By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Nyesom Wike politicians, in particular, current governors serving out their second term in office, supporting betrayers will also be betrayed.

The Minister stated this, in Port Harcourt, while commissioning Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors headquarters, housing Majority FM 89.

Wike, who stated that his successor took some months to betray him, said those supporting betrayers, who are serving out their second term in office as governors and wish to enthrone a successor, will betray them immediately after inauguration.

“Let me tell you one thing, today is the 7th of February, whoever is watching, whether you are senator, whether a House of Reps member, or a minister, whether you are a governor and you support betrayers, people will continue to betray you in life.

“You sit down and support those who betray, betrayal is your portion and the day you will be betrayed, you will not have a mouth to say anything, there you will collapse. You will reap the seed that you planted, you will reap it, whatever you sow you will reap it.

“Betrayal will follow you everywhere, I have told you, and don’t take it for granted, watch every governor who is doing his second tenure, who has ambition to put a successor and is supporting a betrayer, you will never survive it, betrayer will follow you, the day your successor comes in, my own took some months, your own will start immediately, this is what the gods of the land have told me to tell you people.”

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja 

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has formally endorsed the ARISE With Renewed Hope Initiative, describing it as his political structure and machinery for the 2027 general elections in Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking in Abuja over the weekend during a visit by the leadership of the Initiative, Akpabio described the engagement as historic, noting that it was the first of its kind and a defining moment for political unity in Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, the emergence of the ARISE With Renewed Hope Initiative signals stability, readiness, and victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 polls.

“With this Group, Akwa Ibom State is safe and ready for the elections.

He expressed confidence that Akwa Ibom State would record unprecedented electoral outcomes for the APC saying, “with this Group, Akwa Ibom State will be the first State in Nigeria to return President Bola Tinubu with massive votes. Akwa Ibom State will re-elect Governor Umo Eno, and Akwa Ibom State will overwhelmingly re-elect me. What Governor Umo Eno has done in bringing us together is divine, ordained, and guarantees a brighter future for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

In his remarks, Governor Eno, described the ARISE With Renewed Hope Initiative as the number one political structure in the state, reflecting the unity and collective strength of the Akwa Ibom people under the APC.

He noted that the Group represents the consolidation of political forces in the state, adding that the foundation of the Initiative was laid by Senator Godswill Akpabio, whom he reaffirmed as the leader with a strong and enduring home base.

He further stated that the Group is composed of every major political titan in Akwa Ibom State, united by a common purpose.

Earlier, the President General of the Group, Engr. Uwem Okoko, said the visit was to formally present the Initiative to the Senate President, following its earlier presentation to Governor Umo Eno. He declared that the mission of the Group is clear and unwavering.

“Our mission is victory for the APC in 2027. Akwa Ibom State is firmly and overwhelmingly APC, marching towards successful re-election victories for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Umo Eno.

He praised President Tinubu for the ongoing reforms across the country and pledged that Akwa Ibom State would deliver bloc votes—the highest in Nigeria—during the elections. He also reaffirmed total support for Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda and his second-term ambition. 

In his remarks, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Group, Sir Victor Antai, said history was being made with the gathering of political leaders to chart a united course for the re-election of President Tinubu, Senator Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno.

He described the Group as a coalition of leaders with deep grassroots capacity, positioned to drive massive mobilisation for the APC across all levels.

The high point of the visit was the presentation of the official regalia of the Group to Akpabio by the President General, Engr. Okoko, and the Chairman, BoT, Dr Antai, who formally accepted his role as the Grand Patron of the Group.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN) on Sunday issued a resolute call for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, with a hashtag #AmupitanMustResign.

The group accuses the Chairman of blatant bias and improper interference in the internal affairs of political parties, specifically the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement released in Abuja by its spokesperson, Aisha Bello, OWN, a non-partisan advocacy group committed to protecting democratic principles, political pluralism, and the rule of law, expressed deep concern over actions that undermine the independence and impartiality of INEC as the nation’s electoral umpire.

OWN highlighted recent developments where INEC has been accused of taking sides in disputes within opposition parties. Specifically, the group cited: “The SDP Crisis: The Supreme Court has repeatedly reprimanded INEC for unwarranted meddling in the party’s internal leadership and nomination processes, describing such actions as a gross overreach of the Commission’s constitutional mandate.

“The PDP Internal Disputes: Conflicting recognitions of leadership groups and questionable invitations to meetings have fueled perceptions of selective interference. OWN alleges these moves are strategically aimed at weakening opposition structures ahead of future electoral cycles.

“INEC’s role is to regulate and monitor elections, not to act as an arbiter or impose decisions on the internal governance of political parties,” the statement read.

“By repeatedly overstepping its bounds, despite clear judicial pronouncements affirming party autonomy, the current leadership has compromised its neutrality and eroded public trust in the electoral process.”

Aisha Bello emphasized that such conduct risks tilting the political playing field in favor of the ruling party, stifling genuine multiparty competition, and paving the way for a slide toward authoritarianism.

OWN noted that impartiality is fundamental to credible elections and that any perception of bias threatens the very integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.

“Opposition parties like the SDP, PDP, and others deserve to resolve their internal matters in accordance with their own constitutions, free from external dictation by INEC,” OWN stated.

“The Chairman’s continued tenure under these circumstances is untenable and poses a clear and present danger to free and fair elections.”

OWN urged all lovers of democracy, civil society organizations, the media, and the international community to join the demand for accountability.

The group insisted that the Chairman’s resignation is the only way to restore confidence in the Commission and ensure a level playing field for upcoming elections.

“Patriots must resist any attempt to weaponize state institutions against opposition voices. Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford an umpire perceived as playing for one side,” the statement concluded.