Nelson Ugwuagbo

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the FCT Administration’s dedication to revising and enhancing the Abuja Master Plan. 

This commitment was reaffirmed during a visit from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) representatives in Abuja.

Wike emphasized the administration’s focus on upgrading the master plan to align with modern needs and ensure Abuja’s continued growth and development. 

This collaboration with JICA marks a significant step towards achieving this goal, leveraging international expertise to create a more sustainable and efficient capital city.

He said the project, under the Review and Upgrading of Integrated Urban Development Master Plan for Abuja, would be implemented in partnership with JICA.

“For us, be assured that it is a project that we are committed to, and we will do all we can to see that the project comes to fruition,” he said.

The minister promised the JICA team that all the expectations from the FCTA for the implementation of the project would be made in due course.

The former Rivers State Governor equally assured JICA of stronger collaboration for the development of the FCT, including satellite towns and environs.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Mr Shehu Ahmad, said the review of the 45-year-old Abuja Master Plan was crucial to addressing current challenges in the capital city.

“We are talking about supporting facilities in terms of infrastructure, water supply, power supply, and stormwater and wastewater drainage systems.

We are also looking at the need for a smart city for Abuja so that the city will be one of the top cities in the world.

Urban mobility has remained a challenge, and we are feeling that they should look into those areas to enhance it,” he said

Authorities of the Nigerian Army, on Tuesday announced that it has discharged a female soldier, Private Ruth Ogunleye, who accused a senior officer, Colonel I.B Abdulkareem, of sexual harassment.

Army specifically said the female soldier was eased out of the service on medical ground after the conclusion of its probe, adding that by discharging her, she’s entitled to pension and all other benefits for life.

Recall that Ogunleye had in January this year on her TikTok page via @Ogunleyeruthsavage1 accused Col. IB Abdulkareem, Col. G.S Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B Solebo, of making her life unbearable.

She particularly said Abdulkareem made repeated attempts to assault her, administered injections against her will, forcibly removed her from her residence, and confined her in a psychiatric hospital for several months for turning down his sexual advances.

Following the allegations, the ministry of Women Affairs waded into the matter and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tarooed Lagbaja, subsequently ordered a thorough investigation.

Giving an update about the matter at Army headquarters, the spokesman of the land forces, Onyema Nwachukwu, explained that the senior officer did not commit the offence levelled against him by Ogunleye.

Nwachukwu, a Major-General, stressed that the conclusion was arrived at after an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies and evidence presented during the investigations carried out.

“Upon receipt of her initial complaint, which included allegations of sexual harassment, the Nigerian Army took immediate action. The matter was referred to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the veracity of her claims.

Five police personnel involved in securing the Edo State governorship election tragically lost their lives in a road accident.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the death, saying it occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

The accident happened on the Zaria-Kano road, near Karfi Village’s Trailer Park. The FRSC reported that a trailer and a Toyota Hummer Bus (registration number 14B101KN), operated by Kanoline, were involved in the crash.

The accident, which took place at approximately 0115 hours, involved a total of fifteen individuals.

“Sadly, five lives were lost, and ten people sustained varying degrees of injuries. The victims were identified as members of the Nigeria Police Force returning from a special assignment in Edo State, where they had been deployed for election monitoring.”

The statement added that preliminary investigations by the FRSC have revealed that the crash was caused by excessive speeding, which led the driver of the Hummer bus to lose control and collide with a parked trailer.

Mrs. Patricia Obila, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, has been caught on camera sharing 1,000 Naira to poor people in Nigeria. 

The viral video shows her distributing the money to Okada riders, a physically challenged individual, and others, sparking mixed reactions from the public.

Many have questioned the value of 1,000 Naira in today’s economy, especially considering the economic hardships faced by Nigerians under the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government. 

Some have criticized the gesture as inadequate, pointing out that 1,000 Naira can’t even buy a loaf of bread in some areas. 

Others have praised Obila’s kind intentions, despite the limited impact of the amount.

It’s worth noting that Patricia Obila assumed office as Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State on May 29, 2023. 

Her actions, whether seen as charitable or political, are under scrutiny as she navigates her role in the state’s government.

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), vowed to end persecution of the Igbo people in Nigeria.

Kanu, detained since July 2021, spoke out after his court appearance in Abuja, citing marginalization as the reason for his Biafra restoration agitation.

Justice Binta Nyako recused herself from Kanu’s trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. This followed Kanu’s request, alleging bias and disobedience to Supreme Court orders.

In court, Kanu instructed his counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, to sit, referencing the Supreme Court judgment that raised concerns about the judge’s impartiality.

After the session, Kanu emphasized, “The orchestrated persecution of Igbo people stops with me.”

He explained his fight for freedom stems from this persecution, stating, “When it comes to Igbo people, the rules change, yet we’re called one Nigeria.

Following the recently concluded Edo governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, has extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Edo for their steadfast support.

In a message addressed to his supporters, Ighodalo praised the voters who braved difficult circumstances to cast their ballots on September 21, 2024.

He specifically lauded the resilience of voters who faced various challenges, including intimidation, arrests, and financial inducements, to support his candidacy.

“I want to thank the good people of Edo State who defied the rains, intimidation, and threats of violence to vote for us. Your sacrifices for a better Edo State will never be forgotten,” he stated, while calling them “the true heroes of our democracy.”

Ighodalo urged his supporters to stay committed to their shared vision for Edo’s progress.

He assured them that the fight for a better Edo State would continue, adding, “Our journey does not end here; it is just beginning. I promise I will not abandon you as we face this uncertain future together.”

Israeli strikes on Monday killed more than 270 Lebanese in the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war as the Israeli military warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign against Hezbollah.

Thousands of Lebanese fled the south, and the main highway out of the southern port city of Sidon was jammed with cars heading toward Beirut in the biggest exodus since the 2006 fighting. 

More than 1,000 other people were wounded in the strikes — a staggering one-day toll for a country still reeling from a deadly attack on communication devices last week.

The death toll surpassed that of Beirut’s devastating port explosion in 2020, when hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse detonated, killing at least 218 people and wounding more than 6,000.

In a recorded message to Lebanese civilians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to heed Israeli calls to evacuate, saying “take this warning seriously.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the Edo State Governorship election results announced by INEC. 

Acting national Chairman of the PDP Umar Damagum called for support from well meaning Nigerians, insisting Asue Ighodalo won.

“The PDP rejects INEC’s result,” Damagum stated, paving the way for a court challenge.

He asserted that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the rightful winner of the election, emphasising that “the PDP unequivocally rejects the result as announced by INEC.

Details shortly….

Four Boko Haram terrorists met their demise in Yobe state, North East region, after troops from Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, laid a successful ambush.

This breakthrough was shared by renowned counter-insurgency expert and security analyst, Zagazola Makama, on his X handle, accompanied by photos of the fallen insurgents.

Zagazola revealed that during the operation, the troops intercepted logistics and motorcycle spare parts belonging to the terrorists.

This accomplishment showcases the effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai in disrupting Boko Haram’s supply chain and operational capabilities.

As a credible source of security news in the region, Zagazola has consistently provided timely updates on the military’s efforts to combat insurgency.

Notably, he was the first to break the news of notorious bandit commander Kachallah Buzu’s neutralization by Nigerian Troops.

Zagazola’s expertise and access to real-time information have made him a trusted voice in the counter-insurgency community.

His reports offer valuable insights into the ongoing military operations in the North East region, shedding light on the progress made against Boko Haram and other extremist groups.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking the removal of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Ekwo has ruled in favor of the 2nd and 3rd defendants, upholding their preliminary objections regarding the claimant’s lack of standing to bring the case.

The core issue was the claimant’s locus standi, or legal standing, to file the suit. The 2nd defendant argued that the claimant didn’t meet this requirement, and Justice Ekwo agreed, ultimately dismissing the case on these grounds.

In essence, the claimant failed to demonstrate a sufficient legal interest or show how their interest arose in the subject matter of the action, which is a critical aspect of locus standi.

This ruling highlights the importance of establishing legal standing before pursuing a case, ensuring that only those with a genuine stake in the matter can seek judicial relief.

Additionally, the 3rd defendant pointed out that the entity named in the lawsuit, the “Northern Central APC Forum,” was not a registered body.

Justice Ekwo concurred, noting that the claimant failed to provide a certificate of registration from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to prove its legal status.

Based on this, Justice Ekwo ruled that the APC group lacked the legal authority, or juristic personality, to file the suit since it was not a registered entity.

He also emphasized that the claimant had not exhausted internal party mechanisms for resolving disputes before resorting to legal action, which further invalidated the case.

Additionally, he held that there was no cause of action against the defendants since the plaintiff has no power under any known law to institute any case in any Nigerian court, while he added that the appointment of officers for APC by its National Executive Committee is an internal affair of the party, which no court can dabble into.

He hence proceeded to dismiss the suit.

He said, “I hereby dismiss this suit for lack of juristic personality of the claimant.

“The claimant has no locus standi to institute the suit and I make an order striking out the suit for lack of locus standi.

“The subject matter is an internal affair of the political party, I hereby strike out the suit for lack of locus standi.”

The North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, who is the plaintiff in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, is challenging the propriety of Ganduje’s appointment as the APC National Chairman when he is not from the North Central geopolitical zone.

The plaintiff had sued Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before the court, praying for nullification of Ganduje’s appointment by the APC on the ground of gross violations of the party’s Constitution.

The plaintiff, in the suit, contended that the APC National Executive Committee breached the party’s constitution when it appointed Ganduje, from Kano State in the North West geopolitical zone to replace Senator Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the North Central geopolitical zone.

They further argued that Ganduje’s appointment to replace Abdullahi was contrary to Article 31.5(1) of the APC Constitution and ultra vires the powers of the NEC of the party.

The plaintiff, therefore, approached the court to, among others, bar Ganduje from further parading himself as the APC National Chairman.

The plaintiff also asked the court to issue an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission not to accord recognition to all actions taken by the APC, including congresses, primaries and nominations, since Ganduje became APC Chairman on August 3, 2023.

The Forum of All Progressives Congress State Chairmen passed a vote of confidence on Ganduje.

The delegation of 37 state APC chairmen gave the endorsement during a solidarity visit to the party secretariat in Abuja.