Author: Gabby

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has voiced opposition to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to challenge court verdicts that invalidated portions of the 2027 election schedule. During a gathering of political party leaders in Abuja, SDP National Chairman Prof. Sadiq Gombe argued that the appeals are unnecessary, as the rulings grant parties and contenders additional time for election preparations.

Gombe stated, “INEC lacks justification to appeal because of the election timeline considerations.” He emphasized that the judgments enhance campaigning opportunities and enable candidates who lost primary elections to still participate politically. While acknowledging INEC’s legal right to appeal, Gombe stressed that doing so is unwarranted and could disrupt the electoral process.

Regarding internal party disputes, Gombe reaffirmed the SDP’s commitment to reconciliation with the rival faction led by former Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam. He noted that the party’s constitution provides mechanisms for both discipline and reconciliation. Gombe also declared that leadership conflicts are internal matters for political parties, not for INEC to adjudicate. “INEC does not appoint party chairmen; that is the party’s prerogative,” he asserted.

INEC had earlier announced its intention to appeal two Federal High Court judgments that challenged elements of its 2027 election timetable. The electoral body claimed it seeks clarity on critical legal issues, warning that timetable alterations could disrupt the smooth organization of elections.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pushed back against claims made by Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, regarding the conduct of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary. Through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku issued a statement on Tuesday categorically denying any wrongdoing.

Atiku accused Lawal of making sweeping accusations without offering any concrete proof. He asserted that Lawal spoke for nearly an hour without presenting a single document, petition, result sheet, witness statement, or recording to back his assertions. The former VP described the allegations as a toxic mix of bitterness, unfounded conjecture, and political revisionism disguised as concern for the public good.

The statement further suggested that Lawal’s disappointment stemmed from the defeat of his preferred candidate in the primary. Atiku posited that Lawal is simply a frustrated political figure unable to accept the outcome of a democratic process. He pointed out that Lawal openly backed another aspirant before the primary and is now attempting to frame his personal loss as a moral crusade.

Atiku also refuted the idea that he could single-handedly manipulate the votes of thousands of party delegates nationwide, calling such a notion unrealistic. He questioned how one person could control such a vast and dispersed electorate.

In addition, Atiku highlighted Lawal’s televised admission that he could easily obtain money from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whenever he needed it. According to Atiku, Lawal boasted that a simple phone call to Tinubu would result in funds reaching him before he arrived home. Atiku urged Nigerians to reflect on the implications of such a statement and draw their own conclusions about Lawal’s character and motives.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has leveled fresh accusations against its former presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, claiming he continues to interfere in the party’s internal matters even after leaving. This allegation was made public on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ogini Olaposi, through an official statement.

According to Olaposi, Kwankwaso still exerts influence within the NNPP by utilizing loyalists he allegedly left behind after his exit. These individuals are reportedly pursuing legal battles initiated by Kwankwaso, further entangling the party in unnecessary disputes.

The party further claimed that Kwankwaso’s political clout in Kano State has waned considerably, with many of his former key supporters defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Olaposi advised the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to recognize that Kwankwaso’s once-formidable political structure in Kano is now largely dismantled. He stressed that the former presidential candidate’s commanding officers have moved to the APC, diminishing his influence.

The embattled factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has declared that his camp will not relent until the Supreme Court delivers its final judgment on the ongoing leadership dispute within the party. Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Abure addressed the turmoil that has engulfed the party.

Abure emphasized that his faction’s actions are not aimed at destroying the party they helped build. Instead, they are determined to uphold the party’s integrity and image, while refusing to tolerate what he described as escalating injustice and impunity. He criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognizing Nenadi Usman as the party’s interim chairman, arguing that the commission should have awaited the Supreme Court’s decision before making such a move.

“It is only when the Supreme Court issues a final verdict that the matter can be considered resolved,” Abure stated. He highlighted that the Labour Party gained prominence under his leadership and that INEC’s premature recognition of Usman was improper. According to Abure, the proper course of action would have been for INEC to wait until the apex court had settled the legal dispute.

In a candid interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Julius Abure, the former factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, openly acknowledged that Peter Obi significantly boosted the party’s national standing ahead of the 2023 elections. However, Abure emphasized that the Labour Party had already built a credible platform before Obi’s arrival.

Abure described the synergy between Obi and the party as a balanced partnership, noting that both contributed equally to the electoral success. He stated, “It’s a 50-50 contribution. Nigerians were eager for an alternative, and we provided the structure that attracted Obi and others.”

He pointed out that the Labour Party had previously produced a governor and other elected officials, and that prominent figures like Pat Utomi and Alex Otti had joined before Obi. “The party was already emerging as a third force in Nigerian politics,” Abure added.

While conceding that Obi brought prominence, Abure insisted that the party’s foundation was solid. “We created the opportunity and brought credibility. Obi saw that and joined.” He concluded by noting that the 2023 election outcome was a result of mutual reinforcement.

Dr. Paul Moses Ogidi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in the recent FCT council election, is pushing for an immediate stop to the scheduled judgment concerning Petition No. FCT/ACET/EP/01/2026. He argues that unresolved jurisdictional problems plague the case, particularly around the formation of the Area Council Election Petition Tribunal.

In a press release on Tuesday, Ogidi claimed the tribunal was set up in defiance of Section 135(3) of the 2026 Electoral Act. That provision, he says, mandates the inclusion of a High Court judge in the panel. The alleged irregularity, he contends, fundamentally undermines the tribunal’s authority to hear and decide the case.

Ogidi disclosed that his legal team first petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory on April 10, 2026, asking for a proper reconstitution of the tribunal. When no answer came, they escalated the matter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria on May 21, 2026, calling for urgent action.

Despite these efforts, the petitioner noted that both petitions remain unresolved, even as the tribunal reportedly intends to deliver its verdict soon. He also revealed that copies of the complaints have been sent to international bodies such as the United Nations, the European Union, the U.S. Embassy, and the British High Commission.

“Jurisdiction is the bedrock of any judicial process,” Ogidi stated firmly. “A court or tribunal cannot give legitimacy to its actions simply because time has passed if it lacks jurisdiction from the start.”

The ADC candidate cautioned that moving forward with a judgment while doubts linger over the tribunal’s lawful makeup could create legal and constitutional complications, potentially nullifying any ruling reached. He therefore urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to intervene promptly, suspend the impending judgment, and ensure the tribunal is reconstituted in full compliance with the Electoral Act.

Ogidi emphasized that the issue transcends his individual petition, touching on the broader credibility of Nigeria’s electoral justice system. He called on relevant authorities to resolve all jurisdictional questions before any final decision is handed down.

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Peter Obi, the former Anambra State governor and presidential flagbearer of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, has initiated legal proceedings against his erstwhile supporter and fellow townsman, Kenneth Okonkwo. The lawsuit, filed on June 9, 2026, through Obi’s legal representatives at Madiba Chambers led by Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, challenges what they describe as false and defamatory statements made by Okonkwo.

The legal action stems from Okonkwo’s public allegations during a television broadcast, where he claimed that Obi and other party leaders in the South-East demanded a bribe of N10 million from House of Representatives aspirants. Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor turned lawyer and politician, alleged that this illicit payment was required in addition to the official expression of interest fee. He further stated that documentary evidence existed, including a receipt for the payment, and accused Obi of personally compiling the party’s candidate list from a hotel room.

Obi’s legal team categorically denies these claims, labeling them as malicious and unfounded. The document obtained by our correspondent details the accusations: Okonkwo purportedly said that Obi warned aspirants of being scammed, travels abroad to collect money, and that the party leaders in the South-East are perpetuating criminality. In response, Obi’s lawyers assert that these statements are designed to tarnish their client’s reputation, portraying him as a fraudster, extortionist, and dishonest political actor.

The lawsuit demands an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the defamatory remarks, a public apology of equal prominence to the original broadcast across all social media platforms including X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, and a written undertaking to cease further defamatory statements. Additionally, the legal team is seeking financial compensation for the damage to Obi’s character and public standing.

This development comes shortly after Okonkwo left the African Democratic Congress and aligned himself with Atiku Abubakar, who secured the ADC presidential nomination for the 2027 elections. Okonkwo has been vocal in his criticism of Obi, reflecting the deepening rift within the opposition political landscape.

Africa continues to struggle with its water and sanitation issues, falling behind other regions in addressing this pressing challenge, according to Nicholas Igwe, a member of the Presidential Steering Committee on Sanitation.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Igwe stressed that urgent institutional changes are needed within the continent’s water sector. He argued that the persistent problems with water and sanitation are not due to a lack of money but rather to weak institutional frameworks.

Discussing the funding gap in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), Igwe warned that if African governments fail to create conditions that encourage private sector participation, the continent could face worsening social and economic problems linked to inadequate clean water and sanitation services.

Igwe explained that Africa’s water sector is trapped in a cycle of underinvestment—not because capital, technology, or expertise is unavailable, but because governments have not built the institutional structures needed to attract and maintain private investment.

He called for a platform that brings together the private sector, government agencies, civil society, development partners, and other stakeholders to tackle sector challenges and develop workable solutions. “The water sector must undergo a transformation similar to what we have seen in telecommunications, energy, housing, and healthcare,” he said.

Igwe noted that no single institution currently possesses the combination of political support, financial market access, and sector-wide coordination required to drive meaningful change in WASH. He elaborated that political will without financial access leads to unfulfilled commitments, financial access without coordination results in funding mechanisms lacking viable projects, and coordination without accountability yields agreements with weak regulatory protections for investors.

“The platform we need must integrate all three components. No existing institution offers this combination today,” he remarked. He emphasized that Africa’s water crisis should be seen not merely as a technical or financial problem, but as a structural and institutional failure that prevents available resources from reaching communities in desperate need.

The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, has issued a strong appeal to political leaders, especially those in the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging them to prioritize the well-being of Nigerians over individual ambitions. During a meeting at his palace in Calabar on Tuesday with a delegation from the APC State Executive Committee, the monarch emphasized that selfishness has no place in governance.

According to the Obong, lasting peace and development can only be achieved when leaders embrace mutual respect, open dialogue, and a sense of responsibility. He praised the APC delegation for recognizing the importance of traditional institutions, noting that the palace remains a beacon of unity and a custodian of Efik cultural heritage.

The traditional ruler also called on politicians to engage in peaceful activities that foster harmony among the people. He reiterated that traditional institutions will always stand as guardians of justice, peace, and societal values, urging all political actors to conduct themselves in a manner that promotes stability.

In his remarks, the state APC chairman, Christopher S. Eta, explained that the visit was aimed at paying homage to the revered throne and strengthening the bond between the party and traditional leadership. He acknowledged that traditional rulers are critical stakeholders in fostering peace, stability, and community development.

Eta further noted that the engagement allowed the party to better understand the role of traditional institutions in politics, governance, and electoral processes. He stated, “We have come to identify with the throne, pay our respects, and acknowledge the crucial role traditional institutions play in maintaining peace and unity. Their contributions to democracy and societal progress cannot be overlooked.”

The Obong expressed gratitude for the visit and assured the APC leadership of the palace’s unwavering support for initiatives aimed at the advancement and stability of Cross River State.

A heated dispute has emerged in Obilonu Autonomous Community, located in Isuochi, Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. The conflict revolves around the alleged bestowal of chieftaincy honors by the community’s traditional ruler, Eze L.O. Uche, despite a court order prohibiting such actions.

Justice Enyinnaya Okezie of an Abia State High Court, sitting in Okpuala Ngwa, issued a restraining order on December 17, 2025. The order barred Eze Uche and two other respondents from granting chieftaincy titles until a substantive application before the court is resolved.

Emeka Chukwunenye, the applicant in the case and a member of the community council, has voiced strong concerns. He alleges that the traditional ruler proceeded to confer chieftaincy titles, thereby ignoring the court’s directive. Chukwunenye filed the suit on behalf of the Council and the Obilonu Town Development Union, Umunneochi LGA.

According to Chukwunenye, the monarch failed to consult the Obilonu Town Development Union before making crucial decisions affecting the community. He claims this disregard for the court order, referenced as Suit No. HIN/FR276/2025, has escalated tensions and violates Article 18 of the Obilonu Community Constitution.

Chukwunenye stated, “The court explicitly instructed that no chieftaincy titles or similar honors should be given to community members without proper consultation with the Council and the Obilonu Town Development Union, as mandated by the community constitution.”

In response, Eze L.O. Uche explained on Tuesday that he only received verbal information about the court order after the five-day period for service had expired. He maintained that the applicant did not provide him with proof of service, making it impossible to halt a previously planned community event abruptly.

The traditional ruler clarified, “The judge directed that I be served proof of service within five days from the order’s date, but he approached me after those five days were over. I never received or signed any document as proof of service.”

Eze Uche also refuted allegations that he excluded his cabinet members from decision-making processes.