Seyi Makinde For President + Wike Calls Makinde 419 + World Bank Blocks Nigerians| OjyOkpe

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Arise News Channel.I present to you, the formidable, the one and only, Umu Kwata's finest, Chief Oji Nneka, Oji Ukpe, Rache.

Rufi On Fire, how are you this morning?

I'm doing all right.

TGIF, thank God it's Friday.So you know, today is my favorite day, like I said.But you know, I got I'm getting excited.Hold on.Hold on.I didn't realize you were here.

But I'm going to be getting a chief tenancy title, all thanks to Rufus.

You see, they finally responded.They finally...Hey!

How much you not corresponded?Yes, I missed you on What's Trending.Let's figure it out.Our favorite Nigella.The one and only.There's only one Nigella.

You know, because I went to primary school when it's Friday like that and it's a long weekend, you know, there's a long weekend.I know and it's a weekend.I mean, it's a weekend.I mean, the kids always sing a song and they go.

Let's begin what's trending with politics, as the 2027 race is in full gear.And the news that is on top of the trends is Oyo State Governor Shane Mackindee officially declaring his intention to run for president.And he did it with a rally that turned the historicMappo Hall in Ibadan into a political carnival yesterday.Thousands of supporters from the People's Democratic Party and the Allied People's Movement stormed the venue as both parties formally unveiled a grand political alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.Speaking before the chairing crowd, Makinde described Ibadan as the city of warriors while unveiling the new alliance.

The governor warned that Nigeria is drifting towards a one -party state and that continuous interference in opposition parties threatens democracy itself.

Today, we are all here at this mega rally to announce the grand alliance between the People's Democratic Party and the Allied People's Movement.Without a multi -party system, there is no democracy.So where is our multi -party?The economic and security situations have continued to deteriorate, putting the majority of Nigerians on survivor mode.And this is on a daily basis.Those charged with the responsibility of looking out for the welfare of citizens are treating the authority they hold in trust as personal property that they can wield as they please.

Ibada is the city of warriors.The alliance of people's democratic party and the allied people's movement.This handshake will allow usfield candidates at all levels.We will field candidates from top to bottom.We will field candidates from presidency to state assembly and everything in between.

Hi, Oluseyi Abiodunmakinde, FNSE.Announce my candidacy.

Now, the 2027 presidential race just got more interesting.A sitting PDP governor just declared He's running for president under the Allied People's Movement platform while maintaining his PDP governorship.While McInday is saying that the PDP -APM alliance is just the first step towards a broader opposition coalition, some have said that this is opposition realignment in real time, and that McInday is positioning himself early, building a coalition, and sending a clear signal to the ruling APC that the 2027 won't be a walkover.

But what has been the reaction?

Well, FCT Minister Yesonwike was quick to dismiss Makinde's claims of a potential APM PDP alliance, calling it 419, saying that as of today, there is absolutely no alliance between both parties and that Makinde is essentially trying to trick Nigerians into the belief that there is.Let's take a look.

PDP has presented a position as good present for the young candidates.and watch out who will be submitted to INEQ and see whether there's anything called PDP APM.So please, please, please.We said it and we know Bala has gone to APM.Bala has never said anything called PDP APM.He's having to come out to say he has joined APM.

Maybe, those of his supporters, maybe, Those are the supporters, if they ever remain in PDP in Ibadan.We may be taking them along.That's what he's calling a PDP -APM alliance.It's unfortunate.And we know that that has been his game plan.And we said he cannot fly the flag of PDP.

So please, please, tell Nigerians that there's nothing called PDP -APM alliance.

Well, all right.Wikia's comments have also generated mixed reactions online, calling out his own double standard, giving his proximities to the All Progressives Congress and President Tinubu's administration.More on presidential aspirants with former transport minister and African Democratic Congress chieftain Rotimi Amechi stating on Thursday that if he's elected as president, he would transform Nigeria in just four years.Amechi made these comments right after submitting his nomination form at the ADC headquarters in Abuja.Let's take a look.

Who is careful of delivering the votes?Who is careful of beating the incumbent president?Who has the experience?I believe I'm the most experienced.I'm the youngest, I'm the most experienced, and I believe that I have the capacity to deliver the votes for ADC.It is what they call it, a miracle that brought us here.

It is our turn that brought us here.It is the turn of Nigerians.Because see, there's no market for Christians.Neither is there a market for Muslims, or a market for northerners, or southerners.The market here has just one voice, currency.And what is the currency?

Naira.and Nigerians are suffering.They are suffering.The current president has visited us with suffering.I don't know why he wants to run.I don't even know why APC wants to even participate.

They should, in shame, allow other Nigerians to participate and change.

All right.We've had comments like this before with, you know, the Nigerian Democratic Congress shifted.Even Peter Aube repeatedly stating in interviews that he'd only want and need to be a one -time president, saying that he would not stay even longer than a day.But we've seen these sort of comments.I'd like to take some reaction.I'll just take one reaction really quickly before I come to you.

Rufi on fire.Stephen wrote, Nigerians have heard, I will fix Nigeria from politicians for decades.At this point, people are less interested in promises and more interested in credible, measurable promises.plans.And that's some of the comments that we've seen online.I don't want to go through all of the comments that we have seen, but you know, I'd like for you to unpack all the stories, starting from Cheyenne McIntyre declaring on APM PDP, I don't even know what to call it, APM PDP platform that he wants to run for president.

And we are hearing Rike calling it a fraud or a 419 scam and obviously with that double standard staring glaring at us and of course we saw Rotimiya Mechi there saying also that he's about the youngest candidate at this point.Your thoughts?Okay, Oji.

Based on facts, I don't think Che Mak in this declaration was a fraud but we cana point.Because while we're talking to the last case, we had to check online.And after the Supreme Court judgment, INEC has not affected anything.So we've not seen anything.The people loyal to Wikia still have their people out there on the INEC list.

That's based on facts.But with the Che I Mark Indy declaration, you can see, yes, there's an alliance with the Tureki faction, but it's going to be on the APM ticket.And APM is a valid registered party.So if the stars align, If he wins the primary or they do a consensus, definitely he can be on the ballot as regards that.While Wiki can still get somebody that he's going to put in there anyway, a lesser force, because Wiki has come out to say he's backing President Ndubu.I mean, I don't know how amphibious you can be in the PDP and you're backing a president in the APC, but he's made no bones about it.

Also, another dynamic I want to bring about is the destruction of what my very good friend and brother Bwala would call the Jackson Five.Because don't forget, Amechi, Hassan Amechi, what's he called, Sheyi Makinde Awiki, were part of those that went against Atiku Abubakar.They were part of the five allied governors in the PDP that said no to Atiku Abubakar then over the second term of Bishan.So, the Jackson Five now has not become the Jackson Splits because Makinde, on one hand, is running solo now and is against President Tenobo on this, which political watchers.I've seen some people in the ABC say, Rufai, you don't know what you are saying.President Tinubu is going to beat him.

Yoruba's would rather give their own son a second term.But my argument will be this.See, Makinde is incumbent governor.He played a role in President Tinubu getting there in the first place when President Tinubu was not even president.Federal might versus incumbent governor, we'll see who can play the politics better.But for you to tell me on God's heads that Marky D is not going to shave some votes off that presidential election.

normally get in Oyo State.

I'm sure he would, for sure.

I mean, look at that mammoth crowd.Those that are saying he's going to Mexico, forget it.And also, the dynamics in Oyo is quite very scattered because there are some strong contenders on the Accord Party.I keep talking about Uriyomi Amzat because I go to Ibadan a lot.I'm in the grassroots.Uriyomi Amzat has a big following.

He's also in the Accord Party.So let's see how that dynamics will pan out.And for the very first time...Yeah, Konkura Alate.And for the very first time, you have, I know kings are not supposed to participate, but you have a former governor and a political juggernaut as Ulu Bado.That dynamics is also there.

So for the very first, anyway, OK, the last one, too, was, I think, was also, I think, played some level of politics.But that dynamic is also there.And he was a former governor.So we are seeing all of that.Then coming forward to Amechi, I mean, what do you expect him to say?He's a politician.

He will say he's the youngest.He will say anything.He wants to quarrel votes.But it is the people that will decide.By saying he's the most experienced are the youngest doesn't mean he's going to beat Atiku in this ADC prime.I doubt.

If I make a beat article in this edisprimer, it will be a miracle.For those that are saying they are going to do one - You mean if Atiku beats Amechi?If Amechi beats Atiku, okay, it would be a miracle.But because like I said before, it's all pretty much done and done.Maybe he might get something as regards maybe a running mate on all of that, you know, if Atiku is magnanimous enough and they can work it around themselves.Ayatudin is also there, but I don't pretty much, I think Ayatudin will just pretty much pivot, you know, with the Atiku line.

I might not be correct on that.But for people that are saying that they are going to do one term, Politicians will say a lot of things, but let's be real, this is going to be difficult.Mr. Peter Obi, there's a difference between putting a gun to your head and pressure.from your people.Because that's when people of the southeast will now rightfully say that, ah, the only time we finally got a chance to do something, you are saying you want to do it one term.Because when you look at it, Jonathan too said the same.

It's not that he didn't want to do it one term.But there's also the factor of the fact that the seat is sweet.I think it was Geoffrey Nkangure, one of the former Ugandan presidents, that when he got to the seat, he said the seat is sweet.When you also start to see the pegs of the seat, it's sweet.So it's very hard.

But there's nothing wrong with doing it one time.

But the last leg of my analysis is, I'm sure he has a strong point.You know why?And the argument I will make is, till today, we forget in a hurry that Latif Jaconde only did four years.Can you tell me anybody?that since Latif Jackonde left has been able to surpass Latif Jackonde in length and breadth of achievement.since that four years he did.

All right.The race is on.Let the best man win.We have Rotimi Amechi.We have Atiku Abubaka.We have Peter Obi.

We have, who am I forgetting?

Shei Makinde.

Shei Makinde now.Now in the race.Hayatudin, President Tunugu.The contenders are Sandi Ono right now.

Sandi Ono, yes.Yes, Sandi Ono is a contender.Yes, yes, Sandi Ono.

Let the best man win.Let's take another story now.It appears the World Bank has restricted comments on its Instagram page after thousands of Nigerians flooded the platform, begging them to stop lending money to the federal government of Nigeria.The digital protest erupted after reports that President Bola Ametimbu is seeking a fresh $1 .25 billion World Bank loan for approval on June 26th, just six months before the 2027 election.Nigerians stormed the page, with one message.Stop borrowing our leaders money.

Let's take a look at some of the tweets.Martin's wrote on X. Stop giving Tinubu loan.Tinubu's achievements so far.One, expensive fuel, expensive food, expensive electricity, weak Naira, rising insecurity, growing poverty, endless propaganda.Olayetung wrote on X. The money are being used for personal interests, not for the country.It is being used for the election, not for the country.

Hear the masses cry.And please don't grant them the loan because we, the masses, will still suffer it.I'm sure you saw that at FMI, the hashtag Stop Borrowing Tinubu Loan.Well, just days ago, Tinubu announced Nigeria will spend $11 .6 billion on debt servicing in 2026, nearly half of projected revenue.Now he's seeking another $1 .25 billion And the World Bank's response to frustrated Nigerians is to lock the comments.Well, an institution that preaches transparency just silenced the very people whose Futures are being mortgaged.

I mean, this is such a complex story at DFME.Just to put it in context, the loan is called Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration, which the government says would support economic reforms, improve electricity, agriculture and job creation.At the current exchange rate, the proposed 1 .25 billion dollars translates to around 1 .70 trillion naira.Just to put it in context, how much external financing this administration is seeking amid extreme economic reforms and citizens' hardship.Your thoughts?

It's quite tough.OK, so firstly, I think just as human beings, as Nigerians, it's very important that we don't conflate our thoughts as facts, because this is a legitimate loan request.And as you've just read, this is the purpose of said loan.Nigerians have every right to feel concerned, angered even, with the rate of borrowing in this country, because it is staggering.We actually had an entire guest segment on this topic earlier today.So it is legitimate that people should be and can be concerned.

You are entitled to it.What I want to say about the question comments being locked.Do you know how many comments you would have to leave under a post for that page to say, actually, we're just going to stop?Must be a lot.How many Nigerians?Must be a lot.

And there are many Nigerians, right?So I can understand the frustration from the second tweet or even your analysis there where you said that it shouldn't be the case that the World Bank are locking comments and making people struggle to have their point put across.That shouldn't be the case.But I think this is also an example of the fact that the World Bank did to hear what Nigerians have to say.And it's not a situation of them saying, we're now no longer going to borrow your present.It just doesn't work in that way.

But Nigerians have every right to feel concerned about it.But I don't think the narrative should be, this money is being used to fund personal ambition or personal gain.I don't think that's correct.

I know it's your turn to speak, but you wanted to add something to this.

I think it's misplaced what Nigeria is doing.It's not the World Bank you should go to.What you should do is get your lawmakers, as we speak, call them, get their number, bombard them with messages and say, when they bring this loan to the ground of the National Assembly, So it's not the World Bank.Go to your lawmakers.Those are the people you elected.That's your voice there.

President Tinubu has been trending for his response to a question posed by the British journalist Zainab Badawi as to why Nigeria, as Africa's largest economy, hasn't created a single trading platform to ease trading for the continent.Speaking during the Africa CEO Forum on the presidential panel alongside the president of Gabon, Bryce Nguyen,on Thursday.Badawi questioned Tinubu about who is really responsible for building Africa's trading systems, if not the largest economy.Well, let's take a look.

We need to put our money where our mouth is and develop a relationship.Luckily, we have African trade agreements that should not be left on the drawing board, should be activated properly.A particular commodity available in the country or the other, why not start an exchange commodity platform where we can trade with one another?

But why don't you start one?

You say?

Why don't you start the commodity exchange you're talking about?You're the most numerous country.biggest economy or South Africa, you know, the two of you battle it out at times, don't you?Yes.

Yeah.All right.Why don't we start one?I mean, this video has generated mixed reactions online with people saying that with one of the largest economies in Africa, Nigeria, in theory, should play a significantly more active role in building that infrastructure.Well, during this conversation, President Tinubu also announced that Nigeria is on track costs to attract almost $20 billion in foreign direct investment this year, attributing itto his administration's stabilization and reforms in spite of the frequent loan requests.

Binba, your thoughts on this story?

First of all, I want to congratulate him because Zainab Badawi is by no means a walkover.She was cheeky, she was strong, she pushed to the best of her ability given the forum that was there because of course these types of forums are to bring out the best in somebody, not necessarily to grill them.So given that, I think it was a pleasant outing and I also think people shouldn't pay too much attention to sort of clips.to But this also came off of the back of him saying that investment is cowardly and him seeming to complain about investment not really flowing the way he would like it to flow into Nigeria.He's saying so many bottlenecks have been removed but the investment is still not coming in the way he would want it to.that

to try and promote and package Nigeria.And I think he did a good job of doing that.Now, when you look at borrowing and all those other issues, just tying it in, the work of the World Bank is to lend people money.So no matter how much you complain to them, they will lock it, they will ignore you, you can protest, you can do what you like, but their work is to dish out money.And so it's now up to us to start rejecting that money and to look for other ways to try and develop ourselves and get ahead.

All right.There are a lot of takeaways with this Africa CEO's Foreigner.I'd like to highlight a few soundbites.Now, speaking about developing African infrastructure, Africa's richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangute, in a new interview, revealed how he had to jump hoops to build his $20 billion refinery, including the fact that he had to build his own deep sea port and a water system the size of a small city just to get the job done.Let's take a look.

I decided that I'm going to make a refinery.And let's make the biggest.The biggest ever.In the world.In the world.Ever.

In the world.50 % more than the biggest.$20 billion.$20 billion of investment.Tell me about it.So we started with that.

We launched the project in 2013.We have had issues of the land for five years.one land three and a half years, the other land one and a half years, that we have not been able to get even access to it.All this will be blocked by what you call the mafia in oil business to make sure that we don't come and address these issues.Luckily for us, we didn't know what we were building.Because if you knew, I was faced with the plan and the drawings all at once.

right?I wouldn't have built this refinery.I would have actually chickened out.Really?Yes, because I mean, you know, when we started, you know, it's like you started swimming across the ocean.When you get middle of the ocean, you're

that the tide was bad.When you go forward, it's bad.When you go backwards, it's...So you have to work forward.And that is what we did.We had to just keep working and working and believing that we will deliver.

Meanwhile, Africa's second richest individual, Abdusamad Rabiou.The chairman of War Group, speaking at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, recounted how he was denied entry into South Africa last year while trying to enter the country with a visa that had expired by a single day.The Bologna stated that he was ultimately sent back to Lagos, but that when he was being turned away, three flights from Europe landed and every passenger got through visa free.Let's take a look.

Same about free trade movement of people in Africa.And again, I had a personal experience.Last year, February 2025, I was traveling to Cape Town for the mining endeavor in South Africa.And as we landed, and it was a red eye, so I left at night from Lagos to Cape Town.We arrived at six in the morning, and as we arrived, we went to the immigration, attended my passport, the immigration officer looked at it, and he was like, why is your visa?And I said, my visa is there.

Unknown to me, my visa had expired the day before, and I was What happened?Unfortunately, our crew did not check the visas to ensure that the visas were valid.We were there for four hours, but at the end of the day, I had to turn back.I was turned back to Lagos.But the issue is, while we were waiting, you know, to see whether I would be able to get access into the country without a visa, there were like three international flights from Europe.All the three flights were mostly Europeans.

I was standing there by the immigration desk and each and every passenger on those three flights went into Cape Town without any visa at all.I do not have a problem with the fact that I was there without a visa and I was returned.I took full responsibility of that.I had an issue being an African in Africa, being turned away because I do not have a visa and foreigners from other continents who are coming in are allowed to enter without a visa.

All right, Rufai, the irony is stunning.Africa's second richest man, a billionaire who's invested billions across the continent, creating thousands of jobs, gets turned away for a visa that expired by one day.But Europeans walk right through visa -free.Rabiou is diplomatically calling out what many Africans already know.The African Union talks about integration and free movement, but when it comes to Africa, implementation while still treating each other like outsiders while rolling out the red carpet for every one of us.

else.for mental slavery.

None but ourselves can free our minds.I think I did 20 seconds.You did.You are fantastic.I mean, the conversation is deep.It's large.

Africa needs to unite.There is no African Union if we're not united.That really is the bottom line of the story.I have a big story from Akwa Ibom State.I'd like for us to discuss that probably on Monday when we have more context to the story.It's about the doctor and the EFCC raid.

So hopefully we'll have time to discuss that when we have more details on that story.I'd like for us to go to our milestone story now.Shall we take our milestone story?Now on our milestones.Today, May 15th, President Bola Amed Tinubu and well -wishers are celebrating the 60th birthday of Benre State Governor Hyacinthe Aliyea, with the President applauding him for his strides in industrialization and the building of robust infrastructure within the state.In a statement released by the President's Special Advisor, Bayo Ononuga, Tinubu congratulated the Governor.

and ordained Catholic priest on his 60th birthday, commending him for his transformative efforts in the state, describing his political journey as faith made manifest.First ordained by Bishop Uso of Makodi Diocese in 1990, Aliye was elected as governor in 2023.Since then, he has worked to build an economy based on education and agricultural development, with a focus on food production, giving Benue's position within the country as an industrial hub.Well, all right, from all of us at Arise News, we wish Governor Aliyah a very happy 60th birthday.Well, now let's take off.good news report.

The University of Leicester yesterday named Aderemi Makanjuola, the founder and chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, as the winner of their 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his success at Caverton, as well as his philanthropic work in education and health care.Makanjuola graduated from the university with a BA in economics in 1976, with the university presenting his award to alumni that have excelled in his career with a background in banking and finance.Bakonjuola created the Cavitin Offshore Support Group and has built it to become one of West Africa's largest providers of maritime and aviation logistics.

Through the opportunities it creates and the lives it transforms, it is with immense pride and deep admiration that we present Achievement Award.

Well, congratulations to Mr. Makanjuola on this award.He has also had a transformative impact on Nigeria's education space, donating multiple 500 seater lecture theatres to universities across the country.I mean, we you know, we do love to highlight good news.And, you know, this is the purpose of this segment, because it cannot always be doom and gloom in Nigeria.We have Nigerians doing great things.things.

We'll take another good news report now to congratulate the co -founders of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu and Awele Elumelu on just being named two of Time Magazine's most influential leaders in the world of giving as part of the second annual Time 100Philanthropy List.Time magazine's editor -in -chief, Sam Jacobs, on Thursday stated that the publication first introduced this list because they believe in the power of example, and that by telling the stories of the world's most impactful leaders, they hope to inspire others to do the same.The Tony Elumelu Foundation was founded in 2010 with the goal of encouraging youth entrepreneurship across Africa.Since then, the foundation has worked with more than 2 .5 million young Africans to train them on the foundation's digital hub, TEF Connect, while also giving out over $100 million in seed capital to more than 27 ,000 entrepreneurs.Reacting to the announcement in a post on Instagram, Elumelu said he was honored to be announced alongside his wife, Awele, for the transformative work of their foundation.

Congratulations to the alumni.on this remarkable achievement.Other global figures such as Rihanna, Lionel Messi, Steven Spielberg, and Elton John also featured on that list.So they are both in great company.Congratulations to this amazing, amazing philanthropist.Now still basking in his birthday celebrations.

Osho State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who recently turned 66, was seen in a new video that surfaced on Thursday, cooking for himself in the kitchen.In the video, which is now trending on social media, the governor is looking cheerful as he prepares what he describes as curry rice and chicken.Let's take a look.But you know, huge congratulations to Governor Ademola.He used to share the recipe.He's always a cooking governor.

But of course, we didn't get to wish him a good happy birthday last week.But kudos to Governor Ademola Adeleke and happy 66th birthday.Well, that's all I have for you guys on What's Trending today.I'll see you all next week.