United States President Donald Trump has announced the cancellation of planned military strikes and bombings against Iran.

Trump cited progress in high-level discussions involving the Iranian leadership and several regional stakeholders.

In a statement posted on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said he ordered the cancellation of the scheduled military action after talks with the Islamic Republic of Iran reached the highest levels of leadership and received approval.

According to Trump, discussions and final terms of a proposed agreement have been approved in principle and in detail by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Egypt.

He added that a naval blockade against Iran would remain in place until the proposed agreement is formally finalized.

Trump also disclosed that the time and venue for the signing of the agreement would be announced shortly.

The US President wrote: “Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening.

“Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others. The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly.”

The African Alliance Party, AAP, has said that the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, has declared the party a legally registered political party in Nigeria.

National Chairman of the party, Rev. Peters Olusegun Iyaobaje, in a statement on Thursday, said the judgment was delivered in Appeal No. CA/MK/102/26, filed by the party against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, and the Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriarian-Anthony.

According to Iyaobaje, the appellate court held that AAP is deemed to be a duly registered political party by operation of law.

The statement explained, “The basis of the court’s decision was that INEC failed to challenge the party’s eligibility for registration within the constitutionally prescribed 90-day window available for the registration of political parties.

“The court found that INEC’s failure to act within that period foreclosed any objection to the party’s registration, thereby entitling AAP to be treated as a registered political party as a matter of constitutional right.

“Consequent upon its findings, the court directed INEC to issue and deliver a certificate of registration to the African Alliance Party without further delay. This order is binding on INEC and all its officers.

“This judgment reinforces the principle that constitutional timelines imposed on regulatory authorities are not merely directory but are mandatory in nature. INEC’s inaction within the prescribed period cannot be used as an instrument to deny eligible political associations their right to registration.”

The party said the decision is a significant affirmation of the rule of law and the integrity of Nigeria’s multiparty democratic framework ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The judgment is coming amid a suit seeking the deregistration of some Nigerian opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, says the party gave Peter Obi the presidential candidate without collecting a dime from him.

Speaking at an NDC stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, Dickson said the party also allowed Obi to pick his running mate without interference.

He wondered what Obi’s supporters, the Obidients, want from him and the party.

“We gave Obi the presidential ticket free of charge and allowed him to choose his vice presidential candidate without any interference from the party. What else do people want?

“I will have no issues giving the presidential nomination to them.  And like I said last night, nobody demanded money from them. Not me or the national chairman.

“At this point we should be working together to ensure victory at the polls come 2027, and I believe we can do it,” he said.