Politics
ADC deregistration: ‘Judgement represents dangerous tactics by Tinubu’s administration’ – Atiku
Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned in the strongest terms the judgement seeking to deregister the ADC and several other opposition political parties, describing it as a dangerous assault on constitutional democracy and further evidence of a coordinated effort to eliminate political opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the ruling should alarm every Nigerian who believes in democracy, political pluralism, and the rule of law.
He noted that the judgement was particularly troubling because it was delivered in the face of a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal which had expressly stayed further proceedings in the matter pending the determination of an appeal.
“The judgement represents a dangerous escalation of authoritarian tactics and a blatant assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
“What makes the situation even more disturbing is that this judgement was purportedly delivered despite a clear and subsisting order of the Court of Appeal. On May 22, 2026, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, granted an application staying further proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 pending the hearing and determination of the appeal before it.
“The implication of that order is not ambiguous. A stay of proceedings means precisely what it says. It freezes every further step in the matter, including the delivery of judgement. Any action taken contrary to that order raises serious questions about respect for the hierarchy of courts and fidelity to the rule of law.
“This latest judgement therefore does not merely contradict a subsisting appellate order; it strikes at the very foundation of legal certainty and constitutional governance. If court orders can be treated as optional whenever they become inconvenient to those in power, then the rule of law itself is in grave danger.”
Atiku said the judgement fits into an increasingly obvious pattern of political persecution and institutional manipulation aimed at weakening opposition parties before the next election cycle.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that the Tinubu administration is singularly focused on eliminating major political opponents ahead of 2027.
“Rather than confronting the mounting crises facing the nation—rampant insecurity, economic hardship, rising poverty, unemployment, and the declining purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians—the government appears consumed by a desperate quest to neutralise every viable opposition platform.
“This is not governance. It is political elimination by other means.
“The Nigerian people can see what is happening. Opposition parties are being targeted. Democratic institutions are being pressured. State power is increasingly being deployed not for national development but for political survival.”
The former vice president urged members of the ADC and supporters of democratic governance across the country not to be discouraged by the ruling.
“We wish to reassure all members of the ADC, our supporters, and all Nigerians who believe in democratic competition that we will not be intimidated by these desperate manoeuvres.
“The battle before us transcends political parties. It is a battle for the soul of Nigerian democracy. It is a battle between those who believe in freedom of choice and those who seek to impose political uniformity through intimidation and institutional capture.
“We shall continue to pursue all lawful and constitutional avenues to defend our party, protect democratic freedoms, and preserve the multiparty system which remains the cornerstone of our constitutional order.
“We call on the judiciary, civil society organisations, the media, and all patriotic Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist every attempt to subvert democratic institutions for partisan advantage.
“Nigeria’s democracy was not won cheaply. It must not be surrendered cheaply.”
Atiku stressed that no amount of political desperation can override the Constitution, extinguish the opposition, or silence the democratic aspirations of millions of Nigerians who desire change.
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The Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche has urged members of the Board and Management of the Commission to uphold the highest standards of accountability, prudence, transparency, integrity, and professionalism in managing the newly established regional development agency.
Speaking at the Fourth Regular Meeting of the Governing Board of the Commission in Abuja, last week, Nwuche, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasised the importance of teamwork, collective responsibility, institutional loyalty, adherence to due process, and strict compliance with the Commission’s Establishing Act and with extant government regulations and guidelines.
He advised members of the Board and Management to remain focused on the Commission’s mandate and to avoid actions that could undermine its credibility or erode public confidence.
“We must not do anything that would bring ridicule to this Commission, embarrassment to our region, or disappointment to those who entrusted us with this important national responsibility. We must distinguish ourselves by the quality of our conduct and the standards we uphold in managing the affairs of this Commission. We must also ensure that personal interests and egos do not hinder us from fulfilling the mandate entrusted to us by Mr. President and the people of the South-South region,” he said.
The SSDC Chairman stressed that no single individual possesses all the knowledge, experience, or expertise required to achieve the Commission’s ambitious development objectives.
“None of us, not myself as Chairman, the Managing Director, the Executive Directors, nor any member of the Board, possesses all that is required to achieve the lofty goals for which this Commission was created.
“The mandate entrusted to us under the Establishing Act is broad, strategic, and significant. It seeks to accelerate the socio-economic development of the South-South region through investments in critical sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, energy, waterways, agriculture, industry, environmental remediation, and other key areas provided for in the Act.
“To achieve these objectives, we must remain open-minded, collaborative, and receptive to constructive ideas and contributions from every member of the Board and Management,” he stressed.
The former lawmaker commended members of the Board, the Managing Director, and the Management Team for their efforts in laying the foundation for the Commission’s operations despite the challenges encountered since their inauguration.
While acknowledging receipt of overhead funds and noting that capital allocations are still undergoing the necessary budgetary processes, he urged Management to be proactive and expedite the development of quick-win, medium-term, and long-term project blueprints to ensure immediate implementation once the required funds are released.
Nwuche further reminded members that although President Bola Tinubu announced their appointments on May 8 2025 and subsequently transmitted their names to the Senate for confirmation, which was granted on June 26 2025, the Commission legally came into existence on March 25 2025 when the President assented to the South-South Development Commission Bill.
He noted that this means the Commission has technically been in existence for over a year, with less than three years remaining in the current Board’s statutory tenure.
He continued: “This reality underscores the urgency of our mission and the importance of pursuing our mandate with focus, discipline, diligence, and a strong sense of responsibility. The people of the South-South region expect tangible results, and rightly so.
“We owe our people and the nation a Commission that is focused, disciplined, transparent, innovative, accountable, and results-oriented.”
In attendance at the meeting were the following board members and executive management team: Ms Usoro Akpabio – Managing Director/CEO; Barrister Femi Oise Agge -member/acting secretary; Dr Nkereuwem Enong – member; Alhaji Yusuf Rassq Amao – member; and Engr. Chika Chinda – member.
Others are Charles Zuofa – member; Joseph Mmamel – member; Tabitha IIiya Sallah – member; Hon.Bukonla Braimoh – member; Rt. Hon. Larry Odey – member; Dr. Charles Sylvester Emukowhate – member; Amb. Sony Abang – ED Finance; Hon. Marcus Nle Eji – ED Projects; Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye – ED Corporate Services; Hon. Joseph Ugheoke – ED Commercial & Environmental Department; and Engr. Aganaba Preye Steven – ED Social & Human Capital Development.
The post SSDC Devt mandate: Nwuche tasks board members on accountability, teamwork appeared first on Vanguard News.
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Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has revealed the mystery behind his sack as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Speaking during an interview on AIT, Oshiomole said he was sacked through zoom at the Aso Rock Villa.
He stated that he it was through his competence and expertise that made later President Muhammadu Buhari won the 2015 presidential election.
“I led my party to victory under Buhari. With my colleague in the National Working Committee, NWC, we were able to fix the leadership tussle of the National Assembly, both the Senate and the House Representatives effortlessly.
“Our president didn’t have to run around the country to talk to people. We did the marketing, explanation, persuasion and all the tools available to manage democracy.
“Once the system got stabilized, I was sacked through a Zoom, and when people couldn’t get me removed democratically, they claimed that eight members of my Ward signed a petition that they passed a vote of no confidence on me.
“And on that basis they took the matter to the court, which granted their interim order. I appealed the order. The Court of Appeal quashed it. Three weeks later, the Court of Appeal called us back and restated the order. A few days later, I saw for the first time a National Executive Council, NEC, held by Zoom in the villa,” he said.
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A frontline lawyer and member of the African Democratic Congress, ADC legal team, Kalu Kalu, has described Justice Peter Lifu’s order to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to de-register the party and four others as a useless ruling.
He said that the Monday, June 15 ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja was deeply flawed.
Speaking on Arise News, Kalu noted that the actions of Justice Lifu, have come under scrutiny following a Court of Appeal ruling staying proceedings at the Federal High Court.
He pointed out that the decisions of the Court of Appeal are binding on lower courts but despite the order being brought to Justice Lifu’s attention he went ahead to deliver the ruling.
“This is a very useless judgment. Very, very useless judgment. Even a university student, a law university student, will tell you that once a Court of Appeal gives any judgment or ruling, that the lower court is bound by that ruling,” he said.
He continued, “I mean, ordinary law students in the university, let alone a senior judge. The Court of Appeal gave a ruling staying proceedings at the Federal High Court, and it’s not as if that the ruling was not brought to the attention of my Lord Honorable Justice Peter Lifu. It was brought to his attention.
“Let me now please let Nigerians know how the genesis of this matter. The plaintiff in this matter filed this action in December last year in the name of name of National Forum of Former Legislators, which is a non-juristic personality.
“When they now realized that the name it used in suing the defendants was not a juristic person, on their own volition, without the order of court, amended the process and then changed the jurisdiction personality of the plaintiff and then added the ‘incorporated trustees’ without the order of court.
“By the initial process filed in December, Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, was not even a party, Accord was not even a party. On their own volution, without the order of the court, added this other defendants in the matter. When it was now challenged, Justice Lifu resurrected a dead matter and granted their the application for amendment. It was that order that the plaintiff should now amend their process that triggered the appeal.
“When the appeal was pending. When the appeal entered, we came back to Justice Lifu for stay of proceedings in his court he dismissed all applications as the Court of Appeal in our favor, ordered Justice Lifu to stay further proceedings in the matter, and the order was served on him. The order was brought before him. He acknowledged service of the order on the court. He went ahead, disregarding the order of the court of appeal.”
DAILY POST recalls that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday ordered INEC, to immediately deregister the ADC, Accord Party and others from participating in the 2027 general elections.
Notedly, the case, filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, sought the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.
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