The Coalition for Change and Transparency (CCT) has demanded the immediate resignation of Senator Abdul-Aziz Abubakar Yari from the Senate over what it describes as a blatant breach of public trust in the scandal now known as “Geregu-Gate.”

The group accuses the Zamfara West senator of flagrantly violating Nigeria’s Code of Conduct for public officers by accepting the chairmanship of Geregu Power Plc while holding public office, a move that exemplifies the deepest corruption and self-enrichment plaguing Nigerian politics.

The latest scandal revolves around the sudden acquisition of Geregu Power Plc by the obscure Ma’am Energy, which purchased a controlling 77% stake from Femi Otedola in a deal valued at approximately $750 million.

Ma’am Energy, incorporated just months ago with minimal public footprint—its website vanishing shortly after the announcement—promptly installed Yari as chairman.

This directly violates Section 5 of the Code of Conduct, prohibiting public officers from positions of conflicting personal interest, and Section 6, barring full-time officials from managing private businesses beyond farming.

Comrade Agboola Tunde, spokesperson for the CCT, declared, “Senator Yari’s greedy grab for the Geregu chairmanship is an outrageous insult to Nigerians enduring endless power outages and economic hardship.

“As a full-time senator, he has no business running a multibillion-naira power company—it’s a clear, shameless conflict of interest that turns public office into a personal ATM.

“This man is not serving the people; he’s looting opportunities for himself and his cronies while Zamfara and other parts of the nations wallow in darkness and poverty.”

Tunde added: “Yari’s hands are dripping with the proceeds of illegal gold mining that directly finances banditry and terrorism in the North-West.

“Multiple reports, including seized gold shipments and security analyses, link him to cartels smuggling billions in gold to arm bandits who kidnap, kill, and terrorize innocent citizens.

“By proxy, he’s funding domestic terrorism—betraying his oath, endangering lives, and profiting from bloodshed.

“How can such a man remain in the Senate, pretending to make laws while his alleged networks fuel anarchy?”

Tunde noted, “This Geregu deal stinks of insider corruption: a shadowy new company, family ties rumored in ownership, and a politician with no power sector expertise suddenly helming a national asset.

“Regulators who waved this through must explain themselves—did political connections blind them? Yari must resign now, or the Senate risks being seen as a haven for crooks. We’ll rally the nation until he’s forced out.”

Tunde further demanded, “The Code of Conduct Bureau must launch a comprehensive, unbiased investigation into Yari’s entire asset portfolio, from his governorship to today.

“Publicly declare everything—properties, accounts, deals—no selective probes or hidden files. There can be no cover-up; political protection won’t shield him forever.

“Nigerians demand full transparency to trace any illicit funds funneled into ventures like this.”

The group notes that the latest scandal is not surprising, as Yari’s eight years as governor of Zamfara from 2011 to 2019 were marred by rampant corruption allegations, including massive embezzlement of billions in public funds, inflated contracts, suspicious money movements probed by the EFCC and ICPC, property forfeitures linked to illegal activities, and a surge in banditry fueled by unchecked illegal mining under his watch—leaving the state impoverished, insecure, and underdeveloped while he allegedly amassed unexplained wealth.

Tunde continued, “Yari’s pattern is clear: dodge accountability, exploit connections, and enrich himself at public expense. Geregu-Gate is the breaking point—this terrorist-financing enabler and serial corruptor has no place in the Senate.

“Resign immediately, face justice, and let honest leaders emerge.”

The CCT vows sustained pressure, including petitions and protests, until Yari steps down and faces thorough scrutiny.

The APC Progressive Mandate Group has called for the immediate cessation of impeachment proceedings against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, describing the move as constitutionally flawed, politically motivated, and a direct affront to the peace accord personally brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Comrade Ayodele Alonge, the group warned that the impeachment, already initiated in the Rivers State House of Assembly, is being conducted on a faulty legal line and must be suspended to prevent further destabilisation of the state.

“The ongoing impeachment proceedings are fundamentally flawed and lack the constitutional and procedural grounding required for such a serious action. More than a legal misstep, this is an affront on the office of the President, who personally mediated the peace between Governor Fubara, Minister Nyesom Wike, and the Rivers State House of Assembly. It undermines the painstakingly restored harmony that Nigerians witnessed last year,” the statement reads.

The Rivers Assembly had earlier cited allegations against Fubara including extra-budgetary spending, demolition of the Assembly complex, withholding funds due to the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged non-compliance with a Supreme Court directive on legislative autonomy. Odu is similarly accused of reckless and unconstitutional expenditure and obstruction of the Assembly’s statutory duties.

“President Tinubu intervened decisively last year to resolve tensions that threatened governance in Rivers State. Governor Fubara returned to office following a reconciliatory process he signed alongside Minister Wike under the supervision of Mr President. To attempt to unravel that agreement now is not only irresponsible, it is a direct challenge to the authority and wisdom of the President himself,” the group said.

“The Assembly is hinging their decision to impeach the Governor on the Budget of Rivers State that was passed by the National Assembly during the emergency rule. They have no such powers whatever to challenge the implementation of that budget.”

The APC Progressive Mandate Group noted that Fubara’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2025 had already catalysed a wave of defections by prominent state leaders into the ruling party. These include former PDP national chairman Uche Secondus, ex-Governor Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili, along with at least five members of the House of Representatives representing Rivers constituencies.

“Governor Fubara has strengthened APC’s presence in Rivers State, building bridges with key leaders and lawmakers whose inclusion amplifies the party’s national relevance. These developments reflect confidence in his leadership, yet the impeachment efforts threaten to undermine the very gains the President sought to secure through dialogue and political reconciliation,” Alonge said.

The group also faulted the role of Wike and his loyalists in the Assembly, suggesting that the impeachment is less about governance and more about political sabotage.

“For long, the narrative has painted Governor Fubara as the source of instability. It is now evident that the effort to destabilise Rivers stems from a faction led by Minister Wike and sympathetic legislators who are intent on dismantling the peace that President Tinubu painstakingly facilitated. Their ambition is undermining state cohesion and the broader democratic order.

“Wike must also be called upon to face his duty as FCT minister or resign immediately. Wike’s current role in the latest impeachment proceedings against Fubara is an insult on the president who showed uncommon courage in appointing him as a minister, despite his membership of the PDP,” the group said.

The statement urged the National Assembly to intervene, warning that inaction could set a dangerous precedent for other states.

“We call on the National Assembly to uphold constitutional order and intervene decisively. The federal legislature must ensure that due process and legal propriety are respected in Rivers State. Let it be clear that the actions of a few cannot dictate the political destiny of an entire state,” Alonge added.

The group also demanded an immediate halt to the impeachment and an apology to the President.

“This impeachment is not corrective; it is a political misadventure. Halting the process and acknowledging the President’s role in restoring peace is essential, not just for Rivers State, but for the credibility of democratic governance in Nigeria. Those behind this disruption must understand that attempts to subvert national reconciliation will neither succeed nor be tolerated,” the statement added.

Former Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, alongside his wife, members of the G-14 group, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as other stakeholders, have paid a courtesy visit to Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, in what observers described as a move to strengthen strategic partnerships ahead of 2027.

Welcoming the delegation, Chief Aondoakaa said the gathering was an opportunity to reflect on events of 2025 and to reinforce peace, unity and development in Benue State and Nigeria at large.

He expressed appreciation to Dr. Ortom for the leadership role he continues to play in Benue politics, as well as for his support to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

Chief Aondoakaa appealed to the former governor to continue serving as a peace ambassador, stressing the importance of unity, collaboration and strategic partnerships among leaders for the overall progress of Benue State.

He pledged his unwavering loyalty and commitment to work with Senator Akume and Dr. Ortom, noting that such cooperation was not driven by personal interest but by the desire to advance the Tiv Nation and the development of Benue State as a whole.

Goodwill messages were delivered by Hon. John Uke on behalf of the Aondoakaa political family; the Benue State APC Publicity Secretary, Dan Morgan Ihomon; Amb. Chive Kaave for Zone A; Hon. Charles Torbunde for Zone B; and Chief Mrs. Monica Ugela, representing the Spring Bloom Women Multipurpose Cooperative Society. Dr. Laha Dzever delivered the vote of thanks.

Meanwhile, political analysts noted that the cross-party convergence reflects a growing sense of unity among Benue’s political elite and signals a message of continuity, integrity and collective stewardship as the state looks toward 2026 and beyond.