By Capital Watch Media
Journalist and politician Dele Momodu has disclosed the reasons behind his falling out with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Momodu revealed that their once-close relationship soured after he informed Wike of his intention to contest the presidency.
Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast, Momodu claimed Wike was angered by the announcement and subsequently stopped taking his calls.
“I was very close to [Nyesom] Wike. We are no longer close. Troubles started the moment I declared interest in the presidential election,” Momodu said.
According to Momodu, Wike had not yet made his presidential ambitions public at the time, but his political moves suggested he was preparing for the race.
“He had not told anybody he wanted to contest, but I was suspecting because of the branding and how much he was spending on journalists. He had PR deals with many media houses,” Momodu explained.
The media mogul said Wike’s strategic media engagements were expensive but effective in raising his political profile.
“Those things are not cheap, but he was getting good results; everybody was talking about him,” Momodu noted.
Momodu said he approached Wike for support after consulting political and traditional leaders across the country.
“I met him and informed him that I would be contesting for the presidency and I would need his support. Before then, I had consulted nationwide — I had met Emirs, the Sultan and everybody,” he said.
He claimed feedback from the northern region suggested Wike might face challenges gaining support there.
“The general impression I was getting was that if Wike wants to run, he would have problems, especially in the North. The Northerners would support anybody but not Wike,” Momodu added.
Momodu said he shared this information with Wike, hoping to maintain their friendship and possibly gain his support.
“I tried to tell him that this is what I had picked up and in case you are unable to run, would you kindly support me? What’s the crime in that?” he asked.
Following this conversation, Wike allegedly cut off communication and publicly dismissed Momodu’s presidential ambition.
“He stopped picking my calls. When asked about new entrants like me on Channels TV, he said, ‘Which Dele Momodu? Get serious!’ I was shocked,” Momodu recounted.
Momodu expressed disappointment over Wike’s reaction, recalling their earlier camaraderie.
“Wike used to tell me he admired my lifestyle. Now, because he has made money and gained power, he’s disrespecting me,” Momodu said.
As of now, Wike has not publicly responded to Momodu’s claims about their strained relationship.
