Politics
Court fixes Oct 6 for alleged vote-buying suit against Tinubu, Atiku
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday fixed October 6 to hear a suit seeking to disqualify the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu, for allegedly breaching the Electoral Act.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/942/2022, which the immediate past Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba filed alongside a non-governmental organisation under the aegis of the Incorporated Trustees of Rights for All International, is equally praying the court to disqualify the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, over the same allegation.
Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered service of all the relevant court processes as well as hearing notices on all the Defendants in the matter.
Other Defendants in the matter are; the APC, PDP, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Nwajiuba, who is a chieftain of the APC and one of its presidential aspirants, had secured leave of the court to sue both his party’s presidential flag-bearer, Tinubu, and that of the PDP, Atiku.
The plaintiffs, in the suit they filed through their lawyer, Mr. Okere Nnamdi, alleged that the primary election that produced Tinubu as the 2023 presidential candidate of the APC was marred by corruption and massive vote buying, insisting that majority of the delegates were bought over with dollars.
To strengthen his allegation, the ex-Minister who polled only one vote at the primary election that was held on June 8, included in his proof of evidence, a video recording showing the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, decrying that delegates at the APC primary sold their votes.
Besides, the Plaintiffs queried Tinubu’s source of income and his educational qualifications.
They urged the court to declare that the 3rd defendant (Tinubu), “who had previously sworn an affidavit in the INEC nomination form declaring that he lost his primary and secondary school documents and benefitted therefrom, cannot in a later affidavit deny and abandon same facts deposed in the previous affidavit and thus falsely contradicting his academic qualifications”.
The plaintiffs attached to the suit, copies of affidavits Tinubu deposed to while he was the governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, in Lagos state.
“That the entire circumstances surrounding the two depositions of the 3rd defendant points to the fact that they are false and misleading and cannot be relied upon.
“That the possession of a higher degree does not substitute the minimum requirement of law, where the minimum academic requirement is manifestly absent by an avowed fact.
“That the possession of a higher education qualification such as a first degree or master’s degree is predicated on the minimum educational qualification as provided in the Constitution”, plaintiffs averred.
Among other things, the plaintiffs prayed the court to determine; “Whether the All Progressives Congress is exempted from compliance with section 90(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, having presented the 3rd defendant (Tinubu) as its presidential candidate to the 6th defendant (INEC) and the 6th defendant accepted and published same, being the name of a person whose source of N100m contribution fee for the nomination form and expression of interest form was not verified.
“Whether the constitutional provision prescribing the academic qualification of candidates and prescribing minimum qualification of school certificate or its equivalent has been complied with by the 3rd defendant who on oath, has admitted that he does not possess such minimum qualification prescribed in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria”.
The plaintiffs equally urged the court to also disqualify Atiku who was cited as the 4th Defendant in the suit, for also engaging in vote buying.
They want the court to determine; “Whether the conduct of the 3rd and 4th defendants (Tinubu and Atiku) and their agents who by way of corrupt inducement of delegates with US Dollars, which being a foreign currency and non-legal tender in Nigeria under the CBN Act, and the possession which requires declaration under the EFCC Act, used the Dollars for inducement of votes in favour of the 3rd and 4th defendants have rendered the votes of such delegates cast in favour of the 3rd and 4th defendants at the 1st and 2nd defendant’s special conventions illegal, void and invalid and of no effect whatsoever; and thus inhibiting the 3rd and 4th defendants from benefiting from the proceeds of their own gross illegalities”.
Politics
Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship
Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship
Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, has officially resigned from his ministerial position to focus on his bid for the Oyo State governorship ahead of the 2027 general elections. His resignation, dated March 26, 2026, was submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates political appointees intending to contest elective offices to vacate their posts before party primaries.
In a resignation letter, Adelabu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the Tinubu administration, stating, “It has been a privilege contributing to the efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector under your Renewed Hope Agenda. My decision to resign is to enable me to fully pursue my aspiration to contest for the office of Governor of Oyo State and dedicate my time and resources to that endeavour.”
The minister’s exit follows a government directive issued via the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, which required political appointees to resign by March 31, 2026, if they intended to contest elective offices in the 2027 elections. Other ministers, including Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs) and Yusuf Sununu (Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs), have also resigned to pursue governorship ambitions in Bauchi and Kebbi States, respectively.
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Adelabu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy Governor of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria, has previously contested the Oyo governorship under the APC in 2019 and the Accord Party in 2023. His resignation signals renewed focus on securing his party’s ticket and intensifying the Oyo State political race ahead of the 2027 elections.
His tenure as Power Minister coincided with public scrutiny over persistent electricity outages, which he addressed in a press conference, issuing a public apology to Nigerians. He acknowledged that erratic power supply had affected households, businesses, and industries, especially amid rising temperatures, and pledged to improve the situation before leaving office. During his term, Adelabu also oversaw key sector reforms, including a N501 billion bond issuance aimed at resolving long-standing liquidity issues in Nigeria’s electricity market.
As of his resignation, the federal government has not announced a replacement for the Ministry of Power, leaving a crucial cabinet role vacant ahead of ongoing reforms and infrastructure projects. Political analysts say Adelabu’s departure is likely to reshape both the federal cabinet and the Oyo governorship contest, as party stakeholders prepare for the primaries and eventual general election.
Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship
Politics
2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor
2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor
A prominent elder statesman, Pa Andu Liadi Adio, has urged President Bola Tinubu to honour longstanding assurances that Lagos State’s governorship will be ceded to Badagry Division.
Speaking at his residence in Badagry, the 93-year-old said the time had come for the division to assume leadership after decades of perceived marginalisation and backed the aspiration of Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.
He appealed for patience among youths in the area, saying efforts were ongoing to ensure justice for the division in the state’s political arrangement.
Pa Adio expressed confidence that the President would not disappoint the people of Badagry in their quest to produce the next governor.
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He recalled that during his tenure as Lagos governor, President Tinubu had requested a representative from Badagry to serve in his administration, leading to the nomination of Hon. Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, who later served as Commissioner for Rural Development and Infrastructure.
According to him, that appointment debunked claims that Badagry lacked competent individuals to hold key positions in government.
In his remarks, former commissioner, Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, dismissed concerns over the political credentials of Dr. Ajose, describing him as a seasoned private sector player with a strong record of contributions to socio-economic development in Lagos West and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Also lending her support, former House of Representatives member, Rafeequat Arinola Onabamiro, said Dr. Ajose possesses the experience and capacity to govern, citing his over three decades in the private sector.
She noted that past Lagos governors, including Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, did not begin as career politicians but went on to leave impactful legacies.
Onabamiro lamented that since the creation of Lagos State in 1967, Badagry Division has yet to produce a governor, deputy governor, minister, or Secretary to the State Government.
She added that Lagos West Senatorial District is united in its support for Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose’s governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor
Politics
PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC
PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC
The member representing Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Mohammed, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises within the opposition party.
Announcing his defection, the Kebbi lawmaker said the PDP has been plagued by prolonged leadership disputes, internal divisions, and recurring litigation, which he noted have significantly weakened the party’s ability to function effectively as a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the lingering crisis has made it increasingly difficult for committed members to contribute meaningfully to the party’s development and fulfil its democratic responsibilities. He added that the situation has created uncertainty and disunity across various levels of the party structure.
Mohammed disclosed that his decision followed extensive consultations with his constituents, political associates, and key stakeholders across his federal constituency, stressing that the move was made in the best interest of those he represents.
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“I have formally submitted my resignation letter to my PDP Ward Chairman in Nasarawa Ward and also notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives of my defection,” he said.
He explained that joining the APC would enable him to better serve his constituents and enhance his legislative effectiveness, particularly by aligning with the ruling party at the federal level.
The defection comes amid ongoing leadership tussles within the PDP, including disputes over party structure, legal battles, and disagreements among top party figures, which have continued to affect unity within the opposition.
Political observers say the development is part of a wider trend of defections from the PDP to the APC in recent months, raising concerns about the opposition party’s internal cohesion and its readiness for future elections.
Meanwhile, the APC has continued to consolidate its position in the National Assembly, with recent defections strengthening its numerical advantage, while the PDP faces increasing pressure to resolve its internal conflicts and retain key members.
PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC
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