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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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BREAKING: Kano House of Assembly Commences Impeachment Process Against Deputy Governor

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The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo (also referred to as Abdulsalam Aminu Gwarzo).

The move, announced during plenary on Thursday, March 5, 2026, follows allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, breach of public trust, and financial impropriety.

These reportedly include claims of receiving kickbacks from the state’s 44 local government councils during his earlier tenure as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs between 2023 and 2024, with some reports citing sums exceeding ₦1.6 billion.

Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Dala presented and read the impeachment notice on the floor of the House, in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which governs the removal of a governor or deputy governor for gross misconduct.

The Speaker, Ismail Falgore, confirmed that the notice has been formally served on the deputy governor, granting him a two-week period to respond to the allegations before further steps are taken.

This development comes amid political tensions in the state, where the deputy governor has remained in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and has not aligned with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent move to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reports indicate he has been absent from government house activities and interactions with the governor.

The Assembly has emphasized that the process will follow constitutional procedures, and the deputy governor has the opportunity to defend himself against the charges.

BELOW ARE THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE KANO STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR:

The petition lists the following allegations:Breach of Public Trust: Abdulsalam is accused of diverting funds meant for local government administrations for personal gain. Between June 2023 and January 2024, he allegedly received kickbacks totaling ₦462 million over seven months.

Diversion of Funds and Misuse of Official Capacity: From February 2024 to July 2024, he reportedly received ₦726 million from local government councils under the guise of executing special assignments.

Abuse of Office: Abdulsalam allegedly facilitated the improper release of ₦440 million to North Med Pharmaceutical Limited, in violation of public procurement laws and state fiscal regulations.

Gross Misconduct: These actions are said to constitute gross misconduct under Section 188(2) of the Constitution, representing serious breaches of constitutional norms and ethical standards for public office holders.

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BREAKING: President Tinubu Suspends FAAN cashless Payment Policy

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President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s cashless payment policy, four days after it was introduced.

The policy, launched on the first of March by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, required electronic payments for airport access gates, parking and lounges.

However, its rollout triggered severe traffic congestion at key hubs, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, with long queues reported and some passengers missing flights.

Speaking after the Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the President had directed that the policy be halted and reviewed.

He said the ministry and FAAN would temporarily return to a hybrid arrangement allowing cash payments and the use of prepaid FAAN cards already issued.

Mr Keyamo said the President remains committed to a fully electronic revenue collection system but directed that the review should be completed quickly to restore efficiency at airport entry points.

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Tinubu Swears In Olatunji Disu as IGP, Chairs First 2026 FEC Meeting (Photos)

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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP), marking a key leadership transition in the Nigeria Police Force. The ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja, shortly before the President presided over the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of 2026.

Disu, who had been serving in an acting capacity following his appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council, took the oath of office at approximately 2:53 p.m. The swearing-in followed his unanimous endorsement as the 23rd IGP.

In his first remarks after the oath, the new IGP disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force is actively monitoring potential security implications from the escalating crisis in the Middle East. He emphasized that intelligence-led policing efforts are underway, with heightened surveillance, patrols, and deployments across the country to prevent any spillover effects or breakdown of law and order.

Disu highlighted awareness of certain groups in Nigeria that maintain allegiances or ideological ties to actors in the Middle East (often referred to in contexts as the “eastern part of the world”). He warned that developments in the region could have local repercussions and stated that the Force is engaging such groups to ensure no one takes the law into their own hands.

On the contentious issue of state policing, Disu reaffirmed that it “has come to stay” and should not be viewed as a threat to the jobs or roles of federal police officers. Instead, he described it as a collaborative partnership to bolster overall national security. To address this, he announced the inauguration of a high-ranking committee (comprising senior officers) to examine the matter from the Nigeria Police Force’s perspective, review global and local policing models, assess community needs, and guide the implementation process.

The events underscore the administration’s focus on security reforms amid regional and domestic challenges, as Tinubu’s government kicks off its 2026 agenda with renewed leadership at the helm of the police force.

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