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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) caretaker leadership led by David Mark.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the responsibility for conducting state congresses lies with the party’s state executive committees, not the national leadership.
The court further held that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remains valid and subsisting pending the conduct of properly constituted congresses and the convocation of a national convention.
Justice Abdulmalik also ruled that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the party’s constitution empowers the caretaker or interim National Working Committee, led by David Mark, to appoint committees to conduct state congresses.
The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, filed by Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick, who sued on behalf of all State Chairmen and State Executive Committees of the ADC.
Bala Wunti Seeking Governorship To Buy Immunity Against Alleged N210 Trillion NNPC Scandal – Bauchi Youth 19 Group “Yan Shatara”
President Bola Tinubu has taken a formal step toward seeking a second term, with the purchase of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination forms ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The forms were obtained on his behalf by the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, during a ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja. The APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, presented the documents after declaring the process open.
Faleke, who also leads the Tinubu Support Groups, completed the purchase of the forms valued at N100 million, signalling the early stages of the President’s re-election bid within the ruling party.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are to follow on February 6, 2027.
The electoral body said party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will hold from April 23 to May 30, 2026. It added that campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while those for governorship and state assembly contests will commence on September 9, 2026.
The House of Representatives has approved a request by Bola Tinubu to secure a $516,333,007 syndicated loan from Deutsche Bank AG for infrastructure development.
The approval was granted on Tuesday during plenary in Abuja following the presentation of a report by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, Abdullahi Rasheed.
The proposed loan is expected to fund key sections of the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, a major project under the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure agenda aimed at enhancing connectivity across strategic regions of the country.
Panic has gripped parts of Oyo State after a wild elephant attacked residents of Innayin community, leaving one person dead and another missing.
The elephant attacks in Oyo state, which occurred around 3:30 pm on Thursday, prompted a swift response from the Nigeria Police Force, alongside local vigilantes and hunters, following a distress call.
Police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed that the lifeless body of a 45-year-old man was discovered in a nearby bush with injuries consistent with an animal attack. The remains have since been evacuated to a general hospital for examination.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public of an unfortunate incident that occurred on Thursday, 23rd April 2026, at about 1530HRS, involving the attack of Innayin Community by a wild elephant.
“Upon receiving a distress call, police operatives, in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters, swiftly mobilised to the scene. On arrival, the lifeless body of one Ibrahim Tijani ‘M’, aged 45 years, was discovered in a nearby bush with injuries consistent with an animal attack,” the statement read.
He added that another resident is currently missing after an encounter with the animal, with security operatives intensifying search efforts to locate him.
Authorities said personnel have been deployed to secure the area and prevent further casualties, while urging residents to remain calm, avoid affected locations, and report any sightings of the animal.
“While efforts are ongoing to secure the community, the command emphasises the importance of handling such incidents with due regard to wildlife conservation laws.
“Relevant authorities, including the National Park Service Nigeria, are being engaged to provide expert guidance on safely managing the situation,” Olayinka said.
The police also disclosed that relevant agencies, including the National Park Service Nigeria, are being engaged to provide expert guidance on managing the situation.
“We understand the concerns this incident has generated within the community. Our officers are fully on ground, working with relevant stakeholders to secure the area and prevent further casualties.
“We appeal to residents to remain calm, avoid the affected locations, and continue to cooperate with the police and other authorities as we work to bring the situation under control in a safe and professional manner,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle, effecting changes in the membership of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) with the exit of two ministers and the appointment of replacements.
The decision, conveyed in a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, directed the immediate redeployment of portfolios to strengthen governance delivery.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the SGF on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Mr. Wale Edun has been relieved of his duties as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy under the reshuffle.
He is to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, who has now been elevated to the position from his previous role as Minister of State in the ministry.
Similarly, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, is to exit the cabinet, with the President naming Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma as ministerial nominee and minister-designate for the ministry.
The directive also mandates that Dangiwa hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry, pending Darma’s confirmation and assumption of office.
According to the memo, all handover and takeover processes are to be completed by close of business on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Explaining the rationale for the changes, Akume said the reshuffle was designed to “strengthen cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieve more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He added that the President exercised his constitutional powers under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in effecting the changes.
The President expressed appreciation to the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation and wished them success in their future endeavours.
Akume further conveyed the President’s assurance to cabinet members that the process of reinvigorating the government would be continuous and in line with the administration’s policy objectives.