The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering verbal attack on veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, questioning his credibility and recounting personal anecdotes meant to discredit the Ovation Magazine publisher.

Wike, who is known for his no-holds-barred style of political engagement, made the scathing remarks in response to Dele Momodu’s recent criticisms of his political maneuverings and conduct in national discourse. Momodu had taken to various platforms to question Wike’s style of governance and political allegiances, accusing him of playing double standards in the evolving dynamics of the opposition landscape.

In a fiery rebuttal, Wike declared:  “Dele Momodu does not have any credibility. He came to my house and stayed for some weeks. When he’s eating, food will be falling down from one side of his mouth.”

Wike’s comments, laced with mockery and disdain, appeared designed to publicly humiliate the respected journalist and undermine his moral standing. The minister’s comments are already making waves across the political and media circles, sparking fresh controversy around the FCT Minister’s confrontational rhetoric.

This outburst adds to the growing list of public figures Wike has confronted head-on, further cementing his image as a political strongman who spares no words when responding to dissent.

Observers have described Wike’s attack as both personal and unnecessary, noting that the dispute could have been addressed through more civil and policy-focused dialogue rather than character assassination.

Meanwhile, Dele Momodu is yet to issue a formal response to Wike’s statement, but insiders suggest that he may address the issue in his next column or media appearance.

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As the drama unfolds, Nigerians are once again reminded of the widening gulf between political actors and public commentators, where personal relationships often give way to brutal political vendettas.

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has denied joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Naija News, Adeleke reaffirmed his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Recall that rumours had emerged on Friday after claiming that the Osun state governor has concluded plans to dump the PDP and contest for his re-election in the APC.

But in a statement to Naija News on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke noted with concern the widespread rumour.

He reassured his supporters and admirers that he remains a member of the PDP and the leader of the party in the state.

Governor Adeleke, who restated his preoccupation with the implementation of the administration’s five point agenda, urged Osun people to ignore fake news, promising more delivery of good governance and democratic dividends.

“I assure the good people of Osun that I remain part and parcel of the PDP family. I am not defecting to any party”, the governor was quoted as clarifying.

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Governor Adeleke, alongside his elder brother Deji Adeleke and Afrobeats star David Adeleke, also known as Davido, had recently met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Lagos State residence some weeks back.

Former Interior Minister and Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has appealed to party supporters to refrain from engaging in any form of altercation with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a post shared on his X account on Friday, the former Osun State Governor urged supporters of the coalition-backed party not to fight, attack, or insult anyone, but to challenge them with facts about the state of the country.

”I sincerely thank our supporters and members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, who came out to receive me on my arrival in Lagos.

”The task before us is immense, and I reminded everyone that we do not need to fight, insult, or attack anyone. When others resort to abuse or name-calling, we must rise above it. Instead, ask them one simple question: Are Nigerians better off today than they were before?

”Challenge them with facts – on food inflation, the economy, the rising cost of living, and the deepening poverty affecting millions. Let our debates remain focused on the issues that matter.

”Articulate our position clearly and confidently. Explain why our new political home, the ADC, represents a credible and necessary alternative for Nigeria’s progress and long-term sustainability,” he said

Aregbesola was once a political ally of President Bola Tinubu, a relationship that dates back to 1999 when Tinubu was governor of Lagos State. They fell apart in 2022 when Tinubu’s nephew, Gboyega Oyetola, who succeeded Aregbesola, was running for a second term in Osun State on the platform of the APC.

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Aregbesola’s political group, ‘Omoluabi’, failed to support Oyetola’s candidacy, but rallied behind Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Consequently, Oyetola lost his re-election bid to Adeleke.

At least five serving governors are expected to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), now the platform for Nigeria’s newly formed opposition coalition, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It is understood that the ADC is leveraging the internal crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to attract aggrieved governors.

According to one source, a former senator from Katsina State, five governors from the PDP have already given their word but are waiting for what he described as “the end of Wike’s drama in the PDP” before making public moves. He added that discussions with some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors also began as far back as a year ago, and those talks are still active.

The source said, “Five PDP governors have given us their commitment; they are going to join us, but they want to see the end of Wike’s drama in the PDP. Hopefully, we will meet them by the end of their next convention and review things.

“What people don’t know is that some of the governors, including those in the APC, are supporting us. We started this coalition planning 18 months ago, and some APC governors were contacted about a year ago. So, they are with us, but I won’t tell you any names.”

Another source close to one of the coalition leaders, a former governor, confirmed that conversations are ongoing with seven governors across party lines and regions. While declining to reveal names, the source said the governors are from both northern and southern parts of the country and are being carefully engaged to avoid political backlash.

“Why are you interested in knowing the governors we’re talking to? You want us to put everything we’re doing on the pages of a newspaper? No! But I can tell you that we are talking to seven governors, and they are from the southern and northern parts of the country,” the source said.

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The move comes just days after key opposition leaders—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Senate President David Mark—publicly adopted the ADC as the platform for the coalition that aims to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

At a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, David Mark was announced as the Interim National Chairman of the ADC, while former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, was named Interim Secretary.

The launch of the coalition was attended by major political figures from both the APC and PDP. Former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi were among those who renounced their membership of the APC and pledged allegiance to the ADC. From the PDP, former National Chairman Uche Secondus, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, and former governors of Jigawa, Cross River, Benue, Imo, Niger, and Ebonyi States—Sule Lamido, Liyel Imoke, Gabriel Suswam, Emeka Ihedioha, Babangida Aliyu, and Sam Egwu—have also joined the coalition.

Labour Party senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, was also present at the unveiling event.

Asked to comment on the governors expected to join the movement, the immediate past National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, declined to offer details, saying the matter was “top secret” and would not be made public at this stage.

“That is a top-secret matter. You can’t hear it from me. If you ask about other matters regarding the coalition, you are very welcome,” he said.

The developments come just weeks after Dr. Sani Dawop, an ADC chieftain in Plateau State, revealed in an interview with Trust TV that six to seven APC governors were already quietly funding the opposition coalition in protest against the direction of the Tinubu-led administration.

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“There are a lot of issues happening, and even within the APC, there are those who are not happy with the way things are going,” Dawop had said.

The Rivers State Women Association of Nigeria (RIVSWAN) has condemned what it described as an “unwarranted and malicious attack” by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against former First Lady of Rivers State, Dame Judith Amaechi.

The group, through its acting president, Ichechi Welendu, was reacting to a recent claim made by the FCT Minister on a national television programme, where he alleged that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was paying Dame Amaechi ₦4 billion monthly to train Niger Delta women.

In a strongly worded statement, RIVSWAN described Wike’s claims as “baseless falsehoods driven by bitterness, ignorance, and a worrying lack of self-restraint.” The group called on the general public to disregard what it termed “a concocted story fueled by personal vendetta and misinformation.”

“The entire allegation is not only laughable but an embarrassment to public discourse,” said Welendu. “It reflects either a gross misunderstanding of the NDDC’s budgetary structure or a deliberate effort to smear the name of a respected woman of substance.”

Welendu praised Dame Judith Amaechi’s legacy, citing her philanthropic work through the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI) — a non-governmental organisation that has reportedly supported girl-child education and women’s empowerment across the region.

The association said the former first lady had spent her resources to uplift women in the Niger Delta and should not be subjected to public ridicule based on unfounded accusations.

The group also condemned Wike’s remarks on live television, describing them as a “slap on the face of Rivers women” and a “disgraceful abuse of national platforms.”

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They challenged the FCT Minister to publicly present documents backing his claims or withdraw the statement.

“Dame Judith Amaechi is a moral compass, a gospel preacher, and a champion of good governance,” the group declared. “Her support for her husband, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, during his era of infrastructural transformation is well documented.”

RIVSWAN warned that failure by Wike to back up his allegations with proof could lead to “legitimate actions, including peaceful protests across Rivers State.” The group further urged President Bola Tinubu to caution the Minister, saying his “unguided utterances are unbecoming of a federal cabinet member.”

In closing, the women reaffirmed their support for Dame Judith Amaechi, describing her as a “pillar of progress and a matriarch of the Rivers women’s movement.”

“Her contributions helped restore Rivers State to its cherished status as the Garden City. We stand with her,” Welendu concluded.

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It comes as no surprise that news headlines this week have been dominated by the formation of a coalition by opposition politicians plotting to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) was adopted as a platform to challenge Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC). Leading the ADC coalition is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi, both runners-up in the last presidential election.

They are joined by other experienced politicians, including former Senate President David Mark, who like Atiku is leaving the PDP, along with the opposition party’s former chairman Uche Secondus, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.

At the unveiling of the coalition on Wednesday, interim chairman David Mark said it was an attempt to save the country’s democracy and to stop Nigeria from becoming a one-party state.

However, analysts said the coalition is bound to be torn apart by the ambition of some of the key political figures on the question of which part of the country should its presidential candidate come from.

Although there’s a long way to go before candidates are officially announced, political commentators are predicting that 78-year-old Atiku will have another shot at the presidency. Atiku’s supporters feel that with him being the only former vice president seeking the presidency, every other politician naturally comes second.

Aside from Atiku, Amaechi has indicated his interest in running for the country’s top job in 2027. The former minister came a distant second in the APC presidential primary in 2022, losing to Tinubu. In an interview on Channels TV on Thursday, Amaechi said he believes the power-sharing deal between northern and southern Nigeria should be respected.

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He recalled how he fought for the return of power to the North in 2015, saying he believes in power sharing between the two major regions of the country. “I led the fight against the PDP government. Why? Because there was an agreement that the government at that time would spend four years. But after four years, the government reneged on it, and I said no, that would be unfair. That will be instability at its peak because the North will react.”

Amaechi added that in line with the power-sharing principle, he would be a one-term president if given the chance to lead the country in 2027. “I won’t do more than four years,” he said, adding that “the South must be allowed to complete its tenure. If the South is not allowed to complete its tenure, then I have made a mistake in supporting it.”

Amaechi’s stance is not very different from that of Obi, who came third in the last presidential election, surprising many pundits to win in 11 of Nigeria’s 36 states and Abuja.

Obi has also declared his intention to contest in the 2027 presidential election under the coalition. Obi said the platform would offer Nigerians “a competent, capable, and compassionate” leadership.

“Our commitment is to sacrifice and work together towards the 2027 general elections, ensuring that Nigeria gets a competent, capable, and compassionate leadership that will prioritise the nation’s future by putting the welfare of Nigerians first,” he said.

The former Anambra governor said he would be willing to serve for a four-year tenure if he reached an agreement with those who support his ambition. “If there is any form of agreement that will restrict me to four years in office, I will comply with the agreement and be ready to leave office by 28th May 2031,” Obi said.

Obi and Amaechi will thus hope that the ADC zones its presidential ticket to the South and that the candidate, if elected, would serve only one term before power returns to the North again. Atiku, who has tried to be Nigeria’s president since 1993, is, however, expected to challenge that belief and seek to be the ADC candidate.

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“Ultimately, the success of the coalition would depend on their establishing a level playing ground for intra-party democracy to produce the best candidate,” said Jibrin Ibrahim, a professor of political science. “If they fail to do so, their success cannot be guaranteed.”

Sectional Interests
The politics of region, geography, religion, and ethnicity is one of the major fault lines in Nigerian democracy. This was a major issue in 2010, after the death in office of President Umaru Yar’Adua, also in 2011, and again in both 2015 and 2023.

It would most certainly be the case in 2027, too.

After eight years of the Buhari/Northern Presidency, the Southern partners in the emerging coalition would naturally insist that to replace Mr Tinubu, who would have spent four years in 2027, the remaining four years must naturally go to a presidential candidate of Southern extraction.