Scenario report: Rivers politics under APC over the next five years

Scenario report: Rivers politics under APC over the next five years

Baseline context and assumptions

Rivers State enters the APC era with executive–legislative alignment, a recalibrated relationship with the federal center, and lingering factional tensions from recent crises. The oil economy, infrastructure gaps, security pressures in the Niger Delta, and federal–state bargaining dynamics will anchor outcomes. These scenarios assume steady national economic conditions, no constitutional disruptions, and typical electoral cycles.

Comparative Analysis: Rivers Politics Under PDP vs. APC

Comparative Analysis: Rivers Politics Under PDP vs. APC

Rivers State Under PDP

For over two decades, Rivers State was firmly under the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Since 1999, the party dominated gubernatorial elections and maintained a strong grip on the legislature. This dominance was reinforced by the influence of political heavyweights like former governor Nyesom Wike, who consolidated PDP’s power through extensive grassroots mobilization and patronage networks.

UPDATED: Gov Fubara Defects To APC

Photo By Channels Television

Governor Siminalayi Fubara Defects to APC

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt on December 9, 2025. Fubara explained that his decision was rooted in loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, whom he credited with sustaining his political survival. He declared that without Tinubu’s support, he would have already been a “former governor.”

Senate Summons Aviation Minister Over 400% Airfare Hike

Senate Summons Aviation Minister Over 400% Airfare Hike

In a dramatic move that underscores growing public frustration, the Nigerian Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation alongside key stakeholders in the aviation industry to appear before its committee.

This follows what lawmakers described as an astronomical and unacceptable surge in airfares across the country, with ticket prices reportedly rising by over 400 percent in recent months.

Senate Approves Tinubu’s Request to Deploy Troops to Benin Republic for Peace Mission

Senate Approves Tinubu’s Request to Deploy Troops to Benin Republic for Peace Mission

In a decisive move reflecting Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability, the Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin.

The mission, described as a peacekeeping effort, is aimed at restoring democratic order and stabilizing the neighboring country following a recent coup attempt.

Adeleke Joins Accord Party

Adeleke Joins Accord Party

In a dramatic political twist less than twenty-four hours before the Accord Party governorship primary election, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced his defection to the Accord Party.

The declaration was made at the Government House in Osogbo, where Adeleke addressed members of the State Executive Council, top government officials, and leaders of the Accord Party.

Policy-Focused Analysis: NAFDAC’s Warning on Substandard, Unregistered Edible Oils

Policy-Focused Analysis: NAFDAC’s Warning on Substandard, Unregistered Edible Oils

The recent alert by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regarding the circulation of substandard and unregistered edible oils in Nigeria is more than a consumer safety issue, it is a matter with deep economic and regulatory implications.

Economic Implications

The influx of adulterated oils undermines legitimate businesses that comply with regulatory standards. Companies such as Lebruni Agro Limited, which invest in hygienic processing and proper registration, face unfair competition from smugglers who bypass quality assurance and taxation. This distorts market dynamics, discourages investment in local agro-processing, and erodes consumer trust in Nigerian-made products.

NAFDAC Warns Against Circulation of Substandard, Unregistered Edible Oils

NAFDAC Warns Against Circulation of Substandard, Unregistered Edible Oils

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a strong public alert regarding the growing circulation of substandard and unregistered edible oils across Nigeria.

In a statement released on December 9, 2025, the agency identified several brands, FINO, PUR, OKI, SUPER DELICIEX, and LA JONIC, as products whose sources, production processes, and safety standards remain unknown. These oils are being smuggled into the country and sold under multiple brand names in major markets nationwide, including Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, Warri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Maiduguri, and several other cities.

Policy and Public Opinion Implications of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s “Lesser Evil” Statement

Policy and Public Opinion Implications of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s “Lesser Evil” Statement

Executive summary

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s assertion that kidnapping schoolchildren is a “lesser evil” than killing soldiers is not just morally incendiary; it is strategically consequential. The statement reframes the hierarchy of harm within Nigeria’s insecurity crisis and forces a choice between punitive force and negotiated de-escalation. In practical terms, it could accelerate calls for dialogue with armed groups, widen public distrust of elite discourse on security, and complicate the legitimacy of government policy. The immediate risk is rhetorical normalization of child abduction; the potential opportunity is a renewed, structured conversation about non-military pathways to stabilize rural conflict zones. Policymakers must respond with clarity, consistent messaging, and concrete protections for children, while placing negotiations, if pursued, within a regulated, accountable framework that does not reward atrocity.

Kidnapping Schoolchildren is Lesser Evil Compared to Killing Soldiers – Sheikh Gumi

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s Controversial Statement on Kidnapping and Killing

Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, a prominent Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has stirred nationwide debate after declaring that kidnapping schoolchildren is a “lesser evil” compared to killing soldiers.

His remarks, made during an interview with the BBC, have drawn sharp criticism and intense public scrutiny.

Timeline of Recent Coups and Attempted Coups in West Africa Leading to ECOWAS’s State of Emergency

Timeline of Recent Coups and Attempted Coups in West Africa Leading to ECOWAS’s State of Emergency

The declaration of a state of emergency by ECOWAS on December 9, 2025 was not an isolated decision. It followed a series of destabilizing coups and attempted coups across West Africa that have shaken the region’s democratic foundations.

Below is a chronological account of the most recent events that directly influenced ECOWAS’s announcement.

UPDATED: ECOWAS Announces State of Emergency in West Africa

ECOWAS Declares State of Emergency in West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has formally declared a state of emergency across the region, marking one of the most significant political and security announcements in recent years.

The declaration was made on December 9, 2025, during the 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council in Abuja, Nigeria, by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray.

External Pressure and the Evolution of Pageantry

External Pressure and the Evolution of Pageantry

Throughout the history of beauty contests, reform has rarely come from within. Instead, external forces, sponsors, media, and audiences, have consistently driven change when scandals or tragedies threatened the credibility of pageants. 

The ordeal of Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, fits squarely into this pattern, and the way stakeholders respond will likely determine whether Miss Universe evolves or stagnates.