In Nigeria’s volatile political landscape, Party defections are often less about ideology and more about survival. But for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose recent membership in the All Progressives Congress (APC) comes amid fierce political wrangling, the stakes are far higher. This is not just about power play — it is about good governance continuity, institutional legitimacy, and political reinvention in Rivers State.

The challenge now before Governor Fubara is simple in wording but complex in execution: how can he consolidate power within a party already infiltrated by loyalists of his fiercest political adversary without compromising the people’s mandate or derailing good governance and the delivery of the much- touted dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State?

Join me as we navigate some suggestions which hopefully can become a winning strategy.

*1. Own the Narrative: This Is Not Defection, It’s Realignment*

Fubara’s move to APC must be framed not as opportunism but as realignment in the national interest. He should immediately begin public engagement, telling the Rivers people — especially young voters — that his decision was:
– To ensure Federal collaboration on critical infrastructure,
– To stabilise the State’s political environment, and
– To access the tools necessary to govern without external sabotage.

A leader who speaks directly to the people gains legitimacy that no faction can undercut.

*2. Isolate the Structure from the Politics*

Fubara must now begin a deliberate reconstruction of the APC in Rivers, separating governance from political vendetta.

That means:
– Replacing transactional politics with issue-based leadership.
– Identifying and elevating new leaders across youth, women, and business constituencies, outside the current status quo .
– Ensuring appointments are based on merit and service, not only party loyalty.

As 001 of Rivers APC, the goal should be: build a new Rivers APC that is good governance-driven, not godfather-owned.

*3. Deliver Tangible Governance Wins, Fast*

Nothing weakens political opposition like results. One can not over-emphasise this. Thus, Governor
Fubara must fast-track:
– The completion of signature road and housing projects,
– Completion of the State’s Civil/Public Service reform and Pension backlog clearance,
– Double down on viable and visible interventions in education, health and entrepreneurship sectors of the State.

If people feel government working in real terms, their loyalty will follow — regardless of partisan noise.

*4. Build Strategic Federal Alliances — But Keep Them Issue-Based*

Fubara’s ties to the Tinubu presidency — evident in NSA Ribadu’s recent commendation — must now be leveraged intelligently, not emotionally.

He must:
– Secure Federal support for Niger Delta-specific development (e.g. Ogoni clean-up, energy security),
– Cultivate ties with APC elders beyond Rivers State, and
– Avoid overreliance on Abuja power brokers who have conflicting loyalties.

He nust stay close, but not captured.

*5. Empower the People — Not Just Politicians*

With Gen Z and urban professionals growing in influence, Fubara can create a citizen movement around transparency, digital governance, and *youth inclusion*— effectively bypassing old guard power structures.

Create platforms where the people shape policy (e.g. town halls, online participatory budgeting). If he truly becomes the “People’s Governor ”, political godfathers will have no oxygen.

*6. Use Strategic Silence and Calculated Pushback*

To keen observers of the political chessboard, by defecting to the APC, the Governor’s antagonists hope to likely corner influence from within. Governor Fubara must continue not to respond with panic or public mudslinging.

Instead, he must deploy his signature strategem of :
– *Strategic silence* — let actions speak louder and
– *Calculated pushback* — using Law, Party procedure, and reforms that entrench good governance to block sabotage without stoking or escalating undercurrents of the existential conflict.

That is how to govern maturely and smart.

*7. Invest in a Long-Term Political Ecosystem*

Finally, Governor Fubara must stop being the accidental or reluctant Governor and start becoming the strategic builder of a new social-development driven political ecosystem in Rivers State, for which there is not much time even if he secures a second term 2027.

This means: Grooming loyal technocrats and politicians across LGA levels, creating political education platforms, building an ideology of service, and integrity that survives beyond his tenure.

*Conclusion*

Governor Fubara’s defection to the APC can either be a trap laid by his opponents or a golden opportunity to rewrite Rivers’ political DNA. The difference lies in his strategy.

To succeed, he must govern visibly and effectively, reinvent the Party from within, stay connected to the people, and remain politically nimble without becoming vindictive.

If he employs these strategies, he will not just win the political battle — he will reshape the flavour and future of Rivers politics entirely.

*Tonye Sipoto-Pepple is a Legal Practitioner and Public Commentator.*

The Federal Government has confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States following airstrikes that struck terrorist targets in the North-West.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerian authorities remain engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” aimed at tackling terrorism and violent extremism.

The statement, signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the collaboration led to “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” adding that the cooperation involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support conducted in line with international law and with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” the ministry said.

It stressed that terrorist violence, “whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”

The clarification followed comments by United States President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that US forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State fighters in north-western Nigeria.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

He added that further action would follow if the attacks continued, declaring: “If they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”

In a separate post, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were carried out with Nigeria’s cooperation, expressing gratitude for the support of the Nigerian government and noting that the US Department of War was “always ready.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria would continue to work with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats.

The airstrikes came a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and injured dozens in an incident authorities suspect was a suicide bombing.

The ministry said it would continue to keep the public informed through appropriate official channels.

Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, on Christmas Day celebrated babies born on December 25 and extended goodwill to children at the Port Harcourt Children’s Home, Borikiri.

Lady Fubara, who visited the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) in the early hours of Christmas morning, was presented with two newborns delivered on the day: baby Eric Chinyere Blessing, weighing 2.7kg and born at 12:02 a.m., and baby Chidugam Kinikachi Owhondah, delivered at 2:00 a.m.

Speaking during the visit, the First Lady thanked God for the gift of life and the grace to witness another Christmas, congratulating the parents and describing the babies as special gifts of the season.

She presented gift items, including toiletries and cash, to the newborns and their mothers, noting that it has become a tradition in Rivers State to identify with babies born on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
She urged the parents to raise their children in the fear of God, stressing that sound upbringing would make them a blessing to their families and society at large.

At the Port Harcourt Children’s Home, Borikiri, Lady Fubara further demonstrated the spirit of the season by donating gift items to the children, reassuring them of love, care and continued support. She commended the caregivers for maintaining a clean and habitable environment and expressed satisfaction with the level of care provided to the children.

In his remarks at RSUTH, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Chizindu Alikor, welcomed the First Lady and thanked her for the thoughtful gesture. He also expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for approving the employment of 1,000 staff and for equipping key departments of the hospital, assuring that the management would remain committed to effective service delivery.

The Christmas outreach, Lady Fubara said, reflects the administration’s commitment to compassion, inclusiveness and the wellbeing of the most vulnerable in society.

Many worshippers were feared dead on Tuesday evening after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the Gambarou Jumu’at Mosque in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Witnesses said the attacker infiltrated the mosque and set off the bomb during the Maghrib congregational prayer.

The explosion occurred during the first raka’at, causing panic and heavy casualties among worshippers.

Several people were confirmed killed on the spot, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

As of the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack.

However, suspicion has fallen on the Boko Haram insurgent group, which has carried out numerous suicide bombings and attacks in the region in recent months.

Security agencies were yet to issue an official statement, as investigations into the incident continue.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called on residents of the state to embrace peace, tolerance and unity as the surest pathway to collective progress and sustainable development.

In his Christmas message to the people of Rivers State on December 25, 2025, the governor described the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ as a powerful reminder of love, humility, sacrifice and compassion, values he said must guide interpersonal and communal relations, particularly in challenging times.

Fubara urged citizens, irrespective of religious affiliation, to uphold religious tolerance and renew their commitment to being one another’s keepers, stressing that harmony remains the foundation for growth and prosperity.

“Christmas stands as a profound expression of God’s boundless love and His gift of peace to humanity. I urge us all to reflect deeply on these enduring values and allow them to guide our conduct towards one another,” the governor said.
Reaffirming his administration’s development blueprint, the governor said his Rivers First agenda is firmly anchored on peace, inclusiveness and unity, noting that meaningful development can only thrive in a stable and harmonious environment.

“Our collective progress is anchored on unity and harmony. I remain steadfast in my commitment to the Rivers First agenda, driven by peace and dedicated to inclusive development,” he stated, adding that unity is critical to infrastructure development, economic growth and securing a prosperous future for all residents.

Fubara also appealed for calm, dialogue and understanding, urging residents to reject discord and division.

He emphasised that security is a shared responsibility and called on citizens to remain vigilant, cooperative and supportive of one another in safeguarding the state.

“Let us replace discord with dialogue and choose understanding over division. Safeguarding our state is a shared responsibility that begins with vigilance, cooperation, mutual respect and support,” he said.

The governor wished Rivers people a peaceful Christmas celebration and expressed optimism for the coming year, praying that 2026 would usher in renewed purpose, progress and breakthroughs across the state.

“As you celebrate this season, may your homes be filled with joy and your hearts overflow with love that transcends ethnic and religious boundaries,” Fubara said.

After years of acrimony and stalled negotiations, the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have finally concluded the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement, raising hopes for lasting stability in Nigeria’s public university system.

ASUU disclosed the breakthrough in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, confirming that the new agreement was reached on December 23, 2025, after prolonged and intensive engagements between both parties.

According to the union, the agreement, which takes effect from January 1, 2026, will be reviewed after three years.

“After years of delays, negotiations and struggles, ASUU has officially reached a new agreement with the Federal Government on December 23, 2025, concluding the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement,” the statement said.

Key highlights of the deal include a 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff in public universities, alongside significant improvements in pension benefits. Under the new arrangement, professors will earn pensions equivalent to their annual salaries upon retirement at the age of 70.

The agreement also introduces a new funding framework for universities, with dedicated allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment and staff development. As part of efforts to boost research and innovation, both parties agreed on the establishment of a National Research Council to fund research activities, with a minimum allocation of one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Other provisions include enhanced university autonomy and academic freedom, as well as the election of academic leaders such as Deans and Provosts, with eligibility restricted to professors.

The agreement further guarantees that no academic staff member will be victimised for participating in previous industrial actions.

The deal marks a significant turning point in government–university relations and is expected to ease tensions that have often resulted in prolonged strikes, disrupting academic calendars and undermining the quality of higher education in the country.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has celebrated its newly retired Directors and other staff by presenting service awards to them for their contributions to the Commission’s progress and success in the discharge of its mandate to develop the Niger Delta region.

Speaking during the ceremony at the NDDC Club House in Port Harcourt, the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stressed the need to recognise and honour retired staff for their various roles in driving the development process.

Ogbuku commended the retirees for the meritorious service they had given to the Niger Delta region, in particular, and to Nigeria as a whole, noting that it was a great honour to be recognised by one’s organisation.

He urged the retired Directors and staff to see themselves as ambassadors of the NDDC in whatever post-retirement activities they undertake.

Ogbuku said that the NDDC management would continue to reward those who served the Commission well, noting that it was essential to recognise and reward the efforts of staff and retirees who served without blemish.

The Managing Director told the retirees, “You have an institutional memory of the NDDC that is invaluable to those still in service. We will, therefore, continue to tap into your wealth of experience by engaging some of you as consultants.”

In his remarks, the NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, commended the retiring Directors for serving the Commission well. Stating: “You’re leaving the NDDC is not because the Commission does not want you again, it is just the nature of public service.”

“Without you, the Executive Management would not have been able to perform optimally. Your loyalty and dedication have helped us to succeed. We will still need your services as consultants and contractors because you are a rich repository of invaluable institutional memories for the NDDC.”

Earlier in his opening remarks, the retiring Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr Patrick Ekade, described the ceremony as a celebration of the retirees’ service.

He said that the current NDDC management thought it wise to make the retirement process less stressful: “The honour the NDDC bestows on the retirees is to give hope to those still in service. It is a celebration of hope for the retirees.”

Responding on behalf of the retirees, the former Director, Project Monitoring and Supervision, Engr. Nelson Onwo, thanked the NDDC Board and Management for recognising their contributions and celebrating them even in retirement.

He promised they would continue to support the NDDC whenever called upon to assist.

He remarked: “I am excited to be leaving because it allows me to explore other areas of my life. But again, I am going to miss the warmth of the NDDC family and friends of many years.”

Also responding, the former Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr George Uzonwanne, observed that the NDDC, apart from being a “wonderful family,” had provided the retirees with the best training throughout their service to the Commission.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), with multiple counts of money laundering, marking what observers have described as one of the most high-profile corruption trials in recent times.

Malami is to face a 16-count charge bordering on alleged laundering of billions of naira, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

He was charged alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Hajia Bashir Asabe.

According to the charge sheet, dated December 23, 2025, Malami allegedly laundered about ₦9 billion to acquire prime properties in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and other locations across the country.

The EFCC further alleged that the former Attorney-General is to account for about 30 houses, valued at approximately ₦212.8 billion, most of which were reportedly acquired during his eight-year tenure under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.

The anti-graft agency indicated that it may invoke the Non-Conviction Based Asset Forfeiture provisions of its Establishment Act to seize some of the properties. Under the law, the commission has a 14-day window to invite interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The EFCC is currently awaiting a date from the Federal High Court, Abuja, for the commencement of trial.

In what is shaping up as a major legal battle, the prosecution team is led by senior advocates Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Ekene Iheanacho (SAN), alongside 14 other lawyers. No fewer than 10 witnesses have been frontloaded in compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

The charge sheet details how Malami allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal and disguise the origin of illicit funds running into billions of naira through Sterling Bank accounts.

One of the counts alleged that between July 2022 and June 2025, Malami and his son procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of ₦1.014 billion, which the EFCC said the defendants reasonably ought to have known were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Other counts accused Malami, while serving as Attorney-General, of laundering ₦600 million between September 2020 and February 2021, retaining ₦600 million as cash collateral for a ₦500 million loan to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, and disguising ₦500 million used to purchase a luxury duplex in Maitama, Abuja, through Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.

The EFCC maintained that the transactions violated various provisions of Nigeria’s money laundering laws and are punishable under the relevant sections of the Acts.

The case is expected to draw significant public attention as proceedings begin.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called for a decisive shift from symbolic remembrance ceremonies to concrete, year-round support for Nigeria’s veterans and the families of fallen heroes, announcing a ₦100 million donation to the Nigerian Legion to underscore his administration’s commitment.

The Governor made the pledge on Tuesday at the 2026 Emblem Appeal Launch held at Government House, Port Harcourt, where he doubled the state’s 2025 contribution to the Legion.

He stressed that honouring those who fought to preserve Nigeria’s unity must go beyond annual emblem launches to deliberate policies and sustained welfare interventions.
Fubara said remembrance should translate into tangible improvements in the lives of surviving veterans and dependants of the fallen.

“It should go beyond coming here annually to do the emblem launching. It should go beyond that to support those who are still alive and appreciate the dead ones through any other means we can,” he stated.

Addressing concerns over an earlier pledge to employ 50 children of veterans, the Governor clarified that the delay was due to procedural requirements, not a policy reversal.

He urged the Nigerian Legion to submit the necessary list, assuring that action would follow immediately upon receipt.

The Governor also expressed satisfaction with the ongoing construction of the permanent Nigerian Legion State Secretariat in Rivers State, pledging that the project would be completed before the end of 2026.

He further appealed to individuals and organisations to redeem their pledges promptly to ensure uninterrupted welfare support for veterans.

In a welcome address, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, described Fubara—son of a soldier—as a steadfast ally of the military community, noting that his support reflected a deep understanding of the sacrifices made by service personnel.

He quoted the familiar refrain: “We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.”

Earlier, Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Rivers State Command, ACG Kuu Aminikpo Promise, commended the Governor for his consistent support, particularly the construction of the State Secretariat, which he described as a landmark intervention for the organisation.

The emblem launch signals the commencement of activities ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day on January 15, reaffirming Rivers State’s resolve to move veterans’ welfare from ceremonial acknowledgement to sustained, all-year care.