Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed pride in having made an Ijaw man the governor of Rivers State.

Speaking on Saturday at an event organised by the Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress in Port Harcourt, Wike said that God used him to make Siminalayi Fubara the governor of the South-South state.

Dismissing social media claims that the Ijaw people in Rivers are against him. “Let me thank this team for this strategic meeting here today. First of all, when I was approached by Senator Johnson Nsakebor… He was sent by the Rivers Ijaw Congress that they want to honour me. I asked what the essence of such was. Why do you want to waste such money? I need the money. Give it to me. But he said so many people go on television and speak as if they were speaking on behalf of the Ijaw people. I said okay, I will come and let Nigerians know.”

Wike also stressed that the gathering was a message to those in Abuja who believe the Ijaw people are against him. “If anybody tells you one day that the Ijaw people are fighting me, it is not correct. We have some ungrateful people everywhere. A father can have twelve children, and one can be an armed robber. Does that mean that the whole family are armed robbers?”

He added that many Ijaw representatives were strategically positioned in the House of Assembly, further undermining claims of conflict.

Wike stressed that no one has a monopoly on violence but said his commitment to playing by the rule of law remains unwavering.

He said, “The mere fact that we choose to play according to the rule of law… and that is what we will continue to do.”

He addressed political critics, saying, “Who has Fubara made? All the things you see are people who are envious of our growth. They couldn’t do what we are doing today. These are people who we have defeated politically several times. If the opportunity comes again, we will defeat them again.”

He concluded, “I have made an Ijaw man governor of Rivers State. God used us. All of us here had sleepless nights. So who loves Ijaw more? Is it people who come out on television who cannot even make their Ijaw brother governor?”

Former Governor of Rivers State and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that all his political enemies put together cannot fight him.

The minister, who has been in a festering political battle with State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, boasted that he is too big for anybody, no matter how highly placed, to fight him.

Wike stated this in Port Harcourt on Saturday during a reception organised in his honour by the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress.

The minister was accompanied to the reception by members of the G-5, also known as the Integrity Group, led by former Governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom, former Governor of Abia Okezie Ikpeazu, and David Umahi. Others present included the Adamawa State governor, Umaru Fintiri, and Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, among others.

The minister said, contrary to insinuations that the Ijaw people were against him in the ongoing political brawl between him and Governor Fubara, the entire Ijaw ethnic nationality was solidly behind him because of what he has done for them, especially when he made Fubara his successor against the opinion of some Ijaw people in 2023.

Wike said, “It is not true that the Ijaw people are fighting me. A father may have twelve children; one can be an armed robber. These people that are going to television to attack me, where were they when we made an Ijaw governor? Nobody is fighting me. I am too big—far too big for anybody to fight. All these people put together cannot fight me.

“I told them if you put your hand in Rivers State matters, fire will burn you. Today, they are crying everywhere. Instead of them to concentrate on how to win elections in their states, they were busy having meetings in Enugu and Taraba states. Who is losing now?”

The former governor cautioned politicians outside the state to stay clear of Rivers State politics, noting that “Rivers State is very special to me.”

He alleged that some hoodlums were sent to bomb the venue of the event at Rainbow Town for his civic reception.

“They sent some boys to come and bomb this place with dynamite. They were arrested by the police. You are encouraging crime in Rivers State. Nobody has the monopoly of violence. We cannot turn investors away from our state through violence,” he said.

He chided Governor Fubara over claims that he (Fubara) initiated the Port Harcourt Ring Road project when he served as governor of the state.

“I initiated the ring road project. Today, they are going about bragging that they started it. Go to Abuja; I am repeating what I did in Rivers State in Abuja,” he said.

Also speaking, the chairman of the PDP Elders Council in the state, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, described Wike as the “most celebrated Rivers politician at the national stage,” assuring that the Ijaw people will always be grateful to him for making their son a governor.

Wilfred Ndidi’s 94th-minute own goal and a close-range strike from Kai Havertz deep into stoppage time denied Leicester a hard-earned point at the Emirates Stadium, after they had clawed back from a two-goal deficit in the second half.

Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for Arsenal, converting Jurrien Timber’s cross in the first half.

Martinelli then set up Leandro Trossard for a second just before the break, capping a dominant opening 45 minutes for the Gunners, during which Leicester managed only one touch in Arsenal’s box.

Leicester struck back quickly in the second half, with James Justin’s header from Facundo Buonanotte’s free-kick deflecting off Havertz and into the net just over a minute after the restart. Justin then scored a stunning second goal, volleying in Ndidi’s cross off the post.

Despite Leicester’s resurgence, Arsenal regained control, with Mads Hermansen pulling off two fantastic saves to deny Havertz and Trossard. However, Trossard’s late shot took a deflection off Ndidi for an own goal, before Havertz finished the match by scoring from close range.

The win put Arsenal level on points with Manchester City, who could be overtaken by Liverpool depending on their result against Wolves later in the day.

Meanwhile, Chelsea secured an impressive win over Brighton, with Cole Palmer stealing the show by scoring four goals in the first half.

Palmer netted twice from open play, added a penalty, and capped it off with a brilliant free-kick, continuing his rise as one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season.

At St James’ Park, Anthony Gordon’s second-half penalty earned Newcastle a point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City. Josko Gvardiol gave City the lead in the first half, finishing off Jack Grealish’s assist.

But with Rodri sidelined due to injury, City eventually faltered, and Bruno Guimaraes’ pass allowed Gordon to get past Kyle Walker and win a penalty after being fouled by Ederson.

Wilfred Ndidi’s 94th-minute own goal and a close-range strike from Kai Havertz deep into stoppage time denied Leicester a hard-earned point at the Emirates Stadium, after they had clawed back from a two-goal deficit in the second half.Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for Arsenal, converting Jurrien Timber’s cross in the first half.

Martinelli then set up Leandro Trossard for a second just before the break, capping a dominant opening 45 minutes for the Gunners, during which Leicester managed only one touch in Arsenal’s box.

Leicester struck back quickly in the second half, with James Justin’s header from Facundo Buonanotte’s free-kick deflecting off Havertz and into the net just over a minute after the restart. Justin then scored a stunning second goal, volleying in Ndidi’s cross off the post.

Despite Leicester’s resurgence, Arsenal regained control, with Mads Hermansen pulling off two fantastic saves to deny Havertz and Trossard. However, Trossard’s late shot took a deflection off Ndidi for an own goal, before Havertz finished the match by scoring from close range.

The win put Arsenal level on points with Manchester City, who could be overtaken by Liverpool depending on their result against Wolves later in the day.

Elsewhere, Chelsea secured an impressive win over Brighton, with Cole Palmer stealing the show by scoring four goals in the first half. Palmer netted twice from open play, added a penalty, and capped it off with a brilliant free-kick, continuing his rise as one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season.

At St James’ Park, Anthony Gordon’s second-half penalty earned Newcastle a point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City. Josko Gvardiol gave City the lead in the first half, finishing off Jack Grealish’s assist.

But with Rodri sidelined due to injury, City eventually faltered, and Bruno Guimaraes’ pass allowed Gordon to get past Kyle Walker and win a penalty after being fouled by Ederson.Despite both teams pushing for a winner, including late chances for Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff and City’s Bernardo Silva, the match ended in a draw. City, who dropped points for the second time in a week, remain winless in 34 top-flight meetings at St James’ Park.

Martínez will miss Argentina’s upcoming South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup against Venezuela and Bolivia in October.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper has been suspended due to incidents in matches against Chile and Colombia earlier this month.

During the Chile match, his first appearance since winning the Copa América in the United States, Martínez celebrated by making an inappropriate gesture with the trophy, similar to what he did after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Following Argentina’s loss to Colombia, the 32-year-old struck a local television camera.

“Damian Emiliano Martínez is being held accountable for his offensive behavior and violation of fair play principles,” the AFA said in a statement, though it expressed disagreement with the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso has championed Africa’s voice on the global financial stage.

Cardoso took this step at the high-level Bretton Woods at 80 Forum held in New Hampshire, United States of America (USA) from September 26 to 27, 2024.

According to a post shared on the official X account of the CBN, the governor’s participation highlights Nigeria and Africa’s growing influence in the international economic dialogue.

The Apex Bank added that the event addressed issues such as investment, inclusive growth and climate resilience.

Other issues the event addressed are the evolving role of multilateral financial institutions in a rapidly changing world.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has banned the placements of congratulatory adverts in the media on the occasion of his birthday.

Speaker Abbas placed the ban on such adverts on Saturday morning in a post on X and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi.

“This is to inform my colleagues, Honourable Members, constituents, friends, family members, associates and well-wishers that I appreciate them for their felicitations ahead of my birthday which comes up on Tuesday, October 1, 2024,” he wrote.

“However, I kindly request that those planning to place congratulatory adverts on the pages of newspapers, TV stations or any other paid platform(s) for my birthday should channel the resources towards other causes in the society.

“These are causes such as assisting the needy, considering the current situation in the country and in line with prudent management of the meager resources at our disposal.

“Once again, I appreciate everyone for their well-wishes and prayers at this moment,” the House of Reps speaker concluded.