A Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi has set aside an executive order issued by Governor Hyacinth Alia restricting public gatherings across the state.

The executive order, signed by the governor in February 2024, imposed restrictions on public events, banning gatherings such as wakes, ceremonies and religious activities beyond 10pm, alongside other limitations.

The order was challenged by a former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bemgba Iortyom, and a human rights activist, Adebayo Ogorry, who approached the court seeking its nullification.

Delivering judgment last Friday, Justice Theresa Igoche held that the executive order had no lawful foundation and accordingly quashed it in its entirety.

According to a statement issued by the plaintiffs on Monday, the court found that the Executive Order Act relied upon by the governor had earlier been nullified by the Supreme Court, rendering the order “without lawful basis or justification whatsoever.”

The court granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs and issued a perpetual injunction restraining Governor Alia, his agents and privies from enforcing or giving effect to the executive order.

Justice Igoche further declared the order, signed on February 28, 2024, null and void, describing it as illegal, unreasonable, ultra vires the powers of the governor, and inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Reacting to the judgment, the plaintiffs described the ruling as a victory for the rule of law and constitutional democracy, saying it reaffirmed that citizens could defend their fundamental rights through the courts.

The suit, filed in June 2024, challenged the legality of the executive order, arguing that it violated the fundamental rights of residents of Benue State and amounted to an abuse of executive authority.

The plaintiffs contended that the order represented an attempt by the governor to exercise law-making powers not granted to him under the Constitution.

Among other reliefs, they sought a declaration that the requirement for organisers of rallies, wakes and other public gatherings to obtain permits from the Department of Public Order at the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, Benue State, was unconstitutional.

They argued that the requirement violated Sections 40, 41 and 45(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The plaintiffs also challenged the Public Order Act, Cap. 382, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, upon which the executive order was based, contending that it was inconsistent with constitutional provisions and the African Charter.

They further maintained that neither the governor nor any of the defendants had the legal authority under the Act or any other law to issue permits or impose restrictions on public gatherings, including events held after 10pm.

Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed a counter-affidavit at the Supreme Court of Nigeria challenging an appeal lodged by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in connection with proceedings at the Court of Appeal.

Court documents obtained by DAILY GAZETTE in Abuja show that the counter-affidavit, deposed to by a senior legislative aide to the senator, was filed in response to a Motion on Notice dated January 21, 2026, brought by Akpabio before the apex court.

The respondents are urging the Supreme Court to dismiss the application in its entirety, arguing that it discloses no prima facie good cause and amounts to an abuse of court process.

According to the counter-affidavit, the Court of Appeal had concluded hearing in the substantive appeal on November 28, 2025, and reserved the matter for judgment.

The respondents contend that approaching the Supreme Court at this stage is an attempt to interfere with an appellate process that has reached an advanced stage and is awaiting final determination.

They further maintain that Akpabio was afforded ample opportunity to present his case before the Court of Appeal in full compliance with the Rules of Court.

The filing states that the brief of argument submitted by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was procedurally compliant and properly before the Court of Appeal, adding that it was never formally challenged during the proceedings.

At the centre of the dispute is an alleged breach of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021, which limit briefs of argument to a maximum of 35 pages.

The respondents argue that while the legal teams representing Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and another respondent complied with the page limit, the Senate President’s brief exceeded the prescribed length.

They allege that Akpabio failed to regularise the defect within the timeframe allowed by the Rules, prompting the Court of Appeal to decline admission of the over-length brief and proceed with the appeal based on validly filed processes.

On the substantive legal issues, the respondents submit that the grounds of appeal relied upon by Akpabio raise issues of mixed law and fact, for which prior leave of court was required.

They insist that no such leave was sought or obtained, rendering the appeal incompetent from the outset.

The counter-affidavit also addresses complaints relating to adjournment and fair hearing, stating that the grant or refusal of adjournment falls within the discretionary powers of the court.

It argues that the Court of Appeal exercised its discretion judicially and judiciously, and that the appellant was not denied fair hearing at any stage of the proceedings.

Urging the Supreme Court to dismiss the application, the respondents describe the appeal as a deliberate attempt to delay or frustrate the delivery of judgment by the Court of Appeal.

A group known as the Concerned Professionals in the National Assembly has thrown its weight behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his decision to cancel recent appointments made by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), describing the action as lawful and consistent with due process.

The group said the annulled appointments failed to satisfy statutory requirements, particularly regarding competence, seniority, and the principle of federal character.

It maintained that Akpabio, who also serves as Chairman of the NASC, acted strictly within the powers conferred on him by law.

Speaking through a statement issued on Monday and signed by its leader, Simon Okechukwu, the professionals noted that the decision would enhance transparency, fairness, and institutional integrity within the National Assembly’s administrative system.

According to the group, the Senate President has also directed the Commission to ensure that all future appointments and promotions are guided by merit, seniority, and equitable representation across the federation.

The Concerned Professionals further urged the Patrick Giwa–led Establishment Committee, constituted by Akpabio, to carry out a comprehensive review of personnel records and supporting documents before recommending candidates for appointment or promotion.

They stressed that the committee bears a critical responsibility to guarantee that staffing decisions within the National Assembly bureaucracy comply with established rules on competence, seniority, and federal character.

The group encouraged the committee to open its doors to petitions from aggrieved individuals and groups, noting that such submissions would help uncover irregularities, address grievances, and strengthen public confidence in the process.

They also alleged that some unqualified individuals attempted to influence the appointment process with large sums of money, a situation they claimed contributed to the irregular appointments earlier voided by the Senate President.

Expressing confidence in the committee chairman, the group described Patrick Giwa, a former Clerk of the House of Representatives and current NASC commissioner, as an experienced administrator known for integrity and strict adherence to due process.

The statement also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in promotions within the engineering department, where some senior officers were reportedly bypassed despite regulations requiring officers to pass through at least two promotion levels before advancement.

The controversy followed the recent approval by the NASC of seven senior appointments—three in the House of Representatives and four management-level positions within the National Assembly bureaucracy.

The appointments sparked protests and petitions from staff unions, professional bodies, and senior officers, who accused the Commission of violating due process, seniority, competence, and federal character principles.

Following the complaints, Senate President Akpabio reviewed the process and ordered the cancellation of all seven appointments, insisting that they failed to meet the statutory framework governing the National Assembly Service Commission.

He subsequently directed that a fresh, transparent appointment process be initiated and constituted the Patrick Giwa–led Establishment Committee to review records, consider petitions, and make recommendations on future appointments and promotions.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as Chairman of the party’s National Convention Central Coordination Committee, with Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, named as Secretary.

The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday as preparations intensify for the APC national convention scheduled for March 27 and 28, 2026.

Basiru also announced that the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has been appointed Vice Chairman of the 73-member committee tasked with coordinating activities for the 2026 convention.

The ruling party had earlier released a detailed timetable for its 2025/2026 ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses across the country, which will culminate in the national convention where new members of the National Working Committee are expected to emerge.

Several serving governors were named as members of the committee. They include Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Bassey Otu of Cross River, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Muhammed Yahaya of Gombe, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Dikko Radda of Katsina, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Mohammed Bago of Niger, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba.

Other prominent members of the committee include APC Interim National Chairman, Bisi Akande; former national chairmen Adams Oshiomhole, Abdullahi Adamu, and Abdullahi Ganduje; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi; and Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (retd.).
Also listed are Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; former Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim, Ken Nnamani, and Ahmed Lawan; as well as former Speakers of the House of Representatives Aminu Masari, Patricia Etteh, Dimeji Bankole, Yakubu Dogara, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, among others.

The committee is expected to oversee logistics, coordination, and overall planning for the APC national convention as the party moves toward the selection of a new National Working Committee.