The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has addressed circulating rumours about his health.

During a media chat on Sunday, Wike confirmed that he is in good health and fully capable of handling his official responsibilities.

The clarification comes after reports surfaced revealing that Wike was flown to London last week for medical treatment.

These reports alleged that he was rushed abroad for a medical emergency.

Wike refuted these claims, explaining that his ability to perform his duties reflects his good health.

“God has given me good health, that is why I have the energy to do what I am doing…” he submitted.

His media aide, Lere Olayinka, also denied the rumours, questioning their credibility.

Olayinka wondered how Wike was reportedly flown to London on Thursday but was seen visiting various communities in Abuja the following day.

The aide criticized those spreading the rumours, pointing out that the minister is consistently visible, actively engaging in public duties, and attending events, including road project inaugurations.

Speaking via the X platform, Olayinka said, “They are saying that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike was rushed to London for medical attention on Thursday night. They are even quoting time and Aircraft Number.

“Issorite! Sebi Wike was flown to London on Thursday night for urgent medical treatment and he used Witchcraft to come back on Friday to visit Dape Community in Life Camp area, Gishiri and Pigba Sama communities in Abuja on Friday.

“The Minister will also use Witchcraft to come back to Abuja on Monday to start commissioning road projects.

“People who have not done any medical check-up in the last ten years, jumping up and down on the health of a Minister that is seen everyday, doing his job. Make una KONTINU.”

The National Assembly is currently reviewing several bills proposing the creation of new states in Nigeria, as part of an ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

These proposals, submitted in 2024 by lawmakers and various interest groups, have either scaled the first or second readings and are awaiting further deliberation and possible approval.

Presently, Nigeria comprises 36 states unevenly distributed across the six geopolitical zones.

The South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones each have six states, the North-West has seven, while the South-East has five.

Below is a list of proposed states and their sponsors:

1. Ogoja State – To be created from Cross River State, sponsored by Godwin Offiono.

2. Orlu State – To be carved out of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere and 15 other lawmakers.

3. Anioma State – To be carved out of Delta State, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko.

4. Coastal State – To be created from Ondo State, sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim.

5. Adada State – To be carved out of Enugu State, sponsored by Senator Okey Ezea.

6. New Oyo State – With Oyo town as the capital; the remaining part of the state will be renamed Ibadan State with Ibadan as its capital, sponsored by Senator Akeem Adeyemi and six others.

7. Etiti State – To be created from the five South-East states, sponsored by Senator Amobi Ogah and four others.

8. Ijebu State – To be carved out of Ogun State, sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel. This particular proposal is reportedly gaining significant traction and is expected to receive presidential approval soon.

9. Ife-Ijesa State – To be created from Osun State, sponsored by Senator Oluwole Oke.

10. Oke-Ogun State – To be created from Oyo State, sponsored by Oluwole Oke.

11. Tiga State – To be carved out of Kano State, sponsored by Senator Kawu Sumaila AbdulRahman.

Additional Proposed States

– ITAI State – From Akwa Ibom State.

– State Status for the FCT – Federal Capital Territory.

– Katagum State – From Bauchi State.

– Okura State – From Kogi East.

– Gurara State – From Kaduna South.

– Ghari State – From Kano State.

– Amana State – From Adamawa State.

– Gongola State – From Adamawa State.

– Mambilla State – From Taraba State.

– Savannah State – From Borno State.

– Okun State – From Kogi State.

– Orashi State – From Imo and Anambra states.

– Njaba State – From Imo State.

– Aba State – From Abia State.

– Torogbene and Oil River States– From Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.

– Bayajida State – From parts of Katsina, Jigawa, and Zamfara states.

These proposals, if approved, could reshape Nigeria’s political and administrative landscape, addressing calls for equity and representation across the country.

Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North senatorial district is set to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He was elected to the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.

Mr Nwoko exclusively confirmed his decision to Premium Times through a response to an enquiry by our reporter to him about the matter.

If he defects, the APC will have all three senators in the state in its fold as the senators representing Delta Central and Delta South senatorial districts won their seats on the platform of APC in the 2023 elections.

Mr Nwoko’s relationship with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the governor’s godfather/predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa has not been cordial of late.

This has to do with alleged marginalisation of Mr Nwoko and his constituency by the governor who prefers, instead to focus attention on the interests of his godfather, Mr Okowa.

Both former Governor Okowa and Mr Nwoko hail from Delta North.

Mr Okowa, a defeated PDP vice presidential candidate in the 2023 election is said to be eyeing the Delta North senatorial seat, currently occupied by Mr Nwoko in the coming 2027 election.