How Man Was Beaten To Death In Agege Over Allegation Of Phone Theft

A young man identified simply as Azeez has been beaten to death by suspected cultists following a dispute over a missing phone at Oko-Oba in the Agege area of Lagos State.

A police source told PUNCH Metro on Sunday that the incident occurred on Monday, August 3.

According to the source, Azeez was involved in an argument with some of his colleagues over a missing phone after they attended a party.

The source said the argument later degenerated into an assault on Azeez by some of the suspected cultists, said to be his friends.

“We got a report that he passed away as a result of an assault on him by some suspected cultists said to be his friends. The argument was as a result of a missing phone,” the source said.

 

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The source added that Azeez later succumbed to injuries sustained during the assault.

Meanwhile, an anti-cultism advocacy platform, Naija Confra, in a post on Saturday, gave further details of the incident, saying it began on Sunday night, August 2, during a birthday celebration.

According to the platform, a fight broke out at the event, during which one Abela allegedly took a phone and handed it to Azeez.

The platform said trouble started after the owner of the phone began searching for it.

It alleged that when the owner and his friends confronted Azeez after the phone was found in his possession, he told them that Abela had given him the phone to keep.

“Abela, who was sitting there, denied Azeez, even when people saw him. Azeez would never accuse Abela, an NBM leader who is also a boss to him, if it was not true,” the platform claimed.

Naija Confra further alleged that the owner of the phone and his friends, unable to confront Abela, attacked Azeez before leaving the party.

The platform added that Azeez later confronted Abela over his alleged denial of giving him the phone, leading to another argument and subsequent assault.

It alleged that Azeez was taken to another location by suspected members of the Neo-Black Movement, where the attack was carried out on him.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, could not be reached for comments as calls made to her telephone lines were not responded to.

A text message sent to her had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.

  

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Lagos Law Student Dies After Jumping From Four-Storey Building

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 23-year-old student of the Nigerian Law School, Faith Alayande, who reportedly died after allegedly jumping from the rooftop of a four-storey hostel building at the institution’s campus in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The state police PRO, Abimbola Adebisi, said the incident was reported to the police after the deceased was found unresponsive in the hostel premises on Friday.

Adebisi noted that the matron of the institution reported the matter and disclosed that another student and a relative reportedly found a suicide note written by the deceased student, prompting them to search for her.

She noted that before they could locate her, she had allegedly jumped from the rooftop of the four-storey hostel building.

 

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She said, “I can confirm the incident. The deceased reportedly wrote a suicide note and, before her hostel mate and a relative could locate her, she jumped from the rooftop of a four-storey building.

“The matron of the hostel reported the incident, prompting police operatives to visit the scene. Her body has been evacuated to a morgue for preservation.”

Also, a security analyst, Zagazola Makama, who shared details about the incident on X, disclosed that the deceased was found dead within the hostel premises on Friday by another student, who alerted the matron of the institution.

According to Makama, the Chief Matron of the Law School was said to have reported the incident at the Victoria Island Police Division at about 6:30am.

Makama noted that, upon receiving the report, the matron proceeded to the scene, where the deceased was found lying on the ground within the hostel premises.

Makama wrote, “A 23-year-old student of the Nigerian Law School has died in a suspected suicide incident at the school’s hostel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

“The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, August 7, 2026, when the deceased, identified as Alayande Faith Ajoke, was found dead within the hostel premises.

“The Chief Matron of the Law School, Mrs Igbokwe Juliana, reported the incident at about 6:30am. Preliminary observations indicated that the deceased may have jumped from the rooftop of the four-storey hostel building.”

Meanwhile, the PPRO concluded that an investigation was ongoing into the incident.

This is not the first reported case of a Nigerian Law School student dying by suicide.

PUNCH Metro reported in December 2025 that a Nigerian Law School student, Ayomiposi Ojajuni, reportedly died by suicide after he was allegedly barred from writing the Bar Final examinations at the Yola campus in Adamawa State.

Ojajuni, a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, was said to have received a series of queries from the school authorities and later discovered that he would not be allowed to sit for the professional examinations.

  

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Midnight Raid Leads To Arrest Of Hoodlums Along Lekki-Ajah Expressway

The Lagos State Government is intensifying its clampdown on public nuisance and street criminality following a targeted midnight enforcement operation along the busy Lekki–Ajah Expressway.

Disclosing the development in a post on his official X handle, which was accompanied by a video showing the arrested individuals, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the raid targeted “miscreants and hoodlums who have been constituting a nuisance and posing a threat to motorists and other road users.”

 

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The operation, carried out by operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS), was targeted at individuals who allegedly harass and intimidate motorists, extort money from them, and, “in some instances, damage vehicles when motorists refuse to yield to their demands.”

Reassuring residents, the agency affirmed that the “RRS will continue to sustain intelligence-led operations and enforcement actions against criminal elements whose activities threaten public safety and disrupt the free movement of people and vehicles across the State.”

However, members of the public remain skeptical about the arrests, with many expressing concern that there are insufficient rehabilitation centers for these men and predicting that some will soon be released due to influence and power.

  

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Toke Makinwa Unveils Daughter’s Face, Hides Father’s Identity

For a woman whose life has played out in the public eye for more than a decade, media personality and entrepreneur, Toke Makinwa, has once again shown that she draws a clear line between fame and privacy.

After months of curiosity from fans, Toke recently unveiled the face of her daughter, Yakira Eliana, as the little girl celebrated her first birthday.

Sharing photos of the toddler on social media, the excited mother wrote, “One whole year of you, and today, I finally share a little piece of my heaven with the world. The best part of my story, finally yours to meet.”

For the past year, Toke had only shared carefully cropped photos and videos of her daughter, revealing little more than her tiny hands, feet or silhouette. The decision sparked endless questions from fans eager to see the child.

However, while the birthday celebration put one mystery to rest, it also reignited another.

Soon after the photos surfaced, conversations online shifted to the identity of Yakira’s father, which Toke has continued to keep away from the public eye.

 

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The media personality has neither publicly identified the child’s father nor shared details about him, choosing instead to keep that aspect of her personal life private.

As expected, the development generated mixed reactions on social media. While many applauded Toke for protecting her family’s privacy and introducing her daughter to the public on her own terms, others said they remained curious about the identity of the little girl’s father.

Regardless of the differing opinions, Toke’s decision has once again highlighted the growing trend among celebrities who carefully choose what parts of their family lives to share online.

For now, fans may finally have a face to match with Yakira, but the identity of her father remains a private chapter that Toke has chosen not to make public.

Toke Makinwa is currently single. She was previously married to fitness entrepreneur Maje Ayida in 2014, but a Lagos High Court dissolved the union in October 2017.

She has publicly dismissed rumors of a secret remarriage or engagement, clarifying that viral event photos or celebrations were strictly personal milestones like birthday thanksgiving gatherings rather than weddings. 

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Customs Intercept Rifles, Cannabis Snacks Worth N374 Million At Tin Can Port

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 140 pump-action rifles and cannabis-infused food products worth N373.8 million at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this at a news conference while highlighting major enforcement operations carried out by the TinCan Island Port Command.

Adeniyi said customs operatives intercepted a container on July 8 carrying concealed knock-down components of pump-action rifles.

He said 140 rifles had so far been assembled from the recovered parts, while the assembly of the remaining components was still ongoing.

According to him, one principal suspect was arrested on July 31 at a bonded terminal while attempting to facilitate the container’s release.

He said financial and telecommunications evidence linked the suspect to the shipment.

The CGC said two suspects were in custody assisting investigations, while another principal suspect remained at large and was being tracked by security operatives.

 

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Adeniyi also said customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers laden with cannabis-infused products concealed among imported goods, including vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.

He explained that the seized drugs comprised 8,720 pieces of Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies weighing 17.44 kilogrammes and valued at N308.7 million.

He added that officers recovered 740 packs of cannabis-infused gummies weighing 515.2kg and valued at N40.7 million, as well as 873 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies in 442 packs weighing 309.4kg and valued at N24.3 million.

According to him, the total street value of the seized drugs is N373.8 million.

Adeniyi warned that the products were attractively packaged with flavours such as citrus, vanilla, pine and peach pie to resemble ordinary snacks and appeal to children, students and other young people.

He said unsuspecting consumers could ingest the products due to their deceptive packaging.

The customs boss commended the Area Controller of TinCan Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, and officers of the enforcement unit for their vigilance and professionalism.

He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to securing the nation’s borders and prosecuting those involved in the trafficking of illicit arms and dangerous drugs.

Adeniyi also commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for its collaboration and urged Nigerians to provide credible intelligence to support anti-smuggling operations.

Receiving the seized items, the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA TinCan Strategic Command, Mr Augustine Adewunmi, described cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and smoothies as an emerging threat to public safety.

Adewunmi said the products, imported from the United States, were packaged as vegan snacks with flavours such as citrus, vanilla and peach to deceive unsuspecting consumers.

He warned that the products were designed to appeal to children, students and club users, increasing the risk of accidental drug consumption.

The NDLEA commander said two suspects were in custody while investigations continued.

He urged parents, schools and members of the public to remain vigilant, warning that ingesting the products delivered concentrated cannabis directly into the body.

NAN

  

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How Over 400 Suspected Land Grabbers Invaded Alimosho Estates, Extorting Residents And Vandalising Property

Residents of Santos Layout, Valley Estate and adjoining communities in the Alimosho area of Lagos State have accused suspected land grabbers and hundreds of armed thugs of unleashing terror on their neighbourhood while enforcing a disputed court judgment.

The residents alleged that homes and businesses were vandalised during the operation.

They claimed that shops were sealed, buildings damaged and property destroyed during the three-day operation.

Speaking with news men , a resident, Funmilola Ajayi, alleged that several shops and business premises were forcibly shut, while the roofs of some structures were removed.

“The thugs were very violent when they came into the area on Thursday. They locked some shops and removed the roofs of several buildings, including a sawmill. Some owners who settled them have reopened their businesses, while those who refused to pay still have their shops locked,” she alleged.

The auditor of the Santos Layout Phase 1 Residents’ Association, Saburi Odunmbaku, maintained that the estate was lawfully established and approved by the Lagos State Government in 1976.

According to him, neither the estate nor its residents were parties to the court case being relied upon by those enforcing the judgment.

“Santos Layout was approved by the Lagos State Government in 1976, and over 300 houses were built with government approval. We were never parties to the suit from which these people claim to have obtained judgment.

“We did not derive our title from them. If there is any dispute, let everyone return to court. Someone cannot wake up after we have lived here for over 15 years and ask us to vacate our homes because of a judgment in a case we knew nothing about,” he said.

Odunmbaku said the enforcement affected Santos Layout Phases 1 and 2, Valley Estate, Ajimotoko, Alimotu, Aluminium Village and other adjoining communities, adding that some banks and business premises were also shut.

He further alleged that about 400 armed thugs stormed the communities during the operation.

 

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“They came in their hundreds. They were violent, armed with bottles and smoking openly. Anyone who questioned or challenged them was beaten.

“There was even a journalist they assaulted. Whenever they saw residents recording videos, they seized their phones and smashed them. That was what happened on Thursday and Friday.

“The police were there throughout. We were told they had been deployed to maintain peace and order, but the hoodlums carried on with the attacks. The situation remained tense from Thursday to Saturday before it eventually calmed down,” he alleged.

The suspected thugs were also alleged to have assaulted The Guardian correspondent, Eniola Daniel, and forced him to delete footage during the operation.

Residents further claimed that other journalists at the scene were forced to flee for safety.

In a video obtained by PUNCH Metro, another resident accused the suspected thugs of invading homes and destroying property indiscriminately.

“These people are entering our houses and breaking our gates without restraint. Is it until they start sleeping with our wives before the government acts? We don’t trust the police or the military anymore. They even told us the courts are not sitting now, so what are we supposed to do? We are begging the government to come to our aid. Some of the hoodlums came with bottles, and some even carried guns apart from the police officers who were there,” the resident said.

Another resident, Oshobodu Oluwabukola, said the community had sought the intervention of the lawmaker representing the area but claimed the attacks continued despite assurances.

According to her, the suspected thugs returned the following day in larger numbers and removed one of the estate’s gates.

“We met Honourable Akin-Johnson, and he asked us to be patient while he looked into the matter with his legal team. But despite that, they returned. We have videos and pictures of them.

“They vandalised houses in Valley Estate and Santos Layout and even carted away an entire gate. This morning they returned in even larger numbers. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu should please come to our rescue. We bought our land legally, we live here and we have Certificates of Occupancy. Please help us,” she pleaded.

Another video seen by PUNCH Metro showed suspected thugs pulling down the gate of one of the properties while moving around the premises in large numbers.

A woman, whose voice was heard in the footage, raised the alarm as she accused the invaders of damaging her property and taking away some of her belongings.

“They came to our compound and broke the fence and gate of our house, which has a Certificate of Occupancy,” she lamented.

The woman was also seen struggling with one of the suspected invaders over a shovel he allegedly attempted to remove from the compound.

However, the attorney to the Yaku family, Alhaji Hassan Ali, dismissed the residents’ allegations, insisting that the operation was a lawful execution of a valid court judgment carried out by court officials.

Ali told PUNCH Metro that the Yaku family had been involved in litigation over the disputed land for several years and eventually secured judgment in its favour, making it the lawful owner of the property.

“This is purely a judgment enforcement issue. The Yaku family are the judgment creditors. They won the case against some other families and subsequently obtained an order for possession from the court.

“It was the court sheriff who took possession and locked the affected properties. Whoever owns the land owns everything on it. If anyone believes they have a better title than the Yaku family, they should challenge the judgment in court because all the relevant documents are available,” he said.

The lawyer also dismissed allegations of violence and intimidation during the enforcement, describing the operation as peaceful.

“They can say whatever they like, but the owner of the land is the Yaku family. This was a lawful execution of a court judgment and a peaceful possession exercise,” he said.

Ali further denied claims that a journalist was assaulted during the operation.

“There is nothing like that. The journalist was not assaulted by anyone enforcing the judgment. He was challenged by one of the residents while making a video. Reports alleging that enforcement officials attacked him are false,” he added.

He maintained that any aggrieved party should seek legal redress rather than challenge the court-backed enforcement.

  

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Lagos Arrests 27 Over Bridge Vandalism

The Lagos State Government has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums for allegedly vandalising a newly constructed bridge linking Festac Town to Alakija during a midnight enforcement operation.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement, saying the arrests followed the discovery of what he described as a “disturbing act of vandalism” beneath the bridge.

According to Wahab, investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly removed iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other components critical to the bridge’s structural integrity.

 

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He said, “Investigations revealed that suspected hoodlums had deliberately vandalised critical structural components of the bridge by removing iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables, and other supporting materials essential to the integrity of the infrastructure.”

Wahab warned that the destruction of the bridge components posed a major safety risk.

“This criminal act poses a serious threat to public safety and undermines the government’s investment in critical infrastructure,” he said.

The commissioner said a joint midnight enforcement operation involving operatives of the Rapid Response Squad and the Kick Against Indiscipline task force led to the suspects’ arrest.

He added, “The operation led to the arrest of 27 suspected hoodlums, who will be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State.”

Reaffirming the government’s resolve to protect public assets, Wahab said enforcement operations against vandals and other offenders would continue.

“The Lagos State Government remains committed to protecting public infrastructure and will continue to take decisive action against individuals or groups engaged in acts of vandalism, environmental infractions, and other criminal activities that threaten the safety and wellbeing of residents,” he stated.

  

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LASTMA Partners Stakeholders To Boost Traffic Discipline In Ifako-Ijaiye

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring traffic discipline across the state through stronger collaboration with communities and other stakeholders.

The assurance came when members of the Ifako-Ijaiye Leaders of Thoughts Association paid a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters in Oshodi to explore areas of partnership on traffic management and public enlightenment.
The delegation, made up of community leaders, professionals and stakeholders from Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, commended LASTMA for its efforts in tackling traffic congestion despite the growing transportation challenges in Lagos.

Speaking during the meeting, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, thanked the association for supporting the agency’s vision of promoting voluntary compliance with traffic laws through public awareness, strategic partnerships and civic responsibility.

Bakare-Oki said restoring order on Lagos roads requires more than enforcement, stressing that residents, community groups, traditional rulers, religious organisations, transport unions and other stakeholders all have important roles to play.

 

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He noted that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to building a safer and more efficient transport system, adding that LASTMA has continued to improve its operations through personnel training, technology, intelligence-driven traffic management and public sensitisation.

The LASTMA boss also called for greater community participation in tackling traffic offences such as indiscriminate parking, one-way driving and road obstruction, which he said continue to hinder the free flow of traffic across the state.
He assured the delegation that the agency would deepen its engagement with Community Development Associations, professional bodies and civil society organisations to improve compliance with traffic regulations and strengthen public confidence.

Earlier, President of the Ifako-Ijaiye Leaders of Thoughts Association, Chief Jonathan Tawose, praised the agency’s leadership, describing LASTMA as a critical institution in promoting road safety, traffic orderliness and sustainable urban mobility in Lagos.

Tawose pledged the association’s support for LASTMA through grassroots advocacy, public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement aimed at encouraging motorists, commercial transport operators and pedestrians to obey traffic regulations.

Both parties agreed to sustain dialogue and expand joint public enlightenment campaigns to promote traffic discipline and support the Lagos State Government’s transportation agenda.

  

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Lagos State Hands Out Business Tools To 3,800 Residents To Drive Local Enterprise

The Lagos State Government has distributed start-up business equipment to more than 3,800 residents through the 2026 edition of its Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), in a renewed bid to tackle poverty and foster economic inclusion.

The empowerment event, organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), took place at De Blue Roof, Lagos Television (LTV), Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The gathering brought together state executives, lawmakers, community and market leaders and hundreds of beneficiaries from across the metropolis.

Delivering his keynote address, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, framed the initiative as a central pillar of his administration’s THEMES+ Agenda, which seeks to boost self-reliance and local job creation.

“Empowering entrepreneurs not only strengthens families but also stimulates job creation, supports small businesses, and contributes significantly to the socio-economic development of Lagos State,” Sanwo-Olu said, adding that the initiative ensures hardworking residents can access tools to elevate their standard of living regardless of their social standing.

 

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Supporting the Governor’s remarks, Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat described micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as the true backbone of the state’s economy.

Meanwhile, the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, urged the recipients, particularly women and vulnerable family members to leverage the assets to achieve financial independence.

Chair of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation,
Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon, alongside the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, praised the program’s grassroots impact and its role in practical poverty reduction.

Addressing the audience, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation,  Cecilia Dada, explained that MESI was specifically designed to bridge the gap between vocational training and actual enterprise development.

“While our tuition-free Skills Acquisition Centres continue to equip residents with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative provides beneficiaries with the tools required to establish or expand their businesses,” Dada said.

According to statistics released by the Ministry: “35,101 residents have graduated from tuition-free Skills Acquisition Centres under the current administration.

18,990 beneficiaries have received business equipment via MESI to date.

18,241 individuals in grassroots and riverine areas have benefited from the Life Skills and Economic Empowerment Programme (LEEP).

Over 5,500 widows have received direct financial grants to support their trade.

4,040 vulnerable families have been reached through the Ounjẹ Lọ Rẹ Awo Food and Nutrition Programme.”

The commissioner added that WAPA’s wider interventions encompass digital skills schemes, annual menstrual hygiene campaigns, agricultural projects at the Avia Farm in Badagry and legal and economic support for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Beneficiaries at Tuesday’s event departed with a broad range of commercial equipment, including sewing machines, hairdressing and barbing kits, deep freezers, cameras, industrial gas burners, vulcanising machines, pepper grinders and raw food trade stock. Officials urged recipients to use the assets responsibly, scale their ventures, and contribute to the state’s broader economic growth.

  

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Lagos PDP Condemns Wike’s Remarks Against Bode George

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing his recent remarks against party chieftain Olabode George as “baseless, reckless and ignorant.”

In a statement issued in Lagos and signed by the Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Prince Dr. Christopher Odianarewo, the party accused the minister of making unfounded allegations against George and urged him to focus on his responsibilities in the FCT rather than engaging in what it described as political attacks.

The party defended George’s record, insisting that he had been exonerated by the Supreme Court over allegations relating to his tenure as Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Board. It accused Wike of disregarding judicial decisions whenever they did not align with his political interests.

 

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The statement also faulted Wike’s comments regarding George’s residence in Maitama, Abuja, describing them as an abuse of office and an unwarranted intrusion into the private affairs of a citizen.

According to the PDP, Wike had no connection to the property and should not use his position as FCT minister to intimidate or target 

private individuals

. It further alleged that the minister had a history of overstepping his authority and interfering in matters outside his official responsibilities.

On Lagos politics, the party accused Wike of lacking an understanding of the state’s political history. It maintained that George played a significant role in the PDP’s electoral successes in the South while serving as the party’s National Vice Chairman (South), adding that Wike was politically less influential at the time.

The statement also referenced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, claiming he had previously acknowledged the role internal party dynamics played in the PDP’s electoral fortunes in Lagos.

The Lagos PDP further accused Wike of political inconsistency, alleging that he had fallen out with several former political associates, including Peter Odili, Rotimi Amaechi and Goodluck Jonathan.

It argued that Wike had developed a reputation for political confrontations and suggested that his current relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was one of political convenience.

The party called on the minister to refrain from making further remarks against George, urging him instead to concentrate on administering the Federal Capital Territory.

“Focus on your responsibilities in the FCT and stop dragging Chief Bode George into political controversies,” the statement said.

  

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