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Court Dismisses ADA’s Suit Against INEC Over Party Registration
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Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as a political party.
In a judgment, Justice Nwite held that the suit filed by promoters of the association was incompetent and unsupported by credible evidence.
The plaintiffs, led by Umar Ardo, had sued INEC alongside Chief Akin Ricketts and Aminu Ahmed, seeking an order compelling the electoral body to register ADA as a political party.
They also urged the court to declare the association deemed registered under Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, on the grounds that INEC allegedly failed to act within the statutory period.
However, the court upheld a preliminary objection filed by the second and third defendants, who argued that the suit was commenced through the wrong procedure.
Justice Nwite held that the issues raised by the plaintiffs were contentious and involved allegations of fraud and disputed facts which could not be resolved through originating summons.
The judge ruled that the matter ought to have been initiated through a writ of summons to allow parties to call oral evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
The judge held that the matter was instituted through an improper procedure and was thereby incompetent, and consequently struck out the suit.
“Consequently, the second and third defendants’ preliminary objection is upheld, and this suit is hereby struck out,” he added.
The judge, however, proceeded to determine the substantive claims of the plaintiffs, “assuming I am wrong” on the procedural issue.
In the substantive decision, Justice Nwite held that the plaintiffs failed to establish with credible evidence that Chief Ricketts had defected from ADA to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as alleged.
The plaintiffs had relied on online newspapers publications to argue that Ricketts had joined the ADC before the suit was filed.
But the judge held that newspaper publications were insufficient proof of the truth of their contents.
Citing several authorities, including Ojukwu v. Yar’Adua and Fawehinmi v. IGP, the court held that newspaper reports only establish that a publication was made and not the veracity of the allegations contained in them.
Justice Nwite further held that the plaintiffs failed to provide independent evidence showing that Ricketts had formally defected to the ADC.
According to the court, there was no evidence such as membership records, a membership card, or proof of dues payment linking him to the ADC.
The court also agreed with INEC’s position that the plaintiffs failed to comply with constitutional and electoral requirements for political party registration.
The judge noted inconsistencies in the names of the interim national officers submitted to INEC and those contained in the association’s original letter of intent.
He held that the plaintiffs failed to satisfactorily explain the discrepancies.
“In sum, I am of the view, and I so hold, that the case of the plaintiffs is lacking in merit and not supported by credible evidence, and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Nwite ruled.
…highlight major projects, Programme,Regional Development Plans Amid Funding Challenges
By Gloria Ikibah
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and regional development following an oversight session with the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission at the National Assembly.
The interactive session, chaired by the Committee Chairman, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, formed part of the National Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to oversee the activities of government agencies.
During the engagement, the Commission presented a detailed report of its activities since the inauguration of its Board in February 2025, covering its financial performance, institutional development, procurement processes, staffing, partnerships and ongoing programmes across the South-East.
The Commission also briefed lawmakers on its engagements with state governments, federal institutions, development finance organisations and other stakeholders involved in driving development across the region.
As part of its review, the Senate Committee requested additional documentation relating to certain aspects of the Commission’s operations and programme implementation.
Responding to the request, the Commission welcomed the move and sought a short extension to collate and submit the required materials.
Following discussions, the Committee adjourned proceedings to a later date pending receipt of the requested submissions, which the Commission is expected to provide on or before 23 June 2026.
SEDC used the opportunity to highlight progress recorded despite what it described as significant funding constraints.
According to the Commission, preparatory work has advanced on several major regional projects since the Board was inaugurated, including strategic infrastructure initiatives such as gas pipeline and railway projects designed to drive economic growth and regional integration.
The Commission also disclosed that it had established partnerships with a number of national and international institutions, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Afreximbank, Rural Electrification Agency, the Bank of Industry, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria.
It added that extensive consultations had been held with the governments of the five South-East states, federal ministries, development partners, academic institutions and private sector stakeholders to create a coordinated approach to regional development.
One of the major achievements highlighted during the session was the South East Vision 2050 stakeholder consultations, which brought together government officials, development experts, business leaders, academics and civil society groups to develop a long-term blueprint for the economic transformation of the region.
The Commission also spotlighted the successful rollout of the inaugural South East Venture Capital Programme (SEVCP), which it described as a flagship initiative aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and investment.
According to SEDC, 25 start-ups from across the South-East received equity investments through a transparent and competitive selection process under the programme.
The Commission said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship, private sector growth and investor confidence.
“Anchored within the South East Investment Company, the Programme represents a strategic effort to move beyond fragmented interventions towards a more structured and credible venture capital ecosystem for the South East, combining capital deployment with venture development, institutional partnerships, and pathways for attracting institutional capital into early-stage, high-growth enterprises across the region,” it stated.
However, the Commission expressed concern over the pace of funding releases, warning that implementation of critical projects could be affected if appropriated funds are not released promptly.
It disclosed that despite the Federal Government and National Assembly approving ₦140 billion for the Commission in the 2026 budget, less than 10 per cent of the allocation has so far been released.
The statement further read: “Of the N140 billion appropriated to the Commission in the 2026 budget, less than 10% has been released to date across all budget lines.”
SEDC stressed that accelerated releases are essential to enable the execution of key infrastructure, agricultural transformation, youth empowerment, economic development and regional security initiatives captured within its mandate.
“The scale of development required across the South East demands sustained funding, institutional coordination, and continued collaboration among all stakeholders,” the Commission noted.
Reaffirming its commitment to openness and accountability, the Commission pledged full cooperation with the National Assembly and all relevant oversight institutions.
“SEDC remains committed to full cooperation with the National Assembly and all relevant oversight institutions. The Commission views accountability, transparency, and constructive engagement as fundamental to the successful delivery of its mandate and will continue to provide all information required to support effective legislative oversight.
“The Commission remains focused on its responsibility to deliver meaningful and measurable impact for the people of the South East through disciplined planning, transparent governance, strategic partnerships, and the effective deployment of public resources. The Commission appreciates the continued support of the National Assembly and looks forward to sustained collaboration in advancing inclusive growth, shared prosperity, and long-term development across the region.”
The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, and other leaders of the NDC, on Monday, held a closed-door peace talks with aggrieved members of the party in Kano State.
Osa Director, the national spokesperson of the NDC, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Mr Director explained that the closed-door peace talks were part of efforts to resolve the primary election-related crisis between Kwankwasiya Movement and other NDC members in the North-western state.
Kwankwasiya Movement is a political support group founded by the NDC vice-presidential candidate and former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The national spokesperson said the meeting, which lasted for several hours, was “productive.”
Senator Dickson and the NDC leadership are mediating in the process in order to enhance inclusion and participation by every party member.
According to Oda Director the NDC leadership will not impose candidates in Kano State, and indeed across the nation as the party cherishes the virtues of internal democracy,” he said.
He stressed that the NDC has not released any official results of its 2027 primaries in any state.
He urged members to disregard any such list in circulation.
The cause of the crisis
It was gathered that some NDC members in North-west Nigeria recently alleged Mr Kwankwaso was plotting to facilitate the dominance of members of Kwankwasiya Movement in the region’s party structure while dropping other key party leaders.
The Vice-Chairman of the NDC in the North-west, Mohammed Serina, and the Chairman of the party in Kano State, Hussaini Mariga, made the allegations against Mr Kwankwaso in a petition recently submitted to the party’s national leadership.
The petition followed purported results of NDC’s primaries in North-west circulating on Facebook in which the majority of winners were linked to the Kwankwasiya Movement.
The Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, has removed the names of Ahmed Yayari and Daniel Woyengikuro from its portal as Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Treasurer and National Financial Secretary, respectively.
According to a check by DAILY POST shows that both names have also been replaced with Odeyemi Mackson Oladiran and Eyim Donatus Henry as the new executives.
Yayari and Woyengikuro who are part of the Makinde-backed Turaki faction while Odeyemi and Eyim are members of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s faction, which is also the recognised faction of the PDP.
INEC had earlier recognised Wike’s faction by putting the names of Abdulrahman Mohammed as the National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary, but had left the names of Yayari and Woyengikuro as part of the executives.
With the recent update on its portal, all executives of the PDP on INEC’s portal are now aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
SEDC Defends Record Before Senate, Says Less Than 10% of ₦140bn Budget Released
NDC leader, Dickson in closed door session peace talks to stop party crisis in Kano
PDP logjam: INEC updates portal, names new treasurer, financial secretary
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