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Court stops plot to sack Reps Minority Leader, orders parties to maintain status quo
The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice JO Abdulmalik has halted plans by some members of the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives to remove Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) as the Minority Leader of the House for his alleged relationship with the Minister of the FCT, Nyelsom Wike.
In an order of interim injunction, the court ordered all parties in the suit filed on behalf of Chinda by Dr.JY Musa (SAN) to maintain status quo pending the determination of the suit.
Defendants in the suit are the National Assembly, the Clerk to the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Clerk to the House of Representatives, the Peoples Democratic Party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, the Labour Party, All Progressive Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party, Africa Democratic Party and the Young Progressive Party.
He is seeking an order restraining the defendants, their servants, privies, officers, agents, members, howsoever described from removing him as Minority Leader of the House of Representative without compliance with the due process of the law or accepting/recognizing any exercise by any person(s) purportedly removing him from his position as the Minority Leader of the House.
In his ruling, the Judge said “it is my considered firm opinion that in order to ensure all the parties listed in these processes have equal playing ground by virtue of their constitutional rights enshrined in Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended), as well as the need to protect the res sought in the application.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:
“THAT the Applicant SHALL forthwith serve on all the Defendants/Respondents the Motion on Notice with Suit No:-
FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025 filed on 16th September 2025, along with all relevant processes filed in this matter, so as not to foist a fait accompli on the outcome of the reliefs sought in this application which are also exact same reliefs prayed in the Motion on Notice with Suit No:-
FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025.
“THAT the hearing of the Motion on Notice with Suit No:- FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025 filed on 16th September 2025,
SHALL pursuant to Section 6 (6) (b) ofthe 1999 Constitution Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) be EXPEDIENTLY resolved on its MERIT by this Honourable Court for the attainment of Justice in this matter.
“THAT ALL the concerned parties listed in this application SHALL maintain STATUS QUO in respect of the res prayed on the face of the Motion Ex-Parte pending the hearing and determination on its MERIT of the Motion on Notice with Suit No:-
FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025 filed on 16th
September 2025.
“THAT ALL the Defendants/Respondents SHALL be served with Hearing Notices in respect of this matter.”
In his statement of claim, Chinda is seeking a declaration that the move to remove him from his position as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives on the account of his association with Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the FCT is a clear violation of his right to Freedom of Association as guaranteed by Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
He is also seeking q declaration that the Defendants lack the vires to remove him from his position as the Minority Leader of the House arbitrarily without full compliance with the provisions of Order 7 Rule 14 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, Eleventh Edition and in the manner offensive to all civilized democratic norms.
He sought an order of injunction restraining the 1st – 5th Defendants, their privies, agents, servants, Officers, howsoever described from giving effect to any exercise or instrument purporting to have removed the Plaintiff by the Defendants in disregard of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) or any Rules or Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.
In his statement of claim, Chinda said he was a member of the People’s Democratic Party,m and was elected to represent the People of Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State, the constituency of the Minister of the FCT.
According to him, by virtue of having the majority of members among the minority parties had the option of producing the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and that members of the political parties with minority members nominated him as the Minority Leader, the position which he occupies in the House of Representatives till date.
He averred that the only reason given for the plot to remove him is that he associates with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, who is also a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
He argued that the eleventh edition of Standing Orders of the House of Representatives makes provisions for the procedures for removing any officer of the House which have not been complied with, rather the said minority members are hell bent on removing the Plaintiff. The said Standing Orders of the House will be relied on at the trial of this suit.
According to him, the Standing Orders of the House provides that after due notice to the House, the majority party and the minority parties may change their leader and whip, deputy leader,and deputy whip, provided that the change is made by the majority of the members of the parties in the House themselves, adding that such due process has not been followed in the plot to remove him.
The House, he said, has been on vacation since 23d of July, 2025 and that majority of the members of the minority parties in the
House have travelled and there are no majority of members of the minority parties to make or seek for change in the minority leadership of the House.
He averred that a change of the minority leadership of the House can only be made by the majority of the members of the minority parties in the House themselves after due notice to the House.
He stressed that while the House was on break, some minority parties of the House, mainly the Peoples Democratic Party, have been having clandestine meetings and lobbying members of the other minority parties to have him removed as Minority Leader of the House before the resumption of the House and to present same to the House on resumption.
He stressed that any purported exercise removing him from being Minority Leader of the House can only become effective on such exercise being recognized by the Ist-5th defendants. adding that from his cognate legislative experience, overwhelming political pressure is likely to weigh on the parliament to succumb to the illegal exercise aimed at his removal which is imminent.
He also said that while the National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party was in progress on Monday 25Ih of August, 2025, some members of the House of Representatives under the auspices of Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House were also holding meeting where the issue of his immediate removal was discussed.
He also averred that on the 6th September, 2025, the 6th -12th Defendants met and took a decision to remove him and the Deputy Minority Whip of the House making it clear that the decision to remove him is based on his relationship with the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
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FCT Traditional Rulers Hail Tinubu’s Developmental Strides, Confers Wike With “Light of Abuja” Chieftaincy Title(Photos)
Traditional rulers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has conferred on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the Chieftaincy title of “Hasken Abuja” (Light of Abuja), in recognition of his contributions to the development of the territory.
The traditional rulers, who thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the infrastructural development in the FCT, especially the satellite towns, asked for more recognition of the indigenous people of the federal capital.
Speaking during an appreciation visit by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Conference Hall in Abuja, the Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Dr. Adamu Baba Yunusa, praised the administration for improving the welfare of traditional rulers and approved projects such as the construction of a new palace in Abaji.
The monarch noted that the honor recognizes Wike’s “visionary leadership” and “commitment to the development of the FCT,” specifically citing his recent approval for the construction of a new Ona Palace in Abaji, the upgrading of the status and welfare of FCT traditional rulers, and structural reforms that have restored dignity to the traditional institution.
Reading out their list of “more work for hard work,” the traditional rulers requested the provision of 17 tractors—one for each of the 17 Chiefdoms—to bolster food security for the territory’s rural agrarian communities.
They also advocated for the elevation of historically significant chiefdoms, such as Garki and Jiwa, to higher statuses.
Responding to traditional rulers demands, Wike promised to protect the interests of the indigenous people, granting several immediate requests:
He directed the Mandate Secretary for Agriculture to provide tractors for each of the 17 Chiefdoms.
Also, he instructed the Council of Chiefs to submit names for the creation of third-class traditional stools, stating, “It is not in my position to write who will be… you people should do the right thing.”
He pledged to resolve issues regarding land certificates based on the numbers submitted by the stakeholders.
”I’m now from here. For me to be the Light of Abuja, I must do everything to protect your interest,” Wike concluded, while maintaining that the FCT’s political future depends on having a “strong voice” in the National Assembly to lobby for the expansion of senatorial seats.
On the 2027 elections, the minister counselled the FCT stakeholders against electing weak or inexperienced representatives, saying that such choices could leave the territory voiceless at the National Assembly.
“The Senate is not an all-comers’ game. Experience matters, ranking matters… you must have a strong voice there,” he said.
The minister expressed concern that past representation had failed to effectively articulate the needs of the FCT, urging stakeholders to make more strategic decisions in future elections.
“You elected a senator you can’t see… a senator who cannot even organise the indigenous community to ask what their needs are,” he stated.
Wike said that repeating such mistakes would further weaken the territory’s ability to attract development and influence national policy decisions.
“If you make a mistake this time, it will be difficult for you. When it was time to help yourself, you didn’t help… don’t expect miracles,” he added as he endorsed Sen Philip Tanimu Aduda.
Beyond electoral choices, the minister linked political alignment with development outcomes, noting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had continued to deliver infrastructure projects in the FCT despite low electoral support in the 2023 elections.
“In 2023, most of you did not give Mr. President up to six per cent, yet he has done so much for you… now that you know, do not make that mistake again,” he said.
“In 2023, most of you did not give Mr. President up to six per cent, yet he has done so much for you… now that you know, do not make that mistake again,” he said.
He disclosed that several projects, including water supply schemes in rural communities and new road networks, would soon be inaugurated as part of activities marking the President’s anniversary in office.
“Mr. President has touched virtually all the satellite towns… more roads will be constructed to open up our communities,” Wike said.
The minister also charged incoming area council chairmen to focus on governance and address pressing challenges, particularly in the education sector.
“It cannot continue that our children are at home because of strikes. Education is a first priority… without it, there cannot be development,” he emphasised.
Earlier, President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr. Aliyu Daniel Bakna Kwali, commended the minister for ongoing reforms and infrastructural development, while presenting key demands including increased representation for the FCT at the National Assembly and the creation of additional area councils.
The event, which opened with remarks from former Federal Commissioner Dr. Aliyu Almakura Abdulkadir, underscored a new era of collaborative governance, with the traditional institution positioning itself as a central pillar in the FCT’s drive for political and economic expansion.
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Watch moment FCT minister Wike being conferred with title of Abuja Hasken, Light of Abuja by FCT Traditional Council led by Ona of Abaji (Video)
Watch moment FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, being conferred with the title of Hasken Abuja (The Light of Abuja) today, by the FCT Traditional Council led by The Ona of Abaji, Dr Adamu Baba Yunusa.
It’s indeed a well deserved title as truly Wike brought light to the Territory.
Watch:
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has increased the premium motor spirit price after Dangote Refinery raised its gantry price.
A market survey by DAILY POST on Thursday showed NNPCL outlets in Abuja and its environs have adjusted their petrol pump price to N1,364 per liter from N1,295. This means that the state-owned oil firm hiked petrol by N69 per liter.
The latest fuel prices have been implemented at Gwarimpa, Kubwa Expressway, Wuse Zone 6, and Zone 4 NNPCL filling stations in Abuja.
“We adjusted our pump price to N1364 per liter from N1295 this morning, an attendant said.
Filling stations in Abuja, such as MRS, BOVAS, and others, have raised their petrol price to between N1365 and N1370 per liter.
Recall that Dangote Refinery had on Wednesday increased its fuel gantry price by N75 to N1,275 per liter from N1,200 due to a hike in crude oil price to above $115 per liter.
FCT Traditional Rulers Hail Tinubu’s Developmental Strides, Confers Wike With “Light of Abuja” Chieftaincy Title(Photos)
Watch moment FCT minister Wike being conferred with title of Abuja Hasken, Light of Abuja by FCT Traditional Council led by Ona of Abaji (Video)
BREAKING: NNPCL jerks up fuel price
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