Morning recap: Fubara, Wike camps clash at APC screening, states slash projects over 2027 politics, other top stories
Political tensions escalated in Nigeria’s Rivers State as APC screening for the 2027 governorship race favored Nyesom Wike’s allies, while Governor Siminalayi Fubara reportedly faced resistance. Meanwhile, state capital spending dropped 58% amid rising election-related fiscal pressures, raising concerns over infrastructure and governance.
Political rivalry between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike intensified during the APC governorship screening for the 2027 elections. The screening, led by APC Deputy National Chairman Benjamin Nwoye, included key Wike allies like former House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and state Works Commissioner Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly. Insiders reported Fubara received a “cold shoulder” from the committee chaired by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, suggesting Wike’s allies may influence candidate selection. State governments slashed capital expenditure by 58.1%, dropping from N3.79 trillion in Q4 2025 to N1.59 trillion in Q1 2026—a N2.19 trillion decline—amid election spending pressures. The reduction follows a six-month trend where 31 states spent N2.75 trillion on capital projects, averaging N1.38 trillion. Fiscal strain stems from rising recurrent costs, including salaries, pensions, and fuel subsidy removal impacts. The Federal Government introduced mandatory drug integrity tests for secondary school students to combat substance abuse. Separately, a Kogi State university expelled four students over alleged lesbianism and cyber offenses, sparking debates on disciplinary policies. The Central Bank of Nigeria warned state governments against overreliance on overdraft facilities, citing unsustainable borrowing risks. In Lagos, 11 people died after a vehicle plunged off the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, marking a tragic incident amid ongoing infrastructure challenges.
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