News
FCTA Adopts Disability Act, Plans Implementation Commission
By Adeleke Jason
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its Women Affairs Secretariat, has commenced the adoption of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 and is considering the establishment of a commission to oversee its implementation.
Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat, made the disclosure during a three-day workshop on a rights-based approach to disability-inclusive development, governance, and public policy.
The workshop, held in collaboration with the World Bank, brought together management staff and stakeholders from various sectors across the FCT.
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Benjamins-Laniyi explained that the workshop also aimed to develop a strategic framework for the establishment of the FCT Disability Commission, which will be instrumental in ensuring the full implementation of the Act.
She described the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act as a vital piece of legislation designed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and promote their inclusion across all sectors of society.
According to her, domesticating and implementing the Act in the FCT is a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for all.
“This workshop is designed to equip us with the technical knowledge, skills, and orientation needed for the effective domestication and implementation of the Act,” she said. “I am confident that the deliberations over the next three days will yield valuable insights and practical solutions for advancing disability inclusion.”
Benjamins-Laniyi, the first Mandate Secretary of the Secretariat, reiterated her personal commitment to disability rights, noting that the creation of a Disability Desk under her leadership underscores that commitment.
“This desk focuses on ensuring that women and children with disabilities have their needs addressed and enjoy equal access to opportunities and services,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its continued support in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and assured participants of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s commitment to the cause, describing it as a “capital project worthy of attention.”
“Let us work together to make the FCT a model of inclusion and accessibility, where persons with disabilities can thrive and reach their full potential,” she added. “Nothing about persons with disabilities without them — their voices must be part of every decision that affects them.”
Also speaking at the event, Hadjia Majida Adamu, Special Assistant to the FCT Minister of State and Coordinator of the Social Investment Programme, praised Benjamins-Laniyi for taking the bold step. She described the workshop as a key move toward building a society where every individual, regardless of ability, is granted equal opportunity.
“This initiative demonstrates the FCT’s commitment to removing barriers and integrating persons with disabilities into all facets of social, economic, and governance life,” Adamu said.
Mr. Rex Irame, a legal practitioner and Chairman of the Albinism Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, underscored the importance of focusing on the implementation of the Disability Act.
“If we don’t take the issue of implementation seriously, it takes away the beauty of the Act,” he cautioned.
In response, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, Disability Inclusion Consultant with the World Bank, expressed confidence in the Act’s successful implementation, citing the involvement of a broad range of stakeholders and government agencies.
“The FCTA has done the needful by ensuring that all government institutions and key stakeholders are carried along,” he said. “This inclusive approach has broadened the foundation for implementing the disability policy in the FCT.”
Dr. Adebayo noted that all parties—including the proposed commission—would work collaboratively with the support of the World Bank and other partners to ensure that the Act moves beyond legislation and into action.
He further revealed that the World Bank would provide technical assistance to the Women Affairs Secretariat in formulating the FCT Disability Policy. Additionally, the Bank will support the establishment of the FCT Disability Commission and help strengthen inter-agency collaboration.
According to him, these steps are critical to achieving full implementation of the disability policy in alignment with the National Disability Act.
Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy have called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to stop what it termed public attacks on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, saying political disagreements should be resolved through democratic dialogue and constitutional means.The group made the call in a statement signed by its Secretary, Ifeoma Chukwunyere on Friday, September 18, 2026, amid what it described as increasingly personal exchanges between Wike and Uzodinma over political developments within the All Progressives Congress.The lawyers said the APC Governors’ Forum had rejected what they described as Wike’s “Rainbow Coalition” political arrangement, arguing that the disagreement should be addressed with the forum rather than through personal attacks on Uzodinma.According to the group, the forum’s position was based on concerns that the political arrangement could weaken the APC or create divided loyalty within the party.“We recognise the constitutional right of every Nigerian, including public officials and political actors, to express political opinions, criticise policies and participate in political activities,” the group said.“However, that freedom must not become a licence for personal attacks, intimidation or unnecessary escalation.”The lawyers said Uzodinma, as the governor of Imo State, should be allowed to discharge his responsibilities without political exchanges creating tension capable of affecting the peace and stability of the state.They urged Wike to desist from further public comments concerning the governor, insisting that political disagreements should focus on policies, programmes, political positions and verifiable facts rather than personal exchanges.The group also warned political actors against turning Imo State into a battleground for political supremacy.“Imo State is not a battlefield for political supremacy. Its people have the constitutional right to choose their leaders and determine their political future without undue interference, intimidation or external pressure,” it said.The lawyers further called on political parties, leaders, supporters and media platforms to avoid inflammatory language that could provoke confrontation.They urged Uzodinma to continue to operate within the Constitution and the laws of the country, while allowing relevant political and legal institutions to handle legitimate disagreements.The group also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to encourage restraint among political actors, particularly in relation to the dispute between Wike and Uzodinma.Addressing Wike directly, the lawyers said: “Mr. Minister, Imo State belongs to its people. You are not from Imo, so stay off Imo.”They stressed that disagreements over political strategies, elections, alliances and political actors in the state should be settled through democratic debate and constitutional processes.The group said it would continue to monitor developments affecting constitutional governance, democratic participation, political freedom and peace in Imo State.“Our position is simple: Democracy must prevail. The Constitution must prevail. The rule of law must prevail,” the statement added.
Four women-led advocacy groups have called for strict adherence to the rule of law in addressing the allegations circulating against the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, insisting that the matter should be resolved through proper judicial channels rather than through social media campaigns.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, 1st March, 2026, the organisations, Women Advocates for Responsible Governance, WARG, Women for Justice and Institutional Integrity, WJII, Coalition of Patriotic Nigerian Women, CPNW, and National Women Alliance for Rule of Law, NWARL, collectively maintained that the accusations attributed to Mrs Tracy Nicholas Ohiri lack verifiable documentation and must be tested before a competent court.
Addressing journalists, the National President of WARG, Dr. Amina Yusuf, was reported to have expressed concern that unsubstantiated claims were being amplified in a manner capable of undermining governance. She reportedly stated that the issue was not about silencing any individual but about ensuring that serious allegations are backed by credible evidence. According to her, a ₦24.5 million transaction allegedly dating back to 2015 would ordinarily be supported by contracts, invoices, delivery acknowledgements, and traceable financial records.
She was quoted as questioning why, nearly a decade later, there appears to be no formal demand letter, civil action, or documented effort at recovery if the claim was genuine, stressing that public discourse must not replace legal procedure.
Similarly, the Executive Director of WJII, Hajia Halimat Bello, was said to have emphasized that institutional integrity depends on proof and process. She reportedly argued that commercial transactions of such magnitude cannot exist without documentation and challenged the claimant to present procurement records or evidence of civil recovery steps if the supply truly occurred.
The groups further cautioned against emotional narratives overshadowing legal standards, warning that sensational approaches risk eroding public trust in legitimate complaints.
Speaking for the CPNW, Mrs. Folake Adeyemi reportedly described the allegation as inconsistent with established commercial practice, noting that it would be unusual for a multi-million naira supply to remain undocumented and unlitigated for nearly ten years. She was said to have added that if the matter were purely about debt recovery, the appropriate legal remedies would have been pursued long ago.
On her part, Dr. Grace Onuoha, representing NWARL, reportedly drew attention to the broader democratic implications, stating that accountability must operate within the confines of lawful procedure. She was quoted as urging parties to file claims, present evidence, and allow the courts to determine the facts, warning against what she described as verdicts delivered in the court of public opinion.
Collectively, the four organisations reiterated that their stance was guided by principle rather than personality. They affirmed the presumption of innocence and underscored the need for due process in matters involving public officials.
They called on Nigerians to refrain from what they termed trial by ambush and to allow competent judicial institutions to examine the claims thoroughly.
The groups maintained that allegations, however serious, must ultimately be proven in court, not adjudicated through viral content.
Civil society organisations, media professionals, and leaders of the APC on Friday called for urgent constitutional intervention in the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, demanding that the National Assembly take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly in line with Section 11 of the Constitution.
Addressing journalists during a one week non stop rally at the APC Secretariat on 23rd January 2026, the groups declared that the Rivers State House of Assembly had lost credibility, legitimacy, and public trust due to what they described as persistent abuse of legislative powers and a reckless attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
They warned that Rivers State was sliding into a dangerous constitutional crisis, stressing that the ongoing impeachment process was no longer about legislative oversight but a deliberate effort to destabilise democratic governance. According to them, democracy in the state was under serious threat and silence at this point would amount to complicity.
The groups commended the Rivers State Chief Judge for refusing to constitute a probe panel and for respecting existing court orders, describing the decision as a clear affirmation of the rule of law and a rejection of illegality. They insisted that no evidence of gross misconduct, as required by the Constitution, had been presented against Governor Fubara, adding that the allegations were unsubstantiated and politically motivated.
They further accused the Rivers State House of Assembly of procedural lawlessness, vendetta politics, and disregard for judicial authority, arguing that such conduct rendered the Assembly incapable of performing its constitutional duties. On this basis, they urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 11 subsection 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and assume the legislative functions of the state assembly to restore order and democratic stability.
The APC Leaders Forum and civil society groups also alleged that 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, led by Martins Amaewhule, were behind the crisis. They claimed the lawmakers had received constituency project funds estimated at about ₦350 million each, luxury SUV vehicles, and up to one year salary in advance, yet remained unsatisfied and determined to frustrate the current administration. According to the groups, the lawmakers were more interested in diverting state resources for personal benefit than allowing public funds to serve the people of Rivers State.
The coalition vowed to sustain the protests until decisive constitutional action was taken, including the takeover of legislative functions by the National Assembly. They called on Nigerians of goodwill to peacefully mobilise, maintain civic presence around the National Assembly, and resist what they described as legislative anarchy.
They maintained that Governor Fubara had shown prudence and commitment to the welfare of Rivers people, warning that Rivers State must not be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation.
The groups concluded with a call for unity in defence of democracy, declaring their resolve to continue the struggle until constitutional order is fully restored in Rivers State.
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