ademola akindele

Jos Killings: Implement State Police Now, Communities Must Defend Themselves Immediate implementation of state police and community policing is the solution. Communities must have a legitimate means of defending themselves. We cannot obey laws that favour attackers over victims. If the government fails to act, there will be anarchy because people will fight back. National President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Bitrus Pogu

PRESS RELEASE INEC’S POSITION ON THE COURT OF APPEAL’S DECISION IN APPEAL NO. CA/ABJ/145/2026: SENATOR DAVID MARK V HON. NAFIU BALA GOMBE & ORS The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received: A letter from the law firm of Suleiman Usman SAN & Co. dated 16th March, 2026, titled: “RE: NOTICE OF PENDING PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT AND CAUTION AGAINST ANY PURPORTED RECOGNITION OF MR NAFIU BALA GOMBE AS ACTING NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (ADC)” written on behalf of concerned stakeholders within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) A letter from the law firm of Summit Law Chambers also dated 16th March 2026 titled: “DEMAND FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDERS MADE BY THE COURT OF APPEAL, ABUJA DIVISION IN APPEAL NO: CA/ABJ/145/2026: SENATOR DAVID MARK V HON. NAFIU BALA GOMBE & 4 ORS” written on behalf of Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe. While the letter from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co urged the Commission not to recognise Mr Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on account of the pending Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025: Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe v. ADC & 4 Ors. before the Federal High Court, Abuja, where the question of the leadership of the Party (ADC) is presently being contested, the letter from Summit Law Chambers, on the other hand, attached the certified True Copy of the Judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026: Senator David Mark v Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe & Ors and requested the Commission to enforce the judgement of the Court of Appeal, including: Ceasing recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively of ADC; Removing their names from the Commission’s portal; and Refraining from dealing with or recognising any actions taken by them in respect of the party in line with the preservation orders made by the Court of Appeal. Subsequently, by another letter on the same subject matter dated 27th March, 2026, Summit Law Chambers alleged that the Commission had acted in disobedience of the Court of Appeal’s Orders by: i. Inviting Senator David Mark’s group to a political parties’ meeting held on Tuesday, 24th March, 2026; and ii. Monitoring a purported National Executive Committee meeting of that group. The solicitors (Summit Law Chambers) further drew the attention of the Commission to the Motion Ex-Parte and Motion on Notice filed by their client on 15th December, 2025, seeking to prevent the 1st Defendant (ADC) from holding any convention, congress, conference, or meeting and to stop INEC from attending, monitoring, observing or recognising any activities of the ADC. They accordingly requested INEC to invalidate the NEC meeting held by Senator David Mark's group on 25th March, 2026, remove the name of Senator David Mark's group from the INEC portal, stop recognising or acknowledging correspondence from them until the determination of the pending suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja and allow Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over the affairs of ADC pending the determination of the case, and that INEC should respect the orders of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026. ORDERS OF THE COURT OF APPEAL In its judgement delivered on 12th March, 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed the interlocutory appeal by Senator David Mark and made amongst others, the following Orders: “Finally, it is necessary to make preservatory orders to ensure that the subject matter of the dispute pending before the trial court is not prejudiced as Courts have inherent powers to control and regulate proceedings to ensure justice...

The judges are at the mercy of the executive to boost their morale. I would have thought the judiciary should be in charge of that? Executive, legislature, and judiciary. Hmm? Teachers have taught me nonsense.

That the Commission also received on 31st March, 2026, a letter dated 28th March, 2026 from Senator David Mark's group notifying the Commission of the schedule of ADC Congresses and National Convention as well as the revised schedule of activities earlier contained in their letter of 27th February, 2026. The request, through a letter dated 29th July, 2025, for the submission of the names of the New Principal Officers of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for upload on the Commission’s portal was received by INEC on 4th September, 2025 and it was approved by INEC on 9th September, 2025. RESOLUTON OF THE COMMISSION Given the above scenario, at the meeting of the Commission on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, the Commission resolved as follows: To maintain the status quo ante bellum as directed by the Court of Appeal based on the facts and position of the parties existing before 2nd September 2025, when the case was filed by the plaintiff. That the Commission would, in accordance with the Order of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court, having regard to all the processes filed before the trial Court. The Commission refused to accede to the request of the Plaintiff’s Solicitors to allow Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over the affairs of ADC pending the determination of the case. The Commission shall not, given the reliefs claimed in the Originating Summons and the pending motions, receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups pertaining the affairs of the party and will not monitor any Meeting, Congress or Convention convened on behalf of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by any group until the matter is decided by the Federal High Court, Abuja so as not to do any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court. Since the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark were uploaded on 9th September, 2025 by INEC (7 days after the suit was instituted), the names would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the matter is decided by the trial court. CONCLUSION The Commission reiterates its unwavering commitment to neutrality, impartiality and strict compliance with judicial orders. Political parties and stakeholders are urged to conduct themselves in a manner that does not jeopardise the Electoral Time Table for the 2027 General Election. Mohammed Kudu Haruna National Commissioner, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee 1st April 2026

Those Resigning From Appointed Positions to Contest Elections Should Be Asked What They Did With the Office Entrusted to Them - Adebayo The minister of power is saying it is his turn to contest. What has he done with the trust of that ministry? Did he change anything around energy and power? These are the questions they need to answer. Oluwafemi John Adebayo, Head of Research & Strategy, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI)

RIVERS 2027: I HAVEN’T ENDORSED ANY CANDIDATE - WIKE The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike says he has not endorsed any candidate for the 2027 governorship or any other political office in Rivers State, stressing that such decisions rest with the Elders Council led by Chief Ferdinand Alabraba. He, however, reaffirmed his sole political commitment for now as support for President Bola Tinubu, noting that his position has always been clear and consistent. Wike made this known while addressing a joint gathering of stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja. He cautioned aspirants against seeking premature endorsements, warning that no sitting governor can impose a candidate on Rivers State, while emphasizing that past political mistakes must not be repeated. The Minister urged stakeholders to remain united, stating that their strength lies in cohesion rather than financial influence.

We Knew the Road to Reform Would Be Tough. We Knew Rebuilding Nigeria Would Require Courage, Patience, and Difficult Decisions. We also knew: no nation rises by hiding from the truth. No economy grows by sustaining wasteful subsidies or dysfunctional priorities. No future is built on perpetual self-denial.That is why we chose the path of reform, and I assure you: the sacrifices of today are laying the foundation for Nigeria's prosperity tomorrow. Our leaders, party members, and supporters can take pride in the success we have achieved in redirecting our country. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu