Politics

Court hears fresh applications in suit seeking to deregister ADC, Accord, others

Published

3 weeks ago

May 11, 2026

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday heard fresh arguments in the suit seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and other political parties, with defendants asking the court to stay proceedings pending the determination of an appeal before the Court of Appeal.

Justice Peter Lifu subsequently adjourned the matter to May 18, 2026, after hearing applications for stay of proceedings and joinder.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the Independent National Electoral Commission and several political parties.

At the proceedings, counsel for the sixth defendant (Accord), Musibau Adetunbi SAN, urged the court to suspend further hearing in the matter, arguing that an application relating to the proceedings had already been filed before the Court of Appeal.

Adetunbi, who cited Supreme Court authorities, argued that a lower court could not continue to entertain arguments on issues already pending before a higher court.

Counsel for the third defendant, the African Democratic Congress, Shuaib Enejo Aruwa SAN, counsel for the fourth defendant (Action Alliance), Peter Abang; counsel for the fifth defendant (Action Peoples Party); and counsel for the seventh defendant (Zenith Labour Party), all aligned with the submissions seeking a stay of proceedings.

The defence lawyers collectively argued that it was settled law that the trial court should await the outcome of proceedings at the appellate court before taking further steps in the matter.

They maintained that proceeding with the suit while an appeal was pending could prejudice the issues already submitted before the Court of Appeal.

Counsel for the APP further informed the court that an affidavit of facts had already been filed before the appellate court on May 7, 2026, and served on parties, adding that no counter-affidavit had been filed against the processes.

Abang, however, raised an additional argument on jurisdiction, contending that the fourth defendant had earlier challenged the competence of the suit and that the court should not proceed in a manner capable of pre-empting the appellate court’s decision on the issue.

Aruwa (ADC) also argued that the Court of Appeal was active and could determine the appeal within a week.

Opposing the applications, counsel for the plaintiff, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, argued that the appeal before the appellate court was interlocutory and did not automatically deprive the trial court of jurisdiction to continue hearing the matter.

Ruba relied on a 1989 Supreme Court decision, insisting that there was no subsisting order from either the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal directing Justice Lifu to stay proceedings.

Counsel for the first defendant (INEC), Haliru Mohammed, told the court that he would align himself with the position of the law, while noting that the electoral body had already filed a counter-affidavit to the substantive suit.

Counsel for the AGF, O.A. Abdulraheem, did not take any position on the issue.

The court also entertained several applications for joinder filed by politicians seeking to be made defendants in the suit.

Counsel for an applicant seeking to be joined as the eighth defendant, M.E. Sherriff, urged the court to grant the application filed on behalf of a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Sani Yakubu Noma.

Sherriff argued that his client, being a member of the ADC, would be directly affected if the party was deregistered.

Another applicant seeking to be joined as the ninth defendant, Abayomi Oluwafemi, told the court through his counsel, that he intended to contest the Ogun State governorship election on the platform of the ADC, and would therefore be adversely affected if the party was deregistered.

The sixth defendant also moved separate applications seeking the joinder of two governorship candidates of the Accord Party in Osun and Ekiti states, as the 10th and 11th defendants.

Responding, counsel for the plaintiff opposed all the joinder applications, arguing that the applicants were not necessary parties since no reliefs were being sought against them.

The plaintiff further contended that one of the applicants had admitted in his affidavit that he belonged to the Labour Party, which was not a defendant in the suit.

He urged the court to dismiss the applications and award N50 million costs.

Counsel for the applicants, however, argued that parties likely to be adversely affected by the outcome of a suit were entitled to be joined under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to May 18, 2026, for ruling and adoption of all processes for final determination.

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Politics

2027: Jigawa firmly under our control – APC strengthens structure

Published

6 minutes ago

June 3, 2026

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Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress, APC, said it has put in measures to strengthen its structures to ensure a landslide victory in Jigawa State.

The party said that in achieving this, it has opened new ward offices in Garki and also received scores of defectors from the other political parties.

Garki Council Chairman, Adamu Hudu Kore, who spoke to journalists on Wednesday, stated that the party’s secretariat has already been commissioned in preparation for the elections.

Garki LGA comprises 11 wards, and Kore said every ward would have its own secretariat.

Speaking with journalists, the chairman said two ward offices will be unveiled each month until the exercise is completed across the local government.

He said the offices would serve as hubs for party activities and community engagement within the wards, particularly for party members.

Kore said that Garki belongs to the APC, and that Jigawa remains firmly within the party’s control.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and providing platforms for political participation at the grassroots.

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Politics

2027: Aisha Yesufu rallies support for Peter Obi, Kwankwaso

Published

3 hours ago

June 3, 2026

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Activist and political leader, Aisha Yesufu, has charged her supporters, known as ‘Supporters of Aisha Yesufu’ (SAY Nation), to back presidential candidates of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, ADC, in the forthcoming 2027 election, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Yesufu gave the charge in Abuja on Wednesday at the conclusion of a strategic outreach to Bwari, AMAC, Kuje, Kwali, Abaji and Gwagwalada area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

During the outreach, Yesufu, who had expressed interest in the NDC FCT senatorial ticket, met with party members, stakeholders and supporters to express appreciation for their support and commitment to her political aspiration.

The activist noted that the engagement formed part of her ongoing consultations across the FCT following recent developments within the party that denied her the opportunity to participate in the contest for the FCT Senatorial District ticket.

Speaking during the outreach, Yesufu expressed appreciation for the loyalty, sacrifices and commitment demonstrated by party executives, stakeholders and supporters throughout her political journey.

She, in the same vein, acknowledged the disappointment and frustration felt by her supporters over the outcome of the NDC internal processes but urged them “not to lose faith in the collective struggle for a better Nigeria”.

According to her, “the outreach was designed not only to thank supporters for their unwavering dedication but also to encourage them to remain focused on the broader national objective of securing a prosperous and inclusive future for Nigerians”.

The activist called on supporters across the FCT to channel their energy towards strengthening grassroots mobilisation and sustaining the momentum for political change.

“The quest for good governance transcends individual political ambitions,” she declared.

Yesufu charged members of ‘SAY Nation’ and other supporters of the ADC to “remain united, resilient, and committed to the larger vision of delivering transformative leadership for Nigeria, particularly in support of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso”.

She expressed confidence that Nigeria’s future remains bright.

According to her, “collective action, perseverance, and faith would ultimately pave the way for the emergence of a better nation”.

“Nigeria will be OK,” she assured supporters.

Supporters, during the outreach, expressed solidarity with Yesufu and reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of the political movement. They noted that the engagement provided reassurance and renewed hope despite recent political setbacks.

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Politics

I spend over N1m everyday in Abuja – Chidi Mike begs NDC to release primary election results

Published

3 hours ago

June 3, 2026

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Businessman seeking to represent Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe Federal Constituency, Imo State in the House of Representatives, Chidi Mike Anyanwu has called on the leadership of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC to release results of the recently concluded primary elections.

The party had, in a statement on Sunday, stated that the official outcome of the primaries conducted across the country on May 28 and 29 is yet to be released.

In a statement, NDC urged the public to disregard the results circulating on social media.

According to NDC, the results are still under the custody of the National Executive Council.

Reacting, Chidi in a video shared on Facebook on Wednesday, said he spends over a million naira everyday in Abuja while waiting for the results.

He said, “NDC, you people should please release the primary election results. I spend nothing less than one million naira here in Abuja everyday.

“That is not even the problem, the problem is the high blood pressure that comes with the anxiety about whether you won or lost.”

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