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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised the Federal High Court ruling that nullified an earlier order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.

Reacting to the judgment delivered in Lokoja on Friday, Obi described the decision as “an unnecessary serious setback for Nigerian democracy” and warned that weakening democratic institutions could endanger the country’s future.

The former Anambra State governor disclosed that he received news of the court’s decision while attending engagements in Imo State, including a visit to the School of Nursing Sciences in Emekuku and the 80th birthday celebration of the Emeritus Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Obinna, before proceeding to Madonna University.

According to Obi, the Lokoja judgment should worry all Nigerians committed to the nation’s progress.

“Every Nigerian committed to the country’s progress should be deeply concerned. This judgment represents another setback for our democracy and the institutions upon which our future depends,” he said.

He lamented that individuals who claim to support democracy now appear determined to weaken the institutions that sustain it, arguing that such actions erode public confidence and threaten the future of millions of Nigerians.

Obi further expressed concern over what he described as the growing decline of key democratic institutions, particularly the legislature and the judiciary.

“The legislature and the judiciary are increasingly being drawn into this pattern of institutional decline. Democracy cannot thrive where institutions lose their independence and credibility,” he stated.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate insisted that those seeking to weaken Nigeria’s democratic foundations would ultimately fail, noting that he had previously condemned a similar situation involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Obi maintained that his position was based on principle rather than political interest.

“My concern is not about who becomes President. My concern is that Nigeria works,” he said.

He urged political leaders to move beyond the pursuit of power and instead focus on building a united nation founded on justice, strong institutions, the rule of law and equal opportunities for all citizens.

Calling on Nigerians to defend democratic values, Obi said the survival of the country’s institutions is inseparable from the survival of the nation itself.

“It is when we work together that a new Nigeria of our dream is made possible,” he added.

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Valentine Okafor, son of late veteran Nollywood actor John Okafor, popularly known as “Mr. Ibu”, has debunked claims that his father’s last wife, Stella Maris Okafor is broke and could not pay her rent and children’s school fees. He added that her late dad’s wife has been living an ostentatious lifestyle and needed more to maintain same.

Recall that King Mitchy appealed to Nigerians to support Mr. Ibu’s wife due to her inability to pay rent and children’s school fees.

King Mitchy made the appeal after visiting Mr Ibu’s family

Contrary to King Mitchy’s submission, Valentine stated that his stepmum is begging Nigerians for more money to maintain her lavish lifestyle.

He accused Stella Maris of using her husband’s name and fame to extort the public.

In the same vein, comic actor, Fred Ebere, popularly known as Tenkobo, has taken a swipe at Stella Maris for soliciting financial help online.

Tenkobo, who accused her and other family members of selling Ibu’s investments, which included houses and landed properties, asked her to account for the money.

While asking what if Ibu wasn’t an actor, he said, “Does it mean that because you are the wife of a legend, you should not work, get handwork, or have something doing? What if Ibu is not an actor?”

Sharing details of his phone conversation with Ibu’s family, he said: “Guys, that’s the voice of Mr Ibu’s first son, Valentine Okafor. He is in his late 30s, if he is not yet 40. Because when I saw the video by Stella, I vex. I had to call the boy and I said, ‘See wetin I see.’ The boy broke down. You can hear what he just said on the phone, that I know John Okafor more than how many people know him because of my relationship with him.

“My relationship with Okafor started from colleagues to friends, from friends to father and son, and from father and son to partners in crime. That’s how much my relationship with him grew. Now, this video wey Stella do is not her first. Stella has done this type of video before, even when Mr Ibu was alive. That time the man dey alive and I asked am, ‘Baba, why this kind thing?’ Me and am discussed am, everything end.

“Now claiming that Chelsea is the only daughter, na lie. Ibu get plenty children. His first girl is in her late 20s. She’s the one that carried his photo frame during the burial. Now telling people you did not pay house rent. What I want to ask before I proceed now is, does it mean that because you are the wife of a legend, you should not work, get handwork, or get something doing? What if Ibu is not an actor? I’m not angry if you came out to solicit for help. But presenting it as if the man did not leave anything behind, did not plan his life well, or did not invest.

“That man made money from Nollywood and he invested the money. One of the greatest problems wey Ibu get na family, both his immediate brother and his wives and sons. Ibu tried very well to invest. The question now is, who sold all his landed properties that he invested in? He bought plenty of lands and houses. Did he sell them before he died? No be una still sell all his properties? After selling those properties, what did you do with the money?

“So, my people. Anybody that wants to help Stella should not help her with the mindset that Ibu did not invest or leave anything behind. Ibu did well. He planned his life well and also invested in the lives of every member of his family and associates. So, this video by Stella is not necessary. It’s just to bring the man’s name into the mud. What did she do with the money from the last house she sold?” he asked.

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Tijani Mustapha, media aide to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has faulted the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his criticism of the State Police Bill, insisting that he failed to read the legislation before commenting on it.

Obi had criticised the Senate’s passage of the bill, describing the process as hasty and lacking due legislative procedure.

He argued that the manner in which the bill was passed had fuelled public suspicion about the political motives behind its introduction.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate also expressed concern that the legislative process appeared disorganised, noting the absence of a public hearing.

He warned that state police could easily be exploited by state governors to suppress political opponents.

“The suspicion is that a state-controlled police force could be weaponised to suppress political rivals, disrupt opposition rallies, and manipulate elections,” Obi said.

He further argued that for state policing to become a credible solution to Nigeria’s security challenges, the law must go beyond merely allowing states to establish police forces.

According to him, it should also provide for truly independent oversight bodies, including state Police Service Commissions insulated from executive control, to ensure the police serve the public rather than political interests.

Responding in a post on X, Mustapha dismissed Obi’s concerns, stating that they demonstrated he had “clearly didn’t read the bill as passed.”

According to him, the bill already makes provision for the establishment of an independent State Police Service Commission, addressing Obi’s major concern.

“I know this because his major concern of the creation of an independent State Police Service Commission was duly addressed in the bill.

“For a man who doesn’t know the meaning of KPI, one again wonders what this individual’s mental capacities are,” Mustapha wrote.