Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, held a praise and worship session to celebrate the Supreme Court’s triumph over Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his successor in Rivers State.

In a video shared on his X account on Friday, February 28, 2025, the former Rivers Governor was seen in a celebratory mood as he and his friends and associates sang to praise God for the court victory.

The 3-minute-48-second clip, captioned “Time for Worship, Praises and Prayers,” shows one of his associates praying and thanking God for His grace, blessing and protection over the minister.

This comes a few hours after the apex court delivered a raft of judgements regarding the power struggle between Fubara and Wike’s camps.

ALOS READ: VIDEO: Wike Rejects Reconciliation with Rivers Governor Fubara

The court first determined that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) violated the Electoral Act by continuing voter registration after announcing the election date.

Consequently, all the local government chairpersons and councillors who emerged from the annulled election were sacked, with the state government required to organise fresh elections in compliance with the law.

The apex court also upheld the decision of the Abuja High Court, which instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to pause the release of funds to the Rivers State government, citing the state’s disobedience to court orders.

The judgement, read by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, dismissed Fubara’s appeal challenging the legitimacy of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.

The five-man panel ruled that Fubara unlawfully presented the 2024 budget to a four-member House, denying 27 constituencies proper representation.

The court resolved that Amaewhule and his group of lawmakers should resume legislative activities immediately.

Time for Worship, Praises and Prayers pic.twitter.com/ARrrg1NY51

— Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (@GovWike) February 28, 2025

What the Supreme Court ruling implies for Fubara

The Supreme Court ruling has tilted the balance of power, favouring Wike and his camp and weakening Fubara’s position in the ongoing feud.

ALSO READ: Odili scuttles Tinubu’s peace accord, encourages Fubara to disobey President – Wike

Many observers have also predicted that the Amaewhule-led House will initiate impeachment proceedings once reconvened.

With looming financial constraints and a hostile legislature, Fubara’s administration may soon face governance challenges, which could limit his control over state affairs.

The court’s rebuke of his actions and portrayal of him as a dictator may have also damaged his credibility. This allows the FCT minister to exert greater influence in the oil-rich state through an Assembly dominated by his loyalists.

The Lagos State House of Assembly lawmakers have rejected Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted speaker, and insisted that Mojisola Meranda remains the recognised speaker.

The lawmakers made this known when speaking to journalists at the assembly complex on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

This followed an earlier development: Obasa, accompanied by security operatives, made a dramatic return to the House to reclaim his seat.

His arrival followed a series of manoeuvring, including the sudden withdrawal of security details attached to the new Speaker, which raised speculation about a potential power shift.

Obasa reportedly later conducted a plenary with only four lawmakers in attendance and adjourned the session sine die.

ALSO READ: Obasa’s removal sparks division in Lagos APC as GAC holds emergency meeting

Lagos lawmakers reject Obasa

However, reacting to the development, the pro-Meranda lawmakers expressed surprise at the turn of events and called on the leadership of the Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos to intervene in the crisis.

A member representing the Oshodi-Isolo constituency, Stephen Ogundipe, spoke on his colleague’s behalf and stressed that the leadership needs to communicate their stance to prevent the situation from deteriorating.

“We were approached by our leaders that we should remain calm and take things easy. But we are surprised to see what is happening here today,” he said.

“We won’t take laws into our hands, just as we told the staff not to take laws into our hands. But we all belong to different constituencies, and we have our mandate. Whatever has to happen, the leadership should speak with us and not this charade we are seeing.

“We are not happy; we have been law-abiding. We have not gone out of our way against the state.

“We also want to be respected, to be given our dignity. To be shown that we are elected. I’m appealing to the leadership of our party that we cannot continue this way,” Ogundipe added.

ALSO READ: Lagos Speaker, Moji Meranda ‘faces resignation’ as DSS seals office

#Obasa'Return:
Supporters of Mudashiru Obasa gathered at the Lagos State House of Assembly gate, chanting slogans in support of his return as Speaker. #YorubaDun | NNPCL | Obasa | Congratulations Annie | IT HAS BEEN REVERSED | Amin pic.twitter.com/z3cFh8Agxl

— LAGOS EYE NEWS (@LAGOSEYENEWS) February 27, 2025

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A former Labour Party chieftain, Valentine Ozigbo, says he remains an Obidient despite recently decamping to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obidients is a term the supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, are fondly called.

Ozigbo, who ran on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the last governorship election in Anambra State, has been Obi’s staunch supporter and ally.

In 2022, he dumped the PDP to team up with Obi in the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 election, playing a pivotal role in the former Anambra governor’s campaigns.

When he announced his resignation from the Labour Party last week, Val said he had informed Obi of his decision out of respect for his leadership and principles.

I remain an Obidient – Ozigbo

Meanwhile, Ozigbo said he continues to be known as Obidient despite departing from his leader’s political vehicle.

He made this known in an interview on Channels Television‘s Politics Today programme on Thursday, February 27, 2025, when he defended and explained his reasons for joining the APC.

He maintained that the Labour Party has become a shadow of the party he joined three years ago, forcing him to seek an alternative platform where his dream of becoming Anambra governor can be actualised.

ALSO READ: Tinubu under fire as LP stalwart demands caution over threats against Peter Obi

He argued that one major reason Anambra has continued to be dogged by underdevelopment was the state’s non-alignment with the centre, motivating him to join the APC to change the story.

Speaking on his relationship with Obi and the difference between ‘Valiants’–his supporters’ alias derived from his first name–and Obidients, Ozigbo said the two groups are not mutually exclusive.

He explained that some Obidients are also Valiants, and his defection to the APC hasn’t changed that dynamic.

He answered in the affirmative when asked if he still identifies as an Obidiene.

“I’m Obidient in the sense that I’m pursuing a cause of a better Nigeria,” the politician stated.

“The definition of an Obidient in my own heart is somebody who hungers for a better country, and you’ll always see that in me, and that’s what I’m promising people who are listening to me today.

“The Valentine that was Obidient is the same Valentine that is Valiant and also Obidient at the same time.”

Ozigbo also claimed that some elements in the ruling party also identify as Obidients.

“Obidient isn’t Labour (Party). Obidient has never been synonymous with Labour. There are Obidients that are not even in any party. There are Obidients in APC. There are Obidients in APGA. There are Obidients in Labour (Party).

ALSO READ: Kenneth Okonkwo urges Tinubu, Atiku, Obi to step aside for 2027 elections

“It’s just that Obidients wanted to use Labour to prosecute their agenda, but some of the people who are entrenched in the APC were very supportive of the Obidients. I’m not joking,” he added.