On February 25, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presided over the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. This marked the first caucus gathering since his administration began. The meeting saw the attendance of key party figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Discussions centered on the party's unity, national security improvements, and the administration's commitment to its "Renewed Hope" manifesto.

APC Unity and Support for the President

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, speaking after the meeting, emphasized the party's cohesion and unwavering support for President Tinubu's government. He stated, "Our party is united, stronger, focused, and supportive of the government." Uzodinma also highlighted the APC's internal democratic processes, attributing their electoral successes to a commitment to democratic values.

Improved Security Nationwide

President Tinubu expressed satisfaction with the nation's enhanced security landscape. He noted that the "sunny side" of Nigeria is emerging, with challenges being addressed effectively. Supporting this sentiment, Senator Abdulaziz Yari from Zamfara West testified to significant security improvements in Zamfara State, allowing citizens to resume their daily activities without fear.

Testimonies from Farmers in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna

Farmers from Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State shared success stories, attributing their achievements to the improved security situation. One notable account detailed a farmer harvesting 10,000 bags of maize, translating to earnings of approximately ?825 million. This success underscores the positive impact of enhanced security on agricultural productivity in the region.

APC's Commitment to National Development

President Tinubu reaffirmed his dedication to the APC's "Renewed Hope" manifesto, emphasizing the party's role in steering Nigeria towards growth and stability. He praised the leadership of National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for the party's recent electoral successes and called for continued unity and focus among members to achieve the nation's developmental goals.

The National Caucus meeting highlighted the APC's internal solidarity, the administration's strides in improving national security, and the positive ripple effects on sectors like agriculture. These developments reflect the party's commitment to fostering a secure and prosperous Nigeria.

1. Background of Boko Haram

Boko Haram, officially Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad), is an extremist Islamist militant group originating in northeastern Nigeria. Its colloquial name translates to “Western education is forbidden” in Hausa, reflecting its anti-Western ideology. Emerging in the early 2000s as a radical sect opposed to Western education and secular governance, the group evolved into a violent insurgency under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau following the death of its founder. Boko Haram’s operations now span Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, marked by terrorism, abductions, and suicide bombings.

2. Founder and Evolution  

Mohammed Yusuf, an Islamic cleric from Borno State, founded Boko Haram in 2002. He established a religious complex in Maiduguri, combining a mosque and school to recruit disillusioned youth. Yusuf’s radical teachings rejected democracy and secularism, advocating strict Sharia law. His 2009 execution by Nigerian authorities sparked a brutal insurgency under Shekau, who intensified attacks and aligned the group with global jihadist movements.

3. Aspirations and Objectives 

Boko Haram seeks to:  

- Establish an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria governed by Sharia law.  

- Eradicate Western influence, particularly education, deemed corrupting.  

- Overthrow Nigeria’s secular government and replace it with an Islamic theocracy.  

- Target Christians and “non-believers”, including moderate Muslims.  

- Expand regionally, conducting cross-border attacks in Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.  

- Align with global jihadism: The group pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2015, rebranding as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

4. Sponsorship and Funding

Identified Sponsors and Networks

-Foreign Donors: Individuals and groups in the Middle East and North Africa have provided financial support.  

-Terrorist Alliances:  

  Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM): Supplied early training, funds, and weapons.  

  - ISIS: After 2015, ISIS channeled resources to Boko Haram/ISWAP, enhancing its operational capacity.  

-Convicted Financiers:  

  - Six Nigerians (Abdullahi Ali Yusuf, Abdullahi Umar, Alhassan Muhammad, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan) were convicted in the UAE (2021) for transferring $782,000 from Dubai to Boko Haram.  

Funding Methods  

Kidnapping Ransoms: High-profile abductions, including the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls.  

Illicit Trade: Smuggling arms, drugs, and wildlife products.  

Extortion: “Taxation” of communities under their control.  

5. Global Counterterrorism Efforts  

U.S. Sanctions

2015 Designations:  

 Mohammed Nur: Orchestrated the 2011 UN headquarters bombing in Abuja.  

  Mustapha Chad: Commanded operations in Yobe State and weapon stockpiling in Niger.  

2022 Designations:  

 The U.S. Treasury sanctioned the six UAE-convicted Nigerians, freezing their U.S. assets and prohibiting transactions.  

Multilateral Actions 

UN Sanctions: Asset freezes and travel bans on key figures.  

Regional Collaboration: Nigeria partners with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to track illicit finance.  

International Intelligence-Sharing: France, the UAE, and the UK aid in disrupting funding networks.  

6. Persistent Challenges 

Despite these efforts, Boko Haram exploits unregulated financial systems and local criminal networks, sustaining its insurgency. The group’s fragmentation into factions (including ISWAP) complicates counterterrorism measures, necessitating ongoing regional and international cooperation.

Conclusion:

Boko Haram remains a critical security threat in West Africa, driven by extremist ideology and resilient funding streams. While global sanctions and military operations have degraded its capabilities, comprehensive socio-economic reforms and counter-radicalization initiatives are essential for long-term stability.

Rivers State, located in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region, is currently experiencing a multifaceted political crisis characterized by legislative disputes, legal battles, and environmental controversies.

Legislative Disputes and Factionalism

The political turmoil intensified in October 2024 when an attempt was made by lawmakers loyal to former Governor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This move led to a division within the 31-member Rivers State House of Assembly, splitting it into two factions: one supporting Governor Fubara and the other aligned with Minister Wike. The factionalism has resulted in legislative paralysis, with both groups claiming legitimacy.

In December 2024, Governor Fubara presented the 2025 budget, amounting to N1.188 trillion, to a faction of the Assembly led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, which is loyal to him. This action was met with criticism from the opposing faction, which argued that the budget presentation violated legal protocols and disregarded judicial pronouncements. Tony Okocha, a prominent figure in the opposition, described the presentation as "illegal" and a "violation of the law," emphasizing that it was conducted in an "illegal setting."

Legal Battles

The crisis has escalated to the judiciary, with multiple appeals filed to address the legitimacy of the Assembly factions and the validity of the budget presentation. 

As of February 2025, the political crisis in Rivers State has seen significant judicial developments, particularly concerning the legitimacy of the 2024 budget presentation and the leadership disputes within the State House of Assembly.

Supreme Court Dismisses Governor Fubara's Budget Appeal

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Governor Siminalayi Fubara regarding the 2024 budget presentation. The appeal challenged previous judgments by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had both faulted Governor Fubara's decision to present the budget to a five-member assembly led by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie. The apex court dismissed the appeal after Governor Fubara's legal team, led by Mr. Yusuf Ali, SAN, withdrew it. The lower courts had determined that presenting the budget to a factional assembly lacked legal standing, especially without evidence supporting claims that the opposing faction had defected from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Pending Judgments on Other Appeals

The Supreme Court has reserved judgments on four other appeals related to the political crisis in Rivers State. These appeals address various issues stemming from the leadership tussle within the State House of Assembly and other governance challenges. The court's decisions on these matters are anticipated to provide clarity and potentially resolve ongoing disputes.

Implications of the Judicial Rulings

The dismissal of Governor Fubara's budget appeal underscores the judiciary's stance on adherence to constitutional protocols in legislative processes. The pending judgments on the remaining appeals are expected to have significant implications for the political stability and governance of Rivers State. Stakeholders and observers are keenly awaiting these decisions, which are likely to influence the state's political trajectory in the coming months.

Defection Stalemates

In December 2023, a significant political upheaval occurred in Rivers State when 27 members of the State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martin Amaewhule, defected from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This mass defection was reportedly influenced by internal divisions within the PDP, particularly disputes over the position of National Secretary. The defecting lawmakers cited these internal conflicts as the impetus for their departure.

In response to the defections, the remaining members of the Assembly, led by interim Speaker Edison Ehie, declared the seats of the 27 defectors vacant. This action was based on Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which stipulates that a lawmaker must vacate their seat if they defect to another political party without evidence of a division within their original party. The Assembly leadership contended that no such division existed within the PDP at the time, rendering the defections unconstitutional.

Legal experts have weighed in on the situation, affirming the Assembly's stance. Prominent lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) emphasized that, according to constitutional provisions and Supreme Court interpretations, the defecting lawmakers had effectively forfeited their seats by joining another party without a legitimate division in the PDP. He stated, "The 25 lawmakers who defected have lost their seats. They have lost their rights to remain members of the assembly."

The judiciary has also intervened in the crisis. Justice Charles N. Wali of the Rivers State High Court issued an interim injunction restraining the defected lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Assembly or conducting legislative business. This ruling aimed to prevent further legislative confusion and maintain order within the state's governance structures.

Despite these legal and legislative actions, the defected lawmakers have continued to assert their positions, leading to a protracted political stalemate in Rivers State. The situation underscores the complexities of party politics in Nigeria and highlights the constitutional challenges associated with political defections.

Environmental Controversies

Amidst the political turmoil, environmental issues have further complicated the situation in Rivers State. In January 2025, the Nigerian government announced plans to resume oil production in Ogoniland, a region within Rivers State that has suffered extensive environmental degradation due to decades of oil extraction. This decision has been met with strong opposition from environmental groups and local communities. Over 20 organizations, including Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria and the Ogoni Solidarity Forum, have demanded a halt to the planned resumption of oil activities until comprehensive consultations with local communities are conducted. They argue that previous oil operations have led to severe environmental and social injustices, and that the government's current approach neglects the well-being of the Ogoni people.

Historical Context and Leadership Debates

The current political crisis cannot be fully understood without considering the historical context of leadership struggles in Rivers State. The rivalry between former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike has significantly influenced the state's political landscape. This longstanding feud has led to debates over their respective legacies and contributions to the state's development. Supporters of Amaechi highlight his infrastructural projects and educational initiatives, while Wike's proponents emphasize his political acumen and recent federal appointments. These debates have further polarized the political environment, contributing to the current impasse. 

Conclusion

The political crisis in Rivers State is a complex interplay of legislative disputes, legal challenges, environmental concerns, and historical rivalries. The upcoming court hearings in February 2025 are expected to provide legal clarity on the legitimacy of the Assembly factions and the validity of recent legislative actions. Simultaneously, addressing the environmental grievances in Ogoniland requires sincere engagement with local communities and a commitment to rectifying past injustices. Resolving these multifaceted issues is crucial for restoring political stability and fostering sustainable development in Rivers Stat