By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained why he declined to pursue a Senate seat after completing his eight-year tenure as governor of Rivers State.

Wike said he rejected the opportunity to join the National Assembly because he believed the position would restrict his freedom to express his views on national issues.

The former governor made the disclosure on Friday, October 30, 2026, during the inauguration of a pedestrian bridge constructed by Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja.

According to him, many former governors seek election into the National Assembly after leaving office, but he deliberately chose a different political path.

Wike explained that his decision was informed by his desire to speak freely without the restrictions he believed would come with becoming a senator.

He said he preferred to remain in positions where he could freely express his opinions, particularly on matters concerning the state of the nation.

The minister maintained that he had consistently spoken his mind regardless of the position he occupied.

Wike also urged political and religious leaders to prioritise quality leadership, accountability and service to humanity.

He stressed that leadership should not be measured by political positions or public declarations but by tangible achievements and the positive impact made on people’s lives.

The former Rivers governor further called on Nigerians to assess public office holders based on verifiable accomplishments rather than unverified information circulating on social media.

He commended the leadership of Dunamis International Gospel Centre for investing in infrastructure that promotes public safety and improves the welfare of residents.

The minister’s remarks came during the commissioning of a pedestrian bridge built by the church along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road in Abuja.

Wike served as governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023 before his appointment as FCT minister.

By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Ekiti State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) of seizing CCTV footage allegedly capturing an attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti.

Sowore made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, October 30, 2026, where he recounted how about 20 men allegedly attacked him at a restaurant.

According to the activist, the assailants were armed with sticks and bottles and threatened to kill him if he returned to Ekiti State.

He said the incident occurred while he was meeting supporters after an interview with MIDAS FM 90.5 in Ado-Ekiti.

Sowore alleged that the attackers were captured on the restaurant’s CCTV cameras but claimed that security agencies had taken possession of the footage to prevent the identification and prosecution of those responsible.

He also accused the Ekiti State Government of sponsoring the attack, alleging that some of the assailants came from the Government House and received support from DSS operatives.

The activist said he sustained injuries to his face and other parts of his body and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

However, the Ekiti State Police Command gave a different account of the incident, describing it as an altercation between Sowore and some individuals at a restaurant.

The police said operatives responded to an alert, rescued the activist and took him to the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, where he received medical attention.

The command also announced that an investigation had been ordered to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those involved.

Sowore rejected the police description, insisting that he and his associates were attacked rather than involved in an altercation.

As of the time of filing this report, the police and DSS had not publicly responded to his specific allegation that they seized the CCTV footage. The Ekiti State Government had also not publicly addressed his accusation of sponsorship.

Despite the incident, Sowore vowed to continue his political activities and advocacy, insisting that the attack would not intimidate him.

By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

The Federal Government has directed hospitals and other healthcare facilities across Nigeria to strengthen their preparedness for a possible Ebola outbreak by improving isolation centres and ensuring adequate supplies of protective equipment and medical materials.

The directive, issued through the Federal Ministry of Health, is aimed at ensuring the early detection, isolation and effective management of suspected Ebola Virus Disease cases.

Dr Yunus Mohammed Eze, Deputy Head of Clinical Services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, disclosed this while speaking with journalists.

Eze said the directive required hospitals to put emergency response measures in place to protect healthcare workers and patients while ensuring suspected cases are promptly identified and managed.

He explained that FMC Birnin Kudu had already strengthened its isolation unit and placed healthcare workers on alert to respond to any suspected Ebola infection.

According to him, the hospital has also established arrangements for referring suspected or confirmed cases to designated treatment centres when necessary.

Eze added that the hospital had intensified public awareness campaigns through its Infectious Diseases and Community Medicine units to educate residents on infectious diseases and preventive measures.

He said the facility was collaborating with the Jigawa State Media Corporation to educate the public on disease prevention and the importance of promptly reporting suspected cases.

Healthcare workers are also educating patients and visitors on preventive measures and encouraging them to share the information within their communities.

The development comes amid heightened efforts by Nigerian health authorities to prevent the spread of Ebola following the confirmation of an imported case in Abuja.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has continued to strengthen surveillance, laboratory capacity and infection prevention measures as part of the national response.