News
2027: Wike’s Tinubu endorsement sparks opposition firestorm
The Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Coalition of United Political Parties, and others have strongly criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for openly declaring his plan to lead President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
During a media chat on Monday in Abuja, Wike described himself as a key asset in helping Tinubu win the 2027 election.
The former Rivers State Governor also insisted he was not involved in any anti-party activities and challenged the PDP to suspend him if they believed otherwise.
In response, the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, urged Nigerians to disregard Wike’s comments, stating that the party would soon enforce its rules against the minister.
The CUPP’s Publicity Secretary, Mark Adebayo, labelled Wike as the “President’s hatchet man”, accusing him of working to dismantle opposition parties.
The NNPP asserted that Tinubu would be defeated in 2027 despite Wike’s endorsement.
Speaking on Monday during a media parley in Abuja, Wike said, “I am still in the PDP. I worked hard for the party.
I have not seen anybody who has the guts to tell me, ‘Wike, you are not a member of the party.’ Who is that? What is his contribution to the party that is more than mine?”
Wike noted that the PDP violated the agreement for a southern candidacy for President and supported former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, hence his refusal to endorse the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
“In 2023, did I not tell you that I wouldn’t support their presidential candidate? I said, based on equity, justice, and fairness, the presidency should go to the South because you can’t have that and the national chairman at the same time.
“You, therefore, take one and give us one. Believing that Atiku would win, they said to hell (with it), and I said I was not going to support.
“So, why didn’t I leave the party and join APC? Of all of us then and PDP governors today, who produced National Assembly 100 per ncent? Who produced a governor? Ask them in their various states how many senators they have,” he said.
Wike referred to himself as a valuable asset, emphasising his key role in securing Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general elections.
“I am not a liability, I am an asset. Whether you agree or you don’t agree, I am an asset.
Whether you want to die or you don’t want to die, I am an asset. It doesn’t matter, you may not like me. I am an asset to making sure that Tinubu wins his second term,” Wike boasted.
The ex-Rivers governor also spoke on the chances of the PDP in 2027, stating that the PDP has a leadership problem, which was responsible for the mass defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress, particularly in Delta State and Akwa Ibom.
“It’s a party leadership problem. Look at it. You won’t tell me that they didn’t have intelligence that Delta would go. You won’t tell me that they didn’t have intelligence that Akwa Ibom would go.
“Now, as the leadership, what would you do? Send a team, ‘ask them ‘why are you doing this?’ No, you’re making a mistake. Impunity; let them go. Look Opposition does not do impunity.
No, no, no, we try to beg, beg. Put everybody together. You don’t say, let them go. Let me tell you, I cannot do that,” the minister insisted.
In response, a senior PDP official described the party as one that upholds law and order, stating that it would soon take disciplinary action against Wike in accordance with its rules.
He stated, “This party is a party of process. We have the structures, processes, and laws that we’re following. At the right time, we shall enforce our laws on him and others.
“When somebody says nobody can remove him from the party, that is just his view. The PDP is bigger than any individual. And my answer is very simple: opinion is free, but facts are sacred.
Policies are sacred. Rules and regulations are sacred. While he is entitled to his view, I can tell you that, at the right time, the party will enforce its rules.
”The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Osadolor called on Nigerians and party members to disregard Wike.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a six-month extension for the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The extension, announced on Friday, comes as Adeniyi’s current tenure was set to expire. It allows the Customs chief to continue leading ongoing reforms, complete key modernization projects such as the National Single Window platform, and ensure a smooth transition for senior officers through promotions and retirements.
Adeniyi, who has helmed the NCS since his appointment in 2023, has been credited with significant revenue generation — including over N1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025 — and strengthened anti-smuggling operations. The decision reflects the administration’s confidence in his leadership to sustain these gains.
This marks the latest in a series of tenure adjustments for the Customs boss, following a previous one-year extension approved in 2025.
Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a statement, emphasizing that the move will further strengthen the NCS in achieving its strategic mandates in trade facilitation, revenue collection, and national security.
News
IGP Disu Appoints CSP Anietie Iniedu As New Force PRO
CSP Iniedu, a native of Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, is an experienced police officer with a strong background in public communication, intelligence management, operational policing, administration, and institutional accountability.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of Chief Superintendent of Police, Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, as the new Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force.
CSP Iniedu, a native of Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, is an experienced police officer with a strong background in public communication, intelligence management, operational policing, administration, and institutional accountability.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pure Chemistry from the University of Uyo and has attended several professional courses in investigative interviewing, crime scene management, strategic communication, intelligence analysis, and human rights-based policing.
Before his latest appointment, CSP Iniedu served as Head of the Complaint Response Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he coordinated public complaint management and spearheaded initiatives aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
The appointment was announced in a statement signed by the outgoing Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid.
The new Force spokesperson has also served in several strategic positions.
The Inspector-General of Police expressed confidence in CSP Iniedu’s ability to lead the Force Public Relations Department, noting that his wealth of experience and professional competence will strengthen the Force’s strategic communication efforts, deepen public engagement, and support ongoing policing reforms.
The Federal Government has announced plans to allow journalists to join Nigerian troops during military operations as part of efforts to enhance transparency, improve the quality of security reporting, and deepen public understanding of counter-insurgency and internal security efforts.
Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, disclosed that the Defence Ministry is exploring arrangements to embed selected journalists and media practitioners with military units during operations.
According to the Minister, the initiative will give journalists firsthand exposure to operational realities, the challenges faced by security personnel, and the sacrifices involved in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other threats.
“This will enable more accurate reporting and a deeper understanding of the situation on the ground,” Gen. Musa stated.
The move is seen as a significant step towards strengthening civil-military relations and promoting balanced coverage of security operations. It aligns with global practices of embedded journalism, where reporters are attached to military units to witness events directly while adhering to operational security protocols.
Details such as selection criteria for journalists, specific operations involved, and safety guidelines are expected to be outlined as the Defence Ministry finalizes the framework.
The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts to address insecurity across various parts of the country, particularly in the North East and North West.
BREAKING: INEC Declares APC’s Biodun Oyebanji Winner of 2026 Ekiti Governorship Election
Tinubu Extends Tenure of Customs Boss Adeniyi by Six Months
IGP Disu Appoints CSP Anietie Iniedu As New Force PRO
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
International3 days agoBREAKING: Details of US-Iran peace deal emerge
-
International3 days agoThe 14-point US-Iran pact to halt war
-
International3 days agoNiamey Airport rocks by explosion, gunfire
-
Business3 days agoNaira Exchange Rates To Foreign currencies Thursday, June 18
-
Business3 days agoFG Releases Tax Act 2025 Transition Guidelines
-
News3 days agoFire Service Put Out Polaris Bank’s Broad Street fire
-
International3 days agoUAE announces social media ban for under-15s
-
Business2 days agoUPDATE : Polaris Bank Debunks Reports of 34 Deaths in Lagos Branch Fire