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APC Takes Early Lead In FCT Council Polls As Voter Apathy Mars Exercise.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) secured early leads in several polling units across the Federal Capital Territory during Saturday’s Area Council elections, according to results posted on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing Portal.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As of 10:15 p.m., collated figures from uploaded results showed the APC leading in key councils, despite low voter turnout and reports of vote buying.

In Kwali Local Government Area, the APC polled 2,726 votes, ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 2,104 votes and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with 180 votes.

In Kuje Area Council, the APC received 615 votes, followed by the PDP with 393 votes, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) 146 votes, ADC 24 votes, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) five votes.

In Abuja Municipal Area Council, the APC recorded 2,520 votes, while the ADC polled 750 votes and the PDP 115 votes.

However, in Gwagwalada Area Council, the PDP led with 2,019 votes compared to the APC’s 1,779 and ADC’s 115 votes.

The elections were conducted to fill six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats across the FCT.

Widespread Voter Apathy

Despite competitive results, voter turnout was generally low. In AMAC, only seven voters had cast ballots at Polling Unit 006 in the City Centre Registration Area by 9:50 a.m., while at Kubwa Polling Unit 053, just 23 of 464 registered voters participated, representing under 5% turnout.

Across AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji, and Kwali, many polling units recorded single- or double-digit participation.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room noted that residents in parts of AMAC were observed carrying on normal activities during voting hours. Its Co-Convenor, Celestine Odo, said vote buying was visible in several units, sometimes openly.

Though queues formed later in Kuje, Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji, overall turnout remained low.

Yiaga Africa also criticized participation levels, citing administrative issues such as late commencement of voting and missing materials as factors undermining the process.

Allegations of Vote Buying and Operational Lapses

Reports indicated that votes in some AMAC units, including Gidan Mangoro Ward, were allegedly exchanged for up to ₦10,000. Operational delays were observed, such as voting starting around 11 a.m. at Durumi I due to late arrival of officials, and protests at Durumi II over omitted voter names.

Yiaga Africa further highlighted confusion from redistributing voters to newly created units without prior notice.

Election Results and Party Performances

As collation progressed, the APC posted strong performances in parts of AMAC, particularly Garki and Kpegyi, consolidating its early lead in the chairmanship race. The ADC won some polling units, while the PDP recorded significant margins in select Bwari centres, reflecting competitive contests across councils.

The ADC criticized the polls, accusing Nyesom Wike of interfering by visiting polling units, which the party claimed could intimidate voters. In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party also alleged collaboration between APC agents and security personnel in parts of the capital.

INEC Transparency

INEC continued uploading chairmanship results to its IReV portal. As of 9:30 p.m., 1,030 results had been uploaded from 1,401 polling units in AMAC; Kwali recorded 119 uploads of 201 units; Kuje 147 of 262 units; Gwagwalada 227 of 338; Bwari 280 of 485; and Abaji 72 of 135 polling units.

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Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.

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An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.

Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.

Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.

According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.

He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.

“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.

The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.

Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.

He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.

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‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.

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Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.

The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.

Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.

He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.

Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.

Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.

In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.

The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.

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El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.

However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.

During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.

When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.

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