Author: user user

Tinubu hails Omoworare at 58 lauds contributions to progressive politics

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Senator Babajide Omoworare on his 58th birthday describing him as a seasoned political strategist and grassroots mobiliser whose contributions to progressive politics and democratic development have earned him widespread respect.

The President particularly commended the former lawmaker for his steadfast loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) his commitment to grassroots political engagement and his efforts to strengthen democratic institutions in Nigeria.

In a congratulatory message issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga Tinubu acknowledged Omoworare’s contributions to party development and his longstanding dedication to public service.

He described the celebrant a lawyer and experienced politician as a committed progressive whose political activities in Lagos and Osun states had demonstrated his passion for good governance and democratic advancement.

According to the President Omoworare’s political experience legal background and involvement in party affairs have distinguished him as a dependable political strategist and advocate of democratic ideals.

Tinubu also praised the former senator’s contributions to building a stronger more inclusive and people-oriented political movement noting that his commitment to the APC remained worthy of recognition.

The President expressed confidence in Omoworare’s capacity to continue contributing meaningfully to the growth of the ruling party and national development.

‘As you celebrate this 58th birthday I pray for your good health wisdom and greater accomplishments as you continue to render greater service to our party and the nation’ Tinubu said.

He wished the celebrant many more years of fulfilment and impactful service to the country.

Osun: Accord’s Olajengbesi donates 300KVA transformer to Ilo-Ijesa

The candidate of the Accord Party for Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has donated a brand new 300KVA transformer to Ilo-Ijesa community in Oriade Local Government, ending 14 years of unstable electricity in the area.

Olajengbesi, who served as Spokesperson for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign, fulfilled a pledge he made in August during his campaign tour ahead of recently concluded guber poll across the constituency.

He had promised to deliver the transformer in October, before the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement signed by the spokesperson of Pelumi Olajengbesi Campaign Organization (POCO), Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo, the transformer was received with wild jubilation by the community chairman, Mr. Dapo Ajakaye, leaders and residents, who disclosed that the community had been experiencing unstable electricity and low current since 2012.

Olajengbesi, while donating the transformer, said his intervention was driven by a burden for community development and economic well-being.

‘Our people invest so much in this country, they pay taxes, they vote, but what public officials offer does not correspond with the people’s investment,’ he said.

The legal practitioner lamented that while some politicians get richer and build private schools that ordinary people cannot afford, boasting that their children attend the best schools, communities under their representation live in total darkness.

‘That is not representation, that is wickedness,’ he declared.

He further decried the uncontrollable appetite for money among a class of people in positions of power.

‘Nigeria has a class of people in positions of power with an uncontrollable appetite for money – those who can kill and die for money. There are provisions for basic social amenities like transformers, solar lights and boreholes, but they are diverted to private firms owned by some politicians.’

‘We waste resources on things that do not matter, like oath-taking, and other dangerous rituals to hold on to power, instead of reviving and restoring our communities,’ he added.

Olajengbesi commended the community chairman, Mr. Ajakaye, describing him as a selfless leader.

‘I want to thank the chairman for his selflessness. At a time when many leaders collect money and abandon their people, he refused. He kept knocking on every door until help came. We need more leaders like him,’ he said.

‘I am not yet in office, but I made a promise in August and I have fulfilled it in October. That is the assurance I am giving. I don’t want my people to curse me tomorrow. When I promise, I will do it. This transformer is not a campaign, it is an assurance that a new era of responsible representation is possible,’ Olajengbesi added.

In his response, Ajakaye, speaking on behalf of the residents, thanked Olajengbesi for the historic intervention.

‘For 14 years, we have been having unstable electricity. When you told us that the transformer would be provided, I thought it was a bluff to earn our votes during the guber election. But you came in August, saw our suffering, and today you have ended our darkness. We have adopted you as our son and our light,’ he said.

The commissioning ceremony was witnessed by youth groups, women leaders and artisans who said the transformer would boost small businesses and bring economic revival to the community.

Atiku condemns attacks on Sowore, Sokoto ADC guber candidate

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has condemned simultaneous attacks on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya.

Atiku, in a post on his X handle on Saturday, described the attacks as deeply troubling and unacceptable.

‘The simultaneous attacks on presidential candidate of African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore @sowore, and governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Sokoto State, His Excellency Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, are deeply troubling and unacceptable,’ he said.

He said the twin assaults exposed the extent to which the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration was prepared to oppress and intimidate opposition leaders and their supporters.

‘These twin assaults expose the extent to which the ruling APC administration is prepared to oppress and intimidate opposition leaders and their supporters,’ Atiku said.

He expressed concern that the attacks occurred while President Bola Tinubu was away on a spiritual pilgrimage.

‘It is particularly disturbing that while President Bola Tinubu is away on spiritual pilgrimage, political enforcers and thugs loyal to his party are unleashing terror on his political opponents at home. These two realities cannot coexist in a democracy,’ he said.

Atiku said the continued attacks on opposition figures and the unexplained disappearance of critical social media influencers were red flags indicating a slide towards a censored state.

‘The continued attacks on opposition figures and unexplained disappearance of critical social media influencers are clear red flags of dangerous slide toward censored state where opposition is crushed by brute force of current government. These incidents are unbecoming of any democratic government and starkly reveal desperation of Tinubu administration,’ he said.

He demanded immediate and transparent investigations into both attacks and urged the Tinubu administration to guarantee a free, fair and competitive contest in the forthcoming general elections.

‘We therefore demand immediate and transparent investigations into both attacks. Tinubu government must refrain from any attempt to muzzle opposition and must guarantee free, fair, and competitive contest in forthcoming general elections,’ he said.

Atiku also alleged that ADC supporters in Sokoto State were being harassed by a local security outfit.

‘I have it on good authority that local security outfit in Sokoto State has been harassing ADC supporters, manhandling citizens simply for wearing ADC merchandise. We shall resist every ongoing attempt to cancel political opposition in Nigeria. Ruling APC has failed in its mandate. Nigerians must be allowed to freely participate in electoral contest that will determine fate of this administration,’ he said.

Fani-Kayode presents Letters of Credence to South Africa’s DIRCO assumes diplomatic duties

Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of South Africa on Friday October 30 2026 formally presented copies of his Letters of Credence to Mr Clayson Monyela Deputy Director-General Public Diplomacy and Acting Chief of State Protocol at the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

The presentation marks an important diplomatic milestone signifying the formal commencement of Ambassador Fani-Kayode’s diplomatic functions and his assumption of duties as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa with effect from October 30 2026.

Following the presentation Ambassador Fani-Kayode also met with Ambassador Seboga Deputy Director-General of DIRCO in his office as part of his initial diplomatic engagements with senior South African government officials.

The presentation of copies of his Letters of Credence precedes the ceremonial presentation of his Letters of Credence to His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa which will take place in a few days’ time.

US court rejects discovery bid against Tinubu DCI Group in FOIA suit

A United States federal court has rejected an attempt to obtain discovery from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and DCI Group in an ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia in a ruling delivered on Friday October 30 2026 denied a motion filed by Aaron Greenspan seeking limited discovery from the Nigerian President and DCI Group over alleged cyberattacks on his website.

The development was disclosed in a statement posted by Bayo Onanuga the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy on his verified X handle @aonanuga1956.

According to the statement the court held that the proposed discovery was not sufficiently relevant to the substantive issues in the FOIA litigation involving the two American federal law enforcement agencies.

The ruling effectively rejected Greenspan’s attempt to introduce the alleged cyberattacks into the proceedings limiting consideration to matters directly connected to the underlying information-disclosure dispute.

Onanuga’s post also said the court rejected Greenspan’s motion for summary judgment along with other applications connected to the litigation.

It specifically denied a separate application by Karl Von Batten a non-party to the proceedings seeking permission to submit an ‘amicus curiae’ or friend-of-the-court brief.

Greenspan’s related request for judicial notice was equally denied.

In response attorney Christopher W. Carmichael described the ruling as a reaffirmation of the legal boundaries governing FOIA proceedings.

‘The Court’s decision makes clear that this Freedom of Information Act proceeding cannot be used to pursue discovery unrelated to the legal questions before it.

‘By denying the request for discovery against President Tinubu and DCI Group the Court reinforced the importance of keeping this litigation focused on the issues properly before it’ Carmichael said.

Another attorney Oluwole Afolabi said the decisions had established important procedural limits on the scope of the litigation.

‘The Court also denied the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment and rejected a separate request to introduce an amicus brief.

‘While the underlying FOIA issues remain before the Court these rulings establish important procedural boundaries and clarify which matters are appropriate for consideration in this litigation’ Afolabi said.

No rift between Faleke and I – Ododo

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has reaffirmed his political relationship with the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, declaring that there is no misunderstanding between them.

Ododo made the clarification over the weekend when he received members of the Faleke Political Vanguard, a youth mobilisation group with structures across the 21 local government areas of Kogi State, during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Lokoja.

The governor dismissed speculations of a disagreement between him and the federal lawmaker, describing Faleke as his political leader and partner, while assuring the group of his administration’s continued cooperation.

‘I want people to know that we are together; we don’t have differences. He is my leader and he is my partner. I have been saying it, and I owe nobody any apology,’ Ododo declared.

He explained that the demands of governance had limited his opportunities to meet regularly with members of the Vanguard, stressing that such circumstances should not be misconstrued as a breakdown in political relationships.

Ododo recalled Faleke’s support during his legal challenges, describing their relationship as one founded on loyalty, mutual understanding and shared political interests.

He added that Faleke had directed members of the Vanguard to support his administration, a responsibility he said he had gladly embraced.

The governor assured the group that his administration would continue to promote inclusive governance, particularly in youth and women empowerment, adding that political leadership should not be seen as an avenue for superiority.

‘I am not better than anybody. I have no voice, I have no power without your support. But with your support, we are willing to defend the interests of our youths and women,’ he said.

Ododo also cautioned politicians against creating divisions and exploiting young people for political violence, recalling previous experiences in the state where political disagreements reportedly generated hostility among communities and supporters.

He urged political stakeholders to embrace peaceful engagement, tolerance and mutual respect, warning that the peace and stability of Kogi State must not be sacrificed for personal or partisan interests.

The governor further challenged youths to deploy their energy, talents and organisational abilities towards productive ventures and the development of the state rather than allowing themselves to be used as instruments of political violence.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the Faleke Political Vanguard, Alamoh Kehinde Samuel, said the organisation was made up of selected youth leaders and supporters drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state.

Kehinde disclosed that many members were political followers of the late former Governor Abubakar Audu and Hon. Faleke, adding that the group was committed to strengthening grassroots political participation and supporting the Ododo administration.

He commended the governor for his support and attention to the organisation, identifying security, youth development and inclusive governance as major factors motivating members to remain politically active.

The coordinator also highlighted some of the administration’s achievements in healthcare, education, infrastructure, workers’ welfare and investment promotion.

He listed the construction and renovation of 88 primary healthcare centres, establishment of a psychiatric centre at Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, educational support for students, improved salary and pension payments, expansion of the state health insurance scheme and ongoing road projects.

On the organisation’s structure, Kehinde disclosed that the Vanguard had established coordination arrangements across the state’s 21 local government areas and 239 electoral wards.

He said the group was targeting 100 members in each ward, translating to a projected membership of 23,900 across the state.

According to him, the organisation would soon commence formal inaugurations at the zonal, local government and ward levels to strengthen its grassroots structures and improve coordination.

He added that the Vanguard’s political agenda included mobilising support for Governor Ododo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Also speaking, the Kogi State Chairman of the Special Advisers’ Forum, Hon. Bode Adeyemi, applauded the Vanguard for its growing mobilisation capacity and expanding grassroots network.

Adeyemi recalled that about 400 members of the organisation had previously participated in an engagement with his team, describing their involvement as evidence of their commitment to political mobilisation.

He also acknowledged the group’s participation in a solidarity walk organised in support of President Tinubu, saying the exercise demonstrated its ability to mobilise young people around common political objectives.

The Special Advisers’ Forum chairman noted that the Vanguard’s presence across the 239 wards underscored the importance of building an inclusive political structure that gives young people from different backgrounds a sense of belonging.

He expressed confidence in the leadership and organisational capacity of the group, urging members to remain disciplined, united and committed to their political objectives.

Horror in Bauchi as four men, teenager tace rape allegations

The command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying four suspects were arrested over the alleged rape of the 12-year-old girl in Sakwa District, Zaki LGA.

According to Habib, the victim’s 50-year-old father reported the incident on October 29, a day after four men allegedly abducted his daughter and sexually assaulted her in one of their rooms.

The suspects were identified as Badamasi Mohammed, 18; Bello Mohammed, 18; Mustapha Bappah, 18; and Bashiru Sha’tubu, 22.

The police said the victim was taken to General Hospital, Zaki, for medical examination, while the suspects were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

In a separate case, a 15-year-old boy was arrested over the alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl in Buskuri Village, Azare, Katagum LGA.

Habib said the victim’s father reported the incident on October 29, alleging that the suspect lured the girl to a farm on October 15 and sexually assaulted her.

The victim was taken to General Hospital, Azare, for medical examination, while the suspect was also transferred to the SCID.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the incidents and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling sexual violence and child abuse.

He assured that the suspects would face prosecution if found culpable and urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and report suspected abuse to the police.

Heat stress to cost SL $ 26 b, 145,000 jobs a year by 2040: ILO

Rising workplace heat stress could cost Sri Lanka around $ 26 billion in annual GDP and the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs by 2040 even under a low-emissions pathway, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said yesterday, citing new studies on Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The losses are not only a future risk. Heat stress driven by climate change cost Sri Lanka $ 6.5 billion more in lost output in 2023 than in the average year of the 1985-2014 reference period, and the equivalent of over 120,000 full-time jobs, the ILO said. Agriculture is likely to be the hardest hit, followed by services, manufacturing and construction.

‘These findings make clear that heat stress is already affecting workers, enterprises and economies in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Protecting workers from heat stress needs to be part of how we approach occupational safety and health, climate adaptation and economic resilience. Through social dialogue, governments, employers and workers can develop practical solutions that protect health and livelihoods while sustaining productive enterprises,’ ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Joni Simpson said.

According to the ILO factsheet ‘Impacts of heat stress on jobs and productivity in Sri Lanka’, the services sector accounted for the largest share of the 2023 GDP loss at $ 2.7 billion, or 41.9%, followed by transport and trade at $ 1.25 billion (19.3%). Manufacturing lost $ 920 million (14.1%), agriculture $ 750 million (11.5%), construction $ 655 million (10%) and mining and quarrying $ 211 million (3.2%). The figures are in fixed 2015 prices.

Job losses, proxied from work hours lost, were concentrated in agriculture, which accounted for 48%, or 57,230, of the 120,300 full-time equivalent jobs lost. Services followed with 22% (26,529), manufacturing 13% (15,176), construction 11% (13,154) and transport and trade 6% (7,529).

The economy lost 241 million work hours, or 1.62% of available hours, with agriculture the worst affected at 2.69%. Some 35% of the jobs were lost in the second quarter, the period of most intense heat.

‘Reduced labour productivity under high heat stress is not only a matter of slower movement; it also includes reduced work output and increased error rates,’ the ILO said.

During the reference period, productivity loss due to heat stress fluctuated between 15% and 18% in agriculture and construction, and held at about 10%-12% in manufacturing, mining and quarrying, services, and transportation and trade.

Sri Lanka’s mean temperature has already risen by about 1°C since the 1960s. Looking ahead, the ILO modelled four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), the scenarios used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), ranging from a sustainable, low-emission world (SSP1-2.6) to continued heavy fossil fuel use (SSP5-8.5). Maximum temperature is projected to rise by 2°C under the lower-emission scenarios and by up to 6°C by late century under the highest, while WBGT would rise by about 2°C to as much as 5°C.

Even on the Paris-aligned trajectory (SSP1-2.6), the 2040 loss of $ 26.1 billion, or 11.8% of GDP, would rise to 13%, or $ 65.6 billion, in 2060, relative to baseline losses. Under the middle-of-the-road scenario (SSP2-4.5), the contraction would deepen from 11.5% ($ 21.1 billion) in 2040 to 13.7% ($ 51.7 billion) in 2060. The regional-rivalry scenario (SSP3-7.0) would push the burden to 13.5% by 2060, equal to $ 37.2 billion given the slow economic growth assumed under it. Should fossil-fuel development continue unabated (SSP5-8.5), the loss could reach 15.2%, or $ 87.1 billion, by 2060.

Job losses would follow a similar path. Beyond the 145,000 under SSP1-2.6, the economy would lose the equivalent of 161,000 full-time jobs under SSP2-4.5 and 210,000-220,000 under the high-emission scenarios by 2040. By 2060, losses would range from 158,000, or 2.1% of the labour force, under SSP1-2.6 to over 272,000 under SSP2-4.5, 314,000 under SSP3-7.0 and nearly 349,000 under SSP5-8.5, where heat would cut more than 4.6% of total work hours.

ILO’s recommendations include adjusting working hours to avoid the hottest periods, shade, hydration and cooling stations, heat-tolerant crop varieties, improved ventilation in factories and mines, real-time WBGT monitoring, stronger occupational safety and health standards and greater awareness of heat-related risks. The ILO also stressed the importance of social protection, particularly for workers who cannot reduce their working hours without losing essential income.

Security link stolen govt drugs to ADF rebels

The National Drug Authority (NDA) and security officials say they are investigating how drugs believed to have been stolen from Uganda’s health facilities are ending up in Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) camps in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.

Both NDA Spokesperson Mr Abiaz Rwamiri and Luweero Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Ms Miriam Nalubega Sseguya, disclosed that some government health workers who have since been interdicted for drug theft from government facilities confessed to having trafficked them to Congo.

”Currently, we have drug thefts in Luweero District and as I talk, we have identified health workers who are found in connivance of stealing drugs from Luweero hospital and they were trafficking them to Congo to reach ADF camps. This is very bad.” Ms Nalubega said.

Adding that, “The health workers identified so far colluded to steal drugs from Luweero Hospital and traffic them to Congo, where they reached Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) camps.”

Without disclosing how the accused health workers connected with the rebels and transported the drugs in question, Ms Nalubega called the theft both a public health risk and a security threat, urging in-charges to act as whistleblowers and asking why tips about drug theft keep coming from people who do not work in the facilities.

She appealed to all health workers and Ugandans to help security agencies catch the culprits.

According to the authorities, the stolen drugs include 12,000 doses of antiretrovirals (ARVs) for managing Aids, antibiotics and some medical supplies worth Shs 50 million.

The RDC and NDA spokesperson made the revelation during a stakeholder engagement at Luweero District headquarters on October 21, following the arrest of Marion Namugenyi, a midwife at the facility, alongside her two brothers and a security guard, Titus Kura, over drug theft.

Ms Namugenyi has since appeared before court and was remanded at Luzira Prison until November 13 on criminal-related charges.

Mr Rwamwiri added that intelligence shows that some of the stolen drugs end up in the hands of rebels, while some are sold as animal feed.

”They steal them and take them onto a black market. And where do these drugs end? Our intelligence shows most of them are smuggled to southern Sudan, to Congo. And we know what is happening in eastern Congo. Some of them are actually ending up in the hands of rebels. So we are feeding and keeping rebels healthy to come and terrorise us.” He said.

Adding that, ”and that’s why for me I regard anyone involved in the drug crime to be a terrorist. One, you’re denying drugs to sick people who need them. It means you’re sentencing them to death. And now there is also a security issue that you’re giving drugs, you’re aiding, you know, terrorism, rebel activities, by keeping rebels accessing government drugs at a given price. So it’s, something has to be done. We leave that to the district.”

The ADF started as a rebel force in Uganda but has been based in the forests of neighbouring Congo since the late 1990s, and is recognised by Islamic State as an affiliate.

Congo’s army and Ugandan forces have pursued operations against the ADF, but the group’s attacks continue.

Luweero District Health Officer, Dr Innocent Nkonwa, said nine health workers in the district have since been interdicted for drug theft and criminal-related charges, their names already forwarded to the Public Service for their dismissal from service.

As the investigation continues, Mr Abiaz said medicines worth Shs25 billion have been stolen from public health facilities in the last three years, noting that the government loses between 30 and 50 percent of drugs it procures and supplies.

“Where does government get money to supply these drugs? It is our taxes,” he said. Citing that the drugs most often targeted are ARVs, malaria medicines and other essential medicines.

No drugs

Ms Salim Zimula, a resident of Nalongo village in Butuntumula Sub-county, said patients regularly go to government health facilities in the area and are told there are no drugs and are instead sent to private pharmacies, where they pay far more than they can afford.

Taming drug theft

The district has introduced a central pharmacy model. All medicines in a facility are dispensed from a single point.

When a clinician prescribes, the patient or caretaker must collect the drugs from the central pharmacy.

Heads of department submit requisitions only on Mondays and Thursdays, and the medicines are issued to the respective departments. Other days are reserved for emergency orders.

Dr Nkonwa said this limits the quantities held by individual health workers, reduces contact between staff and the store, and gives officials time to follow up and balance books against stock.

Staff at the pharmacy update dispensing logs and the electronic systems. Some facilities use Clinic Master and others e-Registry, and the district wants both to feed into the dispensing logs.

At lower-level facilities without pharmacists or dispensers, nurses and other clinicians will be formally assigned to run the dispensing window.

2027: Wike urges FCT stakeholders to deliver polling units for Tinubu

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has charged supporters of President Bola Tinubu to translate their endorsement into votes in the January 16, 2027, election, insisting that every stakeholder must deliver his polling unit, ward, local government area and state.

Wike gave the charge on Saturday at the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Meeting and unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates, organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

The meeting brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, six area council chairmen, indigenous communities and residents, who endorsed Tinubu for a second term, alongside Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the FCT Senate seat, Hon. John Gabaya for Abuja North and former Kwali Chairman Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.

He warned stakeholders against claiming credit for victory without contributing at the grassroots, saying genuine support must be demonstrated at polling units.

‘Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward, deliver your local government, deliver your state,’ he declared.

‘I don’t want to hear that I lost my polling unit, but we won. There is no grammar like that. If you lose your polling unit, don’t say you won, because you never contributed to the victory,’ Wike added.

He described the endorsement as significant and thanked traditional rulers, political leaders, area council chairmen and residents for supporting the initiative.

Wike urged residents not to repeat what he described as the mistake of the 2023 election, saying 2027 offered an opportunity to correct it.

‘We shall never make the mistake we made in 2023. Are we going to make the same mistake? No! When you realise a mistake, you correct it,’ he said.

The minister called on residents to support Aduda, whom he described as their son, father and friend, saying effective representation required a senator who understood their concerns and remained accessible.

Questioning the performance of the incumbent senator, Wike asked, ‘Today, can you say in all honesty, the person representing you in the Senate, does she care about you? Has she called you for a meeting any day?’

He attributed Tinubu’s endorsement to the President’s interventions in the FCT, particularly in infrastructure development and the upgrading of traditional institutions after 27 years of neglect.

Wike disclosed that Tinubu had also approved SUVs for traditional rulers, which would be presented on December 4. He said leadership required the courage to do what was right despite criticism.

He commended the six area council chairmen for cooperating with the FCTA despite their party differences, noting that their collaboration had driven progress in the city centre and satellite towns.

The minister listed the establishment of the FCT Youth Development Secretariat, Women Affairs Secretariat and Civil Service Commission as major achievements, saying civil servants could now rise to the positions of Permanent Secretary and Head of Service.

Addressing youth representatives who complained about delays in securing an audience with him, Wike apologised and fixed November 10 for a meeting with youths from the six area councils. He also disclosed that he had secured Tinubu’s approval for four buses for youth mobilisation.

He promised a separate meeting with persons with disabilities, urging them to mobilise and exercise their franchise.

On the Rainbow Coalition, Wike explained that it was designed to unite political parties behind Tinubu without forcing them to abandon their political identities. He also commended the APC and PDP chairmen in the FCT for supporting the initiative.

He assured non-indigenous residents of inclusive governance, noting that Tinubu believed in accommodating both indigenes and other Nigerians in the FCT.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Abiodun Essien, said the Federal Government had completed 164km of roads in the North-Central and had 1,207km under construction nationwide. He added that 850,000 students in the region had benefited from the student loan scheme.

The President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr Aliyu Daniel Bakna Kwali, described the endorsement as historic, linking confidence in the administration to Wike’s projects, including the Uje-Gwagwalada-Ruruwoshi-Abaji Road. He also praised members who funded the event from their life savings.

The Renewed Hope Ambassador, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, described Wike’s appointment as a blessing, urged the sustenance of ethnic balance and described Aduda as the best senator the FCT had produced.

Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Aduda commended Tinubu for appointing Wike. He listed 30 inherited projects completed, 76 new projects awarded and 10 more expected before the end of the year, and pledged legislative support for good governance.

The FCT APC Chairman, Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo; his PDP counterpart, Samaila Muhammad Dogara; AMAC Chairman and FCT ALGON Chairman, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu; and youth leaders Yamawo Destiny and Felix Acka all pledged to deliver votes for Tinubu.

Maikalangu appealed for the payment of compensation to indigenes, while Acka called for vehicles to support grassroots mobilisation.

Traditional rulers, including the Ona of Abaji and Permanent Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr.) Adamu Baba Yunusa, also pledged their support for Wike and the endorsed candidates.