The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports claiming that some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party are mounting pressure on him to contest the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, described the claim as “another lie from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country.”

Olayinka said the report, circulated by an online platform was a failed attempt to drag Wike into unnecessary controversy.

“Report circulated by an online platform that is notorious for falsehood and blackmail that a meeting was held by some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to “push” the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to run for President in 2027, has been described as “another lie from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country,” the statement said.

Olayinka maintained that “as far as Wike is concerned, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031.”

He said, “Wike does not function in hiding. He does what he says and says what he does. It is shameful that the ‘pull-Wike-down’ elements could not reason beyond such kindergarten tactics. It is clear that they need better brains to think for them.”

“The Minister has made it clear where he stands as long as the 2027 presidential election is concerned — he is with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Clarifying the report of a supposed PDP meeting, Olayinka explained that the only meeting held on August 20, 2025, was one involving PDP stakeholders from the southern part of the country.

“ The only meeting that took place on August 20, 2025, was that of PDP stakeholders from Southern part of Nigeria, and the purpose was the meeting scheduled for Lagos on August 21, 2025, by some elements to rubberstamp a decision to micro-zone party positions zoned to the South,” the statement noted.

According to him, the outcome of the meeting was publicly released in a statement titled ‘Re: Purported Meeting Of PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,’ signed by several PDP leaders from the South-East and South-South, including state party chairmen, lawmakers and former officials.

“Outcome of the meeting was made public via a press statement titled; ‘Re: Purported Meeting Of PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,’ signed by State Party Chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Barr. Venatuis Ikem, Rt. Hon Aniekan Akpan and Aaron Chukwuemeka respectively, as well as the National Vice Chairman (South-East), Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon O. K. Chinda.

“Others who signed the press statement were Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, Mike Ama Nnachi, former National Secretary, Rt. Hon. Onwe S. Onwe, Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, former Ebonyi State Legal Adviser, Barr. Mudi Erhenede and others. Obviously, the above names were picked from the press statement published in all major newspapers and aired on national television stations to advance the latest mischief.”

“We know their intention though. But unfortunately for them, and the platform they are using to propagate their idle plots, the person and character of the FCT Minister is known to everyone — he does not do anything in hiding.”

He stressed that Wike remains committed to President Tinubu’s political and development agenda, saying, “He has said it clearly that from now till 2031, it is on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he will stand.

“To ensure the success of the President’s re-election, Wike will continue to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT by actualising the visions of the President for a federal capital city that can compete with other capital cities in the world in terms of infrastructural development,” Olayinka added.

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The African Democratic Congress says it is setting out to “redesign governance” in Nigeria by ending the culture of godfatherism, budget padding, and patronage-driven politics, pledging a new model built on transparency, innovation, and citizen participation.

Budget padding is a situation in which a budget is made bigger than the original estimates through an increase in the value of items or the introduction of new items into the budget.

Some civic groups in June condemned the National Assembly for allegedly inserting projects worth N10.96tn into the national budgets between 2021 and 2025.

In a Friday statement titled “No Godfathers, No Budget Padding: How ADC Plans to Redesign Governance,” the party said Nigerian politics has “for too long revolved around personalities rather than principles, and power has been used for patronage rather than progress.”

The statement was shared on the official account of the ADC coalition mobilisation wing, ADC Vanguard on X.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) stands to change that narrative, not by making vague promises but by introducing a complete redesign of how governance should work in a modern democracy,” the statement read.

The ADC said its vision “begins with one simple but radical idea: government must serve citizens, not politicians.”

“That means every project, every policy, and every kobo spent must be judged by its direct impact on the people, not by how much it enriches those in power,” it said.

Under an ADC-led government, the party promised that “a minimum of 70% of all budgeted projects will be mandated to directly benefit local communities, rather than disappearing into bureaucratic bottlenecks or inflated contracts.”

The party said it intends to make governance “measurable, transparent, and accountable,” adding that “every naira spent by the government will be traceable through an open digital ledger, accessible to citizens in real time.”

“With blockchain-backed systems, Nigerians will be able to see where public funds go from federal ministries to the smallest local projects,” the statement continued.

Calling transparency “the foundation of a new social contract between government and citizens,” the ADC said it would harness the potential of Nigerian youth by involving them directly in governance and accountability processes.

“We will harness Nigeria’s youth, our greatest natural resource, by channeling their creativity, digital skills, and entrepreneurial drive into the governance process.

“Young Nigerians will not only be employed by the government but empowered to audit it,” the statement said.

Through “public dashboards, community-driven data verification, and citizen participation platforms,” the ADC said governance would become “an open system where the people are both the beneficiaries and the watchdogs.”

Rejecting what it described as “the old order that thrives on secrecy and selective empowerment,” the party said its model would “embrace collaboration, performance, and service delivery.”

“Ministries and agencies will operate like value-driven enterprises, focused on measurable results rather than political favors,” the party added.

Ministers, it said, would be “appraised quarterly, not by their loyalty to party leaders but by their impact on lives, infrastructure, and social indicators.”

“This is governance redesigned: a model where public service becomes a performance contract, not a reward for political allegiance. A system where competence replaces connections, merit overtakes mediocrity, and transparency replaces corruption,” the ADC declared.

According to the statement, the party is not offering “another round of empty promises” but “a system that works.”

“The ADC is not coming to join the old game; we are coming to change the rules entirely.

“We believe government should function like a well-run business, but one where the citizens are the shareholders and the dividends are better roads, safer communities, quality education, affordable healthcare, and jobs,” it said.

The party concluded that its vision represents “a movement for responsible governance, where innovation meets integrity, and leadership is redefined as service.”

“The ADC is not asking Nigerians to dream of change. We are building it, one transparent policy at a time,” the statement concluded.

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The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, has completed a two-day visit to Anambra State, meeting with political and security leaders to discuss preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

The visit comes just weeks before the election, scheduled for 8 November.

During his stay, Montgomery held talks with Governor Charles Soludo, gubernatorial candidates, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the state Commissioner of Police, and representatives from civil society organizations.

According to a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja on Thursday, the discussions centered around the technical and logistical preparations needed to ensure a smooth election.

Among the key topics were securing the 5,720 polling units across Anambra, addressing voter turnout concerns, and managing the security situation across the state’s 21 local government areas, the statement noted.

Speaking at the end of his visit, Montgomery emphasized the importance of a transparent and peaceful electoral process.

“Our focus is solely on the electoral process itself – that it should be transparent, peaceful, inclusive, and enjoy the confidence of the Anambra people.

“We do not endorse any particular candidate or political party. I encourage all eligible voters to exercise their democratic rights and to engage peacefully in the election,” he said.

The High Commissioner reaffirmed the UK’s continued support for Nigeria in strengthening its democratic institutions and promoting good governance, stressing that the UK would remain a committed partner in the lead-up to the election and beyond.

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