RYNI News

RYNI News | Blessing Isiuwa
20 August 2025

In a bold move to attract global capital and accelerate economic transformation, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has unveiled Investopedia, a groundbreaking platform aimed at connecting investors with viable projects across all 36 states of the Federation. The launch, which took place in Abuja on Tuesday, positions the initiative as a central hub for investment opportunities, with the goal of driving job creation, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.

Speaking at the event, NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to tap into both global and African financial markets. Represented by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, AbdulRazaq noted that foreign direct investment into Nigeria has averaged a mere $2 billion annually over the last decade—less than 0.5 percent of GDP—primarily concentrated in oil, telecommunications, real estate, and agriculture.

“Despite these inflows, Nigeria faces an infrastructure financing gap estimated at $100 billion each year, a burden largely shouldered by states,” AbdulRazaq said. “Public sector projects alone cannot bridge this gap. Investopedia is designed to unlock global and African capital flows, generate employment, modernize infrastructure, and promote sustainable, inclusive growth.”

Investopedia, produced in both print and digital formats, will be showcased at major global events, including the Intra-African Trade Fair, UN General Assembly, and Africa Investment Forum. The biennial publication highlights bankable projects, provides market insights, and details incentives across sectors, creating a transparent and curated pipeline for potential investors.

NGF Director General, Abdulateef Shittu, described the initiative as a “new dawn in Nigeria’s investment readiness at the subnational level.” He explained that fragmented entry points and financing constraints have historically hindered large-scale investment. “Investopedia solves this problem by offering a one-stop shop for investors to engage with credible opportunities across all states, backed by strong governance, institutional oversight, and global visibility,” he said.

The platform is complemented by the NGF Fund, a pooled investment vehicle designed to channel catalytic capital into subnational projects, ensuring that highlighted opportunities translate into real-world development. Sectors such as agro-processing, renewable energy, ICT infrastructure, and finance are prioritized, promising benefits that extend beyond financial returns to improved livelihoods and sustainable development.

AbdulRazaq concluded with a direct appeal to global investors: “Nigeria’s states are open, credible, and investment-ready. With Investopedia and the NGF Fund, we are sending a clear signal: the opportunities are vast, the commitment is firm, and the time to invest is now.”

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
20 August 2025

In a move that has stirred debate among travelers and digital citizens alike, the United States Government has tightened its visa application requirements, now demanding that Nigerians disclose a full five-year history of their social media activity.

The directive, issued by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, targets all prospective visa applicants, who must now include every username or handle used across platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and any other online forum they have engaged with over the past half-decade. Failure to provide this information, officials warn, could jeopardize not only immediate travel plans but also eligibility for future visas.

Announcing the update via its official X handle, the U.S. Mission stressed the importance of accuracy, emphasizing that applicants must certify the truthfulness of their submissions before signing the DS-160 visa form. “Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas,” the statement read, leaving little room for oversight.

The requirement represents a significant expansion of background checks, reflecting growing global concerns about security and online behavior. Analysts suggest that the policy could impact thousands of Nigerians seeking study, work, or travel opportunities in the United States, while also raising questions about privacy and the digital footprint of citizens.

For applicants, the new measure means a meticulous review of their online presence is now mandatory. Experts recommend compiling a comprehensive list of usernames, handles, and accounts—even dormant ones—to avoid unintentional omissions. “The DS-160 form has always required honesty, but this is the first time social media activity is explicitly part of the evaluation,” said a Nigerian immigration consultant, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The policy has sparked conversations across social media itself, with some users decrying it as intrusive, while others acknowledge it as a necessary step for national security. Whatever the perspective, one thing is clear: traveling to the United States from Nigeria now comes with a closer look at your digital life than ever before.

As visa season continues, applicants are urged to ensure transparency and accuracy in every aspect of their submissions—because in the age of social media scrutiny, what you post online may now influence your ability to step foot in the United States.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Blessing Isiuwa
19 August 2025

ABUJA – A political storm is brewing as the Federal Government considers raising the salaries of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, lawmakers, ministers, and other high-ranking office holders. The proposal, tabled by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has ignited sharp criticism from organised labour and civil society groups.

Announcing the plan at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, described the current remuneration for Nigeria’s political leadership as “outdated, unrealistic, and incapable of reflecting their enormous responsibilities.” He noted that the last review was carried out in 2008, despite mounting inflation and economic pressures over the past decade and a half.

Currently, the President earns about ₦1.5 million monthly, while ministers pocket less than ₦1 million. Shehu lamented that these figures are dwarfed by the pay packages of certain parastatal heads and the Central Bank governor.

“You cannot pay the President of Nigeria ₦1.5m monthly and expect global credibility,” Shehu argued. “Some agency chiefs earn ten times more than the Commander-in-Chief. That distortion must be corrected.”

But labour unions were quick to counter. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) branded the proposal as “tone-deaf” and “insensitive” at a time when ordinary Nigerians are groaning under soaring food prices, fuel costs, and widespread poverty.

An NLC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the government’s figures as misleading. “The published salaries are just a fraction of what politicians actually take home. With allowances and perks, a President’s package can balloon above ₦100m annually. Why not publish the allowances too?” he asked.

The income gulf between political elites and workers has become a rallying point. While lawmakers are reported to take home as much as ₦30m monthly, the new minimum wage stands at ₦70,000, with university professors earning under ₦400,000. Labour leaders warn that such disparity is not only unjust but dangerous.

“When leadership appears more preoccupied with its own welfare than the people’s hardship, it deepens inequality and fuels unrest,” the NLC source cautioned. “This country cannot withstand endless provocation of the masses.”

RMAFC, however, insists it is simply fulfilling its constitutional duty to review pay for political, judicial, and legislative office holders—not civil servants. Alongside the salary review, the commission is also revisiting Nigeria’s decades-old revenue allocation formula, last adjusted in 1992. The current structure grants the Federal Government 52.68%, states 26.72%, and local governments 20.60%, with 4.18% reserved for special funds.

Shehu promised that the new formula would be “inclusive, evidence-based, and equitable,” while acknowledging that previous attempts under former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari faltered.

For now, the salary debate underscores the widening chasm between Nigeria’s rulers and the ruled—and whether the government will risk political capital to push it through remains to be seen.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
17 August 2025

In a world where excellence is often spoken of but rarely witnessed in its purest form, Miss Doose Naswem is turning heads with a trailblazing academic journey that is nothing short of extraordinary. Miss Naswem, a name now synonymous with academic excellence, is steadily transforming herself from a promising student into a national phenomenon.

Her journey, marked by dazzling victories across science, mathematics, and the arts, reads like the blueprint of a prodigy determined to leave an indelible mark. It began in 2024 when she stormed the National Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) competition, seizing first place in a contest that attracts the brightest secondary school minds across the country. Before that, she had already dominated the STAN State Finals, securing the top spot with commanding ease.

But her genius is not confined to science alone. Mathematics—often the stumbling block for many—has become her playground. At the 2024 Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN) Olympiad State Finals, she clinched 2nd position before advancing to secure 3rd place at the fiercely contested MAN National Olympiad Quiz. Few Nigerian students ever reach such a level; fewer still do so while excelling in other disciplines.

Her versatility is perhaps best captured in her foray into the humanities. Competing at the BENSEFAC Essay Writing Contest in 2024, Miss Naswem stunned audiences by claiming the 2nd position, demonstrating that her eloquence with words matches her dexterity with equations.

Yet, it was her performance in the November 2024/2025 GCE that left no room for doubt. Eight flawless A1s. A record that placed her in the rarefied company of Nigeria’s academic elite and confirmed that her brilliance is not confined to competitions but grounded in consistent excellence.

On the continental stage, she reached an even loftier height by winning a Gold Medal at the African Mathematics Olympiad—an achievement reserved for only the most gifted minds on the continent. Her ascent continued into 2025 when she ranked among Nigeria’s Top 10 scorers in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), while simultaneously being crowned Best UTME Candidate in Benue State.

For many, these achievements would mark the pinnacle of a lifetime. For Miss Naswem, they appear to be only the opening chapter of a remarkable story. She embodies the audacity of vision, the resilience of spirit, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that Nigeria’s next generation so desperately needs.

In every essay written, equation solved, and medal earned, Miss Naswem has shattered the myth of limitation. She is not just raising the bar—she is redefining it entirely.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Blessing Isiuwa
17 August 2025

In a remark that has sent ripples through Washington and beyond, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stunned political observers this week by saying she would nominate former President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize—on one condition: that he successfully negotiates an end to the grinding Russia-Ukraine war without forcing Kyiv to cede territory.

Clinton, who famously sparred with Trump in the bitterly fought 2016 presidential election, made the unexpected statement during an appearance on the podcast Raging Moderates. While she did not shy away from highlighting the magnitude of the challenge, she acknowledged that if Trump could broker such a peace deal, it would represent a diplomatic achievement of historic proportions.

“This would not be a meeting with a friend,” Clinton warned. “It would be a confrontation with an adversary—an adversary intent on weakening the United States and dismantling the Western alliance. To stand up to that, to insist on a ceasefire without surrendering territory, and to push for the withdrawal of Russian forces—that would require enormous resolve and strength.”

Her comments come as discussions swirl in diplomatic circles about the possibility of future negotiations to end a war that has scarred Europe for over two years, displaced millions, and strained the global economy. The suggestion that Trump—whose foreign policy legacy has long divided Americans—could become a central player in resolving the conflict shocked even seasoned analysts.

Clinton laid out her reasoning clearly, noting that the path to peace must not come at Ukraine’s expense. “If a deal were structured in which Putin is compelled to pull back troops and demonstrate genuine good faith,” she said, “and if Trump were the one to secure it, I would have no hesitation in nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize.”

The statement drew an almost playful response from Trump himself. In an interview with Fox News, he quipped, “Well, that was very nice. I may have to start liking her again.”

The exchange highlights the unpredictable dynamics of American politics, where even fierce rivals can occasionally find common ground—albeit in the most surprising of contexts. While critics are already questioning the plausibility of such an outcome, Clinton’s words underscore the gravity of the war and the yearning for a resolution that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Whether Trump takes up the challenge remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the prospect of Clinton nominating her former rival for the world’s most prestigious peace honor has captured imaginations on both sides of the Atlantic.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
16 August 2025

Talks stall on Ukraine war, but U.S. president claims progress toward a lasting settlement

A Summit of High Stakes and Higher Expectations

The highly anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, concluded on Friday without the ceasefire that many observers had hoped for. Instead, Trump declared that he and his counterparts—including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—had agreed a broader peace settlement would be preferable to a temporary truce.

BBC reported that while the meeting had been carefully choreographed, from Putin’s red-carpet arrival to the roar of a B-2 bomber overhead, it ended with little concrete progress.

“It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement,” Trump said afterward on his Truth Social platform. “Ceasefires often do not hold up.”

The Choreography of Power

Putin’s arrival in Alaska underscored the summit’s dramatic staging. He disembarked to a ceremonial welcome from Trump, cameras flashing as the pair posed before stepping into the presidential limousine, nicknamed The Beast. Yet, according to BBC’s political correspondent, the pageantry quickly gave way to an anticlimactic outcome.

The Kremlin had suggested discussions could last up to seven hours, but less than three hours later both leaders re-emerged. A short joint statement followed, but no questions were allowed, and the planned working lunch was quietly scrapped.

Putin’s Position Unmoved

During his remarks, Putin repeated familiar demands: Ukraine should forfeit its NATO aspirations and withdraw from four contested territories—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. This stance, unchanged since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion three years ago, leaves little room for compromise.

Trump largely stayed silent as Putin spoke for nearly eight minutes. The Russian leader urged Ukrainians and Europeans not to “throw a wrench” into what he described as a fragile peace process.

Zelensky Holds His Ground

On his flight back to Washington, Trump spoke at length with President Zelensky, who later announced he would travel to the White House on Monday. In his own statement, Zelensky backed Trump’s call for a trilateral summit but warned against any deal struck without Kyiv’s direct involvement.

“All issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraine’s participation,” he said, adding that territorial concessions were “off the table.” He also pressed for tougher sanctions if Moscow attempts to “evade an honest end to the war.”

Trump Balances Optimism With Ambiguity

Despite no breakthrough, Trump struck an optimistic note. He praised his “fantastic relationship” with Putin but acknowledged that “one very significant sticking point” remained unresolved—though he did not specify what it was.

On Fox News later, Trump repeated that the talks went “very well” and suggested progress might come “in two or three weeks.” Asked about earlier threats of severe tariffs on Russia’s trade partners, he said, “We don’t have to think about it today.”

Europe Watches, Outcome Unclear

BBC noted that NATO allies were drawn into discussions by phone, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. While European leaders welcomed signs of U.S. engagement, they remain cautious about Trump’s unpredictable diplomacy.

For now, Ukrainians can take solace that no deal was struck ceding territory to Moscow. Yet, Putin’s unyielding rhetoric and Trump’s ambiguity leave the war’s future uncertain.

Looking Ahead

Zelensky’s visit to Washington on Monday is now seen as the next critical step. The White House has billed it as an opportunity to explore “guarantees for Ukraine’s long-term security,” something both Kyiv and European partners have demanded.

For now, the Alaska summit will be remembered as a turning point that has floated a future peace deal.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
15 August 2025

Nigeria’s inflation rate slid to 21.88 percent in July 2025, offering a faint glimmer of relief to an economy long battered by rising costs. The figure, released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday, represents a modest dip from June’s 22.22 percent — the fourth time this year the headline inflation rate has inched downward.

While the numerical drop signals a technical slowdown in the pace of price increases, the reality on the streets paints a more complicated picture. For many Nigerians, particularly at the market stalls and food shops, life is still as expensive as ever.

According to the NBS report, July’s headline inflation rate was 0.34 percentage points lower than June’s, and a dramatic 11.52 percentage points below the 33.40 percent recorded in July 2024. Economists attribute part of this sharp year-on-year decline to the statistical “base effect” — comparing today’s prices to last year’s extreme highs.

However, a closer look reveals a more stubborn trend: on a month-to-month basis, inflation actually accelerated. July’s monthly inflation stood at 1.99 percent, up from 1.68 percent in June. In other words, prices continued to rise in July — just at a slightly slower annual pace.

Food Inflation Climb to 22.74%

Perhaps most telling is the performance of food inflation, the metric that hits households hardest. Year-on-year, food prices climbed 22.74 percent in July, up from 21.97 percent in June. While this is a steep drop from the staggering 39.53 percent recorded in July last year, the cost of essentials remains burdensome.

Month-to-month, food inflation was pegged at 3.12 percent, marginally below June’s 3.25 percent. The bureau credited this slight easing to falling prices of staples such as vegetable oil, beans, local rice, maize flour, guinea corn, wheat flour, and millet. Yet, the annual average food inflation rate still sits at a hefty 26.97 percent, underscoring the persistent pressure on household budgets.

The Usual Suspects Driving Prices

Beyond the kitchen, the NBS identified food and non-alcoholic beverages, restaurants and accommodation services, and transportation as the biggest contributors to overall price growth. With fuel costs, service charges, and transport fares still climbing, the ripple effects on everyday living remain unavoidable.

What This Means for Nigerians

While policymakers might hail the headline drop as a sign of progress, many Nigerians will not feel it in their pockets any time soon. Disinflation — the slowing of price increases — does not translate into falling prices, and for most families, the arithmetic remains grim.

For now, the numbers may look better on paper, but at the market stall, the same weary question echoes: “Why does everything still cost more?”

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Blessing Isiuwa
14 August 2025

The serene atmosphere of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, was pierced by grief on Thursday following the shocking death of a young medical student whose dreams were abruptly extinguished.

Ajibola Ibitayo, a part-two student of the Faculty of Dentistry, was found lifeless at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State, after what authorities have described as a case of suicide. According to official sources, the 21-year-old injected himself following the release of semester examination results that indicated he would have to repeat his academic year — for the second consecutive time.

University spokesperson, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed the incident in a sombre statement, noting that Ibitayo, who had been repeating Part Two, reportedly took the drastic step after learning that his efforts had not yielded the results he had hoped for.

“This is a colossal loss, not just to his family but to the entire OAU community,” Olarewaju lamented. “He was a bright student from a respectable background. His father, a medical doctor, and his family are devastated beyond words.”

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, while addressing the tragedy, called for a cultural shift in how failure is perceived among young people. “Academic setbacks are not the end of life’s journey,” he stressed. “They can be redirections towards new opportunities and eventual success. We must teach resilience, self-worth, and the courage to face tomorrow, even after today’s disappointments.”

The Dentistry Students’ Association, through its president, Adebayo Idris, described Ajibola’s passing as “a painful reminder of the silent struggles” that many students endure. “This is not merely the loss of a classmate,” Idris said, “but the extinguishing of a bright mind whose potential will never be realised. It underscores the urgency of prioritising mental health just as much as physical well-being.”

Counsellors and mental health advocates have since urged students to speak out and seek help when overwhelmed, emphasising that no examination result should ever determine the worth of a life.

As OAU’s campus lowers its flags and its community gathers in hushed sorrow, Ajibola’s death sends a chilling message far beyond Ile-Ife — a plea for empathy, early intervention, and a reminder that behind every transcript lies a human soul, often fighting unseen battles.

For Ajibola Ibitayo, the pages of an unfinished story have closed far too soon, leaving behind a silence that speaks volumes.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
14 August 2025

Abuja — World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has given President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms an emphatic nod of approval, hailing his administration’s push to stabilise Nigeria’s volatile economy as a necessary first step toward sustainable growth.

Speaking to journalists after a high-profile meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, Okonjo-Iweala — a former Nigerian finance minister and globally respected economist — declared that “you cannot really improve an economy unless it’s stable,” adding that Tinubu and his team “have worked hard to stabilise the economy, and he deserves credit for that.”

Her visit, however, was not purely an economic appraisal. She came to share what she described as “joyful news” — the launch of a transformative initiative aimed at empowering Nigerian women in the fast-growing digital export economy.

The Women Exporters Fund for the Digital Economy, jointly managed by the WTO and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva, is designed to help women entrepreneurs weather the economic storm while building thriving, job-creating businesses.

Nigeria emerged as one of only four countries worldwide selected for the programme after a competitive global process. Out of a staggering 67,000 Nigerian applicants, 146 women secured coveted places in the scheme. Among them, 16 high-achieving entrepreneurs have been placed in the elite “booster track” — a category for those already running viable businesses but ready to scale up. These women will receive 18 months of tailored technical guidance, business coaching, and access to new markets.

A further 100 women will each be granted $5,000 in direct funding, paired with 12 months of mentorship and support to launch, expand, or strengthen their enterprises. Okonjo-Iweala emphasised that such targeted investment would not only lift individual households but also inject vitality into Nigeria’s broader economic landscape.

“This is about putting money not only in the pockets of households but in the nation’s pocket,” she explained, noting that women-led businesses have a proven multiplier effect on communities and national growth.

She lauded the First Lady’s active support, along with the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, for championing the initiative locally.

Turning to broader economic strategy, Okonjo-Iweala cautioned that stability must be matched with measures to ensure ordinary Nigerians are not left behind. “What is needed next is growth,” she said pointedly. “We need to build social safety nets so that those feeling the pinch of reforms can weather the hardship. That’s how we create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.”

Her remarks underscore a delicate truth: reforms, however necessary, risk eroding public patience without tangible improvements in livelihoods. Okonjo-Iweala’s message to the President was clear — pair stability with inclusive growth, and Nigeria’s economic narrative could shift decisively.

For now, her public endorsement is a boost to Tinubu’s reform credentials, signalling that the global economic community is not only watching Nigeria’s path forward — it is cautiously optimistic.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
14 August 2025

In the turbulent theatre of Rivers State politics, Nyesom Wike has once again proven himself a master tactician, pulling the strings with precision to reclaim the grassroots machinery that fuels political dominance.

On Wednesday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers governor stood at the heart of a spectacle — the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in Port Harcourt. The air was thick with loyalty. Party chairperson Aeron Chukwuemeke and suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, both Wike loyalists, showered effusive praise on the man they openly hailed as “leader” and “father” of the party in the state. Flanked by 26 lawmakers loyal to Wike, Amaewhule’s words underscored a political reality few now contest: the minister has consolidated his hold on both the PDP and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), whose state chairman, Tony Okocha, is firmly in his camp.

Conspicuously absent from the day’s choreography was Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists. Their presence was reduced to a backdrop image — symbolic, yet politically telling.

Wike and Fubara’s relationship has long since collapsed into a bitter feud, splintering the legislature into rival camps and sparking a political crisis that no presidential intervention has managed to tame. The Supreme Court’s intervention earlier this year — voiding local elections conducted under Fubara, reinstating pro-Wike lawmakers, and freezing state allocations until a budget is presented to the “legitimate” assembly — shifted momentum decisively in Wike’s favour.

Once restored, the pro-Wike assembly wasted no time issuing an impeachment notice to the governor, deepening the stalemate. A pipeline explosion in the state only heightened tensions, and by March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspending both Fubara and the legislature. The president installed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator, a controversial move that drew criticism from legal and civic groups.

Ibas swiftly dissolved Fubara-era boards and commissions, installing new ones. Among them was a reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, which moved with striking speed to fix August 30 for local elections — less than two months away.

Despite legal challenges and public protests over holding polls under emergency rule, the electoral process surged ahead. Primaries produced an unmistakable pattern: Wike’s loyalists emerged as flag-bearers not only for the PDP but also for the APC.

With both major parties’ grassroots candidates now drawn from his stable, Wike’s grip on Rivers politics appears unshakable — a dual-party dominance rare in Nigeria’s fiercely competitive political landscape.

For Governor Fubara, the symbolism is stark: the very base that fuels political survival in Rivers — the councillors, chairpersons, and ward mobilisers — is now firmly in his rival’s camp. For Wike, it is the art of political consolidation writ large, a calculated return to the commanding heights of his home state’s politics, executed with timing, loyalty, and an eye on the levers that matter most.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp