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Wike Commissions N50bn Rehabilitation of Usuma Dam, Phase 2

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike yesterday commissioned the rehabilitated phase 2 of Usuma Dam in Abuja.The Minister, who revealed that the over N50 billion project was awarded in 2022 by the last administration.

The FCT Minister emphasised the importance of the phase 2 of Usuma Dam, because it will increase the carrying capacity and improve water supply to the residents of Abuja.
He noted, “To underscore the importance of what Mr. President holds, phase one, phase three and phase four have been awarded by the Federal Executive Council sometime one month ago, and that of course, will improve water supply throughout Abuja.
Again, this shows our unflinching support for basic infrastructure”.Responding to critics, he said, “So many people have accused us that we’re only concentrating on roads, even though that’s the critical focus. But to let you know that we’re also focusing on other essential things in life.”Last September, Mr. President traveled to China and we signed an agreement with CGC to provide water for the satellite towns. I want to announce here that Mr. President has approved and by tomorrow, we will start the flag-off of one of the satellite water towns in Bwari and on Thursday we will be in Karu, also for supply of water to satellite towns, that is costing the government not less than 90 billion Naira.”All these are geared toward making life easier for the people of the FCT. We are not concentrating on the development of the city, we are taking development to the satellite towns”.He said apart from roads, his administration has completed renovation of some schools in Abuja, “I have told the secretary of education to release the number of schools in the entire FCT under the Tinubu administration, that we have completed, renovated and then the ongoing ones. I believe by the time that list is released, Nigerians will know what we have done in the education sector. I have told the secretary to take the press around the rural communities and see what we are trying to turn. our schools because it’s very key”.On the recent protest by indigenous contractors he said, “Let me use this opportunity to tell people that no amount of blackmail will stop us from being focused. All through yesterday and throughout today, I’ve been watching Channels television, they are focusing on so-called local contractors that are being owed. I will never be intimidated.”Let anybody who said I was awarded a contract should bring the documents and show how I awarded the contract. You see the problem in this country is that when you want to fight corruption, corruption will fight you back, and it’s corruption that is fighting back. We are going to defeat corruption. I will be on Channels tonight and I will let Nigerians know that many of our problems are indiscipline.”I came on board with the minister of state, complaining that people are being owed local contractors, indigenous contractors; 5 billion, 8 billion being paid. I said who awarded this contract? Do you know what happened? Civil servants stay in their offices and award contracts worth 15 million, 10 million, 20 million without the minister knowing. And then you here, ministers, sitting in the office and people will tell you that you are owing 15 billion Naira, when you don’t know when it was awarded, certainly it will not happen! Let heaven come down! Nobody can intimidate me on that!”Let them show me the job that they are commissioning. Let anybody come and show me whether all the roads we are commissioning are done by indigenous contractors.”If you see the faces of those people, don’t they look like contractors? If you look at their faces, you will know that those who awarded the contracts to themselves, are bringing those people to come. They will continue to demonstrate. If you like, go to the British embassy, all the embassies, sleep there. I will never feel pressured. If I award contracts, I will pay.”And those who know me know that I don’t award contracts when we don’t have money. The Federal Executive Council awarded some contracts, and I told them, hold on, we don’t have money yet, so don’t mobilize. Let it not be that you say you borrowed money.”Look at the faces that say they borrowed money. Cry as much as you want to cry because I never awarded any contracts. We must do things right. If it was not done right yesterday, does not mean it will not be done right today. People must know that it cannot continue to be business as usual. You cannot embarrass me, it’s not my business. Go and meet those who awarded the contracts to you, and tell them your children are out of school. It’s very embarrassing. Very embarrassing.”This is what has been happening. Sometimes, when there is no minister, you will see a Permanent Secretary doing something, tell me, what kind of project, 15 million? Of what impact, 10 million? 5 million? 25 million? Is that what will help the residents of Abuja? And you see that in budget, they split it like that, small, small, small, small. That’s the country. Every budget, just look at it.”You don’t need to like me because I’m not here for any beauty contest, we must do the right thing. Go and check my record. I had to bring down the required expenditure to 30% and make capital expenditure to be 70% because we need development”.Lambasting civil servants he said, “Every day, some people want to buy computers, every budget you will see all kinds of things. Today, our required expenditure is over 400 million Naira, you can go and see it. Before, every month, go and check what it is.Wike therefore reiterated his commitment to Abuja residents to feel the impact of government and assured that the era of abandoned projects are over in Abuja And as FCT Minister, he won’t allow funds made for development to be channelled towards unnecessary things.FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, in her welcome address commended the President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support to onfrastural renewal and for approval of projects that directly improves the lives of Nigerians.

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Plateau PDP Cautions Members Against Obtaining Nomination Forms From Pro-Wike Faction

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

As Nigerians await the verdict of the Supreme Court on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Plateau State chapter of the party has caution it’s members against obtaining primary election nomination from the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

In an advisory obtained by the Daily Asset Newspaper, the Plateau PDP declared that loyalists of the FCT Minister parading as leaders of the party have already been expelled and their expulsion validated by the High Court and Court of Appeal.

In the advisory issued by Dr Choji Felix Dalyop, State Publicity Secretary, the chapter maintained that any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.

Part of the statement reads: “Our great party under the strategic leadership of Miskoom Raymond Dabo, hereby issues a formal advisory grounded in extant judicial pronouncements regarding the purported sale of nomination forms for the 2027, general elections led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu acting as National Secretary.

“Pursuant to binding judicial determinations, this advisory is issued, including:- The judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on 9th March, 2026, and the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on 12th January, 2026, both of which affirm the suspension and subsequent expulsion of Senator Samuel Anyanwu from the Peoples Democratic Party.

“From a legal standpoint, these rulings have two critical implications: Loss of Capacity: Senator Anyanwu, having been validly expelled, lacks the legal competence to act in any official capacity on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Derivative Invalidity: All actions predicated on his authority, including the recognition of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, and the constitution of a parallel National Working Committee, are legally defective.

“Consequently, the Abuja Convention of 29th March, 2026, convened under this disputed authority, is rendered void ab initio, as it derives from an invalid institutional foundation.

“Furthermore, the issuance of a Form 48 notice by the FCT High Court underscores ongoing judicial scrutiny, and reinforces the binding nature of earlier rulings, particularly regarding compliance by affected parties.

“The principle of law remains unequivocal: No valid structure can emerge from an invalid origin.

“Therefore, any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.

“Implications for Aspirants: Non recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC);

“Exposure to pre election litigation leading to disqualification;

“Post election nullification risks analogous to established judicial precedents.

“The PDP Plateau State, chapter strongly advises all aspirants, and stakeholders to exercise due diligence, and avoid engagement with any processes that are unstable with the vision, and mission of the founding fathers of our great party, which to a great extent are fundamentally inconsistent with the law.”
End

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Soludo’s 16.4km Road Project Ends Years of Suffering, Opens Up Anambra Communities

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By Laide Akinboade Abuja

Vice President of Boardwalk Group and Abuja-based real estate developer Chief Obiageli Okwubanego, on Wednesday, commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for completing the 16.4-kilometre Nawfija–Ajali–Ufuma–Ogbunka Road in Orumba South Local Government Area.

Sh gave the commendation while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

She said residents in that area testified that the project has transformed transportation, agriculture and economic activities across the axis.

Okwubanego described the road project as a major infrastructure breakthrough that has drastically reduced travel time and eased movement for motorists and residents within the affected communities.

She recalled that the appeal for the road was first made in 2019 when Soludo attended the funeral mass of her mother, Chief Mrs. Agnes Igwenagu Okeke.

According to her, the deplorable state of the road at the time made movement extremely difficult for mourners and guests attending the burial ceremony.
“When Professor Soludo later declared interest in contesting for governor, I went back to my people and urged them to support him with the assurance that the road would be done. I also appealed to him to extend the road project to Ogbunka, my mother’s hometown,” she said.

She noted that the newly completed road has reduced travel time by about two hours and now serves as an alternative route to the traffic-prone Umunze Roundabout.

Travellers heading towards Umuaku in Abia State, as well as Okigwe and Ndi-Iziogu areas of Imo State, now use the route to avoid traffic congestion.

“For Christmas, Easter, August meetings, marriages and other celebrations, people can now travel home with ease and in large numbers,” she stated.
Okwubanego described the project as part of Soludo’s broader infrastructure and economic transformation agenda across Anambra State.

According to her, the road has enhanced the movement of goods and services within the communities and improved economic activities in the area.
“Governor Soludo’s solution agenda has positively impacted our communities and brought remarkable transformation to the entire Orumba South Local Government Area,” she said.

She further noted that residents of Nawfija community had never experienced a tarred road before the intervention of the Soludo administration.

“Since I started visiting Nawfija community years ago, the residents had never enjoyed a tarred road. Soludo, through compassionate and selfless leadership, has now provided the people with their first properly constructed road,” she added.

Highlighting the economic importance of the project, Okwubanego said the road has significantly boosted agricultural activities in the area, especially palm oil production.

She explained that the adjoining communities are predominantly farming settlements responsible for a substantial share of palm oil production in Orumba South Local Government Area.

“The famous Onuoigbo palm plantation, which spans over 20 hectares, is located along this road corridor in Nawfija, and the improved road network will greatly support the movement of farm produce,” she explained.

On tourism potential, she said the road would also increase access to the popular Ozi Stream, known for fishing and irrigation activities, thereby attracting more visitors and commercial activities.

“With easier access to the famous Ozi Stream, human and business activities in the area will rise significantly,” she noted.
Okwubanego also reaffirmed her emotional attachment to Nawfija community, saying her passion for the people inspired her continuous commitment to their welfare and development.

“My dear Nawfija community means so much to me, which is why I personally pleaded with His Excellency to give us this road. My passion for the community will always push me to look out for their welfare,” she said.

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Ekiti Church Attack: CAN Demands Action Over Killing, Abduction of Worshippers

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday, condemned
the attack on a church gathering in Eda Oniyo Ekiti, where gunmen reportedly killed a Pastor and abducted several worshippers during an open-air crusade.

This was stated in a statement issued by
President, CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in Abuja.

The Christian body demanded for immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits and rescue of those kidnapped.

He described this latest attack as a brutal assault on shared humanity and the sanctity of life.

And it is deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

He mourned with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State

The statement reads, “We condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms.

People had gathered peacefully to worship God, and they were met with violence. This is not just an attack on a church; it is a brutal assault on our shared humanity and the sanctity of life.

“We mourn with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been taken, and we call for their immediate and safe release.

“This latest tragedy comes amid a disturbing pattern of attacks. Only recently, gunmen struck communities in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting residents including clergy, their families, and other community members. These repeated incidents underscore a deepening security crisis that can no longer be ignored.

“This attack further heightens concerns about the safety of lives and the protection of communities. No one should have to live in fear, and no place of worship must ever become a hunting ground for criminals.

“We must be unequivocal: the protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of government. We call on the authorities and security agencies to act swiftly, decisively, and transparently. Those responsible for this atrocity must be apprehended and brought to justice without delay. Every necessary effort must be made to rescue those abducted unharmed.

“We also urge the government to immediately strengthen security presence, especially in vulnerable and rural communities, and to deploy proactive intelligence measures to prevent further attacks”.

He noted, “At the same time, we must all speak out firmly. The killing of a Pastor and the abduction of worshippers gathered to commune with their Creator is deeply troubling. It reflects a grave disregard for life, for faith, and for the moral fabric of our society.

“We have a duty to communicate these concerns clearly, firmly, and without equivocation to the appropriate authorities. Nigeria must not normalise the killing of worshippers or the abduction of innocent citizens in places of refuge.

“May God comfort the bereaved, protect those in captivity, and restore peace and security to our land”.

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