The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has described All Progressives Congress, APC, governors as “politically lazy”.

The comment followed the APC governors’ opposition to his Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike spoke in an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday, arguing that his decision to support President Bola Tinubu did not mean he had abandoned his political party or agreed that other parties should not field candidates.

Recall that the governors, led by their chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had said they would not participate in, support or endorse any alliance that could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid or affect APC candidates at any level.

Reacting, the former Rivers State governor said, “They are politically lazy. When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr President as your excuse.”

According to him, the disagreements surrounding his political activities did not start with his decision to support Tinubu, recalling that he had faced opposition even when he was serving as governor of Rivers State and later as FCT minister.

“This thing did not start today. It started at a ministerial position. They were not happy that I was Minister of FCT. Also, they were unhappy when I was governor,” he added.

Wike said his knowledge of the political situation was greater than that of those criticising his activities, suggesting that his critics would understand his position better if they had access to the information available to him.

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was made on Tuesday when the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) visited the Benin Royal Palace to seek the monarch’s blessing and support as the 2027 re-election campaign begins.

The delegation was led by the Director-General of the PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, and included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; former Kebbi State Governor, Senator Adamu Aleiro; former Kano State Governor and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; and former Katsina State Governor and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari.

Also on the delegation were former Senate President Pius Anyim, the Minister of Water Resources, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, among other members of the campaign council.

The Edo State Deputy Governor received the delegation on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo before introducing the team to the monarch.

Speaking during the visit at the palace, Yari conveyed Tinubu’s greetings to the Oba and appealed for the monarch’s blessing and support for the President ahead of the 2027 election.

Yari highlighted what he described as some of the administration’s achievements, including the reduction in food prices, the stabilisation of the naira after it had risen to about ₦1,800 to the dollar, and the construction of inter-regional roads.

In his response, the Oba of Benin thanked Tinubu for the warm reception he received during his visit to the State House in Abuja and expressed appreciation to the campaign council for visiting the palace.

The monarch subsequently prayed for Tinubu to secure a renewed four-year mandate, saying the President should be allowed to continue with his programmes.

“For somebody who is doing well, it is our prayer that he gets a renewed mandate,” the Oba said.

He added in Pidgin: “As he dey pain them, he dey sweet us.”

The monarch also urged Nigerians and opposition parties to support the President, arguing that those who believe Tinubu is doing well should join hands with him to continue his work.

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” he said. “If one is doing well, why not join hands with the President to do what he is doing well? Let President Tinubu finish the good work.”

The Oba further said that not everyone was suited to occupy the office of President and called on opposition parties to support Tinubu in implementing his ongoing programmes.

He asked the delegation to convey his best wishes and appreciation to the President for the hospitality extended to him during his visit to Abuja.

The Lagos State Police Command has vowed to arrest Nigerians who organised a protest against the presence of Chinese traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex.

The protesters had gathered at the market and chanted, “Chinese must go,” while demanding that Chinese merchants leave the market and return to their country.

However, the traders said their protest was not aimed at attacking Chinese nationals but was driven by concerns over the alleged involvement of some Chinese businesses in retail trading, which they claimed was affecting their businesses.

One of the protesters said, “We no longer make sales. If you import goods, they slash their prices lower than our own and sell to our customers.”

The trader alleged that some Chinese businesses had rented shops and built warehouses within the complex, where they sold goods directly to consumers.

He further alleged that some of the businesses obtained customers’ telephone numbers from waybills and contacted them to sell their goods directly.

According to the protesters, their concerns were specifically about the alleged competition with Nigerian traders and not a call for attacks on Chinese nationals or the destruction of their businesses.

“If any of us spoils anything here, the person will pay for it. We are not saying we are going to beat the Chinese or spoil their warehouse,” the trader said.

He stressed that Nigerian traders had maintained good relationships with Chinese business owners but objected to their alleged involvement in retail trading.

The protest, however, attracted the attention of security agencies, with the Lagos State Police Command describing those behind the demonstration as “few and handful miscreants” and warning that arrests would be made.

The development followed a briefing attended by the Chairman of Amuwo Local Government, Prince Lanre Sanusi; officials of the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA) Market; the Lagos State Police Command led by the Area Commander; and other security agencies.

The meeting was held to brief members of the public and address the situation following the protest at the market.

In an update on the incident, the area commander, who represented the state police commissioner, Tijani Fatai, said, “What happened was the handwork of a few miscreants, few disgruntled fellows in the market. A handful of them that went the other way. And they have been cautioned and arrests will be made as soon as possible.”

The leadership of ASPMDA also said the situation was quickly brought under control after the incident.

The police intervention came after videos of the protest circulated on social media, showing traders gathered at the market and chanting against the presence of Chinese merchants.