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‘He stopped picking my calls’ – Dele Momodu explains why he fell out with Wike

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A journalist-cum politician, Dele Momodu, has explained why he fell out with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

He said he was a close friend to Wike but their relationship became strained after he informed the former Rivers State governor of his intention to contest for president.

He explained that Wike, who was also secretly nursing his own presidential ambition then, was angered by the information and stopped picking his calls.

Speaking in a recent episode of The Honest Bunch podcast, Momodu said, “I was very close to [Nyesom] Wike.

We are no longer close. Troubles started the moment I declared interest in the presidential election.

“He had not told anybody he wanted to contest but I was suspecting because of the branding and how much he was spending on journalists. He had PR deals with many media houses.

“Those things are not cheap but he was getting good results; everybody was talking about him.

“So, I met him and informed him that I would be contesting for the presidency and I would need his support.

And before then, I had consulted nationwide, I had met Emirs, the Sultan and everybody.

“The general impression I was getting was that if Wike wants to run, he would have problems, especially in the North. The Northerners would support anybody but not Wike.

“I tried to tell him that this is what I had picked up and in case you are unable to run, would you kindly support me? What’s the crime in that?

“I already considered you my friend. He stopped picking my calls, he told people even live on Channels, when an interviewer asked for his opinions on new entrances like Dele Momodu, he said, ‘Which Dele Momodu? Get serious!’

“I was shocked. Wike that told me that he used to watch myself and his boss, [Rotimi] Ameachi when we are flying helicopters, he would be down saying, ‘See these people, they’re enjoying o!,’ is now disrespecting me simply because he has now made money, and power.”

Reacting to former president Ibrahim Babangida’s admission of regret for annulling the June 12 elections in 1993 during his book launch titled, “A Journey of Service” in Abuja last week.

Momodu said he believes that a sincere and “unconditional apology” from the former president was all that was needed to acknowledge the injustice and fully heal the nation.

“I was hoping that we would be able to bring some form of closure to the June 12 crisis. All that we needed to do that day was to get a full unconditional apology for what happened,” Momodu stated.

“The moment I started hearing excuses about how we did it in the national interest, we did it so our democracy could survive. I don’t think what we have today is a proper democracy,” he noted.

Momodu criticised the current political landscape, arguing that it has strayed from true democratic values, pointing out that governments at all levels manipulate elections, leaving no room for real competition.

“It’s become a sham where the federal government wants to win every election, the state government wants to win every election, the local government is in disarray. So at the end of the day, what have we gained?” he asked.

Watch full interview below at Glitch Africa Studio: “The Honest Bunch”

Video credit: Honest Bunch

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FG to reopen Enugu–Onitsha expressway March 31

Once regarded as one of the region’s most dangerous highways, the Enugu–Onitsha Road had long been plagued by tanker explosions, fatal accidents, and economic disruptions. Umahi said decisive intervention by the Tinubu administration has changed the trajectory.

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The federal government directed that the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway be reopened for public use on or before March 31.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, declared during an inspection of ongoing projects in Enugu, including the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway and the Eke-Obinagu Flyover.

Umahi said :

“I have given the controller the authority. By the 31st or before, he should call the press to open this road.

Call the people of South-East, let them know that this road is open for travel, and that will be our Easter celebration.”

Umahi expressed confidence that the era of frequent fatal accidents, endless traffic, and public frustration along the expressway is coming to an end.

“I’m going around the six geopolitical zones assessing what is possibly to be commissioned before May 29 by the president. There are mega projects that the president will be available for before May 29, and we mean it,” he said.

Once regarded as one of the region’s most dangerous highways, the Enugu–Onitsha Road had long been plagued by tanker explosions, fatal accidents, and economic disruptions. Umahi said decisive intervention by the Tinubu administration has changed the trajectory.

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Nigeria partner Japan to redevelop Abuja Master Plan

It is very key for us because I know the design of Abuja was done by Japan, and now they need to look at it again in order to carry out further structural development.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced a strategic partnership with the Government of Japan to change the 1979 Abuja Master Plan.

The move, aimed at aligning the city’s growth with modern realities through the year 2050, was the highlight of a courtesy visit by a high-level Japanese delegation to the FCT Ministry on Tuesday.

The delegation was led by the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Suzuki Hideo, and the Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Nigeria, Mr. Ishigame Keiji.

During the meeting, Barrister Wike expressed profound appreciation for Japan’s historical and technical contributions to Nigeria.

He emphasised that the original blueprint of the FCT owes much to Japanese expertise.

“On behalf of the FCT Administration, I appreciate the relationship between Nigeria and Japan,” Wike said.

“I am fully aware of the projects through JICA. It is very key for us because I know the design of Abuja was done by Japan, and now they need to look at it again in order to carry out further structural development.”

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Minister of Power Apologise To Nigerians Over Blackouts

“I can tell you, with the committee that we have set up, and commitments from gas suppliers, and the timeline for repair of the gas pipelines, two weeks from now, we should start seeing improvements in supply. Two weeks,” Adelabu said.

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has apologised to Nigerians over the prolonged and severe electricity outages recorded in recent weeks across the country.

He acknowledged the strain the outages have caused on households and businesses in key sectors of the economy.

“I want to apologise to Nigerians, officially now, coming from me as the Minister of Power, for this temporary issue that is leading to hardship being experienced, especially during this dry season, where there is so much heat everywhere,” Adelabu said at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday

He admitted that the ongoing blackouts has worsened living conditions, particularly during the intense dry-season heat.

“Businesses are being affected, schools have been affected, and industries have been affected. It is not our wish to find ourselves in this situation, but it is due to some factors that are actually beyond our control, ”said Adelabu.

Despite the disruptions, Adelabu assured citizens that the situation would soon improve, offering a clear timeline for restoration of better power supply.

“I can tell you, with the committee that we have set up, and commitments from gas suppliers, and the timeline for repair of the gas pipelines, two weeks from now, we should start seeing improvements in supply. Two weeks,” Adelabu said.

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