News
Oduduwa Group Attacks Wike, Accuses Him Of Political Arrogance, Insubordination
The Oduduwa Development Congress (ODC) has warned FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, to bring down his shoulder and stop behaving like an emperor,even as he has been accused of political arrogance and insubordination.
The group also faulted Wike’s claim of playing a significant role in making Tinubu President.
The group said Wike’s claim is merely a product of his imagination.
ODC emphasized that Nigerians, not Wike, made Asiwaju Bola Tinubu their President, and his victory was a reflection of the will of the people.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Monday, the president of the group, Oluwasanmi Sola stated that the FCT Minister should be grateful to President Tinubu for saving him from political obscurity.
According to Sola, Wike’s utterances and body language imply insubordination.
“The Oduduwa Development Congress wishes to set the record straight that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike didn’t make Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the President of Nigeria,” the statement said.
“We would normally ignore Wike’s claims as the ramblings of a delusional person, but given the power of propaganda to cause harm, we feel compelled to correct the record.
“It’s important to note that the results of the 2023 presidential election, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), show that Nigerians elected Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as their President, not Wike. Tinubu received a total of 8,794,726 votes, the highest of all candidates, meeting the first constitutional requirement to be declared the winner. He also received over 25% of the votes cast in 30 states, exceeding the 24 states required by the constitution. Local and international observers confirmed that his victory reflected the will of the people, and the Supreme Court upheld the outcome.
“Therefore, Wike’s claim of singlehandedly bringing President Tinubu to power is false and misleading. How could he when he couldn’t secure ordinary ticket of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for himself? In President Tinubu’s election victory acceptance speech, he recognized and thanked those who worked hard to secure the victory. However, he did not mention the name of Nyesom Wike. This suggests that the FCT Minister’s claim of playing a significant role in the President’s electoral success is merely a product of his imagination. The former Rivers State governor owes Nigerians an apology for attempting to take credit for our collective mandate.”
The group criticized Wike’s handling of the affairs of the FCT, saying he is running the territory like his personal property.
ODC noted that Wike’s appointments so far have been lopsided, and his actions could negatively impact the support that the President Bola Tinubu administration enjoys from Northerners if the issue is not addressed urgently.
“Unfortunately, Wike’s claim is not only blatant lie but also a crass display of ingratitude. His public posturing is the height of political arrogance. His utterances and body language reek of insubordination. One would expect that haven been saved from political obscurity by President Tinubu’s magnanimity, Wike would be the most loyal of all the President’s ministers but instead he has turned out to be not only ungrateful but also a power-drunk little emperor in Abuja and a liability to this administration.
“The rate of nepotism, cronyism and favouritism in the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory under Wike is egregious. The FCT Minister has skewed all strategic appointments to favour his cronies and political affiliates from the River State, while millions of other Nigerians, and indigenes of the territory, are left marginalized.
“Wike needs to be reminded that the FCT is not his personal property or an extension of Rivers State. As the Center of Unity, the principle of inclusion must be given priority over any other interest. Therefore, we urge Wike to stop using resources and jobs meant for the FCT to buy and sustain the loyalty of his political allies in Rivers State in his pointless fight against the Governor, Sim Fubara, and focus on discharging his duties as FCT Minister impartially.
“It is regrettably lugubrious, that Wike, who was appointed as the FCT Minister by President Tinubu despite not being a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is now making enemies for the President with his tyrannical regime in the FCT instead of serving Mr. President diligently for saving him from monumental shame and disgrace.
“Bearing in mind that the President Tinubu’s administration is at the receiving end of Wike’s actions, we urge the FCT Minister to retrace his steps and tread cautiously or be forced to resign,” the statement added.
News
NDLEA warns public against fake auction offers using officials’ names
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through fake auction offers for forfeited vehicles.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the scammers have been using the names of senior NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to circulate fraudulent letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale.
Babafemi described the offers as a deliberate scam aimed at swindling people of their money.
“The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money,” he said.
The agency stressed that no NDLEA official is authorised to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals.
According to the statement, all forfeited vehicles and assets are disposed of only through public auction processes conducted by government-approved auctioneers in line with legal and public procurement guidelines.
Babafemi added that legitimate auction exercises are always widely advertised in national newspapers and through the agency’s official communication channels.
He urged members of the public to disregard and report any letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles through Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.
“The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through our official communication channels,” the statement added.
News
Initiators Promise Big As NIGMA Gets August 2026 Date
The organisers of this year’s Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards ( NIGMA) have announced that the upcoming edition will celebrate the very best of the gospel music industry in an atmosphere of excellence, creativity, and inspiration.
The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the prestigious Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Kingsley Omoefe, Founder and Team Lead of NIGMA and Chief Responsibility Officer of Golden Heritage Limited, said the August event is designed to bring together gospel music ministers, industry stakeholders, fans, and supporters for a memorable celebration of talent, faith, and excellence.
He stated that attendees should expect an unforgettable experience featuring outstanding performances from leading gospel artists, alongside special recognitions for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the industry.
The organisers also revealed that the event will feature meaningful conversations designed to inspire participants, promote collaboration, and foster the continued growth of gospel music.
The organisers said the August gathering would create memorable moments that would leave guests inspired, enriched, and motivated long after the curtains close.
They further called on corporate organisations, media outfits, and well-meaning individuals to take advantage of the opportunities available to support the event through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
The organisers encouraged interested organisations and individuals seeking sponsorship, partnership, media accreditation, or participation to contact the event management for further information and registration ahead of the highly anticipated August programme.
International News
Nottingham Forest Sacks 5th Manager In 10 Months, To Wrap Up Oliver Glasner’s Deal
Oliver Glasner is in advanced talks to replace Vitor Pereira as Nottingham Forest head coach, a move which would see the Austrian become the club’s fifth manager in less than a year.
Pereira announced his departure from the club in a statement on Wednesday, saying that it came as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning”.
Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League the following campaign — and is set to stay in the Premier League.
The 51-year-old confirmed in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season after two years in charge.
On Thursday, Forest confirmed Pereira’s coaching staff Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes had all left the club alongside the head coach.
Pereira, 57, was appointed Forest head coach in February on an 18-month contract which runs until 2027.
The Athletic reported in May Forest had been planning to show their faith in Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract, but those talks were subsequently put on hold.
“Today marks the end of my journey as head coach of Nottingham Forest,” he said in his statement.
“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.
“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.
“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club’s Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.
“I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”
The Portuguese succeeded Sean Dyche and was Forest’s fourth permanent boss of the season following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.
Nuno had led Forest to Europa League qualification the previous season but he departed in September, less than three months after signing a new deal. Postecoglou was appointed his replacement but was dismissed just 39 days later. Dyche took charge of the team in October before his dismissal in February.
Forest were three points above the relegation zone when Pereira was appointed and he subsequently steered his side to Premier League safety with two games of the campaign remaining.
His appointment marked his second managerial spell in the Premier League after guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety during the 2024-25 campaign.
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