Wike Threatens Fire Upon Anybody Who Dares Him In Rivers Politics

By

-

June 1, 2026

Nyesom Wike. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,

By Adesina Soyooye

For anybody outsider who dares to intervene in what is happening, politically, in Rivers State, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has a message for you. “Be careful, trouble is on its way to your State.”

Wike a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, but who serves as a top Minister under an All Progressives Congress Government, has since abolished political Parties in Rivers State. A former two-term Governor of the State, he has formed a coalition comprising of a number of Political Parties in the State and tagged it “The Rainbow Coalition.” At the onset, this coalition consisted of only a faction of the PDP, and another faction of the APC loyal to him. Buy he Wike has since expanded the membership to include factions of two other Political parties – Labour Party, LP, and Action Alliance, AA. For now, he is incharge of four political parties – APC, PDP, LP, AA.

Aside from swearing that only those seeking for elective positions under his Rainbow Coalition would win elections in the State, he now warned against what he refers to as any thought of outside interference in the State’s politics in the State.

Wike who spoke at gathering of his supporters warned of dire consequences for Gorvernors from other States who think they could poke their hands in the affairs of his kingdom: “Be careful. Trouble is on the way to your State. You put your hand, you get fire.”

He accused some political bigwigs and Governors from other States of attempting to interfere in the political affairs of Rivers State, but declared that those seeking to destabilize his State would face dire consequences.

The people of Rivers State, he said, would resist any external influence from anywhere aimed at creating political turmoil.

It is not the first time Wike would threaten to export fire to the State of any Governor who dared challenge any of his actions in Rivers State. He had done so on the heat of the Political crisis between him and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his estranged political godson.

In fact, he recalled that previous warning and stated that individuals who “underestimated the determination of Rivers residents had already discovered that meddling in the state’s affairs comes with repercussions.

“I challenge anybody. I have said before that anyone from another state trying to destroy Rivers State will have problems. They have not succeeded and they will not succeed.

“Those who think they can come here and do anything because they believe they can use so much money Mr. President has made available to some states, be careful. Trouble is on the way to your state. Rivers people are peaceful people”, he declared.

2027 Polls: Nobody Will Win Any Elective Position In Rivers State Outside The Rainbow Coalition, Wike Vows

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

-

June 1, 2026

0

Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — Nyesom Wike.

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has vowed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, will never be allowed to secure even 10 percent of the total votes cast in Rivers State during the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on the occasion of a luncheon in honour of candidates vying on the platform of his ” Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State held on Saturday night, Wike, a former Governor of the State, similarly insisted that nobody operating outside the Coalition will win any elective position in Rivers State.

According to the FCT Minister, the Coalition, comprising of the APC, PDP, Labour Party, LP and Action Alliance, apart from fielding a common gubernatorial candidate, will also parade only President Bola Tinubu as its candidate in the 2027 elections.

Wike promised to re-enact the 2023 scenario in which Atiku, as the presidential candidate of the PDP, never got up to 10% of the total votes cast in Rivers State.

“Atiku Abubakar in 2023 never got 10% of votes in Rivers state. It will be very disheartening if he gets 11% of votes cast in Rivers state.

” In fact ,if he gets 10%, which he did not get in 2023, it means he has gone higher. We will make sure ADC will not have 10% of votes here in Rivers State.

” A man who is not ready to work, but ready when food is ready, is not available in the State. You must work hard.

“The ADC and NDC have not participated in elections before. So, they do not understand the nuances of an election.

“They only understand defection. But this time, they will see election practical. They will have experience and they will see what is in election starting from Rivers state.

“We have won election in this state when there was intimidation, not to talk of now that there is no intimidation”, Wike boasted.

The FCT Minister urged the Coalition to redouble their efforts to ensure a total victory come 2027.

He emphasized the need for Coalition members ,and supporters to go beyond optics and apply themselves to the task ahead if truly they are in support of the President.

“It is not enough to come on the television to profess love and support for Mr President. You have to show your commitment by how many votes you can deliver during the election. It is not enough to to go and visit the President in Lagos”, the FCT Minister warned.

While noting that a common gubernatorial candidate will be selected from among the four parties that make up the Coalition, Wike warned against the temptation of any candidate celebrating ahead of the consensus arrangement.

According to him, nobody has so far been settled, as regards the choice of the Coalition’s Governorship flag bearer for Rivers state.

The Coalition, according to him, will meet at the appropriate time to choose a candidate capable of leading the fight from the front.

Oyo Abduction: Tinubu Approves Recruitment Of 1000 Forest Guards, Specialized Security Unit

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 1, 2026

0

By Ayodele Oni

A Special Delegation from the Presidency to Oyo state over the abduction of school children and teachers has unfolded President Bola Tinubu’s actions to release the victims.

This includes approval for the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State.

He also directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to free abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

According to a statement signed and released on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, a high-powered Federal Government delegation conveyed the presidential directives to community leaders and lawmakers during a visit to Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire LGA on Sunday.

The delegation also informed leaders that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area had been transmitted to the President for consideration and approval.

The development comes 16 days after gunmen struck communities in the area and took dozens of schoolchildren and their teachers captive.

The delegation was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, Onanuga said.

Addressing residents in both English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said the President’s decision to dispatch the nation’s top security leadership to the affected communities reflected his determination to deploy every available resource to secure the victims’ release.

“Mr President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely.

“He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective,” Gbajabiamila said.

He also addressed appeals from parents and community members urging caution in the rescue operation.

The Chief of Staff explained: “Mr President also saw the appeals from some parents and community members urging caution in the rescue efforts.

“Let me assure you that the operation will be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims.

“Your pain and anxiety are understood. By the grace of God, your children will return safely to your arms.”

The delegation also called on the Soun of Ogbomoso, HRM Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, at his palace to commiserate with the traditional ruler and his people

They also visited the widow of the slain teacher, Mrs Mary Oyedokun, and her two children, where Gbajabiamila delivered the President’s personal condolences to the family and promised that they would not be left to suffer.

The 1,000 forest guards approved by the President will be recruited in collaboration with the Oyo State Government, Onanuga said.

The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools — Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School — in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, taking pupils and teachers captive.

During the attack, a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded.

APC Primaries: Fmr. Minister, Tuggar Denies Accusing Tinubu Of Imposition

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

-

June 1, 2026

0

Yusuf Tuggar - Foreign Affairs Minister — Yusuf Tuggar

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Immediate past Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Sunday, May 31, 2026, vehemently rejected claims suggesting that he criticized President Bola Tinubu over the handling of the All Progressive Congress, APC, primaries in Bauchi State.

Tuggar who resigned his position as Foreign Affairs Minister to contest for the office of the Governor in 2027, surprisingly lost his in the Primaries.

Reacting to his loss,Tugar, at an interactive session with the media on Saturday May 30,2026; accused the President of alleged complicity in his failure to clinch the party’s ticket, for which he had resigned his plum job.

Specifically, the former Minister accused President Tinubu of imposing his preferred candidate on the Bauchi State APC through the National Chairman and other cronies within the party.

According to Tuggar , while aspirants, including himself, were hoping for a transparent, free and fair primaries, they were shocked to observe that the party had already settled for an annointed candidate.

“We wanted an election where whoever won would emerge, and whoever lost would accept the outcome.

“But the National Chairman of our party called us, and announced that M.A. Abubakar had been selected as the Governorship candidate”,Tuggar stated .

But in a statement on Sunday from Abdulkarim Alkassim, his spokesperson, the former Minister, while denying accusing the president, insisted that his position was taken out of context.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticize, or question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in any way.

“Any suggestion to the contrary is false and a deliberate distortion of his remarks”, Alkassim noted .

The statement reaffirmed Tuggar’s unalloyed loyalty and unwavering commitment both to the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and the success of APC as a party.

According to Alkassim, the Minister, during the media interview, was only focused on some observed flaws in the internal workings of the APC in Bauchi state, particularly as it concerns the need to uphold transparency, fairness and internal democracy in the selection processes.

He emphasized that the major concern of the Minister was on the imperative of allowing party members to freely choose those to fly the flag of the party through the instrumentality of a free and fair process.

“His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest” the statement added.

Oyo Abduction: NSA Ribadu Leads FG Delegation To Ogbomosho

By

Ayodele Oni

-

May 31, 2026

0

By Ayodele Oni

More than two weeks after the mass abduction of 46 pupils and teachers from two schools in Oyo state, a Presidential delegation led by the National Security erAdvis, (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday, arrived in Ogbomoso.

The delegation’s visit comes amid growing concern over the safety of school children after armed men invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary Schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities within Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and whisked away dozens of pupils and their teachers.

The development was disclosed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications, in a post shared on his X account on Sunday afternoon.

According to Dare, the delegation was travelling to the affected communities to assess the situation and coordinate efforts aimed at securing the release of the victims.

“A powerful Presidential Delegation just arrived Ogbomoso enroute to the villages of Esiele and Yawota where armed men simultaneously raided Baptist Nursery and Primary schools seizing about 46 pupils and teachers,” Dare wrote.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had on Saturday visited families and relations of the victims revealing government’s efforts to ensure the safe return of the victims.

Posting his visit on his official Facebook page, Makinde said: “Today we visited Oriire LGA to meet with the family members of children and teachers that were abducted about two weeks ago.

“After listening to them, I gave them the assurance that we are doing everything humanly possible to ensure the safe return of those who were kidnapped, and that by the grace of God, they will be reunited with their loved ones very soon.”

The abduction which occurred on May 15 has since sparked outrage across the State and the country at large, prompting protests by teachers and civil society groups, who called for urgent government action to secure the release of the victims and improve security around schools.

Keyamo Wants Fmr. President Jonathan,To Say “No Thank You” To The PDP 2027 Ticket

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

-

May 31, 2026

0

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to reject the ticket offered to him for the 2027 polls by a faction of the opposition Peoples Democratic party, PDP.

This is as he insisted that the presidential flag which he described as politically worthless, will ultimately lead to a journey “to nowhere”

The Source reports that the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the beleaguered PDP had, on Saturday, despite alleged establishment threats, including from the Nyesom Wike-led Federal Capital Territory FCT, adopted and affirmed Jonathan as its Presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

According to the factional PDP, the formal presentation of the flag to the former President, will be held in date to be fixed.

But in a statement shared on his official site, Keyamo pleaded with Jonathan to summon the courage and say “no thank you” to the offer.

**Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan**

The Aviation Minister noted that the fact that the faction that gifted him the presidential ticket is not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, makes it the more compelling for him to reject the offer.

According to Keyamo, accepting the Presidential ticket will inflict an incalculable damage on the hard-earned reputation of the former president.

“This is some kind of bizarre comedy taken too far by supposedly grown adults and some names that were actually in the corridors of power at some point in this country.

“Giving a whole Presidential ticket to an ex-President and statesman by proxy and a bunch of people not even registered on INEC’s website.

“And they don’t give a hoot , dragging such a revered figure into their charade that is certainly a journey to nowhere. Quite sad”, Keyamo stated.

The Aviation Minister, therefore, appealed to Jonathan to quickly disassociate himself from the melodrama, if for nothing else, but for his globally acknowledged reputation.

“For the sake of his global image, President Goodluck Jonathan must immediately.issue a strong “no, thank you” statement, lest Nigerians begin to recall the “clueless campaign that got him out of power -first sitting president to be so ousted” Keyamo added.

Gombe-Led ADC Faction Unveils Chris Uba as 2027 Presidential Candidate

By

Ayodele Oni

-

May 31, 2026

0

By Ayodele Oni

A faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has zoned its presidential ticket to the South while unveiling businessman and politician, Chris Uba, as its candidate for the 2027 general election.

It claimed that Uba emerged after the conclusion of the faction’s nationwide primary elections.

The faction, led by its National Chairman, Bala Gombe, presented Uba alongside 29 governorship candidates drawn from the country’s six geopolitical zones during a ceremony held in Abuja on Sunday.

Speaking at the event, Gombe said the party’s presidential ticket had been zoned to Southern Nigeria in line with the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness and federal character.

He stated that the primary elections were conducted across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The development comes amid an ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC, with rival groups laying claim to the party’s structure and nomination processes ahead of the 2027 elections.

Last week, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the presidential candidate of another ADC faction, led by former Senate President, David Mark.

Atiku had defeated Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers state governor and, former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in a separate primary election.

Reno Omokri Says Securing Public Institutions Should Be Govs Responsibility

By

Ayodele Oni

-

May 31, 2026

0

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has asserted that securing educational institutions in the country should partly be the responsibility of state Governors.

Reno, in a statement shared on X maintained that with increased fund allocation to States, Governors should be able to provide security for public schools.

He added that education security falls primarily under the responsibility of State Governments and urged governors to support ongoing efforts towards establishing state police as a long-term solution.

Omokri further argued that increased federal allocations to states and local governments have strengthened their capacity to handle such responsibilities, insisting that funding constraints should no longer serve as an excuse.

He also stressed that insecurity often persists where there is insufficient local cooperation, noting that security agencies rely heavily on community intelligence to prevent and respond to threats.

He urged residents to report suspicious activities promptly through emergency hotlines, adding that timely information sharing remains critical to preventing attacks.

“Let us now consider some facts and introduce solutions.

“Nigeria has approximately 300,000 schools and fewer than 300,000 soldiers. It is not practicable for the Federal Government to guard every school in Nigeria.

“That is why President Bola Tinubu proposed State Police and asked the Governors to get on board. Only the State Police can secure Nigeria’s 300,000 schools.

“Rather than criticise President Bola Tinubu over the Ogbomosho Abduction, ask your Governor to get on board with the State Police initiative of the Tinubu Administration.”

He argued that attacks on the President, his administration, and supporters over incidents like the Ogbomosho abduction only deepen mistrust in society and play into the hands of those who benefit from national division.

He further maintained that terrorism thrives on public discord, where citizens turn against one another instead of focusing on practical solutions to insecurity.

Omokri also cautioned against taking every criticism at face value, suggesting that some individuals are deliberately working towards national fragmentation by exploiting crises to fuel unrest and weaken national unity.

Lagos 2027: APC Choses Sonayon-James As Hamzat’s Running Mate

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

May 31, 2026

0

Damilola Sonayon-James and Obafemi Kadri Hamza

By Akinwale Kasali

Damilola Sonayon-James has been chosen by the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the running mate to APC Governorship Candidate, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat ahead of the 2027 Governorship Election.

Sonayon-James, hails from Badagry, and has over the years been an astute politician, sustainability specialist, and business leader, widely recognised for her grassroots mobilisation and advocacy for women’s empowerment.

She is presently serving as the Deputy State Chairman of the APC in Lagos State.

She rose to prominence as the State Assistant Woman Leader and was later elevated to the role of Deputy State Chairman of the APC in Lagos State.

She has also served as a Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Social Services in Badagry West LCDA.

Sonayon-James holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, and a degree in Business and Human Resources Management from the University of Hull in the UK.

The politician has built a dynamic career in human resources, logistics, and sustainability, operating as CEO of DGS Chauffeurs & Logistics.

Ogun: 67-year Old Seriki Fulani, Eldest Son, Arrested For Kidnapping, Ex- Convict’s Son’s Escape

By

Ayodele Oni

-

May 31, 2026

0

By Ayodele Oni

Bala Mohammed, who just served out his five years jail terms after he was convicted for offences relating to kidnapping, has been linked to cases of abductions in some communities in Ogun state.

It was gathered that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command, led by the officer in charge, SP Bamidele Shirtu, while investigating the various incidents of kidnapping around Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and others, linked them all to Bala, who was just released from prison for the same kidnapping offence.

A police source said: “After painstaking and intelligence investigation, one of the bag which was used in the payment of the ransom for one of the victims was recovered in the father’s kitchen.

Abdullai Muhammadu, the 67-year-old Seriki Fulani and leader of the Fulani community in Ijebu Ode, who was arrested alongside his eldest child by the police in Ogun State for recent kidnappings around communities in the Ijebu area, denied the allegation, but one of the bags with which ransom was delivered was recovered in his kitchen.

He, however, admitted that he was aware that one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, is into kidnapping, but that he felt that he had turned a new leaf.

He also insisted that he had no hand in his son’s criminal activities, though they both stay in the same compound.

The Fulani leader also admitted to having taken the wanted suspected kidnapper to the hospital for medical treatment for a month after being released from the correctional centre, where he served a five-year jail term for kidnapping.

The wanted Bala and his two other brothers were reportedly hinted of the presence of security operatives around their family compound and they allegedly quickly escaped through the bush.

.

One of the children who saw us coming into the community already hinted Bala and his other brothers and they had escaped through the bush.

“It is not only Bala who is into the business. There is also Ndaji and one other and we are on their trail.

There was an upsurge in kidnapping in the area after Bala was released from prison. He spent five years in prison for kidnapping.”

Muhammadu Abdullai told newsmen that: “My name is Muhammadu Abdulai. I am a cattle rearer and also a farmer.

“I have been in Yorubaland for more than thirty years now. I have four wives and thirty children in Yorubaland. I was honoured with the title of Seriki of Fulani in Ijebu Ode by the immediate past Awujale of Ijebu Ode.

“I don’t know anything about the bag that was found in my house. I live in the same compound with my children and wives. I have never kidnapped anybody in my life.”

The Seriki Fulani however admitted that he was aware that one of his sons, Bala, was into kidnapping.

He said: “I know that Bala was into kidnapping. He was arrested and sent to prison. After he came back, I took him to the hospital, where he spent one month for treatment.

“I thought that he had turned a new leaf because he is now into farming and cattle rearing. I didn’t know that he is still into kidnapping. I don’t know if any of my other sons are into kidnapping. I am not into kidnapping and I will not encourage it.

“I didn’t want him to die when he came back from prison. He was looking very sick and pale. I wanted the best for him and other children. I took him to the hospital for treatment. I also encouraged him to stay away from crime.”

An elder brother to the wanted brothers, Bello, who was also arrested by the police, said: “I am Bello Muhammadu. I am the eldest child of my father. I was not at home when the policemen came.

“I was in the farm when my father called me. He could not understand what the policemen were saying.

“I am not into kidnapping. I am a herder. I only know that my younger brother, Bala, was arrested and taken to prison some years back. I don’t know anything about what he and any of my brothers are doing.

“If my father had known that Bala had returned to the crime, he would have killed him himself. He does not encourage anything like that.”

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, while speaking on the arrest of the suspects, noted that the police’s successful operation on kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state was as a result of the support from the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

Babaseyi said: “The Ogun State Police Command commends IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu for his continued support towards tactical policing, intelligence-led operations, and the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes.

“The command equally appreciates the strategic leadership and operational direction of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, which have continued to yield remarkable security successes within Ogun State.

“The successful operation carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, leading to the neutralisation/arrest of the notorious suspect and recovery of incriminating exhibits, underscores the bravery, professionalism and unwavering dedication of the operatives.

“Their resilience and intelligence-driven approach continue to frustrate criminal networks and reinforce public confidence in the Police.”

The command assured residents that sustained efforts are being intensified to dismantle all criminal syndicates operating within the state and its environs while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.

*Credit: Nigerian Tribune