Fabian

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved six major road projects across the country as part of efforts to improve national infrastructure and connectivity.

The approvals were announced by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting held on Wednesday.

Umahi also revealed that the government had approved the demolition of the ageing Carter Bridge in Lagos, with plans to construct a new and more modern structure in its place.

Major Road Projects Approved

Among the projects approved by FEC is the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa Road Reconstruction, involving the rebuilding of a 103-kilometre dual carriageway at a cost of ₦427 billion. According to Umahi, the project was originally awarded by a previous administration but had recorded minimal progress before it was reviewed and re-awarded by the current government.

The council also approved the Kano–Kongolam Road project, which will cover 132 kilometres and link parts of Kano State, Jigawa State, and Katsina State. The road, initially planned as an asphalt highway, has been redesigned into a three-lane concrete carriageway with solar-powered streetlights and CCTV installations. The project is valued at ₦334 billion.

Another key approval is Phase Two of the Keffi–Nasarawa–Abaji Road rehabilitation, a 129.3-kilometre stretch aimed at improving transportation links between Nasarawa State and the Abuja. The project was approved at a cost of ₦203 billion.

FEC also approved the completion of the Suleja–Minna Road, involving the remaining 71 kilometres of the dual carriageway. The contract, worth ₦91 billion, will see one carriageway handled by China Geo-Engineering Corporation after the previous contractor, Salini Construction Company, was removed due to poor performance.

In Lagos, the council approved the design phase for the demolition and reconstruction of the Carter Bridge, awarding ₦5.6 billion to Advanced Engineering Consultants to carry out detailed design and cost analysis for the new structure.

Additionally, the Abuja–Lokoja Road reconstruction project covering an 86-kilometre section was approved at ₦146 billion. The project will be executed using reinforced concrete and handled by multiple contractors, including Julius Berger.

Government Targets Nationwide Commissioning

According to Umahi, the federal government plans to commission at least four completed road projects in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones by May 15, as part of ongoing efforts to improve the country’s transport infrastructure.

Fabian

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State is reportedly considering leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections continues to shift.

According to political sources, leaders of the APC in Abuja have allegedly been courting the governor, with reports suggesting he may be offered an automatic ticket to contest the governorship election in 2027 if he joins the party.

There are also claims that the arrangement could involve a political sharing formula in which Lawal would control about 40 percent of elective and appointive positions in the state, while the remaining 60 percent would go to existing APC stakeholders.

Consultations Amid PDP Crisis

Reports indicate that Lawal has held consultations with key PDP stakeholders in Zamfara over the possibility of defecting, largely due to the ongoing leadership crisis within the party at the national level.

Some sources claim the governor could make his move to the APC shortly after the upcoming Eid al-Adha celebration.

An APC member who spoke anonymously said the governor had already accepted the offer to join the party, though not everyone within the APC was enthusiastic about the development.

“Governor Lawal has accepted the offer to leave PDP and join our party, the APC. Although many of us are not celebrating because we may lose some political positions, the decision was made at the top,” the source said.

The source added that the party remained confident of reclaiming Zamfara State in the 2027 elections regardless of whether Lawal eventually defects.

Appeal Court Verdict Key to Decision

However, Governor Lawal has indicated that his political future will depend largely on the court’s decision regarding the leadership crisis in the PDP.

Speaking to stakeholders at the Government House in Gusau, he said his decision would hinge on the verdict of the Appeal Court concerning the legitimacy of the party’s leadership under Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and the disputed party convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

The convention, supported by several PDP governors but opposed by Nyesom Wike, produced Turaki as the party’s national chairman. However, a High Court in Ibadan later ruled the convention illegal and nullified its outcome, prompting an appeal.

PDP Reacts

Reacting to the speculation, the Zamfara PDP spokesperson, Alhaji Haliru Andi, maintained that Governor Lawal would remain in the party as long as the PDP remains legally recognized.

He explained that the governor’s decision would ultimately depend on the Appeal Court’s ruling on the legitimacy of Turaki’s leadership and the contested convention.

Andi added that Lawal, along with PDP members and supporters in Zamfara, had no intention of joining another party unless the internal crisis within the PDP remained unresolved.

Fabian

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has revealed that the alleged leader of an Iranian unit accused of attempting to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump has been tracked down and killed.

Hegseth made the disclosure during a Pentagon press briefing as the United States continues its expanding military campaign against Iran. The conflict, which involves coordinated strikes by U.S. and allied forces, has now entered its fifth day.

Military Operations Intensify

During the briefing, Hegseth outlined several key developments from the battlefield. He said American submarines had used torpedoes to sink an Iranian warship, while U.S. aircraft had struck thousands of targets across Iran.

According to senior American commanders, Iranian missile and drone activity has significantly decreased following the strikes, and U.S. forces are gradually gaining control of parts of Iranian airspace.

Responding to questions from reporters about Iran’s alleged plot against Trump, Hegseth stated:

“The leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed. Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh.”

He did not disclose the identity of the individual but indicated that the strike took place recently as part of broader military operations.

Iran Denies Allegations

Iranian authorities have denied involvement in any plot to assassinate Trump. However, U.S. officials had previously filed criminal charges in connection with an alleged assassination attempt in 2024.

Despite the recent successes claimed by U.S. forces, Hegseth cautioned that Iran still retains the capacity to launch missile or drone attacks against American troops and regional allies.

He emphasized that the current military campaign aims to weaken Iran’s war-fighting capabilities and neutralize threats to U.S. interests across the Middle East.