By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike has said that the ongoing construction of the new bus terminals within the territory when completed and becomes operational will bring orderliness into the city’s transportation system.

He also stated that it would significantly reduce the menace of ” one chance ” criminals.

Wike expressed this while inspecting some ongoing key projects in Abuja, explained that the terminals including the Mabushi and Kugbo facilities will eliminate the need for residents to wait for buses along unsafe roadsides, thus boosting security.

“You don’t need to stand on the road anymore. You go to the bus terminal, and there, we know the drivers, we know the vehicles you have boarded,” he said. “That, of course, will limit this ‘one-chance’. That’s the whole idea cleaning up the city and stopping buses from turning every roadside into a motor park.”

The terminals are part of a broader infrastructure push by the FCT Administration to mark the second anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Wike said several completed projects, including the strategic Daki-Biyu road leading to the Court of Appeal, are being lined up for commissioning.

“We’ve inspected several projects today, but the road going to the Court of Appeal at Daki-Biyu is one we’re hoping will be part of the president’s second-year anniversary inauguration,” he stated. “We also visited the Mabushi Bus Terminal and now Kugbo. We’re happy we’re providing this kind of infrastructure.”

He praised the contractors for their work on the terminals and noted a marked improvement at Mabushi since his previous visit.
“The last time I came here, I shouted at them over poor finishing. But what I’ve seen now shows a lot of improvement. The contractor said they haven’t done final painting yet because they wanted my feedback first. I commend them,” he said.

On whether the Daki-Biyu road can be completed in time for a May 29 inauguration, Wike clarified that the commissioning events are not restricted to that date.

“Commissioning is to mark the anniversary, but it doesn’t mean everything must be done on May 29. The president can give us a date in June. We’ll likely spread the commissioning over two weeks depending on his approval,” he explained.

Wike also addressed funding concerns, saying the administration has managed multiple projects simultaneously by focusing on prudent spending and prioritizing needs.

“We don’t just award contracts for the sake of it. We base it on the resources we have. With the little taxes we collect and the support Mr. President has given, we’re able to focus on what really matters,” he said.

END.

By Cyril Ogar

A political group operating under the banner of the Renewed All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Council has leveled a series of allegations against the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Pius Akuta.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Abubakar Surajo Funtua, the council accused Akuta of engaging in anti-party activities, corruption, and disloyalty to the current administration.

The group claimed that Akuta’s conduct at the Nigerian Shippers Council runs counter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. They alleged that the indiscriminate dismissal of staff at the Council under Akuta’s leadership was orchestrated to discredit the President’s administration.

The youth council further alleged that Akuta remains loyal to former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who they claim he is secretly supporting with public funds. According to the statement, Akuta has been channeling resources towards Malami’s political ambitions and a new coalition allegedly aimed at undermining the APC.

In addition, the group accused Akuta of involvement in contract and employment racketeering, awarding a significant number of contracts to close associates in violation of the Public Procurement Act and the Federal Character Principle. They also claimed that recruitment under Akuta is conducted secretly and based on patronage rather than merit.

“Akuta is acting in clear opposition to the mission and vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. His loyalty lies with Abubakar Malami, not the President who entrusted him with a key position,” the statement read.

The youth group further alleged that Akuta is using proceeds from contract allocations to fund a secret gubernatorial ambition in Benue State, where he is said to be building a political structure through a coalition supported by Malami.

The council described the corruption within the Shippers Council under Akuta as “demonic” and insisted that such practices have no place in the current administration’s anti-corruption drive.

Calling for urgent action, the group urged both the National Chairman of the APC and the party’s leadership in Benue State to investigate Akuta, initiate an audit of the Shippers Council’s contracts, and expel him from the party.

“The APC must cleanse itself of individuals working against its success ahead of the 2027 general elections. Those who cannot align with the President’s vision should be shown the way out,” the statement concluded.

A group of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Zamfara State has urged the party’s National Chairman, Umar Ganduje, to reject any attempt by Governor Dauda Lawal to defect to the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

The group, operating under the banner of Zamfara APC Supporters (ZAS), issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, accusing Governor Lawal of seeking political refuge in the APC to evade corruption investigations.

Comrade Muttaka Ibrahim Ruwan Bore, who chairs the group, said the governor’s alleged plan is driven by fear of prosecution over reported links to former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and ex-Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.

He described the move as an attempt to secure a “soft landing” by aligning with the ruling party in order to shield himself from ongoing investigations.

“Dauda always boasts that the people voted for him. We are saying he should remain in the Peoples Democratic Party and test his popularity to see if he can secure even 20 percent of the votes.

“We are not asking him to join us, but it would be better for him to test his popularity come 2027.”

“Governor Dauda wants to reap where he did not sow,” Bore said. “We, the APC members in Zamfara, are satisfied with our current leaders and do not welcome an additional burden.”

The group listed notable party stalwarts in the state—including former governors Ahmad Sani Yarima, Mamuda Shinkafi, Abdul’aziz Yari, and Bello Matawalle—as respected leaders who have maintained the party’s grassroots strength.

Bore further claimed that Dauda’s alleged defection bid was a calculated strategy to gain political cover if he loses his re-election bid in 2027.

He insisted that the governor is trying to use the APC as a shield against possible criminal charges linked to financial misconduct, stressing that “the party does not support corruption.”

“Our party is corruption-intolerant,” he said. “We cannot accept anyone with baggage from past misdeeds.”

Governor Dauda, a former banker, has faced criticism since taking office in 2023 under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), with opponents pointing to his alleged ties to controversial figures as a source of concern.

The APC, which lost the governorship in the last general election, has remained a dominant political force in Zamfara, largely due to the continued influence of its former governors.

As political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, defections are expected to shape the race.

However, the ZAS group warned APC members to remain vigilant and guard the party against being used as a “haven for those seeking to escape justice.”

“We will continue our advocacy and ensure that our party remains a home of integrity,” Bore said .