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Court to Hear Case Seeking Deregistration of ADC, Three Other Parties on Feb. 24

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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.

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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.

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Kaduna 2027: Governor Uba Sani Replaces Deputy, Names Jerry Adams as Running Mate

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has officially nominated the Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams, as his new running mate.

The announcement, made on Tuesday via a personally signed statement, effectively signals the end of the ticket with the current Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, who also served as Deputy to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai during his second term.

Governor Sani framed the decision as more than a political calculation, describing it as a “reaffirmation” of his administration’s core philosophy of inclusive governance.

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“This decision is far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate. It is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration since I took the oath of office on 29 May 2023; the values of inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and the unwavering conviction that every citizen of Kaduna State deserves a genuine sense of belonging,” the Governor stated.

Addressing the state’s complex socio-political landscape, Sani noted that Kaduna’s rich diversity in ethnicity, religion, and culture should be a source of strength rather than division. He reflected on the state’s history, emphasizing the need to learn from past conflicts.

“Our history has taught us difficult lessons about the heavy cost of division, mistrust and exclusion. Yet it has also shown us that when we choose dialogue over discord, inclusion over alienation and justice over prejudice, our people achieve extraordinary things together,” he added.

The Governor touted his administration’s track record over the last three years as evidence of this commitment, citing equitable distribution of developmental projects across the state’s 23 local government areas. Key sectors highlighted include road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, rural development, and social protection programs.

The nomination of Jerry Adams, who currently oversees the state’s revenue generation, signals a potential shift in the administration’s focus toward economic consolidation and fiscal expansion as it prepares for the 2027 electoral contest.

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No Sin in Politics’ Wike Says as Fubara Returns to Rainbow Coalition

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

FCT minister Nyesom Wike has welcomed the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to his political side, declaring the latter has corrected his mistakes.

He said this in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting the project, alongside the ongoing construction of the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

Reacting to the Rivers governor’s recent declaration about his return to the Rainbow Coalition and pledge of complete loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Mr Wike said, “There is no sin in politics.”

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The minister further stated, “If someone realises he made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that.

“What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and deciding to take the right path.”

The minister, who welcomed Mr Fubara back into his political fold, insisted that the governor had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that brought him to power.

Mr Wike explained that the Rivers governor’s decision to align with his political camp publicly was a step in the right direction, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen support for Mr Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him,” Mr Wike stated.

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Aminu Magashi Donates Relief Materials to Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre Inmates

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The Technical Adviser to the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, has donated relief materials, including blankets, food items, and essential drugs, to inmates of the Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre following the destruction caused by a recent rainstorm.

Dr. Magashi made the donation during a visit to the facility on Sunday, July 26, accompanied by officials of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi.

The visit followed a heavy rainstorm that damaged parts of the rehabilitation centre, leaving several buildings in need of urgent repairs. During the inspection, Dr. Magashi interacted with staff and female inmates while assessing the extent of the destruction.

He observed that the rainstorm had blown off the roofs of several female accommodation blocks, while sections of the perimeter fence had collapsed, creating serious safety and security concerns for the facility.

In response to the situation, Dr. Magashi commended the Kano State Emergency Management Agency for its swift intervention, particularly the decision to temporarily relocate all female inmates to a dedicated and secured section within the Bichi Male Rehabilitation Centre.

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According to SEMA, the temporary relocation was undertaken to safeguard the lives and welfare of the inmates while rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged facility are carried out.

Dr. Magashi described the agency’s response as timely and necessary, noting that the safety and well-being of vulnerable persons in government care should remain a top priority.

He also pledged to support SEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in convening a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the incident and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across rehabilitation centres in the state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity to mobilize additional support from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to improve SEMA’s capacity in managing the 13 rehabilitation centres under its supervision.

Dr. Magashi highlighted his continued commitment to supporting humanitarian interventions across Kano State, recalling that he had previously visited six of the state’s 13 rehabilitation centres where he donated drugs and food items to inmates.

He added that he had also sponsored a one-day capacity-building training for health workers serving in the rehabilitation centres to improve healthcare delivery to inmates.

The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing him to serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.If you’d like, I can also make it follow the exact Nigerian Tracker house style with a stronger lead, subhead, and editor-ready formatting.

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