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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 polls, Peter Obi, has condemned in very strong terms the order given by the Federal High Court in Abuja that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and four other parties should be deregistered for failing to meet constitutional requirements.

The former Anambra State governor, who took a swipe at the pronouncement, warned that the nation’s sacred institutions must not be sacrificed on the altar of politics.

Reacting to the Federal High Court ruling on Monday deregistering some political parties, including ADC, Obi remarked that the nation rises when institutions are stronger and not when they’re politicised.

Justice Peter Lifu ruled Monday that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must deregister ADC, Accord, Action Alliance, AA, Action Peoples Party, APP, and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, after they failed to secure 25% of votes in the last general elections.

Writing on his X handle, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate said, “When the controversy surrounding the removal of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, unfolded, I expressed a concern to a friend: that the greatest damage might not be immediate, but the message it sends about the sanctity and independence of our institutions to the world.”

“Strong economies are built on trust. Investors can manage security risks, policy risks, and even market risks. What they fear most is uncertainty in the rule of law and a judiciary that is perceived to be vulnerable to political pressure.

“Today, many Nigerians have lost confidence in systems that should protect them. Businesses increasingly request that their contracts be governed by foreign jurisdictions because they have greater confidence in those institutions than in our own. That should concern every patriot.

“We must never sacrifice our sacred institutions on the altar of politics. Nations rise when institutions are stronger than individuals. The Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and other political parties is just one of those activities that further reduces the common man’s trust in our legal systems; it should be reversed.

“I pledge that we will restore the dignity, independence, and integrity of the judiciary. The common man must have a voice. The business community must be protected from legal uncertainty and intimidation. Justice must be impartial, accessible, and respected by all.

“To our judges, legal luminaries, senior advocates, and lawyers: this is your moment. Rise, defend the rule of law, take back your country! A new Nigeria is possible.”

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In a fresh twist to the ongoing crisis in Nigeria’s Senate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has claimed that signatures of at least three senators on the report that led to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan were forged.

The allegation, made by the former Edo State governor and current Senator representing Edo North, comes amid heightened tensions between Oshiomhole and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended for six months in early 2025 following a Senate committee report on her conduct, which included allegations of unruly behavior and conflicts with the Senate leadership.

Watch Video:

https://x.com/AIT_Online/status/2066613729815388632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

According to reports circulating from Senate proceedings and shared widely on social media, Oshiomhole declared during a session or related discussion that the document authorizing or supporting the suspension bore forged signatures. He reportedly pointed out discrepancies suggesting that not all listed senators had actually appended their signatures to the report.

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Some gunmen on Saturday reportedly invaded the Ode Oriya community in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State and abducted the traditional ruler of the community, Adeniyi Adelana.

A source said the hoodlums stormed the community at about 8 pm on Saturday and went to the residence of the 60-year-old community leader, whisking him away to an unknown destination in the bush.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Sunday, said the state command had commenced a rescue operation in the forest.

“The Ondo State Police Command has launched a coordinated rescue operation following the abduction of a community leader by suspected kidnappers in Ode Oriya Village, Owo Local Government Area of the state.

“Preliminary reports indicate that at about 8:05 pm on the reported date, a group of approximately six armed men stormed the residence of Mr Adeniyi Adelana, aged 60, the Baale of Ode Oriya Village. The assailants reportedly invaded the premises under the cover of darkness and forcefully whisked the victim away through a nearby bush path to an unknown destination.

“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Owo, immediately mobilised a combined team of police operatives and other security personnel to the scene. The area was swiftly secured, and a preliminary assessment of the crime scene was conducted as part of ongoing investigative efforts,” the PPRO said.

Jimoh added that the victim’s wife, who sustained a gunshot injury to her right hand during the attack, had been taken to the hospital, where she was receiving treatment.

“She was promptly rescued and taken to a nearby medical facility, where she is currently receiving treatment and responding positively to medical care,” he said.

According to him, a comprehensive search-and-rescue operation was activated, with security operatives combing nearby forests, bush paths, and suspected escape routes “in a determined effort to track the movement of the kidnappers, secure the victim’s safe release, and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

“Tactical deployments have also been strengthened across the area and adjoining communities to enhance operational effectiveness,” he added.

The police spokesman also said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Felix Ohagwu, has directed all tactical units, intelligence assets, and operational teams of the command to intensify efforts toward the swift rescue of the victim and the arrest of those responsible.

“The command remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that the victim is reunited safely with his family while all those involved face the full weight of the law,” the PPRO added.