Nigerian journalist Rufai Oseni has described the people of Rivers State as the biggest losers in the ongoing political crisis, arguing that their interests have been sidelined by the state’s political leaders.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Oseni’s comments followed recent political developments in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Recall that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, during the unveiling of the Rainbow Coalition’s candidates in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, presented the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag to Ogundu Kingsley Chinda, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.

Fubara also declared Wike the political leader of Rivers State, urging those who had referred to him as their leader during the political crisis to stop doing so.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Oseni argued that the crisis was driven by personal interests rather than concerns about the welfare of Rivers residents.

The journalist suggested that powerful political forces had brought Fubara back into line after the governor had attempted to free himself from political godfatherism.

According to Oseni, the peace efforts and reconciliation being celebrated by political leaders would primarily benefit the political elite seeking to negotiate power and share resources, rather than ordinary residents struggling with their daily challenges.

He said, “Fubara has been whipped back in line, and it is all about their interest and not the people of Rivers State.”

Former senator and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District, Iyabo Obasanjo, has accused political opponents of orchestrating the exclusion of the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates because they fear a fair contest.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Obasanjo made the allegation during an appearance on The Arena, a podcast based in Abeokuta, describing the development as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo said she initially dismissed reports of Adebutu’s omission because INEC had already released the lists for the Senate and House of Representatives.

However, she said further enquiries revealed that Adebutu had fulfilled the same requirements as other PDP candidates whose names appeared on the list.

“What is it that Honourable Ladi did differently than what we did? And when I asked that question, I have a scientific mind. The answer was, he did the exact same thing, right? That we all did.

“The next question is then why is his name not in the list?” she asked.

Obasanjo alleged that her findings suggested that political rivals had resorted to unlawful tactics, insisting that no convincing explanation had been provided for Adebutu’s exclusion.

Despite the development, the former lawmaker expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved and that the PDP candidate’s name would eventually be restored to the list.

“His name is going to be back (on the list),” she said.

She warned that allowing such an incident to stand could set a dangerous precedent in which wealthy politicians use their financial influence to eliminate opponents from electoral contests.

“If this happens, then a democracy will crash because everybody that is a money bag will go to Abuja and give the neutral institution money to remove anybody they think can beat them,” she said.

Obasanjo further questioned whether the ambition of an individual seeking to become governor should be allowed to undermine the country’s democratic system.

“And so the idea is that, can one man’s desperation to be governor allow us to kill our democracy?” she asked.

She stressed that the controversy extended beyond Adebutu and the PDP, arguing that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process was at stake.

“It is not even about Honourable Adebutu, it’s not about PDP, it’s about the democracy Nigeria runs. But every time you keep breaking rules, it eventually leads to the end of that experiment. And you don’t know which rule will break it,” she stated.

When asked whether the development could affect the PDP’s electoral prospects, Obasanjo maintained that the party’s supporters remained committed and confident that Adebutu’s name would be reinstated.

“No. Our people are firm in what they want to do. I believe Honourable Ladi’s name will be back,” she said.

She also predicted a strong performance for the PDP in Ogun State, observing that many residents had developed a renewed appreciation for the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel.

Addressing her brief membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obasanjo said she had no regrets about joining the party, explaining that she made the decision in good faith and partly because of her relationship with President Bola Tinubu.

“I joined APC in good faith. So I have no regrets,” she said.

However, she criticised the APC’s handling of candidate selection in Ogun State, arguing that genuine consensus must accommodate the interests of all aspirants. She warned that parties that disregard the concerns of their members should not expect to secure electoral victories.

Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has criticised Nigerian male politicians, describing them as submissive and cowardly while arguing that women in politics are generally bolder and more willing to stand their ground.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Yesufu made the remarks while reacting to a social media post that described Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the state’s “first female governor.”

The post on X featured a video of Fubara declaring the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as the leader of political actors in Rivers State.

Fubara made the declaration on Tuesday during the unveiling of candidates of the Rainbow Coalition for the 2027 elections at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.

During the event, the governor said those who supported him throughout the political crisis in Rivers State should recognise that they now belonged to the same political family under the Rainbow Coalition led by Wike.

He also pledged his full support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and the victory of all Rainbow Coalition candidates in Rivers State in the 2027 elections.

Reacting to the development, Yesufu said Fubara’s actions reflected what she considered a common trait among male politicians, whom she accused of being quick to submit to political leaders.

In her post on X, the activist argued that women in politics were often more courageous and willing to defend their positions, challenging men to demonstrate greater conviction.

She wrote, “That is the typical behavior of Nigerian MEN in politics. They are quick to grovel, ass lickers and very cowardly!!

“The women are usually bolder and can stand their grounds.

“Please own your gender with your full chest!!!!!”