Politics

INEC may remove ADC candidates from portal

Published

3 months ago

July 14, 2026

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.

Politics

Why Amaechi will fail in Ikwerre — APC leader

Published

1 month ago

September 15, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Princewill Dike, has declared that Ikwerre Local Government Area will be a difficult political terrain for former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Chibuike Amaechi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dike, a lawyer and human rights activist, said Amaechi should not expect an easy political battle in Ikwerre or other parts of Rivers State, arguing that the state’s political dynamics had changed significantly.

He made the assertion on Saturday in a commentary posted on his Facebook page, Princewill Dike Platform.

According to him, Amaechi was fully aware of the political realities in Ikwerre and Rivers State and should therefore not anticipate an easy victory in the 2027 elections.

“Amaechi is fully aware of the political realities in Ikwerre and Rivers State, and should not expect an easy victory in the state during the next general elections,” Dike said.

The APC chieftain argued that Amaechi’s past political influence and access to federal structures did not translate into electoral victory in Rivers, questioning what would be different in 2027.

He said the emergence of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had significantly altered the political calculations in the state, particularly regarding federal influence and grassroots political structures.

“Whether Amaechi, who could not secure victory despite enjoying considerable federal backing in the past, will now be able to defeat the political structure associated with Wike remains doubtful,” he said.

Dike described Ikwerre as a particularly challenging battleground for Amaechi, stressing that the political realities on the ground should not be underestimated by anyone preparing for the 2027 elections.

He also predicted the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 and expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of the Rivers political coalition linked to the FCT Minister.

“Amaechi, who couldn’t win with his federal might, battalion of soldiers and INEC in his beck and call, is it now that the political wonder boy of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, is in charge of the federal might and everything incidental thereto, that he (Amaechi) will win? Abeg, tell me something else jari?” Dike asked.

Quoting from the Scriptures, the APC leader added: “What seest thou? I see P-BAT re-elected, OK Chinda and all the Rivers coalition candidates elected.”

Dike, who is also a philanthropist, maintained that the political tide was already taking shape in Rivers State, saying the strength of emerging alliances and grassroots structures would play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the 2027 elections.

Politics

2027: APC Chieftain Alubarika predicts Tinubu lead in four zones

Published

2 months ago

September 2, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alubarika, has projected that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the 2027 presidential election in four of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi are expected to dominate the North-East and South-East respectively.

Alubarika made the projection in a post on his verified X handle, formerly Twitter, where he assessed the likely performance of the major contenders based on what he described as his political experience, grassroots engagement and understanding of Nigeria’s electoral dynamics.

According to his projection, Tinubu would secure 50 per cent of the vote in the North Central, compared with 25 per cent for Atiku, 20 per cent for Obi and five per cent for other candidates.

The North Central zone comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.

In the North-East, however, Alubarika predicted an advantage for Atiku, giving the former vice president 50 per cent, against 40 per cent for Tinubu. Obi and other candidates were each projected to secure five per cent.

The North-East comprises Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.

In the North-West, Alubarika again placed Tinubu ahead with 50 per cent, followed by Atiku with 30 per cent, Obi with 15 per cent and other candidates with five per cent.

For the South-East, the APC chieftain predicted a strong showing for Obi, projecting him to win 50 per cent of the vote. Tinubu was placed at 35 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at five per cent.

Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is expected to draw significant support from the region.

Alubarika also projected a 50 per cent share for Tinubu in the South-South, compared with 25 per cent for Obi, 20 per cent for Atiku and five per cent for other candidates.

The South-West recorded Tinubu’s highest projected performance, with Alubarika putting the incumbent president at 69 per cent. Obi was projected at 15 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at six per cent.

Explaining his assessment, Alubarika said he believed the projection was about 75 per cent accurate, while acknowledging that political dynamics could change considerably before the election.

“Politics is never an exact science, and a lot can change before 2027,” he said.

He urged Nigerians and political observers to keep his prediction and compare it with the actual results after the election.

“When the votes are counted and the dust settles, come back and give me my flowers,” he wrote.

The projection is not based on an opinion poll or official electoral data but represents Alubarika’s personal assessment of the likely voting pattern ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

With the election still ahead, political alliances, party structures, candidate nominations, regional dynamics, economic conditions and other emerging issues could alter the current political calculations.

Politics

Timipre Sylva resigns from APC, accuses party of ‘floundering’

Published

2 months ago

August 31, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that he can no longer identify with the party.

Sylva announced his decision in a letter dated August 31, 2026, in which he expressed concerns over the direction of the party and the conduct of its leadership.

The former governor accused the APC leadership of promoting the notion that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that the principle had contributed to practices he said were inconsistent with the values he expected from the party.

He also criticised the performance of the Federal Government, expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as shortcomings under the APC-led administration.

Describing the APC as a “floundering ship,” Sylva said his continued association with the party was no longer tenable.

The former petroleum minister also copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the letter, alleging that the anti-graft agency was increasingly being used as an instrument of the APC.

Sylva’s resignation comes amid heightened political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with defections and realignments increasingly shaping the country’s political landscape.

His departure could have political implications in Bayelsa and the wider South-South region, where he remains a prominent figure in the APC and Nigerian politics.

The development is expected to trigger further reactions within the party as political actors continue to reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.