By Wumi Tewogbade Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed insinuations following his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, stating that he does not practice “politics of enmity”.

Speaking with newsmen during a project inspection on Wednesday, Wike clarified that his interaction with the APC chairman was a matter of personal association and professional courtesy rather than a formal political meeting.

The Minister had inspected the ongoing construction of roads in Karu, Apo-Karshi and Kubwa, to ensure completion as scheduled.

Responding to questions regarding the lack of a formal briefing after the visit, the Minister maintained that he is under no obligation to disclose details of his private life or social interactions.

Wike argued that every individual has the freedom to associate with others regardless of political affiliations.

He maintained that the visit was private, questioning why such a personal act should be announced to the “whole world”.

He rejected the idea that members of different political parties, such as the APC and PDP, should avoid each other.

Wike reminded reporters of his long-standing relationship with Yilwatda, noting that both had served as colleagues when was a minister.

“We’re all colleagues before he left for the chairmanship of APC. So what I should do anytime I see him is to hide? Anytime he sees me, he should run away so people will not say something?”

He explained that the visit was a reciprocal gesture after Yilwatda had made several unsuccessful attempts to see him at his office.

Wike noted that as a busy minister, he often receives many visitors, and since the APC Chairman could not secure an appointment at the office, he opted to visit the APC chairman at his residence to hear what he had to say.

The Minister emphasized that his primary concern remained the fulfillment of his duties and the satisfaction of his “appointor”.

He stated that he remained indifferent to public perception or “what somebody on the road is thinking” as long as he is carrying out his assigned tasks dutifully.

“What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” Wike concluded, asserting that the results of his work hold more weight than political speculation.

_Mass exit over alleged imposition signals deepening cracks in umbrella party ahead of governorship race

By Felix Umande from Makurdi

The political landscape in Benue State shifted sharply on Monday as entire Peoples Democratic Party structures in Gboko Local Government Area defected en masse to the Social Democratic Party, citing frustration over the PDP’s handling of its 2027 governorship ticket.

Leading the exodus was the PDP Chairman of Mbatan Ward, Hon. Ikese Ayisa, who moved to the SDP alongside his full executive committee.

The group said the move was in solidarity with Prof. Sebastine Hon SAN, the SDP’s declared candidate for the 2027 Benue governorship election.

“We can no longer remain in a party where tickets are unilaterally and undemocratically awarded by one person without the sanctity of the vote, and other party decisions are taken without regard for the people at the grassroots,” Ayisa said during the defection ceremony.

“Our loyalty is to a candidate who understands the law, understands governance, and has shown commitment to Benue people.”

The trend extended beyond ward executives. Last week, Barr. Williams Agbatar, a former Commissioner for Industry and Cooperative, announced his resignation from the PDP in Mbayongo Ward, Vandeikya LGA. Agbatar accused the party leadership of sidelining popular sentiment by handing the governorship ticket to Chief Michael Aondoakaa SAN.

“The umbrella party has failed to listen to the voice of the people. Allocating the ticket to Chief Aondoakaa, who many consider unpopular, is a disservice to PDP members and to Benue State,” he said.

He described his exit as a protest against “imposition and disregard for internal democracy” and pledged to work with the SDP to provide a credible alternative in 2027.

Political observers say the defections could weaken the PDP’s structure in Benue North-West and other parts of the state, where Hon’s legal background and advocacy work have earned him significant following.

“This is not just about one ward,” said a political analyst who requested anonymity. “When ward executives and former commissioners move together, it tells you there’s a breakdown in trust. If the PDP does not manage this quickly, it risks losing more structures to the SDP.”

The SDP has been positioning itself as the main alternative ahead of 2027. Prof. Hon, a renowned legal practitioner and philanthropist, formally declared his aspiration earlier this year and has been consolidating support across the state.

With months to go before the 2027 polls, the early realignments suggest a fiercely contested race. For now, the SDP appears to be the immediate beneficiary of the PDP’s internal disagreements, while the umbrella party faces the challenge of managing dissent and holding its structures together.

By Our Reporter

Mahmud Sadis Buba, 30-year child-like aspirant from has Kaduna state has set his eyes on the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency to unseat the incumbent son of Prof Ango Abdullahi.

The petit aspirant has already been successfully screened to contest under the All Progressives Congress ticket with the incumbent, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi.

Buba, popularly nicknamed “Al-ajabin Zazzau” because of his physique and size has attracted widespread attention within and outside the constituency, with many political observers closely monitoring his growing influence.

The Sabon Gari Federal Constituency is one of the most politically competitive constituencies in Kaduna State. It is home to several prominent politicians, including APC North-West Deputy National Chairman, Garba Datti Babawo; former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Aminu Abdullahi Shagali; and former Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Sa’in Jama’a.

The constituency, which comprises 13 wards, hosts several federal institutions and a diverse population, making elections here highly competitive.

Buba, who resides with his parents at Layin Ambassador in Samaru, Zaria, is unmarried and relatively new to elective politics.

While some political actors initially dismissed his ambition as a mere publicity stunt, others view him as a serious contender due to his links with influential politicians at both the state and national levels.

Some supporters of the incumbent lawmaker, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, reportedly see Buba’s entry into the race as a mere drama and an attempt to make himself a celebrity in the area

But his supporters in the APC in Samaru including Mallam Ali “Go Slow,” described Buba as a grassroots mobiliser who previously served as chairman of the “Tinubu–Uba Sani Agenda 2027” support group..

“Many Nigerians were surprised by how young he looks for someone contesting for the National Assembly. Some people even describe him as one of the youngest aspirants in the race,” he said.

Ali added that Buba inherited political influence from his family background as his father is related to former Nigerian Ambassador to Senegal, Amb. Sule Buba.

Checks further revealed that the aspirant has established connections with several high-profile political figures in the country and has been seen in photographs alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other national leaders.

He reportedly gained public attention shortly after the 2023 general elections when photographs of him with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and former President Muhammadu Buhari surfaced online.

A resident of Samaru, Idris Umar, recalled that Buba distributed bags of rice to residents during the Ramadan fasting period as part of his humanitarian activities.

“Despite his physical stature, many people around here like him because of his philanthropic gestures. But defeating the incumbent lawmaker will not be easy because he is well grounded politically,” Umar said.

Political observers believe the incumbent lawmaker, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, still enjoys significant grassroots support, having won the PDP primary election while in kidnappers den and the general election in 2023 with a wide margin.

The lawmaker is also believed to benefit from the political influence of his father, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, a former governorship candidate in Kaduna State, former presidential adviser on food security, and current Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum.

However, political analysts say Buba represents a new generation of politically connected youths seeking greater participation in leadership and governance.

His recent presentation of nomination forms to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Seyi Tinubu, and other senior political figures has further fueled speculation about his growing political relevance within APC circles.

Supporters describe him as energetic and connected to ordinary people, while others view his emergence as a sign of increasing youth participation in Nigerian politics.

They say that if Buba secures the APC ticket and eventually wins the election, he could become one of the youngest members of Nigeria’s 11th National Assembly.

Reactions have continued to trail his aspiration on social media, with many describing him as a fresh face in politics.

If Buba makes it to the House of Representatives, he wont be the youngest in the current dispensation as Ibrahim Bello Mohammed who represents Birnin-Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza Federal Constituency of Kebbi State assumed office in 2023 at age 27.