Tinubu Meets Six APC Govs, Wike Boasts President’ll Build More Houses for Judges

Deji Elumoye and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, met behind closed-doors with six governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at State House, Abuja.

The governors were Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Aliyu Sokoto (Sokoto), and Usman Ododo (Kogi).

The purpose of the meeting, which lasted about two hours, was not immediately known, and details of the agenda were not disclosed at press time.

Although no presidency official was forthcoming on the reason for the meeting, it came amid mounting security challenges facing the country. It also coincided with ongoing national political consultations and preparations ahead of key party and governance engagements.

Already, APC had scheduled its national caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings for next week at the Banquet hall of State House, Abuja.

The governors also declined comments, when approached by newsmen shortly before departing State House.

Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stated that Tinubu would continue to support the judiciary to enhance productivity, reduce delay, and uphold the independence and integrity of the judiciary. Wike disclosed this yesterday in his goodwill message at the Special Court session formally marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The minister disclosed that budgetary provisions had been made to construct additional residential houses for FCT High Court judges to mitigate housing shortages and ensure all judicial officers were appropriately accommodated.

“Well-equipped court facilities, chambers, and support infrastructure ensure that judicial work is conducted in a professional, safe, and conducive environment,” Wike said.

He added that under the president’s decisive action, the FCT administration had formally handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for the Supreme Court’s land, adding that the swift intervention has given the apex court the leverage to disseminate justice.

Wike listed the various presidential interventions for the judiciary through the FCTA to include the ongoing construction of residential quarters for heads of courts within the FCT and ongoing construction of a new Magistrate Court Complex in Jabi District to expand access to justice for FCT residents and reduce the burden on existing court infrastructure.

Others were construction of staff quarters for the Nigerian Law School in Bwari and design and construction of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division Complex, as well as residences of the Justices of the National Industrial High Court, Abuja Division, and Federal High Court, Abuja Division.

Wike said the projects were meant to directly support judges in the performance of their duties, adding that the reasoning of the Tinubu administration is that providing comfortable and secure accommodation allows judges to focus on the timely and efficient administration of justice, free from the distractions of inadequate living conditions.

He stated, “The FCT Administration remains resolute in its determination to further support the implementation of justice reforms. Our priorities for the 2025/2026 Legal Year are focused on consolidating the gains made and expanding support where it is most needed.

“We will aggressively push for the timely completion of the new residential quarters for Heads of Courts and the Jabi Magistrate Court Complex to ensure prompt utilisation.

“Furthermore, we have made budgetary provisions to construct additional residential houses for FCT High Court Judges to mitigate housing shortages and ensure all judicial officers are appropriately accommodated.”

Wike added, “We will continue to collaborate with the various FCT-based judiciaries (including the Court of Appeal) to support the digitization of court proceedings and registries to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes, and accelerate the dispensation of justice.

“Let me state that Justice must never be compromised under any circumstances, for it is the bedrock of our democracy and the safeguard of public trust.

“It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, judges, legal practitioners, government agencies, and citizens alike to work collaboratively to strengthen and improve our judicial system.

“I am confident that the commencement of this 2025/2026 Legal Year will herald a period of unprecedented success, wisdom, and efficiency for the Court of Appeal.”