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FCT Area Council Elections: Wike declares Friday Work Free, Restrict Movement From 8pm On Friday To 6pm on Saturday
Ahead of the Saturday, February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Minister, Nyesom Wike, has announced work free day on Friday, as well as restriction of movement from 8pm on Friday to 6pm on Saturday.
The Minister, who made this known in a special broadcast on national television and radio stations on Thursday, urged residents of the FCT to come out enmasse to vote for candidates of their choice.
The broadcast read; “On Saturday, February 21, we will all have a crucial opportunity to shape the future of our great Federal Capital Territory. The election of either new or returning Chairmen and Councilors for the six area councils is a momentous occasion, and I urge you to come out in your numbers to exercise your right to vote.
“I urge you to go to the polls with a sense of purpose and responsibility.
“As we exercise our democratic right, let us do so in an orderly and lawful manner. Let us respect the rules, respect each other, and respect the outcome of the election. We must show the world that we are a mature and responsible electorate, capable of conducting ourselves with dignity and decorum.
“At this juncture, with the approval of the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I hereby declare Friday, February 20, 2026, as a Work Free Day to enable movement of residents to their various communities to participate in the elections.
“Similarly, the President has approved the restriction of movement within the FCT from 8pm of Friday, February 20 to 6pm of Saturday, February 21, 2026. Consequently, all security agencies are directed to ensure strict compliance with this directive.
“Let me again use this opportunity to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Electoral Act Amendment bill 2026 into law. This demonstrates his commitment to strengthening our democratic institutions and ensuring that our electoral processes are free, fair, and transparent.
“My dear residents, Democracy has always been a work-in-progress due to the evolving democratic process. However, we will keep getting better by always looking into the Electoral Act with a view to strengthening our democratic process.
“To all FCT residents, I urge you to make your voice heard. Come out on Saturday, February 21, 2026 and vote for the candidates of their choice.
“Our prayer, as an administration, is that the elections will facilitate the emergence of such quality leaders that will contribute meaningfully to development, peace and prosperity in the FCT.
“Together, let us build a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our territory.”
The leadership of God’s City International Church (GCIC), Abuja, has announced the postponement of its “Special Abuja Power Touch Night” scheduled for today, Friday, February 20, 2026 by one week.
The event will now be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, according to a statement by the Church Administration.
The Church said “this decision followed the official announcement by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Minister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, as well as directives from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command regarding the restriction of movement across the FCT in preparation for the Area Council Elections scheduled for Saturday, 21st February 2026.
“In compliance with the security measures and in the interest of the safety and convenience of our members and guests, the programme will now hold on:Friday, 27th February 2026 with Venue and time remaining unchanged.
“We encourage all members to participate peacefully in the electoral process and continue to pray for peaceful and credible elections within the Federal Capital Territory.
“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Kindly share this information across all church platforms and groups”
Signed:
Church Administration
God’s City International Church (GCIC)
#AbujaSpecialPowertouchNight2026
The Department of State Services (DSS) has reopened investigations into the 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, and is set to invite suspects for questioning in connection with the case.
Dadiyata, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma, was declared missing on August 1, 2019, after gunmen reportedly abducted him from his residence in Kaduna State.
Nearly seven years after the incident, his whereabouts remain unknown.
A security source disclosed that the DSS had revived the case alongside other unresolved cases of missing persons.
“The DSS has reopened the case of the 2019 disappearance in Kaduna of a renowned government critic, Abubakar Idris, better known as Dadiyata, and several other cases of missing persons,” the source told The PUNCH.
The development comes amid renewed public attention following a video interview released by ambassador-designate Reno Omokri on his X handle.
In the interview, Kadijah, Dadiyata’s wife, expressed fresh concerns over her husband’s disappearance and appealed for help.
“We pray that one day, he will come back,” she said when asked about the long years of uncertainty.
Appealing to Nigerians, she added, “They should please do whatever they can to help us know his whereabouts, if he’s alive or not.”
Kadijah recounted how her husband was abducted as he alighted from his car in their compound on August 2, 2019, saying she witnessed the incident from a window.
She also reacted to an old social media comment allegedly made by the son of a former governor, describing how she felt upon seeing the post.
“I felt bad about it (the comment). I can’t even explain,” she said.
Omokri, who visited the family, called for support and urged the Kaduna State Government to assist.
“Nigeria owes a duty of care to this family for what has happened to them,” he said, appealing to Governor Uba Sani to consider measures such as relocation, educational support for the children, or employment assistance for Kadijah.
The case resurfaced recently after former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, denied involvement in the disappearance.
“Dadiyata was not a fierce critic of the Kaduna State government. He was a fierce critic of the Kano State government,” El-Rufai said, insisting that he only became aware of the lecturer after the abduction was reported.
“If anybody is to be asked about the disappearance of Dadiyata, it is the Kano State Government; it has nothing to do with the Kaduna State Government. We didn’t even know he existed,” he added.
Reacting, former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, dismissed the claims as “reckless” and “a clear attempt to shift responsibility.”
“Everyone in Kaduna knew the nature of the criticism he made and who it was directed at,” Ganduje said in a statement.
Sources also disclosed that the DSS recently seized El-Rufai’s passport at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to prevent him from travelling abroad while investigations are ongoing.
“El’Rufai is fully aware that the DSS is investigating him and his two sons for Dadiyata’s kidnapping,” the source alleged.
The Service is reportedly set to invite El-Rufai’s sons for questioning as part of the reopened investigation.
Punch
Big Brother Naija Star, Natacha Akide, better known as Tacha, has demanded the prosecution of a female TikTok user, identified as Mirabel, after admitting that her earlier claim of rape was false.
Mirabel had earlier alleged that she was attacked and raped by a stranger who forcibly gained access to her apartment in the Ogijo area of Ogun State.
The allegation, which she shared on the social media platform TikTok, sparked widespread outrage, with many users calling for swift action against sexual violence.
However, Mirabel, in the audio recording of a conversation, shared online by social media critic, VeryDarkMan, popularly known as VDM, admitted that her previous claim was false, stressing that she has been dealing with serious personal and mental health struggles.
She said, “Yes, sir, please help me, I am very sorry, I have been taking drugs, and I was not thinking clearly when I posted the videos.”
Following the development, the Ogun State Police Command has concluded plans to arrest and prosecute Mirabel.
A police source, who spoke with PUNCH, said that a Divisional Police Officer and other senior officers were at the hospital where Mirabel was receiving treatment, noting that she would be taken into custody upon discharge and charged in court.
The source said, “The DPO and some senior police officers are currently at the hospital where she is admitted. Once she is discharged, she will be taken into custody, and a charge will be prepared against her for trial. The essence is to serve as a deterrent to others.”
In a post via X, Tacha said police and the agencies in charge of handling rape and assault cases should make sure they penalise Mirabel and make sure she receives the same punishment a rapist would get.
She wrote, “Now that its been established that Mirabel lied about the rape allegation, I expect the police and the agencies in charge of handling rape and assault cases to make sure they penalize Mirabel and that she receives the same punishment a r*pist would get… CAUSE we live in a very wicked and terrible society where r*pists and r*pe apologists are looking for excuses to continue to r*pe and abuse women..
We should NEVER allow stupid women to empower these evil and wicked men! She must be penalized.”
FCT Area Council polls force postponement of GCIC’s “Abuja Power Touch” programme
El-Rufai: DSS Reopens Dadiyata Probe, Set To Invite Suspects
‘Ensure Mirabel Gets Same Penalty A Rapist Would Get’ – Tacha Tells Police
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