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By Omeiza Ajayi, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory FCT minister, Nyesom Wike has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, that it was blocked from accessing Eagle Square.

Read Also: ADC convention on the brink as Abuja venue crisis deepens

This was as he moved to calm public anxiety over the recent structural damage at the Kugbo Bus Terminal.

Wike spoke on Monday in Abuja during project inspection tour.

He described claims of politically motivated access denial to Eagle Square as “unfounded” and described them as “attempts to gain public sympathy.”

According to him, no formal application had been received from any of the parties raising the alarm.

He stressed that Eagle Square remains open to all groups so long as they follow due process and pay the required fees.

“We do not deny access; these events actually generate revenue for the government.

“Who denied them? I am not aware of any such development, and I don’t even know which party you are referring to.

“If it is the African Democratic Congress ADC, such claims are their usual attempt to gain public sympathy,” Wike said.

He explained that the use of Eagle Square is subject to due process, which includes formal application through the Abuja Investments Company Limited AICL, the agency in charge of the facility and payment of required fees.

Wike also pointed out that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome is not under the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, but the National Sports Commission, NSC.

‘No application’

“As we speak, no formal application has been submitted to the Abuja Investments Company Limited. When the APC used the venue and PDP used the Stadium Velodrome, they complied with the process. We do not deny anyone access if the rules are followed,” he added.

The minister also doused growing public concerns over the condition of the Kugbo Bus Terminal after a recent structural damage caused by a windstorm.

Wike clarified that the severe windstorm had damaged the terminal’s roofing sheets — a consequence, he explained, of the building’s elevated terrain — but insisted the structure itself remains sound.

Repairs, he said, are already underway, and he urged the public to disregard the collapse narrative, stressing that no lives were lost.

On the infrastructure front, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace of work across several project sites and announced firm completion timelines. Road works are expected to wrap up by May 15, with full streetlights installation to follow by May 31.

The minister was also at the Wassa artisan site — a purpose-built hub designed to permanently relocate mechanics and informal sector operators who have long operated without dedicated facilities.

“Successive administrations have promised this relocation, but we are finally fulfilling that commitment,” Wike stated.

According to him, government is already working out the modalities for moving artisans into the new facility, and credited the overall pace of delivery across projects to what he called a “mutual commitment” — one in which contractors meet deadlines and the government, in turn, ensures they are paid promptly.

Vanguard News

The post ADC didn’t apply to use Eagle Square – Wike appeared first on Vanguard News.

Nigerian singer, Lekan Osifeso Jr., popularly known as Lojay, has revealed that he initially saw becoming a pop star as an opportunity to womanise, but

Troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, have destroyed an illegal refining site and recovered about 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers State.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed in a post on X that the operation was carried out in the Orashi National area of Abua/Odual Local Government Area, where troops uncovered and dismantled the illegal facility as part of efforts to curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Security sources told Makama that the raid took place around 10:00 a.m. on April 11 and involved a joint team from the 5 Battalion, 16 Brigade Garrison, and 103 Battalion (Motorised).

According to the sources, troops discovered equipment used for the illegal operation, including two long galvanized pipes measuring about 500 metres and three hoses estimated at about 100 metres.

A large reservoir containing stolen crude oil estimated at about 20,000 litres was also recovered at the site.

Other items found included a big drum oven and a receiver containing refined products estimated at about 12,000 litres.

The sources added that a large cooling system, two active small drum ovens, and two drum receivers containing products suspected to be kerosene, estimated at about 80 litres, were also uncovered.

“They said all discovered items were destroyed in situ in line with the mandate of Operation Delta Safe,” the sources said.

The sources reaffirmed that troops will sustain operations to dismantle illegal refining activities and curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Troops destroy illegal refinery, recover 20,000 litres in Rivers

‎By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja
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Ayetoro Gbede Community in Ijumu Local Government Area has asked those distracting the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, calling for his resignation, to desist and allow him to do his job.
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‎Sons and daughters numbering over 1,000, mainly youths, took to the streets of the community for a Solidarity Rally where they affirmed their support for the INEC Boss, who they described as a man of integrity.
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‎The Youths were carrying placards with various inscriptions: “Stop Campaign of Calumny Against Our Son,” “Thank you, Mr. President, for the Choice of Professor Joash Amupitan,” “Stop Trying to Pull him Down,” among others.
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‎The National President of Ayetoro Gbede Development Association (AGDA), Mr. Samuel Olorunmaiye, who spoke on behalf of the community, described Amupitan as a man of integrity who had served the Nation in different capacities.
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‎”Firstly, he served as Head of Department, Public Law, University of Jos. He later served as the longest serving Dean of Faculty of Law in the same University, and after that, he was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, of the University.
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‎”Prof. Amupitan is a man of value, and we value him. I want to tell Nigerians to allow him to do his job, and by the grace of God, we know that he is going to succeed.”
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‎Olorunmaye urged Ampitan to remain focused and deliver a free, fair, and transparent election come 2027.
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‎According to him, the allegations that the INEC boss is partisan are baseless and untrue, saying as a legal luminary, he understands the sanctity of his office.
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‎Also speaking, the Youth Leader of the Community, Elijah Babatunde, said that come the community, both home and diaspora are solidly behind him.
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‎Babatunde enjoined him not to be distracted by non-state actors but remain focused and carry out his official duty in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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‎The Youth Leader maintained that calls for the resignation of Prof. Amupitan were not the first time, as some Nigerians in the past had called for the sack or resignation of the head of the electoral umpire.
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‎”Linking the INEC Chairman to a political party is politically motivated to distract him from performing his official assignment.
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‎”Prof. Joash Amupitan that we know is a man of integrity and will never compromise standards. He is not a politician; he is a neutral person who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to head the commission.
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The post ‎’Leave our son alone’ – Amupitan’s kinsmen tell ‘distractors’ appeared first on Vanguard News.

FIFA has turned down Iran’s request to move its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico amid heightened geopolitical tensions, citing logistical impediments as a major concern.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed over the weekend that the matches will be played in the US as originally scheduled, reiterating FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s earlier stance.

Infantino had earlier emphasised there is “no plan B, C, or D,” and that matches will proceed “according to the draw.”

“FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues,” Sheinbaum said at a news conference in Mexico City.

“It [relocation] would make logistics too complicated, and this decision was taken by FIFA,” she said.

Iran was among the first countries to qualify for the World Cup, racing to book their spot from the Asian confederation. They are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and Egypt in Seattle, between 15 and 27 June.

Last month, the FFIRI expressed concern over its players’ safety and security in the US after President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post that it would not be appropriate for Iran to participate in the World Cup “for their own life and safety”.

“When Trump has ⁠explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to ⁠America,” Taj said in response to Trump.

Both countries have since exchanged indirect verbal arguments on the issue, with the latest comments coming from Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, who indicated that his country’s participation in the World Cup will be uncertain unless FIFA relocates its fixtures.

Mexico, a co-host of the World Cup alongside the US and Canada, has shown a willingness to host Iran’s fixtures. However, Sheinbaum’s recent comments have reaffirmed the stance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who met Iranian football players, coaches and officials in Turkiye on March 31.

Iran are in Group G of the tournament with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.

FIFA Rejects Iran’s Request To Relocate W’Cup Games To Mexico is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Monday dismissed claims that any political party was denied the use of Eagle Square, insisting that no formal application was submitted.

“Who denied them? I am not aware of any such development, and I don’t even know which party you are referring to. If it is the African Democratic Congress (ADC), such claims are their usual attempt to gain public sympathy,” Wike said.

He explained that the use of Eagle Square is subject to due process, which includes formal application through the Abuja Investments Company Limited, which is in charge of the facility, as well as payment of required fees.

The minister also pointed out that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome is not under the Federal Capital Territory Administration, but the Sports Commission.

“As we speak, no formal application has been submitted to the Abuja Investments Company Limited. When the APC used the venue and the PDP used the Stadium Velodrome, they complied with the process. We do not deny anyone access if the rules are followed,” he added.

Wike spoke during an inspection of ongoing projects in Abuja, where he expressed satisfaction with the level of work done, noting that key road projects would be completed by May 15.

“The contractors have assured us that road works will be completed by May 15, while streetlight installations will be finalised before the end of May,” he said.

No request from ADC to use Eagle Square – Wike

Former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has called for a transparent and independent investigation into the recent airstrike that reportedly killed dozens of civilians at Jilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border.
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Recall no fewer than 200 people, mostly traders, were said to have died while dozens of others sustained injuries in the Saturday incident, which occurred at a market between Gubio and Geidam Local Government Areas of Borno and Yobe states.
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‎The airstrike was reportedly carried out during a military operation targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
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‎The incident has sparked widespread outrage across the country, with concerns growing over what observers describe as a recurring pattern of accidental strikes, referencing previous tragedies such as the Tudun Biri village bombing and the Zurmi airstrikes.
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‎In a statement on Monday, Lawan expressed sorrow over the incident while acknowledging the sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against insurgency.
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‎He said, “I am deeply saddened and disturbed by reports emanating from Jilli Futchimiram in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, where a military airstrike targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents has reportedly led to catastrophic loss of civilian lives.”
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‎He noted that eyewitness accounts indicated the involvement of multiple aircraft, adding that the strike reportedly hit a market, leaving several dead and many others injured, with fears that the toll could rise.
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‎While stressing the complexities of counterinsurgency operations, Lawan said the scale of the tragedy necessitated an independent inquiry.
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‎“While I fully appreciate the enormous sacrifices of our armed forces, the reported scale of this tragedy demands that we pause and ask hard questions. The victims deserve answers and justice,” he said.
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‎Lawan also extended condolences to Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, the state government, and families of victims, praying for the repose of the dead and quick recovery of the injured.
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‎He further urged the Federal Government and military authorities to allow full access for investigators, ensure medical treatment for survivors, and provide compensation for affected families, warning against allowing the fight against terrorism to erode the sanctity of innocent lives.

Lawan Slams Killing Of Over 200 In Borno–Yobe Airstrike, Demands Probe is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has shifted the judgment in a fresh suit seeking to remove Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as Chairman and Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively, to Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The judgment in the suit filed by a member of the House of Representatives from […]

The Pope emphasised that he will continue to speak out against war, promoting peace and dialogue instead. 

Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has publicly condemned what he described as an insult directed at Pope Leo XIV, expressing solidarity on behalf of the Iranian people.

In a message shared on X, the president said: “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex), I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran.”

Pezeshkian also stressed the importance of mutual respect among religious figures and communities, noting that acts of disrespect towards revered personalities undermine shared values of peace and coexistence.

He further stated: “I declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah.”

The statement comes amid comments attributed to former US President Donald Trump concerning the Pope, as discussions on a potential peace deal with Iran continue.

Iran’s president condemns insult to Pope Leo XIV