Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has revealed details of the conversation when his estranged political godson, Siminalayi Fubara, came to beg for reconciliation.

Wike had confirmed that the suspended governor visited him to plead for peace alongside two governors from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

At a media briefing on Monday, Wike said he told the embattled governor that he (Fubara) does not have the capacity to make peace.

According to the minister, the governor cannot be making moves for peace while his supporters are doing otherwise.

“I told him (Fubara) I don’t think you have the capacity to really make this peace. It’s not easy; if you’re making peace, your people are demonstrating every day.

“If you are making peace, your people are busy on television insulting people,” Wike said.

Meanwhile, Fubara had on Sunday cautioned his supporters to deviate from actions that could hinder the peace he is pursuing.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has insisted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, cannot give their presidential ticket to the North ahead of the 2027 election.

Wike stated this during a media chat on Monday.

His comments appeared to be directed to PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar.

Wike said: “PDP cannot give the presidential ticket to the North (in 2027).

“Selfishness can kill a system.

“For example, if Mr President runs and wins in 2027, by 2031 APC will send their presidential ticket to the North.

“PDP will do what then? You will come back then and say since APC is sending it to the North, we should follow them and give it to the North?”

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has responded to Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), over his recent comments that the “labour of our heroes past is all in vain’.

Akpabio advised Obi to first resolve the internal issues in his “Labour party” before aiming for the presidency of Nigeria.

Akpabio’s remarks came on Thursday during the valedictory session in honor of the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

He stated that if Obi cannot address the ongoing crisis within the Labour Party, he lacks the moral authority to govern a larger, more complex country like Nigeria.

What Peter Obi said
Obi, in his tribute on Wednesday during the memorial lecture and day of tribute for Chief Clark in Abuja, had praised “Clark’s life of courage, sacrifice, and value”.

He also expressed concern about the current state of Nigeria, stating that the sacrifices of past leaders such as General Gowon and former President Jonathan were in vain.

Obi pointed out the absence of protests in response to the recent fuel price hikes, contrasting this with the widespread protests during Jonathan’s time over similar issues.

He also criticized the Nigerian government, claiming that there is no democracy and lamenting the accusation that his criticism of the government amounted to “demonizing” the country.

Akpabio’s response
In response, Akpabio remarked: “If you cannot resolve the crisis in your Labour Party, how can you solve the crisis of Boko Haram or other major national issues?

“I urge those aspiring to lead Nigeria to first address the issues within their own parties.”

He also took the opportunity to highlight his achievements as a former governor.

He said: “I can proudly speak about the dualized thoroughfares in my city, the international hospitals, and the digitalized governor’s offices.

“I also initiated free and compulsory education and worked towards religious unity by sponsoring over 5,800 Muslims and over 12,000 to 15,000 Christians on pilgrimages to Rome and Jerusalem.”

Akpabio concluded by saying that while social media can be a tool for communication, it is largely unregulated and often used to sow division.

He urged Obi and other presidential aspirants to first resolve their party issues before focusing on the national stage.