By Our Reporter

Following failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to recognize its interim National Working Committee (NWC), the Senator Adolphus Wa­bara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Demo­cratic Party (PDP) has insti­tuted a suit against the Inde­pendent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the suit, BoT and the PDP seek an order compelling the INEC to, forth­with, update its records and publish on its official website the NWC of the party as for­warded to it by the plaintiffs and its National Executive Committee (NEC).

According to the suit, the names of members of the Tanimu Turaki-led NWC were forward­ed to the electoral umpire via their letters dated May 4, but INEC has failed to accord them recognition as deserved.

Marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/1159/2026, the originating summons was filed on June 4 by a team of lawyers led by Chief Chris Uche (SAN).

According to the legal document, listed as plaintiffs are former Senate President Wa­bara; BoT Secretary, Niger State former governor, Baban­gida Aliyu; ex-Minister of In­formation, Prof. Jerry Gana and PDP chieftain, Olabode George, as 1st to 4th plaintiffs.

Others plaintiffs are 5th to 8th, former minister of women affairs, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma; ex-minister of women af­fairs and social development, Hajiya Zainab Maina; mem­ber of BoT and NEC, Dame Esther Uduehi and PDP respectively, who sued INEC as sole defendant in the suit.

The Court of Appeal sit­ting in Abuja on June 3, set aside key aspects of an Ibadan Division of the Federal High Court judgment that rec­ognised a factional caretaker committee in the PDP.

The appellate court held that the trial court granted reliefs that were never sought by any of the parties to the suit.

Justice Uchechukwu On­yemenam, in a unanimous judgement, faulted Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, for going beyond the issues placed before the court in a dispute arising from the PDP leadership crisis.

Justice Agomoh in a judg­ment delivered on January 30, recognised the caretaker committee led by Abdurah­man Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu of Nyesom Wike’s camp, as the legitimate leader­ship faction of the party.

However, the Court of Ap­peal held that none of the par­ties before the lower court had sought such a declaration.

Meanwhile, the Waba­ra-led BoT of the PDP, in the suit filed on June 4, sought a declaration that INEC is con­stitutionally bound to enforce and give full effect to the de­cision of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in a suit num­ber: CV/1050/2025 between Senator Samuel Anyanwu vs. Amb. Umar Damagun and eight others delivered on Jan. 12.

They sought a declaration that the commission is also bound by decisions in appeal number: CA/ABI/1613/2025, between PDP and two others Vs. Hon. Austine Nwachuk­wu and eight others deliv­ered on March 9 and appeal numbers: SC/CV/164/2026 between PDP Vs. Alhaji Sule Lamido and four others and SC/CV/166/2026 between PDP and two others Vs. Hon Austine Nwachukwu and eight others both delivered on April 30.

They, therefore, prayed the court for an order directing INEC to accept and give effect to all official correspondenc­es, communications, notices and engagements concerning the party from the interim NWC and for the commission to direct the same emanating from it to the NWC as for­warded to it by the plaintiffs and the NEC via their letters dated May 4.

In the affidavit in support of the originating summons deposed to by ex-governor Aliyu, he said on November 1, 2025, “key officers of PDP (8th plaintiff) like Sen. Any­anwu, Hon. Umar M. Bature, Adeyemi Kamaldeen Ajibade and Okechukwu Osuoha were suspended by a resolution of the NWC for gross miscon­duct, anti-party activities and insubordination against the 8th plaintiff.”

Aliyu said that at the 608 meeting of the NWC held on November 1, 2025, their sus­pension was approved and they were referred to Nation­al Disciplinary Committee (NDC) for further action.

He said the affected four members deliberately re­fused, failed and neglected to submit themselves to the par­ty’s NDC and continue to act as officers of the party even when there was no any resolu­tion lifting their suspension.

He said that Anyanwu was earlier recommended for expulsion as a member of the PDP by a report dated March 10, 2025 submitted by the NDC.

Aliyu said, subsequently, the NDC’s recommendation for the expulsion of Anyanwu was upheld at the 608 meeting of the NWC held on Novem­ber 1, 2025.

He said upon his expul­sion, Anyanwu filed suit num­ber: CV/1050/2025 against Damagun and others at the FCT High Court, challenging his expulsion as a member of the party.

He averred that on Janu­ary 12, the FCT High Court delivered its judgment, dis­missing Anyanwu’s claim in the said suit on the merit.

The ex-governor said the BoT, at its emergency meet­ing held on November 5, 2025, constituted the board of rec­onciliation committee, prepa­ratory to its national elective convention.

He said the party held its elective national convention on November 15 and 16, 2025 and elected its national offi­cers.

According to him, the con­vention was subject of several litigation that went through the Federal High Court to the Supreme Court.

Aliyu said the convention was nullified by the Court of Appeal in appeal number: CA/A8)/1613/2025, between PDP and two others Vs. Hon Austine Nwachukwu and eight others delivered on March 9.

He said the judgment of the appellate court referred to also affirmed the suspension of the key officers of the PDP referred to in paragraph 11 by virtue of the resolution of the party’s NWC.

He said on further ap­peal to the Supreme Court, the apex court, in its judg­ment in appeal numbers: SC/CV/164/2026, between PDP Vs. Alhaji Sule Lami­do and four others and SC/ CV/166/2026, between PDP and two others Vs. Hon Aus­tine Nwachukwu and eight others, both delivered on April 30 also affirmed the Appeal Court judgment, nul­lifying the convention of the PDP held on November 15 and 16, 2025.

In addition, he said the apex court judgment further dismissed the cross appeal, challenging the suspension of the key officers of the par­ty mentioned in paragraph 11 supra.

Aliyu said the resolution of the NWC dated Novem­ber 1, 2025, upon which the suspension of A. K. Ajibade, SAN, was affirmed by the Court of Appeal and cross appeal against the same to the Supreme Court was dismissed, suspended A. K. Ajibade, SAN, alongside Any­anwu, Bature and Osuoha.

He stated, “Consequent upon the vacuum created in the leadership structure of the PDP following the judg­ment nullifying the Novem­ber 15 and Nov. 16, 2025 elec­tive national convention of the 8th plaintiff and which also upheld the suspension of the affected key officers of the 8th plaintiff, the BoT, comprising the 1st to 7th plaintiffs constituted an inter­im NWC mandated to oversee the affairs of the 8th plaintiff pending the conduct of a valid national convention.”

He said the constitution of the interim NWC was communicated to the INEC by the party’s BoT and NEC through their letters dated Monday, May 4, respectively.

The former governor said, consequently, the NWC, at its meeting held on May 12, as­signed portfolios to members of the interim NWC as con­stituted by its BoT and NEC, as was forwarded to the com­mission vide Exhibits “9” and “10”, respectively.

He said the electoral um­pire was subsequently no­tified of the assignment of the portfolios by the interim NWC’s letter dated May 15.

Aliyu, however, said that in spite of the receipt of Exhib­its “9” and “10” dated May 4 and Exhibit “11” dated May 15, written to INEC by the BoT, NEC and NWC, the de­fendant failed, refused and neglected to effect the neces­sary corrections in its records or accord recognition to the interim National Working Committee.”

He said upon the non-com­pliance with the letters, fur­ther letters were written through the party’s lawyer, Chief Uche, on May 8 and May 13, urging the INEC to give effect to subsisting judg­ment of the courts.

The ex-governor said he knew for a fact that INEC is under a constitutional and legal obligation to comply with valid and subsisting judgments of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

He described INEC’s ac­tions as “a grave affront to the rule of law and the suprema­cy of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

According to him, unless this honourable court inter­venes, the defendant will con­tinue to disregard the valid and subsisting judgments of the courts.

Aliyu said it was in the in­terest of justice for the court to grant the reliefs sought in the originating summons.

The suit was yet to be as­signed as at the time of filing this re­port

… Leadership crisis deepens after 3 June 2026 ruling

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

The Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress is mired in fresh leadership controversy after the Court of Appeal delivered judgment on Tuesday, 3rd June 2026, dismissing the party’s appeal against a 2024 High Court ruling that nullified the dissolution of the Austin Agada-led Executive Committee.

In a statement, APC Legal Adviser Matthew Alyebo said the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of Justice T.A. Kume of the Benue State High Court, who on 21st August 2024 declared the dissolution of the Agada Exco before its four-year tenure expired as unlawful.

According to Alyebo, the appellate court dismissed the APC’s case, Appeal No. CA/MKD/119/2024, “for lacking in merit” and resolved all five issues for determination against the appellant.

The court also affirmed the High Court’s consequential order that “all activities carried out by the Omale-led Caretaker Committee are null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” Alyebo stated. He added that off-record remarks by the court advised the APC’s counsel, S.D. Swem Esq, to “advise his client to obey Court orders no matter how stupid they may be.” Alyebo dismissed reports that Benjamin Omale withdrew any appeal, noting that Omale, the 10th Respondent, filed no process.

Contradicting the legal adviser’s account, the Omale-led APC State Executive Committee issued a statement Thursday, 4th June 2026, insisting it remains the legitimate leadership of the party in Benue.

State Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yawe, described reports of the Agada Exco’s reinstatement as “false, mischievous, and calculated to mislead members and the general public.”

He argued that the tenure of the former Agada-led committee had long expired and that leadership was determined by constitutional party processes.

Yawe said the APC conducted its State Congress in February 2026, electing Chief Dr. Benjamin Omale and other officials. The outcome, he added, was ratified and recognized by the party’s national organs and confirmed at the APC National Convention in Abuja in March 2026.

“Chief Dr. Benjamin Omale remains the duly elected and recognised Chairman of the APC in Benue State, while members of the current State Executive Committee remain the only legitimate officials constitutionally empowered to administer the affairs of the party,” Yawe said.

He dismissed the latest reports as “desperate attempts by political actors seeking relevance through confusion and sensationalism,” and urged members to rely only on official party communications.

The dispute dates to August 2024 when Justice Kume nullified the APC National Working Committee’s dissolution of the Agada Exco, following an earlier interim injunction by Justice Igoche restraining the NWC. The APC appealed the judgment, but Alyebo said the Court of Appeal has now dismissed that appeal.

Alyebo said the Certified True Copy of the judgment will soon be released “to put all interpretations and fabrications to a definite end.”

With both factions claiming legitimacy, the APC in Benue faces renewed internal tension as the court ruling and the party’s 2026 congress produce competing claims to leadership.

The National Democratic Party on Monday announced Ada Fredrick as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The NDP National Publicity Secretary, Dr Emeka Wachuku, at a news conference in Abuja, expressed confidence that the party and its candidate have the capacity to secure a major victory at the polls.

Wachuku said that Fredrick emerged as the party’s standard-bearer through a consensus affirmation during the primaries held across all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

He described the candidate as a “young and tenacious grassroots politician” who had demonstrated strong leadership capacity and consistent dedication to the cause of national renewal.

Wachuku said that the presidential candidate had initially founded the ‘Ward2Ward’, grassroots support group, before founding the NDP in 2026 to serve the country more effectively.

He noted that at the party’s first National Executive Council (NEC) congress, Fredrick had also emerged as its first National Chairman, alongside members of the National Working Committee (NWC), in an exercise observed by INEC officials.

“NDP is a progressive political family that recognises the inherent value of the female gender and the energy of the youth,” he said.

The publicity secretary added that Fredrick’s candidacy embodied the party’s core mission of giving Nigerians hope, upholding a bright future for the nation and putting Nigeria first.

Outlining the party’s vision for national renewal, Wachuku highlighted key target areas, including provision of basic infrastructure to support job creation as well as a deliberate economic shift toward inward processing of Nigeria’s natural resources.

“NDP believes that Nigeria’s renewal must reflect the urgent and expected desires of Nigerians.

“This includes basic infrastructure that supports economic growth and jobs; accessible, affordable healthcare for all Nigerians; quality education and investments that strengthen human capital, welfare and social support for the elderly and retirees.

“We also have a deliberate plan for harnessing Nigeria’s natural resources inwardly, transforming them into value-added production and positioning Nigeria as an exporter of finished goods, not only raw materials,” he said.

On governance, Wachuku pledged that the party would run an inclusive administration that accommodates women and youths in decision-making, while prioritising the elimination of waste and leakages across government sectors.

He also expressed NDP’s commitment to safeguarding true federalism by ensuring fairness and accountability across federal, state and local governments.

In the 2027 elections, Wachuku expressed confidence in the party’s grassroots structure, declaring a strict electoral target.

“NDP commits to working vigorously to secure at least 25 per cent of the votes in at least two-thirds of the states of Nigeria, driven by credibility, discipline and grassroots mobilisation,” he said.

In her acceptance speech, Fredrick described her emergence as a huge responsibility, noting that the nation urgently required the empathetic leadership that women could provide.

“This responsibility is huge, but with God on our side, we will do our best. Nigeria has come a long way; a lot is happening, and we need women.

“At this point in our lives, we need great women who can speak out passionately and be heard. We will do our best to make sure we give Nigerians the light of hope and fulfil all the promises in our manifesto,” Fredrick said.

She further stated that the party would soon unveil its full manifesto to the public, which would clearly demonstrate why the NDP remained the best political option for the country.

“I will not fail you, I will not fail my country. I will do my best as a woman, a mother and a sister.

“We are calling on Nigerian women and the youth to join hands with us to make Nigeria a better place for all of us,” she said.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, the 2027 NDP candidate for House of Representatives, Abuja South, David Oroge, described Fredrick as a grassroots woman with the capacity to mobilise votes and win the election.

“I believe very strongly in her, and we’ve worked with her for a while, and I see her grassroots skills, especially the kind of soldiers that she marshals for the job. So I believe in her worth,” Oroge said.

He advised Nigerian youths to support the presidential candidate, whom he described as “a woman with pure hands and a pure heart, not to rule, but to lead.”

NAN