FCT minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed the ability of Rotimi Amaechi and David Mark to secure electoral victories for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers and Benue states during the 2027 general elections.

Speaking with journalists, Wike pointed to previous electoral cycles, arguing that Amaechi’s political stature did not translate into success for the All Progressives Congress in Rivers, even when he held influential national roles.

He cited the 2015 and 2019 elections, noting that despite Amaechi serving as director-general of the presidential campaign of former President Muhammadu Buhari and enjoying federal backing, the APC struggled to gain ground in the state.

The former Rivers governor maintained that he prevailed in those contests despite what he described as the deployment of “federal might,” stressing that Rivers voters have consistently resisted such influence.

“Are we saying today, if an election is conducted in Rivers State today, that Rotimi Amaechi will deliver Rivers State to ADC?” Wike asked.

“Remember, he was a governor. When I came to run as governor, he was in the APC. Who defeated him? And he was the DG of the campaign then.

“Remember, in 2019, when I was running for my second term, he was the minister of transportation and was the DG of Buhari’s campaign.

“Of all the federal might that came, I won. The late President Buhari never got 25 percent. In 2015, he didn’t get it. In 2019, he didn’t get it. How do you now say that he will win?”

Wike also advised opposition parties to prioritise grassroots organisation over reliance on prominent figures, insisting that electoral outcomes ultimately depend on voters.

“So, we should stop saying there’s one party. So many parties have been registered. Why do you say that this party is not opposition? All other parties are there. You should encourage them to do what the opposition is supposed to do,” he said.

“I will be very glad that they are on the ballot. Let them contest the election. Let the stories be over. The only thing you hear next time is, ‘Oh, the election was rigged.’ That’s the only thing you hear. That’s the only language they will come and tell you.”

On Benue, the minister questioned the ADC’s prospects, arguing that its national chairman, David Mark, lacks the political influence to deliver his home state.

“Take, for example, Benue, where the former Senate president, their so-called chairman of the party, his daughter won under APC, and he was in PDP,” he said.

“Will you now say former Senate President David Mark will deliver Benue to ADC in 2027?“

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko will begin an official visit to Morocco on Monday, after fans from his country were detained in incidents there at the Africa Cup of Nations football final, officials said.

Eighteen Senegalese supporters remain in pre‑trial detention in Morocco, where they face charges of hooliganism at the match, won 1-0 by Senegal against Morocco after time on January 18.

Their trial opened Thursday at a Rabat court and has been postponed to 29 January and was postponed to January 29.

The two countries have cooperative relations in sectors including tourism, energy, infrastructure and transport, and share strong religious ties.

Sonko’s trip takes place within the framework of a joint commission between the two states, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, a source at the Senegalese foreign ministry said.

A Moroccan‑Senegalese economic forum is planned for the occasion, according to the Moroccan news agency MAP.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI expressed regret over the incidents and Sonko called for tensions to be defused. Rival fans have continued to trade barbs on social media.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have made a significant leap in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, climbing 12 places to 26th globally. This impressive ascent followed their strong performance at the recently concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The squad, led by Coach Eric Chelle, secured six wins and one defeat in their seven AFCON matches, accumulating 1581.55 points in January 2026, a notable increase from their 1502.46 points and 38th position in December 2025.

The Eagles are now the third-highest ranked African nation, sitting behind Morocco and Senegal, who maintain their first and second spots on the continent, respectively.

Despite a heartbreaking final defeat, hosts Morocco surged three places to 8th in the global standings, re-entering the top 10 for the first time since April 1998 and achieving their best-ever ranking. AFCON winners Senegal (12th, up by 7) have also been rewarded for their continental triumph, reaching unprecedented heights.

Algeria and Egypt complete Africa’s top five, rising six and four places, respectively, to 28th and 31st globally.

At the top of the world rankings, Spain holds onto first position, with FIFA World Champions Argentina (2nd) and France (3rd) continuing to set the pace.

Morocco’s rise has seen Croatia (11th, down 1), Belgium (9th, down 1), and Germany (10th, down 1) all drop out of the top 10.

Other notable movements included AFCON quarter-finalists Cameroon, who are now 45th in the world and 6th in Africa, having climbed 12 places. Further ranking successes from the African showpiece included rises for Algeria (28th, up 6), semi-finalists Egypt (31st, up 4), dethroned holders Côte d’Ivoire (37th, up 5), and Congo DR (48th, up 8).

Elsewhere, Kosovo (79th, up 1) has reached new territory, while Gabon (86th, down 8), Costa Rica (51st, down 2), and Uzbekistan (52nd, down 2) have all experienced drops.

The AFCON has also impacted the representation of confederations in the top 50, with CAF now boasting nine nations – two more than at the end of 2025. The AFC and Concacaf have each lost one, now with four apiece. UEFA continues to dominate with 26 teams in the top 50, while CONMEBOL has seven representatives, and OFC sides remained absent.