A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a decisive ruling stopping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its 2025 national convention slated to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The convention, originally planned for November 15–16, was expected to produce the party’s next set of national officers.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Peter Odo Lifu ordered that the event be suspended following a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido.

Lamido had approached the court after he was allegedly denied the chance to obtain a nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the PDP must comply with its Constitution and internal guidelines, stressing that the party is obligated to provide equal opportunity for all eligible members.

He declared that the Ibadan convention cannot proceed until Lamido is granted the opportunity to purchase the required nomination form.

The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or participating in the convention in any capacity until the party complies with the order.

Details shortly ..

The North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has once again called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State to dump the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and align with the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections, citing recent political developments in his favour.

The renewed appeal came on Thursday during the Forum’s third-quarter meeting in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Speaking at the gathering, the Forum’s chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, said the group was the first political body to publicly urge Mutfwang to join the APC, a call they made before and after the 2023 elections. He noted that many of their earlier political projections were now coming to pass.

Zazzaga highlighted several of the Forum’s efforts, including advocacy for the establishment of the North Central Development Commission, lobbying for the return of the APC National Chairmanship to the North Central zone, mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies, and encouraging leaders from other parties to defect to the APC.

“Among all our pushes and calls, one of the most consistent has been our appeal for Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join the APC,” Zazzaga said.

“Although other political groups are now making similar appeals, we remain the first to do so, guided by our political experience, grassroots engagement, and commitment to strengthening the party structure.”

The Forum’s chairman urged Mutfwang to act in line with his administration’s slogan, “The Time Is Now,” by taking the bold step to join the APC.

“All conditions are now right for him to make the move,” Zazzaga continued.

“His good works and achievements will be better appreciated under the APC, where he can align more effectively with progressive governance.”

He praised Mutfwang’s performance as governor, describing him as a “progressive leader” whose actions have demonstrated genuine commitment to development.

“For him to make greater strides, he should work in synergy with President Tinubu, who has shown strong interest in Plateau’s progress,” he said.

“Joining the APC will also place him on the same platform as other North Central governors in the party, allowing for unified regional development.”

Zazzaga also pointed out that most Plateau legislators are members of the APC, which, in his view, would create better cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.

“The partnership between both arms is crucial for progress, stability, and addressing security challenges,” he added.

The chairman dismissed dissenting voices within the APC who oppose Mutfwang’s potential defection, saying such members “lack political foresight” and do not understand the broader strategic goals of the party.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has called on President Bola Tinubu to compel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to apologise for using derogatory language against a naval officer, A.M. Yerima, during a confrontation over a disputed property in Abuja.

Falana, speaking on Thursday at the opening of the Legal Year of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, said both Wike and the military officer acted outside the law in the viral altercation that took place on land reportedly belonging to a former Chief of Naval Staff.

“On no account should a Minister insult or abuse a serving officer,” Falana said.

“Mr. President should compel the Minister to apologise. He was lucky he wasn’t shot. Even the President himself cannot call any Nigerian a fool.”

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria explained that although Wike was performing his statutory duties under Section 11 of the Land Use Act, his use of inflammatory language and lack of restraint undermined the dignity of his office.

He, however, noted that the naval officer was also at fault for obstructing the minister, saying his presence on the site to guard private property was “illegal” and that “superior orders” could not justify such an act.

“The military officer contravened the law by preventing the Minister from carrying out his duty. His orders were illegal. But the Minister also went off track,” Falana added, commending the officer’s restraint despite provocation.

Falana also criticised the Federal Government’s reported move to have former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu serve the remainder of his UK prison sentence in Nigeria.

He questioned why the government would single out Ekweremadu while ignoring over 230 other Nigerians currently serving prison terms in the United Kingdom.

“Why is the government seeking his transfer when no British citizen is in a Nigerian prison under any prisoner exchange arrangement?” he asked, vowing to challenge the policy.

The renowned human rights lawyer was speaking at an event themed “Litigation as the Bloodline of Justice: Building the Next Generation of Advocates.”

The programme was organised by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), University of Abuja Chapter.

During the ceremony, Falana was conferred with the honorary title of Senior Advocate of the Masses, which he dedicated to indigent Nigerians.

Also addressing the gathering, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, Dean of the Faculty of Law, commended LAWSAN for creating a platform that connects students with seasoned legal practitioners, stressing the importance of ethics, discipline, and continuous learning.

LAWSAN President, Abiola Akingbolu, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to fostering professional development and mentorship among law students, saying such initiatives prepare them for the realities of legal practice in Nigeria.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, Prof. Sam Egwu, has accused successive Nigerian presidents since 1999 of violating the Constitution by neglecting its fundamental principles of social justice, citizen welfare, and economic inclusion.

Egwu made the allegation yesterday at the National Conference on the Future of Democracy in Nigeria, organised by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), in Abuja.

The conference had as its theme “Sustaining Democratic Growth Beyond the Polls for Effective Governance.”

According to him, every administration since the return to democracy has governed in breach of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the state’s duty to promote the welfare, health, and education of citizens.

“All the presidents that have come since 1999 have never obeyed the Constitution,” Egwu said.
“Our Constitution commits Nigeria to social democracy, but successive governments have instead pursued liberal economic policies dictated by the World Bank and IMF, policies that contradict the social justice provisions of our Constitution.”

He urged political leaders to recommit to true democratisation and restore public confidence by ensuring that governance serves the people rather than foreign interests.

Also speaking at the event, 2027 presidential hopeful Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim warned that democracy in Africa risks losing its legitimacy if it fails to improve citizens’ lives.

He noted that democracy must go beyond elections to deliver prosperity and opportunity, adding that “people cannot eat democracy.”

“When democracy ceases to offer hope or opportunity, despair breeds nostalgia for authoritarianism,” he cautioned.

Citing Nigeria’s shrinking economy, he said the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has fallen from $574 billion in 2014 to $259 billion in 2025, reflecting rising poverty and disillusionment.

Drawing historical parallels, Olawepo-Hashim likened Africa’s fragile democracies to those of post–World War I Europe, which collapsed under economic strain and social unrest, giving rise to dictators such as Mussolini and Hitler.

He also hailed former NEC Chairman, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, for his courage during the June 12, 1993 presidential election, describing him as “a man whose integrity gave meaning to Nigeria’s democratic journey.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi’s call for Nigerians to mobilise against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, describing it as “political hallucination.”

In a statement titled “Mobilise Who? A Politician Rejected at Home Cannot Lead a National Revolt,” APC spokesman Mogaji Seye Oladejo said Amaechi had become “a political orphan” with no structure or following, especially in his home state of Rivers.

“Amaechi has lost his base, followers, and relevance,” the statement read.

“He cannot mobilise a nation when his own backyard has padlocked the gate against him.”

The party maintained that while Amaechi was “busy trying to resurrect his collapsed career,” President Tinubu was focused on delivering tangible results across sectors, including infrastructure, education, and investment.

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed calls by former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi for Nigerians to mobilise against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the statement as “political daydreaming.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, and titled “Mobilise Who? A Politician Rejected at Home Cannot Lead a National Revolt,” the party described Amaechi as a “political orphan” who has lost relevance in his home state and across the country.

According to the APC, Amaechi’s name “no longer commands political weight” in Rivers State, where, it said, he had lost his structure, followers, and voice.

“A man who has been rejected at home cannot lead a national movement,” the statement read.

“His bitterness is not a national agenda but the cry of a sore loser still reeling from the humiliation of the 2022 APC presidential primary.”

The Lagos APC further stated that while Amaechi is “busy attempting to revive his collapsed political career,” President Tinubu is focused on governance and delivering tangible results.

It cited recent federal initiatives such as the NELFUND student loan programme, the establishment of CREDITCORP to support small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), and growing foreign investment interest from Qatar, the UAE, Europe, and the Ogunlesi-led consortium as examples of Tinubu’s achievements.

The statement also highlighted ongoing reforms across key sectors, including transport infrastructure, agriculture, mining, and security, which, it said, are stabilising Nigeria’s economy and future.

“The truth Amaechi avoids is simple: his problem is not Tinubu; his problem is political irrelevance,” the statement continued.

“Amaechi cannot preach mobilisation without a platform. Where is his political structure? Where are his followers? In politics, you cannot give what you don’t have.”

The party asserted that President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 “is not just possible but inevitable,” given what it called his “visible record of performance, leadership, and courage.”

It added: “Amaechi’s sudden activism is a familiar script”, failed politicians often imagine a revolution when they can no longer win elections. But Nigerians know better. You cannot defeat performance with propaganda.”

The Senate has dismissed reports suggesting that lawmakers were plotting to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing the claims as false, misleading, and aimed at sowing disunity in the upper chamber.

Speaking during plenary, the Senate Leader clarified that no discussions or moves toward Akpabio’s removal had taken place.

He explained that statements credited to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu regarding an alleged impeachment plan were taken out of context.

“From my discussions with Senator Kalu, it became clear that the statement attributed to him was misrepresented,” the Senate Leader said.

He cautioned that such misinformation could distract the legislature from addressing pressing national issues, stressing that senators remain united behind Akpabio’s leadership.

“There is no tension in this Senate. We are focused on delivering for Nigerians, and we will not allow rumours to derail our work,” he added.

The clarification was officially recorded in the Senate proceedings, as lawmakers reaffirmed their confidence in Akpabio and pledged continued cooperation under his leadership.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, had earlier told reporters that there had been an “attempt” to remove Akpabio but that it was thwarted.

Describing the development as a “family misunderstanding,” Kalu insisted there was no ongoing crisis within the Senate.

“There were attempts, but we didn’t allow that to happen. We are one big family, and it’s not going to happen,” Kalu said.

On the economy, the former Abia governor acknowledged that Nigerians were facing hardship but maintained that key macroeconomic indicators were improving.

“As a businessman, I am also feeling the pain. The macroeconomy is doing well, but the microeconomy is not. Foreign investors are returning, and the next step is ensuring that this progress translates into daily relief for ordinary Nigerians,” he stated.

Kalu also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s political direction, predicting that Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo would soon join the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing him as “a natural progressive.”

He added, “I don’t see anything wrong with Soludo joining us. In fact, it’s confirmed that he will join the APC. He has no alternative.”

The lawmaker further expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, declaring that the president remains on course for a second term and currently faces “no real opposition.”