Nigeria Politics

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has leveled serious allegations against the wife of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing her of benefiting from a ₦4 billion contract through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

In a fiery interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Wike described Amaechi as a “hypocrite,” claiming that his public image is at odds with his private dealings. He alleged that Amaechi’s wife—who he insisted is not an industrialist—was awarded contracts worth billions through a company purportedly linked to her for training Niger Delta women.

“Amaechi’s wife was never an industrialist, at least to the best of my knowledge,” Wike said. “Her company received ₦4 billion to train women in the Niger Delta. In total, ₦48 billion was involved within a year.”

Wike called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately release the long-delayed forensic audit report of the NDDC, which he claims has been deliberately suppressed to protect powerful individuals.

“Who buried the forensic audit? It was the former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami,” Wike alleged. “If President Tinubu truly wants to show transparency, he should release the audit report. If what I am saying is not contained in that document, I will resign as FCT Minister. I don’t cling to office.”

Responding to a question on whether it is a crime to obtain a government contract, Wike countered:
“Is it a crime to get a contract? ₦4 billion in one year to train women? Let the audit report come out. That’s how Amaechi’s wife became an ‘industrialist.’”

Wike further questioned the source of a luxury Rolls-Royce allegedly gifted to Amaechi, claiming it was provided by Senator John Mbata during Amaechi’s tenure as governor of Rivers State. According to him, Mbata, then chairman of Monak Construction Company (MCC), was awarded approximately 60% of state contracts under Amaechi’s administration.

“Monak was responsible for supplying vehicles to revamp the state’s transportation sector. Those vehicles were never delivered,” Wike claimed.

While acknowledging Senator Mbata’s past political support, Wike stated that it would not prevent him from exposing wrongdoing.

“I’ll never deny that he supported me politically. But when something is wrong, it’s wrong.”

The FCT Minister also took jabs at Amaechi’s academic record, claiming the former governor struggled through university.

“He couldn’t finish at Rivers State University and moved to the University of Port Harcourt, my alma mater,” Wike said. “I know the grade he graduated with.”

Wike’s remarks have sparked intense political debate, with observers awaiting possible responses from the Amaechi camp and renewed calls for the release of the NDDC audit report.

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has stated that the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not a prerequisite for the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Addressing journalists in Lagos on Friday night, Umahi dismissed speculations that the South-East had set conditions—particularly Kanu’s release—for backing the President in the upcoming general elections.

“Someone asked me about Nnamdi Kanu, and I made it clear—his case is not a condition for the South-East to support President Tinubu,” Umahi said. “We are open to dialogue and negotiation for his release, but no one should frame it as a political condition. After all, the President did not detain him.”

Describing President Tinubu as a responsive and reform-driven leader, Umahi expressed optimism that Kanu’s situation would be resolved through dialogue and divine intervention rather than political pressure.

“President Tinubu may not be perfect, but he is getting a lot of things right,” Umahi continued. “Consider the state of the economy he inherited—now the international community is showing renewed confidence in Nigeria because of the reforms he’s implementing. That’s why we are receiving support for our infrastructure projects.”

Highlighting several ongoing federal infrastructure developments in the South-East, Umahi praised Tinubu’s administration for reviving roads and projects that had been neglected by past governments.

“To those criticizing the President, let them point to what they have done for the country,” he challenged.

Umahi also rejected the narrative that the South-East is being marginalized in federal appointments, asserting that the region has benefited more under President Tinubu than under many previous administrations.

He emphasized the growing collaboration between South-East governors and the federal government, noting that even opposition-party leaders in the region are working productively with the President.

“I’m not running for president in 2027,” Umahi declared. “I’m focused on supporting my boss, President Tinubu. APC is the platform for real progress. The South-East now has a voice at the centre, and we’re not going back to Egypt.”

The Lagos State Government has denied any involvement in the reported demolition of a property allegedly owned by the brother of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.

In response to the public outcry and widespread media coverage surrounding the incident, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, issued an official statement on Thursday, clarifying the government’s position.

According to Omotoso, neither the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) nor any other government agency in the state authorized or carried out the demolition in question.

“The Lagos State Government is not aware of any demolition involving Mr. Peter Obi’s brother’s property,” Omotoso stated. “We reject the baseless allegations being peddled and affirm that no arm of the state government was involved.”

He further disclosed that the government has directed the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Urban Development to initiate a thorough investigation through LASBCA to establish the facts surrounding the incident. The agency is expected to provide a detailed clarification on the matter.

“We urge the public to disregard Mr. Peter Obi’s claims and remain confident in the government’s commitment to upholding law and order in Lagos State,” the statement concluded.

Peter Obi had earlier taken to social media platform X, where he posted images of the demolished structure, accusing the Lagos State Government of carrying out the act without prior notice or justification. He described the demolition as unlawful and a sign of Nigeria’s descent into lawlessness.

The matter has since sparked significant debate and public interest, prompting calls for transparency and accountability from both citizens and civil society organizations.

The National Vice Chairman (North-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Salihu, has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, which notably excluded Vice President Kashim Shettima. Amid speculation of internal discord within the party, Salihu offered a detailed clarification during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.

Speaking on the omission at the APC North-East summit held in Gombe on Sunday, Salihu explained that his endorsement was guided by party tradition and constitutional procedure.

“In the concluding paragraph of my full speech, I paid tribute to Vice President Kashim Shettima, recognising him as our son and affirming the North-East’s support for him,” Salihu said.
“I also acknowledged the National Security Adviser, as well as the ministers and heads of agencies appointed from the region, and thanked President Tinubu for these inclusions—before moving to endorse him as our sole presidential candidate.”

‘Only One Candidate Is Endorsed During Primaries’

Salihu emphasized that party endorsements at the primary level apply solely to presidential candidates, not their running mates.

“In internal party processes, whether at the local government or presidential level, only one individual is endorsed at the primary stage,” he explained.
“Our party’s constitution does not permit joint ticket endorsements at that point. The presidential candidate independently selects a running mate after primaries, although consultations may be held.”

He noted that other party leaders, including Governors Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, had similarly endorsed Tinubu without mentioning Shettima, despite acknowledging the vice president’s regional significance.

Addressing rumors of a rift between the President and Vice President, Salihu dismissed the claims as manufactured distractions.

“Party administration is not conducted on social media, in newspapers, or on television—it is handled internally,” he said.
“Every administration faces attempts to create conflict narratives between the principal and the deputy. These are often fueled by insecure politicians seeking relevance.”

No Regional Discontent

Salihu rejected suggestions that the omission of Shettima from the endorsement may have stirred discontent within the North-East.

“That narrative is unfounded. I’m based in Yola and maintain active engagement with members from Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, and Yobe,” he said.
“We thoroughly deliberated before the summit. Our remarks about the vice president were consistent with the law and internal party guidelines. Other regions weren’t even obliged to do that.”

He further clarified that proposing a running mate before primaries would have been “putting the cart before the horse,” insisting the focus was rightly on endorsing a single candidate.

Tensions at the Gombe Summit

The APC North-East summit, however, descended into tension when Salihu’s endorsement of Tinubu triggered protests from members who questioned the absence of Shettima’s name.

Attempts by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum to pacify the crowd proved ineffective, prompting intervention by security personnel. Calm was eventually restored after APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje addressed the gathering and offered separate commendations for both Tinubu and Shettima.

The Gombe endorsement echoed a similar move on May 22, when 22 APC governors backed Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 election—also without mention of the vice president. Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South, however, publicly distanced himself from the endorsement, expressing concerns and cautioning that such declarations do not guarantee re-election.

Salihu denied any allegations of coercion at the summit, stating, “No delegate was pressured into endorsing a specific position.” He also hinted at ongoing internal investigations and said he expects public apologies within 48 hours.