News
‘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
News
I did not authorise manhandling of Obaseki, says Oba of Benin
The Benin monarch, who spoke in a statement signed by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, advised youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.
The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has said that he never authorised the manhandling of a former Managing Director of Daar Communication, Dr. Pedro Obaseki.Oba Ewuare II said he remained a father of all.
The former Daar Communication boss was, last Sunday, abducted where he was playing football by suspected thugs.
He was beaten, stripped naked and paraded through the streets of Benin City on allegation of being an ‘Oghionba’ (enemy of the Oba).
Obaseki was taken to the Oba’s Palace from where he was taken to the police station.
He was beaten, stripped naked and paraded through the streets of Benin City on allegation of being an ‘Oghionba’ (enemy of the Oba).Obaseki was taken to the Oba’s Palace from where he was taken to the police station.
But the Benin monarch, who spoke in a statement signed by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, advised youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.
In the statement, “The Benin Traditional Council use this medium to inform the general public that the unfortunate incidence in which Pedro Obaseki was manhandled was not authorized by the Oba of Benin.
And it cannot be authorized because it is not in the character of our revered monarch to do so. The Oba of Benin is a peace-loving father to all.
“The Benin Traditional Council also wish to advice our youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.
They should always respect the laws of the land in all actions and utterances and allow appropriate Security Agencies handle all matters.
“Social media users should equally endeavour to cross-check information appropriately before posting.”
News
Police arrests Kidnappers in “Love Nwantiti” with victims
During their captivity, the women reportedly pretended to reciprocate the suspects’ affections to survive, even exchanging phone numbers.
Kaduna police have arrested two suspected kidnappers who allegedly developed romantic feelings for the women they abducted.
The suspects are accused of abducting and sexually assaulting two married women.
During their captivity, the women reportedly pretended to reciprocate the suspects’ affections to survive, even exchanging phone numbers.
Acting on intelligence, police intercepted and arrested the suspects at the meeting location on Tuesday.
After being released, the women continued communication with the suspects and arranged a meeting under the pretense of a romantic encounter.
News
BREAKING: Kebbi Rice Mill Collapse , one dead, 5 trapped
The Kebbi State Government has expressed deep sympathy to the management and staff of NIA-AGRI following the partial collapse of a section of its rice mill in the state capital.

Photo: Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, who led a high-powered delegation on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the facility…
A tragedy has struck in Kebbi State as a private Rice Milks Located in Birnin Kebbi metropolis has collapsed causing the death of a staff member while five other persons were trapped under the metal wreckage of the facility.
Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Umar Tafida has visited the site, where rescue efforts are still ongoing to save the five trapped victims.
The Kebbi State Government has expressed deep sympathy to the management and staff of NIA-AGRI following the partial collapse of a section of its rice mill in the state capital.
Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, who led a high-powered delegation on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the facility on Tuesday evening, said the visit was aimed at ascertaining the extent of the damage and overseeing the emergency response.
Tragically, the delegation was informed at the site by the Project Engineer that the incident had resulted in at least one fatality.
It was further reported that five other individuals remained trapped under the rubble as of the time of the visit, with intensive rescue operations ongoing.
A combined team of the State Fire Service and Government Emergency Response workers has been engaged in continuous efforts to locate and rescue the trapped workers.
The cause of the collapse is yet to be determined.
The Deputy Governor indicated that a full investigation would be launched once the rescue phase is concluded.
The Kebbi State Government has pledged to continue supporting the rescue operation until all affected individuals are accounted for.
-
News2 days agoIndustrialist Nuel Ojei, dies at 74, Governor Oborevwori mourns
-
Politics2 days agoWike tells Fubara “Supporting Tinubu won’t earn you return ticket as governor 2027”
-
Crime2 days agoJUST IN: DSS Arrests Gang Leader, Accomplice in 2023 Murder of Prof. Ekanem Philip Ephraim
-
Business2 days agoNigerians consume 1.236 million terabytes mobile data Nov’25– NCC
-
Politics2 days agoLagos APC to begin e-registration in 20 LGAs
-
News1 day agoOperation Awatse nabs six suspected drug dealers in Lagos
-
News1 day agoEx- AGF Malami ‘s court trial begins at FHC Abuja
-
International2 days agoChina to launch digital yuan” or “e-CNY” Jan 1
