By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the February 21, 2026 FCT Council Elections, Dr. Obinna Simon on Sunday engaged Tiv people across various community around Wasa in Orozo Ward to solicit their supports.

Speaking to our correspondent, Chief Terkula Yua, the traditional ruler of the Tiv people of New Site Estate at Wasa, said they would go the extra mile to canvass support and votes for the SDP to see that they emerge victorious.

We will vote for them, and we will go the extra mile to tell our Tiv brothers and sisters across AMAC to vote for SDP in the upcoming Council Elections”.
He approximated the voting strength of Tiv community to be around 10,000, saying Tiv people live in all the surroundings and will give SDP 100 percent vote.

Also speaking, Mr. Vandeh Nathan said the coming of Georgina Ngufan Jago into the race as vice chairmanship candidate of the SDP is a very welcome development.
“As a Tiv man, I am very happy seeing her with Dr.

Obinna Simon. It is a thing of joy, for the first time in the history of AMAC, if not in the entire FCT that a Tiv woman is deputising.
“Our prayer is that God almighty will give them the grace, and we are behind them. I am very confident that SDP will win this election because looking at other parties, you will know that people are tired and they need a change”.

He called on AMAC residents to come out enmass to perform their civic responsibility.
“If you allow these people to continue, the suffering will also continue.

We need a change, and that is why we are supporting the candidate of SDP for this election especially in AMAC. We are calling on all youths from the ages of 18-90 to come out and vote SDP to enable them win.
On her part, Mrs. Doom Aguji said, “I feel happy to see a woman as the vice chairmanship candidate of the SDP, and I am sure that, if God helps her to emerge, she will take good care of women.
“We women value our fellow women and our children. We are the ones that take care of the family. I promised to vote and I will make sure I invite my fellow women to come and vote for SDP”.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The Senior Special Assistant on public Enlightenment to former National Chairman of APC, Chief Oliver Okpala, has called on a chieftain of the NNPP, Alhaji Buba Galadima, to go back to his home state and contribute to the economic and political development of his state and stop his old antics of using Television Stations as his political base and constituency.

According to Chief Okpala, Galadima’s contemporaries have held positions of honour in the country and are now elder statesmen while Buba Galadima has chosen to be a directionless TV politician of no repute.

Chief Okpala made the call in a press statement he issued to journalists in Abuja in reaction to the recent accusation against a former National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji (Dr) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in respect to an alleged insult and disrespect to a former President of the country, Muhammed Buhari.

Okpala, in the statement, stressed that the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Ganduje, has been known for his high level of political decorum and discipline in all conducts and as such would not resort to insults as claimed by Galadima.

According to Chief Okpala, “I saw the comments credited to a chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Buba Galadima, where he accused the former All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje insulting former President Buhari “

“And I can’t just keep silent when the name of such true nationalist is being draged in the mud despite his hard earned political reputation, nationally and internationally.

“This is very laughable.He is talking about a two term Governor of a state like Kano and the immediate national chairman of the APC.

“My concern is not political but in defense of a man who has succeeded as a testament of political wisdom, maturity and decorum in the orbit of Nigerian politics.

“Especially when it is coming from a television politician who has no political base and has not contested or won any election in his life.

“The misguided Galadima claimed that former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was disgraced for ridiculing former President Muhammadu Buhari with the disparaging local term ‘Habu Na Habu,’ which according to him prevented Ganduje from installing his desired successor in 2023.”

But Oliver corrected the wrong impression saying “Gandule was never disgraced as Buba lied, he successfully completed his two terms in office leaving behind a sprawling legacy of positive impacts across all sectors of Kano state.

“His allegations that Ganduje mobilised security services to stop the NNPP from winning is a huge lie. Ganduje remains a democrat with towering records of excellence and political dexterity.

“According to Galadima, President Buhari used his official powers to guarantee that the election results were accurate. So he is now trying to curry favour, using the name of Buhari, the same person who dished him due to his questionable character.

“One major bane of our politics stems from lack of respect for our leaders, both past and present, and Buba Galadima has been known for this kind of charlatanism of always playing to the gallery.

“Come to think of it, Buba Galadima has always been a harbinger of wrong political narratives, a man whose mindset , calculations and views are always twisted and flawed as he has always viewed things from mischievous and negative perspectives.

“I am shocked that after all these years , Buba Galadima has refused to mature and leave childishness behind.

“His comments sought to force a wrong narrative and interpretation on Dr. Ganduje’s personality.

“Even though they say old habits hardly die, Elder Buba should change his old ways of seeing nothing good in what others, especially those who are far better than him, like Ganduje.

“He has always been a bitter and sadistic personality. Where did that posture take Galadima?” He was dumped like thrash by Buhari because he was a negative baggage over the years.

“Many people wondered then why he was unceremoniously dismissed by Buhari but now it is clearer that the former President must have seen through his evil antics and dished him so that he could make political progress.

“And it was immediately after Buhari dumped Buba that respite came his way and he emerged Nigeria’s president, an indication that Galadima is an evil wind that blows no good.

“One therefore wonders if Galadima’s interpretation of what Ganduje said in Hausa was from Greek language which has no similarity with Hausa language or mere mischief.

“His trade is in blackmail, Buba Galadima should be reminded that the people of Kano state love and cherish Ganduje as a political leading light and no amount of blackmail against him can change that.

“It is time for our elder statesmen to embrace the path of political rectitude so that they can bequeath to the younger generation, a clean political space garnished with peace, love and unity, not for supposed elders who pollute the fountain,” Chief Oliver Okpala concluded.

Against this backdrop, the Nasarawa State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development has, in recent months, embarked on a series of interventions aimed at addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps, strengthening water supply systems and expanding access to safe water across the state.

In this exclusive interview with our Correspondent Abel Zwanke, Hon.

He also speaks on sustainability, institutional capacity, partnerships with development agencies and the broader goal of ensuring equitable access to clean water for communities across Nasarawa State.

Honourable Commissioner, when you assumed office in February 2025, what realities did you meet in the water and rural development sector?

When I assumed office on February 21, 2025, following my appointment by His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule, the realities were very clear and, in some cases, quite sobering. Water scarcity remained a major challenge across many communities, particularly in rural areas. Some existing water facilities were either overstretched, obsolete or poorly maintained.

In urban centres like Lafia and Keffi, population growth had outpaced infrastructure capacity, while in rural communities, access to potable water was still largely inadequate.

Beyond infrastructure, there were institutional challenges. The ministry needed stronger technical capacity to effectively plan, execute and monitor projects. So, from day one, we understood that addressing water scarcity would require both physical interventions and institutional strengthening.

What guiding philosophy shaped your approach in the last 11 months?

Our guiding philosophy has been impact, sustainability and equity. We did not want projects that would look good on paper but fail after a short period. That is why we deliberately prioritised solar-powered systems, rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, and strategic interventions that address systemic issues.

Equity was also central. Water is a basic necessity, not a luxury. Whether you live in an urban centre or a remote rural community, you deserve access to clean and safe water. That principle guided our project distribution across local government areas.

Water scarcity is often described as both a social and economic issue. How does your ministry see this challenge?

Water scarcity is indeed multidimensional. Socially, it affects public health, sanitation and quality of life. Economically, it affects productivity, agriculture, livestock and even education, especially for children who spend hours searching for water.

When communities lack reliable water supply, women and children are disproportionately affected. That is why our interventions are designed not just to provide water, but to reduce hardship, improve hygiene and support livelihoods, particularly in agrarian communities.

Can you outline the major achievements recorded under your leadership so far?

In 11 months, we have recorded several tangible achievements. We facilitated the provision of five solar-powered boreholes in Madagwa Hausawa Development Association in Lafia LGA, covering Madagwa Hausawa, Tudun Okpu and Tudun Abosho. These boreholes are completed and currently serving the people.

We also completed a solar-powered borehole at the NDLEA Headquarters in Lafia, supporting institutional water needs. In partnership with NARUWASSA, we handed over 40 simple solar-powered boreholes in Keffi and Doma LGAs, alongside four toilet facilities across Keffi, Karu, Doma and Keana LGAs.

Other completed projects include a solar-powered borehole at the Mararaba abattoir in Karu LGA, a toilet facility at Government Junior Secondary School, Kaduna Koro in Obi LGA, five solar-powered boreholes across communities in Akwanga town, two solar-powered boreholes at Brekete Family Smart City Estate in Karu LGA, and the conversion of a motorized borehole to solar power at the Nigerian Correctional Service Commandant’s residence in Lafia.

Solar-powered boreholes appear to be a major feature of your interventions. Why this emphasis?

The emphasis on solar-powered boreholes is deliberate. Diesel-powered systems are expensive to maintain and often break down due to fuel shortages or mechanical issues. Solar systems, on the other hand, are cost-effective, environmentally friendly and more sustainable in the long term.

By adopting solar-powered solutions, we reduce recurrent costs and ensure that communities can enjoy uninterrupted water supply. It is a forward-looking approach that aligns with global best practices in water resource management.

Beyond completed projects, what major initiatives are currently ongoing?

We currently have several important projects at various stages of implementation. One is the establishment of a small pilot irrigation scheme at Ungwan Mamman in Daddere Development Area of Obi LGA. This project is designed to support dry-season farming and improve food security.

At the Nasarawa State University, Gudi Campus, we are providing three solar-powered boreholes, converting an existing conventional borehole to solar power, and constructing 100,000-litre and 20,000-litre overhead tanks to support academic and residential water needs.

We are also constructing a solar-powered borehole with a 100,000-litre overhead tank at the Federal Fire Service Base along Jos Road in Lafia to support emergency response operations.

The dredging of River Amba and the construction of a booster station have attracted attention. Why are these projects significant?

They are extremely significant. River Amba is the major source of raw water for the Lafia Water Works. Over time, siltation reduced its capacity, limiting the volume of water available for treatment. Dredging the river increases raw water availability, which directly translates to improved water supply for Lafia metropolis.

The booster station at Garaku is another strategic project. It will enable water from the Mada Water Works to reach Keffi metropolis with improved pressure and consistency. These are long-term investments that strengthen the backbone of our water supply system.

How has the ministry addressed internal capacity challenges?

We recognised early that infrastructure delivery is only as effective as the institution driving it. That is why we facilitated the addition of technical manpower at the ministry’s headquarters in Lafia. These technical staff have since resumed work and are contributing significantly to planning, supervision and quality control.

Strengthening internal capacity ensures accountability, efficiency and sustainability in project execution.

Looking ahead, what should residents expect in the 2026 fiscal year?

The 2026 fiscal year will be very active for the ministry. We have earmarked several projects, including additional solar-powered boreholes at St. Mathew’s Anglican Church and the entire Kemu community in Nasarawa LGA, as well as Dogon Dutse community.

We also plan to provide additional solar-powered boreholes in correctional centres located in Keffi, Nasarawa and Wamba. Furthermore, potable water supply will be extended to seven government veterinary clinics across the state to support animal health and public safety.

Are there plans to improve water quality monitoring?

Yes, absolutely. We plan to establish a water quality testing laboratory at the ministry’s headquarters in Lafia. This facility will enable regular monitoring of water quality, ensuring compliance with health standards and safeguarding public health.

Water quality is just as important as water availability, and this laboratory will strengthen our regulatory and monitoring capacity.

How important are partnerships in achieving your goals?

Partnerships are critical. We are currently negotiating grants with the Arab Bank for Development in Africa (BADEA) to support water supply systems in Obi, Nasarawa Eggon and Akwanga LGAs.

We are also working closely with the Federal Government through matching grants under NARUWASSA to deliver potable water across several local government areas. Additionally, the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project is set to take off in Doma, Akwanga and Keffi LGAs.

Finally, what message do you have for the people of Nasarawa State?

My message is one of assurance and commitment. This administration understands that water is fundamental to health, dignity and development. Under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule, we are determined to expand access to clean and safe water in a sustainable and equitable manner.

The journey is ongoing, but the foundation has been laid. We will continue to listen, to plan responsibly, and to deliver projects that truly improve the lives of our people.