Politics
Wike Remains an Asset to APC, Shouldn’t Be Embarrassed — Jibrin
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and federal lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as an asset to the ruling party, urging APC leaders to refrain from publicly embarrassing him over his continued membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Jibrin made the remarks on Wednesday night while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he defended Wike amid criticisms from some APC governors over his political affiliation and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid.
The Kano lawmaker argued that Wike’s contributions to the emergence of the Tinubu administration and the APC’s political fortunes should be recognised, rather than subjected to public criticism.
“There is no APC member in Nigeria today that has not directly or indirectly benefited from the efforts of Wike, so long as delivering the President, also managing the government, also performing his work, there is nobody,” Jibrin said.
He added that Wike remained an important figure in the administration and should not be publicly attacked by members of the ruling party.
“Wike is an asset to the APC. I don’t think Wike should be embarrassed at this moment with public statements,” he said.
According to Jibrin, Wike had made significant political sacrifices in support of Tinubu and the APC despite remaining a member of the opposition PDP.
“Wike is an asset to APC; he has sacrificed so much for the President and the APC,” he added.
‘I’m Not Holding Brief for Wike’
Jibrin said his intervention was not motivated by a personal relationship with the FCT minister, explaining that he had only met Wike twice by accident.
He said his concern was primarily about protecting what he described as the stability of the political efforts aimed at securing Tinubu’s second-term bid.
“As I talk to you, before only God I worship, I don’t know Wike, but he knows me from afar, and I know him from afar, if I see him I know he is Wike, and if he sees me he will know I’m Honourable Jibrin, I have met him just twice accidentally, so I’m not holding any brief for Wike,” he explained.
Jibrin added that he considered it necessary to speak whenever political disagreements could affect the broader coalition supporting the President.
He also cited Wike’s political activities in Rivers State and the FCT as evidence of his contribution to the APC-led administration.
Wike ‘Handed Over Rivers to APC’
The former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation said Wike had played a role in the political realignment that strengthened the APC in Rivers State.
“I believe that Wike has sacrificed; he handed over Rivers to APC, Wike had candidates [in the] FCT election but asked them to step down for APC. Wike came into this government as [part of the] government of national unity. In reality, we should be fair to him; he has done far more than that,” Jibrin said.
He further argued that Wike’s continued membership of the PDP should not automatically disqualify him from supporting Tinubu, noting that politicians from other parties were also involved in the broader political coalition backing the President.
According to him, some politicians outside the APC had also expressed concern about the criticism directed at Wike.
“There are people who are in other parties, who are working with us in the NDC, in the ADC. Some of them called me yesterday, saying, ‘Look at what they are saying about Wike,’” he stated.
Jibrin Urges APC Governors to Engage Wike Privately
Jibrin also appealed to APC governors who have disagreements with Wike to resolve their differences through private discussions instead of public criticism.
“For the governors, they should take Wike as part of them,” he said.
He referred to Wike and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke as political figures whose activities, in his view, were contributing to the broader coalition supporting Tinubu.
“You call Wike the number 32 governor and Adeleke the number 33 governor of the APC; if there is a problem at the state level, the entire coalition that he is doing is for the President,” Jibrin said.
He maintained that where state-level political disagreements arise, the affected parties should engage Wike directly rather than make public statements against him.
“If anybody at the subnational level feels it may work against him or his interest, they should discuss with Wike, but I do not think Wike should be embarrassed by statements,” he added.
Criticism Amid 2027 Political Realignment
Jibrin’s comments come amid criticism from some APC governors over Wike’s continued membership of the PDP while openly supporting Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027.
Among those who have publicly questioned the arrangement are Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Wike has been associated with the “Rainbow Coalition”, a political alignment involving politicians across party lines that has expressed support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.
Jibrin, however, maintained that Wike’s political support for the President had contributed to electoral gains for the ruling party.
He pointed to the outcome of the recently concluded FCT Area Council elections, where the APC won five of the six councils, as part of the political gains he associated with the broader coalition.
The debate over Wike’s political affiliation and his role in the APC-led administration is expected to remain part of the wider political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics
Ogoni Youths Demand Bori State, Urge Tinubu to Implement Dialogue Report
A coalition of Ogoni youth groups has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, insisting that the creation of Bori State must be given priority in the process.
The Coalition of Ogoni Youth Groups (COYOG) made the demand in a statement jointly signed by 17 youth leaders, including Chief Kpakol Kpakol of the Ogoni National Youth Congress and Gen. Ikeh Albert Jnr of the Khana Youth Assembly, on Saturday.
The coalition warned against attempts by politicians and other vested interests to hijack the dialogue process for personal or political gains, stressing that its outcomes must reflect the collective aspirations of the Ogoni people.
It described the dialogue as a collective struggle for justice, environmental restoration, political inclusion, resource control and sustainable development.
On the leadership of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, COYOG clarified that Professor Don Baridam remains its substantive leader, warning against attempts by individuals to assume authority outside the established structure.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, the coalition insisted that the dialogue process must remain inclusive and accountable, adding that its recommendations should translate into measurable benefits for the Ogoni people.
“The Ogoni dialogue belongs to the Ogoni people. Its outcomes must serve the Ogoni people. Its implementation must be transparent, inclusive and measurable,” the statement added.
Politics
Dachung Bagos Wins APC Rerun Primary for Plateau Federal Constituency
Former member of the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary election for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
Bagos defeated his challenger, Esther Simi Dusu, in the rerun exercise conducted across 11 wards on Wednesday, following a court order nullifying the previous primary election over alleged irregularities.
The Chairman of the APC Rerun Electoral Committee, Simon Elisha, announced the results on Thursday at the party’s state secretariat, Kalwa House, in Jos.
According to the results, Bagos polled 12,181 votes to defeat Dusu, who secured 2,495 votes.
Elisha said the rerun election was conducted in compliance with the court order and in accordance with the party’s guidelines.
“The rerun was conducted in compliance with the court order and in line with the party’s guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.
The rerun followed a decision by the High Court in Jos to nullify the earlier primary election over alleged irregularities in 11 wards within the federal constituency.
The affected wards are Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, Turu, Fobur ‘A’, Fobur ‘B’, Jarawan Kogi, Maijuju/Doss, Federe, Shere East and Shere West.
The court-ordered exercise was organised to address the irregularities identified in the previous primary election and determine the party’s candidate for the constituency.
With his victory, Bagos is set to represent the APC in the contest for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.
Bagos previously represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.
His emergence as the party’s candidate places him in contention for another term in the Green Chamber, subject to the outcome of the 2027 general election.
Politics
Peter Obi Warns Those Terrorising Nigeria at Opening of NDC National Secretariat
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned individuals he accused of terrorising Nigerians, declaring that his party would confront insecurity and intimidation if elected in 2027.
“Those who think they can terrorize this country, wait, we’re coming,” Obi said during the opening of the NDC’s national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The remark came as the party formally opened its national headquarters and intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections. The event brought together Obi, his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NDC leaders and other party members.
Obi Puts Insecurity at the Centre of His Message
Obi’s statement signals that security is expected to feature prominently in the NDC’s campaign messaging ahead of the next presidential election.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency, kidnapping, armed attacks and communal violence in different parts of the country. These problems have affected communities, disrupted economic activities and generated demands for stronger protection of lives and property.
At the Abuja event, Obi presented his political project as an effort to change how government responds to the country’s challenges. Reports of his remarks also highlighted commitments to address corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.
However, the brief statement quoted above did not identify a particular group or individual as the target of his warning. It would therefore be premature to attribute the remark to a specific organisation or political opponent without further evidence.
NDC Opens National Headquarters Ahead of 2027
The secretariat opening marked another organisational step for the NDC as it builds its structures ahead of the elections.
The ceremony followed the party’s National Executive Committee meeting and formed part of a wider programme that included unveiling its National Campaign Council and presenting Certificates of Return to candidates contesting different offices.
Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, attended alongside National Leader Seriake Dickson, National Chairman Moses Cleopas and other party figures.
The new facility is expected to serve as the party’s administrative headquarters and a centre for coordinating its national political activities.
Security and Accountability in the 2027 Campaign
Obi’s warning comes as political parties begin defining their messages for the 2027 election, with security, economic hardship and public accountability among the issues likely to feature prominently.
For voters, the significance of security promises will depend not only on campaign statements but also on the policies, resources and implementation plans candidates present.
Measures to improve security can involve intelligence gathering, police and military capacity, coordination between federal and state authorities, criminal investigations, justice delivery and support for communities affected by violence.
Obi’s statement did not set out specific measures in the quoted passage. Further policy details would be needed to assess how the NDC proposes to address the different forms of insecurity affecting the country.
The remark nevertheless makes clear that the party intends to present security and protection from intimidation as part of its campaign message.
As the 2027 election approaches, the challenge for all political parties will be to explain how their proposals would be implemented and how progress would be measured.
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