Politics
PDP BoT Sues INEC Over Failure to recognize Turaki as leader
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
By Felix Umande
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has described African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Atiku Abubakar as unfit to be President of Nigeria, alleging that fresh revelations at an international arbitration in Paris have linked him to corruption in the stalled Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
In a statement issued on September 18, 2026, by its spokesman, Dele Alake, the APC Campaign said hearings at the International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in a case filed by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd and Leno Adesanya over the 3,960MW Mambilla project in Taraba State revealed that Atiku and former Power Minister Olu Agunloye worked together to sign an illegal power contract.
The Council alleged that the contract was signed through the backdoor in the dying days of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s first term, when Atiku wielded enormous power, despite Obasanjo’s objection at the Federal Executive Council meeting.
According to the statement, months after the alleged signing, Leno Adesanya, through an offshore account, China Castle Investment, wired $500,000 to the US Citibank account of Atiku’s now-divorced wife, Jennifer Douglas. The APC said the wired money and other suspicious transfers totalling $40 million surfaced in a US Senate investigation titled “Keeping Foreign Corruption out of the United States: Four Case Histories.”
The Campaign quoted the ICC Paris Tribunal as concluding: “There is a close connection in time between the moment the USD 500,000 payment was made to the wife of Vice-President Abubakar on 30 January 2003 and the alleged award of the BOT contract to Sunrise on 22 May 2003.”
It said the alleged action led Sunrise and Adesanya to file claims against Nigeria demanding $680 million as settlement and interest in another arbitration claiming over $2.7 billion in compensation relating to the Mambilla project.
“By collecting a $500,000 bribe from Leno Adesanya to approve a Build-Operate-Transfer contract to a company with no scintilla of experience in hydro power generation, Atiku has proven he is one of the enablers of local and international predatory and exploitative entities out to defraud our country,” the statement said.
The APC Campaign further alleged that Atiku stayed away from the Paris hearing to avoid embarrassment and that while Adesanya shielded him, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari went to Paris to defend Nigeria.
The statement referenced former President Obasanjo’s remarks on Atiku in his book, My Watch, and called on the ADC candidate to bow out of the presidential race, saying the $500,000 bribe is “just the tip of the iceberg.”
The APC also said the people of Taraba State should note that Atiku is one of those responsible for the stalled kick-off of what would have been the biggest hydropower project in Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar and Sunrise Power have previously denied wrongdoing in the Mambilla contract dispute, which has been the subject of prolonged litigation and arbitration.
The Adamawa State Youth Christian Movement for Change (ADSYCMC) has endorsed Abdulrahman Bashir Haske, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), for the 2027 Adamawa State governorship election.
The group announced its endorsement during a press conference in Adamawa State, saying its decision followed consultations, prayers and assessment of aspirants seeking to govern the state in 2027.
The development came days after Haske formally resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the APM, where he emerged as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Addressing journalists, Chairman of ADSYCMC, Comrade Yakuba Maigari, said the movement comprised Christian youths drawn from churches and Christian communities across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Maigari said the group’s decision to support Haske was based on what it described as his record in business, youth empowerment, philanthropy and humanitarian services.
“Our decision was not based on sentiment, but rather on track records, capacity and character,” he said.
According to him, the group had followed Haske’s political activities and contributions to society, particularly his involvement in grassroots mobilisation and initiatives aimed at supporting young people and vulnerable members of society.
The group also described Haske as a leader who, in its view, promotes inclusion irrespective of ethnic or religious background.
“Adamawa needs a healer, not a divider. We have found in Haske a lover of humanity, a compassionate leader with a heart of gold and willing to sacrifice all in the interest of humanity,” Maigari said.
The movement said it believed the state needed leadership focused on development, job creation, security and empowerment of young people and women.
It further pledged to mobilise support for Haske across the state, including through Christian communities and worship centres in the 226 wards.
“We will canvas votes for Abdulrahman Bashir Haske in all nooks and crannies of Adamawa State,” the group said.
The group also called on Christian youths, women, men and other residents who support its stated development agenda to join the movement ahead of the 2027 election.
Haske, who previously sought the APC governorship ticket, joined the APM in September and was presented as the party’s candidate. He has said his political agenda would focus on areas including agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic empowerment, security and accountable governance.
The endorsement by ADSYCMC adds to a series of public declarations of support that have emerged around Haske since he began his 2027 governorship campaign.
Politics
Benue Police Host Peace Accord Signing, Warn Against Using Cultists, Thugs in Political Activities
By Felix Umande
The Benue State Police Command has hosted the state chairmen of political parties, candidates, and representatives of sister security agencies to a Peace Accord signing ceremony aimed at promoting peaceful political activities and sustaining security across the state.
The engagement, held on Monday, September 15, 2026, in Makurdi, brought together political party leaders, candidates, heads and representatives of security and law enforcement agencies. All key stakeholders present reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful campaigns, respect for the rule of law, and the protection of lives and property throughout the electoral period.
Addressing the gathering, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, urged political leaders and candidates to ensure that their supporters conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly.
He particularly warned against the recruitment or use of political thugs, cult groups, and other criminal elements to intimidate opponents or disrupt lawful political activities.
The Peace Accord was subsequently signed by participating political parties and candidates, signifying their collective commitment to reject political violence, respect the rights of other political actors, and cooperate with security agencies in maintaining peace throughout the electoral process.
The Commissioner assured all political parties and candidates that the Police Command would remain professional, impartial, and committed to providing adequate security for all lawful political activities.
He further urged stakeholders to maintain effective communication with the Police and other security agencies, especially regarding planned rallies, campaigns, and other major political activities.
The Command therefore called on all political leaders, candidates, supporters, and the general public to uphold the spirit of the Peace Accord and work collectively towards peaceful and credible political activities in Benue State.
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