Wike Blasts Kingibe Over FCT Council Election Remarks

The Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has criticised Senator Ireti Kingibe over her comments on the recent FCT local government council elections, insisting that elections are a process, not a one-day event.

Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, Wike emphasised that voters, not surveys or last-minute claims, determine election results. He explained that preparations for elections begin well before voting day, from candidate nomination and party primaries to campaigns and voter engagement, noting that a survey conducted on February 21 should not be used as a definitive reflection of outcomes.

“It’s a process that starts from the nomination of candidates. It’s a process that goes through a campaign before it gets to an election. So election is not just that particular date of voting,” Wike said.

He compared the electoral process to exam preparation, warning that those who fail to prepare often make excuses.

“You know the exam will come in two or three months. Nobody waits for the last minute to prepare. You must attend classes and read,” Wike explained.
“That is why students who are not prepared call for strikes to avoid the exam,” he added.

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Wike also referenced claims by Kingibe, who reportedly vowed to use the February 21 council elections to “teach me a lesson”. He dismissed this as politically motivated, noting that some parties had earlier suggested that the council election could influence the 2027 general election.

The minister rejected allegations that he declared a curfew, saying the decision he referenced was approved by President and granted residents a work-free day to travel safely to their areas of origin.

“By the approval of Mr. President, people were given a work-free day so they could travel and not return late. I never declared any curfew,” Wike said.

He added that, as a minister representing the President, his decisions are guided by security intelligence reports unavailable to the public.

The exchange highlights growing political tensions in the FCT, where electoral credibility and governance remain contentious ahead of upcoming elections.

Wike Blasts Kingibe Over FCT Council Election Remarks

ADC South‑South Leaders Clash on Alleged Amaechi Consensus Support

Benin City / Abuja — March 1, 2026

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is currently experiencing internal divisions after conflicting reports emerged regarding the alleged endorsement of former Rotimi Amaechi as the South‑South consensus candidate for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

Initial reports suggested that Amaechi had received unanimous backing from senior ADC leaders across the South‑South geopolitical zone during a February 27 meeting in Benin City. Attendees reportedly included party executives from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers states, with the session chaired by former John Odigie‑Oyegun, a prominent national party leader. Sources claimed Amaechi outlined his presidential ambitions and was met with a show of regional support.

However, other senior party officials quickly disputed these claims, insisting that no formal endorsement was made. The South‑South ADC Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mabel Oboh, clarified that the meeting’s main objectives were to strengthen party cohesion, mobilize grassroots support, and prepare strategically for future elections. She emphasized that Amaechi’s presentation of his presidential intent was a courtesy briefing to regional leaders, and no motion, vote, or resolution endorsing any aspirant occurred at the gathering.

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Supporting Oboh’s position, the party’s National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Jackie Wayas, stated that consultation does not equate to endorsement, stressing that candidate selection resides with the ADC’s constitutional organs and membership, not solely with zonal executives. Similarly, ADC chieftain Prof. Pat Utomi described the reports of Amaechi’s endorsement as “inaccurate and misleading”, noting that presenting ambitions to party leaders is a standard practice but does not confer automatic backing.

Despite these clarifications, National Vice Chairman (South‑South), Usani Uguru Usani, insisted that regional leaders had shown support for Amaechi through a voice affirmation, while noting that such backing was voluntary and non-binding on individual party members.

The situation illustrates a widening divide within ADC’s South‑South ranks over early positioning in the 2027 presidential race. Amaechi is among several aspirants seeking the party’s ticket, alongside notable figures such as former Atiku Abubakar and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, heightening competition and scrutiny of internal party democracy.

Political analysts say the controversy underscores broader challenges in party cohesion, process legitimacy, and regional influence in Nigeria’s opposition politics. How the ADC resolves these conflicting narratives may have significant implications for its 2027 electoral strategy and national alliances.

ADC South‑South Leaders Clash on Alleged Amaechi Consensus Support

Presidency Mocks Atiku After Fintiri Defects to APC, Urges Him to Retire to Dubai

The Presidency of Nigeria has taunted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urging him to consider retiring from partisan politics and relocating to his “second home in Dubai,” following the defection of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the remarks on social media Friday, describing the defection as a “big blow” to Atiku’s political influence in his home state. Onanuga said the move shows that the former vice president is losing his support base in Adamawa, a region long considered his stronghold.

According to the Presidency, Fintiri’s defection, which included members of his cabinet, state lawmakers, and PDP officials, has effectively strengthened the APC’s position in the state. Onanuga argued that a politician who lacks strong support at home cannot successfully market his candidacy nationally, emphasizing that Atiku’s ADC is “largely unknown” in his own state.

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“Big blow for Atiku in Adamawa: Fintiri joins APC, making Tinubu’s party a juggernaut in the state,” Onanuga said, noting that with the 2027 presidential election less than a year away, the development significantly undermines Atiku’s presidential ambitions.

Fintiri officially cited alignment with the federal government’s development agenda as a key reason for his defection. Political analysts describe the move as a major realignment in the North-East, as Adamawa — historically a PDP stronghold — now leans toward the APC, potentially reshaping party dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku has not yet issued a formal response to the Presidency’s comments, but he remains publicly committed to the PDP and the opposition coalition. The defection has intensified debates on political loyalty, party strength, and electoral strategy in Nigeria’s northeast region.

Presidency Mocks Atiku After Fintiri Defects to APC, Urges Him to Retire to Dubai