The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cast his ballot in the Rivers local government elections.

Wike, the immediate oast governor of the state, voted around 11: 15 am in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of the State, where he served as chairman for two terms.

He was a local government chairman in 1999 before he rose to become a governor, serving in that position from 2015 to 2023.

‘I Don’t See Democracy,’ Electoral College Director Faults Conduct Of Rivers LG Polls

After casting his ballot, the minister hailed the conduct of the exercise, described it as peaceful and also dismissed concerns over the non-usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the election.

“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election,” Wike, who was surrounded by supporters and his media aide, Lere Olayinka, said after voting, dismissing concerns about voter apathy.

“You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the election is very peaceful.

“Of course we are concerned [about low turnout] but people are trooping out. Before the election closes, you will see the number of persons [increase]. So, we are very happy that, at the end of the day, this election has been conducted very peacefully and successfully.”

Although there is no usage of BVAS in the election, Wike said concerns over the development does not undermine the conduct of the polls.

The minister, one of the key figures in the state, was at the centre of the political crisis in the coastal state which led to the imposition of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu after failed efforts to reconcile Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Oduh and members of the Rivers State Assembly in March for a period of six months. He appointed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), to oversee the affairs of the state.

But many Nigerians have questioned the constitutionality of the move which Tinubu said was to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

According to Wike, with the conduct of the local government elections, the coast is now clear for the lifting of the emergency rule.

“So having done this, then the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, meaning that the local government has representatives, the state government has its own elected representatives, so we are good to go,” he said

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Activist Aisha Yesufu has reacted to the ongoing legal battle between former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and lawyer Deji Adeyanju, urging Adeyanju to present the evidence he has repeatedly claimed to possess.

Peter Obi recently filed a lawsuit against Adeyanju after the lawyer publicly alleged that the former Anambra governor was fraudulent. Adeyanju has insisted on several occasions that he has proof to back his claims and dared Obi to sue him.

In her response, Yesufu, a strong supporter of Obi, said the legal action now provides an opportunity for Adeyanju to put forward his evidence in court.

“As a supporter of Mr Peter Obi, I am interested in the evidence the Barrister has. This case will offer me and millions of others the opportunity to have access to the evidence Barrister Deji has so we know whether to continue our support for Mr Peter Obi or withdraw it,” she stated.

Yesufu stressed that Obi’s decision to seek redress in court was the right approach, describing it as the civil and democratic path to take.

She added that if Obi had instead used state power to detain Adeyanju, she would have been among those leading a campaign for his release.

“If Mr Peter Obi had used machinery of the State to get Barrister Deji arrested and thrown into jail like many dictators we fight are doing, then I would be leading a #FreeDejiAdeyanju campaign. But now that he has been sued, let’s have the evidence,” she declared.

Defamation Under Nigerian Law

In Nigeria, defamation refers to the act of making false statements that harm the reputation of another person. It can take the form of libel (written) or slander (spoken).

For a defamation suit to succeed, the complainant in this case, Peter Obi must prove that the statements made were:

1. False and damaging to his reputation.
2. Published or communicated to a third party.
3. Made without lawful justification.

However, the defendant Deji Adeyanju can avoid liability if he is able to provide credible evidence proving that his allegations are true.

This means the court case could hinge on whether Adeyanju can substantiate his claims with verifiable evidence, or whether Obi can demonstrate that the accusations were baseless and damaging.

The case has generated nationwide attention, with political observers, supporters, and critics closely watching to see if Adeyanju will present the evidence he has long claimed to hold. The outcome could have far-reaching implications not only for Obi’s reputation but also for the broader issue of accountability and free speech in Nigeria’s political space.

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Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, has filed a lawsuit against political activist and lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, over alleged defamatory statements made between 2022 and 2025.

The suit, reportedly filed at a Nigerian High Court, accuses Adeyanju of repeatedly making damaging remarks about Obi’s character and political aspirations across traditional and social media. Obi’s legal team is seeking damages for reputational harm and a public retraction of the alleged defamatory comments.

Reacting to the lawsuit, Adeyanju dismissed Obi’s claims in a strongly worded statement posted online, saying:

“Just got this letter from Peter Obi the religious bigot demanding a retraction from me. I laughed so hard. I can’t wait to meet him in court finally. A fraud parading himself as a messiah. This same guy called the great Sowore a blackmailer-in-chief. We served his little errand girl Serah a letter to retract all her defamatory publications on Monday against my wife & she ran to the leader of the mob for help. Can’t wait to meet him in court.”

The case has stirred heated debates on social media, with Obi’s supporters defending his legal action as a step to protect his reputation, while Adeyanju’s followers insist it is an attempt to stifle criticism.

The lawsuit is expected to test the balance between free speech and defamation laws in Nigeria’s volatile political climate.

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has officially affirmed Umar Damagum as its substantive National Chairman.

The decision was taken on Monday by the PDP National Executive Committee.

At the same NEC meeting, the party also zoned it’s presidential ticket to the Southern Nigeria.

Damagum took his oath of office which was administered by the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade.

He was affirmed during PDP’s 102nd National Executive Committee meeting on Monday, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

Damagum was affirmed after the party agreed that he served as acting Chairman for over a year.

The party said Damagum should be elevated to substantive Chairman ahead of the National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The zoning of the presidential ticket comes amid pressure on former president Goodluck Jonathan to join the race.

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed recent remarks made by Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, who accused the opposition coalition under the ADC platform of “deceiving Nigerians.”

Baba-Ahmed, speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Friday, claimed that the coalition which brings together political heavyweights including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir El-Rufai, as well as Mr. Peter Obi lacked the capacity to rescue the nation from underdevelopment. He also stated his preference to see Obi return to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 elections with him.

Reacting in a statement signed by Jackie Wayas, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of
African Democratic Congress (ADC), the ADC described Baba-Ahmed’s comments as his personal opinion, stressing that they do not reflect the reality or objectives of the opposition coalition.

“The ADC led coalition is not an alliance of convenience; it is a deliberate, broad-based effort that brings together credible Nigerians across political divides, united by a shared commitment to national renewal, inclusive governance, and sustainable development,” the party said.

According to the ADC, the coalition remains a credible platform committed to transparency, integrity, and accountability, with the goal of providing Nigerians with a viable alternative to failed leadership.

The party urged Nigerians to disregard Baba-Ahmed’s “dismissive remarks,” adding that the coalition’s focus is on “restoring the dignity, prosperity, and unity of the country.”

The ADC maintained that it remains resolute in its mission and called on Nigerians of goodwill to join hands in the effort to rescue and rebuild the nation.

READ FULL STATEMENT FROM ADC

he coalition is a collective effort that requires the strength and skills of all patriots, we sincerely hope he comes on board to contribute to this shared vision for a better Nigeria.

The ADC coalition, comprising of seasoned leaders such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, Mr. Peter Obi, and others, was formed after extensive consultations to present a credible alternative to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027. This alliance prioritizes national interest over partisan divides, aiming to deliver competent, compassionate leadership that places Nigerians’ welfare first.

His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi has publicly affirmed his dedication to the coalition and the adoption of ADC as the platform for the 2027 elections. In a public statement on July 3, 2025, Mr. Obi declared and I quote: “Yesterday, the coalition members formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 Nigeria General Elections… Our commitment is to sacrifice and work together towards the 2027 General Elections, ensuring that Nigeria gets a competent, capable, and compassionate leadership that will prioritise the nation’s future by putting the welfare of Nigerians first.

This decision was not made lightly. It comes from deep reflection on where we are as a country and what must be done to move forward. No one group can change Nigeria alone. To dismantle the structures that keep our people in poverty and insecurity, we must build bridges, not walls even when those bridges are uneasy. “A New Nigeria is Possible.”

The ADC remains steadfast in its mission to unite opposition forces for a transformative agenda. Nigerians deserve clarity and unity in the pursuit of a better future. Let us rally behind the ADC and rescue Nigeria.

Signed,
Jackie Wayas
Deputy National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
August 23, 2025

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