LP: Abure, Oti flex muscles as INEC studies Supreme Court judgment - Newstrends
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LP: Abure, Oti flex muscles as INEC studies Supreme Court judgment

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Abure, Otti and Obi

LP: Abure, Oti flex muscles as INEC studies Supreme Court judgment

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not taken any decision concerning the leadership of the Labour Party after a recent Supreme Court judgement.

INEC sources confirmed that the commission was still reviewing the court’s judgment.

“No decision has been made yet on the Supreme Court judgment of the Labour Party,” an official said anonymously.

Another official stated that a decision would only be taken after INEC had studied the Certified True Copy of the judgment.

“The commission needs to obtain a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement, study it carefully to determine what the court intended, before arriving at an informed decision,” the official said.

The Supreme Court on April 4, 2025 overturned an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal that had recognised Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

The apex court ruled that the appeal court lacked jurisdiction over internal party matters.

However, the Supreme Court’s decision was interpreted differently, with Abure claiming that the court did not remove him from office, while the LP Caretaker Committee, led by Nenadi Usman, claimed that Abure was fired.

At the same time, Lamidi Apapa, the party’s splinter leader, emerged to claim leadership.

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On April 9, an LP team led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and the party’s presidential candidate for 2023, Peter Obi, visited INEC headquarters in Abuja to clarify the leadership position.

During the visit, Otti handed a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s verdict to the electoral authority.

The visit intended to shed light on the party’s leadership and guarantee effective communication with INEC.

The group was met by INEC National Commissioner Sam Olumekun and other senior commission officials.

During the discussion, participants discussed ways to increase collaboration between INEC and the Labour Party, with a focus on safeguarding democratic values.

Olumekun underlined the commission’s commitment to impartiality, transparency, and the rule of law in carrying out its mandate.

Meanwhile, Abure claimed on Thursday that he is still the legitimate Labour Party National Chairman.

Abure issued a warning to Otti and Obi to heed the Supreme Court judgment.

Speaking through LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Abure said, “The position of the Labour Party after critically reviewing the Supreme Court judgment delivered on the 4th of April 2025 stated as follows: The Supreme Court, contrary to speculations, actually reaffirmed the National Convention of the Party held on the 27th of March 2024 at Nnewi.

“The reason for the non-justiciability of internal disputes of a political party is simple, and in the eyes of the law, a political party is a corporate entity with its constitution, rules, regulations, and guidelines which are binding on members who had joined freely have consented to be so bound (See Abegunde Vs. Ondo State House of Assembly & Ors. (2015) LPELR-24588 (SC).

“Consequently, we admonished Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, and Peter Obi, former presidential Candidate of our party in the 2023 General Election, who are the protagonists of the current division in the Party, to hear the Supreme Court loud and clear.”

He insisted that before the contentious National Convention, the Labour Party fulfilled all legal requirements in line with the LP Constitution, Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution.
According to Abure, those insisting their tenure has expired probably misinterpreted the judgment.

“The Supreme Court admonished party members to respect the Constitution of their party when it stated thus; Political Parties have put in place diverse kinds of internal dispute resolution mechanisms to handle any matter arising from disputes among members.

“Political parties and their members should, therefore, have faith in the internal dispute resolution mechanisms prescribed in their party constitution,” he stated.

LP: Abure, Oti flex muscles as INEC studies Supreme Court judgment

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Hamzat, GRV Clash Over Housing, Transport, Governance at Lagos Debate

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November 8, 2026

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Hamzat, GRV Clash Over Housing, Transport, Governance at Lagos Debate
Hamzat, GRV Clash Over Housing, Transport, Governance at Lagos Debate

The Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, and his African Democratic Congress (ADC) counterpart, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, have presented contrasting development plans for Lagos State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The two candidates outlined their policy priorities during the 2026 Lagos State Governorship Debate held in Lekki on Sunday, November 8, with particular attention to housing, transportation, infrastructure, security, healthcare, waste management and accountable governance.

Hamzat, who described the debate as a job interview, relied heavily on his experience in public service, arguing that his professional background and previous appointments had prepared him for the responsibility of governing Lagos.

He said his experience as a teacher, case manager in New York and systems manager, alongside his years in the Lagos State Government, had equipped him with the knowledge required to manage the state’s affairs.

The APC candidate recalled his time as Commissioner for Science and Technology, during which he said he led the development of the state’s residents and structural database.

He also highlighted his tenure as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, citing his involvement in the delivery of major infrastructure projects, including a cable bridge described as the first of its kind in West Africa and the second in Africa.

Hamzat said effective governance required a leader who understood the people, the state and the responsibilities attached to public office.

Presenting his development blueprint, tagged Jacob’s Promise, he said it was structured around seven pillars, seven broad areas of action and 100 pledges.

He identified respect for citizens, hard work and truthfulness as the principles that would guide his administration, adding that government should prioritise actual delivery over public announcements.

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According to him, residents should evaluate candidates based on their experience, the substance of their programmes and their ability to translate promises into tangible results.

In contrast, Rhodes-Vivour argued that Lagos needed a different approach to governance, accusing successive administrations of prioritising the interests of wealthy residents and privileged communities over those of ordinary people.

The ADC candidate said his political activities and manifesto had consistently focused on improving the living conditions of ordinary Lagos residents.

He maintained that the state needed an integrated development strategy capable of addressing interconnected challenges in housing, transportation, healthcare, education, waste management and urban planning.

On housing, Rhodes-Vivour promised to deliver 100,000 housing units within his first four years if elected.

He proposed funding social housing through luxury taxation, developing the eastern foreshore and intergenerational areas, and decentralising housing development across the state.

He also promised to expand Lagos’ railway network, saying his administration would connect the state’s rail lines within two and a half years through a private-sector-driven arrangement.

He said the proposed approach would be transparent, equitable and cost-effective, with the objective of improving connectivity and opening up more communities for development.

Rhodes-Vivour further argued that the state’s high internally generated revenue should translate into improved living conditions and better public services for residents.

He cited communities such as Makoko while criticising what he described as development policies that displaced ordinary residents in favour of elite interests.

The ADC candidate also pledged to address traffic congestion, flooding, waste management and the activities of street touts, popularly known as agberos.

OTHER CANDIDATES PRESENT THEIR VISIONS

The debate also featured governorship candidates of other political parties, including Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Deji Doherty of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Funso Doherty criticised the state’s revenue and taxation system, arguing that Lagos residents continued to face multiple levies without receiving public services commensurate with the revenue generated by the government.

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He maintained that Lagos was operating below its potential despite its substantial internally generated revenue.

The NDC candidate, who said he had spent about 30 years in the private sector, promised a new direction for the state, particularly in healthcare and essential public services.

He urged residents to hold his party accountable if elected.

Deji Doherty, on his part, highlighted the need to improve electricity supply and create more economic opportunities for residents.

He said his experience as a technocrat and industrialist had informed his decision to seek the governorship position.

On housing, the PDP candidate cautioned against making unrealistic promises, arguing that the cost of land and building materials must be considered before setting ambitious construction targets.

He also raised concerns about gaps in primary healthcare delivery, particularly in some island communities.

DEBATE AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTION

The Lagos governorship debate was organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium, a coalition of media organisations comprising Channels Television, TVC News, The PUNCH, TheCable and Vanguard.

The exercise is part of a series of debates scheduled ahead of the 2027 general elections, aimed at giving candidates a platform to explain their programmes and respond to questions on issues affecting Nigerians.

The organisers said the debate was designed to promote issue-based political engagement, democratic accountability and informed electoral choices.

The participating candidates were expected to address major concerns affecting Lagos residents, including the economy and cost of living, transportation and infrastructure, flooding and the environment, healthcare and social welfare, security and accountability.

The February 6, 2027 governorship election will determine who succeeds Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the next governor of Lagos State.

Hamzat, GRV Clash Over Housing, Transport, Governance at Lagos Debate

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ADC Crisis: Aregbesola Heads to Appeal Court, Challenges Judgment Nullifying Mark-Led Leadership

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November 8, 2026

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ADC Crisis: Aregbesola Heads to Appeal Court, Challenges Judgment Nullifying Mark-Led Leadership
National Chairman, David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola

ADC Crisis: Aregbesola Heads to Appeal Court, Challenges Judgment Nullifying Mark-Led Leadership

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken another legal turn as the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, has approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the emergence of the David Mark-led leadership of the party.

Aregbesola is asking the appellate court to overturn the judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the dispute over the party’s leadership.

The former Osun State governor filed a notice of appeal on Friday through his lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In the appeal, Aregbesola listed former ADC National Deputy Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, the ADC, Senator David Mark, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, as the first to fifth respondents.

He is challenging the lower court’s decision to assume jurisdiction over issues surrounding his emergence as national secretary and the validity of resolutions reached at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

Aregbesola also wants the Court of Appeal to set aside the declaration that Gombe’s four-year tenure remained valid and that he was entitled to oversee the affairs of the party.

The appeal contains five grounds, through which his lawyer argued that Justice Lifu made errors in interpreting the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, the 1999 Constitution and the ADC constitution.

One of the central arguments is that the trial judge wrongly assumed jurisdiction over competing claims to the party’s leadership by relying on issues relating to INEC’s statutory oversight responsibilities.

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Aregbesola’s lawyer also faulted the court’s reliance on the absence of a democratic election at the 99th NEC meeting to invalidate his emergence as national secretary.

According to the appellant’s legal team, Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Section 223(1)(a) of the Constitution must be considered alongside Article 23(4) of the ADC constitution.

The lawyer argued that Article 23(4) empowers the appropriate executive organ of the party to appoint an eligible replacement to fill a vacant position pending an election at the next convention or congress.

He maintained that the trial court failed to determine whether Aregbesola’s emergence was an election or an interim appointment permitted under the party’s constitution.

In one of the arguments contained in the appeal, the lawyer stated that the absence of voting did not automatically establish whether the resolutions of the NEC meeting amounted to an election or an interim appointment.

Aregbesola is therefore asking the appellate court to set aside the lower court’s decision and strike out the affected claims if it determines that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction.

Alternatively, he wants the findings invalidating his assumption of office and the disputed NEC resolutions reversed.

He also requested that if the Court of Appeal upholds the lower court’s jurisdiction but considers a fresh hearing necessary, the affected claims should be returned to the Federal High Court for retrial before another judge.

Aregbesola Seeks Stay of Execution

Apart from filing the appeal, Aregbesola has also approached the Federal High Court with a separate application seeking a stay of execution of the November 5 judgment pending the determination of his appeal.

The motion, filed on Saturday and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, seeks an order restraining the enforcement of, or further consequential actions arising from, Orders 7 and 8 of the judgment.

His lawyer argued that the appeal raises substantial and arguable questions of law and fact, particularly concerning the jurisdiction of the trial court and the interpretation of the ADC constitution and relevant electoral provisions.

The application is intended to prevent the immediate enforcement of the disputed orders while the appellate proceedings continue.

How the ADC Leadership Crisis Started

The dispute followed the resignation of former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, after which Nafiu Gombe claimed he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party.

Gombe subsequently approached the Federal High Court, challenging the emergence of the Mark-led leadership and arguing that the process violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

He asked the court to invalidate decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark, Aregbesola and other members of the interim National Working Committee from presenting themselves as the party’s legitimate leaders.

However, the Mark-led faction opposed the suit, maintaining that Gombe was no longer serving as deputy national chairman when Nwosu resigned and was therefore not entitled to take over the party’s leadership.

In his November 5 judgment, Justice Lifu ruled against the Mark-led leadership, nullifying the caretaker committee and its decisions, including actions relating to the party’s selection of candidates for the 2027 general election.

The ruling also affected the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate.

The ADC had earlier announced that it had separately appealed the judgment and applied for a stay of execution. The party also urged INEC to suspend further action on the leadership dispute pending the determination of the legal challenge.

Aregbesola’s latest move adds another dimension to the dispute, with the party’s leadership and the validity of decisions taken under the Mark-led executive now subject to further judicial proceedings.

 

ADC Crisis: Aregbesola Heads to Appeal Court, Challenges Judgment Nullifying Mark-Led Leadership

 

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‘My History Is Traceable’: Atiku Fires Back at Tinubu Over University Funding

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November 8, 2026

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‘My History Is Traceable’: Atiku Fires Back at Tinubu Over University Funding
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku AbubakarFormer Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar

‘My History Is Traceable’: Atiku Fires Back at Tinubu Over University Funding

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has fired back at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over comments questioning how he financed the establishment of his university, insisting that his business and educational investment records are traceable.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said his investment in education began long before he became vice-president, accusing Tinubu of attempting to divert public attention from the economic challenges facing Nigerians by questioning his business history.

The exchange followed Tinubu’s remarks at an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

The President had challenged Atiku to explain how he established the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa State, while serving as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.

Tinubu alleged that public resources were used to establish the institution, asking who financed the university and questioning Atiku’s moral integrity to seek the presidency.

In response, Atiku, through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said his investment in education predated his entry into public office.

He maintained that he laid the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993, arguing that the project later developed into the American University of Nigeria.

Atiku said: “The answer is simple: my investment in education predates my time in public service. In 1993, while a US court ordered the forfeiture of funds in an account in your name, describing them as proceeds of narcotics trafficking or funds involved in unlawful financial transactions, I was laying the foundation for ABTI Academy. That Academy has since grown into the American University of Nigeria.”

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The former vice-president described his business history as open to scrutiny, declaring that he could explain how he built his businesses and entered public leadership.

“That moment captures the difference between us. My history is traceable. I can show Nigerians how I built my name, achieved success in business and entered public leadership,” he said.

Atiku also revived the controversy surrounding the forfeiture of $460,000 in the United States involving an account in Tinubu’s name in 1993, using the development to challenge the President’s criticism of his own financial history.

He accused Tinubu of focusing on his educational investment to avoid addressing questions about the performance of his administration.

The ADC candidate argued that the more important issue ahead of the 2027 presidential election should be how to address the country’s economic difficulties, including rising living costs, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.

Atiku also criticised the President’s position on the removal of the petrol subsidy, saying Nigerians were yet to experience the promised economic benefits of the policy.

He challenged Tinubu’s argument that the country could not return to subsidised petrol prices, promising that an Atiku-led government would introduce what he described as a transparent, production-based subsidy linked to local refining.

According to him, the proposed arrangement would reduce the cost of energy, including petrol and diesel, while ensuring that Nigerians benefit directly from the country’s refining capacity.

He also promised to expand social welfare programmes and address what he described as an opaque system for distributing funds meant for economically vulnerable citizens.

Atiku said his Affordable Life campaign was designed to provide an alternative to the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, insisting that criticism of his campaign would not stop him from pursuing his presidential ambition.

He further declared that he would remain on the ballot for the 2027 election, expressing confidence in his chances against the incumbent President.

However, the timeline surrounding the establishment of Atiku’s university has also become part of the controversy.

While Atiku says he laid the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993, information published on the American University of Nigeria’s website, as reported by THISDAY, states that he first established ABTI Academy, now known as AUN Academy, in 2002.

The university was licensed as ABTI University in 2003, while construction of its buildings began in October 2004. Its first students were admitted in the 2005/2006 academic session.

The difference between Atiku’s claimed 1993 beginning of his education investment and the university’s published establishment timeline is therefore an important detail in the dispute.

Tinubu has not, in the reports cited, provided documentary evidence to substantiate his allegation that public resources were used to finance the university. Atiku, for his part, maintains that his investment in education began before he became vice-president.

The exchange has added to the growing political confrontation between the President and the ADC presidential candidate as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election intensify.

 

‘My History Is Traceable’: Atiku Fires Back at Tinubu Over University Funding

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