A former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has pledged to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, pledging his support through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Dokubo, who was coronated as the Amanyanabo of Torusarama-Piri in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State in late 2024, made the pledge on Tuesday when Wike visited him at his palace.
The minister’s visit was part of a year-end “thank-you” tour across Rivers State that began in December 2025, during which he encouraged grassroots supporters to renew their support for Tinubu.
Dokubo praised Wike for the visit, saying Tinubu helped him in his time of need and that it was now time to repay the favor.
“Like you said, my friend, everything that is going to happen, I will be with you in making sure that my friend, the President, succeeds.
“Everything that I am capable of doing, I will do to make sure that he succeeds.
“I was not a traditional ruler when we met in 1992. I never thought I would ever become what I am today.
“He stood by me in my most difficult period, and it is now my turn to also stand by him and support him,” he said.
Earlier, Wike stated that his visit to the village was to thank the people for their support and to seek additional support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He explained that his visit was also to wish the people a happy new year and thanked Dokubo for the warm welcome.
“I know that traditional rulers don’t play politics.
“You are my friend, and I felt that there’s no way I would come here, where you reside, to your kingdom, without coming to greet you and say happy new year,” the minister said.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
