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Ambassador Raises Alarm, Says APC Plotting to Violently Abort Polls in Rivers
By Akanimo Sampson
Ambassador Desmond Akawor, the Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in Rivers State has alerted Nigerians and the international community of an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to violently prevent the general elections from holding in the state.
Akawor who was speaking in Port Harcourt, the state capital, said last January 23, some leaders of the APC addressed a world press conference wherein they issued a direct and specific public threat to the effect that:
…there will be no National Assembly, Governorship and state House of Assembly elections in Rivers until all the cases pending before various courts have gone to the apex court for final decisions…
According to him, this February 7, ‘’a senior chieftain of the APC Prince Tonye Princewill issued another threat on behalf of the APC asserting that the party will prevent the general elections from holding in Rivers.’’ Princewill claimed that it will be lawful to be lawless if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to unlawfully include the APC and its candidates in Rivers on the ballot.
The APC chief had declared to Daily Post, there will be no elections in Rivers. With no reaction from the security agencies, ‘’Transportation Minister and Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Chibuike Amaech,i yet again renewed the APC’s threat at its presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt and arrogantly promised to deal with the Governor of Rivers and the PDP’’, Akawor said..
The rest of his testimony goes thus: ‘’While inciting his supporters with the bizarre Igbo war song: orule mgbe anyi gawa anya onye ujo abiala nge anyi na awa anya; meaning, it is time to go violent and anybody who is a coward should stay away from us even as the President Muhammadu Buhari watched helplessly.
‘’On Sunday, February 17, Princewill, reaffirmed the subsisting threat and plot of the APC to disrupt, cause havoc and prevent the general elections in Rivers. In his words: …I still see disaster come Saturday. Unless we’re on the ballot, the election won’t be smooth anywhere…
‘’Whilst the APC and its leaders continue to publicly declare their perverted intentions to take the laws into their hands and disrupt the general elections in Rivers State with maximum violence, neither the security agencies nor the Presidency have deemed it necessary to reprimand, investigate, caution and or arrest and prosecute the minister, Princewill and the leadership of the APC on the possible consequences of their outrageous and inciting utterances, threats and hate speeches to the peace, public order and security of lives and property in the state.
‘’Instead, we have started witnessing concerted efforts by the APC, INEC and the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army and the Police to actualise both the intent and content of the dangerous agenda of the APC to truncate the electoral processes in the State, as we get closer to the election dates.
‘’For instance, on Friday, February 15, 24 hours to the now rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections, the APC-led Federal Government deployed full military arsenal to cordon off, overrun and prevent voters and normal residents from getting to the Local Government Areas of Akuku Toru, Andoni, Asari Toru, Bonny, Degema, Okrika and Opobo/Nkoro.
‘’Indeed, in Okrika Local Government Area, indigenes and residents were physically barred by masked gun-trotting soldiers from returning home as early as 6.00 p.m. that Friday on the directives of the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarham. This is in spite of the fact that the restriction order on movement of persons by the Acting Inspector General Police was to take effect from 6.00 a.m. on February 16,
‘’Earlier on the same day, the said Major General Sarham sent military officers to the Central Bank Office, Port Harcourt to prevent INEC officials from distributing the available sensitive election materials to the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
‘’We are also aware that the military has planned to cordon off collation centres across the state and prevent PDP agents’ access to these centres in order to rig the rescheduled elections on Saturday, February 23.
‘’Furthermore, information available to us indicates that APC has procured armed thugs, military uniforms and branded military and police vehicles for the purpose of rigging the rescheduled elections.
‘’It should therefore be noted that the partisan involvement and activities of Major General Sarham and his soldiers are contrary to the code of conduct for military officers issued by the Nigerian military high command as well as the INEC guidelines and international best practices.
‘’In the same vein, the APC has re-engaged the Commander of the Rivers State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Akin Victor Fakorede, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with Force No: 41985, as its mercenary to actualise the party’s plan to either rig or prevent the peaceful conduct of the general elections in the state with impunity.
‘’Fakorede was indicted by INEC during the infamous Rivers State National and State Legislative Houses re-run elections for perpetuating electoral malpractices, undue interference and criminal abuse of his official calling as a security operative to advance the partisan interests of the APC.
‘’Fakorede was earlier deployed to Bornu State Police Command on election duties specifically, Bornu South Senatorial District, vide IGP’s deployment signal of February 11.
‘’True to character and in line with their defined strategies, Fakorede and his SARS team were seen arresting indiscriminately, supporters of the PDP in Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme and some other local government areas of the state on Friday, February 15, even when the elections had not commenced and without reasonable cause.
‘’Sadly, the said Major General Sarham in conjunction with Fakorede and SARS operatives have also been detailed to track, arrest and detain leaders of the PDP across the state from Thursday, February 21, until after the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, February 23, to actualise their plan to rig the elections in the state.
‘’We are aware that majority of the Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) and Presiding Officers (POs) INEC has recruited are card-carrying members of the APC, who have been meticulously trained, directed and motivated to work with the security agencies to actualise its overarching desire to rig the Presidential elections, and thereafter prevent the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections from holding in the state.
‘’In Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area an APC stalwart and former Chairman of the Local Government, MacClean Uranta, has met with the SPOs that were posted to the area and struck a bargain to pay N500, 000.00 to each of them in return for their cooperation to deliver on the unholy election pact, the APC has extracted from INEC and security agencies.
‘’On February 18, a meeting was held at the Abuja residence of the minister with the Returning and Collation Officers coordinated by one Professor Owunari Georgewill who is an APC card-carrying member, and who has been tipped to become the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, promised to bring a new list to replace all Returning and Collation Officers the APC has indicated that they were not comfortable with.
‘’In that meeting with the minister, they resolved to effectively frustrate next Saturday’s elections in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Khana, Gokana, Tai, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Etche, Abua/Odual and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas at all cost.
‘’Among all these sinister actions, the most worrisome is the directive given by the President to the military and the police to deal ruthlessly and where necessary, kill any person who they consider to be disturbing the voting process.
‘’With this Presidential Order therefore, the military and the police now have the motivation to use maximum violence to disrupt the voting process at will and even kill PDP supporters who try to resist or question the legitimacy of their unlawful activities at the polling stations.
‘’These actions by the APC, INEC, the security agencies and the Federal Government clearly point to the undisputable conclusion that the plot by the APC to scuttle the general elections in Rivers is real and must be taken seriously and prevented by all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community before it degenerates into major crisis.
‘’As a responsible party, we of the PDP are desirous of ensuring that the general elections are peaceful, orderly and credible in Rivers. No political party has worked as hard as the PDP for the general elections in the State.
‘’We are fully mobilised, ready and fired up with our teaming supporters for the general elections. Let no one therefore take our obedience to the rule of law and constitutionality in the pursuit of our democratic rights to vote and be voted for through the electoral process as an act of cowardice, acquiescence or capitulation to intimidation, lawless behavior and dictatorship. No one has the monopoly of violence.
‘’We have the capacity and the will to mobilise our teaming supporters to resist intimidation and defend the collective rights of our people in Rivers to effectively participate in the democratic process and frustrate those who are bent on denying our democratic rights, as expressly guaranteed by our constitution.
‘’As we conclude it is our solemn prayer to the Almighty God to guide aright, the thoughts and actions of the nation’s leaders and institutions, in the entire electoral process, which actions or lack thereof, are critical to the success of the general elections in Rivers.
‘’We also appreciate the patriotic members of the security agencies who are daily working hard under very difficult environment to ensure the protection of lives and property and guarantee the will of the people during the general elections in Rivers.
‘’We most sincerely thank the teaming supporters of the PDP across the length and breath of our dear state and Nigeria for their peaceful disposition, solidarity and comportment throughout the campaigns, which held without any crisis, casualties or unpleasant consequences.’’
Nigeria and the United States yesterday launched a joint military operation to flush out terrorists in the Northwest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed last night.
The Federal Government confirmed in a statement by the ministry that it remained engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States (U.S.), in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the joint operation in a tweet on his X handle.
He said the attacks were on Islamic States of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Sokoto State.
The statement by the Foreign Affairs Ministry was signed in the early hours of today by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
It reads: “This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the Northwest. In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.
“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.
“Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.
“The Federal Government continues to work closely with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while strengthening Nigeria’s own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage relevant partners and keep the public informed through appropriate official channels.”
Confirming the operation, Trump said the military struck terrorists’ hideout in Sokoto.
The U.S. President said he had ordered the deadly strike to flush out ISIS terrorists in the Northwest.
Trump had accused the terror group of persecuting Christians in Nigeria.
In a post on social media, Trump said he had directed a “powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria,” who he said had been killing innocent people.
U.S. Africa Command said the strike killed multiple terrorists at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State, which borders Niger to the north.
The claim could not be verified as at the time of filing this report.
“I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical terrorism to prosper. May God bless our military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues,” added the president, who is spending the Christmas holiday at his estate in Palm Beach.
In a separate post on social media, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was “grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation”.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Daniel Bwala, told CNN: “The U.S. and Nigeria are on the same page in the fight against terrorism.”
Trump has focused for the last several months on terrorist activities, including calling in November on his secretary of defence to “prepare for possible action” and warning the U.S. would enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to protect the Christian population of Africa’s most populous country.
On Christmas Eve, Tinubu shared a “Christmas Goodwill Message” in which he wished Christians across his nation and the world a merry Christmas and prayed for peace among individuals of differing religious beliefs.
“I stand committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence,” President Tinubu said in a post on X.
A delegation of senior Nigerian officials had visited the U.S. to hold talks with their counterpart.
The team, led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had explained the government position.
The team said the terrorists have no specific target.
A delegation made manily of U.S Congressmen had also visited Nigeria.
Both countries had raised a joint committee to deepen talks
ICPC invites Dangote and ex-NMDPRA boss
Pushes ahead despite ex-CEO’s resignation
Raises panel, opens investigation on Monday
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited businessman, Aliko Dangote for more information in respect of his petition against the immediate past managing director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Alhaji Farouk Ahmed.
Dangote is expected to appear or send his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN) tomorrow when ICPC’s investigation of the petition formally commences.
The commission raised a panel of crack investigators on Friday to handle the probe,
The ICPC ,according to sources ,has asked Dangote to submit his evidence to the anti-graft agency.
Dangote had accused Farouk of corruption and misappropriation of funds, including spending millions of dollars on his four children’s education in expensive and exclusive schools in Switzerland.
The businessman accused Farouk of economic sabotage by undermining domestic refining by colluding with international traders and oil importers through the continued issuance of import licences.
Farouk has since resigned his appointment.
But the commission said it is going ahead with the investigation, Farouk’s resignation notwithstanding.
“All is set for the investigation, ” a well- placed source in ICPC told The Nation yesterday.
“ICPC has set up a panel of crack investigators on Dangote’s petition. The Chairman of the commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN) asked the trusted team to stay action on a case and focus on Dangote’s petition. This underscores the importance attached to this case,” the source said.
“We have also invited Dangote or his lawyer to come on Monday to adopt the petition. “Either of them is to present relevant documents or evidence to support the petition.
“He who alleges must prove or provide lead on the allegations which our investigators must act on.
“We have acknowledged the receipt of the petition in line with our guidelines or mandate to do so within 48 hours.”
Continuing, the source said :”after formal adoption of the petition, we will isolate issues and ask Ahmed to respond to the allegations.
“We have been inundated with enquiries but I can assure you that ICPC will be fair to all the parties.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “The resignation of Ahmed does not affect this probe which is in the public interest.”
“Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (ICPC Act 2000) makes it an offence for any public officer to use his/her position to confer an unfair or corrupt advantage on himself, his relatives, associates, or other public officers.Anyone found guilty of any such offence is liable to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
“The enabling law also stipulates harsh punishment for individuals deemed to have wasted ICPC’s time and resources by making malicious or frivolous petitions against others.”
In the petition submitted on Tuesday through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja SAN), Dangote demanded the arrest, investigation and prosecution of Farouk for allegedly living above his means as a public servant.
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He accused Farouk of “spending without evidence of lawful means of income amounting to over $7 million for the education of his four children” in Switzerland.
The document named the children and their schools and provided specific amounts paid for verification.
“Engr Farouk Ahmed spent without evidence of lawful means of income humongous amount of money of over $7million of public funds, for the education of his four children in different schools in Switzerland for a period of six years upfront,” Dangote alleged.
“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement constitute gross acts of corrupt practices, for which ICPC is statutorily empowered under section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” Dangote added.
The cold war between Dangote and petroleum regulators had earlier sparked a N100billion suit.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE filed a N100 billion lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging import licences issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and others, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The refinery accused the regulator of granting licences to import refined petroleum products despite domestic production capacity.
It alleged that the action of the regulator has violated some sections of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, was discontinued in July 2025 by Dangote’s lawyers.
ICPC petition guidelines say: “Any person anywhere in the world may make a complaint against any other person (corporate or non- corporate) in Nigeria, where reasonable grounds exist for suspecting that such a person has conspired to commit or attempted to commit or has committed an offence under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
Complaint/petition is made through oral/written report submitted through post, physically to any ICPC office in Nigeria.
A complaint made orally or by an illiterate shall be reduced into writing and read over to the complainant by an officer of the Commission.
The report shall set out details of the complaint , date, time and place where the offence was allegedly committed.
The complainant shall provide the names and addresses, phone number, email and other relevant information that may assist the Commission in locating the person or persons against whom the complaint is made.
The complainant shall state his/her full address, email or phone number or any other information that will assist the commission in contacting him/her, whenever necessary.
Reports can also be made online through any of the commission’s reporting platforms.
The commission shall acknowledge receipt of any petition within 48 hours.
Spokesperson of ICPC , John Okor Odey confirmed that the commission “received a formal petition on Tuesday, 16th December, 2025 from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer. The petition is against the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed. The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated.”
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JUST IN : N2.2bn Fraud, Court Upholds Ngige’s EFCC Bail, Insists on Senior Civil Servant as Surety
The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja, on Thursday, granted a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, to continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The trial judge, Justice Maryam Hassan, made the order while delivering a ruling in the bail application filed and argued on behalf of the former minister by his lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN).
Justice Hassan in the ruling directed Ngige to produce a surety who must be a director in the employment of the Federal Government and own a landed property.
Justice Hassan ruled that the surety is to deposit the title documents of the landed property, as well as his travel documents, with the court pending the time Ngige completes the retrieval of his own international passport.
The EFCC had previously granted Ngige bail on self-recognition and directed him to submit his travel documents to the commission, in addition to providing one surety.
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