The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that it was wrong for Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to have competed in the All Progressives Congress governorship primary.

According to him, the governor’s decision to obtain nomination forms ran contrary to the spirit of the agreement and complicated reconciliation efforts.

Wike remarked on Monday while briefing journalists after inspecting infrastructure projects in Abuja.

“I am not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form, because agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not go about a second term,” Wike said.

He added that the governor’s earlier actions “didn’t show signs of gentlemanship” despite several interventions aimed at restoring stability.

“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn and somebody has emerged,” he stated.

Wike also expressed confidence in Chinda’s political credentials, describing the lawmaker as a suitable candidate for the governorship position.

The minister added, “A good product markets itself. Everybody knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material.

“He’s quite experienced. He has worked with the Executive and is now in the Legislature. I am sure that he must have been approached by the All Progressives Congress to join them and then get the ticket.”

It is the end of the road for the Taminu  Turaki-Seyi Makinde leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party as the Supreme Court has voided the national convention it held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Nov.  15 and Nov. 16, 2025.

The Supreme Court on Thursday invalidated the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, in a major setback for a faction of the opposition party led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

In a split decision delivered by a five-member panel of the apex court, three justices held that the appeal filed by the Turaki-led faction lacked merit and affirmed the concurrent findings of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal against the conduct of the convention.

As ‘The PUNCH’ reports, Justice Stephen Adah, who delivered the lead judgment in appeal number SC/CV/164/2026, held that the appellants violated a subsisting order of the Federal High Court restraining them from proceeding with the planned convention.

The apex court consequently dismissed both the appeal and cross-appeals and ordered parties to bear their respective costs.

The court held that disobedience of the court order was not disputed.

The apex court further agreed with the findings of the lower courts that the PDP faction abused court processes by allegedly obtaining a counter-order from a court of coordinate jurisdiction in Ibadan after an earlier restraining order had been issued by the Federal High Court.

Justice Adah stated that the lower courts were right in relying on Sections 221, 222 and 229 of the 1999 Constitution to hold that political parties must comply strictly with constitutional provisions, electoral regulations and valid court orders in the conduct of conventions and internal party affairs.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed optimism that the FCT Administration will achieve 80 per cent implementation of its 2026 budget by January, 2027.

Wike, who disclosed this to journalists after inspecting some ongoing projects in Abuja on Thursday, assured that the budget implementation is feasible despite the tight timetable for the 2027 General Elections scheduled for January.

He assured residents that ongoing projects would not be slowed down by political activities, adding that planned projects would be completed before January.

“It is very feasible. The election will come but people will work and people will eat. Our focus is clear: deliver projects, improve lives, and keep Abuja moving.

“We will not stop working because the 2027 election is around the corner. I assure you that before we get to January, we must have done over 80 per cent of what we intend to do.

“So, we don’t have any problem with the 2027 elections.

He, however, explained that the FCT Administration was still working with the 2025 budget, adding the 2026 budget has not been approved yet.

“We are still working on the 2025 budget which will be extended till June ending, and by the time the National Assembly resumes on April 21, the 2026 budget will be approved.

Speaking on inspected projects, Wike said that the Airport Road to Kuje Expressway was almost completed, adding that the project would be handed over by the end of May.

He also said that the first phase of the Kuje to Gwagwalada Road had reached advanced stage and would equally be completed by the end of May.

He explained that the inspection tour was part of efforts by the FCT Administration to ensure contractors meet deadlines and deliver quality infrastructure across the territory.

The minister also dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the FCT Administration attempted to frustrate its convention by targeting the Rainbow Event Centre.

Wike said there was no interference from anybody,  stressing, “these people should just stop looking for sympathy”.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the upgrade of all second-class chiefs to first-class and third-class chiefs to second-class, in the FCT Council of Chiefs.

Wike announced the approval in Abaji on Tuesday, during his visit to the area to thank the people for supporting Tinubu’s candidates in the Feb. 21 FCT area council elections.

Wike explained that the gesture followed a request by the Ona of Abaji and Chairman, FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa.

“This gesture is because you have worked hard for it and you deserve it. All I want from you is to continue to support Mr President and you will see many good things,” he assured.

The Minister, who thanked the Ona for supporting Tinubu’s administration, asked the Council Chairman, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, to get a design for a befitting palace for the traditional leader.

He explained that he was in Abaji to thank the people for fulfilling their promise to Mr President.

“We sat down with you and made a request that you should support Tinubu and that the support should begin with the area council elections.

“The election was held on Feb. 21 and you fulfilled your promise. You came out in your numbers and gave Tinubu 133 out of the 135 polling units in the area council.

“What else can we say, but thank you. Now you have done your own, we will do our own too. Abaji people have spoken and they have spoken very well,” he said.

Earlier, Yunusa commended Wike for upgrading the status of Etsu of Kwali, Luka Nizassan III, to a First Class Chief.

“This has been part of our prayers to previous administrations.

“This decision reflects your understanding of the importance of traditional institutions in our society,” he said.

He appealed to the Minister to consider upgrading all deserving second-class chiefs to first-class and third-class chiefs to second-class chiefs.

“This will go a long way in ensuring that some of the traditional leaders that are yet to be integrated into the FCT Council of Chiefs will be integrated when upgraded to third-class chiefs.

“Also, in line with the commitment to promoting our traditional institution, I humbly request a new palace that reflects the status of the chairman of the council of chiefs.

“This will not only enhance the institution but also symbolise the rich culture and history of the FCT,” he said.

Yunusa also requested a liaison office in the city centre to facilitate better communication and collaboration between the traditional rulers and the government.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that he has a duty to ensure that any candidate not supporting President Bola Tinubu’s reelection lose the February 21 area council election.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Saturday night, during Sen. Sandy Onor’s 60th birthday, a celebration of six decades of scholarship, leadership, service and meaningful impact.

The Minister, who said he owed no one an apology for supporting Tinubu, promised to support any candidate that supports the President at all costs.

“We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on Feb. 21 and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win.

“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate that is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election, and I owe no apology on my stand,” Wike said.

Speaking on the celebrant, the Minister described him as a “credible ally, a trustworthy friend and good brother”.

According to him, Onor is not just a friendly but a reliable friend, even in times of trouble “when you know who is a friend.

“I will continue to be with you and work with you, because I know even if I am not alive today, you will not abandon my family.”

Reading the citation of the celebrant, Prof. Anthony Eyang said that Onor, born on Feb. 14, 1966 in Ikom, Cross River, was raised in an environment deeply rooted in community values, discipline and faith.

Eyang said that the journey of Onor, a Professor of History began from the lecture halls of the University of Calabar to the floor of the Nigerian Senate, and onward to Cross River politics.

“This reflects a life devoted to learning, leadership, and the advancement of society,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman planning committee, Senator Philip Aduda, said that the event was a thanksgiving of God’s faithfulness on Onor’s life both as an academic and a politician.

On his part, Mr Samuel Otom, former governor of Benue, described Onor as an “icon”, a great Nigerian, and a man who had prepared himself and fit for leadership.

Otom, who stood in for the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia State and Ambassador designate, equally described Onor as a “good man.”

Also, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) described the celebrant as a courageous and intelligent man.

“I love Sen. Sandy Onor because he is not one of those who stigmatise the constitution as a product of the military,” he said.

Prof. Dave Imbua, Head of Department of History and International Studies, University of Calabar, while presenting a Festchrift, a book written by scholars in honour of the celebrant, said Onor has remained a notable historian among academics.

The book was unveiled by Ikpeazu, on behalf of Wike and his friends, with N50 million.

In his remarks, the celebrant said he had realised in his 60th year of life that it was good to be a man of excellence and a man of character, adding that hard work always pays.

Onor, however, said that: “everything becomes insignificant if the finger of God is absent in one’s life”.

He thanked his family, friends and well-wishers for the show of love, adding that their support would not be taken for granted.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has spoken on the new truce President Bola Tinubu has struck between him and his estranged mentee, Siminalayi Fubara, who is the Rivers State Governor.

Wike thanked Tinubu for intervening for the second time in the crisis.

Wike made the remarks, while reacting to the outcome of the meeting, convened by the President to resolve the lingering dispute between members of Rivers Assembly and Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

Tinubu had on Sunday night met with Wike, Fubara and other key political actors from Rivers, to ease the protracted political crisis in Rivers.

The minister said this while speaking with newsmen after inspecting some ongoing projects in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said this would be the last time Tinubu would intervene to resolve Rivers’ crisis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Rivers Assembly had on Jan. 8, began the impeachment process on Gov. Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

The impeachment process, according to the assembly members, was due to alleged gross misconduct and unconstitutional expenditure.

“All I can tell you is that Mr President has been very kind to the people of Rivers. If there is a problem between the legislators and the governor, as a father, he really has to intervene.

“I remember this is the second time the president has intervened. I believe, by the grace of God, this will be the last time, I believe that,” he said.

Wike said that he had directed the lawmakers to do the needful and obey Mr President, saying, “I know they will not hesitate.

“I also believe that the governor will carry out his own part of the deal to make sure that this is the final time Rivers people will begin to hear this kind of discord”