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“Nigerians Still Love Me, Will Overwhelmingly Vote For Me As Presidential Candidate”, Wike  Boasts

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike.

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

Despite publicly  admitting being the most abused  political actor in Nigeria after President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike, insists that he will still enjoy overwhelming support from across Nigeria if he decides to throw his hat into the Presidential ring.

 

The Source reports that in late 2025, the Wike, who not a few have come to love, or hate, owing to his perceived  impudent and domineering posture, and somewhat uncouth comments and actions, had confessed to being one of the most abused and hated Nigerian politicians in recent times.

 

He has, however, dismissed whatever negative public perception of him as  immaterial ,and of no consequences.

 

Speaking at his monthly media parley in Abuja on Monday, the FCT Minister highlighted his strong capacity to connect and reconnect with the grassroots 

 

Further underlying his political prowess and acceptability, within the country’s political landscape, Wike, apart from  expressing  the confidence that people will vote for him as a Presidential candidate, insisted that candidates loyal to him will still win the  FCT Council Polls even if they are held one hundred times .

 

According to him, his acclaimed high performance index both in Rivers State and now, in the FCT, is enough to market and endear him the country’s electorate.

 

“Nigerians still love me despite whatever some vocal people are saying. If I decide to run for the Presidency, I am certain that overwhelming majority of Nigerians will vote for me if I decide to contest the country’s presidency”, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State stated.

I am The Governor Of The FCT; I Have The Right To Move Around Amidst Curfew

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike

 

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,  Nyesom Wike has insisted that as the ” Governor” of the Country’s capital he has the power and authority to declare a curfew if it becomes necessary.

 

This is as he, however, explained that the work-free day and movement restrictions imposed on residents of the FCT during the just concluded FCT council polls were approved by President Bola  Tinubu.

 

Speaking at his monthly media chat in Abuja on Monday March 2, 2026, Wike remained adamant that he did no wrong by engaging in an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation in the FCT during the council elections.

 

According to him, contrary to widespread insinuations and claims suggesting that he unilaterally declared curfew and imposed movement restrictions, it was the President who directed same based on the availability of some unfavourable security reports ,as well as the need to allow voters to go to their areas to participate in the exercise.

 

But beyond this ,Wike insisted that as the  ‘Governor’ of the FCT, with an estimated three thousand polling units, it will amount to an abdication of responsibility not to monitor the election .

 

” I have the rights. I am the Governor of 3000 polling units. For security, I have to find out what the situation was like. I don’t have to be told that. Iwas not a candidate for the election.

 

“Some people have said that I moved about on the election day. There are about 3000 polling units in the FCT. Assuming I went to 10 polling units to observe the situation, how will that affect electoral outcomes in a situation where you have no fewer than 3000 polling units? ..

 

“Yes as a candidate, I cannot move around; I must have my agents . But as the Chief Security Officer of the FCT, I have the right to have an over view of what was going on. How does that affect and influence the outcome of the election?”, Wike queried.

 

This is as he blamed the opposition for their abysmal performance during the elections.

 

He attributed the success recorded by the  APC during the FCT ,and by-elections in Kano and Rivers states to the sterling performance of the President Tinubu’s administration .

Wike Again Vows To Stop Senator Kingibe From Returning To The National Assembly In 2027

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nyesom Wike
Nyesom Wike. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,



By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

With the dust raised by the comments and actions of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister Nyesom Wike before, and during the FCT Council polls yet to settle, Wike has further stirred another controversy with his open declaration that Senator Ireti Kingibe will not return to the Senate as the representative of the FCT.

 

The Source reports that Wike, in the count down to the just concluded FCT Council polls  unapologetically told bemused fellow country men and women that only candidates perceived to be supportive of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and administration would be allowed to scale through the elections.

 

On another occasion, he  gleefully told a gathering of All Progressive Congress, APC supporters, to simply go and cast their votes on the election day and leave the rest efforts for him.

 

Of course ,he never disappointed as he turned out a sterling and overwhelming  performance as the  APC  swept the polls.

 

Speaking at  an interactive session with the media broadcast live  on TV channels on Monday, March 2, 2026, the FCT Minister informed that his earlier position on the political future of Senator Kingibe, to the effect that she will not be returning to the hallowed red chamber of the National Assembly after the 2027 polls  remains sacrosanct.

 

For the FCT Minister , the fate of the African Democratic Congress ADC Senator is sealed. According to him, the new political structures springing out in the FCT will decide.

 

” I said it more than a year ago — Senator Ireti Kingibe won’t come back as Senator representing the FCT at the National Assembly and I stand by it”, Wike stated.

Senator Ireti Kingibe
Senator Ireti Kingibe

According to him , going by the emerging political alignments ongoing within the FCT, it will be a mirage to contemplate the return of Senator Kingibe to the Senate.

 

 Like in his refrain during the FCT Council polls, Wike emphasized that performance, loyalty and grassroots acceptance will play significant roles in shaping the political future of actors within the FCT.

 

Instructively, Wike’s vaunting disposition is coming against the backdrop of growing fears and lack of confidence already expressed by the opposition in the country’s electoral process after the hurried signing into law of the controversial 2026 amended Electoral Act by President Tinubu.

 

The opposition camp has decried the National Assembly’s rejection of the  mandatory electronic transmission clause, despite overwhelming majority of Nigerians rooting for it as a veritable means of stemming election results manipulations .

“Senator Ireti Kingibe  Reads Only Love Magazines” – Wike

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nyesom Wike and Ireti Heebah Kingibe

By Adesina Soyooye 

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at the Senator representing the FCT,  Ireti Kingibe. The Senator, Wike said does not read. “She reads only love Magazine”, he added for effect.

 

The Minister spoke during his monthly media chat on Monday while answering questions from Journalists. 

 

Asked why he declared a public holiday on Friday, a day before the FCT Council  Election, and a 22-hour curfew as pointed out by the FCT Senator and others because he had no powers to do that, Wike specifically picked on Kingibe.

 

He said he did no such thing and that the problem is that the Senator does not read, that what he said, and what was published, was that President Bola Tinubu directed him to do so; that he was not the one who declared either the public holiday or the curfew; that the President directed him to declare the public holiday to enable people go back to their councils on Friday so as to vote on Saturday instead of going back to their Councils late on Friday.

 

He said: “The problem is that the Senator (Ireti Kingibe) does not read. She reads only love magazines”.

 

He then raised the ante.  “They are talking about few people coming out to vote. Is it the job of the Independent National Electoral Commission to mobilise people to come out and vote? It is the job of  Politicians and political parties to mobilise people to come out and vote. Ask the Senator, in her own polling booth, who did she mobilise? It was empty. Her party, ADC, scored two votes, APC scored three votes, and PDP scored one vote.”

“Aunty Iyabo, Grow Up”, Senator Adeola Tackles Fmr. President Obasanjo’s Daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Iyabo Obasanjo and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola - YAYI
Iyabo Obasanjo and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola - YAYI

By Adesina Soyooye

“Senator Yayi will not descend to engage in petty politics with a Diaspora- returnee whose contribution to progressive politics is near nil”

In the past few days since  Professor Iyabo Obasanjo, a daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, re-entered politics after a 15-year absence, she has been talking tough, literally hitting out from all cylinders. She has hauled very uncomplimentary words at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a party under which she was a Commissioner for Health in her Ogun State, and a one-term Senator. She dismissed the party as useless and its leadership as unserious and idiots.

She, also, descended on Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popular  as YAYI, and dismissed him as a political prostitute.

Now, Senator Adeola has decided to pay her back in her own coins and both directly and indirectly, asked her to learn the ropes in politics, and more important, grow up.

Following is the full text of his response through an Aide.

“My attention has been drawn to Senator Iyabo Obasanjo’s recent statement on a radio programme, labelling my principal, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, YAYI, an opportunist.

“While I find it surprising that a politician of her stature would resort to cheap personal attacks to find undue relevance, I also see it as a show of pedestrian politicking that someone of her status would be willing to toe such a flimsy path in the serious business of development politics.

“I would like to remind Senator Obasanjo that any son or daughter of Ogun State who has had the privilege to serve outside the state has the inalienable right to return home and serve his or her people whenever they deem fit, and Senator YAYI’s own won’t be an exception. If anyone who abandoned her state for personal pursuits for about 15 years is bittered, jittery or upset about that, we cannot but be amused at unwarranted tantrums.

“Senator YAYI has consistently demonstrated his commitment to Ogun West and indeed Ogun State, participating as a prominent stalwart in her progressive politics since 2011. His political weight and influence have contributed immensely to the successes recorded by the APC in the last two general elections from the senatorial district and beyond.

‘If being an opportunist has caused huge development in the infrastructure of Ogun West in recent years and other parts of the state, then maybe it’s safe to say many politicians need to join the fray of being opportunistic like Senator YAYI, so as to better serve their constituents and their state.

“In the last decade, Senator YAYI has facilitated numerous infrastructure projects, including hundreds of classrooms, primary health centres, roads, solar street lights, donation of electricity transformers, and markets, amongst others, in Ogun West, earning him the respect of many.

“Aunty Iyabo  should please focus on your own political journey rather than attacking others – this is very honest counsel that anyone can give you at this time.

“As a new member of the APC, it is morally expected that Senator Obasanjo should adopt a more constructive approach, leaving her old party’s brigandage politics behind. Again, my advice to her is to calm down and engage in healthy competition. If she wishes to contest the APC governorship ticket, as reported, she should start learning the ropes of progressive politics, mobilise for the party, and warm up for the contest ahead, rather than resorting to personality attacks or petty displays of jittery.

“Senator YAYI remains committed to serving Ogun State and its people, and this he has continued to do for more than a decade as a participating member of the progressive party, APC.

“His strides as a Senator representing Ogun West are a huge reference that politics should be centred around the development of the people and not infighting or mudslinging.

Senator Yayi remain focused on delivering on his senatorial mandate for now and will not descend to engage in petty politics with a Diaspora returnee whose contribution to progressive politics is near nil.”

“I Will Reduce Fmr. Govs. Amosun, Daniel To Refugee Status In Ogun State” – Gov. Abiodun

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Dapo Abiodun and Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun

By Adesina Soyooye

Unless former Ogun State Governors, specifically, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun stop their criticisms  of current Governor  Dapo Abiodun or align with him, they will end up as refugees in the State over which they superintendent. Governor Abiodun has promised that he will deposit them in the camp of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP.

The Governor spoke as he  commissioned the Iworo-Ogbogbo-Igbeba Road in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area, assured that he would send all his “enemies,” specifically, his predecessors, to IDP camps by flaunting his achievements in Ogun State.

His words: “This Local Government, Ijebu North-East, is one of our breadbaskets in Ogun. This road connects Ijebu North-East to Ijebu-Ode Local Government and allows our farmers to bring their produce to market conveniently. This is what is called expository, participatory, intentional, and collective governance.

“I want to thank all those who brought this road to our attention. This road is a continuation of the Igbeba Road in Ijebu-Ode that was commissioned two weeks ago. At that commissioning, I showed you 28 roads that have been constructed. You know we have been intentional about this. I will call this our own infrastructural emancipation for the entire Ijebuland.

“Ijebuland had been abandoned for more than 24 years by previous administrations. It was a deliberate intention to put Ijebuland at the back bench. Our development was suppressed by previous administrations in favour of other parts of the state, and I am glad I can beat my chest about this new development.

“I said it two weeks ago that there were no taxis in Ijebuland because there were no roads. Now I can boldly say companies are coming back to reintroduce taxis in Ijebu-Ode. We have constructed roads that all previous administrations combined could not construct. I am glad that one of our renowned monarchs, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, said this administration has constructed more houses than all previous administrations combined.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to provide inclusive and purposeful leadership to everyone in the state, including people in the micro-economy, and ensure the grassroots are not left behind — from our affordable homes to our primary healthcare centres and our schools.

“They have continued to hire bloggers to malign us. We will respond with this kind of commissioning. We will continue to commission our housing projects, roads, agricultural programmes, and what we do for our market women, education, and other developments in the State.

“I have been getting feedback on our roads.

Just on my way here, a judge from Lagos texted me about the Alagbole, Toyin, Ajuwon, Akute, and Lanbe roads. He said in the last few years, Akute and Oke-Aro had been under construction, and, ‘We are proud of you, Your Excellency.’ That’s from a judge — and you know judges don’t lie.

“For those who have been sponsoring social media attacks or sponsoring litigation, I want to tell you that you will all end up in IDP camps. None of you constructed all roads in eight years — not even in your combined 16 years. This is Ogun State, the Gateway to Nigeria’s prosperity. We have more roads than some states put together.

“Our administration has constructed more roads of economic importance, and we will still construct more. If my predecessors had done half of what we have done, we would not have met such a huge infrastructural gap. So you should bury your heads in shame and shut your mouths.

“I sincerely want to thank our father, a father of the nation, who has brought more infrastructure to the country and emphasised the importance of infrastructure — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — for your laudable implementation of projects. Go to Sagamu; for many years before 2023, the Sagamu Expressway had been abandoned, but now the road is enjoying our President’s robust infrastructure drive.”

Former Governors Daniel and Amosun have had a very untidy relationship with Governor Abiodun. Amosun, for instance, was never in support of Abiodun’s candidacy as Governor both in his first and second tenures.

NIMASA, WMU Renew Capacity Building Agreement

By
James Orji
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NIMASA and World Maritime University

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has renewed its strategic capacity development partnership with the World Maritime University (WMU), Malmö, Sweden, through the signing of a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime human capital and institutional capacity.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola described the partnership as a critical pillar in NIMASA’s human capital development framework and a strategic investment in Nigeria’s maritime future.

“This collaboration has significantly strengthened our technical and regulatory capabilities over the years. Officers trained at WMU have enhanced our effectiveness in maritime safety administration, environmental compliance, maritime law, and shipping management. Their expertise has also reinforced Nigeria’s participation at the International Maritime Organization and other international maritime platforms,” he stated.

Under the renewed MoU, which was first signed in 2022, NIMASA will sponsor at least ten officers annually for the 14-month Master of Science programme at WMU in Malmö for the 2026–2029 intakes, as well as at least one officer for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme jointly delivered by WMU and the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), Malta.

The MoU also provides for distance learning, executive professional development courses, research collaboration and technical assistance to strengthen NIMASA’s capacity in maritime safety, environmental management, seafarer certification and implementation of international maritime instruments. WMU will further seek additional fellowships from international donors for qualified NIMASA candidates.

Dr. Mobereola endorsed the MoU on behalf of NIMASA with the President of WMU, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr signing on behalf of the University while Executive Director Finance and Administration NIMASA Chudi Offodile and the Registrar of WMU, Mr. Peter Marriott both signed as witnesses.

Established in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization, WMU was mandated to strengthen global maritime capacity, particularly in developing countries. The University has since become a leading centre of excellence, and Nigeria has benefited significantly through the training of NIMASA officers who continue to enhance national maritime governance and international engagement

APC Boss: Nigerians Are Joining Our Party Because PDP, Others Are Dead

By
James Orji
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APC Chairman Yilwada

National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has justified the mass defection into the party, saying other political parties are dying. He also said the management of the APC appears to be appealing to Nigerians who are now pitching their tent with the party.

Prof. Yilwatda spoke on Sunday during a Townhall meeting on the 2026 Electoral Act. The Act was recently passed by the National Assembly and has been assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even though controversy remains over the provision in the Act on the manner election results should be announced.

The magazine reports that the APC has welcome more members into the party recently, particularity opposition state governors, the latest being the Governor of Adamawa state, Ahmadu Fintiri who defected to the party last week.

Critics of the ruling party insist that the plan is to emasculate the opposition and tuen the country into a one-party state.

According to Prof Yilwatda, APC has attracted more membership because it’s more organised in terms of mobilisation and coordination.

He said “It is very fair” for the party to gain more membership  because Nigerians have discovered that other political parties are already dying.

“They saw a reason to join us because of how we operate as a party—from party management to organization and mobilization,” Yilwatda said yesterday .

“APC seems to be the best party in terms of mobilization, organization, and governance. That provides a leeway for competition. When I go to the market, I have a choice to make: a choice between good governance, good party management, and a transparent system.

“I will give you an example. We have a primary solution where, through consensus, all nine candidates in Osun agreed on a single candidate. No other political party in Nigeria has achieved a consensus like that without ending up in court. Only APC has successfully done that in two states.”

President Tinubu had recently taken a swipe at the leadership of some political parities in the country who accused him of plans  to turn the country into a one-party, accusing them of  failure to make their parties attractive to Nigerians to join.

The president expressed excitement over the defections of opposition politicians into the ruling APC, saying his party was ready to sweep opposition political parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, African Democratic Congress, ADC, Labour Party, LP totally out of the way ahead the next general elections in the country in 2027.

Tinubu: “I just need to tell those who say a one-party system is no good. It is one party ruling, driving the aspirations of Nigerians. You don’t blame a people bailing out of a sinking ship when they have no life jackets.

“I’m glad for what we have, and I’m expecting more to come. That is the game. Welcome to progress; sweep them clean.”

INEC Boss Promises ‘Best’ Election In 2027; Opposition Leaders Remain Skeptical

By
James Orji
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INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, says Nigerians should not be worried over next year’s election, saying it will the best elections to be conducted in the country.

The INEC chairman spoke on Sunday in Abuja, the nation’s capital during the Citizens Townhall meeting on the 2026 Electoral Act.

Prof Amupitan’s remark comes on the backdrop of doubts among some opposition leaders in the country, of his capacity to conduct a credible election for the country next year. Some INEC critics cited the recently conducted Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, which they claimed fell below expectations.

INEC’s declaration of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC,  as the winner of the majority of Chairmanship and councilors positions have been rejected by the opposition parties.

For instance, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, a former Executive Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, had in his reaction to the  recent FCT Council elections said the INEC boss cannot be trusted to conduct a free, fair and credible election for the country in 2027.

He said the Commission failed to redeem its image among Nigerians during the FCT election, where the APC won five of six Chairmanship positions.

“Amupitan’s INEC failed woefully. On this evidence, nobody can trust Joash Amupitan to organise credible elections in 2027.

“There’s nothing else to it; it is not about the law. It is about the failure of will, the failure of electoral administration,” he stated.

Odinkalu had charged the INEC boss to sit up or resign his position, saying, for instance, that the logistic management during the Abuja council polls was very abysmal.

The rights activist also faulted INEC for reassigning voters without properly informing them of a change in their polling units on the day of election. .

Odinkalu challenged the electoral body to admit to the challenges and apologise to Nigerians for some shortcomings.

He called on Amupitan to take responsibility for what he described as the FCT council election failure.  Amupitan, the rights activist said, should simply admist to Nigerians that “I take personal responsibility, this is a chastening experience. I am learning, some of these things I saw cannot happen on my watch”.

“But to simply pretend as if these things did not happen and say this is the standard to which elections are organised will be irresponsible,” he stated.

Odinkalu further noted that Nigerians are not asking for perfections but evidence of commitment to improvements by the electoral body.

“A chairperson of INEC who is committed to credible elections would admit that there are failures that should never have happened on the watch of a credible electoral administrator and will say, ‘We will do something about it, enlist citizens who have no partisan commitments to see how we address these issues,’” the rights activist said.

But speaking yesterday, Prof Amupitan vowed to conduct the most credible election in the nation’s history, stressing however that the election may not be 100 percent perfect, adding that the commission will improve with time.

“By the grace of God, the 2027 election will be the best election Nigerians have experienced,” Amupitan said.

“Khamenei, Killed Iranian Supreme Leader Is “A Lucky Soul, He Died In Jihad” –  Sheik Gumi

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Sheik Ahmad Gumi

By Adesina Soyooye

Nigeria’s Islamic Cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi is not mourning Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian Supreme Leader who was killed on Saturday, February 28, in an  airstrike on Iran carried out by the United States of America and Isreal.

Recall that the two countries began to rain bombs on Iran beginning from Saturday.

Khamenei was killed when about 30 bombs were dropped on his home. Killed along with him were his daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren and a daughter-in-law.

Reacting to Khamenei’s killing in a post on Sunday, Gumi described Khamenei as “a lucky soul who died in Jihad.

His words: “Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: A lucky soul, he died in Jihad against killers of innocent children and women in Gaza and elsewhere.

“His blood will fuel the change in the ummah. He stood firmly for Justice and didn’t hide in bunkers. For those who killed him or assisted in killing him, let us see what they will live to do in this world”.

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