News Politics September 15, 2026 ‘My support is for Tinubu’s re-election, I can’t help you win in your states’, Wike replies APC Govs

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clarified that his support for the 2027 re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not extend to other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates contesting governorship and legislative elections.

The minister made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

Wike, in the statement, said he never promised that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not field candidates for governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections in 2027.

Recalls that the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Monday night said governors elected on the platform of the APC would not support or endorse any presidential candidate outside the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Uzodimma made the position known after a meeting of APC governors in Abuja, declaring that the forum had unanimously resolved against participating in any political alliance or arrangement capable of weakening the party or undermining the reelection of President Tinubu.

According to the Imo governor, the APC governors are also opposed to any arrangement that could adversely affect candidates of the party at any level.

“No arrangement that creates confusion, divided loyalty, or competing interests within the party will be entertained,” he said.

However, reacting to the APC governors’ position, Wike said his position remained clear: he would mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election, while political parties and politicians would be free to contest elections in their respective states.

He also dismissed suggestions that the “rainbow coalition” being promoted in support of Tinubu was an APC arrangement.

According to him, the coalition is a platform for politicians across different political parties who believe that Tinubu has performed well and deserves a second term.

Wike said, “What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the re-election of the President. I never promised anyone that PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and States House of Assembly elections.”

He added, “Most importantly, rainbow coalition has nothing to do with the APC. Rather, it is own way of mobilising support accross political parties for Mr President, who has done well to deserve a second term.

The minister said he did not meet with the APC before he and other members of the G5 supported Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.

He maintained that his support in 2027 would similarly be directed at the President and not automatically extend to other APC candidates.

Wike also said he would not be responsible for helping politicians win elections in their respective states, stressing that political contests at the state level should be handled by those involved.

He said, “Politics is local, and those having problems in their States should resolve them instead of using the reelection of the President to whip up sentiments.”

The FCT minister argued that the outcome of the 2023 elections demonstrated that voters could support different parties in presidential and legislative elections.

He cited Imo State, where the APC won two senatorial seats in 2023 despite receiving less than 15 percent of the presidential votes in the state.

Wike asked, “In Imo State, under Governor Hope Uzodinma, how did APC win two senate seats in 2023, in an election held the same day with that of the President and APC had less than 15 percent in the presidential election? Was it rainbow coalition? Were the voters confused?”

He also referenced the results in Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu States, where the APC won National Assembly seats despite Tinubu securing less than 10 percent of the presidential votes in some of those states.

“Was it a rainbow coalition that also made the APC win National Assembly elections in Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu States where the President did not have ten percent of the votes?” he asked.

According to Wike, the same pattern could occur in 2027, with voters supporting Tinubu for president while choosing candidates from other parties in state and legislative elections.

“If in 2023, the voters in Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi voted APC in the Senatorial election and voted another party in the presidential election, they won’t be confused in 2027 provided we all support the president genuinely this time?” he said.

Wike urged political stakeholders to prioritise the presidential election before turning their attention to state-level contests.

He said, “After the President must have been reelected, we can all go and face elections in our states.”

The minister also dismissed the notion that political support for Tinubu should translate into automatic support for every APC candidate.

He said political actors should focus on genuinely mobilising voters for the President rather than using his re-election bid to settle political disputes in their respective states.

Wike said the current political arrangement was different from simply moving politicians from one political party to another, insisting that the rainbow coalition was intended to bring together supporters of Tinubu from across party lines.

He further argued that politics was no longer about relying on political calculations or alliances to produce electoral victories, but about building genuine support from polling units.

“The Minister said politics is no longer about coming from fourth position to be governor; it is about genuinely mobilising support and winning elections from the polling units,” the statement said.

News Politics September 15, 2026 2027 Elections: APC governors reject Wike’s rainbow coalition

The All Progressives Congress (APC)  Governors’ Forum has rejected any political arrangement that could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the governors, they would not support alliances that could affect the chances of APC candidates or President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term.

The position is seen as a direct setback to the political activities surrounding the “Rainbow Coalition” associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Wike, a former Rivers State governor and prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been mobilising politicians across party lines in support of Tinubu’s re-election.

The minister has repeatedly argued that the coalition is not designed to work against the President or the APC.

Instead, he has presented it as a broader political movement that would bring together politicians from different parties to secure Tinubu’s victory in 2027.

But the APC governors have drawn a line between supporting Tinubu and supporting candidates who may contest against APC candidates in other elections.

The governors reached their position after a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Monday.

Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State  Governor, Hope Uzodimma, announced the resolution after the meeting.

He said the governors remained committed to the APC and would not participate in any political arrangement that could create divided loyalty within the party.

“The APC governors forum unanimously resolved that its members will not participate in, support, or endorse any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining the reelection of Mr President, weakening the APC, or adversely affecting any candidate of the party at all levels,” Uzodimma said.

News September 15, 2026 JUST IN: Inflation rate falls to 15.39% in August – NBS

Headline inflation rate fell by 0.04 percent to 15.39 percent in August from 15.43 percent in July 2026.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, disclosed this Tuesday in its Consumer Price Index, CPI, report for August 2026.

NBS said: “In August 2026, the Headline inflation rate stood at 15.39%, down from 15.43% in July 2026 and stood at 23.14% in the same month of the preceding year (August 2025).

“Looking at the movement, the August 2026 Headline inflation rate showed a decrease of 0.04% compared to the July 2026 Headline inflation rate.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in August 2026 was 0.71%, which was 0.86% lower than the rate recorded in July 2026 (1.57%).

“This means that in August 2026, the rate of increase in the average price level was lower than the rate of increase in the average price level in July 2026.”

Details later…

Crime News September 15, 2026 ‘Rape’: Poco Lee’s plea hearing fixed for Feb 2027, trial set for March

Iweh Pascal Odinaka, the Nigerian dancer popularly known as Poco Lee, will appear before the Snaresbrook Crown Court in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2027, for a plea hearing.

The date was fixed after his scheduled appearance on Tuesday could not proceed because the charge sheet was unavailable.

Poco Lee had been due in court on September 15 for a plea and trial preparation hearing on the charges against him.

He, however, did not enter a plea because the charge sheet was not available.

Although the dancer was not present, the courtroom was reportedly filled with Nigerians who came to observe the proceedings, with some forced to wait outside.

The court has now set February 8, 2027, for the plea hearing, while the trial is scheduled to begin on March 8, 2027. It had earlier confirmed that the dancer was granted bail on September 11.

Poco Lee faces charges of attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration. He was previously remanded in custody following his arrest in the UK over the allegations.

In a recent Instagram live session with social media personality VeryDarkMan, Poco Lee maintained that he did not commit the alleged sexual offences.

He also said music star Burna Boy would not have supported him if he were guilty.

“If I did what someone said I did, I would say I am suffering my sins. As I did not do anything, my mind is as pure as anything. No one would want to attach themselves to something like that. And for Burna Boy and Jago to stand for me,” he said.

“I am a jolly good fellow. Even when I did not do anything.”

News September 15, 2026 Unions reject TUC suspension of strike, demand reversal of King’s College concession

Some unions under the auspices of the Joint Workers Council of the Federal Ministry of Education have rejected the suspension of industrial action announced by the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The unions also demanded that the concession of King’s College, Lagos, must be reversed.

The Chairman of the Joint Council, Mr Abraham Onuche, stated this while addressing journalists during a protest by the unions at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Onuche said the workers remained committed to their demand for the immediate reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to concession the 35-year-old arrangement involving King’s College.

He said the unions would not recognise the suspension of the industrial action because the TUC was not directly involved in the protest or negotiations with the workers.

The chairman said the unions had been protesting for three days over the proposed concession, which they described as detrimental to public education.

He said the unions had barricaded the entrance to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja to prevent officials and other workers from accessing the premises.

According to him, the action was necessary to draw attention to what the workers considered a critical threat to the future of Federal Unity Colleges.

Onuche said the unions were surprised that the TUC could meet with the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and subsequently announced the suspension of an action in which it had not participated.

“TUC never came here for one day to listen to us, our demands,” he said.

He questioned how the congress could suspend an action that it had not joined or discussed with the unions directly involved.

Onuche said the unions had formally written to the Minister of Education on July 6, requesting an opportunity to discuss their concerns.

He , however, said that the minister had yet to grant the unions an audience despite the seriousness of the issues raised.

The chairman said the lack of consultation had deepened the dispute between the ministry and the unions.

He maintained that the unions were demanding dialogue and consultation before any final decision was taken on the concession.

According to him, the workers were particularly concerned about the effect of the concession on teachers and other employees of King’s College.

Onuche also questioned the planned deployment of teachers who might be affected by the concession to other schools in Lagos.

He recalled that the Federal Government had approved a waiver for the employment of more than 3,000 Parent-Teacher Association staff.

“I want to thank President Bola Tinubu for giving the Federal Ministry of Education a waiver to employ more than 3,000 PTA staff,” he said.

He, however, asked what would happen to teachers displaced by the King’s College concession if new PTA workers were simultaneously being employed.

Onuche said the situation could create unnecessary uncertainty for teachers whose positions and future postings might be affected.

He said the unions were also worried about the wider implications of the concession for other Federal Unity Colleges across the country.

“Our demand now is that the minister should revoke that decision concerning King’s College and other schools,” he said.

According to him, allowing the concession of King’s College to proceed could encourage similar demands from old students’ associations of other Federal Unity Colleges.

He described such a development as a possible precedent that could affect the ownership and management of other public schools.

“If that King’s College goes, as we follow in law, that’s what they call precedent,” Onuche said.

He added that the government should carefully consider the long-term consequences of approving the concession before allowing the arrangement to proceed.

The chairman said the unions also had other grievances, including stagnation among education officers and challenges affecting staff welfare and administration.

He, however, said the unions had decided to concentrate their immediate efforts on securing the reversal of the King’s College concession.

Onuche said the protest would continue until the government reversed the decision and engaged the unions in meaningful consultations.

He warned that failure to address the issue could lead to the continued closure of the ministry’s headquarters and non-resumption in affected schools.

Also speaking, Mr Chigozie Ngadi, Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Federal Ministry of Education chapter, said the protest was aimed at protecting access to quality education.

Ngadi said the unions were particularly concerned about children from less privileged families who might be unable to afford education if access to King’s College became restricted.

He described King’s College as a national asset that should remain accessible to Nigerians irrespective of their economic background.

Ngadi alleged that police personnel had been deployed to the school, describing the development as an attempt to intimidate workers protesting against the concession.

“We are speaking for Nigerians. We are speaking for down-trodden Nigerians to have access to good education,” he said.

He said the unions were not opposed to partnerships capable of improving infrastructure and educational facilities in public schools.

Ngadi, however, stressed that any partnership should preserve public ownership and ensure that children from poor families continued to have access to quality education.

He urged the old students’ association of King’s College to contribute to the development of the institution without taking away opportunities from members of the wider society.

“The old boys association should give back to that society that made them what they are and not take from it,” he said.

Ngadi said the unions would continue to press for the reversal of the King’s College concession, adding that their other grievances would be addressed after the matter was resolved. (NAN)

News Politics September 15, 2026 Obi says his academic records should be released upon ‘legitimate request’

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has asked the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to release his academic records upon “legitimate request”.

In a Tuesday post on X, the former governor of Anambra said he was ready to subject himself to any level of scrutiny expected of anyone seeking the highest political office in the land.

Abayomi Arabambi, a former national publicity secretary of the Labour Party (LP), had sued UNN, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) over their alleged refusal to release Obi’s credentials.

In three separate suits filed before a federal high court in Abuja, Arabambi alleged that Obi’s name varied across documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and educational authorities.

Arabambi said he had separately written to the three institutions to demand the release of Obi’s certificates, but his requests were denied.

Obi said he had no objection to the release of his academic records for public examination.

“I respectfully request that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, within the limits permitted by law, make available, upon legitimate request, my academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to my admission and studies at the University,” he wrote.

The former governor also directed other institutions he attended both within and outside Nigeria to release his records in “accordance with applicable laws and procedures”, noting that he believes in transparency and accountability, particularly for those seeking public office.

“As a presidential candidate seeking the trust of Nigerians to lead our country, I welcome legitimate public interest in my background, qualifications, and record,” he said.

“Those who seek to lead must be willing to demonstrate, through both their words and actions, that they have nothing to conceal from the people they aspire to serve.”

Obi advised other presidential candidates to make their educational qualifications and relevant records available for public scrutiny.

“Doing so should not be regarded as an inconvenience or an attack, but as an opportunity to strengthen public confidence, promote accountability, and rebuild the trust of Nigerians in those who seek to govern them,” Obi said.

“If we desire a Nigeria founded on transparency, integrity, accountability, and respect for institutions, those values must begin with those who seek to lead it.”

TheCable

News September 15, 2026 Felix Arome Assumes Office as FAN Director-General, Pledges Stronger Structure Ahead of 2027

Architect Felix Arome has assumed office as the Director-General of the Frontline Alliance Network (FAN), a political support group with structures and membership across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Arome, who previously served as National Secretary of the Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria Group, took over the leadership of FAN during a handover ceremony in Abuja, attended by members and stakeholders of the organisation.

The Frontline Alliance Network had earlier endorsed the presidential ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking after assuming office, Arome thanked the founders of FAN for the confidence reposed in him, describing his appointment as both a responsibility and a call to strengthen the organisation’s existing structures.

He assured members across the country that his administration would support and strengthen the various FAN structures to make the group more formidable and better positioned ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the focus would be on building a stronger grassroots presence and ensuring that the organisation’s structures are firmly established at the local government level.

Arome also pledged to work with political groups, individuals and organisations that share the aspiration of supporting President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

He urged members to intensify efforts to consolidate their political structures at the grassroots, stressing that capacity and the ability to deliver would be the major considerations in assigning responsibilities within the organisation.

The new Director-General said positions and responsibilities would not be distributed based on sentiments, but on demonstrated commitment, competence and capacity to deliver results.

Arome further assured members that he would remain loyal to those who had worked to build FAN, promising that their efforts and sacrifices would not be forgotten.

He called on members to remain committed to the organisation’s objectives, saying that a united and well-structured grassroots movement would be critical to achieving the group’s political goals ahead of the 2027 general elections.