News
Wike: Atiku a serial contestant, loser, he will still contest in 2031 (PHOTOS)
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/eaae00f8-2ff8-49e1-a4b5-1cd8f7714f5c-893x600.jpeg&description=Wike: Atiku a serial contestant, loser, he will still contest in 2031 (PHOTOS)', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/eaae00f8-2ff8-49e1-a4b5-1cd8f7714f5c-893x600.jpeg&description=Wike: Atiku a serial contestant, loser, he will still contest in 2031 (PHOTOS)', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
.. vows to Deliver Abuja Roads by May
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as a serial election contestant and loser, who will still contest in 2031.
The Minister was responding to comments by Atiku that the current administration has not done anything positive for Nigerians.
Wike, who spoke during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Abuja, said Nigerians would dismiss such criticisms, insisting that visible developments across the FCT tell a different story.
“Atiku is a serial failure. He is a serial contestant and loser and I am sure that in 2031, he will still contest. Nigerians would be laughing at such a person making that kind of statement that nothing positive has been done,” he said.
In a no-holds-barred response, the minister challenged Atiku to compare the state of Abuja during his time in office with what is obtainable today.
“Let him compare FCT now and when he was Vice President. Can he honestly say what we have now is the same as then?” Wike queried.
He maintained that the administration would not be distracted by political attacks, stressing that governance must continue regardless of the election season.
“The election will come, but people must work. Contractors are not part of the election,” he declared.
Amid the political fireworks, Wike assured residents that key road projects linking satellite towns would be delivered on schedule, boosting connectivity and easing pressure on the city centre.
He revealed that the Airport–Kuje road project is nearing completion, with one part of the bridge set to be opened for use next week.
“From Airport Junction to Kuje, one part of the bridge is almost completed. Before the end of May, the entire job will be handed over,” he said.
On the Kuje–Gwagwalada road, the minister said the first phase of the dualisation project, spanning about seven kilometres, would also be completed before the end of May.
“I am happy with the progress, we are satisfied with the quality of jobs being delivered,” he added.
Wike noted that the ongoing projects would transform Kuje into a major hub, attracting residents and investors, and reducing congestion in Abuja city.
“Very soon, Kuje will no longer be a satellite town. People will move there, build houses, and the pressure on the city will reduce,” he said.
The minister also dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the FCT Administration attempted to frustrate its convention by targeting the Rainbow Event Centre.
“I don’t even know where that place is, there was no interference from anybody. These people should just stop looking for sympathy,” he said.
He challenged the party to produce evidence of any correspondence with the office concerned with themanagement of theEagleSquare, insisting that due process was not followed.
Wike further assured that ongoing projects would not be slowed down by political activities, revealing that over 80 per cent of planned works would be completed before January.
“Our focus is clear deliver projects, improve lives, and keep Abuja moving,” he said.
The inspection tour is part of efforts by the FCT Administration to ensure contractors meet deadlines and deliver quality infrastructure across the territory.
The Defence Headquarters has clarified the recent public discussions surrounding the neutralisation of a prominent terrorist commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.
A collaborative operation with the United States Africa Command on May 16, 2026, led to the killing of Bilal Al-Minuki.
Following the development, certain media outlets referenced a similar operation from 2024, which involved the elimination of a terrorist commander with the same name.
This has understandably raised questions regarding the identity of the individual who was recently neutralised.
In a statement signed by Somalia Uba, Director of Defence Information, the DHQ said: “It is crucial to note that in the North East region and throughout the Lake Chad Basin, the use of similar or identical names, aliases and nom de guerres is prevalent among ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists.
“This practice is a deliberate part of their indoctrination strategy, aimed at obscuring identities. This fact has been corroborated over the years during counter-terrorism operations in Northeast Nigeria.
“The Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki who was eliminated on May 16, 2026, has been positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance as a senior global operative within the Islamic State network, possessing direct connections to international terrorist coordination, funding and operations across the Sahel. Thus, there is no ambiguity regarding his identity.”
The statement added that the strike represents a significant achievement in the country’s counter-terrorism initiatives.
It said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United States, remain dedicated to dismantling terrorist networks and will continue to disseminate verified information through official channels.
It called on the general public and the media to rely solely on authorised sources to prevent confusion arising from coincidental name similarities.
Three aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who were anointed as consensus candidates by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State for House of Representatives seats have been disqualified by the party.
The three aspirants endorsed by Aiyedatiwa, who have been screened out, were identified as Tajudeen Adefisoye (Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency), Victor Ategbole (Akoko South-East/South-West federal constituency) and Samuel Arowele (Owo/Ose federal constituency).
Others not cleared along with the governor’s preferred aspirants are Seun Ajongbolo (Akoko South-East/South-West federal constituency), Morufu Ibrahim, Oyeniyi Oseni ((Akoko North-East/North-West) and Olaleye Adedipe (Akoko North-East/North-West).
With the reasons for the disqualification of the aspirants not revealed in a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, some aspirants in the state have kicked and condemned the endorsement of the anointed aspirants.
Meanwhile, there was large turnout of APC members on Saturday during the direct primaries conducted across the 203 wards of the state.
In Akur metropolis, party members arrived at the designated wards in their numbers around 8:00 am with the officials of the party doing a headcount of everyone.
At Wards 4, 5, and 8, members of the party were seen queuing behind the poster of the aspirants they are supporting.
Meanwhile, there was an uproar in some of the wards as party faithful lamented that electoral officials were not on the ground to take record of the exercise.
Six suspected Islamic State West Africa Province members, including a bomb expert, were killed early Friday when an improvised explosive device detonated prematurely in Marte Local Government Area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the blast occurred around 7:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, at Jubilaram while the group was assembling the device. The team was led by Abu Umar, identified as a bomb expert, who died in the explosion along with five other militants. Three others were reportedly injured.
Intelligence assessments say the deceased were part of ISWAP’s IED cell operating along the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis in the Lake Chad Basin. The explosion destroyed the site, located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, and is expected to temporarily disrupt the group’s bomb-making operations in the area.
Military sources said the incident could weaken ISWAP’s capability along key routes in the Marte axis. Authorities are considering follow-up air and ground operations to exploit the disruption.
BBNaija announces Season 11 audition date
‘Not same Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki killed in 2024’ – DHQ clarifies identity of dead ISWAP commander
EPL: Chelsea set to announce Xabi Alonso as new manager
-
News13 hours agoDHQ releases details about slain ISIS top leader, Al-Minuki
-
News14 hours ago
APC releases list of disqualified Reps aspirants across Nigeria
-
News19 hours agoFinal Farewell in Delta as Family, Community Honour Mama Eunice Ikpen
-
News24 hours agoUS and Nigerian forces kill ISIS 2nd in command in joint operation-Trump reveals
-
News11 hours agoVideo/Photos:Rescued alive after being buried under rubble of a collapsed building for more than 9 hours
-
News15 hours agoGumi Speaks On Killing Of ISIS Commander, Al-Minuki
-
News22 hours agoGen Otiki: Finally, Supreme Court acquits ex-GOC of all charges
-
News15 hours agoSad: Fayose loses wife to Cancer