An Abuja High Court has ruled against the expulsion of Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Presided over by Justice N. Iheme, the court found the action to be “baseless and illegal.”

The expulsion had earlier been announced by a faction of the PDP aligned with Senator Samuel Anyanwu in Imo State.

However, the court determined that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP holds the authority to discipline a serving federal lawmaker.

In its ruling, the court stated: “The 1st Defendant, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, was still a member of the PDP and a member of the National Assembly under the PDP constitution,” emphasizing that disciplinary powers over National Assembly members lie solely with the NEC.

Further reinforcing this point, the court said: “In this instant case, the PDP NEC denied suspending or expelling the defendant.”

Additionally, the judgment referenced the PDP’s own affidavit, noting: “Even the PDP in its affidavit in support said that the party did not expel the 1st Defendant and only the NEC has the power to hear any allegation or set up a disciplinary committee against a sitting member of the National Assembly as provided for by its Constitution.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State is making concerted efforts to bring Hon. Leke Abejide, the sole Action Democratic Congress (ADC) member in the House of Representatives, into its ranks.

According to the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the inclusive and peace-driven leadership of Governor Usman Ododo has created an environment that is drawing interest from opposition politicians like Abejide, who currently represents Yagba Federal Constituency.

Describing Abejide’s political style and record, Fanwo stated: “ADC is too small for his status,” and added, “Many of us have begun urging him to return to the progressive family.”

He referred to Abejide as a “natural progressive” whose track record resonates more closely with APC ideals.

Fanwo also highlighted Governor Ododo’s approach to bridging political divides.

“He disarmed opponents with his peaceful disposition. Today, the opposition is dying in Kogi,” he said, recalling how the governor, even before assuming office, reached out to key opposition figures.

He further praised Abejide’s contributions to his constituency and expressed public support for his continued representation.

“I’m from Yagba, and I’m one of those calling for his defection. We’ll campaign across all 34 wards to support his continuity beyond 2027.”

In addressing concerns over political rotation within the constituency, Fanwo emphasized the advantages of experience in the National Assembly.

“A ranking member brings more to the table than a newcomer. After his third term, it can rotate. But for now, it’s Leke Abejide beyond 2027. The big fish is on his way to the APC” he said.

The League of Northern Democrats (LND) has formally announced its support for a growing coalition of opposition figures working to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 general elections.

Following an expanded general assembly held Thursday in Abuja, the LND issued a communiqué confirming its alignment with the National Opposition Coalition Group, chaired by former Senate President David Mark.

The LND described the collaboration as part of a broader “transitional political process” in preparation for the next electoral cycle.

The session was presided over by LND Chairman and former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, with 147 members and leaders present.

Dr. Umar Ardo, LND Convener, read the communiqué to the press, stating that the group was engaged in deliberations over whether to form a new political party or merge with an existing one.

“The coalition set up two subcommittees: one led by former Governor Liyel Imoke to assess the feasibility of fusing into an existing political party, and another chaired by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi to consider registering a new party. I served as secretary of the subcommittee for the new party registration,” Ardo explained.

He noted that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai had proposed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a possible fusion partner, along with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“A final decision is expected on the 30th of this month. Our first preference in the LND is to register a new party, but we will support the coalition’s eventual resolution and assist with the process if the decision is to fuse into an existing party,” Ardo added.

On national matters, Ardo criticised worsening insecurity and economic hardship in Northern Nigeria, attributing much of the failure to the inaction of the region’s leaders.

He accused the 19 northern governors of showing “inertia” in addressing key challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and violence.

He also condemned the actions of lawmakers who switched parties without vacating their legislative seats, citing it as a violation of the constitution.

“Any national legislator who defects from the party that sponsored them must vacate their seat. In Delta and Kebbi states, entire assemblies defected from the PDP to the APC without consequence,” Ardo said, referencing Section 68 of the Nigerian Constitution.

He warned that the LND would organize civil resistance to pressure the National Assembly into declaring such seats vacant as stipulated by law.

The group resolved to convene a larger assembly involving northern political and civil society groups to develop a unified regional agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has made it clear that state governors will not support the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), arguing instead for reforms aimed at enhancing their capacity.

Speaking during the 13th National Delegates Conference of the Forum of Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECON) held in Jos, Plateau State, Governor Sule asserted that eliminating the commissions is not a viable solution.

“I agree one hundred per cent that abolishing SIECs is not a solution, and we will not support it. The same problems SIECs face, interference, funding constraints, are present at the national level,” he said.

Sule identified key challenges confronting SIECs, including political interference, inadequate funding, and a lack of public trust.

He cautioned against placing blame on the commissions without addressing these deeper systemic issues.

“From my experience as governor over the past six years, interference and underfunding are the two biggest obstacles. These realities hinder the commissions from performing effectively,” he noted.

He also suggested that calls to scrap SIECs are politically motivated.

“It’s not about improving democracy. It’s about control, control doesn’t build democracy or development. What we need are visionary leaders who serve with integrity,” he emphasized.

Governor Sule expressed optimism that the FOSIECON conference would offer constructive proposals to enhance the operations of electoral bodies and promised that governors would consider such recommendations seriously.

“I believe many governors will gladly support the solutions you recommend,” he said.

Addressing concerns about local government finances, Sule rejected claims that governors were hoarding funds meant for local councils.

According to him, most councils suffer from a lack of resources and rely on state government support.

Earlier in the event, FOSIECON Chairman Jossy Chibunde Eze advocated for strict adherence to constitutional provisions, financial autonomy, and operational independence for SIECs.

“SIECs are constitutionally empowered to operate independently but often face political interference due to financial dependence,” Eze stated.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly to approve a N1.481 trillion budget for Rivers State for the 2025 fiscal year.

The request was conveyed in a letter read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

According to President Tinubu, the appeal became necessary following the Supreme Court’s nullification of Rivers State’s 2025 budget and the ongoing state of emergency declared in the region.

President Tinubu had earlier announced the state of emergency in a national broadcast, during which he also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a period of six months.

To manage the situation, he appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd) as the Sole Administrator of the state.

Explaining the rationale behind the emergency declaration, Tinubu said it was intended “to restore stability in the state that had been witnessing a political crisis following the feud between Governor Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.”

Providing a breakdown of the proposed budget, the president outlined major allocations: N324 billion for infrastructure, N166 billion for health, N75.6 billion for education, and N31.4 billion for agriculture.

He noted that the agricultural sector was projected to create around 6,000 jobs.

Tinubu urged lawmakers to act quickly on the proposal, saying the budget was essential for the welfare of the state.

“I appeal to the lawmakers to urgently pass the budget for the good of the state,” he said.

Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the matter to the Senate ad-hoc committee on Rivers emergency rule, directing them to return to plenary with their recommendations as soon as possible.

The letter was also read in the House of Representatives by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during its Thursday session.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has declared that the opposition coalition he is part of will work to ensure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is voted out in the 2027 general elections, even as he praised Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, for his performance.

Speaking on Wednesday at the second edition of the Arewa Tech Fest in Katsina, el-Rufai stated that the coalition was determined to see Tinubu return to Lagos, but noted that some current cabinet members, like Tijani, could remain in office.

“They (the organising team) had to come without me because yesterday (Tuesday) at 8pm there was a very important meeting of the coalition we’re putting together to ensure that President Tinubu goes back to Lagos,” he explained.

While expressing his admiration for Tijani’s work, el-Rufai added, “Though we will still keep Bosun Tijani, we will still keep the minister because he is doing good work.”

He further explained the circumstances around his delayed arrival at the event: “I had to attend that meeting at 8pm. The Katsina airport does not operate after 8pm, so I could not come until this morning.”

El-Rufai, who recently switched allegiance from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in March 2025, is a key player in the emerging opposition alliance seeking to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid.