The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has strongly dismissed claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the revocation of its land title was a deliberate attempt to suppress opposition. Speaking during a visit by the Body of Benchers in Abuja on Friday, Wike, who is also a life bencher, expressed disappointment over the allegations.

He clarified that the revocation of land titles, such as the PDP’s land in Central Area, Abuja, was not politically motivated, but rather a result of non-payment of mandatory ground rent. The PDP, despite generating significant revenue from the sale of party forms, failed to pay the N7.6 million rent for over a decade.

Wike also highlighted that the PDP’s National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza was not registered in the party’s name, but under a Senator’s ownership, who had also neglected to pay ground rent for 28 years. The minister questioned why the PDP was accusing him of targeting the party when the issue was rooted in unpaid dues.

The minister emphasized that similar actions had been taken against various institutions and individuals, including the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria, for the same reason. Wike made it clear that no one, regardless of status, would be spared from land title revocation due to overdue rent.

Wike’s recent approval of the revocation of nearly 5,000 land titles for failure to pay ground rent underscored his commitment to enforcing the policy fairly.

The Northern Senators Forum on Saturday condemned the murder of traveling hunters in Uromi, the Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the Chairman of Northern Senators Forum, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, the lawmakers described the incident as ‘deeply disturbing and saddening.’

He said, “These individuals, who were traveling to the Northern part of Nigeria, were tragically stereotyped as Fulani kidnappers and brutally murdered in a despicable manner.

“We strongly condemn this heinous act, which is a clear violation of the fundamental human rights of the victims. We urge the Edo State Government to take immediate action to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this gruesome murder.”

While calling for a thorough probe to be conducted, the northern senators emphasised that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freely move across any part of the country.

They also urged Edo stakeholders and security agencies to work towards ensuring that such killing is not repeated in the future.

“We commend President Bola Tinubu for directing the police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident, to arrest the culprits. This swift action demonstrates the government’s commitment to upholding justice and protecting the rights of all citizens.

“As stated in Section 41 of the Nigerian Constitution, every citizen has the right to freedom of movement and residence throughout the country. No citizen can be expelled from or refused entry into Nigeria. We must uphold these fundamental principles and ensure that all citizens are treated with dignity and respect.

“We call on the Edo government, security agencies, and stakeholders to work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. We must promote a culture of tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians,” the statement added.

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus felicitates with Muslims across the country calling for prayers for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.

This was contained in a sallah message jointly signed by the caucus leaders, Rep.  O.K Chinda Minority Leader Rt. Hon. (Dr) Ali Isa J.C Minority Whip  Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki  Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi Deputy Minority Whip.

In the message, the caucus  congratulates the entire Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Fitri celebrations, marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

“Indeed, it is a very unique day for every Muslim faithful, as it is of significance following the successful completion of the one-month long fasting; which is one of the cardinal tenets of Islam.

“As our Muslim brethren across the country join others around the world to mark this auspicious day; and confident that Allah has accepted all prayers and supplications during this period, the Caucus, further admonish all to sustain the teachings, practice, and lessons of the Holy Month which includes life-changing virtues of charity, empathy, generosity, and compassion to one another.

“The Caucus also wishes to impress all Muslims (and Christians; who are also observing Lent) to continually pray for  peace, unity, progress, and development of our dear country.

“We believe that through prayers, our leaders; at all levels will have the right wisdom, knowledge, and understanding towards navigating the country through multi-sectoral challenges and difficulties that are not only limiting the realization of Nigeria’s potentials but throwing our people into immeasurable hardship and corrosive poverty.

“In the same vein, the Caucus urges the Federal Government; through relevant  agencies to ensure the protection of lives and properties across the country, following recent security challenges witnessed in some locations and communities in the North West, North Central, South East, and  South South geo-political zones.