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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sounded a note of warning to owners of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to stop offering their facilities for use by illegal organizations.

The FCTA noted that allocations of lands in the FCT are strictly to carry out lawful activities, adding that “going forward, title documents of any event center, hotel or public building that is used for the gathering of illegal organizations will be revoked.”

This was contained in a statement on Friday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

“In view of the need to further ensure the security of lives and properties in the FCT and sustain the efforts of security agencies in this regard, usage of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored. 

“This is aimed at ensuring that they are not used by illegal organizations for gatherings capable of disrupting the peace of the nation’s capital.

“Owners of these facilities are therefore urged to take cognizance of the legality of organizations seeking to use their facilities and the purpose before letting them out.

“For instance, in this political season, owners of Event Centres and Hotels in particular must ensure that they only deal with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised leadership of political parties in respect of the use of their facilities, and proper records of transactions must be kept.

“Failure to comply with this directive will result to revocation of the title documents such properties.”

 

WE WILL RESIST EVERY ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE US

We have been informed by the proprietors of A Class Event Centre of the threat by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to shut down their business premises if the Peoples Democratic Party is allowed to use their hall for our presidential candidate ratification ceremonies.

We state here, and for the record, that we had furnished consideration in full to consummate the earlier offer and acceptance. Furthermore, we had duly notified all relevant security agencies about the event. We have directed our lawyers to write, reminding A Class Event Centre of these facts.

Having satisfied these requirements, we reiterate that the special convention to ratify the presidential candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan will hold as scheduled on Saturday, 30th May, 2026, at A Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, by 10 a.m.

We are certain that Nigeria is a country governed by law, and any attempt to use force to suppress political dissent and opposition is an aberration which must be resisted by all people of good conscience. There is nowhere in our laws where the Minister of the FCT is empowered to determine events that should be held and where they should be held. Such limitless powers are strange to a democratic republic, but available and operational only under an emperor – a title that President Tinubu has been struggling to deny.

We invite party leaders from the states, NEC members, and other critical stakeholders to attend the event as scheduled.

Signed:

Comrade Ini Ememobong, mnipr

National Publicity Secretary

Interim National Working Committee

People’s Democratic Party

29052026

Dino Melaye, a former Kogi West Senator, has commended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on his emergence as the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Melaye likened Atiku’s victory in the ADC’s presidential primary to Arsenal’s recent success in the English Premier League.

In a post on X, Melaye wrote: “Boss, you did it just like Arsenal.”

Tunde Ogbeha, who was in charge of the ADC presidential primary election, announced on Wednesday night that Atiku won the election.

Ogbeha said Atiku got 1,846,370 votes, winning against two other candidates, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and Rotimi Amaechi.

Amaechi received 504,117 votes, whereas Hayatu-Deen got 177,120 votes.

Atiku will be aiming for the presidency for the sixth time in 2027.

He has run for president three times, appearing on the ballot in 2007, 2019, and 2023.

On May 19, Arsenal celebrated winning its first English Premier League title in 22 years after Manchester City tied 1-1 with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, allowing Arsenal to secure the championship.

ADC presidential ticket: ‘You did it like Arsenal’ — Dino Melaye hails Atiku

Arsenal icon Lee Dixon has urged Mikel Arteta to include Myles Lewis-Skelly in his starting lineup for the forthcoming UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Although Lewis-Skelly had only made 2 starts for Arsenal in the Premier League by May 2, he was introduced into central midfield during their league match against Fulham.

He played a crucial role in the game, which ended with a 3-0 victory for the Gunners.

Since that match, Lewis-Skelly has consistently featured alongside Declan Rice in the Arsenal midfield.

The young player also delivered an impressive performance in their Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.

Mikel Arteta faces the decision of selecting a player to partner Declan Rice in the UCL final, and Gunners legend Lee Dixon believes that Lewis-Skelly deserves that chance.

He shared his thoughts with The Athletic via Metro, “I can’t say I was surprised because I think I knew he could do it,” he said when discussing the young Englishman’s midfield performance.

“I believe it was an opportunity that arose from Mikel needing something, and he certainly got it in abundance. I thought Myles was outstanding.

“His control and awareness of the players around him made him my man of the match, possibly in both games (UCL semi-final).

“It’s a significant decision (who to start in the Champions League final). However, I would likely choose Myles. He has already demonstrated enough composure not to be intimidated by that stage.”

Dixon further likened the Arsenal midfielder to Paul Gascoigne, stating:

“I’ve observed Myles extensively; he possesses a very Gazza-like quality in how he utilizes his weight and strength,” Dixon continued.

“He almost allows opponents to catch up with him. He’ll maneuver past them and then decelerate slightly. Gazza used to do that so that when they came in and made contact again, he would bounce them off him.

“Myles will earn free kicks by employing that technique, and he will also position himself higher up the pitch, making it a remarkable skill to possess.”

UCL final: ‘He can do it’ – Arsenal legend, Dixon names player Arteta must include in starting lineup

The Kano State Fire Service on Friday rescued three people, including an 18-month-old child, from two separate well accidents in Kumbotso and Warawa local government areas.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, the agency said the incidents occurred between 7:06 a.m. and 9:40 a.m.

The first case was reported in the Semegu area of Kumbotso, where an unidentified middle-aged man fell into a well.

Firefighters from the state headquarters were deployed and found the victim unconscious before rescuing him.

He was later handed over to the Divisional Crime Officer of the Panshekara Police Division for further investigation.

In a separate incident in Madarin Taba village, Warawa LGA, a 32-year-old woman, Maimuna Shitu, and her 18-month-old son, Harisu Muntari, were also rescued after falling into a well.

Fire service officials said both victims were pulled out unconscious and handed over to family members and community leaders.

The agency noted that the causes of both incidents are yet to be determined.

Reacting, the Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to properly cover wells and take preventive measures to avoid such accidents.

He also called on families to closely monitor children and vulnerable individuals, especially those with health conditions.

Well accidents remain a recurring safety concern in parts of northern Nigeria, often linked to uncovered or poorly secured wells in residential areas.

Fire Service Rescues Toddler, Two Others From Wells In Kano is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Allied People’s Movement (APM), Osun State chapter, has affirmed Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of primaries…

The post 2027: Osun APM affirms Makinde as presidential candidate appeared first on Tribune Online.

A 30-year-old interior decorator has been hacked to death at a funeral in Benin City, Edo State.

Esohe Aigbe, has reportedly offered to do a free design job as her contribution to a funeral ceremony. 

According to relatives, she had gone to assist a friend in decorating a funeral venue at Ujo Street in the Ogida area.

After completing the job, she was still at the venue when unidentified persons attacked her.

She was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital with severe injuries but did not survive.

Her remains have been deposited in the mortuary.

Family members have called on security agencies to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.

So far, no arrests have been made and no suspects identified.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has confirmed that both Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke are fit to start Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Arteta was speaking to the media on Friday evening.

He said: “Timber is fit. Fit enough to start? Yeah. Madueke? Yeah, he is fit. The only one is Ben [White].”

Timber has been out of action since March after coming off with an injury during Arsenal’s win over Everton.

Madueke scored before Arsenal lifted the league title at Selhurst Park on the final day, but suffered an injury scare during the game.

Ben White suffered a knee injury against West Ham earlier this month and remains sidelined for the showpiece in Budapest.

UCL final: Arteta confirms double injury boost ahead of Arsenal vs PSG clash

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has given two major reasons why people join terrorists group.

According to Musa, people join terrorists group because they were deceived into thinking that they were fighting for God and also because they were poor, and they felt that was the only way they could have money.

The Minister stated this while fielding questions during an interview on Arise Television on Friday.

“Why do they [people] join [terrorists group]? They join because one, because they were deceived into thinking that they were fighting for God,” Musa said.

“Two, some of them were deceived because they were poor, and they felt that was the only way they could have some [money], because those guys had money to give them.

“They enticed them with money and promised them heaven and earth, and so they joined them. So, when we treat those, and they are given some skills, they are rehabilitated back into the community, and I can tell you we keep monitoring them, and there is none that has really gone back and has gone bad, because we are also monitoring what they are doing.”

Over the years, there have been several terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JNIM, terrorizing Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

Why people join terrorist groups – Nigeria’s Defence Minister Musa 

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed allegations that valuables worth over N120m belonging to inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, were stolen during a recent search operation at the facility.

The rebuttal follows reports alleging that officials of the service stole expensive personal items, including a wedding ring and wristwatch valued at over N120m, belonging to former Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, during a raid on VIP sections of the custodial centre.

In a statement on Friday by its spokesperson, Jane Osuji, the NCoS described the allegations as false.

The NCoS said what took place at the Kuje Custodial Centre was a routine security search conducted professionally and in line with standard operating procedures aimed at maintaining security, discipline and order within the facility.

“The Service wishes to categorically state that the allegation is false, misleading, and inconsistent with the operational realities and established procedures governing custodial facilities in the country,” the statement said.

According to the NCoS, all prohibited items recovered during the operation were properly processed and documented in line with existing regulations.

It explained that inmates are prohibited from keeping unauthorised personal belongings and large sums of money while in custody, noting that all valuables declared upon admission are officially documented and kept in safe custody until release.

It further stated that available records at the custodial centre did not show that the items mentioned in the reports were declared by any inmate at the point of admission, nor were such items recovered or recorded during the search.

“Consequently, there is no official record supporting the allegation that the said prohibited valuables were in the custody of the inmate(s) within the facility,” the statement added.

The NCoS also stressed that the items allegedly mentioned in the reports qualify as prohibited contraband within custodial centres and inmates are not permitted to retain such items in their possession.

The Service said no formal or informal complaint relating to theft or loss of valuables had been lodged by any inmate or person within the facility through official complaint channels as of the time the statement was issued.

“The Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje is calm, peaceful and secured,” Osuji stated.

THE WHISTLER had gathered that the operation resulted from a viral video released by cryptocurrency businessman, Linus Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord, claiming that he enjoyed preferential treatment during his stay at the Kuje facility.

Sources had alleged that senior officials of the NCoS, led by the Deputy Controller-General in charge of Operations, stormed the custodial centre to search VIP sections.

According to one of the sources, appliances were removed from inmates’ rooms during the operation and valuables allegedly went missing in the process.

“They came to search all the VIP rooms because of the video released by BLORD in Anambra about how he enjoyed his stay in Kuje. They removed all appliances in the rooms and in the process his expensive wedding ring and watch were stolen,” the source had claimed.

Another source alleged that valuables and cash belonging to some high-profile detainees were confiscated without proper documentation.

The reports also claimed that Ayeni was considering filing a petition against officers allegedly involved in the operation.

Ayeni is currently standing trial over alleged fraud amounting to N15.7bn. He was recently granted N200M bail by an Abuja High Court under conditions including the provision of federal civil servant sureties and a bank guarantee of N15bn.

Kuje Prison Raid: NCoS Denies Looting VIP Cells is first published on The Whistler Newspaper