Wike And Dele Momodu, Blow Hot In Fiery Media Exchange.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has sparked controversy with a sharp rebuke of veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu, dismissing him as a “boy” and denying any past friendship. The remarks, made during a media chat with selected news outlets on Thursday, have intensified an ongoing feud between the two prominent figures, rooted in political differences and personal grievances.
Wike, speaking candidly, referred to Momodu with apparent disdain, saying, “There is this boy, they say he is a journalist. What’s his name? He is big.” When prompted by journalists that the person in question was Dele Momodu, Wike retorted, “Okay, I don’t remember all these names. He was never my friend. He ran for president, but he didn’t get one vote.” The comments were a direct response to Momodu’s recent criticism of Wike’s political manoeuvres, particularly his refusal to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite serving in President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led government.
Momodu, the publisher of Ovation International Magazine and a former PDP presidential aspirant, has been vocal about Wike’s influence within the PDP and his perceived dual loyalty. During an appearance on Arise TV, Momodu challenged Wike to join the APC, suggesting that his reluctance stems from a desire to maintain dominance within the PDP. “If Wike has the guts, he should join the APC. For him, it is better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven,” Momodu remarked, attributing Wike’s bitterness to his failure to secure the PDP’s presidential or vice-presidential nomination in 2023.
The tension between the two men dates back to at least 2022, when Momodu revealed on The Honest Bunch podcast that their once-close relationship soured after he informed Wike of his own presidential ambitions. According to Momodu, Wike, who was secretly nursing similar aspirations, stopped taking his calls and later dismissed him publicly. “Wike told people, ‘Which Dele Momodu? Get serious!’ I was shocked,” Momodu recounted, highlighting Wike’s shift in attitude after gaining wealth and power.
In a scathing rebuttal on social media, Momodu hit back at Wike’s latest remarks, questioning his character and lifestyle. “I can confirm that too much alcohol can do two things, dull the memory and get people emaciated,” he wrote, adding, “On elections, there’s no difference between the man who wasted billions on seeking power and still lost and the one who spent nothing. They are both losers.” Momodu further described Wike as an “uncouth and uncultured local champion” in contrast to himself, a “decorous and refined global citizen surviving on contentment.”
The feud has drawn significant attention, with observers noting its broader implications for Nigeria’s political landscape. Momodu has recently thrown his support behind a new opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning President Tinubu against undermining Nigeria’s democracy. Meanwhile, Wike’s comments reflect his ongoing influence within the PDP, despite his role in the APC government, raising questions about party loyalty and political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
The public spat underscores a deeper rivalry, with both men leveraging their platforms to assert influence. As the verbal volleys continue, analysts suggest this clash could further polarise political alliances, with Wike’s dismissive tone and Momodu’s sharp retorts keeping the spotlight on their personal and political differences.
