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Politics

Wike vows to handpick Gov Fubara’s replacement in 2027

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Barr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has declared that he is done with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state, and will not repeat what he described as a mistake ahead of the 2027 election.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers state, spoke to his supporters over the weekend in Ahoada local government area of the state.

His words: “We will not make the mistake we made in 2023. I want to tell you now, are we going there? No, we are not going there. Are you hearing me? We are not going there.”

The minister said he would handpick a more pliant successor to replace Fubara in 2027, even as he accused Fubara of reneging on multiple agreements reached between them.

“As far as Rivers state is concerned, nobody will call me because you had a first agreement, somebody reneged; the second agreement, he reneged. Which one will he accept again? We would not make that mistake again,” he added.

Wike mocked supporters of the governor over the popular “on your mandate” slogan.

“Now, because opposition has collapsed, everybody is now shouting ‘on your mandate’. Why don’t you shout ‘on your mandate’ since? We have been shouting ‘on your mandate’ since,” he stated.

The former governor said Fubara’s reported defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not guarantee his support for re-election.

Wike said his loyalty to Bola Tinubu does not extend automatically to Fubara.

“I never hide it as far as Bola Ahmed Tinubu is concerned. There is nothing to think about. He has to complete his eight years because he has shown Rivers state love,” he said.

“Who would ever believe it in this world that a Rivers man would be a minister of FCT?” Wike added.

He said chanting “on your mandate” would not translate into an automatic ticket.

“So, if you like, shout ‘on your mandate’ 50 times a day, it will not give you an automatic ticket,” he said.

“If you like, bring everybody, shout ‘on your mandate’; that is not an automatic ticket,” he added.

Wike said he is not opposed to Tinubu but will insist on installing someone he can trust in Rivers state.

“We are not opposing Mr President, but in Rivers state, you go no say ‘kaki no be leather’,” he said.

“We will get somebody we can trust, go home, and sleep with our eyes closed,” Wike added.

The minister said politics is driven by interests and gratitude.

“Politics is about interest. If you don’t appreciate what people have done in your life, then you have a problem,” he said.

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Gunshots rock PDP headquarters

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

There is currently tension at the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja over attempts to hold parallel meetings.

The National Working Committee (NWC) elected in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, and the faction backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had fixed meetings for today.

Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the pro-Wike faction, had arrived the Wadata Plaza with some members of the faction.

Shortly after, members of the Taminu Turaki faction also arrived the headquarters but were prevented from going in.

However, two governors forced their way in, but as the other members of the faction tried to make their way in, security operatives fired gunshots and also released teargas to disperse them.

The situation triggered confusion as many scuttled to safety.

While addressing journalists in his office before the arrival of the other faction, Anyanwu had said the security beef up was normal was to prevent breakdown of law and order.

He said his faction was ready for Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.

 

 

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PDP expels Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, others

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose and former secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu.

Chief Olabode George, former National Vice Chairman of the party (South), moved the motion for the expulsion at the ongoing convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Hon Samaila Burga, Chairman of the PDP in Bauchi, seconded the motion.

The PDP faction loyal to Wike had moved to stop the convention through the court, but the party secured a judgement at a high court in Oyo to make the convention hold.

A few days to the convention, Mao Ohabunwa, chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Wike-led faction, said anyone going to Ibadan for the purpose of convention would just be going there to relax because the exercise would not be recogniaed by law.

Taunting the other faction, he said those interested in going to Ibadan should relax and have fun, describing the exercise as a “jamboree.”

According to him, Anyanwu had issued a circular, notifying members about the postponement of the convention.

”We have met as the national working committee of PDP and reviewed our activities. We have agreed to obey all the court decisions on the Ibadan convention. So, we are not part of the exercise.

”Ibadan is a public place. People can go for anything but not for convention. Anyone going there in the name of convention should consider it a jamboree.

We won’t tolerate flagrant abuse of the constitution by some individuals in the name of a convention,” Ohuabunwa had said.

The faction’s acting national chairman, Abdulrahman Muhammad, also called on the delegates to stay away from the convention and wait for the right time.

Muhammad promised to keep mobilizing members across the 36 states and the FCT for a strong and united PDP.

”We are concerned with moving PDP forward. Therefore, all delegates across the country should stay away from the Ibadan convention,” said Muhammad.

On his part, Wike had commended members of the party for defending PDP in their respective areas.

He insisted that his camp would always uphold the rule of law and would not succumb to intimidation.

Wike pledged not to betray those who believe in the constitution of the party.

”I am happy with your concern about the party in your respective areas, I will continue to support you people, I won’t betray you people,” he said..

 

 

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Wike: I have respect for the military, but ….

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, dismissed insinuations of using a disputed land issue in Abuja to fight the Nigerian military, saying he has always supported the armed forces.

Speaking with journalists on the clash involving his officials and some military personnel, Wike urged Nigerians to learn to obey the laws.

He said the government will not tolerate any attempt to violate land use regulations or obstruct government officials performing their lawful duties.

The Minister said his actions were strictly guided by law, not sentiment or emotion.

“You are told to obey legal orders, not orders that are illegal. So, if because you are a security aide, you think your superior ordered you to shoot at someone, you think you will not be charged for murder, because your superior gave you the order?” he asked.

“People have problems. We have tried to resolve them, but don’t use intimidation, don’t try to weaken government. You cannot weaken government. Because when we allow this now, others will follow suit. And then they will say, ‘When it happened to this and that, what did you do?’

So, gentlemen, I have respect for the military. I will continue to respect them. So, anybody trying to bring collision there, to say, ‘Oh, he is having a problem with the military,’ it is not correct. I don’t have a problem with the military and I will not have a problem.

“If we are having a problem with the military, I know where to run to. If I don’t go to the Chief of Defence Staff, I will go to the Chief of Army Staff, or the Chief of Naval Staff, or Air Force, or the Chief of Defence Intelligence, I will go to the President.

“But in this case, it has to do with a private individual. So how many people would I run to? If you have a problem with us, should I run to the President? Who does that? So, all I will be telling the President every day, ‘This individual is having a problem with us, this individual is having a problem.’ So I don’t have a problem with the military,” he said.

Wike, however, said the issue was blown out of proportion by those bent on portraying him as being at loggerheads with the military.

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BREAKING: Atiku speaks on gifting SUV to Soldier that confronted Wike

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports claiming he gifted a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lt. Ahmed Yerima, the soldier who recently confronted Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a viral video.

The story, which has been widely circulated across social media platforms, alleged that Atiku rewarded the officer with a luxury vehicle for his “boldness”. However, the former Vice President has now debunked the claim, describing it as pure fabrication.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku urged the public to disregard the report in its entirety.

“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), did not gift Lt. Ahmed Yerima or any other individual a brand new Toyota SUV, contrary to the false reports currently circulating on social media,” Ibe said.

“The story is entirely fabricated and should be completely disregarded by the public.”

He further cautioned Nigerians against the deliberate spread of misinformation aimed at tarnishing reputations or stirring public controversy.

The false story had gained traction amid heightened public interest following the altercation involving the soldier and the FCT Minister.

LEADING REPORTERS earlier reported that Lt. Ahmed Yerima made headlines earlier this week after confronting and preventing Mr. Wike from accessing a disputed property belonging to a Former Naval Chief.

Atiku’s camp reiterated that the former Vice President had no involvement in the matter.

 

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JUST IN: Wike Bans Use of Phone for FCT Land Officials

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a strict ban on the use of mobile phones by staff of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and the Department of Land Administration.

The new directive affects officers on Grade Level 14 and below, stopping them from entering their offices with mobile phones starting Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the order came shortly after videos showing Wike’s heated altercation with a Naval officer at a disputed property site in Abuja went viral on social media.

According to an internal memo signed by the Head of AGIS, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, “There shall be a ban on the use of mobile phones within the office premises for all officers on Salary Grade Level (SGL) 14 and below… affected staff are not permitted to enter the premises with their mobile phones henceforth.”

Sources within AGIS disclosed that the decision followed the minister’s anger over the viral footage, which was reportedly shared across WhatsApp groups by some staff members “The minister was furious that the videos spread among workers. He felt betrayed and saw it as sabotage,” a source said.

The ban has sparked outrage among staff and civil rights advocates, who describe it as “authoritarian and outdated.” Many have accused the minister of clamping down on transparency in public service.

One labour activist told reporters that the move “shows intolerance and fear of exposure. In this digital age, banning phones is backward and unnecessary.”

As of the time of filing this report, the FCT Administration had not issued any public statement explaining the decision or responding to the backlash.

 

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Soldiers blocks Wike, FCTA officials from accessing Gaduwa land

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Things got heated between the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and officials of the capital city when some soldiers stopped the former Rivers State governor and his entourage from gaining access to a land in the Gaduwa district of the area.

“This is unprofessional. You cannot be threatening a minister like this,” one of the officials accompanying Wike told the gun-wielding soldiers as the minister and his team tried to gain access to the land.

The minister, unhappy over the development, questioned the actions of the military officers, saying no one is above the laws of the land.

Wike questioned the development of the land, alleging that due process was not followed.

“You have no document,” the FCT minister said during the impasse on Tuesday, but the soldiers did not budge, saying that they were following instructions. “We cannot continue to act in impunity. We cannot continue this way. This country cannot go along this line.

“You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that they can intimidate,” he said.

After an intense session with the military officers, the FCT minister accused the officers of acting with impunity. Wike argued that there is no legal document in the FCTA’s record allocating such land to them.

He vowed not to allow such action to stand as far as his administration is concerned.

“It’s really unfortunate. And you heard what was said by the former Chief of Staff,” Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, said.

“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position, seeing that he has a problem, cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what’s going on,’ or simply because he is a military man, they could use that to intimidate Nigerians.

“I’m not one of those kinds of people who will succumb to blackmail.”

Despite the minister’s threat, the military officers maintained they would not vacate the land as they are working based on directives given to them by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo.

 

 

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PDP NWC suspends Wike’s ally Sam Anyanwu over ‘anti-party activities’

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary; and Kamaldeen Ajibade; the national legal adviser.

The party also suspended Okechukwu Osuoha, deputy legal adviser; and Umaru Bature, national organising secretary.

Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, announced the suspension during a press conference on Saturday, adding that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the NWC in Abuja.

He said the suspension will last for an initial period of one month, and that the officials have been referred to a disciplinary committee.

“During this period of the suspension, they cease to function in their respective capacities,” Ologunagba said.

He said Setonji Koshoedo, the deputy national secretary, would serve as acting national secretary, while the deputy legal adviser would act in Ajibade’s stead.

As the PDP prepares for its national convention slated for November 15 and 16, its internal wrangling has taken a new turn.

On Friday, a federal high court in Abuja stopped the opposition party’s planned national convention.

James Omotosho, the presiding judge, said evidence before the court showed that the party failed to hold valid state congresses before the planned national convention as stipulated in the 1999 constitution, the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and its own constitution.

The judge declared that the PDP’s non-compliance with the legal provisions had jeopardised its planned convention, advising the party to rectify the infractions before proceeding with the event.

Consequently, the court barred INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising any outcome from the proposed convention until the PDP meets all statutory requirements.

During the court case on October 14, Ajibade clashed with Umar Damagum, PDP national chairman, over who holds the authority to appoint lawyers for the party.

The drama unfolded when Chris Uche, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), announced his appearance for the PDP, citing a letter signed by Damagum authorising him to represent the party.

However, moments later, Ajibade also announced his appearance for the PDP, arguing that only his office has the constitutional power to engage legal representation on behalf of the party.

The conflicting claims created confusion in the courtroom, with both senior lawyers standing their ground before James.

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Wike Mocks Critics, Says PDP Defectors Have Justified His Support for Tinubu

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike took a swipe at his critics, saying those who once attacked him for supporting President Bola Tinubu have now joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike, 57, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been serving in President Tinubu’s APC-led administration since 2023. Although he has not formally defected from the PDP, the former Rivers State governor openly backed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, with Rivers delivering significant votes for the President.

Speaking during the flag-off of the construction of the main carriageways on the Outer Southern Expressway in Abuja, Wike said some PDP governors who accused him of working against the party are now defecting to the APC. He argued that their actions have vindicated his earlier decision to align with Tinubu.

“I have been watching on television and social media, people who said I wanted to destabilise the party, that I was working for the APC,” Wike said. “All of them are now in the APC. So, if it’s true, they should commend me for working for where they are heading. I should be commended for doing a good job for them.”

Wike’s remarks come amid a wave of defections from the PDP to the APC, a development he says validates his political stance and loyalty to President Tinubu’s leadership.

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Wike endorses APC’s candidate for Abuja council chairmanship seat

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

FCT minister Nyesom Wike has declared support for Christopher Maikalangu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 2026 Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had last week cleared political parties to commence campaigns ahead of the council polls.

Maikalangu, who currently chairs AMAC, secured the APC ticket after polling 51 votes in the primary election held on June 26, 2025.

Speaking on Monday during the flag-off of road projects linking Tunga Madaki and eight other communities to the airport, Wike urged residents to rally behind the APC candidate.

He said: “Now that INEC has said area councils can go and campaign officially, you all know where we’re heading to.

“My dear people of Tunga Madaki, I have handed over Maikalangu to you. So that, when the election will be held in February, by June, Mr President will be here to inaugurate this road, and then we will all dance, and dance, and then Mr Maikalangu will come and do the needful after the election.”

The minister said President Bola Tinubu had approved full compensation for the communities affected by the construction of the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

He noted that the road projects being executed were part of the residents’ demands in exchange for land released for the runway.

“One of the things that the communities asked for was that they have to be connected, they have to be linked up with roads.

“It is quite unfair that they are releasing their land for a second runway, but yet they have no access to even go to the airport. It does not make sense.

“Mr President said, whatever the settlement asks for, give it to them. Today, the 29th of September 2025, we are here to the glory of God and to fulfil the promise made by Mr President to the people of Tunga Madaki settlement,” Wike said.

He said the completion of the project in June 2026 would transform the communities, describing Tinubu’s administration as “a listening government that cares for the people.”

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