……Insists PDP no longer Nigeria’s main opposition party

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has warned that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may become doomed and irrelevant if it fails to present former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.

Fayose made the remarks during an exclusive interview on Arise Television, where he described Obi as the only political figure capable of giving the ADC national relevance.

He argued that other political figures within the party lack the electoral appeal required to make a meaningful impact at the polls.


“Peter Obi is the life in ADC,” Fayose said. “I didn’t say there are no other human beings in ADC. I’m saying others are largely spent forces.”

The former governor argued that Obi’s political influence goes beyond party structures, noting that his popularity was clearly demonstrated during the 2023 general election when the Labour Party, previously regarded as fringe, won several seats in the House of Representatives on the back of Obi’s candidacy.

“When Obi went to Labour, Labour that was never known, people won elections to the House of Reps,” Fayose said, stressing that Obi’s emergence instantly transformed the party’s electoral fortunes.

Fayose maintained that Obi would attract significant support regardless of the platform he contests on, even suggesting that a little-known party could gain relevance solely by fielding the former Anambra governor.

“Let’s say Obi didn’t go to ADC. Let Obi go to another party. Let’s say Obi is in Accord… Obi is the only traction, Obi is the only meaning, Obi is the only factor,” he said.

However, Fayose was careful not to frame his comments as a prediction of electoral victory or defeat in 2027.

He said his argument was strictly about the ADC’s survival and relevance in the evolving political landscape.

“I’m not saying Obi will win this election. I’m not saying Obi will not win this election,” he said.

“But I’m telling you, even if they don’t field Obi, if ADC fails to field Obi, their case will be worse than their coming together.”

The former governor added that sidelining Obi would significantly weaken the party’s standing ahead of the polls, insisting that the ex-governor of Anambra remains central to any serious electoral ambition the ADC may have in 2027

Former governor of Enugu State, Okwesilieze Nwodo, has said the South-East has shared his thoughts on the reason the All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed to gain recognition in the Southeast.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television, Nwodo stated the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the current administration of President Bola Tinubu were difficult for the region.

He asserted that the Buhari administration was harsh on the region, adding that conditions under President Tinubu have become even more challenging.

He stated that that APC has failed to gain acceptance in the South-East because it is widely perceived as a party that targets the region for oppression.

The elder statesman stated that this notion has alienate the South-East from the ruling party.

Nwodo said: “Unfortunately, since APC was formed in the southeast, it has never taken root. It has been seen as the government, or the party that singles out the South is for oppression.

“Eight years of Buhari was quite difficult for our people, and the two half years of President Bola Tinubu is even more difficult for our people.

“So naturally, they don’t gravitate towards APC. Our leaders may go there for reasons best known to them, but I can tell you, they’re not speaking for the general public.”

…Rivers Assembly Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plots to Undermine Impeachment Process

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called for calm among the people of the state amid the ongoing impeachment process initiated by the State House of Assembly.

Fubara made the call during a church service held to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, assuring residents that everything would be fine.

The governor explained that his decision to remain silent in the face of distractions was deliberate, noting that he draws strength from his faith in God.

Recalling his remarks at the New Year banquet held at Government House, the governor said that “dogs bark when they do not understand.”

He made the comments briefly before inviting his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, whom he had earlier assigned to read the first lesson at the service, to address the congregation.

In her remarks, the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, thanked attendees for their presence at the church service.

Odu urged everyone to maintain good conduct, in line with the admonition of the Dean of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Blessing Eyinda, who stressed during his sermon that every action would be remembered at one time or another.

She also appealed to the people to continue upholding the administration in prayer, describing such support as the pillar sustaining the government.

Last Thursday, the Rivers State House of Assembly commenced the proceedings, accusing the governor and Ngozi Odu, his deputy, of gross misconduct.

The lawmakers also accused the governor of spending without approval.

The move is the second time the lawmakers have attempted to impeach Fubara since he emerged as governor in 2023 following a feud between him and his predecessor and estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

In October 2023, the Assembly first initiated an impeachment proceeding against Fubara over allegations of gross misconduct.

However, the impeachment process was dropped shortly after President Bola Tinubu intervened in the political rift between Fubara and Wike at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

In December of that year, the lawmakers officially withdrew the impeachment notice against Governor Fubara following a peace deal signed by Fubara and Wike.

The peace deal later broke down, with the Rivers Assembly stripping Governor Fubara of the power to appoint caretaker committees for local government councils.

In March 2025, the assembly, for the second time, began an impeachment process against Governor Fubara and his Deputy, after serving a notice of alleged misconduct against them.

While the process was ongoing, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on 18 March 2025 and suspended all elected officials in the state, including the governor, for six months.

Fubara only returned to the office in September of that year after the president declared an end to the emergency rule following a second peace deal brokered in June between Messrs Fubara and Wike alongside their supporters.

The second peace deal recently broke down with Wike accusing the governor of reneging on the terms of the latest agreement in the peace deal brokered by the president.

Fubara recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), apparently in the hope that he can receive political protection from the ruling party.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has raised alarm over what it described as clandestine attempts by unnamed individuals to use certain Rivers State High Courts outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to undermine the ongoing impeachment process against the Governor and Deputy Governor of the state.

In a statement dated January 11, 2026, and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, the Assembly said it received credible information that some persons were seeking ex parte court orders to illegally restrain the House from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

The lawmakers warned that such actions, if carried out, would amount to a subversion of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Assembly cited Sections 272 (3) and 188(10) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which limit the jurisdiction of courts in matters relating to the tenure of elected officials and expressly bar courts from entertaining proceedings connected to impeachment processes.

It also referenced recent judicial pronouncements by the Court of Appeal that nullified similar ex parte orders issued in the past.

According to the statement, all office holders affected by the impeachment process have already been duly served with notices of allegations of gross misconduct and are expected to respond accordingly, rather than resort to what the House described as “subterranean moves” aimed at frustrating due process.

The House of Assembly, with the approval of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule called on all concerned to exercise restraint and respect the rule of law. It reaffirmed its commitment to the Constitution and democratic governance, insisting it would not be distracted by attempts to malign the Assembly or intimidate its members.

The statement was signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Dr Enemi Alabo George.