Category: News

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has declared that any presidential aspirant aiming for victory in Nigeria must secure substantial support from the northern region.

Dalung made this statement while overseeing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary elections in Nasarawa State. He emphasized that the political landscape has reverted to a regional alignment reminiscent of the First Republic.

“It is impossible to win a presidential election in Nigeria without the backing of the North. The North is predominantly ADC territory,” Dalung asserted.

He noted that the current political scenario mirrors the First Republic’s regional politics, where each geopolitical zone coalesces around distinct parties. According to Dalung, the Igbo have embraced APGA, the APC has been left to Bola Tinubu and his associates, and former President Goodluck Jonathan has moved the PDP to the South.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State has selected Alhaji Baba Malam Wali as its governorship candidate for the upcoming general election. This decision was reached following a direct primary election that saw him secure the highest number of votes among seven contenders.

Muttaka Rabe Darma, who chaired the electoral committee, disclosed the results. He pointed out that the election was fiercely contested by all seven aspirants: Baba Malam Wali, Hamidu Muhammad Alhaji, Dr. Abubakar Bukar Kagu, Bashir Shariff Machina, Engr. Yunusa Mustapha, Maaji Modu, and Inusa Mohammed.

According to Darma, Wali amassed a commanding 236,711 votes. In contrast, Hamidu Mohammed Alhaji received 1,722 votes; Dr. Abubakar Bukar Kagu garnered 9,748; and Bashir Shariff Machina secured 1,894. The remaining candidates trailed significantly: Engr. Yunusa Mustapha polled 1,178 votes, Maaji Modu obtained 1,371, and Inusa Mohammed got 1,148 votes.

In his declaration, Darma stated: ‘I am pleased to announce that Baba Malam Wali, having met the constitutional requirements and guidelines of the APC, and having secured the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election. He is therefore returned as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for Yobe State.’

Upon receiving his certificate of return, Wali expressed gratitude to Governor Mai Mala Buni, Minister of Police Affairs Senator Ibrahim Geidam, the Yobe APC executive, and all party supporters for their trust. He urged unity, saying: ‘The primary contest is over. We must now unite and present a common front for the general election. Our goal is to ensure APC’s victory across all levels in Yobe State.’

Wali extended an olive branch to both those who stepped down and those who competed against him. He appealed: ‘Let us remain a cohesive family, working together for the party’s success in the 2027 elections. This will ensure peace, unity, and prosperity for our state, and continue good governance to improve the lives of our people.’

The ongoing controversy over the Blue Silks rank, introduced as an alternative to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title, has taken a significant turn. The Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON) and the Nigerian Legal Society (NLS) have announced that they will now oversee the conferment of this distinction, stepping in after the original body, ALDRAP, was restrained by a court order.

This development follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, where Justice James Omotosho issued an order stopping ALDRAP and its Executive Director, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, from awarding the Blue Silks rank. ALDRAP has appealed this decision, arguing that the judge lacked jurisdiction because he had already been confirmed for elevation to the Court of Appeal when he handled the case. Additionally, ALDRAP contends that the court should not have granted an injunction since no such request was formally made.

The new arrangement was confirmed in a statement by Amb. Dahiru Aliyu, SCN, President of BOSCON, who explained that the decision came after an emergency meeting on May 21, 2026. The statement notes that BOSCON, which received its official registration on December 30, 2025, will now be responsible for screening candidates and conferring the Blue Silks rank, specifically for non-litigation lawyers and deserving law graduates.

According to the statement, the Blue Silks rank comprises three categories: Senior Legislative Counsel of Nigeria (SELCON), Senior Legal Academic (SLA), and Senior Corporate Counsel (SCC). To qualify, candidates must have at least 35 verifiable non-litigation transactions or publications. BOSCON is a fully registered entity with certification from relevant federal government institutions.

The NLS, a parallel body to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has also been involved in this transition. Despite opposition from the NBA and the broader legal establishment, the emergence of BOSCON and NLS signals that non-litigation lawyers are determined to establish the Blue Silks as a recognized alternative to the SAN title, which has traditionally favored litigation practitioners.

While ALDRAP had previously vowed to continue conferring the rank in defiance of the court order, claiming the judgment is a nullity, the recent announcement indicates a strategic shift. The association has filed an appeal and a stay of execution, but the conferment activities will now be handled by BOSCON and NLS pending the outcome of the legal challenge.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out a lawsuit aimed at preventing Senator Ireti Kingibe from taking part in African Democratic Congress (ADC) events, ruling that the matter concerns internal party affairs. The court also ordered the plaintiffs and their lawyer to pay a total of N20 million in fines.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling on Friday, stating that the issues of party discipline and suspension, which formed the basis of the suit, are internal ADC matters that do not require court intervention. He emphasized that it is the suspended senator, not the party members, who should seek legal redress if she feels aggrieved.

The plaintiffs, Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, sued on behalf of themselves and other ADC members in Wuse Ward. They claimed that Kingibe was suspended on March 10, 2026, by the ward executives for alleged anti-party activities and disregard for the party’s constitution. They sought a court order to restrain her from acting as an ADC member or attending party functions.

In their application for an interim injunction, the plaintiffs argued that Kingibe had continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as an ADC member, and use security details to intimidate ward leaders. They asserted that her suspension followed due process as outlined in the ADC constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the executive committee.

However, Justice Lifu described the suit as frivolous, baseless, and unfounded. He invoked Sections 82 and 83 of the Electoral Act to impose a N10 million fine on the plaintiffs, payable to Senator Kingibe. Additionally, he fined the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Kolawole Olowookere (SAN), another N10 million for filing a vexatious case.

During the proceedings, the judge questioned why the ward executives rushed to court to seek validation of their own disciplinary action, noting that the proper complainant should be the suspended senator. The court concluded that the plaintiffs were unsure of their position, leading them to improperly seek judicial backing.

In a landmark ruling, a Federal Capital Territory High Court has quashed a lease agreement granted to Basic Properties Limited by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). The court determined that the lease was void and unenforceable because it infringed on the existing rights of earlier claimants.

The dispute centered on Plot 9 in Cadastral Zone, Lokogoma District, which forms part of Plot No. 6 in the same district. Basic Properties Limited had secured a lease from the FCDA while a previous lease held by the plaintiffs, Mr. Akindeji Akinade and another party, remained active. The plaintiffs sought judicial intervention to invalidate the subsequent lease and the sale of plots by Saraha Homes Limited to members of the Incorporated Trustees of Lokogoma Basic Estate Owners/Residents Association.

Justice Angela Otaluka presided over the case. After hearing arguments from Dr. Lilian Ojimma, counsel for the plaintiffs, and representatives of the defendants, she dismissed the counterclaim lodged by the residents’ association. The judge stated that the association members had failed to conduct proper due diligence before purchasing land from Saraha Homes Limited, rendering them trespassers with no valid title.

In her judgment, Justice Otaluka declared that the lease issued to Basic Properties Limited—covering the land referred to as Plot 9 in Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District—was null and void because it was created while the claimants’ rights under their prior lease agreement were still subsisting. She emphasized that this action violated the offer letter, the lease terms, and the principles enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the Land Use Act.

The court further held that Saraha Homes Limited’s entry onto the land constituted unlawful trespass. Consequently, an order was made setting aside the subsequent lease granted to Basic Properties Limited. The judge noted that the FCDA and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (third and fourth defendants) failed to provide any credible reason for creating a new lease while a valid prior lease existed, amounting to a breach of contract.

Additionally, the court mandated the defendants to pay general damages of ₦2.5 million to the plaintiffs for trespass, along with ₦5 million to cover costs, disbursements, and legal fees associated with the suit.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a landmark ruling against eNaira Payment Solutions Ltd, ordering the company to cease using the ‘eNaira’ trademark and pay a penalty of N10 million. Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Friday, which included a perpetual injunction barring the firm from representing itself as the legitimate owner of the trademark.

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho upheld the counterclaims filed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which had challenged the company’s use of the name. The court found that while eNaira Payment Solutions Ltd has been registered since 2004, its name was misleading and could cause confusion with the CBN’s digital currency initiative.

The judge directed the company to immediately adopt a new name that does not include the word ‘Naira’ or any similar term. This decision underscores the court’s commitment to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s financial systems and trademarks. The CBN welcomed the ruling as a victory for clarity and consumer protection.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has taken decisive action against two real estate firms in Abuja, sealing their offices for failing to comply with regulatory standards and exploiting consumers. Ochacho Real Estate and TI’Bilon Construction and Facility Management Company were shuttered following their persistent refusal to adhere to official notices issued earlier by the commission.

In a statement released on its official X handle, the FCCPC explained that the enforcement measure was necessary after the companies ignored compliance notices demanding the transfer of housing units to consumers who had fully paid for their properties but were left without their homes. The commission emphasized that the sealed offices would remain closed indefinitely until both firms fully meet all outstanding obligations to affected buyers.

The action was carried out under Section 150(4) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which grants the FCCPC authority to impose strict regulatory penalties on non-compliant entities. This move underscores the commission’s commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring accountability in the real estate sector.

The Anambra State Government has granted official approval for the Imo Awka Festival, scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The decision came after an earlier request to postpone the event due to its clash with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) primary elections, the ruling party in the state.

Initially, authorities expressed concerns about splitting security resources between two major events occurring on the same day, suggesting a rescheduling of the cultural festival dedicated to the god of fertility and purification. However, following assurances from the Awka Development Union and Ozo Awka Society regarding enhanced security measures and orderly conduct, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued a letter of approval.

The letter, signed by Commissioner Udorji Amedu, was addressed to the President General of Awka Development Union and copied to His Royal Highness, Gibson Nwosu (Eze Uzu II), the traditional ruler of Awka, as well as the leadership of Ozo Awka Society. It outlined several conditions to ensure public safety and order.

Key directives include a prohibition on blocking or closing any public roads to allow free movement of citizens and vehicles. Masquerades and participants are strictly barred from carrying or brandishing dangerous weapons on any public road within Awka on the festival date. Additionally, no individual or group is permitted to harass, intimidate, flog, or assault road users, and all forms of violence are forbidden.

The government emphasized that celebrants must act lawfully and decently, reflecting the cultural values of the Awka people. The state congratulated the traditional ruler and the entire Awka community on the occasion, urging them to ensure a peaceful and orderly celebration.

Half a century after its launch, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) remains a vital force for national cohesion and community advancement, according to the Osun State Coordinator, Ekeng Ita Kubiangha. Speaking at a rally in Osogbo marking the scheme’s 53rd anniversary, he emphasized that the NYSC has consistently proven its importance in tackling national and local issues by posting corps members across the country.

Kubiangha pointed out that the NYSC has been instrumental in fostering national integration and distributing manpower evenly among states and local governments. He noted that corps members can be found in every local government area in Nigeria, contributing to development and understanding among diverse ethnic groups. “The movement of young graduates from one region to another has significantly enhanced mutual understanding and service delivery,” he said.

The coordinator praised the Osun State Government for its support toward corps members’ welfare. Despite facing challenges like insecurity, Kubiangha asserted that the NYSC has stayed true to its mission of nation-building and youth empowerment. He highlighted that agencies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission, National Orientation Agency, National Population Commission, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization rely on the NYSC’s contributions. “There have been hiccups, especially from security concerns, but the scheme has thrived through divine grace,” he added.

Earlier, the Director of NYSC South West Area Office 1, Olubukola Abiodun, declared that the scheme is here to stay, given its lasting impact on sectors like education and healthcare. Since 1973, the NYSC has not only filled manpower gaps but also prepared graduates for the labor market and future employment. Abiodun stated, “Nigerians can see the positive changes the NYSC has brought over the years.”

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has strongly rejected allegations that the Nigerian military is acting against democratic institutions. In an official statement released in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, described such accusations as baseless and deceptive.

Gusau emphasized that the armed forces remain wholly dedicated to the Constitution and civilian governance. He clarified that all military operations across Nigeria are conducted under lawful orders and aim solely to bolster national security.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces are loyal to the Constitution and the democratic structures of the nation. Any insinuation that the military is eroding democratic authority is false, misleading, and without foundation,” the statement read.

The DHQ urged citizens to dismiss misinformation that could cause undue alarm, reaffirming the military’s pledge to defend the country’s territorial integrity while upholding democratic values.