The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described members of African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as known liars.

Wike was quoted as saying the opposition parties had deceived Nigerians with promises of political reform and democratic renewal.

The former governor of Rivers State made the statement on Monday at his monthly media briefing in Abuja.

Wike faulted opposition parties for what he described as internal contradictions and lack of credibility in their recently concluded primaries.

He specifically mentioned the ADC and the NDC and accused them of claiming moral high ground while fighting internal disputes.

He said parties which claim to be new and fresh have failed to hold credible internal polls without controversies.

Wike said disputes in opposition parties recently have shown that the same problems they accuse the ruling party of have been found within their own structures.

“They said they are the saviour that will come,” the Minister said. What has now happened?

“NDC said we are democracy’s new face. “This kind of party is a party that hasn’t been polluted one day, is a party that God just brought from the womb,” ADC said.

“What has happened? So sick. Look at what has happened in the NDC. “They can’t do a primary without protest, as little as they are.”

“Nigerians Now Know You Are Liars”
The minister also spoke about the complaints filed in the ADC presidential primary, where some aspirants boycotted the process.

“See what ADC said, it is a coalition to take over from APC to stop the distortion of democracy. What’s been happening?

“During the congress, two presidential aspirants said, ‘we cannot believe that you will perpetrate this. We have accused this party of doing this. Now look what we do, look what we have done.

And so now that tells you who is fooling who? Who is coming to Nigeria to tell them lie that we are the new born baby, the messiahs of the time of Nigeria. “That’s what we want to do.”

“Nigerians know you are all liars now. They can’t be using us. “They can’t be fooling us.”

Wike said opposition parties have failed to prove they are better than the older political parties.

“You say PDP is a dead party. You’ve said here that APC is rotten, They can’t make Nigerian democracy. A congress like any other. There are three presidential aspirants, two said this is rubbish, this is criminality of the highest order. Why are we complaining against another party?

Wike said, “My assessment is that from what I have seen, I prefer the old parties that are running. That is, they have even tested this environment. They have known what Nigerian culture is all about.

The post Wike Blasts NDC, ADC, Calls Them Liars Over Alleged Takeover Plot appeared first on TheNigerian.

It was stated that Wike during an event in Rivers State on Saturday, reportedly insulted Aisha Yesufu for losing the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, senatorial ticket.

The minister added that real politics is beyond media interviews, noting that the activist-turned politician lost in “ordinary NDC”.

Reacting, Aisha Yesufu in a statement on his official X handle, attacked the minister, adding, “If dem born Wike well, make e call my name with his full chest! What Tambuwal did him in 2022 will be child’s play.”

Responding to Wike’s comment on the outcome of her senatorial primary, Aisha said Wike also could “not win primaries in 2022”, alleging that the minister “even lobbied for running mate and still was not chosen, then ran to do boi boi for a fellow man like him and ended up destroying a party that was once largest in Africa and was recently disgraced by a young military officer is talking about a woman in NDC!”

“Let me wait make the man get liver mention name! Then the man doing boi boi because he has to be in power to have authority will know those of us from Kukuruku empire of Edo State in South South no dey grovel,” she added.

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The spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano is synonymous with thuggery.
He made the comments on Friday during an interview on Arise TV, where he also accused the ruling party of being out of touch with the realities facing Nigerians, especially the poor.

He said the Kwankwasiyya ideology was against such practices.

“The APC represents thuggery in Kano State. They represent most of so many things that are right in harm’s way to the masses, to people that are downtrodden, which our ideology seeks to protest,” he said.

He also levelled his criticism at the national level.

The policies of the APC-led federal government are not properly planned or considered for the well-being of the citizens, he added.

“We can see even on the national level, the policies rolled out by APC, the commander-in-chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, does not have an inch of feeling as to what happens when he rolls out policies,” he said.

He further alleged that the government brings in policies without proper assessment of how it will affect the Nigerians.

“They have never had a chance to do what’s called policy risk assessment,” he said.

He accused the party of behaving as if it owns Nigeria and forcing citizens to accept its decisions.

“These are the people that believe they own Nigeria, whatever they throw out, you must accept it,” he said.

He said that the Kwankwasiyya Movement feels it cannot work with the APC in any condition.

The spokesperson said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has his own baggages, which led him to the APC, but that there will be a time for more revelations on political decisions.

“We have found home in our relationship with Peter Obi… the years in between have helped us to understand ourselves,” he said.

The comments follow the accusation of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso working for President Bola Tinubu by the Kano State Director of Media, Sanusi Bature.

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The Senate rescinded its amendment barring first-timers from contesting presiding offices, reopening the 2027 race for Senate President and Deputy Senate President on Thursday as controversy rages on the amendment of Senate Standing Rules.
The reversal was adopted following a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and presided over by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jubrin Barau.
The motion he brought before the Chamber for consideration and approval is titled: “Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2 (2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended”.

Presenting the motion, the Leader said: “The Senate recalls that the Senate Standing Orders were considered and amended on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026; “The Senate observes that upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain provisions introduced under Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 52 thereof; “The Senate notes that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, established parliamentary conventions, and legislative practice; “Further notes that the Senate possesses the inherent parliamentary authority to revisit, rescind, and recommit any matter previously decided upon in order to preserve the integrity of its proceedings and legislative framework; “The Senate accordingly resolves to rescind its earlier decisions relating to the amendments made to Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026.”
The earlier amendment on Tuesday required any Senator seeking to contest for presiding or principal offices to have served in the Senate for two consecutive terms adding up to eight years.
The clause excluded newly elected Senators and those who were returning after a period away, leaving eligibility to only a few ranking lawmakers, a development that stirred agitation in the Chamber.
The rule had drawn criticism from the public, with potential victims describing it as an attempt to exclude influential political figures expected to enter the Senate in 2027, such as outgoing governors and former ministers.
The amendment was criticized as reducing democratic choice and entrenching a closed caucus, but supporters said it would guarantee experienced leadership in the Senate.
The scrapping of the rule has thrown the leadership contest for the 11th National Assembly open to all elected Senators irrespective of tenure.
The decision is especially important for people like Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is expected to run for Senate in 2027, despite not serving a second term as governor.
The about-face also underscores a change in the governing party toward a more competitive and inclusive process to select the next Senate leadership, instead of one that hinges on tenure restrictions to determine who qualifies.
The amendment was said to have been done following the rumour in the media space that former Senators Hope Uzodimma, Ifeanyi Okowa and Ovie Omo-Agege were contemplating return to the Red Chamber and would likely vie for the Senate presidency in 2027.

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Umar Sani, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, has mocked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his media outburst on Wednesday.

Remember, Wike battled several top PDP figures including Seyi Makinde, Adolphus Wabara, Jerry Gana and Aminu Turaki.

He alleged fraudulent conduct by the party leaders and questioned their moral authority to manage the affairs of the PDP.

Sani however said that Wike was trying to justify the legitimacy of his faction in the party in the face of the lingering leadership crisis.

He said Thursday on Arise Television’s Morning Show.

Wike decided to address Nigerians himself after his loyalists’ explanations failed to gain public acceptance, Sani said.

According to him, the FCT Minister was unable to clearly explain the legal and political issues involved in the PDP crisis particularly the conflicting court rulings.

Sani said Wike moved between the Federal High Court, Ibadan, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, and the Supreme Court judgment without making clear the real situation in the party.

Nyesom Wike’s outburst yesterday stems from the fact that he has sent, after the Supreme Court judge, most of his lieutenants to come out and explain to Nigerians. “This is a full disclosure of the whole truth, what is happening and where we are today now. They were not making sense to Nigerians.

“So the big masquerade decided to come out himself yesterday to try to explain to Nigerians why his own faction of the PDP is the most legitimate and the most authentic.

“But he has tried to explain our origins, although not very convincingly. He was toggling between the judgment of the Ibadan Federal High Court and the judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal in Abuja division, and of course the Supreme Court.

“So he was not able to clearly lay the cards on the table for Nigerians to be able to understand what is actually going on.”

The post Umar Sani Mocks Wike Over Recent Media Outburst appeared first on TheNigerian.

A major power struggle is underway in the Senate in the wake of amendments to its standing rules that could determine the leadership structure of the next National Assembly.

The intrigue has at its heart, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; and the senator representing Imo West, Osita Izunaso.

Also in the political calculations is former Edo State governor and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

On Tuesday the Senate revised its rules of procedure to limit the positions of principal and presiding.

Under the new rules, senators who will run for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President positions must have served in the chamber for at least eight years.

The amendment also deals with other major offices of the red chamber.

Order 4 provides that nomination for presiding offices must strictly conform to ranking, including former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former principal officers, senators who have served at least one term, former members of the House of Representatives and first-time senators where others are unavailable.

Order 5 further provides that no senator shall be eligible to stand for any principal office unless he has served at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination.

The amendment effectively disqualifies incoming senators in 2027 who were not members of both the 9th and 10th Senate to contest for Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Chief Whip, Minority Leader and other influential positions.

Before the amendment, any ranking senator who had served for not less than four years in the National Assembly was eligible to contest for presiding offices.

The provision had kept the door open for the return of political heavyweights expected to contest seats in 2027, including Uzodimma; former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; and former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.

Sources told TheCable that the amendment was more of political calculation than parliamentary procedure.

One source called it a “preemptive strike against ambitious returnees, especially Uzodimma.”

Uzodimma Seeks Return To Senate
Uzodimma is reportedly eyeing a return to the Senate in 2027.

Last week, stakeholders of the APC in Imo West Senatorial District purchased and presented the ruling party’s senatorial nomination and expression of interest forms to the governor, describing him as their preferred candidate.

He is also Imo APC Senate candidate.

Uzodimma became governor of Imo State in 2020 when the Supreme Court annulled the election of Emeka Ihedioha and declared him the winner of the governorship election. He represented Imo West between 2011 and 2019.

That ruling altered Imo’s electoral calendar. Uzodimma was inaugurated on January 15, 2020, months after governors were elected in the 2019 general election, thus making the state an off-cycle governorship state.

His second term began January 15, 2024 and is expected to end January 15, 2028.

Considered Placeholder Choice
The next National Assembly is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027, months ahead of Uzodimma’s governorship tenure.

Insiders said the governor might consider a placeholder candidate for the Orlu Senate seat in 2027, a trusted ally who would hold the seat temporarily and surrender it after Uzodimma completes his term in January 2028.

The governor is also considering stepping down before the end of his term and handing over to his deputy for the remaining months, sources said.

Such a move would endanger Izunaso’s chances of going back to the Senate.

But the new Senate rule appears to have cut off Uzodimma’s route to the Senate presidency, even if he eventually returns to the red chamber.

Oshiomhole was said to be the only person to oppose the amendment on the Senate floor during its deliberations on Tuesday, perhaps because the new rule might affect his own ambitions as well.

The post Akpabio, Uzodimma, Oshiomhole Clash Over Next Senate Presidency appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Taminu Turaki faction has asked the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to pull down the building it is using as the party’s secretariat.

Umar Sani, a chieftain of the PDP faction, said Wike knows the office in the vicinity of Area 10, Abuja, when he spoke on Thursday, and challenged the FCT Minister to carry out the demolition of the building as threatened.

Recall that Wike had threatened during his monthly media chat on Wednesday to seal off any house in Abuja being used as the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the faction led by Taminu Turaki.

Wike also warned that any bank that allows the Turaki-led PDP to open an account for the sale of nomination forms for the 2027 election would be in trouble.

Any effort by the Turaki faction to sell form to any aspirant for the 2027 polls will be a duping of Nigerians, he said.

Wike boasted that any day Turaki opens a bank account for the PDP under the present circumstance, he will be derobed as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

However, Sani, who spoke during an interview with Arise News on Thursday, alleged that the Wike-led PDP is selling nomination forms for cash and if they are using the PDP bank accounts, it will come straight to them.

He also said the PDP incorporation documents were with the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) led by Adolphus Wabara, not the Wike-led PDP.

We have an office that we are running and it is in Area 10 (Abuja). Let him come and destroy the office. Wike knows the office,” he added.

The post PDP’s Turaki Challenges Wike Over Alleged Demolition Threat In FCT appeared first on TheNigerian.

Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has blasted the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over his claim that the opposition coalition is dead.

Akpabio was reported to have made the comment during plenary on Tuesday, while reading a letter on the defection of senator for Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe.

On the defection, Akpabio said: “I think ADC is dead. How many times are you going to defect? A month? Three times? But let’s assemble the entire list so it doesn’t look like a daily ritual.

“List the names of defectors from all the political parties and their party destinations. If you are transferring from ADC, write all of you. When you enter NDC you write all of you. “If you are going to Accord, you write, also.”

Okonkwo, speaking on ARISE Television on Wednesday, reacted to the statement and said: “The National Assembly under Akpabio is dead.

“I will react him simply, the only dead institution in Nigeria is the National Assembly that is supervised by the dead Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

You can think of a man who is over citing the president who has three budgets running at the same time and he does not have the light in him to talk about the sufferings of Nigerians, yet what he knows how to talk about is the ADC. “Only Akpabio’s National Assembly is dead.

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Asari Dokubo, a former leader of militants in the Niger Delta, has said he will work against Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former presidential candidate, in the 2027 general elections.

In a video that is going around on social media, Dokubo said that the former governor of Kano was trying to trick Muslim voters.

He promised to organize against Kwankwaso and said he was sure that people in Kano would vote against him.

“I will be leading the fight against Rabiu Kwankwaso in the 2027 election. He thinks he can sell Muslims for kobo kobo… He said, “This time Kano will surprise you, but we will let him down.”

He also said that Kwankwaso was trying to control people’s political feelings and used harsh language to cast doubt on his credibility with Northern voters.

Kwankwaso’s recent departure from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and joining the ADC has made the opposition more active, with consultations and counter-mobilization already picking up speed ahead of 2027.

At the time this report was written, Kwankwaso had not yet responded to the claims.

Kwankwaso has also asked Nigerians living in Nigeria and abroad to make sure they vote in the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso, a leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the request in a video posted to his official 𝕏 handle on Monday night.

The former Governor of Kano State told Nigerians, especially young people, to finish registering to vote with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) right away before the upcoming elections.

He also told Nigerians to sign up with the ADC, which is the coalition party that wants to get rid of President Bola Tinubu.

He said, “Fellow Nigerians, it’s time for every eligible Nigerian, young and old, in the cities and in the villages, at home and abroad, to take two important steps:

“Don’t wait to register to vote with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Sign up with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).”

The post “Kwankwaso Can’t Sell Muslims” — Asari Dokubo Vows to Campaign Against Him appeared first on TheNigerian.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has gotten a temporary forfeiture order for 17 containers full of illegal opioids worth more than N33.6 billion.

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt gave the agency the order after they filed an ex parte motion.

Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, said in a statement on Tuesday that the containers were stopped at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, on several occasions between April and September 2025.

The agency says that the seized shipments contain 19.6 million pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol, and Carisoprodol, as well as 2,496,400 bottles of codeine syrup. The total street value of these items is thought to be N33,691,200,000.

Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed decided on the application and ordered the containers, which hold 365,657kg of psychotropic substances, to be temporarily given to the Federal Government.

The court also gave the NDLEA custody of the items until the case was fully resolved.

In response to the news, NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa said that the seizure was a major blow to drug trafficking networks.

He said that the action takes away resources that criminal groups use to support drug abuse and other crimes, and that it sends a strong message that the government is serious about fighting the illegal drug trade.

Marwa also praised the courts for issuing the order, saying that the courts and the agency must continue to work together to fight drug-related crimes.

He also thanked the NDLEA staff at the Onne Port Command, as well as other security agencies and international partners, for their work on the operation.

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