Politics
Edo Guber: Why Court Voided PDP Primary, Ighodalo’s Candidacy

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo State, which produced Asue Ighodalo as the candidate of the party in the September 21st governorship election in the state.
The PDP’s primary election was nullified by the court in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Thursday.
Here are some of the reasons the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja nullified the primary election of the PDP in Edo State.
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The court held that the primary poll the PDP held in the state on February 22, failed to meet the requirements of the Electoral Act 2022, guidelines for the conduct of the poll as well as the Constitution of the party.
Justice Ekwo held that evidence that was adduced before the court established that Ighodalo did not emerge through a valid process.
He held that exhibit that was presented by the PDP showed that the returning officers that prepared the result sheets merely sat at a place to manufacture the outcome of the poll.
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The court held that the outcome of the said primary poll amounted to a nullity.
The judgement followed a suit that was brought before the court by three aggrieved plaintiffs, on behalf of 378 ad-hoc delegates that ought to have participated in the primary election.
Cited as 1st to 4th defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, were the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the PDP, its National Secretary and the Vice Chairman, South South.
Justice Ekwo, who held that he found merit in the case of the plaintiffs, noted that INEC failed to file any process in the matter, saying it would abide by the judgement of the court
Politics
Court Declines Kachikwu’s Motion Against INEC, ADC Leaders

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday declined to hear an application filed by the African Democratic Congress’ 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, against the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, refused to entertain the motion.
Kachikwu, through his counsel, Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), had sought an order compelling INEC to withdraw the publication of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola’s names as national chairman and secretary of the ADC, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
INEC had recently recognised Mark, a former Senate President, and Aregbesola, a former Governor of Osun State, as the party’s national chairman and national secretary.
READ ALSO:Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Refund Of Rivers’ Monies Expended By Ibas
On July 7, Kachikwu and four others – Adikwu Elias, Etimbuk Umoh, Muhammed Khala, and Alaku Godwin William – filed an originating summons challenging the recognition of the duo.
The suit lists INEC, ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark, and Aregbesola as the first to fifth defendants.
When the matter was called on Friday, Akinlaja told the court that a motion dated September 19 had been filed. He argued that despite the pendency of the suit, INEC went ahead to recognise Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders.
The plaintiffs asked the court to set aside the recognition and publication of their names, describing it as a breach of the doctrine of lis pendens. They also sought an injunction restraining Nwosu, Mark, and Aregbesola from further relating with INEC as ADC’s national officers.
However, counsel for the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), along with other defence lawyers, opposed the application.
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After hearing arguments, Justice Omotosho declined to entertain the motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1331/2025.
He said, “This court is not inclined to nullify anything at this stage, whether done before or now. This is a political case. I am not taking any interlocutory matter.”
The judge held that all processes filed by the parties, including preliminary objections, would be taken together with the substantive case.
Despite repeated pleas by Akinlaja for the motion to be heard, the court stood its ground.
Justice Omotosho also granted an application for joinder filed by Nkemakolam Ukandu, the ADC deputy national secretary, and ordered that his name be added as a defendant.
He directed the plaintiffs to file the amended processes within 48 working hours and gave the defence seven days to respond. The case was adjourned till October 23 for hearing.
Politics
Fubara Sacks Commissioners, Others

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has sacked all commissioners and other public office holders serving in his administration.
The decision, according to a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday evening by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, takes immediate effect and followed the recent Supreme Court judgment.
The governor, during a valedictory session with his cabinet to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary at Government House, Port Harcourt, thanked the outgoing officials for their services and contributions to the state’s development over the past two years.
The statement read in part, “Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years.
READ ALSO:BREAKING: Gov Fubara Dissolves Rivers Pension Board
“The governor highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s Independence, and called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr President to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and a brighter future for all.
“Furthermore, the Governor has relieved all Commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgment of their appointments with immediate effect.”
Fubara also reiterated his commitment to serve the state “with renewed vigour,” while expressing gratitude to Rivers people for their support and wishing Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.
READ ALSO:Why I Refused To Challenge Emergency Rule – Fubara
Recall that the immediate past administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), upon assumption of office during the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu, suspended all commissioners, special advisers, and assistants appointed by Fubara. Ibas also dissolved boards and suspended heads of parastatals he met in office.
Since Ibas exited the state on September 18, the fate of Fubara’s appointees had remained uncertain. The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting after the lifting of the emergency rule, had called on the governor to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees for screening, alongside the 2025 budget for passage.
Politics
2027: Crisis Rocks Kaduna ADC Over Power Tussle

The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is enmeshed in crisis as a fierce power struggle among leading figures threatens the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
ADC stalwart, Malam Salihu Lukman, raised the alarm on Wednesday, warning that the party may not make a meaningful impact at the polls if the internal rift persists.
In a statement, Lukman alleged that some party leaders have aligned with certain aspiring candidates for the 2027 elections to the exclusion of others.
He called on former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Malam Jaafaru Sani, Alhaji Bashir Saidu, and other opposition leaders in the state to halt what he described as “the madness” of candidates bent on hijacking party structures.
READ ALSO:Ex-Tinubu Campaign Coordinator Resigns From APC
According to him, “anybody who is not ready to work as part of a united opposition in Kaduna State is consciously or unconsciously working for the APC.”
Expressing concern over the infighting, Lukman said his efforts to mediate had largely failed.
“The fact that Senator Musa Bello is aggressively seeking to control structures of ADC in Zone 2 is a reflection of my failure, largely because I am associated with him.
“Senator Lawal Adamu (Mr. La) has avoided all my requests to meet him. I have met Malam Jaafaru Sani on this matter and had discussions with Malam Nasir. Sadly, we are not united, and the perception is that I am part of the problem.”
READ ALSO:Why APC Candidates Contested 2023 LG Election Despite Intimidation — State Chairman
Lukman stressed that he has no political ambition but remains committed to building a united front. “As a citizen from Kaduna State, I am willing to make every necessary sacrifice to move our state forward. Without sounding immodest, I made every sacrifice to contribute to forming the coalition and negotiating the agreement with ADC.
“May I therefore appeal to Malam Nasir and all our leaders to please seek to unite us. It is only if we are united in ADC that we can unite our people in the state to defeat the APC in 2027. We must bear in mind that it is not just about defeating APC but about producing a government controlled by our party based on collective leadership.
“We need to put an end to the era when we produce emperors as governors. Anything short of a government managed by collective leadership under ADC will be unacceptable.”
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