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An aggrieved political association, All Democratic Alliance, ADA, and its Protem Director of Mobilization, Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi have dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before the Federal High Court in Abuja praying for an order of the Court to compel the electoral body to withdraw the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party in Nigeria.

The grouse of ADA and Karlahi are predicated on allegations that the Senator Seriake Dickson led NDC was illegally and fraudulently registered by INEC as a political party for the purpose of participating in election matters in the country.

In a suit with number FHC/ ABJ/CS/1115/2026, the two plaintiffs alleged that INEC gravely breached, disobeyed, ignored, omitted and deliberately failed to ensure compliance with relevant laws in the ways and manners NDC was secretly registered.

Among others, Karlahi and ADA alleged that the electoral umpire failed to comply with sections 1, 6, 13, 14, 222, 251 of the 1999 Constitution and sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act in the registration of the NDC.

In the suit instituted on their behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Bankole Joel Akomolafe via an originating summons, the two plaintiffs claimed that NDC never met any of the Constitutional requirements for it to qualify for registration as a political party.

Besides, they asserted that INEC has no unfettered and unrestricted discretion to register the NDC as a political party.

They therefore prayed the Federal High Court to issue an order against INEC to void, set aside, cancelled and revoke the purported certificate of registration in possession of NDC.

The two plaintiffs also sought order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from further recognizing, accepting, maintaining in its records or present any person on the authority of NDC as a political party for any election.

Another order of perpetual injunction was sought against NDC restraining it from parading, introducing, presenting or call itself a registered political party either by publication, broadcast or any other means.

The suit instituted on June 2, 2026 was supported by a 25 paragraph affidavit deposed to by the first plaintiff, Hon Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi.

While Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi and All Democratic Alliance are the two plaintiffs, INEC and Nigeria Democratic Congress are listed as the two defendants.

Meanwhile, no date has yet been fixed for hearing of the new suit.

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Osborne Ubong Okon, a political aide to Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh—the Political Adviser to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno—has been relieved of his duties after criticising President Bola Tinubu on social media.

The development comes amid rising national concerns over the security situation in the country, further highlighted by the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.

Taking to his Facebook page to express his frustration with the current situation, Mr. Okon, who identifies as a member of the ruling party, wrote:

“In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”

A few hours after the Facebook post went live, the office of the Political Adviser issued a letter terminating Mr. Okon’s appointment with immediate effect.

Governor Umo Eno has consistently maintained a good relationship with the federal government since defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2025.

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The Labour Party (LP) in Benue State has unveiled former Okpokwu Local Government Chairman, Juliana Obetta, as the running mate for Mathias Byuan, the party Governorship candidate in the 2027 governorship election.

Mrs. Obetta was officially presented on Monday at the party’s state secretariat in Makurdi by the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Peter Agbese.

Byuan, a former Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Director, had emerged Labour Party’s governorship candidate through affirmation during the Labour Party’s primary election held on Saturday.

Speaking shortly after the presentation, Byuan expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the 2027 election, stating that the people of Benue had already signaled their desire for a change in leadership.

He called on residents of the state to support the Labour Party at the polls, promising to transform Benue from what he described as a predominantly civil service-driven economy into an industrialized and economically viable state.

The governorship candidate also criticized the current administration, arguing that despite significant federal allocations and interventions to the state under the administration of Bola Tinubu, the impact on the lives of ordinary citizens remains limited.

According to him, his administration would prioritize grassroots development and local economic growth by investing resources within the state to create employment opportunities for young people.

Byuan further pledged to improve access to education, saying his government would work towards ensuring that a majority of schools, about 60 percent, in the state provide free education to ease the financial burden on parents who usually would have to sell goats and yams to pay school fees.

He explained that the decision to pick Obetta as his running mate followed extensive consultations within the party, adding that the choice was aimed at promoting inclusion and giving women a stronger voice in governance.

“We have chosen a woman who understands grassroots politics and the challenges facing ordinary people. This is part of our commitment to ensuring that women are adequately represented in government,” he said.

In her acceptance speech, Juliana Obetta described her nomination as a victory for women across Benue State, pledging to use the opportunity to advocate for greater female participation in politics and governance.

The former council chairman, who made history as the first woman elected chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area between 2012 and 2014, said women remain a critical voting bloc and deserve greater recognition in leadership positions.

She lamented a situation where women actively participate in elections but are often sidelined after governments are formed, describing her emergence as a significant step towards correcting that imbalance.

“This nomination is for the women of Benue State. Women constitute a substantial percentage of the voting population, yet they are often excluded from key decision-making positions after elections,” she said.

Obetta pledged to work closely with the wife of the governorship candidate and other stakeholders to promote policies that would advance women’s interests and ensure the realization of the 35 percent affirmative action target for women in governance.

Also speaking, the Benue State Chairman of the Labour Party, William Okefe, commended the party’s national leadership under Nenadi Usman for supporting the emergence of the party’s candidates.

Okefe expressed optimism that the Byuan-Obetta ticket would provide the leadership needed to reposition Benue State and pledged the commitment of party members to work towards securing victory in the 2027 governorship election.