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Why Governor Diri’s Resignation From PDP Is Very Embarrassing – Wike

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has described the resignation of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as very embarrassing.

Recall that Diri resigned from the PDP on October 15, but his next political move remains uncertain amid speculation that the Governor might join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Diri was chairing the PDP zoning committee for the elective national convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16, when he quit the party.

Speaking during a media chat on Friday in Abuja, Wike said Diri’s decision to leave the PDP was disappointing.

He said, “It is very embarrassing. The governor was the chairman of the convention committee. Diri was the chairman of the zoning committee. Even though I knew from the beginning that they were all playing games.”

Meanwhile, sources have claimed that Governor Diri is set to join the APC.

According to Punch, Diri, who defected from the PDP, is delaying his planned defection to the ruling APC as internal negotiations among key party leaders, including former Governor Timipre Sylva and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri, continue over control of the party structure in the state.

The development has heightened political tension in Bayelsa, with the PDP insisting that Diri’s exit amounts to a betrayal of the mandate on which he was elected.

However, top APC chieftains have hinted that his defection to the ruling party may be formalised as early as next week.

Although no official date has been fixed, APC leaders confirmed that discussions with Diri were “well advanced,” dispelling speculations that opposition from party strongmen in Bayelsa, including Sylva and Lokpobiri, might frustrate the move.

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Why I Rejected The Idea To Make El-Rufai My Successor – Obasanjo

Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria, has disclosed that he once turned down a suggestion to back former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor when his presidency ended in 2007.

Obasanjo, on Friday, said he rejected the idea because he believed El-Rufai was not yet mature enough to handle the responsibilities of leading the country.

El-Rufai, who served under Obasanjo’s administration first as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was among the prominent figures in his cabinet between 1999 and 2007.

Speaking during the second edition of the Ajibosin Platform Annual Symposium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo disclosed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, recommended El-Rufai as his potential successor.

Chidoka, who was the keynote speaker at the event, earlier recounted how El-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at the age of 34 — an encounter that eventually led to his appointment as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Interrupting Chidoka’s presentation, Obasanjo reminded the audience of a detail he had left out.

“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said, turning to Chidoka.

Facing him directly, the former president asked jokingly, “No be so (Is that not true)?” to which Chidoka nodded in agreement.

Obasanjo said he turned down the suggestion because El-Rufai needed more time to grow politically and personally.

“I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needs to mature. You remember? 

“When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature,’”Obasanjo recalled.

He went on to commend Chidoka, El-Rufai, and other members of his former team, describing them as individuals with “special attributes” that contributed to his administration’s achievements.

Speaking on leadership, Obasanjo stressed that character, exposure, experience, and training are essential qualities for those in public service.

“It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is an apprenticeship. But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough,” he said.

Delivering his keynote address, Chidoka said Nigeria’s persistent problems were not due to a lack of ideas but to a failure to build enduring systems and institutions.

“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind.

“Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.

“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” Chidoka said.

He called for accountability mechanisms that measure leadership by results rather than rhetoric.

“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” he added.

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Over 50 Generals To Retire As Tinubu Sacks Service Chiefs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday carried out a major shake-up in the military hierarchy, dismissing the service chiefs and appointing new officers to take their place.

A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the action was part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.

The President named former Army Chief, General Olufemi Oluyede, as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.

Others appointed are:

Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff

Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff

Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retained his position.

It is understood that the development is expected to spark mass retirements within the military hierarchy. By tradition, senior officers who are contemporaries of the outgoing service chiefs are likely to proceed on retirement.

The newly appointed service chiefs are from Course 40 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), replacing their predecessors from Course 39, including General Oluyede.

Under military convention, officers from senior courses cannot serve under their juniors. This means generals from Course 39 and some from Course 40 will have to retire to pave the way for the new leadership.

According to Leadership Weekend, members of Course 39 still occupy key roles such as Principal Staff Officers at Service Headquarters and Commanders of tri-service institutes.

Military sources who spoke with the platform disclosed that more than 50 senior officers are likely to voluntarily leave service following the appointments.

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Tell Nigerians Real Reasons For Sacking Service Chiefs – ADC To Tinubu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide Nigerians with a clear and transparent explanation for what it described as the “sudden and unexpected reshuffling” of the country’s military leadership.

The opposition party’s demand follows the President’s recent sack of most of the Service Chiefs he appointed nearly two years ago.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that the reshuffle came soon after widespread rumours of an attempted coup.

Abdullahi said although the President has the constitutional right to make changes in the military hierarchy, the timing of this decision raises serious questions. He added that the government’s reaction to the coup rumours lacked clarity and created confusion among Nigerians.

According to the ADC, many of the dismissed officers had barely served three years in office, with the now-removed Chief of Defence Staff only promoted last year. The party warned that such a sweeping change could unsettle the military and threaten internal stability.

The statement further stressed that the government owes the public a full and transparent account of what truly prompted the decision. It accused the Tinubu administration of being distracted from critical national security challenges, pointing out that insurgency and banditry continue to spread across the country.

The ADC said the wholesale replacement of military heads could fuel more suspicion and conspiracy theories among citizens. It therefore called on the government to act transparently and assure the public that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable and secure.

“As an opposition party, our concern is the peace and stability of Nigeria,” the ADC said, warning that the situation in neighbouring Chad and other Sahel countries should serve as a reminder of the dangers of political distraction in times of insecurity.

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Aliko Dangote Becomes First African To Hit $30 Billion Net Worth

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has seen his net worth soar to $30 billion as of October 23, 2025, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.

This milestone reflects a $2.16 billion year-to-date increase in his fortune, with a recent $430 million valuation gain contributing to the surge.

Just days earlier, Dangote’s net worth stood at $29.8 billion; only $200 million shy of the mark.

The impressive rise aligns with the expansion of his industrial empire, particularly the completion of a $160 million cement plant in Attingué, about 30 km north of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The 50-hectare facility boasts an annual capacity of three million metric tonnes, making it one of Dangote Cement’s largest sites outside Nigeria.

With the new plant, the company’s total installed capacity across Africa now stands at approximately 55 million tonnes per year, spread across 11 countries.

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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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