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Council Polls: APC to set up committees for victory in FCT
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is to set up committees saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the party emerges victorious in the February 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
The National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a crucial stakeholders meeting of APC leaders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ganduje who spoke through the party’s Zonal Secretary (North Central)’ Hon. Yakubu Adamu directed the APC FCT Chairman’ Hon. Abdulmalik Usman to set up election, reconciliation, financial and security committees in all 62 wards and six Area Councils of the territory before next council elections.
According to him, the various committees will be responsible for effective coordination ahead of the council elections.
The National Chairman, while advising the party members to embrace peace and unity said, “now that we have authentic party leaders from the ward to local government and to the state levels in FCT, we must all march out to ensure victory for our party during the next Area Council elections in 2026 and the general elections in 2027.”
Also, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Bitrus Jisalob and the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Dr. Maryam Mahmoud Bankure called for unity among leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) if the party must regain territory.
They counselled leaders of the party to go after all aggrieved members in the Area Councils with a view to winning the February 2026 council elections.
Addressing party leaders, the duo noted that the party has what it takes to take over the territory at the Area Council elections, but stressed that they must close ranks in order to deliver the territory to the party.
Jisalo who now serves as the leader of the party in FCT, assured level playing ground for all aspirants at the party’s shadow election, but stressed the need for hard work. “It is not enough for us to have what it takes to win, we must be ready to work hard and ensure we work as a united front in the forthcoming Area Council elections and the 2027 general elections.
“We are set to win all the 62 wards and the six Area Councils in FCT. We shall come up with a winning strategy after the party primary.”
Similarly, the Minister of State, FCT, Maryam Bankure advised the leadership of the party to effectively engage women and youth in the territory as the preparation for the council election gathers steam.
She also stressed the importance of unity among party members, advising that the party cannot afford to allow the past mistakes and misunderstanding to continue to split the party.
The meeting was attended by all leaders of the party from the 62 wards of the territory along with state executive officers.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
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