Politics
Wike Brought Misery, Grief, Anguish To Rivers – Secondus
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of being the mastermind of the current charged political atmosphere in Rivers State.
Secondus, who spoke to journalists in Abuja, said the FCT Minister was the brain behind Governor Siminalaye Fubura’s political troubles.
He alleged that the former governor brought misery, grief, and anguish into the state, stressing that the Minister has failed to attract any federal project to Rivers.
According to Secondus, Fubara fell out with his estranged godfather when he (Fubara) decided to prevent the looting of the state.
He explained that the political crisis currently rocking the state was orchestrated by those who demand unfettered access to the state’s finances, a demand he said the governor refused to accept.
Secondus said, “Wike has been Governor for eight years and is now Minister of the FCT.
“As Minister, what has he, Wike, attracted in terms of Federal projects to our dear State since he assumed office?
“Perhaps misery, grief, and anguish. As governor he supervised the exit of investors from the state due to his draconian policies.
“He had on an occasion mentioned that he is capable of causing a crisis and he is not far from the truth, as he is causing an unfathomable crisis in Rivers State.
“Mrs Patience Jonathan and I worked for his emergence as governor, have we ever breathed down his neck? Instead, what we get is disrespect and insults.
“I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prevail on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to stop overheating the Rivers State political atmosphere and allow Fubara to work. Whatever Wike thinks he is, it must be stressed that Rivers people made him.”
Meanwhile, the FCT minister said he has never asked Governor Fubara, his estranged political godson, or anyone else to worship him in the state.
This is just as he assured members of the State House of Assembly loyal to him that nobody can remove them from office.
Wike stated this while speaking at an event to honour former Senator, George Senior in Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
Recall that Governor Fubara at a recent function in Port Harcourt while commenting on the crisis in the state had said he respects and acknowledges Wike’s pivotal role in his governorship emergence, but that he would not worship any man.
Also, at the burial of the late mother of former Rivers State Governor, Celestine Omehia in Ubima, Ikwerre local government area of the State, Fubara has said ‘I won’t govern Rivers on bended knees’.
But Wike in his reply wondered where the issue of ‘worship’ which his successor mentioned emanated from.
He said, “I came because I respect people who appreciate what God has done for them and what God has used people to do for them.
“God does not come down. God uses people to help people. I have never told anybody to worship me. Nobody can worship man. All of us believe that we only have one God. And it is only that God we worship; and we will continue to worship that God.
“As politicians, we appreciate people who have helped. Ogu-Bolo people when I came to ask you to support me, you supported me. Did I worship you? But I have to appreciate you. I never said I would worship you. Did I tell you to worship me? So why did the issue of worship come.”
He commended the chiefs and people of Ogu-Bolo for not allowing politics to divide them, saying, “You have not allowed politics to make you dishonour your son. That shows people who have leaders of their community in mind.”
He apologised to the people for what he termed wrong judgment, which he said, shows that man is prone to errors.
“In life when you make a mistake, there is nothing you can do about it. I have made a mistake, I didn’t know it all. I say God forgive me and I say all of you forgive me.
“But we will correct it at the appropriate time. I’m a human being. I’m bound to make mistakes. My judgment can be wrong. So forgive me for making a wrong judgment. That is part of life, so nobody should kill himself,” the FCT minister said.
On Fubara’s recent remarks that some of the lawmakers stayed with him and he paid their children’s fees, Wike jested that he never knew the latter was so rich.
“See the Assembly people in their different constituencies. I never knew you were saying rich. I never knew your father was the Managing Director of Shell.
“You were feeding the Assembly people, paying their children’s school fees. I never knew that. It is unfortunate. “
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party has declared full control over Rivers State, asserting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the party now dominate the state’s political landscape.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday, the party claimed that all legislators who defected to the All Progressives Congress have forfeited their seats, citing constitutional provisions.
Recall that on Tuesday, the state government dismissed a call by the state APC for the pro-Wike House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against Gov. Fubara.
Ologunagba emphasised that legal considerations now overwhelmingly favour the PDP, dismissing the APC’s claims as futile attempts to subvert Nigeria’s constitution.
He stated, “It is indeed pathetic for the APC to think that the facts and true import of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to the effect that the former lawmakers have since lost their seats can be muddled and lost in litigation and lengthy press statements.
“Interestingly, in the failed bid to subvert the Constitution to give the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly a lifeline, the APC ended up admitting the clarity of the provision of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in voiding their seats upon their defection.”
Politics
ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent
Prominent activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Aisha Yesufu has issued a public apology to governance advocate Yemi Adamolekun following a controversy over her inclusion in the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee.
The issue emerged on Wednesday after Adamolekun, former executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, expressed surprise on social media at seeing her name listed among members of the ADC committee.
Tagging Yesufu and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, Adamolekun questioned the party’s process in a blunt post on X.
“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote.
Responding the same day, Abdullahi said the committee was designed to be expert-driven rather than strictly partisan.
“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” he said.
He added, “This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.”
Abdullahi maintained that the party had followed due process.
He said the ADC had undergone a “vetting process” and “took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.”
Despite the disagreement, he expressed hope that Adamolekun would still participate, citing her “vast experience – even though she is not a member of our party.”
However, reacting on Friday, Yesufu, a member of the party’s Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, acknowledged the error and apologised publicly.
She wrote, “This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up. We do not take you and your need to have a better Nigeria for granted.”
Yesufu admitted the process was flawed.
“Like you rightly pointed out, you ought to have been informed and your consent gotten before your name is published.
“This is well noted, and going forward we will continue to ensure due diligence,” she said.
She added, “Thank you for calling our attention to this. We can only get better when we get such feedback and improve accordingly.
“The work to rebuilding Nigeria is enormous, and in our eagerness to start off, we must never forget due process and diligence.”
Yesufu also extended an apology to others affected by the publication.
“For anyone that was also not contacted and consent gotten before publication, kindly accept my apologies for the mix-up,” she said.
Politics
Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term
Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has attributed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to what he described as the administration’s innovative and business-friendly economic policies.
He said President Tinubu’s economic initiatives are more favourable to businesses than those of previous administrations, adding that the reforms have reshaped his political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abba made the remarks during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Monday evening, where he led members of the Haske Atiku Organisation, now rebranded as the Haske Tinubu Organisation.
He recalled that he formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 15, collecting his membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where he publicly pledged support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
According to him, his decision to back the president was driven by admiration for the economic policies introduced since 2023, which he believes are positioning the country for stronger private-sector growth and investment.
According to him, “This administration has introduced policies that have every Nigerian in mind. If anyone says this government is not doing well, I will tell them they are lying,” he said. “I believe that if given another term, the government will do even more because it is focused.”
He explained that his long-standing experience in business has given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria.
“Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business, and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr. President are favourable—not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general, who are already benefiting from these reforms,” he stated.
He also explained that his decision to join the APC and align with the City Boy Movement was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.
“My joining the APC and the City Boy Movement is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr. President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality,” Abubakar added.
The Director General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.
He noted that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates is to ensure that young Nigerians are deliberately positioned for leadership roles while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process.
Abba’s delegation was received by the Director General of CBM, Mr. Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr. Favour Abayomi.
Politics
Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party
Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 Oyo State governorship under the Accord Party.
In a public declaration, Hamzat stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027.
“I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone.
“I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.”
The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.
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