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Turaki Led PDP Faction Launches Legal Team to Contest FCT Council Election Results

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a special legal team to handle petitions challenging the outcome of the February 21, 2026, Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The move comes as the party formally congratulated its candidates who emerged victorious in the chairmanship and councillorship polls, even as it raised serious concerns over the conduct of the elections.

The elections, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday, February 21, covered all six area councils of the FCT: Abaji, Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.

According to results declared by INEC, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) secured wins in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari. The PDP managed to win only the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship seat.

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In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, acknowledged the electoral outcome, describing the limited victories as significant given the circumstances under which the elections were held.

“We specifically congratulate the Chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors who have been declared successful by INEC,” Ememobong said.

“This victory, though less in number than we anticipated, is particularly gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics, and brazen executive brigandage,” he added.

The PDP alleged widespread irregularities, claiming there were instances of voter intimidation and unlawful conduct aimed at influencing results.

“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets in polling units, intimidate voters, and unduly influence the outcome of the elections,” the statement read.

In response to these grievances and to manage expected litigations, the party has set up a legal team headed by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq. The party urged candidates with complaints to contact the Legal Adviser without delay, warning that any postponement could hinder their chances in petition tribunals.

The PDP also linked the low voter turnout observed during the polls to what it called the “anti-people Electoral Act 2026,” asserting that citizens have lost confidence in electoral outcomes conducted under the current legal framework.

“These Local Council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027 if changes are not urgently made,” the party warned.

It called on the National Assembly and the President to take immediate corrective measures to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.

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Dangote Cement Deploys AI, Telematics to Enhance Transport Safety

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Dangote Cement Transport has scaled up series of impactful, and technology backed programmes designed to improve performance, governance and compliance to road safety.

A statement from the Branding and Communications Department of the company said the enhanced programmes cover key operational areas, including performance metrics, strengthened governance standards, and improved accountability frameworks.

It further noted that the programmes also extend to comprehensive driver training and competency development, technology-enabled safety systems, journey management protocols, and regular recertification processes.

Other components include mandatory drug screening, strategic partnerships and collaborations, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, sustainability programmes, and community impact programmes, among others.

The statement signed by the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, recalled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had recently commended the company for its proactive safety programmes, which have contributed to reducing road traffic crashes across the country.

The statement quoted Head of Transport of the Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Murilo Silva, as saying that the company has upscaled its transport management systems through the deployment of automated inspection technologies and artificial intelligence-driven solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and road safety.

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Mr. Silva said the company has since deployed enhanced GPS and telematics systems for real-time monitoring of driver behaviour during transit, strengthening oversight and operational safety across its fleet.

He added that, in a bid to combat driver fatigue, the company has increased its wellness campaign, while also engaging in a series of stakeholder fora with third-party truck operators and drivers to reinforce safety awareness, compliance, and responsibility on the road.

Mr. Sliva said the company’s collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is already yielding positive results, noting that the partnership has continued to strengthen safety standards across its operations.

He added that FRSC officials are actively involved in the training and screening of drivers at the Dangote Articulated Vehicle Driving School in Obajana, where they provide technical guidance, enforce compliance with best practices, and support the development of highly competent and safety-conscious drivers.

According to him, the percentage of drivers undergoing structured training, drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic recertification, has increased significantly, describing the growth as “astronomical.”

According to him, between the first quarters of 2025 and 2026, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, recorded significant improvements in its safety compliance measures, with drug and alcohol testing increasing by 245.2 per cent, pre-trip vehicle inspections rising by 489.1 per cent, and driver training programmes expanding by 128.4 per cent.

Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, had commended the company for setting new standards in road safety management and urged it to sustain the reforms that have continued to improve safety across Nigeria’s transport sector.

The Corps Marshal stated that comparatively between 2025 and 2026, road crashes involving trucks belonging to the Dangote Cement Plc declined by 56 per cent, while fatal cases decreased by 36 per cent and injuries dropped significantly by 52 per cent.

He said the improvement has shown that the company has implemented its Gap Analysis, and company policies worthy of emulation by all logistics companies in Africa.

“We have always said that if Dangote Cement get its right, Nigeria and Africa, will get it right. This is a plus for Nigeria,” he said.

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Yusuf Muhammad Kawu Emerges as APM Candidate for Nassarawa Constituency

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Ambassador Yusuf Muhammad Kawu has officially secured the ticket of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Nassarawa Federal Constituency in Kano State.

In a statement released to his supporters and the general public, Kawu expressed gratitude and optimism, describing his emergence as a reflection of his commitment to serve with dedication, integrity, and a clear vision for progress.

“This victory is a testament to my commitment to serve our people with dedication, integrity, and a clear vision for progress,” he said. He further appealed to constituents for their support and votes in the forthcoming election, pledging that their mandate would be his responsibility and their pride.

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Kawu emphasized that his candidacy is driven by a desire to build a stronger and more prosperous Nassarawa Constituency, promising inclusive representation and development-focused leadership.

The Allied Peoples Movement, though relatively smaller compared to Nigeria’s dominant political parties, has been steadily gaining ground in various constituencies, positioning itself as an alternative platform for candidates seeking to challenge the status quo.

As campaigns intensify ahead of the general elections, Kawu’s emergence sets the stage for what could be a competitive race in Nassarawa Constituency.

 

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Veteran Broadcaster And Ex-MD ARTV, Radio Kano Adamu Getso Dies At 75

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Former Managing Director of Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) and the Kano State Radio Corporation, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso, is dead.

The veteran broadcaster reportedly passed away on Saturday at the age of 75 after a prolonged illness.

A native of Getso town in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, the late media administrator was widely respected for his significant contributions to broadcasting, public communication, and information dissemination in Kano State.

During his distinguished career, Getso served as Managing Director of Abubakar Rimi Television during the first tenure of former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso between 1999 and 2003. He later headed the Kano State Radio Corporation during Kwankwaso’s second tenure as governor.

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The late broadcaster earned widespread recognition through his role in anchoring popular Hausa-language programmes, including Hukuma da Jama’a (Government and the People) and Aiki Sai Mai Shi, which focused on government policies, public affairs, and development programmes.

Colleagues and admirers described him as a dedicated professional who used the media as a platform for public enlightenment and civic engagement.

His contributions to the growth of public broadcasting in Kano and his commitment to promoting government-citizen communication earned him respect across the media industry and beyond.

Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren, and other relatives.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.

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