The National Chairman of the opposition Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prof. Sodiq Gombe, has linked Nigeria’s major problem to poor leadership ahead of the 2027 general election.

Gombe made the statement on Tuesday.

He said the majority of leaders in the National Assembly, the Executive, and the Judiciary have major character flaws, which is why illiterates occupy leadership positions in Nigeria.

According to him, the 2027 general election presents Nigeria’s youthful population with an opportunity to rescue the country.

Gombe urged Nigerian youths to rewrite the country’s history for the better by using their voting power.

“The youths can make a difference in the coming 2027 general elections.

“Leadership is our major problem in this country. When you don’t get it right at the level of leadership, you are not going to get it right at any level or in any sphere of human endeavour,” he stated.

The Action Peoples Party, APP, in Imo State, has hailed the court of appeal’s ruling on the restoration of opposition parties’ participation in the 2027 general elections, describing it as a victory for democracy in Nigeria.

The party applauded the Appeal court judgment setting aside a Federal High Court ruling that ordered the deregistration of the APP and four other political parties.

In a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday in Owerri by the State Publicity Secretary, Steve Nnadi, the party described the unanimous decision of the appellate court as a triumph for democracy, constitutional order, the rule of law, and Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.

According to the statement, the judgment has reaffirmed the independence of the judiciary and restored public confidence in the nation’s democratic institutions. 

The party commended the Justices of the Court of Appeal for their courage, impartiality, and unwavering commitment to justice by declaring the earlier judgment a nullity and restoring the legal status of the affected political parties.

The party called on all its members across the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State to remain united, focused, disciplined, and committed to the collective responsibility of building a stronger and more formidable political platform.

It urged party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilisation, expand membership, promote voter education, and strengthen the party’s structures in readiness for the elections.

The leadership also appealed to the people of Imo State to remain steadfast in their confidence, belief, and continued support for the Action Peoples Party, APP.

It assured the electorate that the APP remains committed to providing purposeful leadership, promoting good governance, ensuring accountability, and delivering people-centred policies that will enhance sustainable development across the state and Nigeria.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging the emergence of Abubakar Malami, SAN, as the African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship candidate in Kebbi state.

In its judgment on Tuesday, Justice M. G. Umar held that the plaintiff, Abdulrazak Isa Iko, failed to prove that he participated in the party’s primary election and therefore lacked the legal standing to challenge the process.

The court consequently dismissed the suit in its entirety, leaving Malami’s candidacy intact.

The ruling removes a key legal challenge and clears the way for the ADC candidate to focus on the political contest ahead.

Having resolved the threshold issue against the plaintiff, Justice Umar held that the action was devoid of merit and substance and accordingly dismissed the suit in its entirety.

With the dismissal, Malami’s candidacy remains intact, while the Court’s decision reinforces the long-established legal principle that only a person with the requisite legal standing can competently challenge the conduct of a party primary.