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2023: Lawyer Asks Court To Disqualify Atiku From Presidential Race

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An Abuja-based lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to disqualify Atiku Abubakar from vying for the 2023 presidential election.

With the fresh suit, Mr Abubakar, who emerged the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last Saturday, has one more legal hurdle to cross in his race to be Nigeria’s president.

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But in February this year, a similar case challenging Mr Abubakar’s Nigerian citizenship was struck out by a federal judge – Inyang Ekwo.

Mr Ekwo cautioned the plaintiff – incorporated trustees of the Egalitarian Mission for Africa – a nongovernmental organisation – to desist from filing frivolous suits aimed at harassing politically exposed Nigerians.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Atiku Meets Wike After PDP Presidential Primary

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The judge held that the incorporated trustees lacked the right to institute the legal action, describing them as “busy body and meddlesome interlopers.”

Nigeria’s Supreme Court had also in 2019 dismissed a similar application by the APC in the aftermath of the 2019 presidential election.

Fresh suit
In the new suit, the plaintiff challenges Mr Abubakar’s Nigerian citizenship, despite serving as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007.

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According to court filings, Mr Jideobi mentioned Mr Abubakar, the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as defendants.

He argued that Mr Abubakar is not constitutionally qualified to contest in the presidential election. He claimed that Mr Abubakar is not a Nigerian citizen by birth as required under the Nigerian constitution.

Mr Jideobi contends that Mr Abubakar “acquired his citizenship of Nigeria by virtue of the 1961 plebiscite which integrated some people of Northern Cameroon into Nigeria as new citizens of Nigeria.

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The plaintiff claimed that, “Allowing the first defendant (Mr Abubakar) to a participant in the 2023 presidential election as the candidate” of the PDP would amount to a grave desecration of the otherwise sacrosanct and inviolable provisions of Sections 1(1) & (2), 25 and 131(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“The third defendant (INEC) is under a bounden duty to ensure that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the government of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.”

Prayers
Mr Jideobi is asking the court for a “declaration that by virtue of Sections 1(1) & (2), 25 and 131(a) of the Constitution, it is only a Nigerian citizen by birth that is constitutionally eligible to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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He further seeks a “declaration that given the circumstances of the birth of the first defendant (Atiku), he is not constitutionally qualified to stand for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The plaintiff seeks an “order of the court disqualifying the first defendant – Atiku Abubakar – from contesting for election to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He also begged the court to declare that the “PDP does not have a candidate for the office of the president in the 2023 presidential election to be organised by the third defendant.”

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He requested for “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the first defendant from contesting for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or occupying the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by whatever means and throughout his lifetime.

READ ALSO: PDP Primary: Fani-Kayode Reacts, Tells APC Best Way To Defeat Atiku

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the second defendant from fielding or presenting the first defendant as its candidate for the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the third defendant from accepting and or publishing the name of the first defendant as a candidate of the second defendant for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the forthcoming 2023 presidential election.”

This suit comes a couple of days after Mr Abubakar became the standard bearer of Nigeria’s main opposition party — the PDP — at a primary election held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.

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Why Nigeria Needs Female President – Presidential Aspirant

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Presidential aspirant, Ada Kate Uchegbu, has revealed why Nigeria needs a female president.

Uchegbu , who is also a journalist and author said this during an interview with journalists over the weekend , according to her , Nigeria is at a breaking point where the country had recycled leaders which according to her had not worked out well.

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She explained that Nigeria deserved a fresh deal for the country to become better adding that African women are among capable leaders in the world to achieve a great development.

The presidential hopeful during the interview seeks support of political parties for female candidates who according to her should and not just be used for diversity optics .

She added that Nigeria‘s political culture will change forever if a woman emerged as the country’s president.

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READ ALSO:2027: You Will Lose 80% Of Northern Muslim Votes If…, APC Forum Warns Tinubu

Uchegbu further stressed that she is aspiring for the presidential seat because of the rise in need for a generational shift in both age and mindset.

When asked if being an author and journalist had shaped her career in politics, Ushegbu stated that as a journalist she had seen how policies affect people’s daily lives adding that investigative work in journalism sharpened her sense of accountability.

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Speaking on the upcoming governorship election in Anambra state , she advised residents of the state to vote for competence and choose a leader who can build.

This challenge of women in governance is not about competence .African women are among the most capable leaders on earth, it’s the structural bias in our political systems. We need political parties to actively support female candidates, not just parade them for diversity optics. The day Nigeria elects a woman president, the continent’s political culture will change forever.

“Nigeria is at a breaking point. We’ve recycled leaders and expected different results—it hasn’t worked. I’m stepping in because we need a generational shift in both age and mindset. My background in journalism, business, and activism equips me to deliver a transparent, people-first government. This isn’t about politics as usual—it’s about resetting the system.

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READ ALSO:Ex-APC Presidential Aspirant Berates NWC, Govs For Endorsing Tinubu

Storytelling teaches you to listen and leadership begins with listening. As a journalist, I’ve sat with market women, security experts, and world leaders. I’ve seen how policies affect people’s daily lives. Writing political thrillers and investigative pieces has also sharpened my sense of accountability—because when you write the truth, you can’t hide from it yourself.

“Anambra must vote for competence, not cash or political godfathers. This election is a chance to set the tone for credible governance nationwide. INEC must guarantee transparency , protect voters from intimidation and choose leaders who can build, not those who only campaign.

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“The glass ceiling is cracking, but it hasn’t shattered. The challenge is not about competence because African women are among the most capable leaders on earth, it’s the structural bias in our political systems. We need political parties to actively support female candidates, not just parade them for diversity optics. The day Nigeria elects a woman president, the continent’s political culture will change forever.

READ ALSO:Why I Plotted President Trump’s Assassination – 50-yr-old Woman

I’m running a grassroots, tech-driven, people-funded campaign. Nigerians are tired of the same recycled manifestos. My strength is authenticity, I have walked with the people, not ruled above them.

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“To reduce insecurity in the country, we must depoliticize security. Banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping thrive because corruption has infiltrated the very agencies meant to protect us. I will launch a national forensic security audit, professionalize the forces, introduce a gender-inclusive rapid response unit, and invest in technology—drones, AI surveillance, and community intelligence networks. If Nigerians feel unsafe, democracy itself is unsafe.

“We’ll declare a state of emergency on security and corruption, launch forensic audits for all ministries, and digitize public spending. I’ll create a ₦500 billion Youth Innovation and Employment Fund because youth unemployment is both an economic and a security crisis.

“Vote with your conscience, not your pocket. Protect your PVC ,it’s your weapon for change. Demand competence, integrity, and vision. If we unite behind the right values, Nigeria’s best days can still be ahead of us,” she concluded.
(TRIBUNE)

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Primate Ayodele Releases Fresh Prophecies On FIRS, FAAN, Others

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The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned some of Nigeria’s government agencies about their activities, including their managing directors and CEOs.

Primate Ayodele, in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, mentioned agencies including NAICOM, NIPOST, FIRS, FAAN, NPA, NCAA, and NIMASA.

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For NAICOM, Primate Ayodele mentioned that the body will come up with policies that will threaten the existence of some insurance companies. He mentioned some companies that should be careful because they will run into debt.

“NAICOM: They will come up with new policies that will threaten some insurance companies and lead to the deregistration of some of them. The following insurance companies must be very careful: Custodian Insurance, AIICO Insurance, Prudent Insurance, Zenith Insurance, Sanlam Insurance, and Staco Insurance. These companies may run into debt, and their shareholders will decline. There will be a new measure coming for insurance companies. There are some policies the regulatory body will make that will not go through.”

READ ALSO:US Desperate To Remove You, Cleric Warns Tinubu

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In NIPOST, Primate Ayodele warned the postmaster general to be careful of having problems.

NIPOST: There will be several reforms in NIPOST, and the post master general must be careful not to have problems. They must also be careful not to run into unexpected debt, and I see them having matters to contend with.”

For FIRS, Primate Ayodele stated that the body will make a lot of differences for the government and detect some manipulation in tax transactions. He stated that the executive chairman will have issues with Cabals which will undermine his efforts despite his plans.

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“FIRS: This body will make a lot of differences for the government and will detect some taxation manipulation and illegal tax transactions. There will be a new method of tax assessment that the government will create. The tax reforms will continue to have issues, but it is very good. People will continue to fight it to destroy the agenda of the government. There will be a way of taking taxes from everyone, including market women; everything will be taxed in the country, and I see it extending to churches, too. The chairman will have issues with the cabals despite the good works.”

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Cleric Over Alleged Defilement Of Underage Girl In Osun

For FAAN, Primate Ayodele warned the MD to be careful of removal from office. He stated that some people will try to corrupt the system by mismanaging funds. He mentioned that the body will play a good role in the security of the airport and that some airlines will be sanctioned.

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“FAAN: There will be training of the staff, and they must be careful so that the MD will not be removed. Some people will want to corrupt the system, and there will be mismanagement of funds in the agency. FAAN will play a good role in airport security, but they will have issues with some other agencies. I see some staff being laid off. FAAN workers will want to protest, and I see some airlines sanctioned.”

For NPA, Primate Ayodele stated that the MD will be accused of fraud and indicted with some documentation. He warned the body to be careful against a fire incident.

“NPA: There will be a lot of misconceptions in the body as some workers will be involved in malpractices and corruption. There will be reforms in the body, but there will be mismanagement. The MD will be accused of fraud, and they will indict him with some complicated documentation. Let us be careful against fire incidents in the NPA.”

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READ ALSO:Edo Will Regret, See Hard Times If… – Primate Ayodele Warns

Likewise, for the NCAA, Primate Ayodele warned the DG to be careful of problems. He also stated that there will be a protest and a gang-up against the managing director.

NCAA: Their instrument will get damaged, and the DG must be careful so that he won’t be removed or have problems. They will come up with a new airport policy. There will be a new protocol in the NCAA. The MD must be careful of a gang-up; they will fight him because of his commitment.”

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Furthermore, he warned of corruption in NIMASA.

NIMASA: They must be careful because the activities of their personnel will expose a lot of ghost workers, and there will be corruption. The body will go into a new contract on our waterways. NIMASA will generate a lot of money for the country, but it won’t be utilized well. There will be sentiment and nepotism in NIMASA. The MD will be troubled because they will politicize the body.”

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2027: You Will Lose 80% Of Northern Muslim Votes If…, APC Forum Warns Tinubu

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The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has warned President Bola Tinubu that dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election could cost him 80% of northern Muslim votes.

The forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, advised Tinubu to maintain the status quo and retain Shettima, citing the success of their ticket in the 2023 election.

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Zazzaga argued that those calling for Shettima’s replacement didn’t vote for Tinubu in 2023 and won’t vote for him in 2027, even if he drops Shettima.

“Those that are calling on President Bola Tinubu to change Vice President Kashim Shettima, basing their agitation on the Muslim-Muslim ticket, if you check, you will notice that in 2023, most of their communities voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party,” he said.

READ ALSO:Crisis Rocks Sokoto APC As Defunct CPC Bloc Alleges Marginalisation

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The APC Forum also countered claims that the Muslim-Muslim ticket would lead to losses in the Middle Belt, pointing out key positions held by prominent Middle Belt Christians in the APC government, such as APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket will not affect President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the Middle Belt… We can guarantee that Tinubu will get 90 percent of the votes from the North-Central,” the statement read.

Zazzaga further accused some individuals of seeking Tinubu’s defeat in 2027, saying, “The truth is most of these people are not Tinubu’s supporters, they don’t really want him to win reelection in 2027.”

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READ ALSO:Prove You Are Not Terrorist Organisations, Falana Challenges APC, PDP

He also warned against alienating northern Muslim communities while focusing on northern Christians, stating this approach could backfire.

The APC Forum’s advice to Tinubu, NIGERIAN TRIBUNE gathered, is to stick with the winning formula from 2023.Online newspaper subscription

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We advise Mr President not to gamble with the 2023 election. President Tinubu will lose 80 percent of northern Muslim votes if he decides to change Shettima,” the statement stressed.

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