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We’ll Obey Court On Rivers APC Candidates, Says INEC …Don’t Blame Wike For APC’s Woes -Abe
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not hesitate to implement the order of court restraining the commission from listing candidates of the All Progressives Congress for the general elections in Rivers State.
INEC National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Operations, Festus Okoye in an interview with newsmen, said INEC will delist names of the candidates of the APC after studying and finding merit in the judgement.
Okoye also said INEC was not concerned about the different interpretations of the judgement, adding that the commission has a team that will study the judgement and advise on the line of action.
According to him, “We are not interested in the conundrum in Rivers State. What we have said is that the moment any properly constituted court of law makes an order or gives a judgement and we obtain a certified true copy of that particular judgement and we confirm that it is a judgement from a properly constituted court of Law and that the judgement affects any of our processes, we will give effect to that particular judgement. This applies across board.
“There is what we call the ratio of a matter. Why we insist on obtaining court judgments and studying it before giving effect to them is because we do not want to rely on the reportage on the pages of newspapers or posts on social media.
“We want to know the ratio and the obiter in the matter before the court and what were the orders of the court as it relates to the matter before it.”
Recall that Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued a restraining order on INEC not to recognise any candidate of the APC for the general elections in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, Senator Magnus Abe of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Rivers South-East in the senate has urged supporters not to blame the present challenges of the party in the state on Governor Nyesom Wike.
Senator Abe made the call yesterday while reacting to the recent Federal High Court judgment which nullified the direct and indirect primaries allegedly held by two factions of the party in Rivers.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise APC candidates for the 2019 elections in the state.
Senator Abe expressed worry at the present challenges being faced by the party, saying, “It is baseless blaming the governor’’.
He said the foundation for the crisis was laid by the leadership of the party, which he said decided to relegate some interests and stakeholders to the background.
“Was it Wike that excluded some members from the elective congress? Was it also Wike that went ahead to hold primaries in spite of pending court matter?’’ he queried.
Senator Abe said that Governor Nyesom Wike is the ultimate beneficiary of the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congres (APC) in Rivers State.
He declared that those accusing him of working with Governor Wike were part of the problems of the main opposition party in the state, saying he neither being sponsored by Wike nor working for him.
Abe who stated this during a Radio interview yesterday monitored by The Tide accused the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi of sponsoring a campaign of calumny against him ever since the governor honoured his invitation for his thanksgiving service held sometime in Port Harcourt.
He said, “That whole campaign of calumny against me was sponsored by the Minister of Transportation. And he did so in bad faith. And the person who is orchestrating that campaign is one Chief Chukwuemeka Eze.
“That I had a thanksgiving service and I invited Senators both from the APC and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and everybody in the senate as well as the senate President.
“That I also invited the Governor of Rivers State who happens to be Barr. Nyesom Wike and he honoured my invitation on a day when the leader of our own party was holding a parallel event in Bori (Khana Local Government Area) against me. Is that the basis of coming to the conclusion that I am working for Wike?
“Has it ever occurred to Rivers people that the ultimate beneficiary of the crisis in Rivers APC is Wike. Now who initiated the crisis? Was it Wike who said that the meeting all of us had and we agreed that should bring unity so that we should work together in the congresses should be thrown aside?
“Was it Wike who denied Ibrahim Umar and over sixteen thousand fellow members of your own party who fought with you during the last election some of them, their brothers lost their lives.
“Some of them had their houses destroyed and all that and they went to buy forms just for the right to take part in an APC activity and somebody decided that they cannot. Was it Wike who took that decision?
“At the time we went to Court and the Court said do not proceed, deal with the issue of these people first. Was it Wike who said that? At the time we made a request that since we are in court let us do direct primaries in Rivers State and people sat down and made a request for direct primaries which they knew would be in total conflict with the existing case that was already on at that time in the court.
“And there were two orders of the court at that time that were still in operation but people still went ahead to make a request for indirect primaries. Was it Wike who did that?
“When we set up the committee to say okay let us try and look for a solutions and restore peace within the party and people refuse. Was it Wike who refuse? So all these people turning around to call Wike’s name, they are the ones who are part of the problem,” Senator Abe stated.
He describe the situation the party in the state finds itself as a shame because some people mismanaged a situation that could have been better managed.
On the way forward for the APC, he noted that members of the party should be able to think and reason for themselves, saying one man cannot think for all the party stakeholders in the state.
“My own suggestion on the way forward is that I want to talk to our party members. I want people to be able to reason for themselves. Because we are now in a position where it is clear that one person cannot reason for all of us.
“I think that as much as possible the party needs everybody. In this kind of situation that we have found ourselves, we simply have to accept the reality that where we are today as a political party is a disgrace.
“We have to think for ourselves. We have to act to save our party. We have to understand how the party got to where it was. It was not by accident. It was by the deliberate actions of people who mismanaged a situation that could have been better managed,” the Senator said.
Dennis Naku
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Rivers: Impeachment Moves Against Fubara, Deputy Hits Rock …As CJ Declines Setting Up Panel
The impeachment moves against Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu, by the Rivers State House of Assembly has suffered a setback following the refusal by the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Simeon C. Amadi, to set up a seven-man investigate panel to probe the governor and his deputy.
Justice Amadi hinged his decision on subsisting interim court injunctions and pending appeals.
Recall that the Assembly members had earlier requested the Chief Judge to set up a seven-man investigative panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct against Fubara and his deputy.
In a letter dated January 20, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule, the Chief Judge acknowledged receipt of two separate letters from the Assembly, both dated January 16, 2026, requesting the constitution of an investigative panel pursuant to Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
However, the State Chief Judge explained that his hands were tied by ongoing judicial proceedings directly connected to the impeachment process.
He disclosed that his office had been served with interim injunctions issued on January 16, 2026, arising from two separate suits challenging the actions of the House of Assembly.
The suits include Suit No. OYHC/6/CS/2026, filed by the Deputy Governor against the Speaker and 32 others, and Suit No. OYHC/7/CS/2026, instituted by Governor Fubara against the Speaker and 32 others.
According to him, the interim injunctions expressly restrain him from “receiving, forwarding, considering and or howsoever acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or other documents or communication from the 1st -27th and 31st Defendants for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the purported allegations of misconduct against the Claimant/Applicant for seven days.”
Justice Amadi stressed that obedience to court orders is non-negotiable in a constitutional democracy, regardless of personal opinions about such orders.
“Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law are the bedrock of democracy and all persons and authorities are expected to obey subsisting orders of court of competent jurisdiction, irrespective of perception of its regularity or otherwise,” he stated.
To further underscore his position, the Chief Judge cited judicial precedent, referring to the case of Hon. Dele Abiodun v. The Hon. Chief Judge of Kwara State & 3 Ors. (2007), in which the Chief Judge of Kwara State was faulted for proceeding to constitute a panel despite a subsisting court order restraining such action.
Quoting directly from the judgment, Justice Amadi recalled: “I liken the scenario created by the Chief Judge to the position of a chief priest and custodian of an oracle turning round to desecrate the oracle,” a passage he said highlights the sacred duty of judicial officers to uphold the law.
He added that the judiciary, as “the custodian and head of the judicial arm of the State, ought to abide by the laws of the State, nay the land…”
He further noted that the Rivers State House of Assembly had already filed appeals against the interim injunctions at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, with notices of appeal served on January 19 and 20, 2026.
“In view of the foregoing, my hand is fettered, as there are subsisting interim orders of injunction and appeal against the said orders.
“I am therefore legally disabled at this point, from exercising my duties under Section 188(5) of the Constitution in the instant,” the Chief Judge declared.
He concluded by expressing hope that “the Rt. Hon. Speaker and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly will be magnanimous enough to appreciate the legal position of the matter.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
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?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
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?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
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?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
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