The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, Dan Nwanyanwu, has warned that all votes must be counted in the February 21 Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Councils elections.

Nwanyanwu issued this stern warning on Thursday while fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must test the IREV.

“In FCT, you just said tension is rising and that is correct. Alliances are shifting. Some candidates are being persuaded to drop and support another candidate. Then you have the Supreme Court that affected one of the parties.

“Let me tell you. FCT residents have a pattern when they are voting.

“They are not persuaded by noise or arrogance. And let me warn that this election on Saturday, the votes must be counted and INEC should test the IREV.

“A lot of things have happened in the in the past few days. People who thought they will win everywhere and throw everybody away will be disappointed.

“You may not support the president’s party in this election but in other elections you may support the president. This is local politics.

“So, when somebody gets to the public arrogantly boasting that he’s god, he’s all, it’s not just right.

“Watch and see the outcome of the Saturday election.

“Some people think they can determine everything in these elections but they can’t. That can only work outside Abuja,” he said.

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 21, 2025, the electorate in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, will file out to elect chairmen of area councils, as well as councillors.

DAILY POST reports that the polls present an opportunity to test the strength of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, powered by a coalition of major opposition politicians in Nigeria.

The elections will be held in various locations within Abuja such as, Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.

Candidates of the major parties, ADC, the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have been soliciting for votes in the past three weeks.

For the ADC, prominent figures such as Mr Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have been all out explaining to residents why they should cast their votes for the party, and not the APC.
Speaking to DAILY POST, the ADC chairmanship candidate for AMAC, Dr. Moses Paul said he was fully prepared to govern if elected, describing his candidacy as the result of years of grassroots engagement.

“Preparation for leadership does not begin a few days before an election. It is built over time through service and sacrifice.

“For years, I have walked these streets and listened to the people. I am fully prepared mentally, structurally and spiritually to serve from day one,” he said.

He described the election as a turning point for AMAC residents seeking accountable governance.

“This election is no longer about me. It is about AMAC deciding it deserves competence, dignity and accountable leadership,” he stated.

When asked about working with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike if he wins the election, Paul stressed the importance of cooperation.

“Leadership is not about ego; it is about responsibility. I will work with every lawful authority in the interest of our people. But my loyalty will always be to the people of AMAC,” he said, adding that his membership of the ADC is based on conviction rather than convenience.

Addressing questions about origin, he stated that service outweighs birthplace.

“Abuja is defined by where you serve. Leadership is about compassion, competence and courage. I am willing to give everything required to build a better AMAC,” he said.

Speaking to DAILY POST, residents across markets and neighborhoods expressed different opinions and expectations.

Aisha Abdulkadir, a market trader at Bwari market stated that “we are tired of leaders who come during campaigns and then disappear.”

Joy Okon, a provision seller at Dutse market stated that “I just want someone who knows what they are doing, not somebody that just wants to enter politics for power.”

Emmaunel Chukwuemeka, a mobile phone seller declared: “we need good roads, water and security; we don’t want slogans.”

Fatima Yusuf, a hairstylist had this to say: “I am paying attention to who knows our communities well, no be person wey go just put up posters run comot.” (sic).

For Victoria Odumu, a civil servant: “We don’t want promises again. I am voting for somebody who can do actual work.”

On his part, Godswill Onyeka, a food vendor said: “I will tell you the truth, I already know who I am voting for, all I am waiting for now is election day.”

DAILY POST earlier reported that the FCT police command had announced a 12-hour restriction of movement across Abuja from 6 am to 6 pm to ensure the smooth running of the election.

Meanwhile, DAILY POST recalls that a week ago, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said he would support only candidates who support President Bola Tinubu’s vision, irrespective of political party.

Wike, who has been campaigning for the APC candidates, made the statement in Abuja. He is still a member of the PDP.

While stating that he owed nobody any apology, the Minister said: “We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on February 21, and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win.

“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate who is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election, and I owe no apology on my stand.”

Wike’s strategies has seen to the collapse of the PDP campaign into that of the APC in two area councils.
Days ago, the PDP chairmanship candidate for Bwari, Julius Adamu, announced that he had stepped down for the APC candidate, Joshua Ishaku Musa.

And then on Thursday, the PDP candidate for AMAC, Hon. Zadna Dantani also announced that he was withdrawing from the race for his APC counterpart, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.

The FCT Minister is said to be central to the decision of the two PDP candidates.

Maritime stakeholders believe the sector could see significant progress if the current Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency administration under Director-General Dr. Dayo Mobereola focuses primarily on fulfilling the agency’s core mandates rather than pursuing revenue, ANOZIE EGOLE reports

Upon assuming office in March 2024, Dr Mobereola inherited a sector burdened by legacy challenges, from training backlogs and regulatory gaps to an international reputation marred by security concerns and punitive insurance premiums.

Two years on, the agency has proven to be an emerging continental leader in maritime innovation, regulatory enforcement, and global advocacy. The agency has, through aggressive capacity development, strategic international diplomacy, and digital transformation, positioned Nigeria not just as a regional maritime power but as a model for African maritime governance in the twenty-first century. At the heart of NIMASA’s transformation is an unwavering commitment to developing Nigeria’s maritime workforce.

In a bid to boost morale in the sector, the agency has tackled the longstanding backlog in the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, clearing sea-time training delays that had frustrated aspiring maritime professionals.

In a bid to boost indigenous seafarers’ certification, NIMASA has integrated cutting-edge technology for verifying certificates of competency, streamlining the seafarer licensing process to meet the international standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers’ requirements. Recognising that institutional excellence begins at home, NIMASA has implemented comprehensive staff welfare programmes, including structured training initiatives, performance-based promotions, and reward systems.

Another milestone achieved by the agency within the last two years was Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, which reflects global confidence in NIMASA’s administrative reforms. Nigeria’s election to the Council in late 2025, during the IMO General Assembly in London, stands out as a defining achievement. The victory, led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, marked Nigeria’s triumphant return to the Council after a long hiatus. The IMO victory could also be attributed to Oyetola’s longstanding intensive diplomatic shuttles, sustained advocacy, and coordinated stakeholder engagement.

It is safe to say that Nigeria’s improved maritime security architecture and reforms in the Gulf of Guinea played a decisive role in restoring global confidence. This move earned NIMASA presidential commendation, as President Bola Tinubu formally commended the agency’s management, describing the achievement as a strong affirmation of Nigeria’s growing influence in global maritime governance.

In June 2025, at the Day of the Seafarer celebration in Port Harcourt, the Federal Government launched the Maritime Labour e-Platform, a digital solution for transforming labour administration. Building on the 2022 dockworkers registration initiative, the platform creates an integrated system for registering and verifying seafarers, dockworkers, employers, and other stakeholders. Speaking at the event, NIMASA’s Executive Director for Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Jibril Abba, was quoted as saying, “By centralising registration and issuing secure biometric identity cards, it cuts paperwork, speeds up processing, and gives us reliable real-time data.”

The platform fulfils NIMASA’s statutory mandate under Section 27(1)(a) of the NIMASA Act 2007 and aligns Nigeria with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights.

While building capacity and modernising systems, Mobereola has demonstrated that NIMASA has the regulatory teeth to enforce compliance. In January 2026, the agency launched ‘Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance’, targeting violations of Nigerian maritime laws. The operation requires comprehensive compliance, proper vessel registration, valid certifications, updated ownership documentation, adherence to Cabotage provisions, and timely payment of statutory levies. NIMASA’s enforcement strategy includes random and targeted vessel inspections, documentation verification against agency databases, and compliance assessments at ports, terminals, and offshore locations.

Beyond regulation, NIMASA has pursued strategic international collaborations, including a partnership with the Danish Maritime Authority to enhance maritime security through intelligence sharing, joint patrols, and capacity building. Similarly, collaboration with University College London implements emissions monitoring at Nigerian ports, contributing to global climate commitments. Working with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, NIMASA is exploring public-private partnership models for major projects, including the Modular Floating Dock. At the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Mobereola presented Nigeria’s automatic identification system for ship emission calculation, demonstrating NIMASA’s environmental commitment.

He has been particularly vocal in challenging discriminatory War Risk Insurance premiums imposed on vessels calling at Nigerian ports. Under Mobereola’s leadership, NIMASA has made significant progress in removing obstacles to the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, with meaningful disbursement to indigenous shipowners anticipated in 2026. The agency demonstrated commitment by inaugurating the CVFF Application Portal in January 2026. Combined with the November 2025 accreditation of 27 shipyards, these developments create an ecosystem where Nigerian shipowners can both finance vessel acquisition and access local repair services.

Maritime stakeholders have expressed concern that Nigeria continues to incur War Risk Insurance premiums, a development that raises the cost of vessels calling at the country’s ports. The Head of Research at Sea Empowerment and Research Centre, Mr Eugene Nweke, in a chat with The PUNCH on Monday, lamented that “despite reported improvements, high international war-risk insurance premiums persist, indicating that global confidence recovery is still incomplete.”

“Despite reported improvements, high international war-risk insurance premiums persist, indicating that global confidence recovery is still incomplete. Several flagship initiatives remain at transitional or rollout stages; measurable economic outcomes are yet to fully materialise,” Nweke said.

According to Nweke, broader structural constraints within Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem continue to limit rapid transformation. A seasoned clearing agent, who gave his name as Timothy Michael, while commending the agency’s boosting of training for cadets, called on NIMASA to ensure adequate employment for the cadets

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, on Wednesday, monitored the All Progressives Congress, APC, ward congresses held across the state, pledging to work with newly elected party officials.

Idris observed the exercise alongside party leaders, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero; the APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Muhammad Argungu; and the State APC Chairman, Abubakar Kana-Zuru.

The governor visited selected venues, including Kauran Gwandu Primary School and Justice Ibrahim Umar Primary School in Birnin Kebbi, where ward congresses were conducted.

Party officials said the congresses were held across the 225 wards in the state and produced new ward executives through a consensus process.

Speaking at one of the venues, Idris said his administration would cooperate with the newly elected ward leaders in advancing party and government programmes at the grassroots level.

The APC State Chairman, Kana-Zuru, stated that the consensus process followed consultations with stakeholders and complied with party guidelines.

The Chairman of the Ward Congress Committee, Abdulmalik Mahmood, said the exercise adhered to the party’s constitution.

The congresses were conducted on the same day the holy month of Ramadan commenced.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced a significant rise in voter enrolment under the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise, revealing that more than 1.2 million Nigerians have successfully registered in the second phase of the programme.

In an update shared on its official X platform on Thursday, the Commission disclosed that as of February 13, 2026, a total of 1,228,648 eligible voters had completed registration during Phase II, Week Six of the exercise.

This represents a sharp increase from the 884,737 registrants recorded at the close of Week Five.

INEC’s data shows that 673,124 applicants initiated their registration through the online pre-registration portal, while 555,524 individuals finalised the process at designated physical registration centres nationwide.

A state-by-state analysis indicates that Jigawa State recorded the highest number of new registrants, with 98,698 voters, accounting for 8.03 per cent of the total figure.

It is followed by Lagos State (86,307), Sokoto State (77,004) and Kano State (71,990).

The gender distribution reveals that women account for the majority, with 696,891 registrants (57 per cent), while men make up 531,757 (43 per cent).

In terms of age, young Nigerians between 18 and 34 years dominate the registration figures, numbering 848,066, or 69.02 per cent of the total.

INEC also reported that 19,414 Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, have registered nationwide so far.

The Commission noted that the CVR exercise is currently ongoing across the country, except in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, where registration has been suspended in compliance with the Electoral Act ahead of the February 21, 2026, Area Council elections.

Phase II of the CVR commenced on January 5, 2026, and is scheduled to run until April 2026. It follows Phase I, which took place between August and December 2025, during which approximately 2.78 million new voters were added to the national register.