The Africa Development Studies Centre (ADSC), in its research findings on Abuja gridlock has said there’s urgent need for investment and administrative decentralization to curb the menace in the Federal Capital Territory FCT.

This was contained in a statement issued by ADSC’s President, Sir, Victor Oluwafemi on Wednesday where he noted that he issued this statement on the strength of ADSC’s policy research and urban systems analysis on the worsening traffic gridlock within the Federal Capital Territory.

Oluwafemi explained that: “Our findings are clear. Abuja’s morning and evening congestion has moved beyond inconvenience.

” It is now a structural governance challenge with direct implications for national productivity, public service performance, staff wellbeing, investor confidence, and the long term liveability of the capital.

” Every workday, the same pattern repeats itself. In the mornings, a large majority of vehicles flow toward the same central corridors because government offices, public service points, and high activity institutions remain excessively clustered in the city core.

“In the evenings, the same traffic reverses in a single wave, creating daily paralysis that drains time, energy, and morale.

“ADSC’s research indicates that this problem is driven primarily by institutional concentration, not simply by limited road space.

” The more Abuja continues to concentrate government activity into the same tight centre, the more congestion becomes inevitable, regardless of how many interchanges are built.

“While road expansions and corridor upgrades remain important, they are insufficient as a standalone solution. Global urban planning evidence shows that where traffic demand is generated by concentrated destinations, increasing road capacity often produces temporary relief before congestion returns as demand rises to match the new capacity.

” Abuja must therefore shift from a road led response to a governance led, spatial planning strategy that reduces the daily need for mass commuting into the city centre.

“On the basis of these findings, I respectfully call on Mr President and the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to adopt an evidence led decongestion programme anchored on accelerated satellite town development and administrative decentralisation.

” The Federal Capital Territory has substantial land and expansion potential across Kwali, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, and Abaji.

” These municipalities should no longer remain peripheral settlements while the city centre carries an unsustainable load. When satellite towns are treated only as residential spillover, they create commuter pressure rather than economic balance.

“The solution is to build them as functional municipal centres where people can work, access services, invest, and live without being compelled to enter central Abuja daily.

Oluwafemi who is also Founder, Douglas Development Institute (DDI) said: “ADSC recommends the phased relocation of selected non sensitive and high traffic government functions to these satellite municipalities.

“Priority should be given to back office directorates and support units, training institutions and conference facilities, records and archives, stores and logistics centres, procurement processing and compliance units, and high footfall service points that can operate efficiently as one stop municipal hubs.

“This will reduce peak hour traffic demand, improve punctuality, lift staff motivation, and spread economic activity across the wider FCT.

“In addition, we recommend accelerated digitisation of government workflows so that approvals, memos, reporting, file routing, and inter agency coordination occur securely through digital systems rather than requiring constant physical movement.

“When governance processes become digitally enabled, congestion reduces organically, service delivery becomes faster, transparency improves, and the entire administration becomes more efficient.

“Finally, ADSC supports a broader national approach where suitable federal institutions, where feasible, are relocated to other states of the federation.

” This will reduce Abuja’s long term administrative burden, strengthen national belonging through a more visible and balanced federal presence, and stimulate development and job creation beyond the capital.

“Abuja must not wait to become permanently gridlocked before structural reform is undertaken. A capital that cannot move will eventually struggle to lead. The time to act is now, while reforms can be implemented in a phased, orderly, and dignified manner that protects productivity, public health, and the identity of Abuja as a planned and functional capital.

The Coalition of Kwankwasiyya Support Groups has strongly opposed the defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a betrayal of trust and a disregard for the mandate given by the people.

Addressing a press conference on behalf of the coalition, its Chairman, Hon. Usman Namama, said the governor’s decision had shocked millions of Nigerians, particularly the people of Kano State who overwhelmingly supported him at the polls.

Namama stated that democracy thrives on transparency, loyalty, and accountability, stressing that political leaders owe it to the electorate to consult widely before making decisions that fundamentally alter the mandate they were given.

According to him, Kano’s political history has consistently shown that the people do not tolerate betrayal. He recalled how the late Malam Aminu Kano laid the foundation for progressive politics in the state, which later brought the late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi to power, noting that Rimi was voted out in 1983 after falling out with his mentor.

He also referenced the political journey of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who lost his re-election bid in 2003 as an incumbent governor but accepted the outcome with humility, a gesture that later strengthened his bond with the people and paved the way for his political comeback.

Namama further recalled that Kwankwaso later supported Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje to become governor in 2015, only for Ganduje to later sever ties with his political benefactor, a development he said further reinforced the recurring lesson of Kano politics.

The coalition chairman said Senator Kwankwaso subsequently introduced Abba Kabir Yusuf into the political family under the NNPP platform, adding that Kano voters rallied behind Yusuf largely because of their trust in Kwankwaso’s leadership and judgment.

“Despite legal battles, intimidation and other challenges, the will of the people prevailed, and Abba Kabir Yusuf emerged as governor because the people believed in Senator Kwankwaso,” Namama said.

He expressed deep disappointment that the governor had now chosen to defect to another party, describing the move as a repetition of past betrayals against Kwankwaso.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Namama declared that its members remained firmly loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, insisting that their allegiance was not to any political party but to character, sacrifice, and proven leadership.

“Our loyalty is to Kwankwaso. Whoever he supports, we will support. Whoever he endorses, we will vote for, and wherever he leads, we will follow,” he said.

He emphasized that the relationship between Kwankwaso and his supporters was rooted in trust, consistency, and shared struggle, adding that the coalition represented the grassroots voters who form the backbone of democracy in Kano State.

Namama concluded by stating that the coalition was patiently awaiting directives from Senator Kwankwaso, warning that the people, history, and the political class were closely watching developments in the state.

The press conference was attended by members of the media, Kwankwasiyya supporters, and other invited stakeholders

The Management of Hikima Radio & TV, Kano, hereby announces some strategic changes in its leadership and departmental structure. These changes take immediate effect and are aimed at strengthening operations and improving the quality of service delivery across the station.

After careful consideration, Management has approved the following appointments:
Mr. Auwal Mohd. Abdulaziz has been appointed Acting Station Manager with immediate effect and will assume all duties and responsibilities of the office.
Ms. Zainab Namadi Haruna will temporarily oversee the Programs Department, in addition to her current role as Head of News and Current Affairs.
Mr. Mubarak Auwal has been appointed Acting Head of the Political Unit and New Media with immediate effect.
Veteran journalist, Muhammad Musa Muhammad Inyaa, will continue to serve as Acting Managing Director.

Management reaffirms its commitment to growth, professionalism, and periodic restructuring where necessary. These decisions align with our vision to sustain excellence, innovation, and high standards in broadcasting at Hikima Radio & TV.