Abuja
INEC Promises Credible FCT, Osun Polls
INEC Promises Credible FCT, Osun Polls
INEC promises credible FCT, Osun polls. According to him, the commission is prepared to reaffirm people’s confidence in INEC.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will ensure that votes count in the forthcoming February Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council and August Osun governorship elections.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun, Mutiu Agboke, and his counterpart in the Federal Capital Territory, Aminu Idris, gave the commitment at the commission’s 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat.
The event was organised for the INEC newly appointed national chairman, commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the event, Mr Agboke assured residents of Osun State of strict adherence to the rule of law to ensure transparent and credible polls. “The determination of INEC in the coming election is to ensure that people’s votes count.
“The chairman was clear about the rule of law and people’s votes. In our state, there is not going to be any exception.
“We are going to do our best.
“We are going to ensure that people follow the process and their votes count,” Mr Agboke said.
According to him, the commission is prepared to reaffirm people’s confidence in INEC, having taken lessons from the recently conducted Anambra governorship election.
He said the state would also take lessons from the February FCT Area Council polls and the forthcoming Ekiti governorship election.
Mr Agboke said that the engagement and re-engagement of stakeholders remained vital, adding that the commission would not stop enlightening stakeholders on the need for violence-free elections.
“And we have been doing it in Osun; we organise stakeholders’ engagement quarterly. “We carry the message to them. They understand what we are doing. That is why Osun didn’t record any issue after party primaries conducted recently; no issue came out of it.
“The stakeholders listened to what we told them, and the atmosphere was very peaceful,” he said. Mr Agboke, however, listed vote-buying and violence as the greatest challenges facing elections, calling on all stakeholders to join hands to address them.
He said: “We also need to let them (stakeholders) understand the fact that the cankerworm that is bedevilling the activities of the commission is just two majorly: vote-buying and violence.
“INEC has no money to distribute on election day. INEC does not have weapons to give to anybody on election day. “We should talk to ourselves. In talking to ourselves, the publicity or the engagement against these must be vociferous.
“INEC should not be the only one talking about these; also, the issue of voter apathy.
“What are political parties and their publicity secretaries doing about the lukewarm attitude of people towards elections?”
He urged political parties and their spokespersons to speak more forcefully about voter apathy and to engage more with the electorate.
“The important thing, particularly when an election is coming like this, is assurance, reassurance and the confidence of the people to buy into the election,” he said.
Mr Agboke said that people must change the narrative that “nothing good can come from INEC.”
“No, it’s not correct,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Idris said that the commission was fully prepared to conduct free, fair and credible Area Council elections in the FCT on February 21.
“Before the commencement of the process, the commission released a timetable and schedule of activities. I can tell you now that we have implemented almost all the activities, almost awaiting election day.
INEC Promises Credible FCT
“The most important thing coming up in the next one week or so is the release of copies of the register to political parties and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs),” the FCT REC said.
He said that PVCs of those who registered during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), as well as old uncollected PVCs, would be available for collection from January 15.
On expectations, Idris said that INEC remained optimistic that voters would troop out en masse to exercise their franchise at the polls.
“Our expectation is that people will come out, the voters will turn out higher than they did in the last FCT election, and that the election will be conducted peacefully.”
Mr Idris said that the retreat served as a reminder of INEC’s strategic objectives of conducting peaceful and credible elections.
Senior officials attended the event from across the 36 states and the FCT.
Wike Tells FCT Residents In Eid-el-Fitr Message, Says “Remain Peaceful Throughout The Year”
Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has urged residents of Abuja to sustain the values of compassion, forgiveness and unity imbibed during Ramadan as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.
In his 2026 Eid message to residents, Wike described the fasting period as one marked by spiritual renewal and reflection, calling on residents not to abandon its lessons.
“As we celebrate Eid Fitr – the culmination of the Ramadan fast, I urge you all to carry forward the values of compassion, forgiveness, and unity that Ramadan embodies,” he said.
He congratulated Muslim faithful in the FCT on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, noting that the period had fostered stronger bonds among residents.
The minister also commended the spirit of generosity and coexistence demonstrated across religious lines during the holy month.
“Within the FCT, it is reassuring to see Muslims sharing and caring for fellow Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the last 30 days,” he said.
“Individuals and corporate organisations have, by their conduct during this holy month, demonstrated their commitment and cooperation towards maintaining Abuja’s pride of place as the Centre of Unity, Peace and Harmony in Nigeria.”
Wike implored residents to pray for Nigeria’s leaders and the country’s continued peace and development.
“This occasion also offers us a unique opportunity to pray for our leaders, and indeed, our country Nigeria, that we may continue to enjoy peace and progress,” he said.
Looking ahead to political activities in the country, he urged residents to remain peaceful regardless of affiliations.
“I urge all residents regardless of political affiliation, gender or tribe to take a cue from the Muslim Ummah, and maintain peaceful conduct throughout the year while praying for the FCT, and the nation as a whole at this period,” he added.
Wike
“The security agencies are working round the clock to ensure that residents celebrate and enjoy the occasion in peace, tranquility and orderliness.”
Wike reaffirmed the FCT administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while continuing efforts to develop Abuja into a world-class city.
Adwa Victory At 130: Ethiopia Marks Historic Triumph And Women’s Day In Abuja
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Abuja hosted a colourful celebration on Saturday, March 7, 2026, to mark the 130th Anniversary of the Victory of Adwa alongside International Women’s Day.
The event, held under the themes “Adwa 130: From a Dark History to a Bright Horizon!” and “50 Years of Women’s Voice for Equality and Prosperity,” brought together Ethiopians living in Nigeria, people of Ethiopian origin, and Nigerian friends of Ethiopia.
Delivering the keynote address, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to Nigeria, H.E. Legesse Geremew Haile, described the Victory of Adwa as a historic milestone achieved through the collective sacrifice, unity, and determination of the Ethiopian people.
He emphasized that women played a crucial role in securing the historic victory over Italian forces in 1896, noting that their contributions remain a strong symbol of courage and patriotism.
The Ambassador also highlighted Ethiopia’s progress in promoting gender equality, stating that women are increasingly occupying leadership positions in government, parliament, and the cabinet at both federal and regional levels.
Encouraging the younger generation to uphold the “Spirit of Adwa,” Ambassador Legesse urged Ethiopians at home and in the diaspora to contribute actively to the country’s ongoing development efforts.
He outlined several key national initiatives, including modernizing the agricultural sector, where Ethiopia has recently emerged as Africa’s largest wheat producer, expanding industrial capacity through the “Ethiopia Tamirt” (Produce in Ethiopia) initiative, promoting tourism through the Gebeta projects, and advancing digital transformation through artificial intelligence to improve service delivery.
The Ambassador also addressed Ethiopia’s strategic economic goals, calling for unified support for the country’s pursuit of peaceful access to the sea, describing it as a vital national interest for a nation of over 130 million people with a rapidly growing economy.
According to him, Ethiopia remains committed to achieving this objective through peaceful and mutually beneficial diplomatic engagement.
Reaffirming the country’s long-term development vision, Ambassador Legesse said Ethiopia aims to become one of Africa’s five largest economies by 2035 and among the world’s top 20 economies by 2050. He therefore called on the Ethiopian diaspora to actively participate in the nation’s development initiatives and major projects.
The celebration also featured a presentation titled “The Trust of Adwa: Unity, Sovereignty, and Reconstruction,” which highlighted the historic significance of the Battle of Adwa fought on March 1, 1896. The presentation underscored how Ethiopia’s victory over the Italian army became a powerful symbol of African resistance, inspiring Pan-Africanism and anti-colonial movements across the continent and the diaspora.
Participants at the event described Adwa as a shared African victory, stressing that its legacy should continue to inspire present and future generations to work towards rebuilding their nations and strengthening the continent.
The programme was further enriched with patriotic poetry and educational video presentations performed by young children.
The ceremony began with the Ethiopian National Anthem and concluded with a ceremonial cake-cutting and reception attended by guests and members of the Ethiopian community in Nigeria.
Abuja: Fire Guts Section Of Federal Secretariat
Abuja: Fire guts section of federal secretariat. There was panic at the federal secretariat in Abuja on Monday morning after a section of the office of the head of service of the federation caught fire.
Eyewitnesses said the fire was first noticed at about 8:20am. Social media footage showed plumes of black smoke billowing from the affected section of the building.
The incident occurred at Section C of the building within the federal secretariat complex.
Staff members were seen evacuating the area after emergency responders had been alerted.
The media department of the office of the head of service confirmed the incident.
The office said the outbreak was limited to Section C of the building.
Fire Guts Section Of Federal Secretariat
Officials said emergency responders were already working to contain the fire.
“The fire outbreak is limited to Section C of the building and is currently being attended to by emergency officials,” the office said.
The cause of the fire had yet to be disclosed at the time of filing this report.
Abuja (FCT)
federal secretariat in Abuja
head of service office in Abuja.
-
Crime11 months agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News12 months agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Akwa Ibom1 year agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Crime1 year agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
News1 year agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom1 year agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News1 year agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy10 months agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?