The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has thrown his support behind Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s demand that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi should seek security clearance before visiting Edo State.

Governor Okpebholo previously raised concerns linking Obi’s last visit to a security lapse that allegedly led to the deaths of three individuals.

In response, Wike backed the governor’s position during the commissioning of the Edo Line transport project in Benin City on Tuesday.

Reflecting on his own experience, Wike noted: “When Peter Obi was coming to my state, he notified me, and I provided vehicles and logistics for him.”

Wike emphasized that Obi, as a former presidential candidate and a prominent political figure, warrants careful handling in terms of security when moving across states.

He stressed that any incident involving Obi would reflect directly on the host governor.

“If anything happens to Obi, they would accuse the governor that he was behind it,” he stated.

“So, the statement you (Okpebholo) made, you were quite right. You didn’t say, don’t come, all you’re saying is if you’re coming, tell me, because I’m here to protect you.”

Wike clarified that Okpebholo’s message was not a restriction but a request for cooperation to prevent potential security failures.

According to him, it was standard protocol for a governor to be informed ahead of a visit from any high-profile individual.

He also criticized what he described as political grandstanding, implying that such visits often come with unnecessary theatrics.

“People play to the gallery. This is not where a presidential candidate will be serving food. And you know this is a pretense. How long will you keep serving the food?” Wike remarked, expressing disapproval at what he saw as insincere political gestures.

This development has stirred debate, with some critics including former Labour Party spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, condemning the move as unconstitutional.

Still, Wike insists the governor’s demand is based on common-sense governance and not politics.

Azuka Okwuosa, a former gubernatorial aspirant in Anambra State, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming August 16 senatorial bye-election in Anambra South.

The primary election took place on Saturday at Anaedo Hall in Nnewi, where Okwuosa secured a decisive victory over his rival, Obinna Uzor. Okwuosa garnered 470 votes, while Uzor received 57 votes.

An additional 22 votes were voided, bringing the total number of votes cast to 549.

The primary was supervised by a seven-member electoral panel from the APC national secretariat, led by Chief Henry Ikoh.

According to him, 594 delegates from all seven local government areas in the senatorial zone participated in the process.

Chief Ikoh declared, “By the authority given to me by the acting national vice chairman of APC, I confirm that an election was held before INEC, security agents, media and delegates. The exercise was peaceful, and I hereby declare that Azuka Okwuosa won the election and has been returned.”

In his acceptance remarks, Okwuosa highlighted unity within the party and emphasized that the victory belonged to the APC as a whole, not just himself: “There is no winner, there is no loser. APC won.”

Reflecting on the bigger political challenge ahead, Okwuosa said, “The greater battle is out there, and APC as a party at the centre is poised to win the election to continue the legacy of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.”

While expressing appreciation for his emergence as the candidate, Okwuosa also shared a sense of loss due to the circumstances surrounding the bye-election.

“He was a great senator and within the period he was in the Senate, he did a lot and I see it as a challenge for me to take over from where he stopped,” he said of the late Senator Ubah.

Born on November 3, 1959, in Jos, Plateau State, Okwuosa has held various political roles, including local government chairman and commissioner.

He once contested for governor under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and had a brief stint with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 to 2003 before joining the APC, where he has remained ever since.

Okwuosa said his decision to stick with APC is rooted in his commitment to public service.

He noted that the party gives him the platform to “keep pursuing the greater good for Anambra State.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the senatorial bye-election alongside others across 12 states for Saturday, August 16, 2025.

According to INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the polls are being held to fill legislative vacancies caused by resignations, deaths, or court rulings.

Former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has spoken out strongly in defense of Peter Obi, saying any threat directed at the former Labour Party flag bearer is a collective threat to all members of the opposition.

Atiku, who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join a united opposition front under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside Obi and others made the declaration via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday.

He wrote: “Let it be known that a threat against Peter Obi or any of us is a threat against ALL of us! – AA”

His statement came amid growing outrage over comments attributed to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, which many interpreted as a warning to Obi against visiting the state without prior clearance.

The controversy followed Obi’s visit to Benin City on July 7, where he donated ₦15 million to the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences, to support ongoing infrastructure development at the institution.

Governor Okpebholo reportedly cautioned Obi not to return to the state without notifying the government, warning that there would be “consequences” for such unscheduled visits.

The comment sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the governor of making threats against a prominent national figure.

In response to the backlash, the Edo State Government later clarified the governor’s position.

A statement issued by his office read: “It is imperative to state clearly that the Governor did not issue any form of threat to Mr. Obi, but rather emphasised the need for high-profile individuals, particularly politically exposed persons, to notify and seek security clearance from the Governor before embarking on any public engagements within the State.”

The House of Representatives has approved the ₦1.48 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State, but not without making significant cuts to parts of the proposed security spending.

During Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, lawmakers adopted the findings of the Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State, chaired by Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), before passing the bill after its third reading.

One of the major revisions included a reduction of ₦35 billion, initially allocated for CCTV installations, gunboat procurement, and surveillance contracts.

Ihonvbere explained that the committee also reallocated over ₦30 billion from various security-related votes to more essential sectors.

He said, “The adjustments were necessary to ensure the prudent use of state resources.”

The restructured budget breaks down into ₦256.42 billion for personnel, ₦162.58 billion for overhead costs, and ₦1.06 trillion for capital projects, all to be executed before the end of the 2025 fiscal year, December 31.

These changes come amid previous concerns raised by the committee, including the justification of ₦24 billion earmarked for CCTV installations at the Rivers State Government House, and ₦30 billion set aside for gunboats, both of which were scrutinized during budget defense sessions.

The original proposal had been transmitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly back in May.

The move was part of an urgent strategy to stabilize governance and fast-track development efforts in the oil-rich state.

According to President Tinubu, the budget was crafted “to address development challenges in Rivers State, specifically in the areas of infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and security.”

The reallocation of security funds toward more critical sectors is seen as part of broader efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds in Rivers State.

The Enugu State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of six commissioner-nominees sent by Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that the screening took place during the House plenary on Tuesday.

The confirmed nominees are:

• Osita Okoh
• Ben Collins Ndu Jr.
• Dr. Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo
• Franklin Ogbonna
• Prof. Benedeth Okoli
• Prof. George Ugwu

While the specific portfolios of the new commissioners have not yet been made public, sources within the government suggest the appointments are part of a broader cabinet realignment.

Their confirmation comes just days after the resignation of Adaora Chukwu, the former Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment.

With the addition of the six newly confirmed commissioners, the number of cabinet members under Governor Mbah now rises to 25, marking the largest executive council in the state’s recent history.

The Benue State House of Assembly has reinstated the remaining seven lawmakers who were suspended in February 2025, officially ending a protracted disciplinary saga that had captured significant public interest.

The lawmakers reinstated include Douglas Akya (Makurdi South), Becky Orpin (Gboko East), Manger Manger (Tarka), Ezrah Nyiyongu (Ukum), Jonathan Agbidye (Katsina Ala East), and Samuel Agada.

Their return follows the earlier reinstatement of six colleagues in June, marking the full resolution of the internal conflict.

During Tuesday’s plenary, Majority Leader Comrade Saater Tiseer presented a formal request for their recall, citing the lawmakers’ expressions of regret and their commitment to maintaining decorum going forward.

The motion received widespread support from Assembly members, including Bemdoo Ipusu and Elias Audu, who both spoke in favor of reconciliation and healing.

The Speaker of the House, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, along with the Assembly leadership, was praised for his measured and forgiving approach to managing the matter.

Several members noted that the leadership’s stance helped preserve the dignity of the legislature while fostering unity.

She Made Her way Into National Assembly After Her Convoy Was Initially Stopped From Entering The Premises.

The video🎥

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has successfully entered the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Tuesday, following an earlier attempt that saw her blocked at the gates.

The senator, who is currently under a six-month suspension imposed by the Senate, had arrived at the legislative building to resume her duties, citing a court order mandating her reinstatement.

However, her return was met with resistance, as security officials at the gate stopped her convoy, denying her vehicle access into the premises.

Notably, the vehicle immediately ahead of hers carrying activist Aisha Yesufu was also barred from entering.

Refusing to back down, Senator Natasha stepped out of her black car and proceeded on foot, making her way into the National Assembly accompanied by a group of supporters.