Category: PM News

Eighteen first-term governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are currently holding a closed-door meeting at the Kebbi State Government House in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.

The high-level meeting, hosted by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, has brought together governors from various APC-controlled states across the country.

The gathering is expected to focus on issues affecting the ruling party, governance, economic development, security challenges, and other matters of national interest.

Although details of the discussions have not yet been made public, political observers believe the meeting could also provide an opportunity for the governors to review the performance of their administrations, strengthen cooperation among APC-led states, and exchange ideas on policies aimed at improving service delivery and economic growth.

As of the time of filing this report, the meeting was still ongoing behind closed doors, with journalists and political stakeholders gathered at the Government House awaiting an official briefing on the outcome of the deliberations.

Governors in attendance include those from Sokoto, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Delta, Ekiti, Taraba, Ondo, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Benue, Kogi and Enugu states, among others. Representatives from other APC-controlled states were also reported to be participating in the meeting.

However, the governors of Cross River, Niger and Katsina states were absent. Sources said the governors had communicated their inability to attend and sent their apologies ahead of the meeting.

The gathering comes at a time when the APC continues to consolidate its position as Nigeria’s ruling party, with growing attention on governance, economic reforms and preparations for future political activities.

Analysts say meetings of this nature often provide governors with a platform to discuss common challenges, share experiences and develop strategies for addressing issues affecting their respective states.

An official communiqué or briefing is expected at the end of the meeting to provide details of the resolutions reached by the governors.

More details are expected later.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo Command said it destroyed three cannabis plantations, arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and seized 4,905.36kg of illicit drugs in June as part of its intensified operations against drug trafficking across the state.

Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, State Commander of NDLEA, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin while presenting the command’s operational scorecard for June 2026 to newsmen.

Ofoyeju said the agency also secured the conviction of 10 drug offenders, while suspected drug traffickers abandoned consignments of codeine syrup and tramadol during a raid in Uromi are of the state to evade arrest.

According to him, the 42 suspects comprised 24 males and 18 females apprehended during intelligence-led operations conducted across the state.

He said the command recovered a total of 4,905.36kg of assorted illicit drugs, including 4,169.02kg of cannabis destroyed on plantations and 736.34kg intercepted during enforcement operations.

The seizures, he said, comprised cannabis sativa, methamphetamine and psychotropic substances, including Swinol, diazepam and Rohypnol, as well as 54.2 litres of codeine syrup.

‘The command dealt a major blow to illicit cannabis cultivation with the destruction of three plantations spanning 1.667608 hectares and having an estimated yield of 4,169.02kg.

‘Operatives raided Ikao Forest in Owan East Local Government Area on June 17, where they uncovered and destroyed two cannabis farms measuring 0.69763 hectares,’ he said.

He said a 45-year-old suspect, was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the scene with 169kg of processed cannabis.

He added that intelligence-led operations at Ebora Camp in Ilushi, Esan South-East Local Government Area, led to the discovery and destruction of another cannabis plantation.

He said the plantation measured 0.969978 hectares, with an estimated yield of 2,424.945kg.

The NDLEA commander said another suspect was arrested at the camp with 395kg of skunk cannabis.

He further disclosed that suspected drug traffickers abandoned a large consignment of illicit pharmaceuticals during a raid in Uromi, forcing them to flee.

The recovered exhibits included 540 bottles of codeine cough syrup, 11,100 capsules of tramadol, 2,500 tablets of Swinol and 100 ampoules of Pentazocine injection,’ he said.

On prosecution, Ofoyeju said the command secured 10 convictions during the month, filed three fresh cases, while 79 cases were pending before the Federal High Court in Benin.

He added that NDLEA also intensified drug demand reduction efforts by counselling 19 clients – 15 males and four females – who had since been reunited with their families.

According to him, seven persons are currently undergoing rehabilitation, while six drug abuse sensitisation programmes were conducted during the month.

Ofoyeju, however, expressed concerns over emerging security threats, particularly kidnapping and cult-related violence in Oredo, Etsako West and Akoko-Edo local government areas.

These, he said, were often associated with illicit drug abuse.

‘We urge members of the public to continue supporting our efforts by providing timely information on drug-related activities. The command will continue to work hard in dismantling drug trafficking cartels in the state,’ he said.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, who is currently in the Commission’s custody has been arrested for making false statements.

J. Okor Odey, the Spokesperson/Head, Media and Public Communications of ICPC confirmed the arrest of the medical doctor in a statement issued on Tuesday evening.

He said the arrest of the medical doctor followed developments surrounding a court-approved medical visit granted to El-Rufai, who was expected to be at the Kaduna State High Court between July 6, 7, and 8, 2026, for an accelerated hearing of the criminal charges pending against him.

ICPC noted in the statement that El-Rufai did not appear before the court on Monday which was the first day of the scheduled accelerated trial.

The Commission said it subsequently informed the court that when its officers were preparing to convey the former governor to court, he declined to follow them as he insisted that he wished to consult his personal doctor.

ICPC said it also informed the court that El-Rufai did not make any prior request to the Commission for such medical consultation.

However, the Commission said the former governor had told its medical doctor that while he had no immediate medical complaints, his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsels, had requested that he sees his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar.

ICPC said the Court had subsequently adjourned further proceedings until July 15, 2026, to hear the defendant’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the directive of the Chief Judge of Kaduna State on the pending petition for transfer of the case after arguments by the counsels.

ICPC said despite the controversies, it allowed El-Rufai request to see his medical doctor in full compliance with the court’s directives as well as its statutory obligation to respect the rights, dignity and welfare of persons in its custody under appropriate security arrangements.

It added that during the hospital visit today, Tuesday, 7th July 2026, at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT, its officers and security team conducted themselves professionally and respected the former governor’s privacy by remaining outside the consultation room while the attending oncologist was purportedly examining El-Rufai.

But ICPC said a picture later posted on the social media by one of the political associates of the former Kaduna governor indicated that rather than undergoing medical examination, he was holding a political meeting in the National Hospital.

‘The Commission was, however, subsequently confronted with photographs posted on Facebook at 2:00 pm Nigerian time by one of his political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, stating categorically that they had just concluded a meeting with El Rufai. The picture posted on Facebook also had Professor Abubakar, Isa Kudan, and three others with El Rufai at a time he was supposedly having a medical consultation.

‘The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order!’ ICPC said.

The Commission accused El-Rufai of abusing the courtesies it has extended to him like the other defendants who are in its custody.

‘However, it has become very clear that these professional courtesies have been abused and will therefore no longer be tolerated. The ICPC will bring to the attention of the Courts the flagrant disobedience of court orders by the defendant.

‘The professional and human nature of the ICPC should not be taken for granted.

‘Professor Bello Abubakar has been arrested for making false statements.

‘At this moment, Professor Bello Abubakar, El Rufai’s personal physician, has been taken into custody for further investigation.

‘The ICPC reiterates its resolve to continue to operate within the ambit of the law at all times.

‘The Commission also wants to make it categorically clear that it will not tolerate, under any guise, the abuse of its goodwill by anybody or group of persons,’ Odey concluded in the statement.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed Peter Obi’s political influence, saying the former Anambra State governor is no threat to President Bola Tinubu or the All Progressives Congress.

Umahi, who spoke during a television interview on Tuesday, said claims that the ruling party is afraid of Obi were baseless.

He described the support around Obi as ‘AI politics,’ insisting that neither Tinubu nor the APC had any reason to be worried about him.

‘Even me, I cannot be scared of Peter Obi, not to talk about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or our party, the APC,’ Umahi said.

‘What displays around Peter Obi is AI politics. You know, it’s AI politics. It is putting something on nothing. So, nobody is scared of Peter Obi.

‘Peter Obi is not a threat to our president because Peter Obi himself knows very well that he cannot even face me, let alone face the president.’

The minister also attacked Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, questioning what he achieved while in office.

Umahi said he had read reports that Obi called on Tinubu to resign, but argued that the former governor had no moral ground to make such a demand.

‘I read where it was said that Peter Obi said Tinubu should resign because of this, and I asked myself: How many times did Peter Obi resign as Governor of Anambra State for failure to fix the roads, failure to establish industry, failure to empower people, failure to establish an airport, or failure to establish a seaport? Failure to pay contractors,’ he said.

Umahi also accused the Obidient movement of being intolerant of opposing views.

According to him, supporters of Obi often resort to insults, threats and abuse whenever people disagree with them.

‘Look at the pattern of politics around Peter Obi. You disagree with him, then he takes you to court. How many times have you been abusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? How many people has he taken to court?’ he said.

The minister said such conduct raised questions about political temperament and the kind of leadership being presented by Obi’s camp.

‘Look at the Obidient movement. You disagree, they insult people, they wish people dead, they issue threats and all kinds of things. Is that the kind of behavior we want?’ Umahi asked.

He challenged members of the Obidient movement to debate him on infrastructure and the reforms of the Tinubu administration.

Umahi said no opposition figure could match what Tinubu was doing, especially in the area of reforms and national development.

Responding to concerns about hardship and rising poverty, the minister said Tinubu inherited serious economic problems that could not be solved overnight.

According to him, Nigerians should be fair in assessing the administration, arguing that the damage of many years could not be corrected within three years.

‘The darkest part of the night is the dawn. There were so many practices by the previous administration that occasioned us into what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited,’ Umahi said.

He said the economy needed time to recover, comparing the process to the healing of a wound.

‘When you are healing a wound, you don’t expect the wound to heal overnight. An economy doesn’t turn around instantly within three years. Nigerians expected that all the wrongs of over 60 years would be addressed in three years,’ he said.

Umahi insisted that Tinubu deserved re-election because his reforms were already producing results.

He said those criticising the administration were doing so because they wanted power, not because they had better solutions.

‘None of the political aspirants or candidates from other parties can do what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing. There are a lot of successes and reforms that are beginning to yield a lot of dividends. None of them can do what this man is doing,’ he said.

A 22-year-old footballer, Adeoye Martins, has bagged one year jail term for stabbing an opponent with broken bottle during a football match at Ben Folarin football pitch, Omisanjana, Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.

Martins, who allegedly committed the offence on December 8, 2025, at about 4: 00p.m was sentenced by an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court after he was found guilty of two-count charge of assault and breach of peace filed against him by the police on Tuesday.

The convict first appeared before Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola, on Dec.15, 2025 during which he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

However, delivering judgment on Tuesday, Magistrate Daramola found Martins guilty on two counts of assault and breach of peace.

The court sentenced him to one year imprisonment on count one- and one-month imprisonment on count two.

The court, however, gave the convict an option of N5,000 fine on count one, and N2,000 fine on count two.

The prosecutor, Insp Ayodeji Aina, had told the court that the convict committed the offences on Dec. 8, 2025, at about 4: 00p.m at Ben Folarin football pitch, Omisanjana, Ado-Ekiti.

Aina said that the convict, who plays for White Horse FC, Ado-Ekiti, stabbed his opponent, Saheed Abdulazeez, of Jaydyn FC, Ado-Ekiti, with broken bottle on the right cheek during an argument.

He said that the defendant also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 186 and 181(d) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

The prosecutor called two witnesses and tendered the convict’s statement.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the body as fictitious and unknown to the Federal Government.

The President directed the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a detailed report, signalling a fresh crackdown on the alleged abuse of government identity and official processes.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the decision followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing through any law, presidential directive, executive approval or other lawful government instrument.

The Presidency said Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the non-existent council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate allegations surrounding the use of forged appointment letters and other government documents, as well as claims that the alleged fake presidential appointment was used to seek official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.

The investigation will also examine the opening and operation of multiple bank accounts allegedly created in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.

Beyond the activities of the principal suspect, the President ordered the commission to identify all collaborators and unravel the wider circumstances that enabled the fictitious council and the false claim of presidential appointment to gain an appearance of legitimacy.

The ICPC is also expected to investigate the origin and use of the alleged forged official documents, the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought, the source and movement of any funds connected with the scheme, and the roles played by any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries that may have facilitated the alleged fraud.

President Tinubu further directed the commission to identify loopholes within government institutions that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar abuses in the future.

To facilitate the investigation, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government have been instructed to provide the ICPC with all relevant documents, records and assistance required for the timely completion of the probe.

The President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and public institutions must be protected from impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and any attempt to exploit weaknesses in government systems.

He also directed that anyone found culpable at the end of the investigation should face the full weight of the law in accordance with applicable legal provisions.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) on Monday, 6 July 2026, secured the conviction of 16 environmental offenders following their arraignment before the Oshodi Special Offences and Mobile Court for various environmental infractions, including illegal waste disposal at unauthorised locations across Lagos State.

The court sentenced each of the offenders to four months’ imprisonment, comprising one month on each of four counts bordering on indiscriminate waste disposal, failure to patronise assigned Private Sector Participants (PSPs), breach of environmental sanitation laws and other related offences.

The convicts were arrested by LAWMA’s enforcement team during coordinated surveillance operations at Gbagada Expressway, Anthony Oke, Oworonsoki and Bariga for dumping waste illegally on road medians, drainage channels and other unauthorised locations, contrary to the environmental laws of Lagos State.

The convictions form part of LAWMA’s sustained enforcement drive aimed at eliminating indiscriminate waste disposal, strengthening compliance with environmental laws and promoting a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos.

Commenting on the convictions, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, described the judgment as a strong demonstration of the Lagos State Government’s resolve to enforce environmental laws and safeguard public health.

He said: ‘The era of indiscriminate waste disposal without consequences is over. These convictions send a clear message that environmental laws will be enforced without fear or favour. We will continue to strengthen surveillance and enforcement across the State to ensure compliance with approved waste management practices.’

The LAWMA boss noted that while the Authority remained committed to improving waste management infrastructure and service delivery, residents and businesses also had a legal obligation to register with the assigned Private Sector Participant (PSPs) and dispose of waste through approved channels.

He added: ‘Effective waste management is a shared responsibility. Government will continue to strengthen waste management infrastructure, improve service delivery and enforce environmental laws, but residents and businesses must also play their part by patronising their assigned PSP operators, complying with environmental regulations and refraining from indiscriminate waste disposal.’

Dr. Gbadegesin disclosed that LAWMA would continue to intensify surveillance, monitoring and enforcement operations across Lagos in collaboration with relevant security and environmental agencies to deter environmental violations and sustain ongoing efforts to keep the State clean.

He urged residents to support the State Government’s environmental sustainability agenda by complying with approved waste management practices and reporting cases of illegal waste disposal and other environmental infractions through LAWMA’s official communication channels.

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, ha threatened to initiate legal steps against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, and demand N10 billion in damages over allegations linking him to murder, bribery and other criminal activities.

The move was conveyed in a letter dated July 6, 2026, signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, on behalf of Pinheiro LP, the Chief of Staff’s legal representatives.

The dispute stems from a press conference held by Adeyemi on June 25, during which he accused Gbajabiamila of seeking a share of the alleged take-off funds of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), receiving money through intermediaries, abusing his office and participating in efforts to conceal wrongdoing.

During the briefing, Adeyemi also referred to the Chief of Staff as ‘a murderer’ and ‘an assassin’.

The Presidency has consistently maintained that the PFIPC is a fictitious organisation, despite its appearance in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

Gbajabiamila’s lawyers dismissed all the allegations as entirely false and defamatory, saying they were intended to damage his reputation.

The letter stated: ‘not only false but gravely defamatory,’ adding that the allegations were ‘designed to portray our client as corrupt, dishonest, criminally culpable, morally bankrupt, administratively incompetent, a murderer and unfit to occupy public office.’

According to the legal team, Adeyemi is already standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/652/2026, FRN v. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and Ors, over allegations including forgery of an appointment letter bearing Gbajabiamila’s purported signature and the alleged counterfeiting of Presidential letter-headed papers to present himself as a government official.

The lawyers further rejected Adeyemi’s claims that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of a purported N27.4 billion take-off grant for the council, amounting to about N12.5 billion, or that he received N400 million through proxies connected to appointments within the organisation.

Other allegations dismissed in the letter included claims that the Chief of Staff intimidated individuals and media organisations, manipulated budget processes, attempted to misuse security agencies and performed official duties while under the influence of intoxicating substances.

Gbajabiamila also denied ever having any relationship with Adeyemi.

‘You have never at any time met, interacted with, communicated with, or had any form of personal or official dealing whatsoever with him,’ the lawyers wrote, adding that the decision to ‘fabricate and publish allegations against a person with whom you have had absolutely no relationship or interaction underscores the reckless, baseless and malicious nature of your publication.’

The legal team also criticised the timing of the allegations, noting that they were made after criminal proceedings had already been instituted against Adeyemi.

‘It is even more disturbing to our client that you resorted to defaming him through your press statements after a criminal Charge had been filed against you,’ the letter stated.

It added, ‘Trial by media remains unknown to Nigerian law and cannot be a substitute for due process.’

Gbajabiamila’s lawyers demanded that Adeyemi immediately stop making further defamatory statements, remove all related videos, recordings and transcripts from every platform, issue a full retraction and apology in at least five national newspapers and across all social media platforms used to circulate the claims, and provide a written undertaking that he would refrain from making further allegations.

The letter warned that failure to comply would result in both criminal defamation proceedings under the laws of the Federal Capital Territory and a civil lawsuit seeking N10 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages. The damages, it said, would be donated to a charity chosen by Gbajabiamila. The legal action would also seek a perpetual injunction and a court order compelling the publication of an apology.

The controversy centres on the PFIPC, which was listed in the 2026 Appropriation Act under the title Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and received more than N1.3 billion in budgetary allocations, including about N803 million for personnel, N200 million for overhead and N300 million for capital expenditure.

Adeyemi had argued during his June 25 press conference that an agency included in a budget signed by the President could not be regarded as non-existent.

However, the Presidency insists the council is fraudulent and has no legal existence.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Femi Falana has argued that the Presidency lacks the constitutional authority to clear anyone involved in the dispute and has called for an independent investigation into the allegations against both Gbajabiamila and Adeyemi.

Adeyemi is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court on July 27, 2026.

The Nigeria Police Force says it is investigating 30 cases of suspected politically motivated killings linked to the build-up to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria.

He said several suspects had already been arrested, with some publicly presented by the police before being arraigned in court.

‘From the complaints received, we cannot rule out the involvement of some politicians in the killings,’ he said.

Iniedu declined to provide further details on the ongoing investigations, explaining that commenting on the identities of suspects or the circumstances surrounding the cases could interfere with judicial proceedings.

He assured Nigerians that comprehensive information would be released after investigations had been concluded and the matters before the courts resolved.

Addressing allegations that the police were taking sides in the political crisis, the police spokesperson dismissed claims of bias, insisting that the force would neither conceal evidence nor protect anyone found to have committed crimes.

‘It is logical that when an election is coming up, there will be accusive fingers pointed by the gladiators, particularly against the police.

‘But I can assure you that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has given a marching order that any suspected criminal must be tracked, arrested and prosecuted,’ he said.

Iniedu also recalled the recent visit by the Inspector General of Police to Osogbo, where he met Governor Ademola Adeleke and other political stakeholders following growing concerns over violence ahead of the election.

According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity for all parties to air their grievances while the police chief emphasised that acts of violence would not be tolerated.

‘When we were In Osogbo, the IGP met with every stakeholder. The Governor and the opposition made accusations and counter accusations.

‘The posture of the IGP is that, we will not tolerate killings and any form of breakdown of law and order.

‘The IGP also warned parents to caution their children and wards to shun violence and desist from being used as tools to settle political scores,’ he said.

Responding to accusations that Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan was partisan and shielding suspects, Iniedu said the Inspector General personally addressed the issue with the commissioner.

He said the police chief issued clear directives and made it known that persistent allegations and counter-allegations would not be tolerated.

The spokesperson added that the IGP’s intervention had begun to produce positive results, noting that additional security assets, including specialised units, drones and helicopters, had been deployed to the state. He said intelligence gathering had also been strengthened through collaboration with other security agencies.

Iniedu further disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force currently has more than 400,000 serving officers nationwide.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday reserved judgment in a suit filed by Sen. Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Salim Ibrahim, who stated this after lawyers to the parties adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit, said that judgment date would be communicated to parties.

In the fresh suit, members of the Wabara-led BoT are seeking an order of the court compelling INEC to recognize the PDP interim National Working Committee (NWC)’s faction led by its National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, on its official website.

The plaintiffs also sought an order directing the electoral umpire to, forthwith, update its records and publish on its official website the interim NWC of the party as forwarded to it by the plaintiffs and its National Executive Committee (NEC).

They said the names of members of the Kabir Turaki-led NWC was forwarded to the electoral umpire via their letters dated May 4.

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

The BoT members, who are plaintiffs in the suit, are ex-Senate President Adolphus Wabara; BoT Secretary, former Gov. Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger; ex-Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana and PDP chieftain, Olabode George as 1st to 4th plaintiffs.

Others are former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma; also, an ex-Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina; member of BoT and NEC, Dame Esther Uduehi and PDP as 5th to 8th plaintiffs respectively.

They sued INEC as sole defendant in the suit.

But the PDP faction, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.

On Tuesday, although Uche announced his appearance for the 1st to 8th plaintiffs in the suit, another lawyer, Sunday Ameh, SAN, also announced his representation for the 8th plaintiff (PDP).

The Wike-backed PDP executives led by the National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed; Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary and Kamardeen Ajibade, National Legal Adviser, all sought to be joined in the suit as second, third and fourth 2nd, 3rd and defendants respectively.

They were represented in court by Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, while Joseph Daudu, SAN, appeared for Austin Nwachukwu, former Imo PDP chairman; Abraham Amah and Goerge Turner, who sought to join the suit as fifth and seventh defendants respectively.

They prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Justice Ibrahim had, on June 30, granted leave to the applicants seeking to join the suit to file all their processes including preliminary objections and counter affidavits to the main suit, which would all be taken together and rulings and judgment delivered.

The judge gave the order after counsel to the plaintiffs, Uche, informed the court that the suit was time bound based on INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections which gave July 17 as ultimatum for uploading of candidates’ names for the 2027 general elections.

When the case was called earlier, Uche informed the court that the matter was slated for hearing and that they were ready to proceed.

‘On the last adjourned date, in the light of many processes filed by parties and non-parties in this matter, it was agreed that all processes be adopted today with the substantive suit my lord.

‘All processes have been dully exchanged, and we are ready to proceed. My lord said all processes be taken together looking at the urgency involved and in the interest of justice,’ he said.

Ameh, who also appeared for 8th plaintiff (PDP), said notwithstanding the magnanimity, he disagreed with Uche’s submission about the urgency of the matter.

‘I want to say that this is a self-inflected urgency because if they knew, they would have filed long ago,’ he said.

Ameh contested the presence of PDP as a plaintiff before the court because the party did not authorise Uche to file the suit.

He said it was against the development that he filed a notice of change of counsel and a motion seeking an order striking out the PDP (8th plaintiff)’s name from the suit.

He said the ruling of the court would determine whether the PDP’s name ought to be in the suit or not.

INEC’s lawyer, Olusegun Adeyemi, also informed the court that the commission filed a preliminary objection and a counter affidavit against the originating summons.

Adopting his processes, Ameh said he filed a motion for change of counsel and a motion on notice seeking the striking out of the name of the 8th plaintiff from the suit on June 19.

He adopted all the processes filed and urged the court to grant their prayers.

Responding, Uche opposed Ameh’s application.

He said in opposition, a 72-paragraph counter affidavit was filed and deposed to by Turaki, the factional national chairman with two exhibits.

The lawyer prayed the court to dismiss the application as being misconceived and frivolous.

He also urged the court to dismiss the application for a change of counsel.

On the issue of joinder, Ukala adopted his process filed on June 18.

He said Mohammed, Sen. Anyanwu and Ajibade were necessary parties.

He said an affidavit, deposed to by Anyanwu, contained documentary evidence marked as Exhibits XN1 to XN6.

He said the applicants were elected as caretaker committee to steer the ship of the party, in line with a judgment of court delivered in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

‘Here, the court took a decision that the convention held in Ibadan between Nov. 15, 2025, and Nov. 16, 2025, is a nullity that a caretaker be put in place,’ he said.

But Uche opposed the application for joinder.

He said in opposition, they filed a counter affidavit deposed to by ex-Gov. Aliyu.

The lawyer, who urged the court to dismiss the joinder application, said the applicants ‘are meddlesome interlopers and busy bodies.’

He argued that the questions raised in their originating summons had no bearing against any other parties except INEC.

Citing Section 287 of the constitution to back his argument, Uche urged the court to discountenance Ukala’s submission.

Daudu equally adopted his application to join Nwanchulwu, Amah and Turner as 5th to 7th defendants which Uche also opposed.

The preliminary objection and the substantive suit were equally taken by the judge and all the lawyers, including INEC’s counsel adopted their processes and argued their case for and against the suit.

INEC’s lawyer, Adeyemi, urged the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

He said their preliminary objection dated, June 22, was filed on June 23.

He said ‘it is praying for an order dismissing the suit for want of jurisdiction.’

According to him, the application is predicated on four grounds.

‘We rely on all the paragraphs of the affidavit. We also filed a written address. We adopt the written address in support of our preliminary objection in praying this court to strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction,’ he said.

Resounding, Uche opposed the objection.

He said a counter affidavit was filed on June 29 against the commission’s objection.

‘We adopt and rely on the written address in urging my lord to dismiss the application as being grossly misconceived, frivolous and lacking in merit,’ he said.

Uche submitted that INEC had no ground to respond to a suit of this nature.

After listening to all the lawyers, Justice Ibrahim reserved ruling and judgment to a date to be communicated to parties.