Abuja
Abuja 2022: APC, PDP Split FCT Council Chairmanship Seats
The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday won three councils’ each after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) poll which was held in Abuja on Saturday.
Both parties had keenly contested for the six area councils at the election.
PDP emerged victorious in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari and Kuje area councils, while APC won in Gwagwalada, Kwali and Abaji area councils.
In AMAC, PDP defeated APC which was the ruling party after the 2019 polls. PDP’s candidate, Christopher Zakka defeated his closest rival, Mr Murtala Karshi, of the APC.
READ: Yiaga Africa Identifies operational deficiencies in ongoing FCT Council Polls
The returning officer for the chairmanship election in AMAC, Professor Sani Saka, declared that Zakka polled 19,302 votes to defeat Karshi who scored 13,340 votes.
In Bwari area council, John Gabaya of the PDP won the council election in 2019, retained his seat after defeating his closest rival Mr. Haruna Shekwolo of the APC yesterday.
The returning officer for chairmanship election in Bwari, Professor Amuche Madu, declared Gabaya, who polled 13,045 votes winner. He said Shekwolo scored 7,697 votes.
Gabaya, was, therefore, returned elected having met the requirements of the Constitution and the electoral law.
In Kuje area council, PDP’s Abdullahi Sabo who won the 2019 contest, secured a second term in office yesterday after defeating his closest rival, Sarki Hamidu, of the APC.
Sabo polled 13,301 votes to Hamidu who got 7,694 votes.
The INEC returning officer for the election, Sule Magaji, announced the results in favour of the PDP chairmanship candidate.
The APC retained the chairmanship in Gwagwalada. Its candidate, Jibrin Abubakar, won the council election.
READ: LG Elections: FCT Voters Angry, Frustrated Over BVAS Malfunctioning
The returning officer in Gwagwalada, Prof. Iliyasu Umar, said Abubakar polled 11,125 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mohammed Kasim of the PDP, who polled 9,597 votes.
In Kwali, the APC candidate, Danladi Chiya, who won the poll in 2019, retained his position after yesterday’s election.
The returning officer for Kwali area council, Wesley Daniel, said Chiya defeated his closest rival, Haruna Pai, of the PDP to win the keenly contested election.
Chiya polled 7,646 votes while Pai, got 7,345 votes.
Meanwhile, in Abaji, INEC declared the APC candidate, Abdulrahman Ajiya as winner of the election. He also won the 2019 contest.
INEC’s returning officer for Abaji, Prof Gabriel Mordi, declared that APC scored 7, 289 votes to defeat PDP’s candidate, Alhaji Yahaya Garba Gawu, who got 4, 062 votes.
Mordi however said the winner will be announced after a Supreme Court judgement in Abuja.
An APC chairmanship aspirant in the area, Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, has gone to the apex court, after a FCT High Court and the Appeal Court nullified his candidature and declared Alhaji Mohammed Angulu Loko as the authentic chairmanship candidate of APC after the April 23, 2021 primary election.
It was gathered that both the FCT High Court and Appeal Court had ordered INEC to withdraw Abdullahi’s name and replace it with Loko as the APC chairmanship candidate for February, 12 2022 council election in Abaji.
Meanwhile, national chairman of PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has described the party’s rebound in the Abuja Municipal Council Polls as “a great omen under my watch as we lead PDP back to winning ways and rebuilding Nigeria.”
In a statement released by his media office yesterday, Dr. Ayu said the promise of a better Nigeria has just been flagged off by the victory at the FCT polls of Saturday.
Ayu said the party’s victory signposts the promise of a better Nigeria under his watch, leading this team of dedicated and committed party members.
“The victory at the FCT polls of Saturday, February 12, 2022, represents a great omen under my watch as we lead PDP back to winning ways and rebuilding Nigeria.
“This victory, which gave us the important Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, is a signal that Nigerians are tired of the woes and hardship of the moment, occasioned by the worsening socio-economic realities of today.”
The PDP chairman further dedicated the victory to all party leaders, particularly the state governors, NEC members, NWC members as well as the millions of party members across the nation.
“What we have just achieved in Abuja, the seat of power, will be replicated in Ekiti and Osun State later this year, culminating in our take over of power at the centre next year, to usher in a better, more prosperous and secure Nigeria.
“PDP is back to rescue Nigeria and the rescue begins from the seat of power in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,” he said.
- Additional Report from Leadership Newspapers
Abuja
FCT Police Refute Claims of Attempted Assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has refuted viral social media reports claiming that Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, was the target of an assassination attempt in Abuja.
In an official statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, described the circulating reports as entirely false, emphasizing that no such incident was recorded or reported anywhere within the FCT.
“The Command wishes to categorically state that no such incident has been reported or recorded within the Federal Capital Territory. The public is advised to disregard this false information and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic,” the statement read.
SP Adeh urged residents to remain vigilant and responsible, especially regarding the dissemination of information on social media platforms. She noted that spreading unverified claims could lead to unnecessary tension and undermine public safety efforts.
The Command encouraged citizens to report suspicious activity to the nearest Police Division or contact the FCT Police emergency lines 08032003913 and 08068587311 for a prompt response.
The statement, signed by SP Josephine Adeh, ANIPR, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents within the Federal Capital Territory.
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Abuja
Wike Presides Over FCT Exco, Launches New Waste Management System for Cleaner Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will commence a comprehensive new waste management regime across Abuja from Monday, November 17, 2025, as part of efforts to improve sanitation and restore environmental order in the nation’s capital.
The announcement followed the FCT Executive Committee Meeting held on Thursday and presided over by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Coordinator of the Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Amechi Obuah, revealed that the Executive Committee had ratified and approved a memo appointing new contractors to handle waste collection and management across different districts of the FCT.
According to him, the approval also covers the procurement of basic waste treatment plants, alongside the maintenance and operation of supervisory utility vehicles to support the new regime.
Chief Obuah, who acknowledged widespread complaints about waste disposal in the capital, expressed optimism that residents would begin to experience a significantly cleaner and better-managed Abuja once the new system takes effect.
Also speaking, the head of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, disclosed that the Committee approved payment for the emergency evacuation of waste from open dump sites, waterways, and stream channels in the Dogon Gada community of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
He explained that a total of ₦111,913,176 was released for the execution of the cleanup contract.
In addition, the FCT Transportation Secretary, Hon. Chinedum Elechi, announced approvals for printing services for the Directorate of Road Transport Services. He added that funds have also been approved for the operation and maintenance of 34 existing traffic lights, as well as the installation of three new traffic light systems within the Federal Capital City.
Earlier in the meeting, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Hon. Chidi Amadi, reiterated Wike’s determination to maintain high environmental standards in Abuja.
“The Minister is very concerned about the waste management contract,” he said. “He is serious about it because it directly affects the cleanliness and overall image of the city.”
With the new waste management framework set to take effect next Monday, the FCTA says it is fully committed to delivering a cleaner, orderly, and world-class Abuja.
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Abuja
Senator Ned Nwoko Releases Voter’s Card to Deny Marrying Regina Daniels at 17
Senator Ned Nwoko, 67, has released what he claims to be Nollywood actress Regina Daniels’ voter’s card to debunk widespread claims that he married her when she was 17 years old.
The document, reportedly issued by INEC, lists Regina’s date of birth as 1998, suggesting she was 21 when the couple tied the knot in 2019 not 17, as previously alleged.
Nwoko shared the card on social media in response to Regina’s recent revelation that she was underage at the time of their marriage, alongside new allegations of abuse and drug exposure during their relationship.
In his rebuttal, Nwoko dismissed the accusations as false and malicious, suggesting that Regina’s statements were influenced by “substance-related issues.”
The controversy has intensified following claims of family confrontations and arrests, though no formal legal action has been filed by either side.
Regina, who has presented her international passport showing a 2001 birth year, maintains that she was 17 at the time of their union. The conflicting records have fueled online debates over document authenticity and the couple’s 46-year age gap.
Social media users remain divided, with some defending Nwoko’s evidence, while others question the motive and legality of the marriage. Many commentators have also called for privacy and due process amid the escalating feud.
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Abuja
Your anger misplaced, face those who scammed you — Wike’s aide tackles ex-Naval chief
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has reacted to the controversy involving former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd.), over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Olayinka alleged that the retired naval chief was deceived into buying land that had been officially designated for park and recreational purposes, not residential use.
According to Olayinka, rather than directing anger at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for enforcing land-use regulations, the former naval chief should focus on the individuals who sold him the illegal property.
“Vice Admiral Gambo was scammed. He needs to use his military might against the person who sold land meant for park and recreation to him to build duplexes — not FCTA officials carrying out their lawful duties,” Olayinka stated.
He revealed that the land in question was originally allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for park and recreation purposes.
Olayinka further explained that in 2022, the company applied to the then FCT Minister for approval to convert the land to residential use, but the request was declined. Despite this, the company allegedly went ahead to partition and sell the land to unsuspecting buyers, including the former naval chief.
“Santos Estate Limited had already sold the land to unsuspecting people, including the former Chief of Naval Staff, who is now building duplexes on it,” Olayinka noted.
“Like I said earlier, shouldn’t the former Chief of Naval Staff be more concerned with the person who scammed him, rather than using military might to hold on to a property on which he was duped?” he queried.
Reacting to comments made by Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), former Chief of Army Staff, Olayinka added:
“I read the statement made by the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai. As Director General of Rotimi Amaechi Campaign, Buratai has done his job.”
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Abuja
Badaru Defends Soldiers, Says No Officer on Lawful Duty Will Be Punished Over Wike Incident
Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has assured that no officer or soldier performing lawful duty will face punishment over the recent altercation between military personnel and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.
Speaking during the ministerial briefing to flag off activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College, Abuja, Badaru reaffirmed the government’s support for security personnel executing their duties responsibly.
“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and if he does it well,” he said.
The assurance comes amid tensions following a confrontation between Wike and a military officer who led soldiers to secure a disputed plot of land in Abuja’s Gaduwa district.
After the incident, a coalition of retired military veterans threatened to occupy the FCT ministry if any disciplinary action was taken against the officer, insisting he acted under a lawful directive.
On National Security Achievements
The Defence Minister also highlighted key achievements under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, noting that the armed forces have recorded major successes in counter-terrorism and internal security operations nationwide.
According to Badaru, within Tinubu’s tenure, troops have neutralised over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000, and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages. He added that over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP combatants and their families have surrendered.
“These coordinated operations have dismantled major terrorist enclaves, neutralised notorious bandit commanders, and restored peace to hundreds of communities, enabling displaced persons to return home,” he said.
Badaru also disclosed that in the South-South region, troops destroyed over 1,900 illegal refining sites, safeguarding vital oil and gas infrastructure.
He emphasized that the military’s growing operational capacity is supported by strategic modernization efforts, including the procurement of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and naval vessels.
“The signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act in 2023 marks a milestone in indigenous defence production, positioning Nigeria as an emerging hub for defence technology in the region,” the minister stated.
He further called for collective participation in the fight against insecurity, stressing a “whole-of-society approach” that involves government, civil society, traditional institutions, academia, and the private sector.
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