The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has declared emphatically that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will never become the president of Nigeria.

Oba Akiolu made the statement on Sunday while speaking with journalists during a media session held to commemorate his 82nd birthday and 22nd anniversary on the throne.

The monarch contrasted Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing Tinubu as a “visionary and compassionate leader.”

He said: “The future belongs to God. But let me say it plainly: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will never be president of Nigeria. Tinubu is compassionate and visionary. Who would have believed he would become president? He presented his certificate to me first after winning. Lagosians and Nigerians should support him to fulfil God’s purpose for the country.”

Speaking further on his relationship with the president, Oba Akiolu stated that he had always maintained a positive regard for Tinubu, noting that his rise to power was divinely ordained.

He said: “I’m not a politician, but I always tell them that politicians don’t fight, they only disagree. God deliberately chose Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Nigeria. On May 23, 2003, the day I received my certificate of office, I told God that Tinubu would one day be president. He made Lagos proud and will complete his term by God’s grace. Everything in life has an end. Only God gives longevity.”

The royal father used the occasion to urge Nigerians to rally behind President Tinubu, emphasizing that divine providence has a hand in his leadership and calling for unity to achieve the country’s collective aspirations.

Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta North, has said his wife, actress Regina Daniels, must undergo rehabilitation to address drug abuse and ensure her safety.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, Nwoko said the decision was necessary to help the 25-year-old actress regain stability and be in the right frame of mind to raise their two children.

The lawmaker explained that his position was based on a series of “alarming” toxicology reports, which revealed “high levels of harmful substances in Daniels’ system.”

According to him, Regina’s calm nature had changed in recent months, as she began to display “violent and destructive behaviour” alongside frequent health crises.

“I want her alive and healthy, not just for me, but for our children,” Nwoko said. “We have two young kids together, and they cannot fight for themselves, so I’m going to fight for them by safeguarding their mother. Many people have died of drug overdose, and if anything happens to her now, what will I tell her children tomorrow?”

He revealed that the situation had persisted for about eight months and that on three separate occasions, he had rushed her to Nizamiye Hospital after she was found unconscious due to a drug overdose.

Nwoko said he wanted his wife to raise their children in “a sane and healthy environment,” adding that rehabilitation would help her recover fully and restrict her access to drugs during treatment.

The senator also displayed toxicology reports of the actress, insisting that anyone discouraging her from seeking medical attention was “her real enemy and that of her children.”

He said the results showed the presence of several harmful substances and dismissed recent statements from Regina’s mother and siblings regarding the drug allegations as “baseless distractions.”

“That is why I am saying that everybody has to calm down and join hands to save her,” he added. “But she and her mother are living in denial. If they really want to prove me wrong, let them arrange for her to visit any toxicologist of their choice — I will pay.”

Nwoko alleged that Regina’s close friends and her brother Sammy were enabling her addiction by providing access to drugs.

“Her close relations and friends that I trusted around her are the ones exploiting her resources to supply her with drugs, leaving her addicted,” he said. “Imagine the pain of a husband trying to help his wife recover from an addiction, only to have the process sabotaged by her siblings and friends. Each time progress was made, they would undo it by smuggling in the same drugs she was fighting to give up.”

The senator also condemned a recent social media post by Regina’s mother, Rita Daniels, which alleged that his son died from a drug overdose in the United Kingdom, describing the claim as “an inhuman attack on the dead.”

He stated that the autopsy results did not indicate drug-related causes in his son’s death.

The couple’s marital crisis, which began in October, escalated after a viral video showed Regina Daniels in tears accusing Nwoko of domestic violence.

The senator responded by alleging that his wife was battling drug and alcohol addiction.

Earlier on Sunday, Daniels admitted to using hard drugs but accused Nwoko of contributing to her addiction, claiming it was part of his alleged pattern of control and manipulation. She also accused the senator of being in possession of her private sex tape.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election as governor of Anambra State.

On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Soludo as the winner of the election with 422,664 votes. Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came second with 99,445 votes, while Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) secured 37,753 votes to place third. George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP) followed in fourth position with 10,576 votes.

In a statement personally signed on Sunday, Tinubu described Soludo’s victory as a “testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance.”

The president also praised the people of Anambra, security agencies, and INEC for ensuring a smooth and credible electoral process.

Tinubu recalled his visit to Anambra in May, where he inaugurated several infrastructure projects executed by the Soludo administration.

He commended Soludo’s governance style, saying it reflects how academic expertise and practical governance can be harmoniously integrated.

“I highlighted the good thinking behind the landmark projects being embarked upon by Mr Solution. That experience is indeed remarkable and will remain indelible in my mind,” the statement reads.

“I commend Governor Soludo for bringing discipline, grace, brilliance, and a fresh perspective to governance in Anambra. Under him, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation.”

Tinubu urged the governor to be magnanimous in victory and work toward fostering unity among political stakeholders in the state.

He assured Soludo of the federal government’s continued collaboration with the Anambra State Government to sustain development efforts.

“The victory of the opposition All Grand Progressives Alliance in the election again demonstrates the vitality of our political system and the fact that victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied,” he said.

“I must also thank the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and his team for conducting what observers have described as a credible election, based on the reports I have received thus far.

“I charge the commission with maintaining the standards and further improving its performance, so we can continue to strengthen and deepen our electoral system.”