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Wike Is Showing Gangsterism, Animism And Illegalism’ – Bala Mohammed
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has declared that the political standoff within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached its tipping point, insisting that the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, “has no legal backing” to operate within the party’s structures.
Speaking to Arise News on Tuesday from the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, Mohammed said the crisis rocking the opposition party was now favourably tilted against the Wike group.
Naija News had earlier reported that the PDP secretariat in Wadata Plaza became the centre of intense rivalry on Tuesday as two factions attempted to assert dominance.
On one side were Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, alongside the newly elected National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, and other leaders emerging from the Oyo State national convention held over the weekend.
On the other side stood the Wike-backed bloc, led by Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary who insists that his tenure remains valid until December 8, 2025.
The Wike camp has refused to recognise the outcome of the Ibadan convention, describing it as illegitimate.
Tensions escalated earlier on Tuesday when Governor Makinde arrived at the party headquarters with Arapaja and other party stakeholders. Their presence was seen as a symbolic assertion of control by the newly elected leadership.
Meanwhile, Wike continued to align with Anyanwu, who maintains that no new secretary has been validly elected.
Security at the secretariat was heightened as both factions attempted to gain access to meeting halls, forcing police officers to intervene and prevent clashes.
Governor Mohammed maintained that the Oyo convention, which produced the new National Working Committee, had the full backing of the party’s highest decision-making organs. He said the Wike-backed faction lacked the legitimacy to challenge the outcome.
He said, “We don’t believe there is any BoT because that is an illegality. I think the media should also educate and inculcate a sense of orderliness in the political space, so that people will know precisely what you believe in, because the shenanigans the perception should be positive.
“We had a convention where some people were expelled, and then, of course, even INEC does not recognise them, and they are being backed by the police to come and do a charade BoT meeting.
“BoT is constituted by the NWC. They don’t have NWC, and they don’t have a constitution. Our constitution says it all; if I’m expelled, I’m expelled, and it is not me or Seyi Makinde or any person; it is the convention of over 20 states of the Federation. The showdown you are seeing is a showdown between good and bad.”
Reminded that the Wike group does not believe in the outcome of the convention, and that Anyanwu has vowed to serve out his tenure as the party’s secretary, Mohammed added, “The Convention has already dissolved his own time so the convention can obstruct any NWC anywhere.”
Asked if the new chairman, Turaki, is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, he said, “Yes, he is. He’s recognised by INEC because it’s a legal issue.”
He said the speculation that INEC does not recognise the new chairman “is a creation of one man called Wike who thinks that he can continue to pollute the political space by showing gangsterism, animism and illegalism, and by so doing, he is not helping even the present administration.
“All the governors are here, all the senators, all the members of the House of Representatives. Why is the media backing them, as if they have something in common with us?
The police should know that this is not a faction. It is just a splinter group that wants to battle and destroy PDP, destroy the opposition, and by doing so, destroy democracy in Nigeria… because they are illiterate. They are driven by arrogance, illiteracy, and impunity by impulse.
“So, after the convention, we have already sent all the reports to INEC, and INEC is not obliged or forced to attend any convention or any political party. Have you ever seen APC doing any conventions? Did you ask them? But they have leaders, and they are recognised by INEC. Why must we be the only people that you assess?”
He further stated, “The Constitution does not force INEC to be there, but we must give them notice. We gave them notice, and they accepted and acknowledged. We have the acknowledgement that they got the notice if they decide not to come, that is their own free volition, but certainly we have documents that we have notified them duly, and they accepted.
“So, the convention is legal, because all the court orders have been set aside by the courts, because we have already made a plea, and it has been put aside. So people should know the process of our legal system.”
On where he sees the crisis ending, should the Wike group refuse to back down, he said, “They are just being supported by the police, and you, the media, too. You don’t tell them the truth, but they should know that it has come to an end. That’s the end of hooliganism.
“They should go and leave us alone. Must we be with them, this man? Why is he working? Is he not working with APC? Why didn’t you ask him? Why is it moral for him to say that he will be in the APC to destroy us? Is it moral for him to say that? Is it normal that he’s working for somebody, and he said, “We will not produce somebody?”
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, as well as a one-off welfare support of N10,000 in November 2026.
Speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Friday, during the presentation of a merit award by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and an endorsement of his second-term bid, Eno said pensioners deserved to rest well after their meritorious service to the state.
Eno said he was particularly impressed by the pensioners’ sense of gratitude and assured them that the state government, under his leadership, would continue to prioritise the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
He said, “This is indeed humbling to me. It shows that you are truly technocrats with a laudable sense of organisation. You may be retired but not tired. I celebrate and appreciate you greatly.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare.”
He urged them to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, which he said was free for people aged 65 and above, to enable them to enjoy quality healthcare.
Eno recalled that he had promised to clear the backlog of gratuities, adding that N100bn had so far been paid from the accumulated N111bn owed since 2012. He assured the pensioners that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for making funds available to states, saying this had enabled him to fulfil his promise to clear the gratuity arrears.
Eno called on the pensioners to vote massively for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, saying this would ensure the continued availability of funds for the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, as well as other welfare packages.
He also urged pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to vote for the re-election of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his compassion and care for pensioners in the state.
Abumisi also praised Eno’s leadership and development efforts and urged pensioners across the state to support his second-term bid in 2027.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, thanked Eno for his leadership, saying his commitment to the welfare of elderly people and retired public servants was heartwarming.
“Governor Umo Eno is a true leader with the heart for humanity who deserves prayers and support from the people. I urge pensioners to support his administration,” he said.
The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, paving the way for the constitutional amendment bill to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
According to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the 28 approvals exceed the two-thirds majority required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which translates to 24 states. The National Assembly can therefore proceed with the next stage of the process towards presidential assent.
The bill was forwarded to the 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with October 15 initially set as the deadline for them to communicate their decisions. Ogunlana, however, said his office would continue to receive and verify reports from the assemblies ahead of the bill’s transmission to Tinubu.
The 28 states that have approved the proposed establishment of state police are listed below:
Adamawa
Delta
Edo
Kwara
Nasarawa
Ogun
Osun
Oyo
Plateau
Rivers
Taraba
Zamfara
Enugu
Anambra
Imo
Ekiti
Kebbi
Akwa Ibom
Bayelsa
Benue
Cross River
Abia
Yobe
Kaduna
Lagos
Kano
Sokoto
Ebonyi
A new political prediction has emerged ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a state-by-state electoral map showing the states former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are projected to win.
The prediction, published by Statecraft, outlines the expected performance of the three major political figures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the prediction, Tinubu is projected to win 15 states and the FCT, Atiku is expected to secure nine states, while Obi is tipped to emerge victorious in 12 states.
The map, which uses orange, blue and white colours to distinguish the three presidential contenders, provides a breakdown of the states each candidate is projected to win.
States Tinubu Is Projected to Win
According to the prediction, Tinubu is expected to win.
The FCT is also included in Tinubu’s projected victories.
States Atiku Abubakar Is Projected to Win
The former vice president is projected to win nine states.
States Peter Obi Is Projected to Win
Meanwhile, Obi is projected to secure 12 states.
The breakdown suggests a competitive presidential contest, with the three political figures projected to command support across different regions of the country.
Interestingly, the prediction places Tinubu ahead with 15 states and the FCT, followed by Obi with 12 states and Atiku with nine states.
However, it is important to note that the map represents Statecraft’s political prediction and not an official election result, an opinion poll or a declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The actual outcome of the 2027 presidential election will be determined by voters when Nigerians head to the polls.
The prediction has also raised questions about the possible political realignments, regional voting patterns and factors that could shape the contest in 2027.
JUST IN: Nigerian Gov Approves 13th-Month Bonus
Full List: 28 States That Approved State Police
