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Northeast Unity Forum Condemns Wike’s Political Banditry, Calls For His Sack As FCT Minister
The Northeast Unity Forum (NUF) strongly condemns the brazen political banditry displayed by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NUF convener,Abubakar kabir made the call in a statement shared with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
Wike’s recent threats against governors of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who support Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his threat to unleash crises in various states clearly demonstrate his dangerous bandit-inclined disposition and thuggish orientation, which have no place in a civilized and democratic society.
The NUF contends that Wike has lost touch with reality and has become a political outcast in Rivers politics after Governor Fubara purged him away from, and denied him access to, the state’s resources.
Thus, it is imperative that if Wike has an iota of decency and common sense, he should be in retrospection and reflect on his political blunders, betrayals, and the unnecessary crises he has instigated, which are swiftly eroding his remaining political relevance. He has become a political liability, embroiled in a crisis of relevance and identity, exposing him as a political scabbard devoid of a bayonet in his home state of Rivers.
His ingratitude to those who mentored and supported him is a clear indication of his treacherous nature. Wike’s political history is marred by betrayal and disloyalty.
He has shamelessly turned his back on his benefactors and political godfathers—Rotimi Amaechi, who elevated him from obscurity into main politics of Rivers state; Goodluck Jonathan, who appointed him as a minister and brought him to national prominence; and Patience Jonathan, who stood by him unwaveringly. Wike’s actions are a blatant betrayal of those who helped him rise to power, showcasing his true nature as a treacherous and ungrateful politician.
Furthermore, Wike’s repeated antiparty activities, including his open support for candidates outside the PDP, have completely exposed his hypocrisy, violation of party loyalty, indiscipline, and his narcissistic desperation for personal ambition over the collective good of the people and his party.
The NUF argues that his threats to “put fire in the states” of governors supporting Fubara are not only reckless but also a direct assault on the peace and stability of our nation. His declaration that governors interfering in Rivers State “will never sleep in your state” is a dangerous provocation that threatens the very fabric of our democracy and national stability. Such inflammatory rhetoric is unbecoming of a public official and cannot be tolerated.
Therefore, the NUF demands the immediate sack of Nyesom Wike as the FCT Minister. His actions have demonstrated that he is unfit to hold any public office, let alone one as significant as the FCT Minister.
President Tinubu must choose between upholding the rule of law, decency, and common sense or aligning with an irredeemably compromised politician like Wike, who is determined to create violence and instability to remain in the public limelight to the detriment of Nigeria’s interests.
Similarly, the PDP leadership must act decisively to sanction Wike and restore discipline and order within their party. Through this, the party will uphold the principles of democracy, unity, and loyalty, which are the bedrock of any political system.
It is entirely justifiable to tame Wike’s political hooliganism after he has exposed himself as a self-serving and unprincipled politician struggling to foment chaos to reclaim his lost relevance.
Nigeria’s democracy depends on our collective ability to reject such dangerous individuals and uphold the principles of justice, respect, restraint and integrity without giving chance to characters that are charlatans.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.