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INEC Fixes Feb, 21st 2026 for FCT Area Council Polls ……Says Preparation for Anambra Guber Poll kicks-off March 20th,2025
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the 2026 Area Council elections for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be held on Saturday, 21st February 2026.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this declaration during the Commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja on Wednesday.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted the importance of planning well ahead of the elections, noting that “the tenure of the current Chairmen and Councillors ends next year,” thus making the scheduling imperative.
He stated, “The Commission has approved that the 2026 Area Council election in FCT will hold on Saturday 21st February 2026. Voting will take place in all the designated Polling Units across the 68 constituencies to elect the six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councilors.
“In compliance with the mandatory legal requirements, the notice for the election will be published next month i.e. 26th February 2025. Party primaries will be held from 9th – 30th June 2025. The candidate nomination portal will open from 9.00am on 21st July 2025 to 6.00pm on 11th August 2025.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 22nd September 2025. Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 24th September 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 19th February 2026.”
The INEC Chairman further disclosed that the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election as well as the list of constituencies and type of elections in the FCT will be uploaded to the Commission’s website before the end of this meeting.
Reflecting on the previous year’s election activities, Yakubu elaborated, “Overall, the Commission conducted 51 re-run elections, bye-elections, and off-cycle elections in 2024.”
He also shared insights into the challenges faced in conducting elections, including flooding at the Commission’s office in Benin City and attacks on two local government offices in Benue and Delta States. Yakubu assured stakeholders that despite these hurdles, INEC had successfully conducted various elections and maintained its stakeholder engagement.
Yakubu also informed political parties that the Anambra Governorship Election Primary election is expected to kick-off in the next two months, between 20th March to 10th April 2025, stressing the urgency for political parties to submit their schedules for exercise.
“In terms of elections and electoral activities, the year 2025 is going to be busier than 2024. You may recall that at our fourth regular consultative meeting held on Thursday 17th October last year, the Commission released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Anambra State Governorship election holding on Saturday 8th November 2025.
“The next activity is the conduct of primaries by political parties. May I remind leaders of political parties that primaries for the nomination of candidates for the Anambra State Governorship election begins in the next two months i.e. 20th March to 10th April 2025.
“You may similarly recall that at our last regular meeting, we agreed that you will forward your schedule of activities for the election to the Commission to enable us work together and plan better for the deployment of personnel and resources for the monitoring of your party primaries and campaign activities in order to avoid the last minute rush with the attendant inability to meet deadlines and unnecessarily dissipate our energy and lean resources,”
Also speaking at the meeting, Mamman Dantalle, National Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), noted the importance of credible elections for the future of Nigerian democracy.
He stated, “We must get it right in the November 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, and plan adequately for the 2027 general election,” urging all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to the electoral process.
Dantalle also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence preparations for the 2027 general elections without delay
He emphasised the need for early planning to ensure the Commission meets all necessary requirements and fulfills the expectations of Nigerians.
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Governor Adeleke Mourns SOJ Worldwide Publisher, Adesoji Omosebi ● Mulls Health Insurance Programme for Journalists
By David Owei .
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has expressed sadness over the death of Adesoji Omosebi, Publisher of SOJ Worldwide Online News, a member of the Osun Online Publishers Association.
The Governor described his demise as a great loss to the media industry in Osun state adding that his contributions to the growth and development of the online media industry in Osun state cannot be over emphasized.
In a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor noted that the contributions of the late Publisher to the development of Osun State as a player in the fourth estate of the realm will never be forgotten.
“Today, we mourn the demise of Adesoji Omosebi, the Publisher of SOJ Worldwide Online News and a member of the Osun Online Publishers Association.
“His demise is a huge loss to the media industry in Osun state. His contributions to the growth and development of the online media sector as pioneer Chairman of OOPA will never be forgotten.
“His contributions to the development of Osun as a major player in the fourth estate of the realm will never be forgotten.
The governor further directed the State Health Insurance agency to study the possibility of enrolling journalists in the health Insurance scheme, describing them as important stakeholders in the society.
“May God Almighty comfort his family and grant them the fortitude to bear this great loss. SOJ will be missed greatly”, the Governor noted in a condolence message.
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FCT court orders recovery of property at plot 18 Ademola Adetokunbo Wuse 2 Abuja
BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA
The FCT High Court sitting in Gwagwalada has ordered the enforcement for the recovery of property at plot 18, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent,Wuse two,in Abuja
On Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the lawful owner of the property at Plot 81, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, regained full possession of the premises following enforcement by court sheriffs of a binding High Court judgment.
Legal proceedings revealed that the property was formally acquired by Collins Onwuzulike (the rightful owner) through a valid Deed of Assignment and payment executed on 1 May 2024. A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwagwalada ruled in favour of Onwuzulike, ordering immediate vacant possession of the property and directing all occupants, including Obi Cubana’s firm, to hand over the premises.
On the morning of the enforcement, sheriffs — accompanied by security agencies — arrived at the site. Despite reported attempts to obstruct the process, possession was lawfully transferred. Keys to the building were handed over to the owner’s legal representative in public and coverd by journalists, signifying full compliance with the court’s order.
This development officially ends the occupancy of the property by Obi Cubana’s operations under the trademark CASH FLOW (a lounge/nightlife hub), bringing closure to a protracted property dispute.
According to our reporter who was on the spot,observed that this outcome underscores the primacy of lawful ownership, due process, and enforcement of court orders. It demonstrates that, irrespective of public profile, no individual or entity is above the law when it comes to legitimate property rights and legal obligations.
This should serve as example to others who thinks they can manipulate the law to suit their purpose always.
The law is above any individual no matter your status and affluence.
The landmark judgement has reaffirmed public confidence in the judiciary.
It is always good to be just and fair in every situation, truth is the same anywhere in the World.
Hence people should learn to always do the right thing even when nobody is looking in your direction.
The landmark judgment has nullified and invalidated further tenancy of Obi Cubana and his sub-tenants and they were all ejected from the property.
The Court ordered them to vacate the premises immediately.
Everybody who has gained entrance through Obi Cubans had the loads removed to ensure full compliance with the court’s verdict and they were banned from parading the premises directly or indirectly.
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NDDC honours 203 staff with long service awards
By Magnus Chukwudi, Port Harcourt
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has honoured 203 staff at its ‘2025 Long Service’ awards for their contributions to the Commission’s progress and performance.
The awards recognised employees, who have dedicated 10, 15, 20, and 30 years of service to the Commission.
Speaking during the award ceremony at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the awards were meant to motivate and build staff confidence.
Ogbuku, represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, celebrated the awardees and prayed that the years ahead bring them fulfilment, growth, and continued success.
He urged staff to draw inspiration from their colleagues’ achievements and remain committed to delivering quality service.
According to him, “The reward for good work is more work.” He urged employees to continue giving their best to the Commission and the Niger Delta region, stating that the practice to honour long-serving staff was a demonstration of the Commission’s appreciation for their years of dedication.
He noted that the awardees have contributed immensely to the management’s drive to move the Commission “from transaction to transformation.”
He congratulated the awardees on reaching remarkable milestones and declared: “Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence are genuinely inspiring. We sincerely appreciate your years of service dedicated to the NDDC.”
In his remarks, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Patrick Ekade, one of the recipients for 20-year long service award, expressed gratitude to the management for the recognition.
He noted that while some organisations fail to acknowledge their employees’ contributions, the NDDC has consistently rewarded excellence and commitment. He thanked the Executive Management for recognising the individual and collective efforts of staff, urging his colleagues to remain steadfast in their service and support for the Commission’s mandate.
The NDDC Director, Education, Health and Social Services, EHSS, Dr George Uzonwanne, who received the 20-year Long Service Award, described the recognition as a double celebration.
He reflected on joining the Commission years ago as a young doctor with many aspirations, noting that the NDDC played a significant role in his professional development through local and international training opportunities. ###.
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