Politics
Ondo gov poll: Military, police man boundaries, IG orders lockdown
• BVAS, other materials arrive LGs, PDP govs ask electorate to defend votes, EFCC warns vote-buyers
Ahead of Ondo State’s governorship election on Saturday, security agencies have reinforced measures to ensure a peaceful electoral process, deploying extensive personnel and resources to maintain law and order across the state.
The Defence Headquarters announced the deployment of troops to the border areas and flashpoints in a coordinated effort to support the Nigeria Police Force and ensure the smooth conduct of the election.
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Buba Edward, the deployment is meant to deter any interference with the voting process and keep troublemakers at bay.
Seventeen political parties are fielding candidates in the election but it is expected to be a straight contest between the incumbent Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress and Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Edward noted that troops would also assist in the transport of sensitive election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“Troops are deployed in strength to assist the police in Ondo State for the off-cycle governorship election on November 16. The military presence is to provide security, enabling voters to cast their ballots without fear of harassment.
“Indeed, troops’ presence is to ensure the security of citizens, enabling them to cast their votes without any form of harassment or intimidation while keeping mischief-makers at bay. The NAF is already engaged in flying sensitive electoral material in support of INEC,” Edward stated.
On Thursday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, visited Ondo to oversee final preparations and assess the readiness of military personnel.
Meeting with security agency leaders at the 32 Artillery Brigade in Akure, Musa praised the coordinated approach and urged the agencies to maintain professionalism, avoid misconduct, and support a smooth electoral process.
He also commended the armed forces for their exemplary role in previous elections, particularly the recent Edo governorship poll, and expressed confidence that similar results would be achieved in Ondo.
“President Bola Tinubu was impressed with the conduct of the army in the Edo State governorship election. An election should not be warfare. Your job is to provide security for the electoral umpire and residents of Ondo State,” Musa said.
The CDS urged INEC “not to allow last-minute errors such as late arrival of materials ruin the efforts so far put in place to ensure hitch-free election.”
Heads of other security agencies in attendance and as well INEC assured the CDS that all arrangements had been made towards ensuring a free and fair governorship election in the state.
In preparation for the poll, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed 22,239 officers to maintain security across the state before, during, and after the exercise.
The IG assured residents of a violence-free poll, stating that the police force would be fully prepared to prevent any breach of peace.
He also issued a restriction on all vehicular movement in the state from 6am to 6pm on Election Day.
Exceptions include essential services such as ambulances, media personnel, and fire services, while the use of sirens by unauthorised vehicles was also prohibited.
To curb any VIP-related disruptions, Egbetokun banned security escorts from accompanying high-profile individuals to polling and collation centres.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Sylvester Alabi has been tasked with overseeing police security for the election, supported by AIG Bennett Igweh and CP Tunji Disu, both of whom will focus on maintaining order and addressing any security threats.
The Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said, “As part of the security framework, there will be a restriction of all vehicular movements on roads, waterways, and other means of transportation from 6 am to 6 pm on Election Day, with the exception of those on essential services, such as ambulances, media officials, fire services, and other accredited media.
“Furthermore, security aides and escorts attached to VIPs are banned from accompanying VIPs to polling booths and collation centres to prevent disruptions. Unauthorised security personnel and quasi-security agencies will not be permitted to operate during the election, and a strict ban on the use of sirens by unauthorized vehicles will be enforced.”
He assured that special consideration would be given to the elderly and people with disabilities, among others, on Election Day.
Adejobi said, “In preparation for the elections, the IGP deployed DIG Sylvester Abiodun Alabi as the coordinating DIG for the election, tasked with overseeing the implementation of the police security strategies to maintain law and order throughout the electoral period, while AIG Bennett Igweh and CP Tunji Disu are deployed as AIG and CP Elections, respectively.”
Adejobi urged the citizens to report all suspicious activities that may threaten the integrity of the electoral process and reaffirmed the police commitment to fostering a safe and democratic environment as the state gears up for the elections.
“The police will also be working with the military and other federal security agencies as collaborative efforts from all stakeholders are vital to ensuring that the elections are conducted fairly and peacefully. Reports of suspicious activities should be immediately reported to law enforcement,” he added.
DIG Alabi assured that the police and other agencies were ready for Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.
Speaking at a briefing in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where he gave an update on the readiness of the security agencies, Alabi disclosed that the police units would be supported by operatives from the Federal Criminal Investigative Department, Technical Intelligence Unit and the Intelligence Response Unit.
He stated, “Four police officers and additional personnel from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Correction Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency will be on duty at each polling unit and voting point in the state.”
Alabi said the police had done a comprehensive threat analysis of the eight area commands and 54 divisional police headquarters under the state police command “to identify flash points and the attendant risks posed by individuals and groups before, during and after the election.”
The DIG assured of police resolve “to provide a level-playing ground for all contesting candidates irrespective of party affiliation or status, ensure a secured environment for a successful and peaceful conduct of elections throughout the state and provision of adequate security for election officials and materials from all take-off points to their respective destinations and vice versa.”
He stated that residents could be arrested on Election Day “for being in possession of any offensive weapon or wearing any dress or having any facial or other decorations calculated to intimidate voters, exhibiting, wearing or tendering any notice, symbol, photograph or party card referring to the election.”
Other offences, he said, include using any vehicle bearing the colour or symbol of a political party, loitering without lawful excuse after voting or being refused to vote, snatching or destroying any election materials, blaring siren and convening, holding or attending any public meetings during the election hours.
Meanwhile, INEC has distributed sensitive materials, including ballot papers to the 18 local government areas in the state in a move to ensure the timely arrival of electoral materials at the polling booths.
The materials were distributed on Thursday from the Central Bank of Nigeria in Akure under the supervision of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola.
Representatives of political parties, security agencies, and other key stakeholders witnessed the exercise.
“We are committed to transparency and are making every effort to ensure the voting process is as smooth as possible,” Babalola stated.
She also emphasised the logistical preparations made for riverine and remote areas of Ondo.
The Navy is supporting the efforts by providing gunboats for transporting materials to difficult-to-reach locations, while alternate transport arrangements have been made for other challenging terrains.
The lawmaker formally announced his defection in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read on the floor of the Senate on Monday by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over plenary.
In the letter, Maidoki said the lingering crisis within the APC had forced him to seek a new political platform.
“I am writing to inform Your Excellency, the President of the Senate, and the distinguished colleagues of my defection from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the African Democratic Congress, ADC,” he stated.
Explaining the reason for his decision, the senator said the internal wrangling in the ruling party had become a major source of concern.
“My decision is based on the lingering internal crisis of the APC that has made my political inspiration a source of concern,” he said.
Maidoki expressed confidence that the ADC would provide a more suitable platform to advance the interests of his constituents and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“I believe that the ideas of the ADC are better for the benefit of my senatorial district and Nigeria at large,” he added.
The Kebbi South senator also accused the APC of abandoning the principles of justice, peace and unity, particularly during the recently concluded party primary elections in the state.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) has not exhibited its slogan as justice, peace, and unity, especially in Kebbi State during the just concluded primary elections,” he declared.
Reaffirming his commitment to his new political platform, Maidoki said:
“It is in this regard, therefore, that I wish to inform you of my defection to the African Democratic Congress, which I believe guarantees my political aspiration.”
The defection marks another political setback for the APC as the ADC continues to attract high-profile politicians ahead of future electoral contests.
Politics
Enugu High Court Receives OAU Onyema’s N20m Recovery Suit Against NDC, Dickson, Egwu, Others
A legal battle has commenced at the Enugu State High Court following the filing of Suit No. E/619/2026 by Chief Sir OAU Onyema against the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), former Bayelsa State Governor Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, Barrister Ikenna Enekweizu, former Ebonyi State Governor Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu, and First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
The plaintiff is seeking the recovery of N20 million, which he alleges was procured through misrepresentation, undue influence, and coercive inducement, resulting in what he described as unjust enrichment by the defendants.
According to court documents, the defendants have been given 42 days to file their defence. The plaintiff has also filed an application for summary judgment, urging the court to enter judgment in his favour without a full trial on the grounds that the defendants allegedly have no viable defence to the claims. The defendants were granted 14 days after service to respond to the motion.
In a 41-paragraph affidavit supported by 12 exhibits, the plaintiff detailed the basis of his claims and requested an order compelling the defendants, jointly and severally, to refund the N20 million allegedly paid into Account No. 1046691859 belonging to the first defendant and domiciled with FCMB.
As part of the summary judgment application, the plaintiff is also seeking an order freezing the account pending the determination of the substantive suit if the court declines to grant immediate judgment.
In the substantive action, the plaintiff seeks declarations that the N20 million payment was obtained through misrepresentation, undue influence and coercive inducement, and that the defendants’ continued retention of the funds amounts to unjust enrichment.
He is further asking the court to award N5 million as special damages for litigation costs, N200 million as general damages for alleged psychological trauma, embarrassment, hardship and inconvenience, and interest on the disputed sum at the rate of 10 per cent per month from June 2, 2026, until full repayment.
The matter has been tentatively adjourned to July 2, 2026, for returns on court assignment and the fixing of further hearing dates.
Further details of the proceedings are expected as the case progresses.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised final list of candidates for the June 20, 2026 Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, approving seven candidates from different political parties to contest for the vacant Senate seat.
The updated list significantly expands the race, following the commission’s earlier publication which featured only three candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Boot Party (BP).
The initial exclusion of candidates from several parties, including the Labour Party (LP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), generated controversy and prompted legal and political reactions across the senatorial district.
The Labour Party had approached the court to challenge the omission of its candidate from the election. However, following the inclusion of its flag bearer in the revised list, the party reportedly withdrew the suit.
According to INEC’s final notice, the candidates cleared to participate in the by-election are Chika Idoko Emmanuel (ADC), Asogwa Ikeje Israel (APC), Aneke Kingsley Chukwuebuka (BP), Eze Ejike Simon (LP), Ossai Elias Okwudili (NDC), Ezeme Nestor Chika (PDP), and Ugwuanyi Charles Ugochukwu (PRP).
The revised list brings four additional political parties into the contest, broadening the field and offering voters more options ahead of the election.
Political observers and stakeholders have welcomed the development, describing it as a step toward a more inclusive and competitive electoral process.
The by-election is scheduled to hold on June 20 across the six local government areas that make up Enugu North Senatorial District: Nsukka, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Udenu, Uzo-Uwani, and Igbo Etiti.
INEC’s records show that Eze Ejike Simon of the Labour Party, aged 67, is the oldest candidate in the race, closely followed by Ossai Elias Okwudili of the NDC, who is 66.
The youngest contender is Aneke Kingsley Chukwuebuka of the Boot Party at 39 years, while Chika Idoko Emmanuel of the ADC is 41.
Other candidates include APC’s Asogwa Ikeje Israel, aged 56; PDP’s Ezeme Nestor Chika, aged 55; and PRP’s Ugwuanyi Charles Ugochukwu, also 55.
The commission further disclosed that all seven candidates contesting the by-election are male.
With the publication of the final list, political parties are expected to intensify campaigns in the final days before the poll, which will determine who represents Enugu North Senatorial District in the Senate for the remainder of the current tenure.
Credit: Nation
Stakeholders also called for sanctions against Justice Peter Lifu for flouting a superior court order, as the ADC assures supporters they will remain on the ballot.
Political parties and stakeholders affected by the Federal High Court’s controversial deregistration order welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the execution of the judgment.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on Tuesday ordered a stay of execution of the judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party, while delivering a stinging rebuke to Justice Lifu for flouting a May 22 appellate court order restraining him from delivering the ruling.
In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Justice A. B. Mohammed condemned Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja for flouting a May 22 order that directed him to suspend proceedings before him, describing his conduct as the gravest form of judicial misconduct.
“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution,” the panel held.
The appellate court went further, invoking a Supreme Court precedent to characterise Justice Lifu’s conduct in the harshest terms.
“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is the highest form of judicial impertinence,” the panel declared, adding that the Supreme Court had previously held that a judge who acted in such a manner “is unfit for the bench as it amounts to judicial rascality.”
The court said it had a duty to assert its supervisory authority over lower courts and protect the integrity of the judicial hierarchy.
“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This court has supervisory authority over the trial court. This court has the duty to invoke its powers in ensuring that its orders are obeyed. The application for stay of execution is hereby granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the panel ruled.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Lifu, had on Monday ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party, ruling that the five parties failed to meet the constitutional performance thresholds under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, specifically, requirements related to securing at least 25 per cent of votes in certain states or winning seats in the 2023 general elections.
Earlier in Tuesday’s proceedings, INEC told the appellate court it was stunned by Justice Lifu’s decision to deliver the judgment, disclosing that the commission only learned of the ruling through media reports rather than any official notification.
INEC’s lead counsel, Mr Haliru Mohammed, told the panel that the commission had been aware of the appellate court’s May 22 order restraining the lower court from delivering the judgment, which had originally been reserved for June 5.
“We were not aware of any notice from the court regarding the delivery of the judgment. We only saw it as breaking news in the media. We therefore do not oppose the application of the appellant to stay the execution of the judgment,” Mohammed submitted.
The commission also aligned itself with the notice of appeal filed by the affected political parties.
Counsel to the ADC, Mr Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN, told the court that Justice Lifu communicated the judgment’s delivery to the party via WhatsApp, a disclosure that drew visible reactions from the bench.
Aruwa described the lower court’s conduct as an invitation to anarchy and urged the appellate court to invoke its disciplinary jurisdiction under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution to sanction the judge.
“The action of the trial judge calls for swift and extraordinary measures from this court. We have come to the stage where this court should press the reset button.
“We urge this court to take disciplinary steps by immediately suspending that judgment. This court has the power to protect its own integrity. We pray this court suspends the judgment immediately without further delay,” he added.
APC reacts
Reacting to the appellate court’s decision, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ruling offered a measure of hope for the judiciary’s credibility, though he was careful not to celebrate unreservedly.
“It indicates that the judiciary may still redeem itself. We are cautiously delighted but we insist that it shouldn’t have happened in the first place,” Abdullahi said in a telephone interview.
He called on the National Judicial Council to take urgent steps to rid the bench of judges whose conduct brought the institution into disrepute.
“We, therefore, hope that the judicial council will take urgent steps to purge the bench of judges who bring the judicial institution to disrepute,” he said.
The National Leader of the Action Peoples Party, Ikenga Ugochinyere, was more emphatic in his welcome of the ruling, describing it as a vindication of the party’s position from the outset and calling on the NJC to weed out what he termed controversial judges.
“There was no need to panic in the first place, and, so, this ruling is a vindication of our position from the get-go,” Ugochinyere said.
Former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that he is supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Barr. Nestor Ezeme, in the forthcoming Enugu North Senatorial District bye-election.
In a statement personally signed by him, Ugwuanyi described the claim as fake news orchestrated by political mischief-makers seeking to gain undue advantage ahead of the poll scheduled for June 20, 2026.
The former governor, who is now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he has no reason to support a candidate from another political party, stressing that his loyalty remains with the APC and all its candidates.
“As a committed member of the APC, I have no business supporting the candidate of another party. My support is firmly and unequivocally for all APC candidates, from the President down to the Councillor,” Ugwuanyi stated.
He specifically reaffirmed his support for the APC candidate in the Enugu North Senatorial bye-election, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, maintaining that his position on the contest has never been in doubt.
“I stand by Chief Ikeje Asogwa and my party, the APC. Any claim to the contrary is fake news and should be dismissed by the public,” he said.
Ugwuanyi further alleged that the rumours were being spread by individuals bent on deceiving the electorate through name-dropping and misinformation.
“These false reports are the handiwork of mischief-makers who have resorted to propaganda and deception in pursuit of electoral gains. The people should not be misled,” he added.
The former governor urged members of the public and supporters across the Enugu North Senatorial District to disregard the reports and remain focused on the issues ahead of the election.
-
News5 days agoEnugu Lawyer Publicly Disowns Alleged Son After DNA Test
-
News5 days agoLagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Wins Global Recognition
-
News4 days agoOpposition Parties Drag Enugu Government, ENSSAA to Court Over N150m Campaign Permit Fee
-
Crime4 days agoFarmer Beheads two Elders to avenge Parents’ deaths
-
Education4 days agoCoal City University Slams Sahara Reporters Report as False, Malicious, Demands Retraction
-
News1 day agoPost-Election Cleanup: Enugu Cracks Down on Unauthorized Outdoor Advertising
-
Crime5 days agoGovernor To Introduce Public Execution for Convicted Kidnappers, Sets Up Special Court
-
Crime4 days ago26-year-old girl commits suicide after multiple abortions