By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal High Court in Abuja has slated February 24 to commence hearing of a suit that seeks to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose membership strength includes a coalition of opposition politicians working to thwart President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Other political parties that the legal action is also seeking to deregister and bar from participating in the 2027 general elections are the Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, and Action Alliance.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/25, which was brought before the court by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), alleged that the listed political parties were in breach of the Constitution following their failure to meet minimum electoral performance thresholds prescribed by the law.

Aside from the parties, both the INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation were also cited as defendants in the matter the plaintiff anchored on provisions of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

According to the plaintiff, statutory thresholds the ADC and the other affected parties failed to meet included securing at least 25 per cent of votes cast in one state in a presidential election, winning a local government area in a governorship election, or clinching at least one seat in elections ranging from councillorship to the National Assembly.

It prayed the court, among other things, to determine whether INEC is empowered or obligated to enforce these benchmarks against the affected parties, which it said failed to win any ward, legislative seat, or elective office in previous elections.

The plaintiff further wants the court to determine whether the parties are still eligible to be recognised as legally registered political parties, as well as whether INEC can lawfully acknowledge or give effect to their political activities, including congresses, primaries, campaigns and participation in the 2027 general elections, without strict compliance with Section 225(A) of the Constitution.

Upon the determination of the questions, the plaintiff urged the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to enforce constitutional benchmarks as a precondition for party registration and participation in elections.

It wants orders compelling the electoral body to deregister the affected parties, likewise, an order of mandatory and perpetual injunctions restraining INEC from recognising, accepting or giving effect to any political activities or correspondence from the parties unless and until they comply fully with constitutional and statutory requirements.

In an affidavit it attached in support of the suit, the plaintiff accused INEC of neglecting its constitutional duty by continuing to recognise the ADC and the other defendants despite their failure to meet minimum performance thresholds.

The affidavit, deposed to by Hon. Igbokwe Nnanna, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and National Coordinator of the NFFL, further claimed that the affected parties have since their registration, failed to win a single elective seat at any level of government, including presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state assembly, chairmanship or councillorship elections.

The plaintiff told the court that the defendants did not secure the constitutionally required 25 per cent of votes in at least one state in presidential elections, nor any representation across the country’s 8,809 wards, 774 local government areas, 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

It added that notwithstanding their failure, INEC continued to accord the full recognition, contrary to provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s Regulations & Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.

It contended that unless the electoral body is restrained by the court, it may permit the affected political parties to participate in the 2027 general elections, thereby clogging the ballot paper, overstretching administrative resources, and misleading voters.

The plaintiff maintained that it filed the action in the public interest to enforce constitutional compliance, deepen democracy, and uphold the rule of law in the country.

The matter has since been assigned to Justice Peter Lifu for adjudication.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has announced the release of N5 billion to support victims of the recent fire disaster at the Singer Market in Kano. Additionally, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum has pledged N3 billion to assist those affected by the incident.

Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed the donations during a sympathy visit to the market on Monday. He was accompanied by the governors of Jigawa, Kebbi, and Imo states.

Speaking to traders and officials in Kano, Shettima stated that the intervention was aimed at helping victims rebuild their businesses and restore economic activity in the commercial hub.

“Your Excellency, we join you today not only to sympathise with you over the fire outbreak at the Singer Market that has disrupted the commercial life of this great state, but to come bearing the promise of the Federal Government that we stand firmly with the good people of Kano,” he said.

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N5bn to the Government of Kano State as palliative towards this incident. And the Progressive Governors Forum, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, has also pledged N3bn in support of the victims. Together, we have collectively contributed N8bn to the victims of the fire disaster.”

The Vice President described the incident as a national tragedy, emphasizing that the loss extended beyond Kano State to the entire federation. He offered prayers for the victims and prayed for the prevention of future occurrences.

The fire broke out on Saturday evening, February 14, 2026, in the Gidan Glass section of the market along Ado Bayero Road. It raged through the night into Sunday morning, affecting over 1,000 shops. Reports indicate that seven traders are still feared missing.

Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Kano State Emergency Management Agency, and the Federal Fire Service, eventually contained the blaze. Preliminary investigations by officials suggest the fire may have been triggered by a solar battery explosion.

In response to the support, the Chairman of the Singer Market Traders Association, Junaid Zakari, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for what he described as a timely and generous gesture. He assured that the funds would be used judiciously to support affected members and help restore business activities in the historic market.

This incident marks the second major fire at the Singer Market in less than two weeks.

The Freedom Radio Kano NUJ Chapel has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged harassment and intimidation of its sports reporter, Aminu Halilu, by Barau FC head coach Eugene Agagbe during a post-match media engagement in Kano.

In a statement signed by Chapel Chairman Muzammil Ibrahim Yakasai, the union described the incident as “unprofessional conduct” and an affront to press freedom.

The Chapel emphasized that Halilu is not only a reporter but also the Secretary of the Freedom Radio NUJ Chapel and a registered member of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN). “An attack on him is therefore an attack on organized journalism and the professional institutions that uphold ethics, accountability, and press freedom,” the statement read.

According to the union, journalists are stakeholders in sports and democracy, not adversaries. The Chapel stressed that asking legitimate questions about performance is part of a reporter’s duty, and responding with abuse or intimidation violates professional conduct. “Passion is not a license for misconduct,” the statement added.

The NUJ Chapel described the episode as a direct assault on press freedom and warned that it sets a dangerous precedent if left unchecked. It insisted that sports arenas must remain safe spaces for journalists to carry out their work without fear or favor.

In its demands, the Chapel called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation by relevant football authorities, appropriate disciplinary measures if the allegations are proven, a public apology to Halilu and Freedom Radio, and concrete guarantees from clubs and league organizers to protect journalists’ safety and dignity.

The statement further urged the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and SWAN at all levels to treat the matter with utmost seriousness. “Silence is not neutrality; it is complicity,” the Chapel declared, reinforcing its commitment to ethical and courageous journalism.

Freedom Radio affirmed solidarity with Halilu, vowing not to be intimidated into silence. “An injury to one journalist is an injury to all,” the Chapel said, underscoring its stance that accountability in sports and journalism is non-negotiable.