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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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National Police Council Ratifies Disu’s Appointment

Disu is now expected to proceed to the senate for confirmation as the last hurdle before attaining a substantive position as the IGP.

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The National Police Council has ratified the appointment of Olatunji Disu as the acting Inspector General of Police.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu , the third National Police Council session under his administration since taking office.

Disu was nominated by the president last week following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun .

Disu is now expected to proceed to the senate for confirmation as the last hurdle before attaining a substantive position as the IGP

The National Police Council is responsible for the organisation, administration and operational oversight of the Nigeria Police Force, including the appointment and discipline of senior officers.Governors of Kwara, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Enugu and Plateau states attended the meeting, alongside the ministers of Police Affairs, the Federal Capital Territory and Interior.

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DSS Arrests Suspect Over Edo Attack on Peter Obi, Others

Stephen stated online that Obi was lucky to have escaped in Benin, and vowed that the former presidential candidate wouldn’t be that lucky next time.

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• Suspect Udeme Monday Stephen, posted on his X account @stevetom788.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man suspected of being behind the recent attempt to assassinate the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Obi, a former governor of Edo State, Chief John Oyegun, and several chieftains and members of the opposition All Democratic Congress (ADC), on February 24, escaped death by the whiskers when armed men fired several gunshots at them at their party’s meeting in Benin.

Shortly after the attack, one Udeme Monday Stephen, posted on his X account @stevetom788.

He claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened further attacks on Obi.

Stephen stated online that Obi was lucky to have escaped in Benin, and vowed that the former presidential candidate wouldn’t be that lucky next time.

“We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State, but he mistook our resolve for his Obidiots online noise. Thank his stars he (Obi) survived this one…

“I learned that he’s going to my Rivers State… Na my men go handle that one and dem no dey miss target… Speak no peace to a bastard and wish him no long life, for he’s destined to die,” posted Udeme.

A top security source disclosed that, no sooner had Stephen issued the threat than DSS operatives began covert investigation, deploying forensic analysis to track and arrest him.

The source disclosed that the suspect is 26 year old called Udeme Monday Stephen, and teaches at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Rivers State, at Umuehere Community, in Obio-Akpor LGA of the state.

“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect,” the source stressed”

You know that, as a responsible security organisation saddled with the task of counter-espionage, VIP protection, among other asset protection duties, the DSS is always alive to its responsibility of investigating credible intelligence, irrespective of tribe or religion.

“They swiftly deployed operatives and the man who threatened Peter Obi was nabbed and is in custody,” the source declared, adding that Stephen would soon be charged to court.

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Chaos at Lagos Airport tollgate as cashless policy commences

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The implementation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) new cashless payment policy at airport access gates sparked significant chaos and gridlock at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) tollgate in Lagos on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Motorists and passengers faced long delays, with vehicles backing up at the toll lanes as many drivers attempted to register for the required prepaid “Go Cashless” cards on the spot.

The policy, which took full effect nationwide on March 1, 2026, prohibits cash payments at airport toll gates, car parks, executive lounges, and other revenue points, mandating the use of contactless prepaid cards issued by FAAN.

The sudden enforcement caught numerous users unprepared, despite prior announcements and publicity campaigns urging early registration at designated FAAN offices or points near entrances.

Reports described heated exchanges between drivers and toll officials, failed electronic transactions, and confusion over the new system, leading to some passengers missing flights and widespread frustration.

FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, confirmed that no cash payments were accepted on the first day, attributing the congestion to on-site registrations. He emphasized that the initiative aims to eliminate revenue leakages, enhance transparency, and align with the Federal Government’s push for a cashless economy, in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria.In response to the disruptions,

FAAN issued an appeal for patience and cooperation from motorists and airport users. The authority noted it had deployed additional personnel to the gates and increased registration points to speed up processing for first-time users.

Officials acknowledged the initial adjustment challenges as typical for such a major transition but assured that operations would stabilize over time.Similar gridlock was reported at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, highlighting nationwide implementation hiccups on day one.

FAAN reiterated that prepaid cards enable faster, safer, and more convenient transactions moving forward, with provisions made for easy access and activation.

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