Politics
Don’t just arrest streets beggars, adopt social welfare approach – Ndume tells Wike
Senator Ali Ndume has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to adopt a more compassionate and sustainable approach in addressing the issue of street begging and homelessness in Abuja, rather than resorting to arrests and forced removals.
Ndume made this suggestion on Wednesday when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, presented a N1.7 trillion 2025 statutory budget to the National Assembly on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
Drawing inspiration from historical social welfare models, Ndume cited the example of Kano State in the 1970s, where vulnerable populations were identified, housed, provided with meals, and trained in vocational skills to foster economic empowerment.
“The FCT is also about the indigent,” Ndume said. “For the displaced people roaming around Abuja, it is not enough just to arrest them. What you need to do is what the Kano State Government did in the 1970s — identify the indigent and establish camps where they can be fed and trained so they can be taken off the streets.”
He proposed a transitional support system that includes shelter, food, healthcare, and skills acquisition as a long-term strategy to reintegrate the less privileged into society and eliminate the causes of street begging.
In addition to his social welfare recommendation, Senator Ndume also proposed a new security strategy for Abuja to curb the rising rate of crime. He recommended adopting a “picketing” method similar to one reportedly used in Cairo, Egypt, where police officers are stationed at 200-meter intervals throughout the city from 6:00 p.m. to dawn.
“At every 200 meters, there should be one police officer either sitting or standing there until morning. That way, the mere presence of the police secures the night,” he said.
Senator Ndume further expressed concern over the poor state of medical infrastructure in Abuja, particularly referencing Asokoro District Hospital, which he noted lacks critical diagnostic facilities such as MRI and CT scan machines.
“Even today, a patient was taken to Asokoro Hospital — they don’t have MRI or CT scan facilities. I don’t know if the Minister is aware, but if you are, I am sure you would have done something,” Ndume said.
In response, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike acknowledged the senator’s suggestions and the value of such social initiatives. However, he highlighted the logistical and financial limitations of the FCT administration in sustaining rehabilitation programmes.
“The FCT doesn’t have the capacity to support that kind of programme,” Wike stated. “Some of them, even when you support them, still come back to beg. It is not just about establishing a camp; it is about sustainable engagement and ensuring they stay off the streets.”
Wike added that while the intention is commendable, a lasting solution requires a multi-faceted, collaborative effort to address the systemic issues contributing to urban poverty and homelessness.
EVENTS
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES SENATOR IFEANYI ARARUME ON HIS BIRTHDAY
President Bola Tinubu felicitates Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume, astute politician and accomplished businessman, on his birthday, December 16.
Senator Ararume’s odyssey in politics began in the late 1980s, when he served as the State Treasurer of the Liberal Convention in old Imo State. He later joined the National Finance Committee of the defunct National Republican Convention.
He represented Imo North in the 9th National Assembly. He was first elected in May 1999 and re-elected in April 2003. He also served on several committees and held other official roles.
President Tinubu commends the former senator for his years of service to the nation and contributions to its peace, unity, and progress.
The President describes Senator Ararume as a resolute and shrewd politician, highlighting his courageous and remarkable political journey through the years.
President Tinubu wishes Senator Ararume a happy 67th birthday and prays that God Almighty will grant him more years of good health and strength.
Politics
Ndigbo are no longer spectators in the Nigerian project- Minister Dave Umahi dismisses calls for Biafra under Tinubu’s administration
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the all-inclusive style of governance being practiced by President Bola Tinubu has made the agitation for Biafra an unnecessary clamour.
While speaking at the inspection of the Enugu-Anambra road last Saturday, December 13, Umahi said the Tinubu administration had given Ndigbo what they had sought for decades, not through secession, but through what he described as unprecedented inclusion in national governance and development.
He explained that the agitation for Biafra was historically driven by neglect, exclusion and underrepresentation at the federal level, but insisted that the situation had changed under the current administration.
“When a people are fully integrated, respected and empowered within the structure of the nation, the dream they once chased through agitation has already been achieved through cooperation.
The push for Biafran secession over the years was borne out of neglect, exclusion and underrepresentation but today the narrative has changed dramatically under President Bola Tinubu.
The President has deliberately opened the doors of national development to the South-East. Appointments, policy inputs and infrastructure priorities now reflect true federal balance.
Every sector now bears visible Igbo footprints. The emergence of Igbo sons and daughters in strategic positions is a testament to this inclusion.
Biafra was never about breaking Nigeria; it was about being counted in Nigeria. Through inclusion, equity and concrete development, Ndigbo are no longer spectators in the Nigerian project; they are co-authors of its future. When justice finds a people, agitation loses its voice.”he said
Politics
ADC Launches 90-Day Membership Drive, Fixes Dates For Congresses, National Convention
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced a 90-day nationwide membership mobilisation, revalidation, and registration exercise as part of preparations for its internal party activities ahead of 2026.
The party also approved provisional dates for its congresses and the election of delegates at the polling unit, ward, and local government levels across the country.
In circulars issued by its national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the ADC said the congresses are expected to hold between January 20 and January 27, 2026.
The process, the party said, will lead to the emergence of delegates who will participate in its non-elective national convention scheduled for February 2026 in Abuja.
A statement by Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the party, said the decisions were reached at a meeting of the national working committee (NWC) held on November 27, 2025.
Abdullahi said the timetable and activities were approved in line with the resolutions of the NWC and in accordance with relevant provisions of the party’s constitution.
The ADC said further details on the membership exercise, congresses, and convention will be communicated to party members and stakeholders in due course.
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