The embattled Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has reportedly bowed to pressure as he has finally agreed to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC upon his return to office.

A source close to the meeting he had with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last week in London indicated that he would be allowed to continue in office to finish his tenure, but shouldn’t seek re-election in 2027.

Though, the meeting was at the request of the suspended Governor, CAPITAL POST reliably gathered that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike was contacted to offer his choice before the agreement was reached.

CAPITAL POST recalled that President Bola Tinubu travelled out to France and UK for barely three weeks before returning to office.

While in London, Fubara sought for audience with him through his Chief of Staff which was granted before the meeting eventually held in the UK.

Tinubu was said to have insisted on peace and stability in Rivers, given its strategic importance to the nation, but Fubara expressed his readiness to compromise if the issue of impeachment would be laid to rest, a source who craved anonymity told CAPITAL POST.

Though, it is unclear if this deal will lead to Fubara’s quick recall, his former political godfather, Nyesom Wike reacting to the plea of the former Niger Delta warlord, Chief Ekpenumodo Tompolo insisted that the suspended Governor must apologise and seek forgiveness before he will be forgiven.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has approved five months payment of arrears for staff members of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.

The approval of five months’ outstanding salary arrears followed the prompt payment of the April 2025 salary. The payment, in line with the N70,000 minimum wage, was made ahead of the Easter celebrations.

The disbursement is seen as a significant step in addressing the longstanding salary issues that had demoralized workers and disrupted the smooth running of the academic calendar at the institution.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, Fred Itua, stated that the Government had taken structural steps to permanently address the salary challenges facing the Polytechnic. One of the key reforms includes the centralization of the institution’s salary payment, now handled directly through the State Government’s payroll system.

Itua noted that this reform would ensure regular salary payments and enhance accountability in the management of the institution’s finances.

“The decision to centralize the salary structure under the State’s direct payroll is part of Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to repositioning Edo State’s tertiary education sector for greater efficiency and stability,” the Governor’s media aide added.

Recall that staff of the Polytechnic had earlier raised concerns in October, 2024, over unpaid salaries, revealing that their last salary, the May 2024 payment, was only received in September 2024. Workers also lamented their exclusion from a special salary scheme originally designed to incentivize academic staff and noted that they had not benefitted from the ₦70,000 minimum wage implemented in the core civil service under the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The latest intervention by the Okpebholo administration is widely seen as a welcome relief, as staff members are now fully integrated into the Polytechnic’s broader State welfare.