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Ex-Attorney General, Ochinke faults INEC over ADC leadership

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A ruling party chieftain and former Attorney General of Cross River State, Attah Ochinke, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as a misreading of a court order in its decision to de-recognise the David Mark-led leadership of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Ochinke, a former Nigerian Bar Association chairman in Cross River State, expressed disappointment with INEC’s handling of the matter, insisting that the commission’s interpretation of the subsisting court directive was legally flawed.

Speaking in an interview, the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, said the court order was explicit in directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He explained that one of the factions within the ADC had approached the court seeking to restrain the executive committee led by Mark from functioning.

According to him, rather than grant the request, the court directed all parties to revert to and maintain the existing leadership structure until the case is fully heard.

“In practical terms, maintaining the status quo meant retaining the David Mark-led leadership,” Ochinke argued.

He, however, faulted INEC for what he described as a misapplication of the order, saying the commission effectively created a vacuum by stripping the party of leadership.

“You cannot remove an existing leadership and claim to be preserving the status quo when, at no time, the party was without leadership,” he said.

Ochinke also took a swipe at the INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, noting that his legal background raised expectations of a more precise interpretation of the court ruling.

“I am surprised because the INEC chairman is a respected Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria. One would expect him to properly interpret such a directive,” he said.

He warned that the commission’s decision could further erode public confidence, adding that it reinforces existing concerns about INEC’s credibility.

On the way forward, Ochinke advised the ADC to seek judicial clarification of the court order rather than pursue an appeal, which he said could be time-consuming.

While expressing his desire for the APC to win future elections, he stressed the need for credible electoral processes, dismissing claims that the ruling party was behind internal crises in opposition parties.

“There is no evidence to support such allegations. The actors involved in the crises within the PDP, ADC and Labour Party are all members of those parties,” he said.




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2027: Ex-Bauchi SSG, Kashim emerges NDC governorship candidate

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Former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the National Democratic Congress for the 2027 general elections through a consensus arrangement.

The Chairman of the electoral committee for the Bauchi State governorship primary election, Paul Daniel, announced Kashim’s emergence on Friday in Bauchi.

Daniel said the decision followed consultations among party stakeholders and other aspirants, noting that the consensus process reflected unity within the party.

“With this development, Ibrahim Kashim has officially become the NDC governorship candidate for Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.

The Bauchi State Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Maigari, said the NDC was gaining wider acceptance across the state and described the party as one of the few political platforms without internal disputes.

Maigari expressed confidence in Kashim’s ability to address the socio-economic challenges facing the state, describing him as an experienced politician.

In his acceptance speech, Kashim thanked party leaders, delegates and supporters for the confidence reposed in him.

He pledged to pursue policies focused on education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, infrastructure and transparent governance if elected governor.

Kashim also called on residents and party members to support the party’s vision ahead of the 2027 elections.




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PDP accuses Wike of attempt to shut down venue for Jonathan ratification

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of attempting to halt its planned event in Abuja, where former President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to be affirmed as the party’s presidential candidate.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party said the management of A Class Event Centre informed it that pressure was being mounted on the venue to stop the gathering from taking place.

The PDP said it had already paid for the venue and fulfilled all conditions required for the programme.

The party also said security agencies had been notified of the convention scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Wuse 2, Abuja.

According to the statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP has instructed its lawyers to remind the event centre of the subsisting agreement signed with the party.

The party insisted that the convention would proceed despite what it described as intimidation.

“We are certain that Nigeria is a country governed by law, and any attempt to use force to suppress political dissent and opposition is an aberration which must be resisted by all people of good conscience,” the statement read.

The PDP also argued that the FCT minister lacks constitutional authority to determine which political meetings may be held in Abuja or where they should take place.

It described any attempt to stop the event as undemocratic and urged its leaders and members nationwide to attend as planned.

DAILY POST had earlier reported that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) directed owners of hotels, event centres and public facilities in Abuja to deal only with political party leadership recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The administration also warned that properties used by what it described as illegal organisations could risk losing their land titles.

The directive was contained in a statement by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Wike.

According to the statement, the policy is intended to improve security in Abuja and prevent public facilities from being used for activities that could threaten public peace.




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We don’t intend to cause crisis in APC – North-Central Forum apologizes to National Chair, Yilwatda

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The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum has stated that it does not intend to foment crisis in the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Forum made the declaration while withdrawing an ultimatum issued to APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda.

The Forum had in the ultimatum asked Yilwatda to resign in two weeks or face court action, over alleged irregularities recorded in the conduct of the APC primaries.

However, the Forum withdrew the ultimatum, and tendered apologies to Yilwatda, in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, late on Thursday.

The North-Central APC Forum, in the follow up statement, disclosed that the ultimatum was informed by wrong information and a misunderstanding of prevailing issues in the party.

Withdrawing the ultimatum, the Forum pledged its commitment to harmony, peace and progress in the ruling party.

The Forum equally suggested that enemies of the party might have tried to influence its earlier position on the conduct of the APC primaries.

“The North-Central APC Forum, as a body of well-meaning stakeholders of our great party in the North-Central zone, has always been committed to the development and progress of the party.

“Our call for the resignation of the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, was based on misinformation and a misunderstanding of the true situation. Having become aware of the true facts, we hereby withdraw the ultimatum and extend unreserved apologies to the national chairman and other leaders of the APC.

“The North-Central APC Forum has no intention of instigating a crisis or being an agent for the destabilization of the APC.

“We were not well informed in our previous pronouncements on issues concerning the APC primaries. We have no choice than to withdraw the ultimatum and apologize for the tensions  raised by our previous position, now that we are privy to the true state of affairs,” the statement added.

The Forum urged all members of the APC to support and work with the Yilwatda-led National Working Committee, NWC, to deliver victory for the party and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The North-Central APC Forum in the same vein restated its pledge to deliver six million votes to Tinubu from the zone in the 2027 presidential poll.




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