NEWS
FCT Monarchs appeal for three Senatorial seats
….as Wike is conferred with ‘Hasken Abuja’
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The traditional leadership of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday urged the Presidency and National Assembly (NASS) for constitutional reform, demanding an increase of the nation’s capital representation in the NASS from one to three senatorial seats.
The Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Dr.
Adamu Baba Yunusa, made the appeal during a high-level appreciation visit by the Abuja FCT Stakeholders Assembly to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.The Ona of Abaji who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, said FCT currently operates with a single senatorial district, he argued that the territory’s skyrocketing population—estimated at over six million—justifies a structure equal to that of the 36 states.
“Considering the population of the FCT,we think that FCT deserves more than one senatorial district,” Dr. Yunusa stated.
The monarchs also called for the creation of additional Federal Constituencies, the establishment of more Area Councils to decentralize governance and bring development closer to the grassroots.
The monarchs appealed to Minister Wike to act as a primary mediator between the FCT and the Presidency.
Describing Wike as a “Governor among Governors” for his dual role as Minister and de facto Governor, they urged him to facilitate a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to present these constitutional aspirations directly.
The Council also sought the Minister’s intervention in rectifying the FCT’s lack of representation on the Board of Trustees of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), asserting their right as a key stakeholder state within the commission.
In recognition of his current impact on the territory, the Council of Chiefs unanimously conferred the traditional title of “Hasken Abuja” (The Light of Abuja) on Minister Wike.
The monarch noted that the honor recognizes Wike’s “visionary leadership” and “commitment to the development of the FCT,” specifically citing his recent approval for the construction of a new Ona Palace in Abaji, the upgrading of the status and welfare of FCT traditional rulers, and structural reforms that have restored dignity to the traditional institution.
Rounding out their list of “more work for hard work,” the traditional rulers requested the provision of 17 tractors—one for each of the 17 Chiefdoms—to bolster food security for the territory’s rural agrarian communities.
They also advocated for the elevation of historically significant chiefdoms, such as Garki and Jiwa, to higher statuses.
The event, which opened with remarks from former Federal Commissioner Dr. Aliyu Almakura Abdulkadir, underscored a new era of collaborative governance, with the traditional institution positioning itself as a central pillar in the FCT’s drive for political and economic expansion.
In his response the FCT Minister, who was confered with ‘Hasken Abuja’ by Ona of Abaji on behalf of all the other traditional rulers said all what the traditional rulers requested for, they are entitled to them and assured them that as long as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is at the helms of the country, “whatever is due to you, will be given to you”.
Wike said, “I thank you for appreciating that Mr. President has touched virtually all the satellite towns in terms of provision of infrastructure and will continue to do that. By the grace of God, by the third anniversary of Mr. President, which will be starting from 29th of May, Mr. President will inaugurate so many projects including provision of water in Orozo, and Bwari area”.
On 2027 election the FCT Minister said, “You have made alot of request that you require your son, your daughter, whoever, that will go to National Assembly. On my own, as FCT Minister, the President cannot do it alone. You have to have somebody at the National Assembly. And now is the opportunity. This is the period to show whether indeed you love yourself”.
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Odo-Ere, the headquarters of Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, came under attack from armed bandits, resulting in the death of a Civil Defence officer and the abduction of his daughter.
According to sources, the victim, identified as Ayo, a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was shot in the head during the attack.
A source confirmed that Mr. Ayo was rushed to a medical facility but was declared dead on arrival.
His remains have since been deposited in a mortuary as a “Brought-In-Dead” case.The attackers reportedly abducted his first daughter before fleeing the area, further deepening fears among residents following the latest security breach in the community.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The attack has heightened concerns over the growing insecurity in Yagba West and surrounding communities, with residents calling for urgent intervention by security authorities.
Two crew members of a US army helicopter that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday were rescued by an American sea drone, US officials have said.
It was the first such operation carried out by US forces, the officials added.
US Central Command (Centcom) earlier said the two “soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition” after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down “near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters”.
It was not immediately clear whether the aircraft had developed a mechanical or any other technical problem, or had been downed by Iranian fire. The incident is being investigated.
In its statement on Tuesday, Centcom said the two crew members had been rescued at 19:33 EDT (23:33 GMT) on Monday.
“Rescue efforts were led by US Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from US Air Force and Navy units including US 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59,” the statement added.
The military officials said the pair had been rescued by an uncrewed surface drone that was operated by Task Force 59.
In 2024, Task Force 59 launched a new unit focusing on “the operational deployment of unmanned systems teamed with manned operators to bolster maritime security across the Middle East region”.
It was not immediately clear what type of drone was used in the rescue operation, but a US official said that it had a speed boat-like design.
US President Donald Trump earlier told reporters the two crew members were “fine”, and that a report into the incident would be issued later.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of former Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, and former Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, by an additional three months pending the determination of separate court cases instituted by the duo against the legislature or the withdrawal of the suits.
The resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday, presided over by the speaker, Berger Alfred Emberga, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Majority Leader of the House and member representing Kwande West State Constituency, Thomas Dugeri, and seconded by the Deputy Chief Whip, Simon Gabo, representing Mata State Constituency.
The House subsequently adopted the motion and resolved that the suspension of the two lawmakers should remain in force for another three months pending the outcome of the judicial process or the withdrawal of their respective cases against the Assembly in line with the law governing the institution.
Also during Tuesday’s plenary, the Benue State Sports Marketing, Gaming and Lotteries Bill, 2026 scaled through second reading on the floor of the House.
Following its consideration, the Speaker, Alfred Emberga referred the bill to the Joint House Committees on Finance, Youth and Sports for further legislative scrutiny.
In his opening remarks marking the commencement of the First Sitting of the Fourth Legislative Session, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Emberga welcomed members back from recess and urged them to remain committed to their legislative responsibilities.
He noted that the recess afforded lawmakers the opportunity to engage with their constituents and participate in political activities, including party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Speaker described the Fourth Legislative Session as a defining phase in the Assembly’s tenure and charged members to focus on issues that directly impact the welfare of the people. He identified security and peace-building, economic resilience, infrastructure development, enhanced revenue generation, effective oversight of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and greater citizen participation in the legislative process as key priorities for the session.
He further urged members to sustain harmonious collaboration with other arms of government while remaining steadfast in making laws that reflect the aspirations and yearnings of the Benue State people.
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