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All Progressives Chieftain, Tajudeen Olesin, has said the personal ambitions, especially by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, were responsible for the face-off with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Kwara, some aggrieved APC leaders, including Olesin and some other members of The Otoge Progressives, have declared support for Wike’s Rainbow Coalition.

In an interview with Punch, Olesin claimed that Uzodinma was planning to become the Senate President in 2027, while Wike was supporting the return of the current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

According to him, Wike has vowed not to support any candidate from the Southeast if Bola Tinubu is returning as President.

He said, “What is happening is that Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, wants to become the Senate President in 2027, whereas his governorship will finish by 2028. He plans to resign and give the governorship seat to his deputy, become a senator and contest for the position of Senate President.

“But Wike said he couldn’t support somebody from the South-East. If Asiwaju is coming back as the President, let the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, come back as well. That is why Uzodinma and the Kwara State Governor are fighting Wike.”

However, Special Adviser on Party Affairs to the Kwara governor, Mashood Alaka, alleged that Wike’s Rainbow Coalition was aimed at building a political structure that could position him for the 2031 presidential race.

Alaka said Wike was using the coalition and his support for Tinubu’s re-election to build alliances with politicians across party lines, particularly governors, ahead of the next presidential cycle.

He also questioned Wike’s rationale for supporting Tinubu for the presidency while backing opposition candidates for the National Assembly.

Alaka argued that Wike should either remain in the PDP and operate as a member of the opposition party or formally join the APC if he intended to work within its political structure.

According to him, the APC was capable of securing Tinubu’s re-election without Wike’s coalition.

He said, “What Wike said to the APC governors, especially Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Governor Hope Uzodinma, is out of order. He is a former governor and he knows how things work.

“The whole coalition thing is to mislead the APC into believing he is for them. Everybody knows that he has his own ambitions and is trying to get some of the governors to his side in 2027 ahead of 2031, so that he can be well-positioned to contest for the presidency.

“If you want to stay in the PDP, stay in the PDP. If you want to work with the APC, work with the APC.

“If truly he is supporting Mr President, he shouldn’t be fielding candidates for the National Assembly. If Mr President wins and his party is in the minority at the National Assembly, it is going to be an issue at the end of the day.”

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, has congratulated four candidates of the party who emerged victorious in Saturday’s legislative bye-elections across four states.

Yilwatda, in a congratulatory message, said the victories reflected the confidence reposed in the APC and its candidates by the electorate.

The four APC candidates declared winners are Kallamu Usman MaiJama’a of Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Husseini Datti of Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State, Okolosi Ator of Udu State Constituency in Delta State; and Yakubu Ali of Disina State Constituency in Bauchi State.

He commended the candidates, party leaders, state chapters, campaign teams and voters for their commitment to the democratic process.

Yilwatda also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies and other stakeholders for their roles in the conduct of the elections.

His message reads in full: “To our victorious candidates, this victory is a call to service. I urge you to remain humble and committed to delivering purposeful representation to your constituents,” he said.

“I warmly congratulate the four APC candidates who emerged victorious in the five legislative bye-elections conducted by INEC on Saturday, 19 September 2026.

“My congratulations go to: 1. Hon. Kallamu Usman MaiJama’a of Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, Gombe State, Hon. Husseini Datti of Dawakin Kudu State Constituency, Kano State, Hon. Okolosi Ator of Udu State Constituency, Delta State and Hon. Yakubu Ali of Disina State Constituency, Bauchi State.

“These victories reflect the confidence placed in our candidates and the APC by the electorate. I commend our candidates, party leaders, state chapters, campaign teams and, most importantly, the voters for their commitment to the democratic process.

“I also commend INEC, the security agencies and all stakeholders for their roles in the conduct of the elections.

“To our victorious candidates, this victory is a call to service. I urge you to remain humble and committed to delivering purposeful representation to your constituents.

“On behalf of the APC National Working Committee, I congratulate our candidates and the entire APC family across the four states.

“Together, we remain united and committed to building a stronger APC in the service of Nigerians.”

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Popular Nigerian cleric, Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Pastor Odumeje, has reacted to people who describe him as a comedian rather than a pastor.

Odumeje made the comment in a video shared online, where he appeared to warn those who repeatedly refer to him as a comedian.

“Day day I will apprehend those of you calling me a comedian instead of a pastor ehhhh,” he said.

The statement has since generated mixed reactions from internet users, with some questioning the blend of comedy and religious preaching in Odumeje’s public appearances.

One user argued that there should be a clear distinction between religious preaching and entertainment, writing:

“At some point, the line between preaching and entertainment has to be respected. When almost every serious message about God is delivered through jokes, theatrics and comedy, it becomes difficult to tell whether the focus is truly on the Gospel or on entertaining the audience.”

The commenter, however, acknowledged that humour can be part of communication but maintained that religious messages should remain focused on their spiritual purpose.

The reactions reflect the differing views among social media users about Odumeje’s distinctive style of preaching and public presentation, with some viewing his humour as part of his personality while others believe it sometimes overshadows his religious message.