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2027: Jonathan Has Not Told Me He Wants To Run For President  —  Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that former President Goodluck Jonathan has not informed him of any intention to run in the 2027 presidential election.

Wike made the remark during a media parley with journalists in Abuja on Friday, while responding to questions about speculations that Jonathan was being pressured to return to the presidential race.

“You’re the one telling me here. Jonathan has never told me; he has never called me one day that, look, I’m being pressured to run, what’s your thinking? If he calls me and asks me, I will be able to tell him my mind and what I feel,” Wike said.

He added, “I will not because you people put something on the pages of the newspapers — just like you said they flew me out of the country — then, I now assume it’s correct.”

On the emergence of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike distanced himself from the development, saying he knows nothing about it.

“I don’t know about Tanimu Turaki becoming chairman; maybe he becomes chairman for another faction — it’s not the PDP I know,” he stated.

The PDP Northern stakeholders had recently endorsed Turaki as their consensus candidate ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Speaking further, Wike dismissed the upcoming convention as illegal, hinting that he would not attend.

“How do you want me to attend a convention that I know by law that there is no convention?” he queried.

Meanwhile, former President Jonathan is reportedly under intense pressure to drop his speculated 2027 presidential ambition and support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Vanguard reports that the pressure is being spearheaded by influential Niger Delta figures, including ex-militant leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

Some of Jonathan’s kinsmen in the Niger Delta are also said to have urged him to shelve any plans to return to power and instead back Tinubu’s second-term bid.

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President Tinubu Sacks Service Chiefs

President Bola Tinubu has announced the sack of some service chiefs.
He made the announcement on Friday and also approved the appointment of their replacements.
Tinubu through his media aide, Sunday Dare had earlier named Olufemi Oluyede as the new chief of defence staff, replacing Christopher Musa.
Announcing the sack and appointment of other service chiefs, Tinubu said Major-General W. has now been appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff.
Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.
The development followed the government’s efforts to strengthen the national security architecture.
The statement said the president “expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.
 
“The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria”.
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Dollar Exchanges For N1,515 at Black Market

The Naira has exchanged between N1,495 and N1,515 at the parallel (black) market on Friday, October 24.
This is as the Naira held firm at the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) fixing while continuing to trade weaker on the parallel (black) market on Friday, October 24.
At the NFEM, which operates as the Investors & Exporters window, the US dollar was quoted near ₦1,460/$1.
This rate reflected a modest intraday dip from earlier levels this week, indicating some stability in the official channel.
Meanwhile, the parallel market also known as black market, where retail cash dollars change hands—remained notably higher. Dealers in Lagos and other commercial centers quoted the greenback between ₦1,495 and ₦1,515/$1, with reports indicating some transactions were occurring at the higher limit of ₦1,515/$1. This places the street average roughly around ₦1,500/$1.
Importers and corporate bodies operating through official windows will generally see exchange rates close to the NFEM fixing, approximately ₦1,460. However, individuals buying or selling cash on the streets face the higher parallel rates, which increases the cost of remittances, travel, and dollar-priced goods for retail consumers.
The persistent spread between the NFEM fixing and the parallel market continues to reflect differences in liquidity, access to official dollar supply, and general market sentiment. Policy moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including interventions and recent monetary policy shifts, remain key influences on the official rate and market confidence. Analysts suggest continued central bank support for official windows has helped stabilize the NFEM fixing even as high cash demand keeps parallel rates elevated.
Traders and analysts will closely watch weekly FX turnover, any fresh CBN dollar interventions, and global dollar movements for cues. If official dollar supply through FMDQ/NFEM increases, the official fixing could stay stable or strengthen. Conversely, persistent high cash demand will likely keep the parallel market premium in place.
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I’ve Never Fired Any Of My Worker In 10 Years – Yinka Ayefele

Popular musician and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele has made a revelation.
According to him, he has never dismissed any of his employees since establishing Fresh 105.9 FM ten years ago.
Ayefele made this known on Wednesday during a press conference to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Fresh FM.
The music star, who owns the radio station, recounted how his journey to success began after a life-changing accident in 1997.
“I worked at Radio Nigeria, Ibadan, producing jingles. I used the money I earned to buy a Beetle car, and on my way to Abeokuta in 1997, I had a terrible accident. That incident changed my life completely,” he said.
He explained that Fresh FM started as a live-streaming project on Facebook, which became popular among fans abroad before evolving into a licensed radio station.
 
“I started live streaming on Facebook, and my fans outside Nigeria loved it. That gave me the idea to start a radio station to change the face of broadcasting,” Ayefele said.
The broadcaster also recalled how security agents once invaded his office demanding to see his broadcast licence.
 
“It took me seven years to get the licence. If other radio station owners were investigated like I was, many wouldn’t exist today,” he stated.
Speaking about his management approach, Ayefele said:
“I have never sacked anyone in the last 10 years. The only time I did something close was advising one person to resign.”
He also reflected on the 2018 incident when the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi ordered the demolition of his Music House.
 
“The demolition brought global attention. BBC and CNN called me. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise because Ajimobi later rebuilt the station,” he recalled.
Ayefele added that former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife supported him in obtaining the station’s broadcast licence.
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I Take Bold Decisions, Heaven Won’t Fall – Wike Declares

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on Thursday declared that he has the “political will” to take bold decisions as a leader.

Wike recalled taking a decision against the Nigeria Police Force, saying heaven did “not fall”.

Recounting how he stopped the police from constructing some buildings under high tension cable in Abuja, Wike said “heaven has been at rest” since he took the decision.

Wike spoke while delivering his keynote address at the 2025 Innovate Africa Conference in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Reimagining Africa’s leadership and Investment’, Wike said it’s difficult for leaders to take very difficult decisions.

He said: “I have been confronted with leadership, when a leader cannot take decisions at challenging times, then that should not be leadership.

“But leadership has been provided by taking a decision and that made this money to be available from the federal to the states. What the states do with that money is not a concern of those that leadership is given to.

“For me, giving me the responsibility as the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, I have that political will without any apologies to anybody to make sure that Abuja competes with other cities of the world.

“I have taken the decision that so many people thought why would he do this? Can he stand this?

“Three days ago, I was informed that the police was constructing houses under the high tension and the Development Control went there to say you cannot do this.

“I will go there by myself and I will not allow it to happen and I went there and I saw the high tension and I said look, ‘we must say that under my leadership this will not be allowed.’

“And I told the Development Control, bring down the buildings, heaven will not fall, heaven will be at rest. And as I speak to you, heaven is at rest. That is leadership. It does not matter who is involved. It is leadership.

“People come to us, you know that things are wrong, what you are doing is wrong. It has nothing to do with the political party you belong to.”

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EFCC Arrests 792 Suspects In Investment, Crypto Fraud Crackdown

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the arrest of 792 suspects linked to investment and cryptocurrency-related fraud.

The Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, announced this on Thursday in Abuja during a press briefing to commemorate his second anniversary in office.

Olukoyede said the syndicate included 192 foreign nationals who were arrested alongside their Nigerian counterparts and prosecuted for cyberterrorism and cryptocurrency fraud.

“Another notable arrest and prosecution was the case of 792 investment and cryptocurrency fraud suspects apprehended in a sting operation in Lagos in December 2024. The syndicate included 192 foreigners, who have since been prosecuted for cyber-terrorism and cryptocurrency fraud and deported,” he stated.

He stressed that the development sends a strong message that Nigeria will not serve as a haven for international cybercriminals.

“This development conveys the message that Nigeria will not tolerate foreigners turning it into a safe haven for cybercrimes,” he added.

According to data released by the EFCC, the agency received 19,318 petitions, carried out 29,240 investigations, filed 10,525 cases in court, and secured 7,503 convictions between October 2023 and September 2025.

Olukoyede noted that these figures reflect the commission’s intensified focus on complex financial crimes, including cyberfraud, investment scams, and money laundering.

The EFCC chairman also revealed that the Commission secured the forfeiture of 1,502 real estate assets in two years, comprising 402 in 2023, 975 in 2024, and 125 so far in 2025.

He highlighted two major forfeited properties: 753 duplex units in Lokongoma, Abuja, and Nok University, which has since been renamed Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State.

“The total forfeited real estate assets in two years is 1,502 properties, comprising 402 in 2023, 975 in 2024, and 125 so far this year. The recovered property includes two notable landmarks: the final forfeiture of 753 units of duplexes in Lokogoma, Abuja, and the forfeiture of Nok University, now Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State,“ he said.

Olukoyede further disclosed that the commission recovered ₦566.3 billion and several foreign currencies within the two years.

“Under my watch, the Commission recovered ₦566,319,820,343.40, $411,566,192.32, £71,306.25, €182,877.10, CAD $5,510.00, AUD $740.00, ¥89,859.00, ₹1,300.00, CFA 8,381,375.00, AED 70.00, SAR 310,265.00, GH₵ 225.00, R 50.00 and ₩73,000.00,” he said.

He stressed that the EFCC remains committed to combating cyber-enabled crimes and recovering stolen assets to strengthen public trust and restore integrity to Nigeria’s financial system.

Over the past three years, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in investment and cryptocurrency-related fraud, with victims losing billions of naira to online trading schemes and digital asset scams.

Many of these schemes, often disguised as legitimate investment platforms, promise unrealistic returns and leverage social media to attract unsuspecting Nigerians.

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Niger Tanker Explosion: No Nigerian Should Die Trying To Live – Peter Obi

Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has stated that no Nigerian should lose their life while struggling to survive.

Obi was reacting to a tanker explosion that claimed many lives in Niger State, in a post on his verified X handle on Wednesday.

Recall that At least 30 people allegedly lost their lives and around 40 sustained various degrees of injuries in the explosion that occurred Tuesday morning in Essan and Badeggi communities.

Obi said, “I just read the report of yet another mishap in Niger State yesterday, where no fewer than 30 people reportedly lost their lives and about 40 others sustained varying degrees of injury in a tragic tanker explosion that occurred along the Bida–Agaie Road in Katcha Local Government Area of the state.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, to the affected communities, and to the government of Niger State. It is both sad and painful that poverty continues to drive our people into situations where they must dangerously risk their lives to survive. Even more heartbreaking is that tragedies like this occur almost daily across our nation.

“The loss of Nigerian lives has become so frequent that it is often met with silence and indifference from those in authority. We cannot continue this way. I appeal once again that we, the leaders, must show greater empathy, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility.

“We must remain committed to building a nation that truly values its people—where every life is treated with dignity. These recurring tragedies should awaken us to our collective responsibility to build a Nigeria where no one has to die simply trying to live.

“May the souls of all who lost their lives rest in peace, and may their families find comfort and strength,” he wrote.

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Lagos Fire Service Reveals Cause Of Inferno At Alaba International Market

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has identified a power surge and negligence as the causes of the fire that destroyed part of the Alaba International Market.

In a statement, the agency, however, said no casualties or injuries were recorded from the incident.

It said that it received a distress call at 7:18 p.m. reporting a fire outbreak at 155 Olojo Drive, opposite Tantalizers, Alaba International Market, in the Ojo Local Government Area of the state.

The agency further explained that upon receiving the alert, the Ojo and Ijegun-Egba fire stations were immediately deployed to the scene.

It disclosed that the incident involved multiple lock-up shops of varying sizes situated within a two-storey building occupying approximately 648 square meters, within a larger market premises spanning about five hectares.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated from the topmost floor of the building shortly after electricity was restored, due to negligence on the part of some shop owners.

“Access to the affected areas proved challenging as most shops were closed for the day, necessitating forced entry to gain access and suppress the fire, a delay that contributed to the spread of the flames, which was, however, confined to the floor,” a statement partly read.

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Naira Rises To N1,495/$ In Parallel Market

The Naira strengthened in the parallel market yesterday, appreciating to ₦1,495 per dollar from ₦1,500 per dollar recorded on Monday.

But the Naira depreciated to N1,464.5 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,464.5 per dollar from N1,464 per dollar on Monday, indicating 50 kobo depreciation for the naira.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate narrowed to N35.5 per dollar from N36 per dollar on Monday.

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BREAKING: ASUU Suspends 2-Week Warning Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called off the two-week warning strike it declared last week across public universities nationwide.

ASUU made the announcement on Wednesday at a press conference held at its headquarters in Abuja.

President of ASUU, Chris Piwuna, who read a prepared speech before newsmen, explained that the development followed the intervention of the Senate and some other well-meaning Nigerians.

However, he said the National Executive Council of the union resolved to give the government a one-month window to address all contending issues.

Details shortly…

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