Politics
I made a mistake with Fubara, Wike slams Governor’s camp
The Minister of the Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said backing Governor Siminalayi Fubara was a mistake he would correct at the appropriate time.
The FCT Minister insisted he made mistakes in his judgement of Fubara and asked the people of the LGA and political family to forgive him.
He said at the appropriate time they would correct the mistake insisting that he would continue to make his detractors angry so they would keep making mistakes.
Wike said: ” I want to say this clearly, in life we have made a mistake. I have made a mistake. I own it up and I say God forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But we will correct it at the appropriate time. I am a human, I am bound to make a mistake. So forgive me for making a wrong judgement. So nobody should kill”.
He also responded to some developments and actions from the camp of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, on the ongoing political crisis in the State.
Wike spoke on Saturday at the grand Civic reception held at Ogu-Bolo in honour of Chief George Thompson Sekibo to celebrate his 20 years of service at the National and 36 years of his life in public service.
The former Rivers Governor told Fubara’s camp that no injunctions obtained at 2am or 4am would stop the law and due process from taking its course in the state.
“If they like they can go to anybody by 2am or 4am to get injunction. The law will take its course. We must follow due process,” Wike said.
Reacting to Fubara’s remarks that he would not worship anybody, Wike said he had never asked anybody to worship him.
He said: “It is not easy to be a public officer and the people decide to honour you. Let me thank the Ogu council of chiefs and the entire community who insisted that their son should be honoured.
“You have refused politics to divide you. It shows that you have the interest of your community in mind. I came because I respect people, who appreciate what God has used people to do for them.
“God uses people to help others. So when you have been helped, you appreciate them. God will know you have appreciated him. Nobody can worship man. All of us believe that it is only God we will worship.
“As politicians we appreciate people who have helped us. When I came to ask you to support me, you supported me. Did I worship you? Did I ask you to worship me. If you had not supported me, I would not have been where I am. Did you tell me to worship you? So where does the issue of worship come from?”
Most political associates of Wike such as Senator Magnus Abe; Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; NDDC Director, Finance and Administration, Boma Iyayi, House of Assembly members, local government chairmen, senators among others attended the event
Wike told the lawmakers not to be afraid saying nobody would remove them as assembly members.
*Don’t be afraid nobody will remove you as a lawmaker. Most of you don’t understand. This is our work. Our business is to make them to fear. That is what I am doing. We will make them to be angry everyday and they will continue to make mistakes”.
The former Governor said he would continue to maintain peace in the state and called on his supporters to pursue peace.
He said: “So don’t worry yourselves. We won’t give money to anybody to go and buy arms to kill anybody. I have maintained peace and I want to beg all you to continue to maintain peace. Nobody will tell me that I can’t live in my house or go to my house. But all of you should maintain the peace. Follow law and sue process..we will get to the end
“As you see me I stand straight. I think well. I came with senator Magnus Abe. I work with people that have brains. On politics, when people with brains agree they disagree. Those, who don’t know what to do but said they would bring me down, who born them? They are nowhere. When you are in charge, you are in charge.
“Everything will calm down. All these people running around, they would come down. Boma worked for his appointment, he showed loyalty and commitment and that is why God placed him there. Don’t worry.
“Let me also advised you, forget about how they abuse us. You must be alive for people to abuse you. If you are dead, will they abuse you? At the appropriate time when the results will be announced, we will know who is who. We have defeated them severally.
“Some.of them ran to Abuja but when I went to Abuja, they ran back here. Have you not seen the way Abuja is moving? No amount of propaganda can help you. Ogu people have shown loyalty and I want to thank you”.
Reflecting on his political journey, Wike said: “In 2014 to 2015, we didn’t have anybody. I came here and you said you would work for it and you worked for it. We had nobody in government. Did we not win? What are you afraid of?
“While in a government I had a problem, I had a federal government that was hostile to me, did we not succeed? They are giving excuses. If you know you. When somebody cannot do something, say you cannot do it.
“At the appropriate time, people will speak of the projects in the state. They will tell you who did what. It is not people who come now and claim what they didn’t do. Ogu continue to support your people, your politicians have done well. Sekibo has done well.
“Don’t mind these buccaneers, I know how to handle them. Leave them for me..they have been my children. I will continue to handle them. Let’s work together”.
The former governor added: ” It is not easy to be in power and begin to give excuses. You continue to run away from promises you made to people. Look at all the council chairmen, the assembly members, these were people I spoke to for the interest of all of us.
“They all responded but today somebody said they are nobody. Will you accept that? Assembly people sat down in their various constituencies. You never brought a dime. I never knew you were rich that your father was a managing director of shell before and now you are paying their school fees. It is unfortunate.
“But Ogu people I will never abandon you. There are some chiefs I wanted to recognise as traditional rulers. Their people said no. But I dared it and I did it. Nobody bothered to recognise the traditional rulers from 1999 down to 2014. It was me that came and recognize most of them. I did what I did because it believed it was the right thing to do. It takes he who has the balls to talk.
“Now you said you are making them first class. Who made them second class and third class before you are making him first class? Be grateful to whatever God has given to you. Anywhere you are as a traditional ruler, check your conscience, who lifted you up. They said the list of caretaker committee was released but it was fake. Everything is fake with them”.
Politics
‘If Wike Fails To Apologize To Okinbaloye, We Will Boycott All Press Briefings’ – Broadcasters Warn
The Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) has asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to retract a controversial remark he made about a journalist with Channels Television, Seun Okinbaloye.
IBAN, the umbrella body for independent broadcast stations in Nigeria, also warned that it may boycott all media engagements organized by the minister if he fails to issue a public apology.
In a statement signed by Ahmed Ramalan, IBAN Chairman, and Fidelis Duker, Acting General Secretary, the association expressed concern about the implications of the comment aired during a live television interview.
The controversy stemmed from a remark made by Wike during a routine media chat on Friday, when he reacted to Okinbaloye’s commentary on the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy while watching the program Politics Today.
“If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” Wike had said.
The minister later clarified to journalists present that the statement was not a literal threat.
On Saturday, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to the minister, described the comment as “hyperbolic”, arguing that it had been taken out of context by critics.
However, IBAN maintained that the remark was inappropriate for a public official, even if it was not intended as a literal threat.
The association said statements suggesting violence could easily be interpreted as intimidation of journalists.
IBAN warned that comments implying violence could contribute to a hostile environment for media practitioners.
The group noted that Nigeria currently ranks 122 out of 180 countries on the global press freedom index, adding that journalists already face numerous challenges.
According to the association, these include surveillance, attacks, and arbitrary arrests.
The association called on the minister to withdraw the remark and apologise publicly to the journalist and the wider media community.
IBAN also urged Wike to reaffirm his commitment to press freedom in accordance with Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution.
“Should the minister fail to meet these requests within a reasonable period, IBAN will have no choice but to advise all independent broadcast stations to suspend coverage of all press briefings, media chats, and official news conferences hosted by the FCT minister,” the statement read.
Despite its warning, the association said it remains open to constructive engagement with public officials.
“We hope the minister will take the necessary corrective action so that normal coverage can continue without interruption,” IBAN added.
Politics
EASTER CELEBRATION: Hon Success Opara Wishes Nigerians Joy, Hope, and Renewal
In a heartfelt message, Hon Success Opara has extended warm Easter greetings to Nigerians, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Speaking at St. Peter Anglican Church Ikengbu, Opara emphasized the significance of Easter, saying, “He is risen! May the miracle of Easter bring you renewed hope, faith, and joy. Rejoice in the promise of new life and the joy that conquered everything.”
The lawmaker prayed for Nigerians to experience the transformative power of the resurrection, urging them to find solace in the promise of eternal life. “As we commemorate this sacred occasion, let us reflect on the values of love, compassion, and forgiveness that Jesus Christ embodied,” he said.
Hon Opara’s message was filled with Easter cheer, as he wished Nigerians a joyous celebration with family and loved ones. “May the spirit of Easter fill your heart with peace, hope, and renewed faith. Happy Easter!”
The Easter celebration at St. Peter Anglican Church Ikengbu was marked with prayers, hymns, and reflections on the significance of Christ’s resurrection.
Politics
I’m Not a Part of Any Plan to Turn Nigeria Into a One-Party State, But INEC Will Follow Court Orders, Not Political Pressure — INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Amupitan has rejected claims that the commission is being used to create a one-party state in favor of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. “I am not guilty as charged,. Let me say it very clearly. I am not a party to the plan of anyone to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. By the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria is a multi-party state and this is recognized by the constitution and the Electoral Act,” he stated.
He cited the recent FCT area council elections, noting about ten political parties participated, including ADC, PDP, Labor Party, and Zenith Labour Party. “The democratic space remains vibrant. Parties are participating, and the elections demonstrate that competition is alive,” he said.
On disputes within the ADC and the PDP, he explained, “One of the challenges we’ve had is the issue of party leadership. And it’s something that is impacting on democracy because if those issues are not addressed on time, it can cause a lot of problem. Nobody is looking at that part that ordered the trial court to give it expeditious trial. This is an originating summons. An originating summons that could, if they had gone to court, have been decided by now because the Court of Appeal has given a specific order that it should be decided expeditiously.”
Explaining INEC’s role, he said, “So therefore, it calls to question the fact that this order has been made. They’re supposed to go back to the Federal High Court and let the Federal High Court, with that order, compel the judge to hear that case expeditiously. The Court of Appeal made a preservatory order, status quo antebellum. The commission just recorded positions before 2nd September 2025. If the court gives judgment, parties can proceed. Life goes on.”
He concluded, “The whole idea that INEC is being used to turn Nigeria into a one party state is false. INEC follows court orders, not political pressure.”
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GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
