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Wike Denies Rift With Edo Governor Okpebholo, Reaffirms Political Cooperation at Dan Orbih's Funeral

11 Oct 2026 08:58

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed suggestions of a disagreement with Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, declaring that their relationship remains strong despite reports of political differences. The former Rivers State governor insisted that both leaders continue to cooperate and would maintain their working relationship, addressing speculation about their political alignment as Nigeria's political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections. Wike made the clarification on Saturday, October 10, 2026, during the funeral Mass of the late Chief Daniel Osikheme Orbih at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ogbona, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State. Speaking in the presence of Governor Okpebholo, relatives of the deceased, religious leaders and other dignitaries, the minister rejected suggestions of a fallout between them and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining cordial relations. The minister's declaration was unequivocal. He said there was no problem between him and the governor, emphasising that they remained close, worked together and intended to continue their cooperation. His remarks directly addressed reports suggesting that their relationship had deteriorated amid wider political discussions involving prominent figures from different parties. Wike also expressed appreciation to Okpebholo for the respect and support shown to Orbih's family. He specifically thanked the governor for receiving the deceased politician's remains in Benin City and paying his last respects before the funeral ceremony in Ogbona. Reflecting on the loss, Wike described Orbih as a close friend and brother whose death had deeply affected him. He explained that seeing the casket brought home the reality that someone with whom he had shared a personal relationship was no longer alive. The minister called for prayers for the bereaved family, acknowledging that no expression of sympathy could reverse their loss. His comments shifted attention from the political speculation surrounding his relationship with Okpebholo to the purpose of the gathering. Governor Okpebholo also delivered an emotional address, urging Nigerians, particularly public officeholders, to embrace selfless service and use their positions to improve society. He said the death of Orbih demonstrated the uncertainty of human life and the importance of making meaningful contributions while opportunities remained. The governor recalled that his previous visit to the church had been for Orbih's birthday celebration. At that gathering, he had expressed the hope that they would continue celebrating together for many years. Returning to the same church for the funeral, he acknowledged the painful contrast between those expectations and the reality of the loss. Okpebholo reminded the congregation that wealth, political authority and personal achievements could not prevent death. He encouraged people in leadership positions to recognise the temporary nature of public office and prioritise actions that would benefit others. The governor also thanked Wike for standing by Orbih's family during the difficult period, publicly acknowledging the minister's relationship with the deceased and his involvement in the funeral arrangements. The funeral honoured Orbih, a prominent political figure who served as South-South National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and later chaired the Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. His political activities and relationships extended across Edo State and the wider South-South region. Orbih's involvement in party affairs placed him within political networks that included influential figures such as Wike. The funeral therefore brought together individuals whose relationships had developed through years of political activity and personal association. The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Reverend Dr Gabriel Dunia, delivered the homily, urging mourners to reflect on mortality and the responsibilities associated with their time on earth. Bishop Dunia emphasised that academic qualifications, professional titles, social standing and political influence offered no exemption from death. He encouraged the congregation to live responsibly and remain conscious of the lasting significance of their actions. His message complemented the governor's appeal for selfless leadership, placing the funeral's reflections within a wider discussion about personal conduct, public responsibility and service to others. Wike's clarification also carries political significance because of his unusual position within Nigeria's current political landscape. Although a prominent member of the PDP, he serves as FCT minister in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, which is led by the All Progressives Congress. Okpebholo, meanwhile, governs Edo State under the APC. Their cooperation has previously been demonstrated through public engagements, including development-related events organised by the Edo State Government. In February 2026, Wike visited Benin City for the commissioning of 54 pieces of construction equipment procured by the state government for its 18 local government councils. During that event, he praised Okpebholo's emphasis on grassroots development and linked the administration's activities to broader political support for President Tinubu. The equipment commissioning formed part of the governor's efforts to strengthen local government infrastructure and improve development activities in rural communities. Wike described the initiative as an indication of the administration's commitment to extending economic opportunities beyond major urban centres. His public endorsement of the programme demonstrated a working relationship between the two politicians months before the latest speculation about their differences. Wike's political position has nevertheless continued to attract attention because of his involvement in discussions concerning the 2027 elections and his support for Tinubu despite their different party affiliations. In February, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka defended Wike's right to support candidates of his choice, explaining that political participation and freedom of expression were constitutional rights available to Nigerian citizens. That statement reflected the broader political environment in which Wike's activities have been discussed, particularly as parties consider alliances, electoral strategies and relationships with influential political figures. However, the existence of wider political disagreements does not establish that Wike and Okpebholo personally fell out. The minister's latest statement directly rejects that interpretation, while the governor's public appreciation of his support provides additional context for their interaction at the funeral. Neither leader used the occasion to announce a new political agreement, electoral alliance or change in party affiliation. Their remarks focused on maintaining cooperation and honouring Orbih's memory. The gathering therefore served two purposes in public discussion: commemorating a prominent Edo political figure and providing an opportunity for Wike to address questions about his relationship with the governor. For Edo residents, cooperation between federal and state officials can have practical significance where development programmes require engagement across different levels of government. Such cooperation, however, does not necessarily imply agreement on every political issue. The funeral ended with appeals for compassion, responsible leadership and support for the bereaved family. Wike's comments established his publicly stated position that his relationship with Okpebholo remains cordial, while both men emphasised the importance of honouring their late associate. As political preparations continue towards 2027, the minister's remarks provide a direct response to speculation about their relationship. For now, both leaders have publicly demonstrated mutual respect, with Wike maintaining that their cooperation will continue and Okpebholo acknowledging his support during a period of personal loss. 📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews

UNILORIN Lecturer Says Police Arrest Over WhatsApp Post Left Him Fearing for His Life, Alleges Forced Retraction in Custody

11 Oct 2026 08:50

A University of Ilorin lecturer has recounted how his arrest over a WhatsApp message about a road construction project in Kogi State left him fearing for his life, alleging that police officers transported him across state boundaries under misleading circumstances and pressured him to withdraw his comments before granting him bail. The incident has renewed concerns about the use of criminal investigations in disputes involving public officials, government projects and citizens expressing opinions on social media. The lecturer, Chief Elijah Olorunsuwa, of the University of Ilorin's Department of Political Science, disclosed his experience in an interview published by PUNCH on Sunday, October 11, 2026. His arrest occurred on September 16 at his residence in Ilorin, Kwara State, following a petition by Jerry Omodara, Special Adviser on Security to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo. The disagreement concerned claims about the financing of the Kabba–Oke-Offin–Olle–Iluke road project in Kogi State. Olorunsuwa explained that approximately eight police officers arrived at his residence around 5 a.m., initially presenting their visit as an attempt to speak with his wife. When he approached the gate, an officer identified himself as a member of the Kogi State Police Command and informed him that he was under arrest. The lecturer said he requested an arrest warrant and an explanation of the alleged offence. According to him, the officers claimed that the warrant was available at the police command headquarters and would be presented when they arrived. He initially followed the officers in his own vehicle to a police facility in Eyenkorin, where nobody was available to attend to them. After consulting his lawyer, he agreed to enter the police vehicle on the understanding that they were proceeding to the Kwara State Police Command headquarters. However, Olorunsuwa alleged that the officers changed direction and drove towards Kogi State instead. He said the unexpected diversion caused considerable anxiety because his lawyer was waiting at the location originally agreed upon. The lecturer described the journey as deeply distressing, explaining that he believed he had been taken away under false pretences. Concerned about his safety, he contacted associates and asked them to publicise his arrest. Upon arriving in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, Olorunsuwa said he received a copy of the petition explaining the allegations against him. The document concerned a message he had shared in an Oke-Offin community WhatsApp group about the financing of a road reconstruction project. According to his account, another group member had announced that the Kogi State Government was reconstructing the road. Olorunsuwa responded that information available to him indicated that the World Bank was financing the project. He further claimed that the intervention had been facilitated by James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives, with the state government expected to provide counterpart funding. The lecturer attributed that information to a senior official of a federal government agency. Omodara disputed the claim, maintaining that the road project was being financed by the Kogi State Government. In his petition dated September 11, the security adviser accused Olorunsuwa of publishing false information capable of misleading the public and damaging the government's reputation. The petition requested police intervention and called for the lecturer to provide evidence supporting his statements about World Bank financing. It also sought possible prosecution under cybercrime legislation if the allegations were established. Olorunsuwa said Omodara had previously demanded that he delete the WhatsApp message and warned of legal consequences. He maintained that he was willing to defend his statements through lawful proceedings. The lecturer acknowledged that community elders subsequently intervened, encouraging efforts to resolve the disagreement. Earlier accounts indicate that he removed the disputed comments following those discussions, although the disagreement over a formal retraction continued. The most troubling aspect of his experience, according to Olorunsuwa, occurred while he was detained. He alleged that officers made signing a retraction a condition for his release on bail, despite his insistence that he had not deliberately circulated false information. He initially resisted the demand but said his position changed after learning about reported deaths involving miners held in a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps detention facility in Minna, Niger State. The reports intensified his anxiety about remaining in custody, particularly because he had been transported away from his home state and was uncertain about what might happen next. Olorunsuwa said he eventually signed the retraction because he wanted to leave detention, maintaining that the document did not represent a voluntary admission of wrongdoing. His account also described the emotional impact on his family. He said the early morning arrival of police officers frightened his wife, who had initially believed the visitors were ordinary callers seeking assistance. The lecturer was released later on September 16 and reportedly instructed to return to the police station the following day. His subsequent public statements have focused on the circumstances of his arrest and the disputed retraction. Omodara has defended his decision to petition the police. He maintained that the road reconstruction was funded by the Kogi State Government and accused the lecturer of circulating misleading information. He said Olorunsuwa's refusal to publish the requested retraction prompted formal action. The competing claims about the project's financing remain central to the disagreement. Neither the lecturer's account of World Bank involvement nor the security adviser's assertion of exclusive state funding should substitute for official financing documents. The controversy has wider implications for freedom of expression and the appropriate use of police powers. Nigeria's Constitution protects freedom of expression and personal liberty, while permitting lawful investigations into suspected offences. However, the lecturer's allegations concerning the absence of an arrest warrant, his transfer between states and the circumstances of his retraction raise procedural questions that require examination under applicable law. An arrest without a warrant is not automatically unlawful in every circumstance, but police officers must comply with statutory safeguards, including requirements concerning notification of alleged offences and the treatment of suspects. Olorunsuwa has indicated that he is considering legal action over the incident. He has also alleged that subsequent warnings concerning his public comments increased his concerns about intimidation. There has been no independently established judicial finding that the officers unlawfully arrested him or compelled his retraction. Similarly, the available information does not establish that the lecturer committed the cybercrime alleged in the petition. The case illustrates how a disagreement about public infrastructure financing developed into a criminal complaint and an interstate police operation. For Olorunsuwa, the experience remains deeply personal. His account describes a frightening journey, anxiety about detention and a decision to sign a statement he says he did not voluntarily accept. For public authorities, the controversy raises questions about transparency, accountability and the handling of disputed information concerning government projects. The immediate issue remains unresolved: whether the road financing claim was accurate and whether the police intervention complied with legal safeguards. Until those questions are conclusively addressed, the case stands as a contested encounter between a university lecturer and state authorities, with implications for how Nigerians discuss public expenditure and exercise their right to express opinions about government activities. 📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews

FG Warns Hotels Against Illicit Political Funds and Criminal Activities Ahead of 2027 Elections, Demands Stronger Security Measures

11 Oct 2026 08:43

The Federal Government has warned hotel owners and managers across Nigeria against allowing their establishments to become centres for money laundering, electoral offences or other unlawful activities as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections. The warning places greater responsibility on hospitality operators to verify guests' identities, maintain reliable records, monitor suspicious financial transactions and cooperate with security agencies, reflecting growing concerns about the potential exploitation of commercial accommodation facilities during politically sensitive periods. The warning was delivered on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the second edition of the JAGZ Hospitality Conference, held at The JAGZ Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, addressed participants through Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Justice Sector Reform and ICT, Digital and Innovative Technology. The conference, themed "The Hotel at the Centre: Money, Elections, Security," brought together government representatives, law enforcement officials, financial crime regulators and hospitality executives. Fagbemi explained that hotels would play an important role in maintaining security before, during and after the elections because of the diverse individuals and organisations expected to use their facilities. He urged operators to maintain accurate information about guests and provide relevant details to security agencies when lawfully required. The Attorney-General particularly cautioned against the use of hotels as channels for illicit political funds. His remarks highlighted the financial risks associated with election periods, when political meetings, accommodation bookings, campaign activities and business transactions can increase substantially. He also emphasised professionalism, regulatory compliance and political neutrality, maintaining that hospitality establishments should conduct their operations within the law regardless of the political affiliations of their customers. The message did not prohibit hotels from accommodating politicians or hosting lawful political meetings. Rather, it called on operators to distinguish legitimate commercial activities from transactions or conduct that could breach criminal, financial or electoral regulations. Conference convener Lugard Agbomoagan, Group Managing Director of Charis Ultimo Hotels Limited, explained that the hospitality industry had developed beyond providing accommodation into an important meeting point for investment, tourism, business negotiations and international transactions. Agbomoagan said hotels would inevitably accommodate politicians, campaign organisations, journalists, business executives and security personnel during the approaching electoral cycle. He argued that these activities made preparedness and compliance increasingly important for operators. He stressed that the conference was not intended to portray hotels as inherently dangerous environments. Instead, its purpose was to equip hospitality professionals with the knowledge required to protect guests, employees and businesses while responding appropriately to emerging security and financial risks. Agbomoagan outlined security arrangements introduced at The JAGZ Hotel, including regular employee training, an in-house legal practitioner responsible for regulatory compliance and cooperation with relevant security institutions. He disclosed that the establishment maintained a dedicated surveillance unit responsible for monitoring closed-circuit television cameras and responding to security incidents or emergencies involving guests. According to him, the arrangements were designed to prevent the hotel from becoming involved in illicit transactions or electoral offences while maintaining normal hospitality services. Financial crime prevention also featured prominently during the conference. Toyin Ehindero-Benson, Ibadan Zonal Coordinator of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, urged operators to strengthen customer due diligence and internal financial monitoring. Ehindero-Benson warned that inadequate identification procedures and poorly documented payments could create opportunities for criminal exploitation. She encouraged hotels to establish reliable systems for identifying customers and maintaining records of relevant transactions. The EFCC representative also advised operators to minimise cash transactions and scrutinise questionable payments made by third parties. She explained that financial activities should be consistent with available information about customers and their business purposes. High-value transactions, she added, should pass through appropriate banking channels and receive the scrutiny required under applicable financial regulations. Her recommendations reflected the wider responsibilities imposed on designated businesses under Nigeria's anti-money laundering framework, which seeks to prevent criminals from concealing the origins or ownership of unlawfully obtained funds. The discussion also addressed practical security measures. Police representatives encouraged hotel managers to maintain effective relationships with local police formations, install functional surveillance equipment and conduct appropriate background checks before employing workers. Security officials explained that properly maintained CCTV recordings could assist investigations by documenting movements and activities within hospitality premises when incidents occur. However, collecting customer information and cooperating with investigators must remain consistent with applicable legal requirements, including privacy protections and lawful procedures governing access to personal records. The conference also examined the economic significance of hospitality businesses. Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, representing the state government, highlighted the sector's contribution to economic activity and encouraged operators to meet their tax obligations. His remarks connected hospitality regulation with wider development priorities, including tourism, employment generation, investment and government revenue. Lanre Balogun, General Manager of Glocient Hospitality, which manages Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ekiti State, emphasised the importance of proactive security arrangements and stronger relationships between hotels and their host communities. Balogun maintained that hospitality businesses should recognise their responsibilities beyond commercial operations, particularly their contributions to employment, community development and public safety. The conference brought these perspectives together against the background of Nigeria's approaching general elections, when hotels and event facilities are expected to experience increased demand from political organisations and associated visitors. The warnings also reflect broader concerns about electoral integrity and the movement of funds during political campaigns. Nigeria's electoral laws regulate campaign financing and prohibit certain unlawful practices, while financial crime legislation establishes obligations concerning suspicious transactions and customer verification. Hotels occupy a distinctive position within this environment because they provide accommodation, conference facilities and commercial services to customers whose activities may involve substantial financial transactions. Nevertheless, the government did not announce a blanket restriction on political gatherings in hotels, nor did Fagbemi identify particular establishments as having committed electoral offences during the conference. The emphasis was preventive: encouraging operators to identify potential risks, maintain records and seek assistance from competent authorities before suspicious activities develop into serious incidents. For hotel owners, compliance requires more than installing cameras or collecting identification documents. Effective procedures also depend on trained personnel, appropriate financial controls, clear reporting arrangements and consistent enforcement of internal policies. As preparations continue for the 2027 elections, the Federal Government's warning places the hospitality industry within wider efforts to strengthen security and financial accountability. The central message from Ibadan was that hotels should remain accessible to lawful customers while ensuring that their facilities, services and financial systems are not exploited for criminal purposes. The effectiveness of that approach will depend on cooperation between operators, regulators and security agencies, alongside respect for the legal rights of guests and businesses. 📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews