The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the presidential candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, have nothing to offer Nigerians.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Wike made the remarks during his monthly media chat with selected journalists in Abuja, where he questioned the records of Atiku and other political figures who had previously held positions of power.

He maintained that Nigerians were aware that Atiku had failed to make meaningful contributions when he was given the opportunity to serve.

The minister also questioned who could stand against President Bola Tinubu’s political influence if the 2027 presidential election proceeds to a runoff.

Wike said: “I’m a political scientist and have been in politics more than a decade. Assuming there is a presidential runoff, it will be between Tinubu and who?

“Nigerians know that Atiku and co have been given the opportunity and they did not do anything, Nigerians know that the former governor of Rivers State looted our state, Nigerians know that Obi has nothing to offer, you were there when Soludo opened a can of worms.

“You talk about Kwankwaso my friend, I agree that he is very popular, he ran in 2023, won Kano and the rest Northern states, who were they voting?”

Meanwhile, Wike has dismissed claims that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s political future has been jeopardised by his prolonged political dispute with the FCT minister.

He argued that Fubara is still young and that it would be wrong to conclude that his political prospects have been ruined.

Wike made the clarification on Thursday in Abuja during his monthly media chat with selected journalists.

The minister also disclosed that Fubara is an active member of the Rainbow Coalition, a multi-party political group supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

According to Wike, the Rivers governor played a role in unveiling the coalition’s candidates in the state.

He said: “Governor Fubara is a young man. It will be incorrect to say that his political future is gone.

“Fubara is an active member of the Rainbow Coalition; in fact, he was the one who unveiled the Rainbow Coalition candidates in Rivers State.”

Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono has withdrawn from the national team squad ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Zimbabwe following the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The 30-year-old striker died on Monday after suffering a serious injury in a collision with Owono during a Spanish second-division match.

Owono, 25, described the incident as “the most difficult days of my life” in a statement released by his club, FC Andorra, on Wednesday.

The goalkeeper also admitted that it was “very hard to come to terms with what has happened” as he continues to grapple with the emotional impact of the tragedy.

Equatorial Guinea’s football federation, Feguifut, confirmed that Owono had asked to withdraw from the squad named by head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese for the upcoming fixtures.

Feguifut president Venancio Tomas Micha had earlier expressed the federation’s support for the goalkeeper, promising “all our human and professional backing” to help him through the difficult period.

Owono has been Equatorial Guinea’s first-choice goalkeeper since November 2020 and has represented the country at the last three AFCON tournaments. His withdrawal is therefore a significant setback for the National Thunder as they prepare for their two meetings with Zimbabwe.

Equatorial Guinea will host Zimbabwe in Bata on Thursday, November 12, before travelling to Harare for the return leg on Monday, November 16.

Both sides have earned three points from their opening two Group E matches and are currently level in the standings.

DR Congo lead the group with six points, while Sierra Leone sit at the bottom without a point.

The two-match encounter offers Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe an opportunity to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the tournament. However, the National Thunder will now have to prepare for the fixtures without their established first-choice goalkeeper.