Oduduwa News

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he personally wanted Governor Siminalayi Fubara impeached, but praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for stepping in to save Rivers State from what he described as imminent chaos.

Speaking during a media parley with select journalists in Abuja on Friday, the former Rivers State governor opened up about the deepening political crisis in his home state. Wike acknowledged that while he was not entirely pleased with the declaration of a state of emergency, he supported President Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire House of Assembly.

“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State. I wanted the outright impeachment of the governor,” Wike said. “But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy.”

President Tinubu’s move to suspend the elected officials and appoint a sole administrator has triggered mixed reactions across the country, with some praising the move as bold leadership, while others warn of its implications on democratic institutions.

Wike, however, insists the president’s intervention was not only necessary but timely.

“The governor was gone. He was gone, yes,” Wike stated. “So when people say the president did this or that, I say they should be praising him.”

With his characteristic flair, Wike added: “Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”

The ongoing political crisis in Rivers stems from a bitter fallout between Wike and his successor, Fubara — a relationship that once appeared unbreakable. Analysts believe the rift may have deeper political undertones ahead of the 2027 general elections.

For now, the future of governance in Rivers remains uncertain as stakeholders and citizens await the next chapter in this unfolding political drama.

Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has distanced himself and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc from a recent declaration endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking through his media aide, Muhammed Bello Doka, Malami dismissed claims that the CPC faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC) had pledged support for Tinubu’s re-election bid. The CPC, originally the political platform of former President Muhammadu Buhari, merged with other parties to form the APC in 2013.

The endorsement, announced by a group led by Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, was described by Malami as a “personal move” that does not represent the broader CPC network.

“When you say CPC bloc, one needs to know who they are referring to,” Malami questioned. “Is it the likes of Al-Makura, Adamu Adamu, Masari, and Faruku Adamu Aliyu — individuals who only recently threw Buhari under the bus in desperate attempts to stay relevant in the APC?”

He alleged that Al-Makura’s camp was merely seeking to gain favour with the Tinubu administration for “personal benefits,” and emphasized that the authentic CPC bloc, loyal to Buhari’s ideological legacy, has not made any official decision regarding the 2027 race.

Earlier, Al-Makura’s group had publicly ruled out any plans to defect from the APC, declaring unwavering support for President Tinubu. But Malami has now made it clear that such a position does not speak for the entire CPC fold.

“The direction of the CPC bloc cannot be determined by individuals chasing relevance,” Malami stated.

The latest development underscores deepening fractures within the APC’s legacy factions as jostling begins ahead of the next general elections.

Thousands of commuters and motorists have been stranded on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after an accident involving multiple vehicles occurred on the Kara Bridge inward OPIC of the ever-busy route.

The accident, which happened on Friday, involved a truck and some cars in the early hours of the day, causing a gridlock along the road. Authorities have not confirmed if there were any casualties in the accident on the ever-busy road, but some people were injured.

“We recorded an accident on the Kara bridge inward Opic on the Lagos Ibadan Express Way with multiple vehicles. LASTMA personnel and other Emergency responders have swung into action to rescue the victims and also clear the affected vehicles,” the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) wrote on X, confirming the accident.

In an update, however, the LASTMA said, “Some of the vehicles affected have been successfully recovered from the road, two lanes are now opened for vehicular movement inward Opic. Efforts are still ongoing to evacuate the articulated truck as well.”

Suspected herdsmen on Wednesday amb¥shed a bus carrying students from Rivers State University and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education along the Benin-Ore expressway in Ondo State. The students, who are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church Campus Fellowship, were traveling to Babcock University, Ogun State, for their annual Easter Convention when the attack occurred.

The gunmen abducted 10 students and shot two others during the assault. One of the victims, who was shot in the back, underwent emergency surgery and is currently in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital.

Sources described the attack as traumatic, expressing frustration over the lack of adequate security despite ongoing kidnappings along the highway. Some of the students managed to escape into the bush, but several are still missing or unaccounted for.

The kidnappers have contacted families of the victims, demanding a ransom of ₦15 million for their release. A source raised concerns about the bus driver’s role in the incident, questioning how he escaped unscathed while the students were targeted.

The Benin-Ore road has remained a known hotspot for kidnappings and bandit attacks, with little visible action from authorities. Repeated attempts to reach the Ondo State Police Command for comment were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson, Odunlami Ibukun, failed to respond to calls or messages.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and Interpol have launched an investigation into the N1.3 trillion frauds perpetrated through a digital investment platform, CBEX.

CBEX, operated by a group of foreign nationals in collaboration with their Nigerian partners, reportedly collapsed on Monday.

Recall, many Nigerians have begun counting losses after the popular trading platform, CBEX failed to approve withdrawal returns on investment to investors.

The EFCC has signaled intention to partner with International Police INTERPOL begin a full scale probe on the alleged scam.

Details later.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday said he has the capacity to occupy the highest political office in the land.

Makinde, a second-term governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made this known on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

According to him, the 2027 elections would be between Nigerians and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC); and not a contest between the PDP and the APC.

Makinde said, “I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land and I have what it takes but what I want to do right now, is it what Nigerians are asking for right now, is it what my party will say we should do, we don’t know; we still have a long time to go.

“But where we are right now is that we must fix our party, we must have a platform for you to even aspire to be anything.

“Let me also say this: if my political journey ends here, I am also happy.”

Notable Fuji Musician, Saheed Osupa has withdrawn legal case against the controversial singer, Okikiola aka Portable over alleged defamation.

In a statement made available by the Media Aide to the Fuji Musician, Basit Babatunde as read in part:

“The management of King (Dr.) Saheed Osupa wishes to inform the general public that the legal action previously instituted against Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been formally withdrawn on the instruction of Osupa himself.

“It is essential to clarify that the legal proceedings were initially initiated by Osupa’s management team in response to what was considered a grave violation of intellectual property rights and an unacceptable pattern of defamation and public misconduct. Hence, the intention was not personal, but to set a precedent that would discourage unruly behavior and promote responsibility, especially among younger artists.

“However, following heartfelt pleas from several prominent Nigerians—amongst whom are Alhaji Ahmad Lawal, CEO of Lahmad Concepts, and Saheed Ibile, CEO of Harmony Holdings Ltd, Alh. Fatai Lajero on behalf of Olufimo Royal Parliament, and Alh. Waheed Ogunsesan, National President Olufimo Fans Club.— and moved by Portable’s plight, following his inability to meet his bail conditions, Osupa gave a personal directive for the immediate withdrawal of the case.

“Please note that this decision is driven by compassion and the hope that this moment will serve as a turning point in Portable’s life and career, as Osupa believes that while accountability is essential, mercy, too, is a pillar of leadership. He hopes that Portable will seize this opportunity for reflection, growth, and transformation.

“As a condition of this withdrawal, Portable is expected to:

• Retract his statement implying Saheed Osupa should be held responsible if anything happens to him
• Confess to the falsehood of the public claim of his lawyer, Chief Bar. Isaac Adebayo, about holding Saheed Osupa’s leg begging for forgiveness, because contrary to this claim, Osupa did not even set his eyes on Portable
• Sign an undertaking to desist from cyberbullying, defamation, and character assassination henceforth.

“If these conditions are not met, the case may be reinstated.

“Osupa remains committed to supporting a music industry built on respect, discipline, and mutual growth. He continues to use his platform to guide and uplift the next generation of creatives.

“Finally, we appreciate the support of our fans, Fuji lovers worldwide, and well-meaning Nigerians who understood our legal move to protecting our image. Your backing means a lot to us, and we’re grateful for your loyalty”.

Irate youths storm the CBEX office in Ibadan’s Oke Ado area, ransacking and looting tables, couches, and other items after the platform crashed.

It would be recalled that the digital trading platform reportedly crashed, leaving users with zero balance on their accounts.

Many had been left in various stages of grief as they mourned the loss of their money.

Others have reacted by storming CBEX local offices to wreck havoc.

A video making the rounds on social media shows throngs of people who had stormed the CBEX office in Ibadan to loot.

Some of them were seen with different items ranging from tables, couches, and others.

Netizens’ reactions …
@DrMel_ said: “Even thought it was an online scam, so they have an office?”

@dokitawaa wrote: “Who are you to blame? Nigerians or Government. This is a clear testament that the government failed Nigerians.”

@Gistme9j commented: “The most funny part be say, most of this people are not even an investors on Cbex”

@chocolekann wrote: “That guy wey get $68k wetin he wan move wey go worth him money”

@Dailygistz said: “Nigerians get no protection from FG when foreign investment corporations unexpectedly close up.
How long will this continue?”

@chineduokoli_ remarked: “Good. Any unregistered fraudulent business that siphon people’s money must experience what they dealt on the people”

@Mrlekan213 said: “Funny enough these people wey dey carry things fit no even put money there ”