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No Sin in Politics: Wike Welcomes Fubara Back to Political Fold

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No Sin in Politics: Wike Welcomes Fubara Back to Political Fold
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike

No Sin in Politics: Wike Welcomes Fubara Back to Political Fold

FCT Minister says governor had “no other choice” but to return to political family that produced him, as reconciliation boosts Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday formally welcomed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara back into his political fold, declaring that “there is no sin in politics” and insisting that the governor had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that produced him. Speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing road projects across the Federal Capital Territory, Wike said Fubara’s decision to publicly align once again with his political camp was a step in the right direction, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election. “I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him. I have now been informed that he has made that declaration publicly, and we welcome him,” the minister said. “Our doors are open. Everyone is welcome for us to work together. There is no better alternative. We will all work together to move the state forward.” The FCT Minister dismissed suggestions that Fubara’s return amounted to forgiveness after months of political disagreement, saying politics should not be viewed in terms of wrongdoing. “I don’t know what you mean by sin. In politics, there is no sin. If someone realises they made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that. Politics is not a sin. What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and making the right decision.”

Wike recalled that he had predicted Fubara’s return during his last media chat, saying the governor had no alternative but to return to his political roots. “Our doors are open. Everyone is welcome for us to work together. There is no better alternative. We will all work together to move the state forward,” he said. The minister also said Fubara’s public declaration of reconciliation would strengthen efforts to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid. “He has publicly stated that he has returned to where he started, and we receive him with an open mind. There is nothing to hide. We will all work together to ensure that we deliver the votes President Tinubu needs for his re-election,” Wike said. Fubara had, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Rivien Medical Industry project in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State last week, announced that he had returned to Wike’s political family. The governor declared support for the Rainbow Coalition, endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, and urged his supporters to back all candidates of the coalition. “The time of war is over. It is now time for peace, and this peace is taking us to another level,” Fubara told supporters. The rapprochement caps a crisis that repeatedly tested Nigeria’s federal structure. The feud erupted months after Fubara took office in May 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, pitting him against Wike loyalists who dominated the State House of Assembly. It escalated into a prolonged standoff over control of the legislature, the local government system, and the state’s finances.

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On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the 32-member Assembly, and installing a retired naval chief, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, as sole administrator. The presidency cited a “total paralysis of governance,” security concerns over pipeline vandalism, and a legislative deadlock. The action drew more than 40 court challenges over its constitutionality and became one of the most contested executive decisions of Tinubu’s tenure. The emergency ran its full six months. During that window, the administrator conducted local government elections on August 30, 2025, in which the All Progressives Congress won 20 of the 23 councils, tightening the party’s grip ahead of 2027. President Tinubu lifted the emergency and reinstated the elected officials on September 18, 2025. Fubara’s realignment has since gathered pace. He formally joined the APC in December 2025, then withdrew from the party’s governorship primary in May 2026 after the national secretariat declined to clear him, paving the way for Hon. Kingsley Chinda to secure the ticket. His endorsement of the coalition now places the governor and his predecessor on the same side for the first time since 2023.

The minister spoke while leading senior officials of the FCT Administration on an inspection of major road projects, including the ongoing ISEX Road Corridor and the nearly completed Apo-Karshi Road, both regarded as strategic infrastructure expected to unlock development across large sections of the capital city. Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the ISEX Road, noting that construction commenced immediately after President Tinubu flagged off the project during the third anniversary commissioning of landmark infrastructure across the FCT. “This road was flagged off during the third anniversary commissioning. We came here today to assess the progress made since the flag-off, and as you can see, the contractor moved to site immediately after the ceremony,” he said. According to the minister, the contractor has assured the administration that the project will be ready for commissioning in December. “I believe them. They are committed to handing over this project by December. We will be very happy because this road will open up the entire area for development,” he stated. The minister also inspected the long-delayed ISEX Road project, describing it as one of the last major inherited infrastructure projects yet to be completed in the FCT. Awarded in 2014, the 10-kilometre road, complete with interchanges, has remained unfinished through successive administrations. Wike disclosed that the contractor had undertaken to complete six kilometres of the road and key interchanges before the end of the year, provided adequate funding is released. “We have appealed to the Minister of Finance because the project is already captured in the national budget. If part of the funds is released, the contractor will be able to meet the deadline,” he explained. He described the project as critical to the transformation of Abuja, saying discussions with the Federal Ministry of Finance would continue until the required funds are made available. “This project is very important to us because it will significantly change the landscape of the Federal Capital Territory.”

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The minister said the near completion of the Apo-Karshi Road and the expected delivery of the ISEX Road would mark the fulfilment of one of the administration’s major promises — to complete inherited projects rather than abandon them. “The Access (ISEX) Road will be the last major inherited project awarded by a previous administration to be completed. Once we achieve that, we can confidently say we have fulfilled our promise to complete projects inherited from previous administrations instead of allowing them to become abandoned.” Reflecting on the state of infrastructure when the Tinubu administration assumed office in 2023, Wike recalled that abandoned projects littered the capital city, slowing development and denying residents essential infrastructure. “The FCT is the nation’s capital, and having abandoned projects everywhere does not present a good image. When we assumed office in 2023, abandoned projects were scattered across the territory. That situation slowed development, delayed infrastructure delivery and affected communities.” Wike assured that between eight and ten major road projects across the FCT will be completed before the end of the year. The target includes the long-delayed Apo-Karshi road project, initially awarded in 2010 that suffered over a decade of delays. Work is now progressing rapidly under new management following the termination of the former contractor’s engagement over non-performance and its re-award to another company. At the Bwari-Kubwa corridor, the minister acknowledged the difficult terrain confronting engineers on site but cautioned contractors against seeking to push back agreed delivery dates, assuring that the administration would ensure prompt release of funds to enable completion of the road before the onset of heavy rains. Responding to questions on the political calendar and how it might affect project timelines, Wike insisted that governance remains a continuous process driven by President Bola Tinubu’s mandate. “Has the tenure of Mr President ended? Certainly not. His first tenure will be ending precisely May 29, 2027. So, if that is the case, it means that the work has also not ended,” he stated. The minister stressed that continuity in governance, not the pursuit of personal legacy, defines responsible leadership. “Leadership requires continuity. Some people assume office and say they will only focus on projects they initiated. That is not leadership. Good leadership is continuing projects that are vital to the development of the city, projects that transform the landscape and improve the economy.”

No Sin in Politics: Wike Welcomes Fubara Back to Political Fold

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2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation

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2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation

Student leaders from tertiary institutions across Nigeria’s 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, promising to mobilise students across campuses in support of his candidacy.

The declaration was made in Kaduna at the inauguration of the Students’ Wing of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a support group created to coordinate student mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The organisers said the students’ position was influenced by policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, particularly in education, student financing, skills development and youth empowerment.

The coordinator of the A4A Students’ Wing and President of the Bayero University Kano Students’ Union Government, Abdulmudallib Sheriff, said the students’ support was intended to translate into an organised mobilisation network rather than remain a symbolic declaration.

Sheriff cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) among the federal government programmes that informed the students’ position, saying the scheme had provided financial support to students facing difficulties funding their tertiary education.

He also pointed to government initiatives in technical and vocational education, skills acquisition and youth development as areas the student leaders considered relevant to young Nigerians.

According to the organisers, the A4A Students’ Wing plans to build a coordinated structure capable of reaching students in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the northern region.

The Kaduna inauguration was attended by student union leaders and representatives of tertiary institutions from different parts of Northern Nigeria.

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Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who addressed the gathering, urged the student leaders to base their political engagement on policies and verifiable records rather than personal attacks against political opponents.

Sani highlighted areas including education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and technical and vocational education, while drawing attention to programmes such as NELFUND and federal TVET initiatives.

The student endorsement comes amid increasing political mobilisation across Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election.

Several groups in the region have recently announced support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, including organisations representing Muslim women scholars, preachers and Da’wah leaders. Other groups representing communities and youth interests in the North have also held meetings and launched mobilisation activities ahead of the election.

A separate group representing Igbos living in the 19 northern states and the FCT has also expressed support for Tinubu and pledged to mobilise voters for his re-election.

The growing activity reflects efforts by political support groups to build grassroots structures well ahead of the 2027 poll, with youth and student voters expected to remain an important constituency for political parties and candidates.

The Tinubu administration has made NELFUND one of its prominent education initiatives. The programme provides loans and related financial assistance to eligible Nigerian students in tertiary institutions, with the government presenting it as part of efforts to reduce financial barriers to higher education.

The administration has also promoted technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as part of its broader youth skills-development agenda.

However, the endorsement announced in Kaduna represents the position of the participating student leaders and organisations. It does not necessarily reflect the views of all students, tertiary institutions or young people across Northern Nigeria.

The political development also comes as opposition groups and presidential aspirants intensify their own mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 election.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition political actors are building structures across the country, while presidential contenders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, are also seeking support ahead of the election.

The student leaders backing Tinubu said their immediate focus would be to extend the A4A Students’ Wing to more campuses and strengthen its mobilisation network across the North.

Their declaration adds to the growing series of political endorsements and campaign activities taking place ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as competing political groups seek to attract young voters and build support at the grassroots.

Ultimately, the endorsement remains a declaration by the participating student organisations, while individual voters will make their choices through the electoral process.

2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation

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2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit

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2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit
President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar

2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar seven days to serve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a suit challenging his eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order after granting an application for substituted service, allowing Atiku and the ADC to serve the President through his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was instituted by Atiku and the ADC against Tinubu, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Atiku is asking the court to determine whether Tinubu is qualified to participate in the 2027 presidential election based on allegations concerning an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted to INEC.

According to the plaintiffs, the disputed certificate bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which they contend raises questions about its authenticity and its connection with the President. Atiku’s case also alleges that the document was presented to INEC as genuine and raises questions about information contained in the electoral documents submitted by Tinubu.

The allegations remain claims before the court and have not been established by a final judgment.

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The plaintiffs are relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution relating to the presentation of forged certificates to INEC. They are seeking, among other reliefs, orders that would prevent Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election on the basis of the allegations contained in the suit.

The latest ruling followed a procedural dispute over how the President should be served with the court processes.

When the matter came up earlier in September, Atiku’s lawyers told the court that they had been unable to personally serve Tinubu. Although counsel representing Tinubu indicated that he was prepared to accept service on behalf of his client, the plaintiffs declined, saying they wanted to avoid possible technical objections concerning the validity of service at a later stage.

The court subsequently allowed the issue to be addressed through substituted service.

Justice Ekwo had earlier adjourned proceedings to September 28 following the service dispute. The judge also warned lawyers involved in the case against discussing the matter in the traditional or social media, directing that arguments concerning the case should be presented in court.

Meanwhile, Tinubu and the APC have rejected the allegations and asked the Federal High Court to dismiss the suit.

In their response, the President and the APC denied that Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to INEC for either the 2023 or 2027 presidential elections. They also questioned the legal foundation of Atiku and the ADC’s action and raised preliminary objections to the case.

The defendants have argued that the disputed certificate has not been established as forged and that the NYSC has not disowned the document at the centre of the controversy.

They have therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit rather than proceed to the substantive claims.

INEC has also challenged Atiku’s case and opposed aspects of the plaintiffs’ application to amend their suit. The electoral commission has raised procedural and legal objections, including arguments concerning the competence of the action and the plaintiffs’ standing.

The case has consequently developed into a series of preliminary procedural and legal disputes even before the court determines the central allegations surrounding the disputed NYSC certificate.

Atiku and the ADC maintain that the alleged certificate and information submitted to INEC raise constitutional questions concerning Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.

Tinubu and the APC, however, deny the allegations and are seeking the dismissal of the case, while INEC has also opposed the action.

The Federal High Court’s latest decision is limited to the method and timeframe for serving Tinubu with the court processes.

It does not constitute a ruling that Tinubu is ineligible to contest the 2027 election, nor does it establish that the disputed NYSC certificate is forged.

The substantive claims, alongside the objections raised by Tinubu, the APC and INEC, remain before the court for determination.

2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit

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“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors

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Osun Poll: Fayose Says Federal Might Could Have Swayed Result If Deployed
“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors

On Channels Television, the former Ekiti governor says tensions over the ‘Rainbow Coalition’ will not hurt President Tinubu’s 2027 prospects.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has weighed in on the sharp exchange between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, characterizing the disagreement as a battle of individual egos rather than a genuine threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

Speaking Tuesday night during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Fayose noted that public friction often surfaces when assertive leaders navigate complex multi-party arrangements.

The spat erupted after Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, speaking for the APC Governors’ Forum, announced that party executives would reject any outside alliance or coalition capable of diluting the party’s strength or challenging its candidates in upcoming elections.

Wike responded swiftly during a televised broadcast, describing the governors as politically lazy and clarifying that his “Rainbow Coalition” was created specifically to mobilize cross-party votes for the president rather than fight local battles on behalf of state governors.

Addressing the controversy, Fayose remarked that everyday Nigerians understand Wike’s outspoken personality just as they understand the institutional posture of the Governors’ Forum.

He insisted that the rhetorical crossfire has no direct bearing on the president’s electoral fortunes, observing that political leaders across the spectrum possess strong personal pride that occasionally spills into public view. Fayose maintained that practical grassroots voter mobilization will ultimately outweigh public posturing as the 2027 race draws nearer.

 

“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors

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