National
FCT Council Poll: We’re Planing to Win, PDP, APC Planning To Rig —LP Chair alleges
Ahead of the Federal Capital Territory election, the Labour Party FCT Chairman, Hon. Peter Diugwu,
alleged that his party is seriously planning to win all the area council elections and their wards, but the major opposition parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), are planning to rig it.
The Chairman stated this while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines at the Bwari/AMAC town hall meeting held in Abuja yesterday.
Peter said, “We know that the Labour Party will win this election today, tomorrow, in fact, any day. Area council elections are not our problem because we have people on the ground.
“We are planning to win; PDP and APC are planning to rig the elections, but with the Almighty God we serve, we will capture FCT area councils and wards.”
The chairman boasted that if local government area council elections were conducted today, they would win the six area councils because what they are seeing today is a testimony that people are on the ground to vote for the Labour Party.
“We didn’t hire a crowd to come here today; there are no hired members here. All the people you see here are people who are ready, putting in their resources, minds, and vision to be AMAC chairman and councillors.”
Asked about the FCT minister’s influence on the election, he said, “Wike is from Rivers, and before you come to a land and assume the position of landlord, you must have stayed up to 5-10 years.
“If you check the transition of elections in FCT, the people who are voting are literate and not illiterate. Ninety percent of people voting in FCT are literate; they know who they want to vote for and who they are voting for.
“FCT is not a place where you use thugs to win elections, and we have the highest security agencies in FCT, and we are ready to defend our vote.”
Speaking on the essence of the town hall meeting to the party, he said it was to test the microphone to know whether their people are still intact, and they are seeing that even other political parties like the People’s Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, and the SDP are decamping to the Labour Party.
“Today in FCT, the Labour Party is like MTN—everywhere you go, all chapters, wards, and all area councils. That’s the benefit of this town hall meeting.”
Earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, said the party members must be courageous enough to bring their friends and relations and make sure our followers are members of the Labour Party.
“We say this because we believe that every one of us is an ambassador of the party, and therefore, we must advocate for membership registration drives and canvass for people to join the party so that we can be a strong and vibrant political party that would have the capacity to capture power in 2027.”
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of retired Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang, and announced that they are searching for a woman who left his hotel room the day prior to his death.
Reports initially suggested that Parradang had been kidnapped and subsequently murdered in the Area 1 district of Abuja. However, police later clarified that he had checked into a hotel and received a visitor, who departed shortly before he was found lifeless.
Police spokesperson for the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, stated, “On 3rd March 2025, at approximately 12:00 PM, Mr. Parradang arrived at Joy House Hotel, located at Area 3 Junction, driving a black Mercedes Benz. He checked into the hotel, paying a fee of N22,000 for a one-night stay. Shortly after, he instructed the hotel room attendant to escort a female guest to his room. This lady left the hotel premises at around 04:00 PM on the same day.”
The police further reported, “Mr. Parradang did not exit his room after the woman departed. At approximately 04:00 AM on 4th March 2025, a friend, who is a military officer, became concerned for his wellbeing and traced him to the hotel. Upon arrival, the hotel receptionist and the officer proceeded to his room, where Mr. Parradang was found deceased, seated in a chair.”
“The Durumi Police Station was notified, and officers promptly arrived at the scene to secure the area, take photographs, and collect all relevant evidence to preserve the integrity of the crime scene. The body has been transferred to the National Hospital for necessary procedures, and hotel staff are currently cooperating with police investigations.” The police further stated that efforts are underway to apprehend the woman involved.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has interrogated former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, in connection with an alleged N700 billion fraud.
Reports indicate that his questioning followed a petition alleging his involvement in money laundering, fund diversion, and corruption.
Emmanuel’s detention occurred after he complied with the EFCC’s invitation to address allegations put forth by an anti-corruption organisation.
Investigations have revealed alarming findings, including the withdrawal of N31 billion in cash from a single account titled “Office of the Governor,” with further cash withdrawals taking place progressively from 2019 to 2023.
These transactions have raised serious concerns regarding the potential misappropriation of state funds.
The EFCC’s ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraudulent activities and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
… Insists he was duly elected in Abuja
… We now have someone we can turn to – Bishop Naga
The Executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja have declared that Rev John Joseph Hayab Is their authentic leader.
The Northern CAN expressed their confidence in the newly elected Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, saying that they now have someone they can turn to as a leader.
During a press conference held in Maiduguri on Tuesday, the General Secretary of the association and Chairman of the North-East CAN, Bishop Mohammed Naga, announced that the election, which took place on 25th February 2025 in Abuja, was conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, leading to the appointment of Rev. Hayab and other Executive Committee members.
Bishop Naga, who is also the General Overseer of the Biblical Christian Church (BCC), encouraged Christian faithful, particularly those from the Northern region, to continue praying for peace, unity, and progress in an area beset by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
He further urged all Christians to offer their prayers and support to the Muslim community during the Holy Month of Ramadan, in accordance with the teachings of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the pioneer Patron of CAN in Northern Nigeria.
Bishop Naga stated, “I wish to emphasise our support for our substantive Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab. He was duly elected alongside other executive members, and all churches and Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria remain loyal to him.”
He continued, “Any group that believes it should hold power indefinitely is mistaken. The stakeholders from Northern Nigeria, including the former General Secretary of national CAN and representatives from various states, honour the legitimacy of this election. We are committed to our loyalty.”
Naga added, “I want to assure both our local and international communities, particularly those in Northern Nigeria, that we have a leader to whom we can turn for guidance on Christian matters. We are advocates for peace, and we acknowledge the historical context of Northern Nigeria. CAN itself was founded here, inspired by our esteemed leader, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, the first patron of CAN. This underscores our unity as brothers and sisters, committed to peaceful coexistence.”
He concluded, “We call upon all Nigerians to embrace one another, particularly our Muslim brothers and sisters who are observing the fast, to pray for peace in Nigeria and for the progress of our beloved country, especially in the North.”