
News
Babachir is attacking Tinubu because he didn’t get VP slot– Wike
…Says Rotimi Amaechi’s presidential ambition dead on arrival
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Tuesday explained why former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal is attacking President Bola Tinubu.
Wike said Lawal, expressed anger after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu picked Kashim Shettima as his running mate in 2023.
The Minister who spoke as a guest on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television Politics Today programme, monitored by our correspondent, defended Tinubu against claims that his administration is unapproachable, stressing that the President cannot personally attend to everyone.
He maintained governance involves teamwork and Nigerians should engage Ministers and presidential Special Advisers rather than expect direct access to the President.
Wike said Lawal visited him in his Port Harcourt residence shortly after the announcement was made.

According to him, Lawal was visibly upset because he had expected Tinubu to choose him as vice president.
“After President Tinubu chose Shettima as his VP, Babachir Lawal came to my house in Port Harcourt. He was angry because he thought the president would pick him as vice president,” Wike said.
The revelation comes days after Lawal, in a separate appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, claimed he would not have lasted in Tinubu’s cabinet had he been appointed.
Lawal, a strong critic of the administration, further argued that President Tinubu did not win the 2023 election, insisting that the results available to him at the time showed otherwise.
When asked if the government was approachable, Wike responded: “Of course.”
His remarks followed a recent comment by Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who had described Tinubu and his administration as unapproachable.
“When you say Mr President is unapproachable, and the government is unapproachable, what do you call a government?” Wike asked.
“I am the Minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Z is a Minister in charge of Interior, Mrs O is a Minister in charge of Trade, Investment and Industry. Must everybody reach Mr President? Is that the way the government runs?
“If everybody in this country refuses to reach out to ministers or special advisers and just wants to see Mr President, how many people can he attend to at a time? I am a minister, if you have a problem regarding the activities in the FCT, have you tried to reach out to the FCT minister?” he asked.
Wike argued that the government deserves commendation for recent successes in the fight against terrorism.
He disclosed that foreign governments such as the United States and United Kingdom have praised Nigeria’s security agencies for their operations.
“For some time now, look at the steps the government has been taking. For the first time, look at the United States, United Kingdom commending the Nigerian government.
“Terrorists have been looking for years to destroy our efforts but our security agencies were able to penetrate them. And America and the UK commended us more than anything,” Wike said.
The Minister acknowledged that Nigerians are enduring tough times due to reforms such as fuel subsidy removal, but maintained that the sacrifices are necessary.
According to him, while petrol prices initially surged after subsidy removal, they have “started coming down a bit,” showing signs of market adjustment.
He stressed rural and urban residents are affected by the state of the economy, dismissing claims that only people in villages bear the brunt of hardship.
“You cannot say only those living in rural areas are suffering. Those in the city also feel the pain when the economy is bad. Every Nigerian is entitled to have a good living,” he said.
Wike also responded to opposition voices, including his longtime political rival and former Rivers Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who has criticised Tinubu’s administration.
He accused Amaechi of lacking the moral authority to speak on corruption, citing unresolved issues from his time as governor.
According to him: “A man comes to tell you he will solve the issue of corruption in one month. But this same man closed down the State High Court for almost two years. Can such a man really fight corruption?”
The Minister referenced judicial inquiries which he said indicted Amaechi.
“He was really indicted. He went to court. The court said, yes, the panel was right. He went to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal said the panel was right. He went to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment,” he said.
The former Rivers gyovernor further alleged that Amaechi mismanaged several projects, including the state’s monorail and other investments, while questioning the transparency of certain financial dealings under his administration.
“Our gas provider, 380 million US dollars, he sold it to the Sahara. Where is the money? Which account did he pay to? He spent 30 million US dollars on Kalibu Heart Hospital. Where is the foundation of the hospital? He spent N74 billion on the monorail. Where is the monorail?” Wike stated.
The Minister said the presidential ambition of Rotimi Amaechi is dead on arrival.
Wike said Nigerians won’t give Amaechi a chance in the 2027 election.
Amaechi, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition determined to wrest power from President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 poll, came second after in the 2022 APC presidential primary won by ex-Lagos governor Tinubu.
In 2025, Amaechi dumped the APC and moved to the ADC, seeking the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
However, Wike, who incidentally shared a common history with Amaechi as former Rivers Governor, said his predecessor won’t get the ADC ticket for the 2027 poll.
The FCT minister said: “He (Amaechi) knows he won’t get the ticket. I read that he said he knows the weaknesses of the President, so he knows how to defeat him but he also knew the weaknesses of the President in 2022 when the president defeated him mercilessly in the primary.”
News
Butcher Stabs Colleague To Death Over Disagreement On Market Sanitation In Ogun
A 21-year-old butcher, identified as Selim Ayodele, has allegedly stabbed his 26-year-old colleague, Ibrahim Wasiu, to death following a disagreement over sweeping their workplace in Ogun State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, October 18, at a cow meat-selling outlet in the Alagbole area of the Akute/Ajuwon satellite towns in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
According to reports, trouble started after the day’s business activities when the two colleagues disagreed over the cleaning of their sales outlet, with the argument allegedly escalating into a fatal confrontation.
The Ogun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta on Friday, disclosing that the suspect had been arrested.
Babaseyi said the incident was reported at the Ajuwon Police Divisional Headquarters on Sunday night, prompting police operatives to commence an investigation.

He explained that preliminary findings indicated that the disagreement began after the two men had concluded their day’s work at the meat-selling outlet.
During the altercation, Ayodele allegedly picked up a knife and stabbed Wasiu in the left side of his chest before twisting the weapon.
The victim was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The police spokesperson added that the suspect remained in custody as investigations continued ahead of his prosecution.
He further disclosed that the deceased’s body had been deposited in the morgue of a private hospital for an autopsy.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to prompt response to criminal incidents, thorough investigations and the prosecution of offenders in accordance with the law.
The police commissioner also urged residents to exercise restraint, resolve disagreements peacefully and promptly report criminal incidents to the appropriate authorities.
News
Why Pete Edochie wept in Ghana
FRED IWENJORA reports that very brave Okonkwo of “Things Fall Apart”, Ebubedike, the Ononenyi of Nteje, Anambra State, and Ibobo Oyi na Omambala shed tears uncontrollably during this tour especially when students and pupils of Knutsford University used his name for different forms of recitations and poetry.
One may ask why Pete Edochie traveled to Ghana?
This visit was for the launching of the Pete Edochie Legacy project, themed “Celebrating the Africa legend; The lion that needs not to roar”.
It is “a cultural initiative created to honor and celebrate one of Africa’s most revered figures” according to the Ghanaian project organisers.
The Legacy project includes a biographical book, a documentary series and international tour with Ghana serving as the launch pad.

The publishers, KPL publishers had noted that the contributions of the 79-year-old screen star to Africa cinema are very noteworthy.
At the end of it all, the star actor had, aside unveiling his autobiography in a gala event, paid courtesy calls to industry and policy makers in Ghana including the visit to Ghana’s Goldbod, the body regulating everything gold in Ghana. Organisers saw the visit as an important segment of the tour because a visit to Ghana may have been incomplete without seeing first hand the reason the country was called Gold Coast.
He had also met and greeted select fans and featured in a public lecture and colloquium in his honor before returning to Nigeria.
From when he landed at Kotoka International Airport Tuesday 29th September, 2026 till his departure from Ghana on Wednesday 7, October 2026, there was no dull moment.
Reception was top notch and indeed out of this world.
Ghanaians as well as Nigerians left businesses and trouped out to see “the president of African screen” according to Elizabeth Ama Tetteh, one of his numerous Ghanaian fans who noted that she had been resident in Enugu, Nigeria. It was indeed heartwarming to see Ghanaian as well as Igbo cultural groups on hand to welcome him to the old Gold Coast. Dispatch riders led his motorcade out of the airport.
On arrival, he first paid a courtesy visit to Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, Onyendu Ndi igbo, Ghana and sued for peace between Nigeria and Ghana. The respected Eze Ihenetu had organised a congregation of Igbo and Ghanaian leaders for a traditional cocktail reception.
According to the major propeller of the project Kelvin King Dawie of King Dawie Publishing Ltd (KPL) “When people ask why Pete Edochie, I tell them that no honor for Pete Edochie is too big. He has very much distinguished himself on the continent of Africa and beyond as a custodian of the cultural heritage of Africa and has been consistent in it for decades since mounting the stage at the tender age of 15. He is well known and received a lot of honors and awards globally including Nigeria’s national honor of merit; MON.
“We also looked at the way he has distinguished himself on stage and in communication which has warranted him receiving Honorary Doctorate in Literature and creative arts.
On this continent, Pete Edochie is one of a kind and he needs to be projected and celebrated as that icon of Africa who has held high the heritage of Africa for over six decades of his acting life.
King Dawie, an accountant, business strategist and social impact leader also hinted that “the project is in four phases, the autobiography, a 16-episode documentary to properly chronicle his life’s journey and then also the African youth mentorship initiative to help him pass on information to the next generation and an international tour. It took a lot of several efforts from several people too numerous to mention to set this ball rolling and hopefully achieving. We also remain very grateful to our star guest for accepting our proposal. ” However, there are major take-aways from these nine days Pete Edochie “Presidential visit” to Ghana.
Cultural diplomacy at its highest African peak
Years back, Africa viewers had voted Pete Edochie as their main choice in (AMVCA).
However, this Ghana visit is International cultural diplomacy at its highest African peak.
It seems first in history that a film star would make so much impression in another country that a book would be written and unveiled on him in that country.
It also reveals that Nigeria and Ghana have co-existed as West Africa’s beloved Anglophone countries despite hiccups occasioned by various ‘Ghana must go’ or ‘Nigeria must go’ agitations.
And to see both Nigerians and Ghanaians under one roof because of Pete Edochie, animosities may have been doused even if for a moment.
The unveiling of the autobiographical book; Titan of Africa, the story of Pete Edochie, published by KPL Publishers was a big attraction on its own and first of its kind for a Nigerian actor. The event which held at Kempiski Accra drew together distinguished Ghanaians with highlights including his meeting with Ghanaian legendary actress, broadcaster and musician Grace Omaboe, known to many as Maame Dokono. He also met with 102 years old Warrant Officer 1 and WW2 veteran, Pa Joseph Ashitey Hammond. Their tight hug meant that this meeting for the WW2 veteran was highly anticipated like the story of the nunc dimitis contained in the synoptics.
There are pointers to the huge respect that he commands in the so called Gold Coast and that Africa is so culturally connected in many ways.
Another take away from the tour was that the man Pete Edochie is very well blessed and his star never seems to dim as years roll by.
Despite that he is bound to the wheelchair and could barely walk or sits on the chair in his current films, fans continue to adore him from far and near. (Saturday Vanguard)
News
Four Shot as NDC Convoy Attacked in Ebonyi, Campaign Vehicle Burnt
Four people were reportedly shot when a convoy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came under attack in Ebonyi State, with one of the campaign vehicles set ablaze.
The incident occurred during a campaign movement in the state, according to sources familiar with the development.
The identities and conditions of those injured were not immediately available at the time of filing this report.
The motive for the attack remained unclear, while the attackers had yet to be identified.
Security agencies were expected to investigate the incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and burning of the campaign vehicle.

Further details were awaited from the NDC, the Ebonyi State Government and the relevant security authorities.
-
Features2 days agoKogi’s Kidnapping Crisis: Why Do Forests Remain Safe Havens for Criminals Under Ododo’s Watch?
-
News2 days agoKidnappers kill seven-year-old boy after ransom demand
-
News1 day agoUBA Commences Contempt Proceedings Against WEMPCO Directors over Alleged Disobidence of Court Order
-
News1 day agoMacron Postpones Planned Visit to Nigeria Until 2027
-
News1 day agoEnugu CP Orders Probe into Death of Izuchukwu During Police Raid
-
Politics1 day ago2027: Atiku, Obi, Duke, Others in Talks on Single Opposition Candidate – Coalition
-
News1 day ago$242m Petroleum Products Diversion Claim: UBA Secures Court Order Against Vitol, Four Others
-
News19 hours agoMbah: Why We Built 268 Smart Green Schools Across Enugu State




