The Ogun State Traffic and Emergency Compliance Agency has confirmed the death of ten people in a road crash which occurred on Ome bridge in bound Awa, Ijebu Ode, Obada Expressway, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state
Three other sustained various degrees of injuries in an accident involving a Mitsubishi bus with Registration number EJ829 LSR
According to the spokesman of the Ogun state Traffic outfit, Babatunde Akinbiyi, the accident was a result of wrong overtaking as the vehicle veered into the bush and plunged into the river.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing rebuttal against his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, declaring that the ex-transport minister lacks the political direction and integrity required to earn respect or claim any seniority over him.
“He [Amaechi] does not even know his left from his right politically. So, how can he claim he made me? It’s unfair,” Wike said during a guest appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The FCT minister’s comments came in direct response to Amaechi’s claims on the same programme a day earlier, where the former minister said he did not understand why Wike had shown him disrespect despite being older and having groomed him in politics.
“Let the minister of the FCT come; let’s take a walk from the airport to Port Harcourt — no police, no army, nothing, just the two of us. I don’t know why he doesn’t respect people like us; I am older. I brought him up in politics. Who is he? He’s not my age, mate,” Amaechi had said.
FILE PHOTO: FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, August 30, 2023
But Wike fired back, insisting that respect is not a product of age or position but of character.
“First of all, respect should not come because you’re older or because you were once governor. Respect should come from integrity and honour. You shouldn’t be respected just because you are 200 years old,” he said.
The former Rivers Governor dismissed the notion that Amaechi had played any pivotal role in his political rise, instead positioning himself as an early player in Rivers politics.
“He cannot claim to be my senior politically. I contested the chairmanship of one of the most important local governments in this country – Obio-Akpor – in 1998, and I won. ”
READ ALSO: [UPDATED] I don’t Know Why Wike Doesn’t Respect Me — Amaechi
Rotimi Amaechi
Wike further recalled a time when Amaechi was “struggling” to gain political relevance and needed assistance to be appointed as a lawyer to the Rivers State Government.
“When he was struggling, I was already building a structure. He wanted someone to help him be appointed a lawyer. I walked him through. The man he wrote to was loyal to me,” he claimed.
The FCT Minister also criticised Amaechi for repeatedly referring to his past roles, saying it does not guarantee current political relevance.
On the issue of corruption, Wike questioned Amaechi’s claim of not being interested in money.
A combination of file photos of Mr Rotimi Amaechi and Mr Nyesom Wike
“God gives power to whomever He chooses at the right time. What matters is how you use that power to uplift others, not how many years you’ve been around.
“When a man comes in public to say, ‘I don’t like money,’ you know that man is a big liar. Amaechi was Speaker for eight years, Governor for eight years, and Minister for eight years. Nigerians should know the kind of characters deceiving them daily,” he said.
The exchange comes as both men remain key players in Nigeria’s shifting political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition has several top politicians as members. X@ADCNig.
Amaechi, now a leading figure in a newly formed political coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), recently affirmed his commitment to power rotation, stating that he would only serve a single term if elected president.
“If I won’t do more than four years, I would say that. If I were to do more than four years, I would say I would do more than four,” Amaechi said on the show.
The ADC-led coalition also includes political bigwigs such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola.
A former Interior Minister and interim national secretary of the party, Rauf Aregbesola, has cautioned members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against insulting or attacking supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the formal launch of the party in Abuja.
Aregbesola, who returned to Lagos on Friday, posted the advice in a statement released via his social media handles.
His advice comes as the newly formed coalition plans to unseat the Tinubu administration in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The former minister thanked supporters who came to receive him at the Lagos airport, urging them not to fight, attack, or insult anyone, but to challenge APC with facts about the state of the economy.
He added that the task before them is immense.
READ ALSO: ‘I Remain In PDP,’ Adeleke Dismisses Defection Speculations
The statement read, “I sincerely thank our supporters and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who came out to receive me on my arrival in Lagos. The task before us is immense, and I reminded everyone that we do not need to fight, insult, or attack anyone.
“When others resort to abuse or name-calling, we must rise above it. Instead, ask them one simple question: Are Nigerians better off today than they were before? Challenge them with facts on food inflation, the economy, the rising cost of living, and the deepening poverty affecting millions.
Members of the Take Back Festac movement on Saturday staged a peaceful walk to create awareness of the deplorable state of roads and other amenities within the estate.
Our correspondent on the ground reported that the aggrieved residents were seen walking along major roads within the estate, calling on the local, state, and federal governments to intervene in the matter.
Chairman of the Take Back Festac, Valentine Uduebo, lamented the “most terrible” state of the roads.
“Our raods are in the most terrible state. We got to work on foot. We want the intervention of the federal government. What is the Renewed Hope agenda for? Is it for only Abuja? This estate is for the Federal Government and we wonder why it has been neglected! This place is now a safe haven for criminals, and whenvere it rained, we cant even walk on them anymore. It is terrible,” he lamented.
Valentine Uduebo, Chairman, Take Back Festac
Vice Chairman of Take Back Festac, Amuwo, Chief Williams Chima-Abuachi, also spoke with our correspondent on the deteriorating state of the estate facilities.
He also flagged the breakdown of security amenities inside the estate.
“Our demand and desires are not far-fetched. It is on the state of the poor maintenance of Festac and its environment, and the security challenges we have been facing.
“We have come to the agreement that all the persons who have chaired Festac have neglected the infrastructure which we all benefit. We are no political organisation. We are not supporting any party. Our goal is that whoever wants to govern Festac must prioritise the infrastructural development.
READ ALSO: ‘I Remain In PDP,’ Adeleke Dismisses Defection Speculations
‘Again, we have no security in Festac. Many people have left the estate because it is no longer safe. Okada riders are now the commanders in Festac, and everywhere is full of shanties.
Vice Chairman, Take Back Festac, Amuwo, Chief Williams Chima-Abuachi
“Unlike what Festac used to be- the estate has a taste. Wherever you mention Festac all over the world, people would be eager to listen to you. But today, we have lost a lot of personalities because of the poor road standards, infrastructure and poor maintenance culture here.
The Zamfara State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has extended an open invitation to Governor Dauda Lawal and other credible politicians in the state to join the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking with newsmen in Gusau on Friday, the State Chairman of ADC, Kabiru Garba, disclosed that the party had already received over 100 new members from various political parties in the last ten days, describing the defections as a major boost to the party’s strength and credibility.
“As I am speaking now, over 100 members from various political parties have so far defected to the ADC in Zamfara within the last ten days,” Garba said.
He expressed optimism that more politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would soon join the ADC fold in Zamfara, emphasising that the party is open to all who possess political integrity and a commitment to good governance.
“We are appealing to credible politicians who have a good record of political integrity to join the ADC. All we need is credibility,” he added.
Garba affirmed that the ADC leadership in the state remained solid and prepared to lead the party to victory in the upcoming election cycle. He said the party’s structure and manifesto are well-positioned to address the developmental needs of Zamfara State and Nigeria at large.
“We are ready to lead this party to success in 2027. We are capable, and our party’s manifesto is tailored toward the development of Zamfara and the nation as a whole. ”
READ ALSO: Ahmed Musa Named New Manager Of Kano Pillars
The ADC chairman described the party as a welcoming platform for all leaders who are focused on positive change.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has disbursed over ₦38 million as relief support to 28 victims affected by separate fire incidents in Minna, the state capital, in 2024.
The Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, disclosed this during the symbolic presentation of cheques to some beneficiaries at the agency’s headquarters in Minna. Others, he said, will receive their payments electronically.
Baba-Arah conveyed Governor Umaru Bago’s heartfelt sympathy to the victims and advised residents to take fire safety precautions seriously by switching off all electrical appliances when leaving homes or business premises.
The DG explained that the fire outbreaks occurred at three locations across Minna: Tunga Locust, where several shops were razed in an incident on February 9, 2024; Maitumbi, where a residential house was destroyed by fire, resulting in significant property loss; and Chanchaga, where a single victim was affected.
He added that Governor Bago has approved the disbursement of 25% of the total estimated losses to both landlords and tenants — a significant improvement from the 10-15% compensation practised in previous administrations.
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One of the beneficiaries, Mahmoud Mohammed, a landlord at Tunga Locust, expressed deep gratitude to the state government, commending the governor’s empathy and timely intervention.
Additionally, another beneficiary, Juliet Nwabuze, expressed that she was overwhelmed with joy.
“We are truly grateful to the governor. I had already lost hope, especially when I remembered how my friend lost everything to fire during the last administration and received nothing in return,” she said.
