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Court bars Aiyedatiwa from seeking re-election in 2028
The Federal High Court in Akure, Ondo State, has barred governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa from contesting the 2028 governorship election in the state.
According to the court, allowing him to seek another term would violate the constitutional limit of eight years’ tenure.
The court, presided over by Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke, in a judgment delivered, held that the1999 Constitution (as amended) does not provide for a situation where an elected President, Vice President, Governor, or Deputy Governor would spend more than eight years in office.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa was sworn in on December 27, 2024, to complete the tenure of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Aiyedatiwa was later sworn in again on February 24, 2025, after defeating Hon. Agboola Ajayi, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the November 16, 2024 governorship election.
Justice Adegoke ruled that the suit is not speculative or academic, emphasising that it has inherent jurisdiction to interpret any section of the Constitution, being a creation of law and duty-bound to uphold it at all times.
Recall that a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Akin Egbuwalo, had dragged the governor, his deputy Dr. Olayide Adelami, and the ruling party to court over the eligibility of Aiyedatiwa to contest for another term in office.
Egbuwalo, through his counsel Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), sought an interpretation of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution regarding the qualification of Governor Aiyedatiwa to contest for a second term.
The suit filed by Egbuwalo listed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Governor Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, as defendants.
Justice Adegoke had initially fixed January 28 to decide whether Aiyedatiwa was qualified to re-contest, having been sworn in twice as governor of the state.
However, the defendants stalled the judgment until the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja granted permission for its delivery.
Delivering judgement Justice Adegoke, held that the processes filed by the third to fifth defendants were deemed abandoned, having failed to participate during the hearing of the suit.
She noted that only the processes of the plaintiff, first defendant, and second defendant would be considered.
Consequently, the court dismissed the objection raised by the first defendant, ruling that the suit was neither speculative nor academic, as argued by the first and second defendants, but disclosed a valid cause of action.
The court further held that:“If the third defendant is allowed to contest and serve another four years, that will be against the position of the law in Marwa v. Nyako, where the Supreme Court held that a President or Governor cannot serve beyond eight years.”
Justice Adegoke also said that whenever a court is invited to interpret any provision of the Constitution, it has the inherent jurisdiction to hear and determine such a matter, since the court itself is a creation of law and must uphold the Constitution at all times.
She held that the plaintiff’s case had merit and consequently granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.
Two major gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, Mr Adebayo Adelabu and Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, have picked the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The duo picked the forms on Wednesday in Abuja.
Adelabu is the immediate past Minister of Power and hails from Ibadan.
Alli, on the other hand, currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the APC.
He is also an indigene of Ibadan, the state capital.
Recall that Adelabu’s Personal Assistant, Mr Ajiboye, picked up the form on behalf of his boss at the APC Secretariat in Abuja.
Alli, on his part, collected the form himself in Abuja.
Alli was accompanied by some members of the House of Representatives, among whom were Remi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olamiju Alao-Akala, and Akin Alabi.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has urged the government of South Africa to step up protection for Nigerians and other black immigrants following reports of renewed xenophobic violence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa warned that the situation had worsened despite earlier diplomatic engagements between both countries.
According to the commission, recent reports suggest children of Nigerian descent are now afraid to attend school, while business owners are reluctant to open their shops for fear of looting, harassment and targeted attacks. Community leaders have also documented fresh incidents of violence and intimidation within the past 72 hours.
NIDCOM appealed to South African authorities to take “urgent and visible steps” to safeguard foreign nationals, citing obligations under international law and African Union protocols on free movement and human rights.
The commission rejected what it described as the profiling of Nigerians, stressing that crime should be treated as an individual matter. “Crime has no nationality,” the statement said, adding that offenders should be prosecuted under South African law rather than entire communities being stigmatised.
Among its demands, NIDCOM called for increased police patrols in areas where Nigerians live and work, swift arrests and prosecutions of perpetrators, and the creation of a joint Nigeria-South Africa community safety forum involving police, city officials and diaspora leaders.
The commission also urged South African authorities to issue clear public messages condemning xenophobia and stereotyping.
Nigerians living in South Africa were advised to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas after dark. NIDCOM said it is in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the consulate in Johannesburg, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While condemning the attacks, the commission praised the majority of South Africans who continue to live peacefully with other Africans, expressing confidence in the longstanding ties between both nations and pledging continued diplomatic engagement to protect Nigerians abroad.
The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in the fatal shooting of Mr. Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, following the tragic incident that occurred on April 26, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directed the immediate withdrawal of all officers linked to the incident from the Delta State Command to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where they underwent accelerated disciplinary proceedings.
The statement revealed that the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), after a thorough review, found that the principal officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, acted in gross violation of Force Order 237 and other established regulations guiding the use of firearms.
The committee described his actions as unlawful, unprofessional, and a serious betrayal of the oath sworn to protect lives and uphold the law.
Following the findings, the FDC recommended the immediate dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and other officers found culpable in the incident.
The Inspector-General of Police has since approved the recommendation and forwarded it to the Police Service Commission for ratification in line with due process.
The Force also confirmed that upon completion of the administrative procedures, the affected officers would be handed over to the appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution over their roles in the extrajudicial killing.
Reaffirming the Force’s stance, the IGP stated that the Nigeria Police Force maintains zero tolerance for extrajudicial actions and abuse of power, stressing that no officer has the right to take life outside the provisions of the law.
He emphasized that any officer found violating this principle would face the full weight of disciplinary and legal consequences.
The Inspector-General also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, Mr. Mene Ogidi, assuring them that the matter would not be treated lightly and that justice would be served transparently to restore public confidence.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, while assuring citizens of the Force’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and the protection of the rights and dignity of all Nigerians.
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