INEC Releases Election Notice for FCT Council Polls
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the official election notice for the upcoming Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The polls are scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026. According to the notice published on Wednesday, voting will begin at 8:30 a.m. across all polling units in the six area councils of the FCT. INEC confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be used for voter identification and authentication. The commission stated that only registered voters with valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be allowed to participate in the election. Anyone without a PVC will not be permitted to vote. The election is expected to follow standard electoral guidelines, ensuring transparency and credibility in the process.
Return to the party: Gov. Mbah appeals to aggrieved PDP members
Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has appealed to aggrieved PDP members to seize the opportunity presented by the ongoing reconciliation process to come back to the party. The governor also called for peace and unity among the members of PDP)in the Southeast Zone and the entire country. Mbah made the appeals when he received members of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee,led by a former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, at the Enugu Government House on Thursday. The PDP National Reconciliation Committee visited the governor to brief him on efforts being made by the committee to resolve a number of issues in the party. Mbah, who described Enugu as the bastion of PDP, enjoined the committee to ensure genuine and lasting peace with a view to bringing back aggrieved members into the party. He insisted that the only way the party could win elections was through a united front, built on true reconciliation and justice. Mbah further added that the party in the Southeast operated as members of the same family. He stressed that the party in the zone had done extensive work to ensure those who left the party were brought back. PLEASE READ: Court shifts Ganduje’s bribery case to April 15 “We also believe that the Southeast is a stronghold of the PDP and if we have people who are out now, it is not necessarily their desire to be out. So, what we need at this time is to bring back our aggrieved members to where they belong. “The PDP is still largely the party with the spread that is required to win any election in this country and still appeals to the people of this country. “I have no doubt in mind that those our brothers who are just waiting for moments like this will be brought back to where they belong and we can forge a strong alliance going into the next general elections,” the governor added. Speaking earlier, the PDP National Reconciliation Committee Chairman said that the disunity in the party was one of the reasons the party lost the 2023 presidential election and other election cycles in the country. Oyinilola appealed to aggrieved members of the party in the Southeast to sheathe their swords and embrace the idea behind the peace and reconciliation process for the good of the party. According to him, Nigerians need to invest their trust in PDP to do things right in the country. Also speaking, the State Party Chairman, Dr Martin Chukwunwike, said the reconciliation move would rejig the party’s ongoing efforts in the state and bring back disgruntled members. He expressed optimism in the leadership of Mbah , noting that the party was already witnessing mass return of members who had left for other parties.
Rivers governor drops appeal on 2024 budget case
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has decided to drop his appeal against the court ruling that declared the state’s 2024 budget illegal. The announcement came from Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday. Governor Fubara had initially submitted the budget to the House of Assembly led by Edison Ehie in December 2023. However, on October 10, 2024, the Appeal Court in Abuja upheld a Federal High Court ruling from January 22, 2024, which nullified the budget’s passage. The budget dispute started when lawmakers loyal to Wike, led by Martins Amaewhule, challenged the process in court, arguing that it was not properly passed. This legal battle is part of the ongoing political conflict between Wike and his former ally, Fubara, over control of the state’s political structure. In a social media statement on Monday, Olayinka stated that the governor’s decision to withdraw the appeal confirms the court’s position on the matter. Fubara’s team has not yet responded to the development.
FCT doctors suspend warning strike, following Wike’s intervention
The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT) has suspended its three-day warning strike after the intervention of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike. The President of the Association, Dr. George Ebong, in a statement on Friday night said the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the minister had met their demands. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that ARD-FCT had on Wednesday, Jan. 22, commenced a three-day warning strike to press home some demands from the FCTA. The strike grounded most the government hospitals in the FCT, as the doctors claimed that some of them employed in 2023 were yet to received some arrears, allowances, and other benefits. The doctors also listed the deplorable conditions of some the hospitals in the FCT, manpower shortage among other demands. READ ALSO: Protest against telecoms tariff hike: NLC suffers setback However, Ebong in the statement revealed that its members have started receiving the alerts of unpaid six-month salary arrears. The ARD-FCT President said that the Minister had approved, as well as ordered immediate payment of the accoutrement allowance owed members. He said that the Minister had also given approval for medical residency bonding training to 2 years; approval of immediate employment of doctors and allied health workers. Ebong said that the Minister had also given approval for payment of locum doctors and other health workers that were being owed, noting that “with the intervention of the Minister, doctors are expected to resume work with immediate effect.” He added that the intervention had also put an end to the impending indefinite shutdown of hospitals in Abuja, while urging the Minister to brace-up and meet other demands to avert future strike action. “On behalf of the executive members and the entire supreme congress of ARD-FCTA, I, Dr. George Ebong, deeply appreciate the Minister for his prompt and timely intervention in meeting our demands, thereby ending our warning strike. READ ALSO: Information ministry partners with BPP “We also humbly plead with the Minister to put a mechanism in place to avoid a repeat of this anomaly. We are hopeful that other demands will be attended to in due time,” Ebong said. The ARD-FCTA President expressed the association’s believes in the capacity of the Minister to turn the FCT health sector around as a stakeholder in the renew hope agenda. Ebong also used the opportunity to invite the Minister to all the district hospitals in the FCT, while assuring him of doctors continued support in the realisation of the administration’s renew hope agenda.
Wike rules out reconciliation with Fubara
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated there would be no reconciliation with Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara. Wike criticized Fubara for not following directives from President Bola Tinubu during a peace meeting meant to resolve their differences. Wike explained that Fubara and his team failed to act on President Tinubu’s recommendations, further worsening the political conflict between them. Wike also addressed the ongoing infrastructure development in Abuja, emphasizing its positive impact on local employment. READ ALSO: Council Chairman pays WAEC fees for 1,794 students He mentioned that over 200 people in areas like Kwali are benefiting from infrastructure projects, asserting that these are not government jobs but real work opportunities. On the issue of streetlights, Wike confirmed that areas like Kuje and Kwali would have streetlights installed. He assured that new roads flagged off would have lights by mid-year. In his commitment to efficient land administration, Wike announced that his team has issued 7,000 Certificates of Occupancy in two years, surpassing the previous government’s efforts. He warned officials against inefficiency and promised to remove any unproductive staff. Wike also addressed the growing issue of vandalism in Abuja, particularly attacks on the power supply. He declared that those involved in damaging transmission lines and cables would be charged with economic sabotage. The power outages have severely affected parts of the city, leaving over 60% without electricity. Wike urged residents to report suspicious activities to help tackle these disruptions.
50 Apprehended Manhole Vandals shall be prosecuted – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has vowed that the 50 individuals detained for vandalising roads facilities would face prosecution. Media reports on Monday indicated that the Nigerian Police in Abuja announced the detention of 50 suspected vandals, who were caught with 25 manhole covers and solar streetlights. Reacting to the development, Wike said that the detained suspects would face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others. In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, the minister emphasised that no criminal would be spared. The Minister assured that the FCT Administration would ensure that all buyers and users of the stolen manhole covers and other public infrastructure would be apprehended. According to him, the culprits would be prosecuted for economic sabotage and for endangering the lives of Nigerians. He described the detention of the 50 suspected vandals by the police as a demonstration of the FCTA’s zero-tolerance policy toward criminal activities, particularly the vandalisation of public amenities. Wike commended security agencies for their prompt and decisive actions, calling their collaborative efforts “fantastic.” “This is an assurance to the residents of the FCT that their lives and property are secure,” he stated. The minister also lauded Nigerians for showing patriotism by speaking out against vandalism, emphasising that the protection of public amenities was a collective responsibility. He urged residents of the FCT to continue using social media positively, as demonstrated by one individual who alerted authorities about the stolen manhole covers. He pledged that the Administration would act swiftly on similar incidents in the future. “Those stealing and buying amenities meant for the use of Nigerians are Nigerians themselves.
Kado Estate Residents Struggle with Water Shortage, Urge FCT Minister’s Help
For over two months, residents of Kado Housing Estate in Abuja have faced a persistent water shortage, leaving many without reliable access to this basic necessity. The issue began in early November after a brief pipeline maintenance announcement, but instead of resolving the problem, water supply in most areas ceased entirely. Residents report that only a few homes receive minimal water late at night, forcing many to travel long distances to fetch water even during the festive season. The situation has raised concerns about potential health risks from inadequate sanitation. READ ALSO: 25,000 Barrels/day Warri Refinery Resumes Operation Efforts to address the issue with the FCT Water Board have been unsuccessful, with some residents alleging that water meant for their estate has been redirected to other districts. In frustration, the Kado Estate Residents Association has appealed directly to the FCT Minister, urging immediate action to restore water supply and alleviate the hardship. “The residents of Kado Housing Estate (Phases 1 and 2) are constrained to send a public appeal to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to urgently intervene to bring to an immediate end to the seemingly intractable water scarcity that the Estate has been subjected to for over two months,” they wrote in a statement signed by officials of the Estate Association, Dr. James Odaudu and Kola Olatode.
Buhari Not Linked to FCT Land Revocation – Garba Shehu
Spokesperson, Garba Shehu has denied recent reports linking some of the lands seized by the Ministry of the Federal Capital Management to former President Muhammadu Buhari. He clarified that the affected property does not belong to former President Muhammadu Buhari but assigned to the “Muhammadu Buhari Foundation,” an organization established by supporters of the former leader. Mr. Shehu said that during his presidency, Buhari declined a personal land allocation in the FCT, citing ownership of an existing plot. READ ALSO: Shiroro – Katampe Power Line Attacked Again He explained that the land in question was allocated to the foundation but faced challenges when the authorities imposed unusually high fees for the certificate of occupancy, unlike fees issued to similar groups. This situation eventually led to the land revocation. Garba Shehu expressed the hope that his clarification addresses widespread speculation and urged the public to avoid misinformation linking the former president directly to the seized property.
Stop Further Demolitions – Senate Orders Wike
Concerned by widely circulating reports about sharp practices bordering on land grabbing, amongst others, the Nigerian Senate has instructed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to stop all demolitions in the FCT, except those ordered by the courts. The instruction by the senate shall subsist until full investigation is completed on the demolition exercise in the FCT. READ ALSO: Defamation Saga: Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee asked to Debar Farotimi An ad hoc committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, has therefore, been empaneled to look into the matter. The committee is expected to submit a report within two weeks. This decision follows concerns raised by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who claimed that proper procedures were not followed during the demolitions that were recently approved by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT.
Police to grant security clearance to Abuja drivers from 2025 – Wike
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, says the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services will give security clearance to commercial vehicle drivers in the nation’s capital, effective from January 2025. Speaking at the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in Abuja on Thursday, Wike stated that the move is to curtail kidnapping and cases of ‘one-chance’ robbery in Abuja. The minister disclosed that any commercial bus or taxi driver who is not cleared by the security agencies will not be allowed to operate with the FCT. He said, “Most of the Keke Napep and most of the motorcycles are informants. Everybody here who is a beneficiary is being profiled by security. “And so what we are coming up with is that from January next year, there will be nobody that will operate as a taxi driver or a bus driver without having approval from security, with security profiling you and without going about with Abuja colour. Nothing like using any vehicle on the road. No, we won’t allow that. We won’t allow that starting in January. “We will take the vehicle number, the names of the drivers, and the rest so everybody will have confidence that this is the vehicle I’m entering in case anything happens.” Wike also handed over some new cars to beneficiaries to use as taxis. He encouraged the beneficiaries not to be ashamed that they are being empowered to be taxi drivers. The minister stated that many Nigerians who reject taxi driving jobs at home gladly embrace such when they travel abroad. “They are not paying a dime. No, the government is saying this is our support to feed your family and reduce the cost of transportation in the city… Abuja should compete with other cities in the world,” he said.