Politics

Mark’s ADC leadership urges court to void INEC’s derecognition

Published

1 month ago

April 10, 2026

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The David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has lodged a motion on notice before the Federal High Court in Abuja, praying the court to, among others, void the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise it.

INEC, on April 1, deleted the names of Mark (National Chairman) and Rauf Aregbesola (National Secretary) from its official portal and website as leaders of the ADC, relying on a Court of Appeal order.

Particularly, Mark wants the court to issue an order of mandatory injunction, directing INEC to forthwith restore and maintain records of the names of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, as well as all members of the National Executive Committee.

He also wants an order of mandatory injunction, setting aside the decision, act, or directive of the respondent removing the names of the applicant’s National Working Committee from its official portal and the decision of refusal to attend or monitor the applicant’s congresses or convention pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

Mark, who is a former Senate President, equally wants an order restraining INEC from tampering with, or otherwise interfering with the said leadership records of the 1st defendant, recognising or giving effect to any contrary or competing claims, pending the final determination of this suit.”

In the motion on notice filed on April 7 by Sulaiman Usman (SAN), the Mark is also praying the court for an order of mandatory injunction setting aside INEC’s decision not to attend or monitor any of ADC’s congresses or conventions, pending the hearing and determination of the pending substantive suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, now pending before Justice Emeka Nwite (of the same Federal High Court, Abuja).

The applicant argued that the Court of Appeal, in its ruling delivered on March 12, ordered the parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

He contended that the “status quo ante bellum” ordered by the appellate court referred to the last lawful, uncontested state of affairs prior to the institution of the suit.

Mark added, “As at September 2, 2025, when this action was instituted, the 2nd defendant (Senator David Mark) was the recognised National Chairman of the 1st defendant.

“The said leadership structure had already been constituted.

“The plaintiff had already resigned his prior office and had no subsisting role within the party,” he said.

Mark also stated that INEC, acting under a misapprehension of the Court of Appeal order, removed the names of the said leadership from its portal.

He said the electoral umpire then adopted a position of non-recognition and created a vacuum in the leadership structure of ADC.

The ex-Senate President argued that INEC’s actions were inconsistent with the true meaning of the Court of Appeal order, capable of rendering the subject matter of the suit nugatory and prejudicial to Mark and Aregbesola.

He added, “The law is settled that a mandatory injunction may be granted at an interlocutory stage to restore a party to the position wrongfully altered.

“This is a proper case for the exercise of the equitable jurisdiction of this honourable court.”

He has also filed another motion on notice, praying the court for an order of accelerated hearing of the substantive suit.

Mark also wants the court to issue an order abridging the time within which the parties are to file and exchange all processes, and an order directing that the suit be heard on a day-to-day basis until its final determination.

Politics

Check names of winners of APC federal constituency primaries in Delta

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2026

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Below are names and constituencies of APC federal constituency ticket in Delta state

*Ethiope Federal Constituency*
Hon. Suenu-Ibori.

*Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency*
Rev Francis Waive

*Okpe/Sapele/Uwvie Constituency*
Hon. Ramson Onoyake.

*Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency*
Hon Ndudi Godwin Elumelu

*Ika Federal Constituency*
Mr Emmanuel Osazuwa

*Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal Constituency*
Hon Nnamdi Ezechi

*Burutu Federal Constituency*
Hon. Julius Pondi

*Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency*
Rt Hon Basil Ganagana

*Isoko federal Constituency*
Pastor Ajirioghene Ukodhiko

*Warri federal Constituency***
Chief Thomas Ereyitomi

Politics

Huge Turnout As Obasa Secures ‘Agege’ Reps Ticket

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2026

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A massive crowd of party faithful thronged Agege on Saturday, May 16, as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, secured his place as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the Agege Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

Obasa exchanging pleasantries with supporters after securing Agege Reps ticket

The hitch-free primary exercise saw card-carrying members in their numbers validate his candidacy, underscoring the strength of his grassroots support.

The development comes just days after Obasa’s May 13 declaration at a stakeholders’ meeting in Agege, where he announced his ambition to contest for the federal seat.

At that earlier event, he explained that his decision was driven by calls from party leaders and stakeholders who believed he could serve Agege more effectively at the national level.

“I answered the call of our leaders and stakeholders who believe I can serve Agege better. We must present candidates with capacity, loyalty, and commitment to the progress of Agege,” Obasa had said.

At the primary election, Obasa expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from his constituency.

“I am deeply humbled by the confidence reposed in me by our leaders and members. Today’s validation is not just about me; it is about our collective resolve to continue building Agege and Lagos State on the foundation of progress and development,” he remarked.

He further pledged to remain people-focused in his representation: “My commitment has always been to serve with integrity, to amplify the voices of our people, and to ensure that Agege continues to stand tall in the comity of constituencies.This validation strengthens my resolve to deliver more dividends of democracy.”

Party officials praised the peaceful conduct of the exercise, noting that it reflected the unity and discipline within the APC in Agege.

Observers also pointed to Obasa’s earlier endorsement of Hon. Ganiyu Egunjobi for Agege Constituency I and Hon. Azeez Oladapo Yusuf Ninolowo for Agege Constituency II as evidence of his broader strategy to consolidate party cohesion.

With the primary now concluded, Obasa is set to fly the APC flag in the forthcoming general election, a move that many believe will further entrench the party’s influence in Agege.

Politics

NDC Slashes Nomination Fees for Women, Youths, PWDs Ahead of 2027

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced special discounts on nomination and expression of interest forms for women, youths, and persons living with disabilities as part of efforts to encourage broader participation in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the party said the initiative reflects its commitment to inclusiveness and equal political opportunities for all Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora.

According to Enekweizu, economic limitations, age, gender barriers, and physical disabilities should not prevent citizens from contributing to nation-building through active political participation.

“The fact that someone is young and may not be a money bag or is disadvantaged by some physical disabilities should not shut him or her from contributing their quota to nation-building,” the statement read.

The NDC also argued that women have historically faced cultural and structural barriers that limited their participation in politics and governance.

“Women, due to cultural and other inhibitions, have also been largely receiving the short end of the democracy stick. They, therefore, need some form of affirmative action to give them the needed push to participate and contest,” Enekweizu stated.

The party maintained that Nigeria risks undermining its democratic growth if women, who make up nearly half of the population, remain underrepresented in leadership and elective positions.

As part of the new measures, the NDC announced that all female aspirants on its platform will pay only 50 percent of the official cost for both Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

Similarly, aspirants between the ages of 18 and 35 will also enjoy a 50 percent reduction in fees, while Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) will pay only 25 percent of the advertised costs.

The statement further clarified that Presidential, Governorship, and National Assembly nomination forms would be obtained at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, while forms for State House of Assembly positions would be available at the party’s state offices nationwide.

The move comes amid increasing calls for greater youth inclusion, gender balance, and accessibility in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.