Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday fired hot shots at opposition leaders, accusing them of playing to the gallery and deceiving Nigerians over their recent protest for electronic transmission of election results.
Wike, who spoke at a Distinguished Personality Lecture at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Abuja, said some politicians were merely grandstanding instead of offering credible alternatives.
In a veiled swipe at former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, the FCT minister mocked the former minister’s appearance at the protest ground with his son, reportedly a medical doctor.
Amaechi had reportedly said he brought his son along to attend to any injured protesters.
But Wike dismissed the move as political drama.
“He said he came with his son, who is a medical doctor, to treat anyone who might be injured. But where was the ambulance? Where was the medical equipment? You cannot treat people with empty hands,” Wike declared.
The minister insisted that serious national issues should not be reduced to photo opportunities, stressing that leadership requires substance, not showmanship.
His comments have further deepened the war of words between the two political heavyweights, as debates over electoral reforms continue to heat up across the country.
E-Transmission Protest: Wike Knocks Amaechi, Says Opposition Playing to the Gallery
Democracy Must Put Food on Tables, Build Roads — Wike Blasts ‘Election-Only’ Politics
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday fired a blunt warning that democracy means nothing to Nigerians if it fails to deliver good roads, steady power, quality schools and better living conditions.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual Distinguished Personality Lecture at the University of Abuja, Wike said democracy must move beyond “just conducting elections” and start producing visible results that citizens can see and feel.
“Democracy must go beyond electoral rituals,” Wike declared. “For the market woman, the civil servant, the artisan and the student, democracy is not theory. It must mean roads that work, hospitals that heal, water that runs and security that reassures.”
The lecture, themed ‘Exemplary Political Leadership and Infrastructural Development in Nigeria: Between Dividends of Democracy and Good Governance,’ drew academics, students and policymakers to the university’s main campus in Abuja.
In his characteristically forceful tone, the Minister described infrastructure as “the most honest test of leadership.”
“Where democracy delivers infrastructure, it earns legitimacy. Where it fails, it breeds anger and cynicism,” he said. “Infrastructure is not just concrete and steel it is the backbone of nationhood.”
Wike blamed Nigeria’s development struggles on poor leadership over the years, insisting that the country has enough resources and ideas but lacks courageous decision-making.
“Nations are not built by resources alone. They are built by leaders with vision, courage and discipline,” he said.
He, however, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking what he described as bold and painful decisions, especially the removal of fuel subsidy.
“From day one, he showed courage by removing a policy everyone knew was damaging the economy but was afraid to touch,” Wike said. “Yes, it came with pain, but it also freed resources and restored discipline.”
Turning to Abuja, Wike boasted that the FCT is fast becoming a model of what purposeful leadership can achieve.
“In less than three years, Abuja has witnessed massive infrastructural renewal. Abandoned projects are back to life. Roads are being completed. Order is returning,” he said.
“Abuja is not just a city; it is Nigeria’s image. What we build here reflects who we are as a nation.”
He insisted that in the FCT, infrastructure is treated as a right, not a political favour.
“Leadership is not about pleasing everybody. It is about doing what is right and lawful for the greater good,” he said.
Chairman of the occasion and former top official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Prof. Aminu Ibrahim Gusau, threw his weight behind the Minister, saying Wike’s performance could be measured by visible projects, not mere promises.
“I am a technocrat and a scholar. What I see is measurable performance,” Gusau said, pointing to completed roads and renewed attention to satellite towns like Kubwa, Bwari and Karu.
He added that while other sectors may still be battling challenges nationwide, “Abuja tells a different story.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, described the lecture as timely, saying Nigerians are eager to see democracy translate into development.
He also appealed to the FCT Administration for continued support in fixing internal roads, hostels, water supply and security on campus.
Earlier, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Mutiullah Olasupo, urged students to protect Nigeria’s democracy and avoid political violence as the country moves closer to another election season.
“We must not destroy what has been built over the last three decades,” he warned.
The event ended with a clear message from Wike: democracy must be practical, visible and impactful or risk losing the trust of the people.
BILALIKOTO TRAGEDY: WiM-Africa Declares ‘Silent 15’ to Honour Women Killed in Deadly Mine Collapses
Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) has marked the maiden edition of Silent 15 of Bilalikoto – Honoring the Fallen, a continental day of remembrance for women who have lost their lives in mining accidents across Africa, particularly in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
The annual observance commemorates the deaths of more than 48 artisanal miners — mostly women — who perished in a devastating mine collapse in Bilalikoto, Mali, on February 15, 2025, while working to provide for their families. The tragedy, WiM-Africa noted, reflects a disturbing pattern of preventable mining disasters across the continent.
Similar fatal incidents have been recorded in Obuasi, Ghana; Katanga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gwanda and Mashonaland West in Zimbabwe; Zamfara, Niger and Benue states in Nigeria; and Siaya County in Kenya — all highlighting persistent safety failures in informal mining operations.
According to WiM-Africa, Silent 15 of Bilalikoto is more than a memorial. It is a call for urgent and coordinated reforms to tackle systemic lapses in mine safety, regulation, and accountability. The group stressed that many women in ASM continue to work in hazardous, largely unregulated environments without proper training, protective equipment, emergency systems, or social protection.
The organization blamed recurring fatalities on weak enforcement of safety regulations, inadequate formalization of artisanal mining, gender-blind mining policies, and opaque mineral supply chains that shield buyers from on-site realities.
WiM-Africa is urging African Union institutions, governments at all levels, mining operators, mineral buyers, development partners, and civil society groups to prioritize safety in mining governance. Key demands include formalizing ASM operations, enforcing safety standards, ensuring compensation for bereaved families, strengthening mineral traceability, and integrating women into decision-making structures.
“As Africa positions itself as a major supplier of critical minerals driving global development and the energy transition, it must not ignore the human cost at the source,” the organization stated. “Women should not die extracting resources that power the world’s economies.”
The Silent 15 of Bilalikoto now stands as a solemn continental reminder that remembrance must go hand-in-hand with reform — and that Africa’s mining future must be anchored on safety, dignity, and justice.
No Tinubu, No Support! Wike Draws Battle Line Ahead of FCT Poll
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has fired a strong warning ahead of the February 21 Area Council elections, declaring he will back only candidates loyal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike made it clear that party lines mean nothing to him loyalty to Tinubu is the only ticket to his support.
“We have the FCT Area Council election coming up and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win,” he said.
“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate that is not supporting Tinubu does not win, and I owe no apology for my stand.”
The FCT Minister insisted he remains unapologetic about his support for the President, stressing that he will mobilise his political structure to ensure pro-Tinubu candidates emerge victorious.
His declaration has set the tone for what promises to be a fierce political showdown in the nation’s capital.
More Courts, Faster Justice!’ — Wike Storms Sites, Says FCT Courts to Get Massive Boost by June
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has vowed that Abuja courts will soon breathe a fresh air as new courtrooms spring up across the city, declaring that justice delivery will no longer be slowed down by lack of space.
Wike, who embarked on an inspection tour of ongoing High Court and Magistrate Court projects in Asokoro, Jabi and Garki, said the intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would end the era of congestion in FCT courts.
“We are doing unexpected road projects, and today we are taking turns to inspect our intervention in the judicial sector to provide more courthouses for the FCT High Court and Magistrate Courts,” Wike said.
Despite challenging terrain at the Asokoro site, the Minister expressed confidence that the project would be delivered on schedule.
“I’ve seen the level of work, even though the topography is very bad. It’s a problem, but we’ll overcome it. Jabi was the last one where we laid foundation in December last year. Now we’re in Garki and you can see how far this has gone. I’m very pleased with the quality of the job,” he stated.
He revealed that contractors have assured the FCT Administration that the projects would be ready before the end of June.
“The contractors have said that before the end of June, they will have delivered this project. With this intervention by Mr. President, FCT courts will now have more courthouses so they will not be lacking courtrooms to dispense justice,” he added.
Wike stressed that while the administration is aggressively constructing roads, rehabilitating schools and strengthening the health sector, the judiciary cannot be left behind.
“The judicial arm of government is very critical in making sure people get the dividends of democracy. There’s no reason to focus on one sector and ignore the other,” he said.
The Minister assured residents that the new facilities would improve efficiency, speed up trials and strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
For Abuja residents, it may soon be a new dawn more courtrooms, quicker hearings and justice delivered without delay.
2027 SHOWDOWN! ADC Launches Nationwide Membership Drive, David Mark Boasts: ‘We’ll Form Next Government’
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has fired the first major shot ahead of the 2027 general elections, kicking off a nationwide membership registration drive — with a bold declaration that it is set to take over power.
At the colourful launch in Abuja on Thursday, former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, confidently declared that the party is laying the foundation to form the next government.
“I assure you that in 2027, ADC will form the government and this is the foundation we are laying today,” Mark said to loud applause from party leaders and supporters.
The event brought together key figures including Registration Committee Chairman, Alhaji Imam Ibrahim; digital platform lead, Aisha Yesufu; and National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Mark warned against the shady practices common in other parties where membership cards are allegedly hoarded to manipulate figures.
“Our cards will not be kept in rooms. They will be given to our members,” he said, stressing that membership would not be based on favoritism.
“Whether you are our friend or our enemy, as long as you want to register and abide by our rules, we will give you our card,” he added.
To avoid technical glitches and exclusion, the ADC unveiled a hybrid registration system — combining manual and digital platforms.
Alhaji Imam Ibrahim explained that the party opted for a web-based application instead of relying solely on a website or mobile app, citing concerns over crashes and limited internet access.
“We are going to give each state 50,000 cards from today. We want manual registration to go alongside online registration because we don’t want to disenfranchise anybody,” he said.
Digital activist Aisha Yesufu assured members that the online platform is seamless and secure.
“Within a minute or two, registration is done. It comes with a passport photograph and a QR code. At any time, you can verify the person’s details,” she explained.
She added that the system uses voters’ identification numbers to authenticate members, ensuring credibility and eliminating fake entries.
But while Mark talked tough about 2027 victory, Aregbesola sounded a note of caution, warning party leaders not to inflate membership figures for show.
In a keynote address titled ‘A Register of Conviction, Not Convenience,’ he blasted political parties that pad their registers with “phantom names.”
“A party of ghosts cannot win elections. A party of ghosts cannot govern,” Aregbesola warned.
He urged ADC members to build a disciplined and credible base, insisting that the integrity of the register would determine the party’s moral authority.
With the registration drive now underway across all states, ADC leaders say the exercise marks the beginning of what they describe as a serious grassroots movement aimed at capturing power in 2027.
IGR MAGIC! Wike Promises Mega Road, Bus Terminals Roll Out Before Tinubu’s Third Year
FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has declared that massive road projects and ultra-modern bus terminals in Abuja will be ready for commissioning before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clocks three years in office.
Speaking during a marathon inspection of ongoing projects across the capital city, Wike beamed with confidence, saying residents will soon begin to reap the benefits of the Renewed Hope infrastructure drive.
According to him, strategic roads linking Wuse to the Central Business Area, Mabushi Bus Terminal, Arterial N1 in Wuye and the sprawling Life Camp axis are moving at impressive speed.
“By the grace of God, most of these projects will be inaugurated by the third year of Mr. President in office,” Wike assured.
The outspoken minister revealed that the projects are not being funded from the Federation Account but through the FCT’s aggressive Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive.
“The funding is through IGR. The Federation Account is not even enough for payment of salaries,” he said.
Wike praised the contractors handling the jobs, describing them as competent and committed to quality delivery. He also disclosed that the bus terminals will be handed over to private operators once the Federal Executive Council gives the final approval.
The minister maintained that the ongoing works are opening up new districts, easing traffic gridlock and boosting business activities across the nation’s capital.
With bulldozers roaring and workers racing against time, Wike insisted that Abuja residents should expect a major infrastructure celebration before Tinubu’s third anniversary.
Tinubu, Shettima Storm Kano as APC Rolls Out Red Carpet for Gov Yusuf
KANO – Kano is set for a major political spectacle on Monday, February 16, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are billed to attend the grand reception for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf into the ruling party.
The high-profile event, scheduled to hold at the Sani Abacha Stadium, is expected to attract political heavyweights and party faithful from across the country, turning the ancient city into a beehive of political activity.
Announcing the development on Wednesday, Kano APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said the ceremony was designed to formally welcome Governor Yusuf into the APC in a “grand and symbolic manner.”
According to him, the reception marks a significant political moment for the ruling party in Kano, a state widely regarded as a major force in Nigeria’s political equation.
To ensure a hitch-free event, Abbas inaugurated several committees to oversee planning and coordination.
A 16-member Venue Committee has been set up to handle arrangements at the stadium, while a 15-member Security Committee headed by a retired Nigerian Army Colonel will coordinate security operations in collaboration with relevant agencies.
Also constituted is a 15-member Health Emergency Committee to provide medical support during the ceremony.
To galvanise mass participation, the party inaugurated a 20-member Mobilisation Committee tasked with rallying supporters from across the 44 local government areas of the state.
A 17-member Protocol Committee will manage reception and seating arrangements for top dignitaries, including APC governors and senior federal government officials expected at the event.
In addition, a 15-member Publicity Committee led by Mohammed Garba, with Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa as Secretary, will coordinate media coverage and public awareness.
Abbas described the reception as a defining moment for the APC in Kano, saying it offers the party an opportunity to showcase its strength and consolidate its influence in one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic states.
64% of Nigerian Inmates Await Trial as Correctional Service Seeks Urgent Reforms
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that 64 per cent of inmates across custodial centres nationwide are awaiting trial, a development that continues to fuel overcrowding and strain correctional facilities.
Controller-General of Corrections, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, made the revelation on Wednesday while defending the Service’s 2025 budget performance and presenting its 2026 estimates before the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions in Abuja.
He stated that as of February 9, 2026, the total inmate population stood at 80,812. Of the figure, 51,955 are awaiting trial, 24,913 are convicted, while 3,850 fall under other detention categories.
“The high proportion of awaiting trial inmates underscores the urgent need for reforms in our correctional system,” Nwakuche said, stressing that the Service is not only responsible for custody but also for the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society as law-abiding citizens.
On the 2025 budget performance, the Controller-General disclosed that the Service received a total allocation of ₦184.63 billion covering personnel, overhead and capital expenditure.
Out of the ₦124.31 billion approved for personnel costs, ₦112.68 billion — representing 90.6 per cent — was released and fully utilised for salaries, pensions and health insurance under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Recurrent overhead releases stood at 73.7 per cent. Of the ₦38.03 billion allocated, ₦27.28 billion was expended on inmate feeding, leaving ₦10.75 billion outstanding. Operational expenses, including staff training, court duty vehicles, electricity, security and facility maintenance, amounted to ₦6.49 billion.
Capital funding recorded the weakest performance. Only ₦3.22 billion, representing 22.2 per cent of the ₦14.50 billion appropriated, was released, leaving ₦11.27 billion unreleased.
Nwakuche emphasised that capital funds are critical for constructing and rehabilitating custodial facilities, procuring operational vehicles and security equipment, deploying ICT infrastructure and biometric inmate registration systems, as well as supporting prison farm operations.
Although not primarily a revenue-generating agency, the Service realised ₦84.65 million as internally generated revenue in 2025. It currently has 33,024 staff nationwide.
For 2026, the NCoS proposed a budget of ₦198.85 billion. The breakdown includes ₦138.30 billion for personnel costs and ₦50.40 billion for recurrent overhead, with ₦14.83 billion earmarked for feeding an estimated 91,100 inmates.
The Service also requested an additional ₦90.38 billion to boost capital allocation to ₦100.50 billion. Furthermore, it sought approval to settle ₦30.38 billion in promotion arrears and ₦25.16 billion owed to contractors.
In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, underscored the need for urgent reforms, improved infrastructure and presidential assent to the Correctional Service Trust Fund Bill.
“Our core duty is the budget defence of the 2026 Appropriations,” Ogah said, adding that enhanced funding and decentralised infrastructure would strengthen rehabilitation, vocational training and agricultural programmes within custodial centres.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand educational opportunities for inmates, noting that about 10 study centres of the National Open University of Nigeria have been established in correctional facilities nationwide, offering free academic programmes.
Ogah called for greater private sector involvement and urged the National Security Adviser to provide operational support to the Service, pointing out that while other security agencies handle arrests and prosecution, the correctional authorities bear responsibility for custody, rehabilitation and reintegration.
The committee is expected to review the Service’s 2025 performance in detail before concluding deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget.
Align Infrastructure, Policy, Capital for Energy Security, Ojulari Urges Africa
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has called on African nations to harmonise infrastructure, policy and capital deployment as a strategic pathway to achieving lasting energy security across the continent.
Ojulari made the call during a fireside chat with Mr. Andy Brown, Deputy Chair of Ørsted and President of the Energy Institute, at the 2026 International Energy Week (IEW) in London on Wednesday.
He identified shared infrastructure, policy alignment, coordinated investment frameworks, cross-border knowledge and technology exchange, integrated gas market development, and sustained regional diplomacy among National Oil Companies (NOCs) as critical pillars for safeguarding Africa’s energy future.
According to a statement issued by NNPC Ltd’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Andy Odeh, Ojulari said the company’s regional gas initiatives reflect how shared energy assets can unlock scale, efficiency and resilience, while expanding cross-border infrastructure.
He stressed the need to fast-track flagship projects such as the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline and the expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline, describing them as vital to deepening regional integration and boosting cross-border energy trade.
Ojulari also advocated aligned pricing frameworks, harmonised transit protocols, local content standards and joint technical regulations across African markets. Drawing lessons from Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), he said regulatory clarity and policy coordination are essential to reducing investment friction, protecting shared infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to energy assets.
The NNPC boss further canvassed the establishment of structured joint investment platforms among African NOCs, arguing that the continent would attract and deploy capital more efficiently through collective action rather than fragmented national efforts.
On NNPC Ltd’s production targets, Ojulari said the company’s ambition to ramp up oil output, scale gas production and attract fresh investment would be driven by a pragmatic, Africa-focused strategy.
“Our pathway is clear: grow production responsibly, scale gas as the backbone of Africa’s industrialisation, strengthen environmental accountability, and align with global decarbonisation objectives—while ensuring that Africans are not left behind in the energy transition,” he said.
The International Energy Week is a leading global energy forum that brings together policymakers, industry executives, investors, regulators and innovators to deliberate on energy security, transition pathways, capital mobilisation and sustainability.
Ojulari’s intervention adds to growing calls for deeper regional cooperation as Africa seeks to balance development priorities with global climate commitments.