By Omoniyi David

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed that Abuja remains one of the safest cities in Nigeria, even as his administration intensifies efforts to improve sanitation, infrastructure, and urban development across the territory.

Wike gave the assurance on Saturday in Abuja during an inspection of ongoing works at the Wuye District Infrastructure and the Federal Highway 105, which links the Umar Musa Yar’Adua Expressway to Kuje township.

He disclosed that the FCT Administration would, within the next two weeks, award new refuse disposal contracts, stressing that only qualified contractors with proven capacity would be engaged to sustain the capital’s cleanliness.

“We are doing quite a lot to make Abuja safe, and Abuja has been safe,” Wike said. “We agree that incidents may occur, but that does not mean the city is unsafe. If there is one safe city in this country, I think Abuja is that city.”

The Minister highlighted the administration’s renewed focus on infrastructure and urban sanitation as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He noted that significant progress has been recorded in the Wuye District and Kuje Area Council projects.

Speaking further, Wike said the ongoing Light Up Abuja initiativew, which involves the installation of solar-powered streetlights across major roads and districts is designed to enhance night-time visibility and strengthen security surveillance.

On the Wuye District Infrastructure project handled by Arab Contractors, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, revealing that the project would be completed within 10 days.

He also praised the progress on the Airport Road-Kuje dual carriageway, describing it as a transformative development that will reduce travel time between Kuje and the city centre to 15-20 minutes.

“You can see how beautiful the landscape is,” Wike remarked. “God willing, this road will be one of those inaugurated during the third anniversary of Mr. President to the delight of Kuje residents, the people of Abuja, and Nigerians at large.”

He added that the improved road network would make living in satellite towns like Kuje more attractive while easing population pressure on the city centre.

By Olokuta Rofiat

The National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, has attributed the wave of defections from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to poor leadership and unresolved internal crises.

Orbih made the remarks on Sunday while addressing delegates at a parallel PDP congress in Benin City, organised by the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

He lamented that disunity and weak leadership at both national and state levels have crippled the party’s structure and forced several prominent members to leave.

“Elected governors are leaving. Elected senators are leaving. Elected members of the House are leaving. We know the root of our problem,” Orbih said, accusing the party’s leadership of negligence and division.

He pointed to the recent defections of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC as evidence of the PDP’s deepening crisis, stressing that urgent reforms are needed to save the opposition from further collapse.

The Benin congress was one of two parallel gatherings held by the PDP in Edo State, one by Wike’s loyalists and another by supporters of Dr. Tony Aziegbemi highlighting the worsening rift within the party.

Political observers warn that the PDP’s persistent leadership disputes and mass defections could further weaken its relevance and electoral strength ahead of the 2027 general elections, unless swift reconciliation efforts are undertaken.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has arrested over 250 commercial vehicle drivers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), within two days for violating its directive restricting taxis to only one passenger in the front seat.

The arrests followed the launch of a new enforcement campaign on October 2, aimed at curbing overloading and ensuring strict compliance with vehicle safety regulations across the FCT.

FCT Sector Commander, Corps Commander Felix Theman, said the operation seeks to promote passenger safety and uphold human dignity by enforcing adherence to traffic laws.

He emphasized that overloading impairs vehicle control, hinders seatbelt use, and significantly increases the risk of road crashes.

“The essence of this operation is to safeguard lives. Overloading not only endangers passengers but also puts other road users at risk,” Theman stated.

He further disclosed that the clampdown would be intensified from Monday, October 6, with mobile magistrate courts deployed across the territory to prosecute offenders swiftly.

In a related development, FRSC data shows that more than 620,000 traffic violators were apprehended nationwide between January 2024 and July 2025, underscoring the Corps’ renewed focus on road safety enforcement.