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APC Confirms Active Engagement With Wike To Resolve Rivers Crisis
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed it is actively engaging with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to resolve the persistent political crisis in Rivers State.
The party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on TVC’s ‘Beyond The Headlines’ show, noting that despite Wike not being a registered member of the APC, his influence and alignment with President Bola Tinubu make his involvement crucial.
“Of course, as you know, Wike is an avowed supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even though not a member of the political party,” Basiru said. “So, as somebody who is interested in the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State is critical to that success, and of course, definitely he will be engaged, and he’s been engaged on an amicable resolution in the state as expected.”
Basiru explained that the party was pursuing quiet consultations to restore stability to the state, emphasising that not all actions being taken would be made public.
“Quiet consultations are ongoing to address the situation,” he added. “Not every measure being taken will be made public through the media.”
He assured that the Rivers crisis would be settled amicably “without winners or losers,” and hinted that further details would be made public in the coming days.
JomogNews reports that the Rivers political crisis deepened after Governor Siminalayi Fubara officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC on December 9, 2025. The defection followed months of tension between Fubara and Wike, a former Rivers State governor, over control of the state’s political structure.
Fubara’s switch, which many analysts saw as a major realignment ahead of the 2027 general election, came after several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly had already joined the APC.
In response, Wike publicly criticised Fubara, accusing him of violating previous agreements and questioning his political future.
The FCT Minister argued that Fubara lacked genuine support within the APC, claiming the governor was “being misadvised” and had slim chances of securing a second term in 2027 elections.
Despite the governor’s defection, tensions persisted within the APC-controlled House of Assembly, which on January 8 initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara, a move widely believed to have been influenced by Wike’s loyalists. The impeachment process, however, has been stalled by ongoing court cases.
Addressing claims that the APC was dominated by political elites, Basiru dismissed the notion, insisting that the ruling party remains a “mass-based organization.”
“The APC is a very serious political party. We are a mass-based organization, and going by the figures from our mass-based e-registration system, we are sure that APC is the party to beat in all elections,” he said.
“We are loved by the Nigerian people, and they are trooping out to join the APC. We have made tremendous progress in the registration of new members that we have embarked upon. We are very comfortable that we are not an elite organization.”
Basiru added that the APC remained focused on strengthening its grassroots structures and mobilising Nigerians under its socio-democratic ideals.
“Our tradition is socio-democratic, pro-people, and we are working to strengthen our party. We are mobilizing, conscientizing, and showing Nigerians why the pan-Nigerian political party, the APC, is the party to be in,” he said.
“We are resilient and persistent in ensuring that we pass our message and get people to join our political party. As I speak now, the mass of Nigerian people are joining our party in large numbers.”
Maureen Omorinola Badejo is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on February 20, 2026, following charges filed by the Inspector-General of Police over allegations bordering on defamation, cyberstalking, and related offences.
The charges arise from online publications made in November 2021, in which Ms. Badejo allegedly transmitted statements and videos on YouTube and Facebook concerning Apostle Johnson Suleman and his associate Dickson Omodiale Osajie.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that:
Ms. Badejo conspired with others to publish defamatory content against Apostle Suleman.
She allegedly portrayed him as a cultist, rapist, assassin, ritualist, and other criminal labels, knowing the claims to be false.
She is accused of sending false messages via computer networks intended to cause annoyance, hatred, intimidation, and injury to reputation.
Additional allegations state that defamatory statements were also made against Mr. Dickson Osajie, claiming involvement in crimes such as rape and ritual killing.
Authorities further allege that the publications caused fear for safety and threatened bodily harm to the complainants.
The offences cited fall under provisions of the Criminal Code Act (Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The case follows a formal petition submitted to the Nigeria Police Force by Mr. Osajie, who alleged persistent cyberstalking, harassment, invasion of privacy, threats to life, and dissemination of false information affecting himself, Apostle Suleman, and their families.
Statement from Maureen Badejo
Ms. Badejo maintains her readiness to face the court and present her defense, expressing confidence in the Nigerian judicial system to ensure fairness and justice.
“I will appear in court as required and trust that the truth will prevail through due legal process,” she stated.
However Ms. Badejo is expected to be formally arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, where the charges will be read and she will enter her plea.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially suspended impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.
The House moved the motion to halt the impeachment process on Thursday at its resumed sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
JomogNews had reported that during its first sitting of 2026, the House had begun impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the State Assembly complex and alleged spending without legislative approval, among other claims.
More details later….
Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have reached $48.5 billion, their highest level in nearly 13 years.
This milestone, confirmed by data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), surpasses previous multi-year peaks and represents the strongest balance since May 14, 2013, when reserves stood at approximately $48.51 billion.
However, the data showed that the foreign reserves increased steadily by 6.45 percent or $2.94 billion year-to-date, from $45.56 billion reported on January 1 to $48.5 billion.
Further checks showed that the FX reserves figure was $48.36 billion on Monday.
According to the CBN, FX reserves are assets held on reserve by a monetary authority in foreign currencies, which are used to back liabilities and influence monetary policy.
On December 22, 2025, the apex bank projected that the country’s external reserves would rise to $51.04 billion in 2026, saying the increase will be supported by FX reforms.
“Reforms in the foreign exchange market are expected to sustain exchange rate stability, while external reserves are projected to increase to US$51.04 billion,” CBN said.
On February 10, Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN, said the bank will do “whatever it takes” to safeguard the value of the naira, while strengthening the country’s external reserves.
Looking ahead to 2030, he said the CBN’s targets include achieving single-digit inflation and growing foreign exchange (FX) reserves driven by non-oil exports, foreign direct investment, and diaspora remittances.
Maureen Badejo To Appear Before Federal High Court Tomorrow On Defamation, Cybercrime Charges
Rivers Assembly Suspends Impeachment Move Against Fubara After Tinubu’s Intervention
Reserves Surge To $48.5bn As Nigeria Reclaims 2013 Peak Levels
Ogun Police Launch Investigation Into TikToker Mirabel’s Sexual Assault Claims
Tragedy In Ondo: Gunmen Attack Palace, Traditional Ruler Killed
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