Category: News

The Court of Appeal, operating in Makurdi, made a decisive move on Wednesday by dismissing the appeal submitted by Dr. Benjamin Omale, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State. This action came after events made the case irrelevant for judicial review.

The appeal, identified as CA/MKD/1199/2024, was originally lodged by Dr. Omale to contest a previous court ruling that favored Mr. Augustine Agada as the legitimate state chairman of the APC in Benue.

While the appeal was still under consideration, a major shift occurred. Mr. Agada’s term ended, prompting a fresh state congress for the APC in Benue, which resulted in Dr. Omale being elected as the new substantive chairman.

Given this turn of events, Dr. Omale requested to withdraw his appeal, arguing that the core issue had become moot and no longer required a legal resolution.

In a unanimous ruling, the appellate court granted his request and struck out the case, concluding that there was no longer a live controversy to address. The court also decided that each party would cover their own legal costs.

This verdict effectively concludes the appellate process stemming from the earlier leadership disputes within the Benue APC.

Commenting on the outcome, Terfa Jirgba, a senior lawyer and APC chieftain in Benue, stated that the decision was a natural end to an academic matter, emphasizing that the expiration of Mr. Agada’s tenure made further legal action pointless. He stressed that courts should not be overwhelmed by cases that have already been resolved by events, and that the panel acted properly by dismissing the appeal.

It is worth noting that the internal conflict originated from disagreements over the legitimacy of the state executive committee, which led to multiple legal battles.

Former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, has firmly rejected the notion that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan might be enticed back into active partisan politics in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections, labeling such speculation as ill-advised.

During an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time program on Wednesday, Duke emphasized that Jonathan’s presidential tenure stands as a landmark era in Nigeria’s democratic journey, and argued that the former leader’s esteemed position as a statesman should remain untainted by political maneuvers.

Duke voiced unease about reports suggesting Jonathan could return to the political frontline, asserting that those pushing this narrative are trying to exploit the former president’s credibility and goodwill for their own political gains.

According to Duke, Jonathan has cultivated a formidable reputation both within Nigeria and across the African continent, and his influence as a statesman far surpasses the realm of electoral contests.

The ex-minister stressed that Jonathan fully grasps the weight of the political conversations swirling around him and is astute enough to avoid jeopardizing his hard-won standing by chasing another shot at the presidency.

He stated: “The idea that the distinguished President Goodluck Jonathan might return to active politics fills me with deep concern. This is an iconic figure whose time in office redefined many of Nigeria’s finest qualities.

“After attaining the stature of one of Nigeria’s most cerebral presidents, someone who has achieved remarkable feats across the continent, how can he be dragged into what I see as a political lottery by individuals who ought to focus on expanding his role as a statesman—not just in Nigeria or Africa, but globally?

“It is regrettable that those who have yet to get their own affairs in order now think they can trade on the integrity and towering personality of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan like a pawn on a political chessboard.

“That’s where my anxiety lies, and I believe President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has his wits about him and understands all these issues being raised around him.

“I know that what he stands to gain as a former president far outweighs the risk of chasing another four-year ambition.”

Abdulmumin Jibrin, a former four-term House of Representatives member, has voiced strong confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure a second term in 2027, claiming the opposition has squandered its opportunity to upset the ruling party.

During an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time program on Wednesday, Jibrin assessed the current political landscape and argued that the dynamics overwhelmingly favor Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election.

The lawmaker asserted that no matter how the opposition strategizes or who they put forward as candidates, the ruling party remains in an advantageous position. He went further to say that even if prominent opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Seyi Makinde were to merge their efforts under one banner, Tinubu would still emerge victorious.

Jibrin highlighted that the opposition’s internal divisions only strengthen the President’s chances, predicting a clear win for Tinubu in the upcoming election. He stated: “I will say on a general note, on a general scale, and with the reality on ground and all of the political dynamics that we can see, no matter how you analyse it, whether with one presidential candidate you did not imagine, whether with another candidate from Ibadan, emerging, however you look at it, the opposition lost it already. I used to say something, even if they come together, the President will defeat them, not to talk about when they’ve split. The president will win this election, I tell you that.”

Prominent activist and politician Aisha Yesufu has voiced strong disapproval of how the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) managed the process for selecting its senatorial candidate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). During a meeting with party officials, she criticized the handling of the selection and the explanations given for her failure to secure the ticket.

Yesufu pointed out that party leaders had previously promised to hold consultations and engage with stakeholders, and she stressed that such promises should have been kept. She noted that she was recently told her late entry into the party was a factor, which she found unreasonable.

“I was told recently that I came in late to this party. Who does that? I have endured a lot in the last few days. My name has been dragged all over,” she said. The activist clarified that she was not demanding preferential treatment, but rather a transparent process where all aspirants have an equal chance.

“I am not even asking for a level playing ground, I am asking for a ground,” she declared. Yesufu added that she would have accepted defeat if the process had been fair. “I am ready to accept that I lost. If I lost fairly, I am ready to accept that I lost.” She also mentioned that she had avoided public responses to criticism because she is focused on a larger goal.

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Zamfara State, Mahdi Aliyu Muhammad, has dismissed rumors that he has stepped down from the 2027 election race.

According to a statement released by his press secretary, Salisu Mohammed Mada, the campaign team labelled the viral story as baseless and deceptive, accusing its proponents of trying to sow discord among party members and the general public.

The statement reaffirmed that Muhammad remains the legitimate candidate of the ADC in Zamfara, having won the party’s primary election fair and square.

Mahdi Aliyu Muhammad has not quit the contest, nor has he authorized anyone to make such an announcement on his behalf, the campaign insisted.

The team called on party loyalists, stakeholders, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the public to ignore the false reports.

Furthermore, the campaign condemned the spread of what it termed misinformation, warning that such actions could trigger avoidable political unrest and undermine democratic processes.

It reiterated Muhammad’s unwavering determination to participate in the 2027 governorship election and to advance his developmental vision for Zamfara State.

A coalition of stakeholders from opposition parties in Gombe State has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The group, which includes members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Labour Party (LP), announced their decision to back President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and support Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna’s gubernatorial ambition for the 2027 elections.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Prof. Sulaiman Dankande, Nura Abba, Abdullah Amtai, Dedan Mela, and Murtala Usman Dukku stated that their move followed a critical assessment of their former parties’ primary elections. They expressed confidence in the APC’s leadership and direction.

The defectors were formally welcomed into the APC by the party chairman in Gombe Local Government Area, Idris Saleh, who issued them membership cards.

In a separate development, the former National Youth Leader of the APC, Sadiq Abubakar, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Gombe State. Abubakar secured the ticket after winning the party’s governorship primary. He had earlier resigned from the APC, citing economic difficulties and dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s policies. He noted that his switch to the NDC was driven by a desire to join a platform that guarantees transparent and credible primaries, adding that the move offers him an opportunity to pursue his political goals and serve the people of Gombe State.

A prominent political analyst and All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Dr. George Agbakahi, has strongly opposed suggestions by Professor Pat Utomi for political parties and private organizations to establish alternative systems for declaring election results. Agbakahi warns that such moves could threaten Nigeria’s constitutional order, incite political turmoil, and endanger national security.

In a detailed response to Utomi’s proposals, Agbakahi emphasized that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) holds the constitutional mandate to verify and announce election outcomes. He made this clear in a statement titled “Competing Electoral Verdicts and the Threat to Democratic Stability in Nigeria: The Perils of Parallel Result Declarations in Nigeria.”

Agbakahi, who leads the Tinubu Support Organization in the South-East, argued that democratic legitimacy depends on a single lawful authority to decide election results. He stressed that Nigeria’s Constitution and Electoral Act explicitly grant INEC this exclusive responsibility, and that electoral outcomes only gain legal force when declared through established procedures.

According to the APC chieftain, the existing electoral framework provides a clear chain for result collation and declaration, from polling units to the national level, all under INEC’s oversight. The law does not authorize any parallel entity to perform similar functions.

Agbakahi acknowledged that political parties play a vital role in monitoring elections and have broad access to data through accredited agents. However, he maintained that access to information does not confer the right to declare winners. While parties can collect and analyze results for verification and legal challenges, the authority to announce victories remains solely with INEC.

He further noted that if parties believe official results are flawed, the Constitution provides for redress through election petition tribunals and courts. Democratic governance requires using judicial remedies rather than resorting to self-help measures.

Agbakahi also dismissed arguments that parallel declarations could be justified under freedom of expression, noting that fundamental rights are subject to restrictions for public safety and order.

Expressing deep concern about proposals for independent result aggregation systems, Agbakahi argued that such systems, though presented as tools for transparency, could create competing centers of legitimacy. In an era of AI and deepfakes, multiple declarations could fragment the electoral landscape into conflicting narratives.

Drawing parallels with the judiciary, he said that just as private courts cannot issue binding judgments, political parties cannot set up alternative institutions to declare results. Multiple claims of victory often spark legitimacy crises, unrest, institutional breakdown, and economic instability.

Citing historical examples, Agbakahi referenced the Western Region crisis of 1964–1965, which contributed to the First Republic’s collapse and the 1966 military coup. He also mentioned the June 12, 1993 election annulment, which caused prolonged instability, and the 2011 post-election violence that left over 800 dead and thousands displaced.

He also pointed to African examples such as Kenya’s 2007–2008 violence, Côte d’Ivoire’s 2010–2011 crisis, and Zimbabwe’s disputed 2008 elections, arguing that fragmented electoral legitimacy often leads to severe consequences. Given Nigeria’s size and diversity, similar events could be especially devastating.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Agbakahi warned that growing polarization, declining trust, economic hardship, and rapid digital information spread could amplify dangers. Partisan result platforms might encourage premature mobilization, deepen distrust, and create narratives that resist constitutional resolution, harming investor confidence and stability.

He urged strict enforcement of laws against unauthorized result announcements and called on INEC to enhance transparency through real-time publication of polling unit results online. He also proposed legislative clarification to address technological challenges while balancing expression with public order.

Agbakahi appealed to media organizations to clearly distinguish between official declarations and partisan tallies to avoid inflaming tensions. He concluded that Nigeria’s democratic future hinges not only on credible elections but also on preserving the integrity of institutions constitutionally empowered to validate outcomes. “The choice confronting the nation is not between transparency and opacity; it is between constitutional order and institutional fragmentation. In a constitutional democracy, electoral sovereignty must remain singular, lawful, and institutional,” he stated.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down death sentences to four individuals found guilty of orchestrating the 2022 attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed 43 lives. The convicted terrorists—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris—were condemned to hang for their roles in the massacre. A fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was acquitted of all charges and released.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, ruled that the four guilty parties were involved in planning and executing the assault. The court established that they had joined the proscribed Al-Shabab terrorist group in 2021 and held meetings at Government High School in Ogaminana, Kogi State, where the attack was conceived. Later, the final preparations were completed near Owo in Ondo State.

The judge determined that the Department of State Services (DSS) provided conclusive evidence, including testimonies from 11 witnesses and 23 exhibits, such as confessional statements made by the convicts during interrogation. The court dismissed claims that these statements were coerced, noting that signatures and thumbprints on the documents confirmed their voluntary nature.

Beyond the death penalty for the most serious counts related to detonating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that killed worshippers, the convicts also received life imprisonment for count one and 20-year sentences for counts two and three. The judge ordered that they be hanged by the neck until dead.

Meanwhile, Momoh Otuho Abubakar was found innocent across all nine charges and was discharged. The charges included joining a terrorist organization, planning and carrying out the attack, possessing illegal weapons, and causing mass casualties. Specifically, the indictment detailed that the defendants, with others at large, used IEDs and AK-47 rifles to attack the church on June 5, 2022, resulting in 43 deaths and injuries to 163 others.

In a ceremony held at the Old Banquet Hall of the State Government House on Tuesday, Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia officially swore in Justice Christine Ende as a judge of the Benue State High Court. The appointment marks a key step in bolstering the state’s judiciary.

Governor Alia described the event as a notable achievement for justice delivery in the region. He highlighted Justice Ende’s extensive career spanning more than three decades, which includes roles at African Bank Plc, the National Human Rights Commission, and as Deputy Chief Registrar and Admiralty Marshal of the Federal High Court. According to the governor, this wealth of experience demonstrates her readiness for the bench.

The swearing-in raises the total number of judges in Benue State from 32 to 33, while the count of female judges increases from 13 to 14. Governor Alia noted that this reflects his administration’s dedication to inclusivity, equal opportunities, and the promotion of women in leadership roles. He emphasized that sustainable development hinges on giving women a fair chance to contribute their skills to nation-building.

During the ceremony, the governor urged Justice Ende to uphold the Constitution and perform her duties with integrity, independence, courage, and fairness. He reminded her that the judiciary serves as the last hope for the ordinary citizen.

In a statement released by Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Alia expressed gratitude to the National Judicial Council, the Judicial Service Commission, and the Benue State Judiciary leadership for their roles in the appointment. He also assured the judiciary of continued government support to strengthen justice delivery and the rule of law. The governor congratulated Justice Ende on her elevation and wished her a successful and impactful career on the bench.

Anambra state is bracing for a potential shutdown of government operations as labor unions prepare to launch a strike in response to what they call unjustified reductions in workers’ salaries. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) are set to convene in Awka on Thursday to decide on next steps.

Civil servants in the state have been enduring significant monthly deductions, with some losing as much as N41,000 to N48,000 from their paychecks, while others face cuts between N25,000 and N40,000. Workers revealed that the deductions began after Governor Chukwuma Soludo imposed sanctions on employees for participating in Monday sit-at-home protests, leading to suspensions of up to six months without pay.

Despite adhering to stricter attendance monitoring, especially on Mondays, workers say their salaries continue to shrink without clear explanations. One employee lamented, “We come to work regularly, yet our pay keeps getting slashed. We’re left with as little as N22,000 a month—impossible for a family to survive on in this economy.”

The situation has fueled widespread anger, compounded by Nigeria’s rising inflation, high transportation costs, and escalating household expenses. Labor leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration that a meeting with the governor on May Day yielded no results. “We discussed the issue, but nothing changed. Workers are suffering, and we can’t remain silent anymore,” one leader stated.

Thursday’s meeting is expected to finalize the strike strategy, with labor leaders vowing to make their voices heard. “The world will know what’s happening after our meeting,” a union official warned.