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2027: Tinubu Must Sack Wike Ijaws Group
Ijaws for Tinubu 2027, a political group, has called for the immediate dismissal of Nyesom Wike as FCT Minister over his remarks concerning the Ijaw people.
Tamuno Esiri, the group’s leader, made this demand in a statement in Port Harcourt on Friday.
“The Ijaws for Tinubu 2027 demand the immediate removal of Wike if President Tinubu is determined to secure a second term, which he deserves,” Mr Esiri said.
During an interview with journalists on the political crises in Rivers, Mr Wike allegedly referred to the Ijaw people as a minority ethnic group in the Niger Delta.
Mr Esiri condemned Mr Wike’s assertion, insisting that the Ijaws are among the dominant ethnic groups in the region.
He claimed that Mr Wike’s comments if left unchecked, could harm President Bola Tinubu’s chances of re-election in 2027.
“We believe Wike is deliberately undermining the president’s support among the Ijaw people, who constitute a majority in the Niger Delta.
“In our view, Wike’s presence in President Tinubu’s cabinet poses a threat to democracy and peace in the Niger Delta,” he said.
Mr Esiri also urged Mr Tinubu to rein in Mr Wike over his alleged involvement in escalating political crises in Rivers and his purported insults directed at respected elders and political leaders across the country.
He advised the president against believing Mr Wike could still deliver Rivers in the 2027 general elections.
“President Tinubu should note that Wike has lost the political goodwill he carried into the 2023 elections, as an overwhelming majority of Rivers people are firmly behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“Any political interest that believes the FCT Minister can secure victory for the president in the 2027 elections in Rivers State should have a rethink,” he added.
Mr Esiri also criticised the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly for allegedly proposing bills that could further destabilise the state’s political landscape.
He issued a 14-day ultimatum for the lawmakers to heed Mr Tinubu’s call for peace by allowing Mr Fubara to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
“The legislators must immediately desist from initiating self-serving and anti-River State bills, or they should prepare to be recalled by their constituents.
“If the lawmakers fail to promote peace, we will collaborate with all well-meaning groups and Rivers people who support Governor Fubara and President Tinubu to initiate their recall process.
“The Ijaws for Tinubu 2027 demand the total liberation of Rivers State,” Mr Esiri concluded.
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed that the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the emirship dispute remains valid, dismissing claims that it has been overturned.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, clarified that the court’s decision to grant a stay of execution does not nullify its January 10, 2025, judgment, which upheld the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law, 2019, and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
Addressing journalists in Kano, Dederi said, “The Court of Appeal’s stay of execution is a standard judicial procedure. It does not overturn the court’s ruling but rather maintains the status quo until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict.”
The legal dispute stems from an appeal filed at the Supreme Court by Alhaji Aminu Baba Dan’Agundi, a staunch supporter of the deposed 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.
The government reassured residents that the appeal process does not invalidate the reinstatement of Sanusi II.
“The judgment of the Court of Appeal is still standing and subsisting. Only the Supreme Court has the power to overturn it,” Dederi emphasised.
The government also expressed concerns over what it described as misleading reports aimed at causing confusion among Kano residents.
Dederi urged the public to disregard any false narratives suggesting that the emirship ruling had been nullified.
“We are committed to due process and legal procedures. Our legal team is carefully reviewing the latest ruling to determine the next course of action,” he stated.
The government called on the people of Kano to remain law-abiding and not be provoked by misinformation.
It reassured residents of its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the state as the legal battle over the emirship continues.
The Pan Delta Forum (PANDEF) youth wing has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Wike, to retract his disparaging remarks against the Ijaw nation and PANDEF leaders.
According to the youth wing’s national president, Doben Donyegha, Wike’s remarks were embarrassing and annoying, especially coming less than 24 hours after PANDEF’s delegation met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Donyegha also called on President Tinubu to sack Wike from his cabinet, stating that the youth wing no longer had confidence in him.
Furthermore, Donyeha urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate Wike over allegations of land-grabbing activities in the FCT.
Security Operatives, Vigilantes Neutralise Notorious Kidnapper In Nasarawa
Awanted kidnapping suspect was on Friday killed in a joint operation by operatives of the Nasarawa State police command, Nigerian Army and vigilante groups in Akwanga Local Government Area.
Spokesperson for the command, Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
It read, “The Nasarawa State Police Command, in its relentless drive to curb criminal activities, has collaborated with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups to successfully neutralize a notorious and wanted kidnapper during a joint security operation in Akwanga, Nasarawa state
“This achievement occurred on March 14, 2025, at about 2200 hours, when security operatives tracked down the suspect, identified as Abdullahi (surname unknown), also known as “Honor”, a well-known armed robber and kidnapper who had been on the command’s wanted list for multiple offenses.”
According to Mr Nansel, the neutralised suspect, whose accomplice escaped with gunshot wounds, had in his possession weapons which were recovered by the security operatives.
“He was intercepted near the Akwanga Central Mosque while riding a motorcycle. During the operation, the suspect attempted to evade arrest and was fatally shot. A search of the suspect led to the recovery of: One Beretta pistol without bridge number, Twelve rounds of 9mm live ammunition.
“One accomplice managed to escape with gunshot wounds, and a manhunt is currently underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect. The deceased suspect’s body has been evacuated to Akwanga General Hospital Mortuary for post mortem examination.”
Commending the operatives for their professional conduct and effective collaboration, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, urged them to maintain the momentum in the fight against criminal elements in the state, and warned criminals to desist from their nefarious activities or face decisive action.