Ex-Governor questions Fubara’s ‘001’ claim in Rivers: asks if Sanwo-Olu can assume leadership in Lagos
Ex-Governor questions Fubara’s ‘001’ claim in Rivers: asks if Sanwo-Olu can assume leadership in Lagos
Former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, has challenged assertions of political supremacy in Rivers State, taking aim at Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s claim of being “001” in the All Progressives Congress (APC) within the state.
Fayose made the remarks during an exclusive appearance on Arise TV on Tuesday, where he questioned the idea that sitting governors automatically command party leadership.
He compared the situation in Rivers with Lagos State, contending that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu does not wield ultimate political authority there.
According to Fayose, that influence belongs to President Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos governor.
To illustrate his argument, Fayose referenced the recent impeachment and subsequent reinstatement of the Lagos State House of Assembly speaker, portraying the development as proof of Tinubu’s decisive control over the state’s political machinery.
He said, “The president that I know hates ingratitude; he controls Lagos from the palms of his hands. For instance, the speaker was impeached, and another person took over in Lagos State. The president, without saying a word, caused the system to restore that speaker because it’s an affront to the president, who is the leader.
“Will you tell me Sanwo-Olu is the leader in Lagos? Let him come out and say he’s the leader in the state. There are certain things that are said to cause aesthetics. Don’t let it get to your head.”
Fayose also argued that the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State ultimately worked in Fubara’s favour, describing it as a political rescue that prevented his removal from office.
According to him, impeachment would have ended the governor’s political trajectory.
“The emergency rule was all-winning for Governor Fubara because by now he would have been history because the moment you’re impeached, you are out of the way and can’t contest,” Fayose said.
“If you read the contest of President Tinubu, he took Governor Fubara to the cleaners, and it’s time for Governor Fubara to learn, the way I learnt after my first tenure as governor.”
Fayose’s comments come against the backdrop of a prolonged power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, over dominance of Rivers State’s political structure.
In December 2025, Fubara left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC. At the flag-off of the Rivers Airport Bypass Project on December 12, he openly pledged allegiance to the ruling party and to President Tinubu.
“Today, I am very happy. I am not just a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC); I am the number one. I have collected my [membership] card, and the form is 001,” Fubara said.
“So, from this moment, I am there [in APC] with all my chest and heart. The message is clear: we are going to do everything to make the 2027 election for Mr President a smooth ride in Rivers State.
“How do we do it? It is with all of you here. With your support. The only way we can continue to tell Mr President thank you is to support him.”
His defection followed the move by 15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martin Amaewhule, to the APC.
However, Wike later rejected Fubara’s assertion of party leadership, maintaining that APC membership and recognition are determined at the ward and local government levels, not by statewide titles.
He stressed that holding executive office does not automatically confer party leadership.
“He (Fubara) decamped to APC with whom? What is 001? Let me tell you, there’s nothing like 001 in the state,” Wike said.
“You register in your ward and local government, so if you are 001, it’s in your ward.
“There’s nothing like 001. There’s nothing like what I have registered in the state as 001. Everybody registered in their own ward. You could be the first person to register, but that’s not your position.
“So, there are some exceptions to the rule, so let’s not go into other things. See, leadership is not because I’m a governor. Leadership is not because I’m a minister. You must have something that makes you a leader,” Wike added.
News
Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has acknowledged that the death of Aishatu Umar, a five-time mother, resulted from professional lapses at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government health facility in Kano.
According to a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, an internal probe initiated by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed that medical staff failed to remove surgical scissors from the patient’s body after an operation, a mistake that proved fatal.
Following the findings, the Board ordered the suspension of three staff members connected to the procedure, barring them from all clinical responsibilities with immediate effect.
The case has also been handed over to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee, which will conduct a more detailed inquiry and determine appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing regulations and ethical guidelines.
“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement read.
Aishatu Umar reportedly died after complications arising from a surgery in which surgical scissors were allegedly left in her abdomen.
Her husband, Abubakar Muhammad, said she repeatedly complained of worsening health conditions after the operation, but her concerns were not adequately addressed before her death.
The tragedy has triggered widespread anger among Kano residents, drawing attention to systemic weaknesses in supervision and accountability within public hospitals.
News
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
The Anambra Police Command says it has detained a masquerade, allegedly involved in unprovoked violent attacks on residents of Awgbu Community in Orumba North LGA of the state.
In a statement issued in Awka and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the incident happened on Monday.
“The Anambra Police Command wishes to inform the public, especially the people of Anambra and other concerned persons, that it has taken into custody the masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens.
“The act led to a breach of public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North LGA.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice,” Ikenga added.
He described the conduct by the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, as “unacceptable, unlawful, and would not be tolerated under any guise”.
An eyewitness in the community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the masquerade, accompanied by some youths, went out of its way to attack unsuspecting members of the public and destroyed people’s property.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said that the incident occurred during the last “Ofala” festival in honour of the late Traditional Ruler of Awgbu, Igwe Michael Okechukwu.
NAN reports that the festival was supposed to be a solemn cultural and symbolic celebration of the life and reign of the late monarch. (NAN)
News
BREAKING: More Rivers Lawmakers back out of impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
BREAKING: More Rivers Lawmakers back out of impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
Two additional lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have appealed to their colleagues to halt the impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, as calls for restraint within the legislature continue to grow.
The legislators, Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II, made their position known on Wednesday, barely 48 hours after two other members of the House publicly distanced themselves from the impeachment effort.
Earlier on Monday, Sylvanus Eyinna Nwankwo and Peter Abbey had broken ranks with the Assembly leadership, urging lawmakers to approach the unfolding crisis with caution, dialogue, and a spirit of compromise rather than confrontation.
The dissenting lawmakers argued that impeachment should not be the first option in resolving disagreements between the executive and legislative arms, suggesting that alternative mechanisms could help de-escalate tensions and open the door to reconciliation.
The appeal was delivered during a press conference held in Port Harcourt, where the lawmakers said pressure was mounting from political leaders and stakeholders within and outside Rivers State to seek a peaceful resolution.
Addressing journalists, Nwankwo, the Minority Leader of the House and representative of Omuma Constituency, disclosed that several interventions had been made by respected figures calling for moderation and restraint.
He urged his colleagues to suspend the impeachment process and give room for dialogue in the interest of political stability in the state.
Abbey, who represents Degema Constituency, acknowledged allegations that the governor may have breached constitutional provisions but cautioned against an irreversible step such as impeachment.
He noted that while errors may have occurred, the focus should be on corrective measures and ensuring that any identified lapses are not repeated going forward.
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