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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Accreditation has started at the ongoing national convention of the African Democratic Congress ADC in Abuja.

The National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, explained that delegates’ allocation across states was determined by the size of the state to ensure equitable representation in the convention proceedings.
Idigo, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the challenges faced by the party in securing a befitting venue, alleging that several private business owners declined hosting ADC due to what he called external pressures and threats.

“We approached several venues, including hotels and event centres, but once they realised it was ADC, they declined, citing fear of possible repercussions.
“Even this Rainbow Event Centre initially attempted to cancel after alleged threats, but we insisted on proceeding since payments had already been made”

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The Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for providing an enabling environment for private businesses to thrive, describing the Minister’s role in facilitating the landmark partnership between Hypercity and Carrefour as commendable.

​Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the franchise signing ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila described the collaboration as a “powerful statement of confidence” in the nation’s economy.

​In a specific commendation of the FCT leadership, Gbajabiamila singled out Wike for his “pivotal role” in bringing the deal to fruition.

He characterized the Minister as a “deep thinker” whose business-oriented approach to public administration is yielding tangible results for the nation’s capital.

​According to the Chief of Staff, “this successful collaboration serves as a direct testament to Wike’s ongoing commitment to reshaping the economic and physical landscape of Abuja.”
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​The Chief of Staff emphasized that while the partnership is taking root in Abuja, it signals Nigeria’s broader status as the premier investment destination in Africa.

He noted that the FCT is currently “sowing the seed” for a retail revolution that is expected to spread across the country.

​”Abuja is sowing the seed, but that seed will grow into a tree with many branches in different cities in Nigeria,” Gbajabiamila remarked.

He further suggested that the retail collaboration is already eyeing expansion into Lagos and other major urban centers in the near future.

​The event concluded with a strong message to the global business community.

Highlighting the stability and potential of the Nigerian market under the current administration, the Chief of Staff urged international investors to view Nigeria not merely as a market, but as a stable “home for long-term partnership”.

In his remarks, Managing director of HyperCity Supermarket, Mr. Sunny Chuwla noted that the partnership is expected to serve as a major catalyst for Nigeria’s economic landscape by driving significant investment and industrial growth.

According to him, the collaboration with Carrefour will lead to large-scale job creation for the nation’s workforce and provide expanded market access for local suppliers and producers.

He said the vision includes the immediate opening of new stores in Abuja and other major cities across the federation to promote modern retail growth.

He described the milestone as a “beginning” rather than a finish line, intended to empower local businesses and create a lasting bridge between global excellence and Nigerian opportunity.

He adds: “By combining global operational excellence with local ambition, the initiative aims to build a world-class retail ecosystem that delivers quality products and modern shopping experiences to Nigerian families.”

Mr. Chuwla emphasized that Nigeria has proven itself to be a market of real opportunity rather than just potential, citing the strong growth seen since the opening of their first store in Port Harcourt in 2022.

This partnership represents a shift from observing Nigeria from a distance to actively investing and building within its borders, leveraging global standards to meet the nation’s rising retail demands.

​As the partnership enters its next phase, a strategic expansion plan is already in motion, beginning with the transition of existing Port Harcourt stores to the Carrefour brand.

​The momentum generated in Abuja is expected to facilitate the retail collaboration’s expansion into other major urban centers, including Lagos, in the near future.

​The emergence of Abuja as a retail hub is being presented to the global business community as a model of the stability and potential found within the Nigerian market.

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Paganengigha Anagha, the detained younger brother of former Governor of Bayelsa State Timipre Sylva has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Department of State Service, DSS, to release him from custody where he had spent 171 days.

Anagha, who was detained in connection with his brother’s alleged coup attempt, asked Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa to in the alternative, order the secret police to arraign him in court if implicated in their investigations.

In a motion on notice argued by his counsel, Mr Micheal Jonathan Numan, SAN, Sylva’s younger brother claimed that the 60 days detention order granted DSS on November 17, 2025 to detain him for the purpose of investigation of allegations against the former governor of Bayelsa has since lapsed.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, he was not brought to Court by DSS neither was any charge filed against him and four others in detention.

In the motion argued on Tuesday, Anagha submitted that he was unjustly detained under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of the National Assembly in violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The motion marked FHC/ABJ/CD/2405/2025 was brought pursuant to sections 35, 36 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, sections 7, 158, 267 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and section 6 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act

The detainee, through his lawyer, told the court that he had not been allowed to access his lawyer and family members since his detention and argued that the provision of the 1999 Constitution takes precedent over the National Assembly Act under which he was hauled into detention.

Anagha admitted that the 60 days detention granted by the court to DSS was renewable but added that the DSS had not applied for renewal of the detention order because it had since concluded investigation into the matter.

Insisting that his continued detention is in gross violation of the 1999 Constitution and abuse of statutory power on the part of the DSS, the detainee passionately pleaded with the judge to order his immediate unconditional release or issue an order for him to be produced in court for arraignment on any offense or charge against him.

He claimed that his detention under the guise of investigation was an affront to the system of justice administration, adding that it is unfair to keep him endlessly without trial.

He asked the court to admit him to bail under fair conditions to stop further abuse of his detention or to be formally charged to court to answer any charge against him.

The detainee said he has confidence in the judiciary and that succour will be brought to his family if allowed unconditional release due to expiration of the 60 day detention order been used by DSS to justify his continued detention.

His motion on notice was predicated on 16 grounds and 22 paragraph- affidavit and deposed to by his wife in pleading for the Court’s intervention in his ordeal.

However, the DSS represented by Y. I Umar asked the court to dismiss the application.

Meanwhile, Justice Hawa Yilwa has fixed April 23 to rule on whether to release the detainee as requested or not.

Anagha is being detained alongside Musa Mohammed, Ayuba Reuben, Friday Lusa Paul, and Ayegbaife Suobite who aligned with the applicant in pleading for their own release too