A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and all parties involved in a dispute over the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidacy for the Jos North North Constituency seat in the Plateau State House of Assembly to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim, while ruling on an ex parte application, restrained Abdulkadir Hassan from presenting himself as the APC candidate or taking any further steps related to the disputed nomination until the matter is resolved.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1618/2026, was filed by Adamu Aliyu against the APC, Hassan and INEC. The court directed all parties to preserve the existing situation pending the final determination of the case.

According to the ruling, “all parties in this suit shall maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the final determination of the substantive suit.”

Aliyu had asked the court to stop INEC from recognising or accepting any action by the APC to nominate, screen, clear, list or publish Hassan’s name as the party’s candidate for the constituency election.

He also sought an order preventing Hassan from parading himself or campaigning as the APC candidate pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

After reviewing the 53-paragraph affidavit, supporting exhibits and arguments presented by Aliyu’s counsel, M.B. Abdullahi, Justice Ibrahim granted the alternative relief and fixed August 24, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised what he described as growing attacks on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, and its members, warning that the country is becoming increasingly intolerant of truth and constructive criticism.

Obi made the remarks in a statement shared on his official social media page while reacting to recent criticisms directed at the Catholic Church following its comments on Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

According to the former Anambra State governor, the Catholic Church has consistently served as the conscience of the nation rather than functioning as an opposition group, noting that the CBCN has, over the years, commended governments when necessary and spoken out whenever national interest demanded it.

“The Catholic Church has never functioned as an opposition party in Nigeria. Across military regimes and successive democratic administrations, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has maintained a principled voice on national issues and the nation’s conscience,” Obi said.

He argued that other major religious organisations, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, SCSN, had also repeatedly expressed concerns over insecurity, poverty, inflation and unemployment because they witness the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.

Obi maintained that leaders should embrace honest criticism rather than attack those drawing attention to the country’s challenges.

“As leaders, we should be gracious enough to listen to people and organisations that speak the truth to us and genuinely criticise us when things are not going in the right direction,” he stated.

Drawing from his experience as governor of Anambra State, Obi said constructive criticism from traditional rulers and religious leaders contributed significantly to the success of his administration, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.

The presidential candidate also condemned what he described as attacks on Cardinal John Onaiyekan following the bishops’ comments, insisting that respected religious leaders should not be vilified for expressing concerns over national issues.

He recalled that even during the military era, Pope John Paul II openly challenged the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, over the detention of Chief Moshood Abiola without facing personal attacks.

Obi further accused political leaders of exploiting religion and ethnicity to divert attention from issues affecting Nigerians, arguing that insecurity, inflation, unemployment and economic hardship cut across religious and ethnic lines.

“The bishops merely expressed what millions of Nigerians experience daily: insecurity has worsened, poverty is deepening, inflation is crippling families, businesses are struggling, and hope is fading,” he said.

He argued that rather than responding to those concerns with personal attacks, the government should focus on addressing the issues raised and reassuring Nigerians about efforts being made to improve their welfare.

“As leaders, we should be gracious enough to listen to people and organisations that speak the truth to us,” Obi said.

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State took a new twist on Wednesday when elders of the party disclosed that they were not aware of the reconciliation move of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ahead of the 2027 general election.

The elders under the aegis of PBAT mandate forum, alleged that the governor is not sincere on reconciling all members of APC in the state.

The Chairman of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, Demola Ijabiyi, maintained that the commitment of the governor towards the reelection of President Bola Tinubu is in doubt due to what he described as his approach towards mobilising support for Tinubu and other candidates

He said “We have carefully observed the Governor’s various attempts to mobilise support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Unfortunately, these efforts have amounted largely to announcements without corresponding political impact.

“He has unveiled several support groups with considerable fanfare, only for them to fizzle out almost immediately after their launch. His Governor’s Advisory Council has remained largely dormant and ineffective, while his visible public engagement and leadership on the forthcoming elections have been strikingly inadequate.

“At a time when strong coordination, sustained grassroots mobilisation and energetic political leadership are required, the level of commitment and effectiveness demonstrated so far by him has fallen far short of expectations.

“Furthermore, it is no secret that the Governor is dissatisfied with the non-emergence of many of his preferred candidates for the National Assembly and with the reduction of his influence in the emergence of some State House of Assembly candidates.

“Recently, many party faithful were disturbed by reports and photographs showing the Governor hosting a prominent opposition senatorial candidate and allowing such images to enter the public domain.”