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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

DAILY POST recalls that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Defection: Peter Obi simply looking for ‘food is ready’ party – Wike

A public affairs analyst, Dayo Akintobi, says the body language of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar drove ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, away from the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Akintobi stated this on Wednesday during an interview on News Central Television.

He added that rotational presidency remains a key factor in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Atiku is the £800 gorilla in the room and whatever his body language is, is what will prevail in the ADC. And that was essentially what drove Peter Obi.

“There are people who simply on principle, because the Buhari administration did its eight years in 2023 would have refused to support any northern candidates.

“Atiku was aware of that, and as a result, his candidacy actually lost a lot of steam, because there were people who couldn’t buy into his aspiration based on the sense of injustice that the North has done its eight years.

“Well, that sentiment still resonates today, because the South has only done four years under the Tinubu administration. So by rights or by the understanding between North and South, the South has another four years to go.

“So any northerner who is putting himself forward at this point in time takes the risk of alienating that wide swath of the Nigerian electorate who believes in that principle of rotational presidency in the interest of equity, fairness and justice.

“For some reason, Atiku has chosen to turn a deaf ear to that rotational principle. Now the smart party, within a few hours of Obi and Kwankwaso joining the NDC, immediately announced that they’ve zoned their ticket to the South,” he said.

Atiku’s body language drove Peter Obi from ADC – Analyst

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that military strikes against Iran would resume at a greater intensity if Tehran fails to comply with agreements tied to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, signaling continued tensions despite reports of ongoing negotiations between both countries.

In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump said Operation Epic Fury would come to an end if Iran accepts the proposed terms, adding that the U.S. blockade would permit the Strait to remain “open to all, including Iran.”

However, the U.S. president warned that failure to reach an agreement would trigger renewed military action.

“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” Trump wrote.

Trump also acknowledged uncertainty surrounding Tehran’s position, stating that Iran’s agreement to the proposed terms remained “perhaps, a big assumption.”

The remarks came shortly after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened for safe maritime passage, though neither Washington nor Tehran has publicly confirmed the details of any formal agreement.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, with a significant percentage of global crude exports passing through the narrow waterway daily. Any escalation in tensions in the region is widely monitored due to its potential impact on global energy markets and international shipping.

Reports indicate negotiations between Washington and Tehran are still ongoing, with the United States said to be expecting an Iranian response to a proposed framework agreement within the next 48 hours.

Trump Threatens Renewed Bombing If Iran Rejects Hormuz Deal is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed gratitude to United States President Donald Trump for temporarily pausing ‘Project Freedom’, an initiative to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement posted on X, Sharif thanked Trump for pausing the “Project Freedom” mission, praising him for his courageous leadership and timely announcement.

According to him, Trump’s decision was made in response to requests from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other brotherly countries.

He added that the pause would go a long way towards advancing regional peace, stability and reconciliation during the sensitive period.

“Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.

“We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond,” Sharif said.

Strait of Hormuz: Pakistan thanks Trump for pausing ‘Project Freedom’

The Federal Government has barred recipients of honorary degrees from using the title “Dr” as part of measures to curb the abuse of academic honours in the country.

The decision was announced on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He said the resolution was reached at the Federal Executive Council meeting held on 30th April 2026.

Alausa stated that the move was aimed at ending decades of indiscriminate conferment of degrees for political patronage and financial gain.

He noted that the recent trend in awarding honorary degrees had revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of the academic privilege, with awards being used for political favours, financial gain, and even conferred on serving public officials, which contradicts the ethics of honorary degree awards.

“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege.

“We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain, as well as the conferral of awards on serving public officials, which, as part of the ethics of honorary degree awards, should not happen,” he said.

The minister added that universities that violate the FEC decision will face sanctions and that Vice Chancellors have been directed to streamline the process of conferring such degrees.

Going forward, he said, universities will be required to seek approval from the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) before awarding honorary degrees.

FG Stops Honorary Degree Holders From Using ‘Dr’ Title is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday threatened to sanction Senator Adams Oshiomhole, warning that he could be “taken out of the Senate” if he continued to disrupt proceedings.

The warning followed repeated interruptions by the Edo North senator during plenary, as he persistently shouted “Point of Order” while Akpabio was reading the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting.

The tense exchange is seen as a continuation of an earlier clash between both lawmakers, amid what observers describe as a growing contest for the Senate Presidency ahead of 2027.

Trouble began at the commencement of plenary when Oshiomhole repeatedly interjected, drawing the attention of the presiding officer.

In response, Akpabio called on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to guide his colleague on the Senate’s Standing Rules.

Kalu, in his remarks, described Oshiomhole’s conduct as “tautological,” but the interruptions persisted.

Akpabio then cautioned the former Edo State governor, stating: “If you are a soldier, you behave like a soldier. If you are a police officer, you behave like a police officer. So if you are a senator, you must go by the rules.”

He subsequently ruled Oshiomhole out of order, declaring, “Senator Oshiomhole, you are ruled out of order,” as he struck the gavel.

Despite the ruling, Oshiomhole continued to speak from his seat, insisting on being recognised.

The Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, also intervened, warning of possible disciplinary action.

“Senator Oshiomhole, be guided, otherwise I will invoke the powers of the office of the Chief Whip against you,” Monguno cautioned.

Akpabio reinforced the warning, telling Oshiomhole: “If you become unruly, I will take you out of the Senate.”

Following the series of warnings, Oshiomhole appeared to back down, bringing the disruption to an end.

JUST IN: Akpabio Threatens To Take Oshiomhole ‘Out Of Senate’ is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Dele Odule, a veteran Nigerian actor, has disclosed that he once priced his own casket.

He stated this while discussing his dark moments during an interview with Feelright TV.

Recounting the incident, Dele Odule who explained that he took the decision in his moment of despair, said he was accompanied by his colleague, Olaiya Igwe.

“I had priced my own casket before, when I was in a state of hopelessness, and complete loss of hope. Olaiya Igwe went there with me. Olaiya started crying like a baby.

“I wasn’t sick, I just believed I can no longer have breakthroughs in the industry. I was fed up. Because all my school mates are doing far better than me and my life was nothing to write home about,” he said.

DAILY POST reports that Dele Odule began his acting career in the 1970s and rose to fame in 1993 following his role in “Ti Oluwa Nile”, a classic Yoruba movie.

Watch the interview

‘I priced my casket’ – Actor Dele Odule reveals [VIDEO]

China has said that Iran has every right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said this on Wednesday as he held talks with Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in Beijing.

Yi appreciated Iran’s commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons and reiterated China’s principled position on the Iran situation.

He emphasised that Beijing has been actively promoting peace and encouraging dialogue since hostilities began.

The Chinese official called for an immediate end to fighting and warned against any resumption of conflict while emphasizing that it is especially important to remain committed to negotiations.

According to him, the situation in the Middle East is at a critical juncture between war and peace.

He declared that China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and commended Tehran for seeking a political settlement through diplomatic means.

The foreign minister further stated that the international community shares concerns over restoring safe and normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, urging relevant parties to respond to those calls as soon as possible.

Iran has right to use nuclear energy – China

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Engr. Mustafa Bello as the Chairman of its Board of Directors. The appointment, which takes immediate effect, has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and ratified by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on May 5, 2026.

Engr. Bello’s appointment represents a strategic step to ensure the continuity, stability, and sustained effectiveness of the Board, while reinforcing the high standards of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic oversight for which Zenith Bank is widely respected. He joined the Board of Zenith Bank Plc on 29 December 2017 and has served on several Board committees, including the Board Audit and Compliance Committee, Board Governance, Nomination and Renumeration Committee and as Chairman of the Board Risk Management Committee until his appointment as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

He has extensive leadership experience at Board and executive levels, a strong understanding of corporate governance principles and regulatory expectations, and a proven track record in strategic oversight and organisational growth. He has consistently demonstrated integrity, independence and sound judgement, qualities that distinguished him as the natural choice to lead the Board into its next chapter.

Engr. Mustafa Bello is a distinguished engineer, statesman and corporate leader. His career spans more than four decades across the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy. He served as Minister of Commerce of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2002 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, where he led the development of Nigeria’s WTO-consistent Trade Policy. He also oversaw the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) online project of 2002, which modernised the way businesses register and operate in the country. From November 2003 to February 2014, he served as Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investments Promotion Commission (NIPC), where he was instrumental in attracting foreign direct investment into Nigeria, building multilateral and bilateral partnerships, and representing the Federal Government at international conferences and missions.

He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1978 with a B.Engr. in Civil Engineering (Second Class Upper Division), winning the Shell Prize for the best project and thesis in the Faculty of Engineering. He began his career with the Nigerian Army’s Directorate of Quartering and Engineering Service from 1978 to 1979, before joining the Niger State Housing Corporation as a Senior Civil Engineer from 1980 to 1983.

He is currently the Chairman of Invest-in-Northern Nigeria Limited, a special purpose vehicle for the economic and social transformation of the Northern Nigerian economy, and has previously served on the boards of Eskom Holdings Limited of the Republic of South Africa (2004 to 2008) and FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc as an Independent Non-Executive Director. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a Registered Member of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) as well as Fellow of the Academy of Natural Sciences & Engineering in Nigeria (ANSEN).

Zenith Bank stands among Africa’s leading financial institutions, with a strong capital base and operations across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire.

Zenith Bank appoints Engr Mustafa Bello as Chairman at annual general meeting

Veteran Nollywood actor Roy De Nani has spoken about his painful experiences in the film industry, as well as the personal struggles he has endured over the years of his life.

Speaking on the ‘Where is the lie’ podcast, the actor alleged that at a point in his career, he was unofficially blacklisted from getting acting jobs.

According to him, “A man gave an order that nobody should give Roy De Nani a job again. For years, even when I was already recording, a producer would come in and say, ‘No, cancel it. Stop.’”

Roy De Nani also recalled the pain of losing his brother, saying that no Nollywood actors or actresses supported him during this time.

“I have a brother from the same father. When he died, not a single actor or actress showed up,” he said.

The veteran actor further revealed that he later suffered an even more devastating loss when both his son and daughter died after he could not afford the blood transfusions they urgently needed.

According to him, the children were living with sickle cell disorder and required regular transfusions to stay alive.

“I lost my son, I lost my daughter because they needed blood transfusion so they could continue living, but there was no money to buy the blood, and they died,” he said.

“Nollywood never came to assist me. Not that they don’t care, but they have not been touched. Let it be said that way,” he added.

Actor Roy De Nani opens up on painful experience in Nollywood