noting that effective coordination among youth leaders would be key to achieving electoral success.

The Imole Campaign Council Youth Committee, which he chairs, includes Adeshina Kayode Olododo as Vice Chairman and Hon. Gbenga Idowu as Secretary.

The committee also features federal constituency coordinators representing Osogbo, Ife, Ijesha South, Ijesha North, Ila, Ifelodun, Ede/Ejigbo, Irewole, and Iwo constituencies, tasked with overseeing mobilisation efforts across the state.

According to the campaign structure, the committee is responsible for driving youth engagement and grassroots mobilisation across all 30 local government areas of Osun State.

The development highlights the growing role of celebrity involvement in Nigerian politics, particularly in state elections where public figures are often used to boost voter outreach and political visibility.

Governor Adeleke, who assumed office after the 2022 Osun governorship election, is seeking re-election amid rising political competition ahead of the August poll.

Davido’s temporary withdrawal from music is widely viewed as a strategic boost for the campaign, given his strong influence among young voters and his large social media following.

Davido Suspends Music Activities to Mobilise Votes for Adeleke’s Re-election

Melaye: Obi Can’t Handle Nigeria If He Can’t Face Party Crises

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dino Melaye, has criticised Peter Obi over what he described as frequent party switching, arguing that it raises questions about his ability to handle Nigeria’s challenges if elected president.

Melaye made the remarks in a post on X on Wednesday, days after Obi reportedly exited the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He said Obi’s repeated movement between political platforms suggests a tendency to avoid internal party crises rather than confront and resolve them.

According to him, a leader who cannot endure political pressure within party structures may struggle to manage the complexities of governing a country like Nigeria, which he described as far more demanding than internal party disputes.

Melaye also alleged that the NDC is being used as a political tool by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken and divide opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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He further claimed that Obi has not consistently participated in competitive party primaries, arguing that his political career has largely benefited from consensus arrangements or party selections rather than internal contests.

In his social media post, Melaye stated that Obi “excused himself from tough situation,” adding that his inability to remain within turbulent party environments raises concerns about how he would handle national governance challenges.

He also used a metaphor comparing governance to a “hot kitchen,” suggesting that Obi prefers less demanding political environments and may struggle under intense pressure.

The comments come amid ongoing political realignments within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, where debates over coalitions, defections, and emerging parties have intensified ahead of the 2027 elections.

Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi has not publicly responded to Melaye’s remarks as discussions within opposition circles continue to grow.

Melaye: Obi Can’t Handle Nigeria If He Can’t Face Party Crises