By George Mgbeleke
There are strong indications that the convention by African Democratic Congress (ADC) that scheduled to hold today may have been scuttled by authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) following denial of venue for the exercise.

Daily Echoes Media gathered that all efforts by the party get permission for the use of Eagles Square or anyother government owned facilities failed as FCTA officials told the party officials that they were not allowed to release such facilities for use by the party.

Fielding questions from journalists in Abuja during his project inspection tour,Barrister Nyesom Wike refuted the allegation stressing that no official request had been made for the facilities.

The minister questioned the authenticity, stating that he had no knowledge of such an incident or even the party involved. He noted that if the allegation was linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), it could be part of a recurring strategy to attract public sympathy.

“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.

The minister clarified that access to Eagle Square is governed by established procedures, which require interested parties to formally apply through the Abuja Investments Company Limited, the body responsible for managing the venue, alongside payment of stipulated fees.

He further explained that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome does not fall under the jurisdiction of the FCT Administration but is controlled by the National Sports Commission.

Wike emphasized that compliance with due process guarantees access, citing previous usage by major political parties. According to him, both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had adhered to the required procedures when they used the respective venues.

“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.

Meanwhile the party had after fruitless efforts to secure any government facilities for its Convention in FCT today, had to resort to searching for any available facility in the territory for its programme in order to meet the electoral guideline for political parties.
Daily Echoes Media further gathered that the party at last secured a venue for its Convention at Rainbow Event center at Area 8 Garki, in FCT, Abuja.

However,information reaching us revealed that even after paying for the use of Rainbow Event center at Area 8 Garki, in FCT, Abuja for the programme today, the owner of the facility got back to the leadership of ADC turning down the offer of letting the party use his facilities for fear of shutting down his business by the authorities of FCDA.

According to the party’s Publicity Secretary,Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi ,the party was told by the owner of the facility that he was under pressure to cancel the earlier arrangements to allow the party to use his facility for the Convention by FCDA and Minister of FCT,Barrister Nyesom Wike instructing him not to allow ADC use his facilities for its Convention.

Again Wike who spoke during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja, expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, revealing that critical road projects are on track for completion by May 15.

He disclosed that contractors have committed to meeting the deadline, while installation of streetlights across various locations would be concluded before the end of May.

At Gaduwa, the minister said he had ordered the installation of protective mesh along road corridors to prevent encroachment, adding that streetlight works in the area were progressing steadily.

Wike also announced plans to relocate informal sector operators, particularly traders from the Apo Mechanic Village, to a newly developed site in Wassa equipped with essential infrastructure.

He explained that the initiative is designed to enhance the working environment for artisans while fulfilling long-standing commitments made by the administration to support the informal sector.

Addressing concerns over the recent damage to the Kugbo Bus Terminal, Wike described the incident as a natural occurrence beyond human control.

He clarified that the terminal itself did not collapse, noting that only parts of the roofing sheets were affected by strong winds. According to him, repair works are already in progress and no casualties were recorded.

“The terminal did not collapse. The structure is intact. What happened was that strong winds blew off parts of the roof. Repairs are ongoing,” Wike said, noting that no lives were lost.

The minister attributed the consistent progress of projects within the FCT to strong collaboration between the government and contractors, supported by timely settlement of contractual payments.

By George Mgbeleke

Sequel to claims in some quarters that minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Barrister Nyesom Wike denied use of Eagles Square to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for its Convention today, Wike, on Monday refuted the allegations , stressing that no official request had been made for the facility.

Responding to the claims, Wike questioned their authenticity, stating that he had no knowledge of such an incident or even the party involved. He noted that if the allegation was linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), it could be part of a recurring strategy to attract public sympathy.

“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.

The minister clarified that access to Eagle Square is governed by established procedures, which require interested parties to formally apply through the Abuja Investments Company Limited, the body responsible for managing the venue, alongside payment of stipulated fees.

He further explained that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome does not fall under the jurisdiction of the FCT Administration but is controlled by the National Sports Commission.

Wike emphasized that compliance with due process guarantees access, citing previous usage by major political parties. According to him, both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had adhered to the required procedures when they used the respective venues.

“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.

Meanwhile the party had after fruitless effort to secure any government facilities for its Convention in FCT, had to resort to searching for any available facility in the territory for its programme in order to meet the electoral guideline for political parties.
Daily Echoes Media gathered that the party at last secured a venue for its Convention at Rainbow Event center at Area 8 Garki, in FCT, Abuja.

The Minister, who spoke
during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja, expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, revealing that critical road projects are on track for completion by May 15.

He disclosed that contractors have committed to meeting the deadline, while installation of streetlights across various locations would be concluded before the end of May.

At Gaduwa, the minister said he had ordered the installation of protective mesh along road corridors to prevent encroachment, adding that streetlight works in the area were progressing steadily.

Wike also announced plans to relocate informal sector operators, particularly traders from the Apo Mechanic Village, to a newly developed site in Wassa equipped with essential infrastructure.

He explained that the initiative is designed to enhance the working environment for artisans while fulfilling long-standing commitments made by the administration to support the informal sector.

Addressing concerns over the recent damage to the Kugbo Bus Terminal, Wike described the incident as a natural occurrence beyond human control.

He clarified that the terminal itself did not collapse, noting that only parts of the roofing sheets were affected by strong winds. According to him, repair works are already in progress and no casualties were recorded.

“The terminal did not collapse. The structure is intact. What happened was that strong winds blew off parts of the roof. Repairs are ongoing,” Wike said, noting that no lives were lost.

The minister attributed the consistent progress of projects within the FCT to strong collaboration between the government and contractors, supported by timely settlement of contractual payments.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Delegates at the ongoing Ijaw National Congress (INC) election have lauded the transparent, free, credible and transparent electronics means of transmission of results, urging the Federal Government to adopt similar practices.

The smooth process has been met with satisfaction among attendees, marking a significant step forward for the organization.

During the election at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Mrs. Therisa Emotongha and Chief Oyindoubara Anthony expressed their delight with the efficient transmission of results.

They appealed to those calling for cancellations to cease their demands, emphasizing the importance of unity and the shared love for Ijaw heritage.

According to them, Too many cancellations are causing trouble and unrest among candidates, and risk lives due to the constant travel.

According to Mrs Therisa Emontogha, delegates comported themselves responsibly and urged other ethnic nationalities to emulate the Ijaws.

Also speaking a right activist and candidate for the post of Treasurer, Dr Sheriff Mulade posited that there were pockets of protests that trailed the election which is common with every contest, but at the end of the election stakeholders will see the election that was conducted by a retired HRM justice F F Tabai ,chairman ,National Electoral Committee as being free , fair and credible,just as he called on INEC to emulate the Ijaw National Congress Elections without rancour and dispute.

Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the President of the INC has however cleared the air over the call for cancellation stressing that the core purpose of the INC is at risk of being undermined if the cancellation becomes effective.

Okaba said the election is being conducted with the backing of a court order insisting that those calling for the cancellation are influenced by broader governance practices even though the winners were yet to be announced as at the time of filling this report.