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Northern ministers ordered to defend Tinubu as opposition grows

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Northern ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet have started throwing their weight behind the administration in the face of growing criticism from opposition figures.
Some of the ministers and senior officeholders recently became vocal following criticisms of the administration by notable elites and politicians.As the dissenting voices became strident, credible sources said the Presidency gave marching orders to political leaders, ministers, and holders of other top political appointments to move and counter nay-sayers.

Fighting back

The Tinubu administration recently came under intense attack from political groups and party bigwigs, including former governors.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, had responded to recent criticisms from some political figures.

He condemned a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for making what he described as “reckless and inflammatory” comments against Tinubu, stressing that they were dangerous, especially when the government was working to strengthen national unity and security.

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Similarly, Matawalle reacted to the Northern Elders Forum’s expression of regret over its support for Tinubu in the 2023 general election.

He criticised the NEF, describing it as a “political burden to northerners” and accusing the group of attempting to erode the rights of others for personal gain.

A former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, also had a public spat over the President.

El-Rufai accused the NSA of having “serious amnesia” for denying past statements in which he allegedly described President Tinubu as the “most corrupt” politician.

He also referenced records from a 2006 Federal Executive Council meeting, where Ribadu, as the then Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, allegedly made similar allegations against Tinubu.

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In response, Ribadu, through his lawyer, demanded a public apology and retraction from El-Rufai.

In a similar vein, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, recently responded to criticisms of President Tinubu’s administration by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

Mohammed had accused the Tinubu government of failing to deliver on its promises, triggering a sharp rebuttal from Tuggar.

The minister described the governor’s remarks as “mischievous” and urged him to avoid misleading the public on national matters.

Tuggar highlighted that Bauchi State had seen a significant increase in federal allocation due to fiscal reforms but lamented the absence of tangible development.

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He further accused the governor of trying to dominate the state and deploying tactics that had previously led to unrest during his time as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Ministers acting on instructions

A strong ally of one of the two defence ministers in the Tinubu cabinet said the northern leaders had orders to confront mounting opposition against the President.

The source said, “Yes, we need to silence these nay-sayers,” alluding to the campaigns of the 2027 anti-Tinubu forces from the North.

“I’m sure that of recent, you have seen many of the ministers in Tinubu’s cabinet coming out to counter these oligarchs as you call them.

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“They are in the minority and the President or the Presidency is not afraid of them, but we too, and by this, I mean our political leaders, ministers, and holders of other top political appointments have been given the mandate and marching orders by the Presidency to move to the campaign fields and counter the naysayers from the elites in the north.”

Another reliable source in the presidential villa and principal officer to Tinubu said that aside from the marching orders to political office holders of northern extraction to resell the President to the North, there was strong contention between the two subzones in the region over where the pendulum would swing to after 2027.

He said, “The issue goes beyond the 2027 presidential ambition of the President. Many of these politicians from the north who are in our government know the implications of not supporting Tinubu’s ambition for 2027.

“They know that two notable zones in the North — the North West and North East — are now sharply divided over where the presidential candidate of the ruling APC after 2027 should come from and who will succeed President Tinubu in 2031.“While notable politicians from the North-West including ex-Senator Wammako and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, are fighting tooth and nail to discredit President Tinubu from running for second term in 2027, those from the North-East, including the incumbent Vice President, Kassim Shettima, and some ministers in the cabinet such as the Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate; and his Foreign Affairs counterpart are working on the formula that the Presidency should go to the North East.”

Continuing, the source maintained that “the recent onslaught by El-Rufai to paint President Tinubu in a bad light in the North has been countered by the people working for him (Tinubu)while the President has also strengthened his supporters with appointments and projects.”

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He stressed that some of the President’s supporters in the North West states, including El-Rufai’s successor, who is the sitting governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, and a former Katsina State governor, Aminu Masari, as well as Matawalle, were countering the moves.

“Besides, President Tinubu has allocated some projects to Kaduna South by giving them a university, while he also appointed Masari as the Chairman of TETfund. He was also the only presidential candidate who visited Birni Gwari during the campaign for the 2023 elections in spite of the insecurity in the area and made some promises to them.

“The Presidency is also working to weaken the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Muhammed, who has disappointed some people who sponsored his election.

“You know that the sitting Bauchi governor is the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Wike is the sponsor of the Peoples Democratic Party, but he has fallen out with Wike.

“That is where Wike and all other supporters have a very good job to play, weakening Bala Muhammed and all his plans.

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“The APC has pencilled down two serving ministers, Ali Pate and the Foreign Affairs Minister to contest the governorship seat in Bauchi, which is in the North East,” the source stated.

Speaking in a similar vein, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said those speaking against President Tinubu were blackmailers.

The minister, in an interview through his personal assistant, Yusuf Garba, said political appointees of the president were using persuasive means to gather support and influence his re-election in 2027.

He said, “Most of the so-called northern elites campaigning against the President are not mandated or appointed to talk on behalf of the northern region and its elders or leaders.

“President Bola Tinubu has given the North a sense of belonging in his administration by appointing individuals into key offices. The North has no alternative but to support his reelection bid.”

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Tinubu’s ministers not under influence – APC secretary

Meanwhile, the APC Publicity Secretary for North-West, Musa Mada, argued that the recent replies to El-Rufai, Governor Mohammed, and other critics from northern ministers were not influenced by the Presidency.

In an interview Mada said the appointees were acting on their own because they deemed it necessary to put things in proper perspectives.

He said, “It’s something that comes with time. It’s a spontaneous and momentous event. When something happens, ordinarily one would be obliged to set the record straight. Before, there were no issues like this that made them speak. Now that there are issues, there is a need for some of us to clarify the entire scenario and set the record straight.

“In case of those people making noise about Asiwaju’s administration, especially with regard to sectionalism, trying to make Tinubu’s government look like an administration that is for a section of the country. They are highly insincere people.

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“Take someone like Bala Mohammed for example. Go to his state and see the maladministration there, especially when it comes to the resources of Bauchi. We have records of the unprintable things he is doing with their resources. You will agree with me that from independence to today, there was no time when governors had it so good as now.

“When it comes to defending their interests, they will unite themselves. No matter how the masses cry, they will not even consider them. One  such instance is subsidy removal. Did you hear a complaint from any governor? Even before this administration, it was governors that were pushing the federal government to remove the subsidy and share the money with them.”

The APC spokesman also dragged El-Rufai, whom he labelled a hypocrite for attempting to disparage the President because he was neither appointed his vice president nor minister.

Ministers just doing their jobs — Presidency

On its part, the Presidency said it did not force any of the northern ministers to speak for Tinubu as those doing so were only doing their work.

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The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, stated, “Those ministers are doing their jobs. Nobody asked them to respond. They are simply doing their jobs. When you find a lot of people just talking as they like, somebody needs to react to them and tell them that what they are saying is not the truth.

“Being in government, they need to speak for the government. It is not just for the Minister of Information. Whether a minister is from the North, South or the East, they need to speak.”

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Enugu NDC Passes Vote Of Confidence On Dr. Johnpaul Anih-Led State Exco, Warns Against Destabilisation

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The Enugu State chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee (SWC), reaffirming its confidence in the current leadership and warning individuals allegedly plotting to destabilise the party to desist.

The resolution was reached on Saturday during an expanded meeting of the state working committee, party stakeholders, candidates and members, who commended the state executive for its leadership, commitment and efforts at repositioning the NDC in Enugu State.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of the party in Isiuzo Local Government Area, Hon. Jonathan Ogbu, said the current state leadership had transformed the fortunes of the party in Enugu.

“This is the only leadership of the party that emerged through a valid congress monitored by INEC, and any attempt by Enugu politicians spending dollars in Abuja to destabilise the party will be firmly resisted”.

“Without the current leadership, nobody would be hearing about the NDC in Enugu State today. The Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive has given the party life and made it attractive through its programmes and grassroots mobilisation,” he said.

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Corroborating his position, the Igboeze North Local Government Chairman of the party, Hon. Kingsley Ape and his Aninri counterpart, Hon. Stephen Ajah, stated that the achievements of the present leadership had positioned the party to participate effectively in the forthcoming local government elections.

According to them, without the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive, the NDC would not have been on the ballot for the forthcoming local government chairmanship and councillorship elections in Enugu State.

The party leaders declared that they remain firmly behind Dr. Anih and his executive, insisting that the State Working Committee enjoys the overwhelming confidence and support of the party’s grassroots structure across the 17 local government areas of the state.

They further warned that any attempt to tamper with the existing leadership could trigger a mass exodus of members from the party in Enugu State.

The stakeholders also cautioned individuals allegedly fomenting crisis within the party, urging them to steer clear of activities capable of undermining the unity, stability and progress of the NDC.

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According to them, any attempt to create parallel party structures or sow discord among members would be firmly resisted in the interest of preserving the party’s cohesion ahead of future political engagements.

The members equally expressed concern over what they described as the actions of the party’s national leadership, alleging that recent developments could further deepen internal disagreements if not handled with fairness and respect for due process.

They urged the national leadership to refrain from actions capable of escalating tensions within the party, stressing that internal disputes should be resolved in line with the party’s constitution and democratic principles.

Reaffirming their loyalty to the NDC, the stakeholders called on members across the state to remain united, focused and committed to building a stronger political platform.

They pledged their continued support for the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee and maintained that the Enugu chapter would continue to protect the integrity of the party while working tirelessly to advance its political objectives in the state.

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Kwankwaso: Obi signed one-term presidency accord

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The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, has confirmed that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, signed a written agreement with him to serve only a single tenure of four years and allow power to return to the North if elected president in 2027.

Kwankwaso disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, saying the agreement was aimed at ensuring power returns to the North after a single four-year tenure in line with the party’s power-sharing arrangement.

The former Kano State governor said he had no reason to doubt Obi’s commitment to honouring the agreement.

“Oh yes, I personally believe him. I don’t think, based on what I now know about him, that he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen,” he said.

Asked whether the understanding had been documented, Kwankwaso replied that both the party and the two candidates signed separate agreements.

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“We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,” he said.

Explaining the substance of the agreement, Kwankwaso said it provides for a single four-year tenure for Obi before the presidency returns to the North.

“The agreement is what you said, that for four years, we will work together, team together as a group, party, friends and brothers so that after his term of four years (2027-2031), it comes back to the North. That is the general agreement.”

He said he accepted the vice-presidential slot because both leaders agreed that the South should retain the presidency for only one term before power rotates back to the North.

“Together we felt that the presidency should go to the South for four years; thereafter it will come back to the North.

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“We believe that should be the consensus of everybody in this country so that we can move together as a family, both North and South,” he said.

On whether he intends to contest the presidency in 2031, Kwankwaso said the party remained focused on winning the 2027 election while keeping its long-term political plans in view.

“We have a short-term plan which we are executing now and, of course, we also have our medium and long-term plans for the country, and that is what we are working on now,” he said.

Obi had in May announced that he would serve only one term if elected president, saying the decision was intended to promote political stability and strengthen national unity.

“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day, with a gun to my head, longer than four years,” Obi had said.

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The NDC has consistently defended its power-sharing arrangement, presenting the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a consensus aimed at balancing the country’s regional interests ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

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Court Reinstates Sen. Emma Anosike as Anambra APC Chairman, Grants Stay of Execution

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By Okey Maduforo, Awka

The leadership crisis rocking the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took a fresh turn on Monday after the Federal High Court in Abuja granted a stay of execution on its earlier judgment that removed Sen. Emma Anosike as the party’s state chairman.

The order effectively restores Anosike to office pending the determination of the legal proceedings.

The dispute began after a faction of the party led by Ifeanyi Osegbo approached the court, seeking recognition as the duly constituted State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC. The application was opposed by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Following the initial judgment, the Anambra APC dismissed the ruling as a “kangaroo judgment,” alleging that the plaintiffs misrepresented facts before the court. The party further claimed that some individuals listed as plaintiffs were unaware of the suit and that their names had been inserted without their knowledge.

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The party also argued that Anosike and the state secretary, Mr. Obi Okpala, were not joined as parties in the suit, making the judgment unenforceable against them.

Relying on the earlier judgment, members of the Osegbo faction reportedly took over the party secretariat in Awka, gaining access to the offices and holding a meeting there.

In response, Anosike, Okpala, acting on behalf of themselves and other elected executive members, filed an application challenging the judgment. They asked the court to set aside the ruling delivered on June 24, 2026, by Justice M.G. Umar, describing it as a nullity.

The applicants also sought an order staying the execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of their application.

Among the grounds for the application were alleged non-service of originating processes and hearing notices, denial of fair hearing, misrepresentation of facts, forum shopping by the plaintiffs, estoppel, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction to set aside a judgment obtained through procedural defects.

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Speaking after Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the APC, Douglas Najime, alleged that the earlier judgment was secured through misrepresentation and without proper service on the affected parties.

According to him, the court’s decision to grant a stay of execution means that Sen. Emma Anosike remains the substantive chairman of the Anambra APC, alongside the existing executive committee, pending the outcome of the appeal.

He maintained that the stay of execution effectively suspends the enforcement of the earlier judgment and preserves the status quo until the legal dispute is finally resolved.

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2027: APC’s “Glorious” March Toward Political Doom in Abia

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THE adage that pride goes before a fall may have caught up with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded Party Primaries in Abia state as the party displays arrogance, impunity and sense of unguarded pride which according to the adage ( …goes before a fall) Hiding under the cloak of a ruling party at the national level, the APC merchants may have actually dug a pit of hell for the party in Abia state where they aught to have deployed their first eleven.

Undoubtedly, APC story in Abia state as to the recent primaries could be likened to the arithmetic presentation known as ” improper fraction” where the smaller number carries the bigger number on its head thereby carrying unbearable load that is capable of breaking it’s spine. One wonders whether any sane person can prefer the least to the highest.

THE CAUSE OF THE MATTER

The APC in Abia state conducted their primaries in the Month of May 2026.The party at the National Level sent their representatives to the State to conduct the exercise. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also present, monitored and authenticated the exercise.

Few weeks after the exercise, it was later learned that the APC had set up a kangaroo Primaries Election Appeal Committee at Abuja and upturned the entire exercise and substituted genuinely elected candidates of the party from the Abia South Senatorial Zone of the state with names that came distance last according the results produced by the Primaries.

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The Abia South Senatorial Primaries Election was won by Hon. Erondu Junior Erondu while that of Ukwa Federal Constituency was duly won by Hon. Chris Nkwonta, the incumbent member representing the constituency. The APC brazenly substituted the duo with Prince Paul Ikonne and Sam Nwogu. What a daylight goof by the leaders of the APC.

What could have caused this. The Primaries Appeal Committee of the APC conducted their mockery exercise without even hearing from the duo that were said to have been substituted. This was the beginning of the suspicions that there must be an unseen hand remotely involved.

Up till now, no known reason has been offered for the substitution of Hon Erondu and Hon Nkwonta. It is on record that the duo of Ikonne and Nwogu never featured in any of the congresses of the party in the state from the ward to the State level only to emerge from the blues to become candidates of the Party. What an impending disaster if the party allows this rubbish to fly . Of course that would be the party’s end as it has never been known to have won any election in that zone but had always ended distance 4th.

The life APC is enjoying in the Abia South Senatorial Zone today is the cross- carpeting of Hon. Chris Nkwonta who joined the party from the PDP after some months in the Green Chambers and the latest entrant ,Hon. Erondu also from the PDP. There is no APC in Abia South Senatorial Zone without Nkwonta and Erondu and other political parties have been in early jubilations praying that the duo are denied the Party’s ticket as it is already uhuru for them.

Hon. Nkwonta, since he joined the APC has single handedly bankrolled the party at the zone building structures and welcoming multitudes into the party and many have believed and followed him into the party because of the enormous love, support , good will he enjoys amongst his people. There is no doubt that Hon Chris Nkwonta is the most cherished and loved politician in Ukwa land because of his generosity, kindness, open door policy which has impacted immensely on his people even before his foray into politics.

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Hardly will one go into any community in Ukwa land that you will not hear his positive testimonies from widows, Youths, adults and that has made him a household name in Ukwa land and as such has also caught the eyes of his envious negligible political opponents scared of his prominence and rising profile. A successful business man who has ever said it that he was in politics to make a difference and serve his people. And within the past three years in the Green Chambers, the difference is clear and shows in all corners of Ukwa land.

BUT WHO ARE THESE MISCHIEVMAKERS IN APC?

Certainly, there are top ranking individuals within and outside the party in the state alleged to be behind this plot to deny elected party candidates their tickets and thereby drag the party into colossal failure, doom and darkness in the state.

Chief Paul Ikonne and Sam Nwogu are said to be members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a pro President Tinubu group with the lmo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma as their leader. The group had been in rival conflict with the APC leadership in the state headed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu. The cold war between the two APC Leaders in the South East is so conspicuous and is entrenched strongly in Abia APC. Both Camps produced candidates for all the elective positions in Abia state ,State House of Assembly, the National Assembly and the Governorship position. It has remained strong rumours in the state that followers of the lmo state Governor had in different fora boasted that Governor Hope Uzodinma will install the next Government in Abia state.

But this is exactly what is playing out in Abia South Senatorial Zone of the APC as candidates of the Imo state Governor continue to lay claim to a candidacy they lost at the Primaries insisting that the matter has been settled at the National Headquarters of the party at Abuja. There is obvious truth in their claim and glaring collaboration with leaders of the APC at the National Level.

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If not, one continues to wonder the rush by the leaders of the APC at the National Level to conduct a kangaroo Appeal Panel Committee and quick substitutions and submission of lists to the INEC.

So ridiculous that an Appeal committee was set up simultaneously as the primary election committee was being set up. The appeal committee sat and cleared Hon Erondu and Hon Nkwonta but the NWC decided to go contrary to the report of the appeal committee. Obvious Confusions and suspicious of a hidden motive.

The APC at the state level had through the state Chairman, Hon Chijioke Chukwu recently in a press conference confirmed and affirmed the candidacy of Hon Erondu and Hon. Nkwonta assuring that they remain the party’s authentic candidates for 2027 Elections.

The people of Ukwa Federal Constituency of the APC also recently held a press conference aligning with the decision of the party at the state level.

In a communique recently released after an enlarged stakeholders of the APC in Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ukwa East and Ukwa West LGAs indisputably reaffirmed the candidacy of Hon. Chris Nkwonta.

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The party leaders said “As the countdown to the 2027 general elections commences, the party has firmly established that Hon. Nkwonta stands as the rightful and duly nominated flagbearer for the Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, a fact borne out of a resolute commitment to democratic integrity and transparency”

“The meeting was held at the Ukwa-East Party Secretariat in Akwete. The meeting veritably saw the convergence of vital constituents: the executives of APC at the LGA level, ward chairmen, youth leaders, women leaders, ward secretaries and influential senior stakeholders hailing from both Ukwa East and Ukwa West LGAs. Together, a collective voice was forged which resonated with clarity and purpose.

The communiqué bore the signatures of figures including Hon. Chiwuike Ekeke – Chairman of the APC in Ukwa East LGA, Hon. Success Enyinnaya – Chairman of the APC in Ukwa West LGA, Mr. Darlington Iwor – Secretary Ukwa East and Sir Joe Onyedi-Magnus – Secretary Ukwa West. Each signature, remains a will to the unity and steadfast support for Hon. Nkwonta’s candidacy”

“The purpose of this significant gathering was to confront what the party leadership deemed as a plethora of misleading narratives circulating within the vast realms of social media, casting shadows of doubt upon the party’s chosen candidate for the seat of the House of Representatives. In a robust defense of party’s integrity, the leaders articulated their full participation in a transparent primary election, executed in strict accordance with the sanctity of the Electoral Act and the party’s own guiding constitution. The party proudly asserts that on the defining day of May 16, 2026, Hon. Nkwonta emerged victorious, celebrated across the expansive canvas of 20 electoral wards of Ukwa East and Ukwa West LGAs.

With untiring conviction, the party leadership emphasized that the announcement of Nkwonta’s victory was officially heralded by none other than Barr. Erasmus Cishak, the Chairman of the Abia State National Assembly Primary Elections Committee, as constituted by the National Working Committee. The party’s assertions remained fortified with an insistence that Hon. Nkwonta’s candidacy had neither been substituted nor withdrawn at any juncture in this honorable journey.

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Delving deeper into the tenets of democratic processes, the stakeholders articulated that the provisions of the Electoral Act delineate precise procedures for candidate nomination and submission, rendering any attempts at undermining this process through social media propaganda or political maneuvering utterly futile.

The sanctity of the APC primary election was further validated by the vigilant oversight of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ensuring that Nkwonta’s position as the party’s standard-bearer for the impending 2027 general elections stands robust and unassailable”

The party leaders appealed to both party members and the broader public, the Ukwa East and Ukwa West APC to disregard what they characterized as the insidious fabrications of pranksters and scamps. Reaffirming their steadfast dedication to upholding the rule of law, due process and the pillars of internal democracy.

However, the APC leadership of Ukwa East and West extends heartfelt congratulations to Hon. Nkwonta for his significant achievement and pledged a united front to secure his triumph at the poll in 2027.

The party leaders equally expressed their deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the National Executive Committee of the APC, the revered Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and APC luminary in Abia State, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, along with Hon. Chijioke Chukwu—the Abia State APC Chairman and other party leaders for their abiding commitment to principles of justice, due process and democratic integrity.

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They reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and articulated an unshakable support for President Tinubu’s administration, exuding confidence that the party would emerge resoundingly victorious in the upcoming elections.

It is expected that the APC leadership in Abia under Rt Ben Kalu, the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives in his usual characteristics should demonstrate political will and insist that the choice of Abians in his party’s are affirmed and not thwarted. He is the leader of the party in the state and witnessed the entire process during the Primaries so cannot allow an intruder assume leadership position or upturn the wishes of his party members in the state.

It is also very important to let the APC at the National Level know that those masquerading as Ambassadors of the party in Abia are non-performers who wear a robe of discipleship but carry the mark of Judas Iscariot as their actions are totally in variance with the name they profess and their plot will spell doom to APC in Abia state. The authentic list of the party’s candidates as uploaded from INEC should be made public as secrecy surrounding the release does not portray the party in good light.

Members of the party in Abia South Senatorial Zone are watching and waiting. The APC should put its house in order and chart the right course, or risk facing serious political consequences and the looming catastrophe that lies ahead.

Maduforo Ekeke. Writes from Aba. Abia state.

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A’Court upholds order barring INEC from recognising Mark-led ADC congresse

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a split decision of two to one, the three-member panel affirmed the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, holding that the congresses organised under the caretaker committee violated an existing court order.
Justice Okon Abang, who delivered the lead judgment, ruled that there was no basis to set aside the restraining order issued by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on April 29.
The appellate court also upheld the lower court’s decision barring the caretaker leadership from interfering with the functions and tenure of the party’s duly elected state executive committees.
According to the court, the ADC Constitution vests the responsibility for conducting state congresses in the elected state executive committees, not the national caretaker leadership.
Justice Donatus Okorowo concurred with the lead judgment, while Justice Abba Mohammed dissented, arguing that the matter was an internal affair of the political party and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the courts.
The suit was filed by aggrieved members of the ADC, who challenged the legality of committees established by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership to conduct state congresses. They argued that the appointments breached the party’s constitution, insisting that only duly elected party organs had the authority to organise state congresses.
In its earlier ruling, the Federal High Court held that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remained valid until fresh congresses and a national convention were properly conducted.
Justice Abdulmalik further ruled that neither the 1999 Constitution nor the ADC Constitution empowered the caretaker committee to appoint committees to conduct state congresses.
While noting that courts generally refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of political parties, the judge held that judicial intervention is justified where constitutional or statutory provisions are alleged to have been breached.
Affirming the lower court’s decision, the Court of Appeal declared the state congresses and national convention conducted by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership null and void for being carried out in defiance of an existing court order.
The appellate court stressed that once a dispute raises constitutional issues, it ceases to be merely an internal party matter and becomes subject to judicial review.
Consequently, the court dismissed the ADC’s appeal, upheld all the orders of the Federal High Court, and awarded ₦10 million in costs against the party.

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