News360 Nigeria reported that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister Nyesom Wike was clearly absent from President Bola Tinubu’s 73rd birthday celebration at the presidential villa, sparking speculation about his whereabouts. Meanwhile, Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant to public communications and social media at Wike, dismissed the report claiming the minister was in Abuja. Social media posts, especially on X (formerly Twitter), said Wick plunged during an event on Friday and was taken to an undisclosed hospital.
But when the journalist contacted, Olekin denied the claims, calling them “fake.” Despite his absence from the event, Vick went to social media to extend his birthday wishes to President Tinob. Rumors of his illness and health emerged during the ongoing political crisis in Rivers, and Wick and his former allies, suspended Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, remained in a tough battle for power. Things worsened Friday after new allegations against Fubara by George Nwaeke, a former director of services in the state.