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‘He stopped picking my calls’ – Dele Momodu explains why he fell out with Wike
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
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has approved the creation of a dedicated New Media Office within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and appointed Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ali Giwa to lead it.
The move forms part of an ongoing restructuring of the Force’s communication apparatus. CSP Ali Giwa, a cybersecurity specialist who has served at the National Cybercrime Centre since February 2025, will head the newly established unit focused on digital and social media engagement.
This development follows the recent removal of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin as Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO). Hundeyin, who held the position for approximately six months, has been replaced by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid as the new FPRO.CSP Giwa brings significant experience in public relations to his new role.
He previously served as Assistant Force Public Relations Officer at the Annex in Obalende, Lagos (2017–2022), Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for Lagos State (2014–2017), and Public Relations Officer for the Nigeria Police Cooperative Multi-Purpose Society Limited.
The appointments and creation of the New Media Office aim to strengthen the NPF’s public communication strategy, particularly in managing online narratives, educating citizens on social media platforms, and enhancing overall media relations amid evolving security challenges.
An official statement from the Force Headquarters is expected shortly to confirm the details and outline the mandates of the new structure.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) in a strategic move to bolster the leadership cadre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The promotions, announced on Friday, March 6, 2026, followed a thorough evaluation process involving merit-based assessments, seniority considerations, service records, written examinations, and oral interviews held at the PSC’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
The newly elevated officers are:
– Zachariah Fera Achinyan, fdc (formerly AIG Zone 4, Makurdi)
– Zango Ibrahim Baba (formerly AIG Department of Logistics and Supply)
– Isyaku Mohammed (formerly AIG Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja)
– Margaret Agebe Ochalla (formerly AIG FCID Annex, Lagos)
– Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman, mni (formerly AIG Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, Abuja)
– Kenechukwu Onwuemelie (formerly AIG Zone 15, Maiduguri)
– Umar Shehu Nadada, mni (formerly AIG Zone 14, Katsina)
These elevations come on the heels of the recent confirmation of DIG Fayoade Adegoke to the substantive rank of DIG, positioning him to join the Force Management Team.
The PSC noted that the promotions are essential to address vacancies arising from the retirement of eight DIGs who previously held key strategic roles.
In a statement, PSC Chairman, retired DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu, congratulated the promoted officers and charged them to justify the trust placed in them by upholding the highest standards of professionalism.
He emphasized the importance of prioritizing national security and fostering stronger collaboration with the Commission to advance ongoing reforms and development within the NPF.
The development is seen as part of broader efforts to refresh senior leadership in the force amid recent retirements, including that of prominent DIG Frank Mba and others, ensuring continuity and strengthened operational capacity.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the postings of 31 career and 34 non-career ambassadors to various countries and the United Nations.
The Senate confirmed the ambassadors-designate last December.
POSTINGS OF NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS
S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED
1. SENATOR GRACE BENT: LOME-TOGO
2. SEN. ITA ENANG: SOUTH AFRICA
3. IKPEAZU VICTOR: SPAIN
4. NKECHI LINDA UFOCHUKWU: TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL
5. MAHMUD YAKUBU: QATAR
6. PAUL OGA ADIKWU: THE VATICAN CITY HOLY SEE
7. VICE ADMIRAL IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS: THE PHILIPPINES
8. MR. RENO OMOKRI: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
9. HON. (ENGR.) ABASI BRAIMAH (FMHR): BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
10. MRS. ERELU ANGELA ADEBAYO: PORTUGAL
11. BARR. OLUMILUA OLUWAYIMIKA AYOTUNWA: TOKYO, JAPAN
12. RT. HON. UGWUANYI IFEANYI LAWRENCE: ATHENS, GREECE
13. BARR. CHIOMA PRISCILLA OHAKIM: WARSAW, POLAND
14. AMINU DALHATU: UNITED KINGDOM, UK
15. LT. GEN ABDULRAHMAN BELLO DAMBAZAU: BEIJING, CHINA
16. HON. TASIU MUSA MAIGARI: GAMBIA
17. OLUFEMI PEDRO: AUSTRALIA
18. BARR. MUHAMMED UBANDOMA ALIYU: ARGENTINA
19. LATEEF KAYODE ARE: USA
20. AMB. JOSEPH SOLA IJI: RUSSIA
21. SEN. JIMOH IBRAHIM: UN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
22. FEMI FANI KAYODE: GERMANY
23. PROF. ISAAK FOLORUNSO ADEWOLE: OTTAWA, CANADA
24. AJIMOBI FATIMA FLORENCE (F): AUSTRIA
25. MRS. LOLA AKANDE (F): SWEDEN
26. AYODELE OKE: FRANCE
27. YAKUBU N. GAMBO: SAUDI ARABIA
28. SENATOR PROF. NORA LADI DADUUT: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
29. BARR. ONUEZE CHUKWUJIKA JOE OKOCHA SAN: DUBLIN
30. DR. KULU HARUNA ABUBAKAR: TUNIS, TUNISIA
31. RT. HON. JERRY SAMUEL MANWE: PORT OF SPAIN.
T&T POSTINGS OF CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS LIST
S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED
1. AMB. NWABIOLA EZENWA CHUKWUMEKA: COTE D’IV/OIRE
2. BESTO MAIMUNA IBRAHIM: NIAMEY-NIGER
3. MONICA OKWUCHUKWU ENEBECHI: SAO TOME, STP
4. AMB. MOHAMMED MAHMUD LELE: ALGIERS-ALGERIA
5. ENDONI SYNDOPH PAEBI: OUAGADOUGOU-BURKINA FASO
6. AHMED MOHAMMED MONGUNO: CAIRO EGYPT
7. AMB.JANE ADAMS (NEE OKON) MICHAEL (F): KINGSTON-JAMAICA
8. AMB. CLARK-OMERU ALEXANDRA (F): LUSAKA-ZAMBIA
9. CHIMA GEOGGREY LIOMA DAVID: BAMAKO-MALI
10. AMB. ODUMAH YVONNE EHINOSEN: MALABO –E/GUINEA
11. AMB WASA SEGUN IGE: BEIRUT, LEBANON
12. RUBEN ABIMBOLA SAMUEL (F): ROME, ITALY
13. AMB.ONAGA OGECHUKWU KINGSLEY: MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
14. AMB.MAGAJI UMAR: KINSASHA, DR CONGO
15. AMB.MUHAMMAD SAIDU DAHIRU: NEW DELHI-INDIA
16. AMB. ABDUSSALAM HABU ZAYYAD: DAKAR-SENEGAL
17. AMB SHEHU ILU BARDE: ACCRA GHANA
18. AMB.AMINU NASIR: ETHIOPIA
19. ABUBAKAR MUSA MUSA: N’DJAMENA, CHAD
20. AMB. HAIDARA MOHAMMED IDRIS: THE HAGUE-NETHERLANDS
21. AMB.BAKO ADAMU UMAR: RABAT-MOROCCO
22. AMB. SULU GAMBARI OLATUNJI AHMED: MALAYSIA
23. AMB.ROMATA MOHAMMED OMOBOLANLE (F): TANZANIA
24. AMB. SHAGA JOHN SHAMAH: BOTSWANA
25. SALAU, HAMZA MOHAMMED: TEHRAN, IRAN
26. AMB.IBRAHIM DANLAMI: KENYA
27. IBRAHIM ADEOLA MOPELOLA (F): COTONOU-BENIN
28. AMB.AYENI ADEBAYO EMMANUEL: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
29. AMB.AKANDE WAHAB ADEKOLA: BERNE-SWITZERLAND
30. AMB. AREWA (NEE ADEDOKUN) ESTHER (F): WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA
31. AMB.GERGADI JOSEPH JOHN: LIBREVILLE-GABON
32. AMB. LUTHER OGBOMODE AYO-KALATA (F): SIERRA LEONE
33. DANLADI YAKUBU NYAKU : KHARTOUM-SUDAN
34. BELLO DOGON-DAJI HALIRU: BANGKOK, THAILAND
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu. Similarly, France has sent the agrément for Ambassador Ayo Oke.
The Ministry has also conveyed the nominations of the other 62 designated envoys to all the countries concerned, including a request for their agreements in line with standard diplomatic practice.
President Tinubu has directed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately commence the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners.
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