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Government must bring development to grassroot – Wike

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FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said that the government was duty-bound to bring development to the people.

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The Minister stated this on Thursday, November 21, 2024 when he inspected ongoing two road projects in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

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Projects inspected were the rehabilitation of the 11km Aguma Palace/Radio Nigeria/New Market road and the 9km Paikon Kore/Ibwa road within the area council.

Addressing journalists shortly after the inspection exercise, Barr. Wike stressed that the impact of government can only be felt when it reaches all areas and all the people.

He said, “You can’t talk about good governance or the impact of government without touching all areas, be it in the city or the satellite towns which you will refer to as rural areas. As such, it is the responsibility of every government. And you know under the Renewed Hope Agenda, this is the promise the President has made, to rekindle the hope of everybody.

“Yes, things were bad yesterday, but we are trying to improve to make sure that things don’t get worse”.

The Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work on both road projects and commended the contractors handling them.

Commenting on the crowd of residents that gathered at both sites to show appreciation to the Minister and his team, the Minister said that the people can now see that the current government is working to change their lives for the better and they are happy.

He said, “Yes, the residents have trooped out because nobody sees good things and will not appreciate it. People were complaining before because they never had any impact on the government but now they can feel, they can see that indeed there is a government that is working to change their lives in a positive way”.

While assuring residents that all the roads will delivered with streetlights, the Minister said the most important part of the projects was their completion by December, 2024, to enable farmers in the rural areas access their farms and bring their produce to the city, thereby ensuring food security.

He added that the construction of roads in the rural area was a strategy of the government to bring down the cost of food items and urged residents to continue to support the government and be patient as things will improve for the better.

The Minister assured that before the end of the first tenure of the present administration, the spate of development will speak for itself, that this administration has come to give hope to the people.

He said, “Infrastructure is basic to turn around any economy in any part of the world. If you don’t have basic infrastructure, too bad. That is part of the problems we have had in Abuja and we are trying to create more infrastructure to open up, not just the city but the rural area so that the economy of Abuja will thrive”.

On the involvement of the Area Council Chairmen in the infrastructure development in the rural area, the Minister said the FCT Administration is working together with the chairmen, adding that the Chairmen were also doing their best with the funds available to them.

The Minister said, “Don’t expect them to carry out this kind of magnitude of project because they don’t have that kind of resources. But the mere fact that they are giving us the support to carry out this project without any protest.

“You know sometimes you may be carrying out the project and the community and the Chairmen may not be in support, they will begin to sabotage it…we have never had such..so it means they have fully bought into the project and own it as their own and that is why we are succeeding. So, they are really doing well”.

FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (L) addressing Jubilating residents of Ibwa during the inspection visit to ongoing Paikon Kore/Ibwa road project in Gwagwalada Area Council on Thursday

An aerial view of the ongoing Paikon Kore/Ibwa road project in Gwagwalada Area Council

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‘Your malicious campaign of calumny against me will not work’ – Akpabio blasts Senator Abbo

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The President of the Nigerian Senate Godswill Obot Akpabio said, he will not be distracted by the baseless allegation and antics of Elisha Abbo who formerly represented Adamawa North Senatorial District in the Senate, stating that it was unfortunate that the ex-lawmaker has started another round of malicious campaign against him.

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This was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, declaring that Elisha Abbo’s outbursts are those of a failed politician who fraudulently represented Adamawa North Senatorial District before the Court intervention cleared him out of way.

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Akpabio through his aide was reacting to Elisha Abbo’s blame on Akpabio, suggesting that he was responsible for his electoral woes in an interview he granted on Arise Television on Wednesday while he featured on politics today.

Part of the statement read: “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to another round of spurious and malicious accusations by Mr. Elisha Abbo, who unlawfully represented Adamawa North Senatorial District save a judicial intervention.

“He has again sought to blame the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, for the travail of his judicial sanction that occasioned his ouster from the Senate.”

Akpabio said he was perturbed the more over Elisha’s outburst on him over an issue he has regretted and apologized to him publicly in 2023—after admitting that his earlier accusation was “premature and based on the available information at his disposal.

He noted further that Abbo had once discussed with him last year and acknowledge that “he was not involved in the judicial process that led to his ouster from the Senate.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, after a thorough legal process, ruled unequivocally that Mr. Abbo’s presence in the Red Chamber was in error. The court determined that he was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, and consequently, he was removed.

“The court acted in accordance with the extant laws and the Constitution within its sacred duty to uphold the rule of law. Senator Akpabio, a seasoned lawyer and democrat, holds the independence of the judiciary in the highest regard and would never interfere in its processes.”

Given that Abbo has exonerated him, Akpabio said he found it illogical and irresponsible for him to now turn around and heap blames on him.

“Mr. Abbo has also sought to create the impression that he was unjustly denied official benefits following his ouster. He claims entitlement to salaries, allowances, and even an official vehicle, despite the court’s declaration that his tenure was null and void ab initio.”

Akpabio noted that he has no executive fiat to approve finances, except such has been duly vetted and forwarded to him by the appropriate administrative units in line with the public finance guidelines.

If any of Mr. Abbo’s claims for payment did not reach the desk of the Senate President, it is because they failed to meet these lawful standards—not because of any personal or political vendetta.

It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the consequences of his legal and political failings, Mr. Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing. Even more telling is his record of public conduct. Nigerians will recall that in 2019, he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja—an incident for which he was ordered by a competent court to pay N50 million in damages. This is a matter of public record and speaks volumes about his temperament and disposition.

His recent outbursts about unpaid travels and imagined plots further reinforce the conclusion that his actions are driven not by facts or principle, but by bitterness and desperation to remain politically relevant. These claims are not only baseless, but they reek of grievance and a refusal to accept personal responsibility for his removal and loss of public trust.

Senator Godswill Akpabio remains focused on the noble task of nation-building, providing purposeful leadership in the Senate, and strengthening democratic institutions—especially the independence of the judiciary. He will not be distracted by the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history to mask personal failures.
We urge Mr. Abbo to reflect deeply, respect the rule of law, and focus on rebuilding the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life. Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when its actors show maturity, responsibility, and an abiding respect for the truth.

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Caveat Emptor: Firm Issues warning against Hampton Harbour property transactions

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Structured HQ Legal, (SHQ) has issued a public notice warning against any transactions involving the buying, selling, leasing, or letting of the Hampton Harbour landed property.

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The landed property measuring at 19.5 hectares is located at Elegushi Royal Family Land, Ikate Ancient City, Eti Osa, Local Government Area, Lagos State with reference number 376/376/2777GC and belongs to the Baggeren International Company.

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In an official press statement issued to the news men, the firm disclosed that the property is currently under legal scrutiny, cautioning that any individual or entity engaging in transactions related to Hampton Harbour does so at their own risk. They also emphasized that unauthorized dealings could lead to significant financial loss and expose parties involved to legal consequences.

SHQ further noted that any person(s) who proceeds with any dealings in relation to the Hampton Harbour property risks both financial loss and potential legal actions noting that such transactions may result in criminal and civil liabilities for trespass or fraud.

The public is strongly advised to exercise caution and ensure due diligence before engaging in any transactions concerning Hampton Harbour. Prospective buyers, investors, or stakeholders must seek formal confirmation and approval from Structured HQ Legal or Baggeren International Company Limited to avoid financial and legal risks.

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BREAKING: INEC rejects recall petition against Natasha for lack of requirements

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday said, requirements for recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District were lacking in the petition.

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In a statement to update circumstances surrounding a purported petition against Natasha, the INEC said, it has rejected the petition.

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The Commission said, Natasha is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and there are requirements to recall her or any other Senator, but it cannot consider the petitions that lack merits.

Earlier the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, acknowledged receipt of petition against the embattled lawmaker from her constituents after submitting it to the INEC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District was the former Chairman of Senate Committee on Local Contents, but was suspended from the Senate over alleged breach of Senate Standing Rules.
Natasha disclosed that she has approached the Court to quash her suspension which she claimed was illegal.

According to the petitioners, over 250,000 constituents’ signed the petition, out of about 480,000 registered voters in the senatorial district.

The petition was titled Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’.

In a brief statement on Thursday, the Commission said, “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

The female lawmaker also on Tuesday defied ban by Kogi State Government and visited her Senatorial District in what she said, was a Sallah visit to felicitate with those who gave her their mandate.

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