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Wike more influential than Basiru in Osun, says aide
Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday intensified the war of words with the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, claiming that the FCT minister wields greater political influence in Osun State than the APC chieftain.
Olayinka’s remarks followed Monday’s exchange between Wike and Basiru over Rivers State politics, during which the FCT minister warned Basiru to steer clear of the state’s affairs.
The clash was triggered after Basiru rebuked a Wike ally who had described Siminalayi Fubara—who recently defected to the APC—as the “so-called Governor of Rivers State.”
The verbal sparring escalated when Basiru, in a statement on Monday, advised Wike to resign his ministerial appointment with the ruling party to face Rivers politics.
Basiru also warned Wike against sowing discord within the APC, insisting that Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu did not automatically make him a member of the party.
However, in a series of social media posts on Tuesday, Olayinka fired back, questioning Basiru’s political weight and mocking his past electoral losses.
Writing in a mixture of English and Nigerian street lingo, Olayinka warned Basiru to stay out of Wike’s path and challenged him to first unite both leading parties in his home state of Osun the way the FCT minister had done in Rivers State.
He further claimed that Wike’s political influence in Osun would eclipse that of Basiru.
“In Osun State, Wike’s influence will still give President Tinubu more votes than Ajibola Basiru,” the aide wrote.
Recalling Basiru’s failed ambition to clinch the APC governorship ticket in Osun, Olayinka added, “Someone who wanted APC governorship ticket, but couldn’t get it. Na him wan come another State come help another person.”
Lere also recalled Basiru’s role in the party’s 2022 Osun governorship election, where the APC lost power.
“Ajibola Basiru was Director General of APC Campaign Council for Osun State Governorship Election in 2022, did he deliver?” he queried.
“Ajibola Basiru, a known ally of Rauf Aregbesola, was a sitting Senator and Spokesperson of the Senate when he lost his re-election in 2023. Na that person wan come help someone else abi. Issokay,” he added.
According to Olayinka, the APC scribe lacks the moral authority to lecture Wike on party loyalty or electoral strategy.
“Wike’s message to Ajibola Basiru is simple. Dey your dey, make I dey my dey (stay on your own and I’ll do the same). No dey do cho cho cho come Rivers (don’t make comments about Rivers),” the aide wrote.
“Politics is local, it is grassroots-based. In 2023, as a serving senator and spokesperson of the Senate, Ajibola Basiru lost his re-election bid,” he stated.
Mocking Basiru’s electoral loss, Olayinka added: “You wey no fit win your own election as a serving senator and Senate spokesperson, na you go come Rivers come help person? (You who couldn’t win your election as a serving senator and Senate spokesperson, are you the same one who would come to Rivers and help someone?)”
The exchange is the latest in a long-running spat between Wike and Basiru, which began after the APC National Secretary accused the former Rivers State governor of undermining the ruling party in the South-South and openly demanded his resignation from the Federal Executive Council to face his “obsession” with Rivers politics.
Basiru’s comments came after Wike, during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday, warned the APC chieftain to “leave Rivers State alone,” urging the former senator to be careful with his comments on the state’s politics.
The APC scribe insisted that Wike was not a member of the party and therefore could not dabble in APC affairs, advising him to “resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics.”
However, Wike’s camp maintains that the FCT minister remains a major electoral asset to President Tinubu, particularly in Rivers State, where the APC has historically struggled.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, mother of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy LoveWorld Nation fame, is dead.
Reports from Edo State say that she died at the age of 88 yesterday, Friday, September 25, 2026.
A local publication, Esan News Magazine, reported thus:
“An Iroko has fallen. A mother of nations is gone. Heaven has gained a saint.
According to information made available to Esan News Magazine by a prominent member of the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele, Ewu, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, the matriarch of the great Oyakhilome Clan, the beloved mother of our son Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, fondly called Big Mummy, has transited to glory.
September, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, humility and motherhood that touched generations across the world.
“Big Mummy was not just the mother of Pastor Chris. She was the mother of all. A virtuous woman, a prayer warrior, a woman of uncommon grace who raised children that have become global blessings and pride to Esan land.
“Idunwele Ewu is mourning. Ekagholo Family is mourning. Ewu Kingdom is mourning. Esanland is mourning. For we have lost an Okpokhuo, a true jewel of Esan motherhood.
“Her life was a testimony. She lived for God, she lived for family, she lived for humanity. Her laughter brought joy. Her prayers brought strength. Her counsel brought wisdom.
“On behalf of the management and staff of Esan News Magazine and the entire Esan Nation home and abroad, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to our dear elder brother, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the entire Oyakhilome Clan, the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele Ewu, and the Christ Embassy family worldwide.
“We mourn with you in this time of grief. We stand with you. We pray that the good Lord who called Mama home will grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“May her gentle, beautiful and faithful soul rest in perfect peace. Rest on, Big Mummy. Rest on, beloved mother of Pastor Chris. Rest on, Iroko of Ewu.
“Adieu Mama!”
Meanwhile, a senior official of Christ Embassy who was contacted by News Express this Saturday afternoon neither confirmed nor denied the report.
He said: “I have heard the news, too, but it is not for me to confirm her death. I mean, she was aged 88.”
The official promised to make relevant contacts, adding: “I am sure that a statement would be issued if the news is true.”
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