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NUJ Reacts To Police Invitation of Members, Warns Police Not To Meddle With Union Election

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The Nigeria Union of Journalists  ( NUJ ) FCT Correspondents Chapel has reacted to the police invitation of over 20 of its members just as it warned the Nigeria Police to stay clear and not to meddle in the affairs of the NUJ FCT Council election scheduled to hold on December 4, 2024.

The union disclosed this on Thursday in a statement signed by the Acting Secretary, Comrade Ediri Oyibo following the letters of invitation extended to its members among who are the immediate Chairman of the Chapel, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, Former Vice Chairman. Ms. Grace Ike, Joy Idam of Weekender Magazine, Abdulkadir Yusuf of Liberty Television and Radio and many other over a purported petition written against them.

Some other members received invitations through sms and phone calls from one ASP Ibe Eko asking them to report at  X squad FCT CID at wuye by finance quarters Abuja over alleged defamation of character and cyber bullying.

The letter dated 25th November 2024 with the reference CR: 3000/FIB/FHQ/ABJ//TH/VOL.S6 /86
was brought to the FCT Council Secretariat of the Union located at Utako by one officer Sunny Onuh.

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“Our attention has been drawned to a police invitation letter signed by CP Olajide Rufus Ibitoye on behalf of Deputy Inspector General of Police Force Intelligence Department ( FID ) addressed to our former Chairman, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, former Vice Chairman, Ms Grace Ike. Mrs. Joy Idam and 
Abdulkadir Yusuf of Liberty Television and Radio asking them to report to one CSP Mahmood D. Mohammed on Thursday 28th November 2024 at Room 118 1st floor FIB complex, area 11, Garki, Abuja.

“While we are not averse to the right of citizens to seek redress over legitimate infringement on their rights but for the police to specifically target some of our members perceived to be supporting a particular candidate is absurd, ridiculous and unacceptable.

“The Police invitation of our members particularly this time when the Council election is by the corner speaks volumes and leaves much to be desired on the script and interest the police is trying to serve.

“The Nigeria police should be remanded that this is a union election and they have no right to victimise, intimidate or coerce any of our members into silence under the pretext of a frivolous and malicious and allegations of character defamation by those who have lost their integrity in the union.

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“We hereby use this medium to appeal to the Inspector General of Police ( IGP ), Kayode Egbetokun and FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu to call his officers to order and not to be teleguided and cajoled by the so-called petitioners.

“Anybody that feels defamed or offended should approach the court and seek redress by filing a lawsuit against the person and stop hiding under the Nigeria police in the name of using Cybercrime Act to harass and hound our members”.

We use this medium to advise the Police to stay within the dictate of the Amended Cybercrime Act 2024 and focus on its statutory role of maintaining law and order before, during and after the election of the union.

The union will no longer tolerate any further vilification of any of our members by the faceless people and we will resist any attempt by the police to meddle into our union affairs. 

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E Signed 

Ediri Oyibo 
Acting Secretary 
NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapter

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Deregistration: ADC youth wing petitions NJC, wants removal of Lifu

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The National Youth Wing of the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC) has formally filed a petition against Justice Peter Odo Lifu, demanding his removal “from any and all adjudicatory matters, reviews, or decision-making roles concerning the ADC.”

In a petition dated June 18, 2026, addressed to the Executive Secretary, National Judicial Council (NJC), signed by ADC’s national youth leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai.

While reading the content of the petition to media in front of the ADC National Secretariat, Comrade Rufai, who was represented by Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala, alleged that there were attempts to prevent them from submitting the petition at the NJC.

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According to him, all roads leading to the NJC, on Thursday were barricaded by heavily armed security agents; hence, the need to present the petition to the public.

The petition reads, “We demand the immediate, total removal of Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu from any and all adjudicatory matters, reviews, or decision-making roles concerning the ADC. Furthermore, given his pattern of flagrant judicial rascality, we explicitly demand that the National Judicial Council recommend his absolute dismissal from the Nigerian judiciary to preserve the fading credibility of the bench.

Our democratic architecture is under a coordinated assault by compromised custodians of the law. Under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu delivered a highly controversial ruling ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties. This judgment is not an honest legal error; it is a calculated, politically motivated act designed to shrink the democratic space in Nigeria and artificially consolidate a two-party monopoly.”

While lamenting what he described as “legal distortions and judicial rascality tying Justice Lifu to this systemic compromise,” the ADC Youth leader said, “Justice Lifu brazenly proceeded with this judgment despite a binding Court of Appeal order that explicitly stayed proceedings on this matter, a move that subverts the sacred doctrine of stare decisis and constitutes gross misconduct.”

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“The bench looked away as the plaintiffs, the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, clandestinely altered their legal personality midway through the process without a valid court order.

While the NJC has previously dismissed certain claims due to standard procedural hurdles, the persistence of these identical accusations across multiple petitions—including those by the Chairman of the Boot Party—proves a systemic erosion of public trust.

“We cannot watch the political rights of millions of young Nigerians be auctioned off by compromised benches. The continuous involvement of Justice Lifu in ADC affairs completely destroys public trust and makes a mockery of fair hearings. As the protectors of our nation’s future, we declare that when the bench compromises its integrity, the youth will become the courtroom of public conscience. The ballot box belongs to us, and we will not allow any court to rob us of our political expression.”

Until the Council acts to protect institutional integrity, enforces discipline, completely recuses this individual from our affairs, and begins the process for his immediate sack from the bench. Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Nigerian youth during a live protest.”

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Fire reportedly engulfs Polaris bank in Lagos

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Fire outbreak has been reported at a commercial building housing a Polaris Bank branch on Broad Street, Lagos Island.

While reports of casualties is still sketchy at the time of filing this report, authorities are yet to officially confirm the number of injuries.

Emergency responders are reportedly at the scene battling the blaze and assessing the extent of the damage. (Guardian)

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Peter Obi opens up on political future after 2027, says I may not contest Presidency again

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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has opened up on his political career saying that the 2027 general election could mark the end of his long-standing ambition to lead Nigeria.

Obi opened up on a question posed by a secondary school student who asked whether he would still consider another presidential run if he contests in 2027 and fails to win.

The ex-Anambra State governor said his response was shaped by Nigeria’s long-standing zoning arrangement, which rotates political power between the northern and southern regions of the country.

According to Obi, if the 2027 election does not go in his favour, political realities may likely shift power to the North in 2031, further influencing his long-term political decisions.

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Obi explained that by the time the presidency possibly returns to the southern region after that cycle, he would be approaching 78 years of age, a factor he believes could limit his ability to remain actively engaged in a presidential race.

Because of this, he suggested that 2027 may realistically represent his final serious attempt at the nation’s highest office.

He said his position is not rigid, noting that political dynamics can still change before then, but emphasized that his current thinking is guided by both age and Nigeria’s political structure.

Obi also acknowledged that while there remains a theoretical possibility of another attempt if circumstances shift, he is not depending on that outcome.

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His comments have already stirred conversations about succession politics, zoning agreements, and the future of presidential ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

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