By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to transform Northern Nigeria if elected president, declaring that he possesses a deep understanding of the region’s challenges and is best positioned to lead efforts aimed at restoring security, fostering national unity and unlocking its economic potential.

Obi made the remarks while speaking during an interview, where he outlined his vision for the North as part of his broader agenda for national development ahead of the 2027 general election.

“I will change the North. I have an idea of what is happening in the North, and nobody can drive that process in Nigeria better than me. I will work with them and ensure the unity, security and prosperity they desire are achieved,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor stressed that Northern Nigeria remains central to the country’s political and economic stability, noting that lasting national progress cannot be achieved without addressing the region’s numerous challenges.

According to him, his administration would work closely with traditional rulers, community leaders, state governments, security agencies and the private sector to tackle insecurity, improve agricultural productivity, expand educational opportunities and create jobs for millions of young people across the region.

Obi said insecurity in many parts of the North has disrupted farming activities, displaced communities and weakened economic growth, insisting that restoring peace would be one of the first priorities of his administration.

He also emphasized the need for inclusive governance, arguing that every part of Nigeria deserves equal attention and development regardless of political or ethnic differences.

The presidential hopeful said his government would pursue policies aimed at rebuilding trust among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious groups while strengthening institutions responsible for maintaining peace and national cohesion.

Obi maintained that Northern Nigeria possesses enormous untapped potential in agriculture, livestock, solid minerals and renewable energy, adding that targeted investments in these sectors could significantly boost economic growth, increase exports and reduce unemployment.

He further pledged to improve infrastructure across the region through investments in roads, rail networks, electricity, irrigation systems and healthcare facilities to stimulate business activities and improve living standards.

The former governor reiterated his commitment to investing heavily in education, describing it as the most effective tool for reducing poverty, combating extremism and preparing young Nigerians for opportunities in a modern economy.

He said expanding access to quality education and vocational training would help equip youths with skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship while reducing social unrest.

Obi also promised to strengthen collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments to ensure development projects are tailored to the specific needs of communities across Northern Nigeria.

Political analysts say Obi’s comments are part of broader efforts by presidential hopefuls to strengthen their support in the North, which remains Nigeria’s largest voting bloc and is expected to play a decisive role in the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.

With campaigns gradually gathering momentum, issues such as insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, agriculture and infrastructure are expected to dominate political discourse, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where many communities continue to face significant socio-economic challenges.

Obi’s latest remarks reinforce his campaign message of building a more united, secure and productive Nigeria through economic reforms, institutional strengthening and inclusive governance, while assuring Northern leaders and residents that their aspirations would remain a priority under his proposed administration.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has, in a split two-to-one judgment, upheld the decision of the Federal High Court restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by committees appointed by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Okon Abang, the three-member panel held that there was no basis to overturn the April 29 judgment of the Federal High Court, which barred the Mark-led caretaker committee from conducting state congresses through committees it constituted.

The appellate court also affirmed the decision of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, which restrained the caretaker leadership from interfering with the tenure and functions of the party’s duly elected state executive committees.

The court ruled that, under the ADC Constitution, the responsibility for conducting state congresses lies with elected state executive committees and not the national leadership or any caretaker committee.

Justices Okon Abang and Donatus Okorowo formed the majority, while Justice Abba Mohammed dissented.

In his minority judgment, Justice Mohammed held that the dispute concerned the internal affairs of a political party and was therefore not justiciable. He maintained that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

The Federal High Court had earlier ruled that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remained valid until properly constituted congresses and a national convention were conducted.

The suit was instituted by aggrieved ADC members, including Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Olona Yinka, Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang and Obianyo Patrick, who said they sued on behalf of all ADC state chairmen and state executive committees.

Named as defendants were the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Bolaji Abdullahi, Rauf Aregbesola and Oserheimen Osunbor, sued on behalf of the Caretaker/Interim National Working Committee, as well as INEC.

The plaintiffs challenged the caretaker committee’s decision to appoint committees to conduct state congresses, arguing that the planned exercises violated the party’s constitution because only duly elected party organs possess the authority to organise such congresses.

Agreeing with the plaintiffs, Justice Abdulmalik held that neither the 1999 Constitution nor the ADC Constitution empowered the Mark-led caretaker committee to appoint committees for state congresses.

The trial court further held that Section 223 of the Constitution requires political parties to conduct periodic elections in accordance with democratic principles, while Article 23 of the ADC Constitution provides for the tenure of party officers.

Although courts generally avoid interfering in the internal affairs of political parties, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that judicial intervention becomes necessary where constitutional or statutory violations are alleged.

She consequently nullified all processes initiated by the Mark-led caretaker committee relating to the conduct of state congresses.

The Federal High Court also dismissed the defendants’ preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction, holding that the dispute involved INEC and therefore fell within its constitutional jurisdiction. It further ruled that the plaintiffs had the legal standing to institute the action and were not required to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the court.

Affirming the lower court’s decision, the Court of Appeal said judicial intervention was necessary to “prevent anarchy and ensure the survival of democracy in Nigeria.”

Justice Abang, in the majority judgment, relied on a recent Supreme Court decision involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), holding that once allegations of constitutional violations are raised, such disputes cease to be mere internal party affairs.

“Once a complaint before the court is anchored on a constitutional infraction, the shield of internal affairs drops and the veil is lifted for judicial intervention,” the court held.

The appellate court subsequently dismissed the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/608/2026 filed by the ADC and held that the congresses and national convention conducted by the Mark-led caretaker leadership were null and void because they were carried out in defiance of an existing court order issued on April 14.

The court also awarded costs of N10 million against the ADC.