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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has restated that it is a self-governing political party, insisting it is not controlled by any single person.

The party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC remains accessible to all Nigerians, including prominent political figures such as former presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

He maintained that no individual can claim ownership of the party.

Abdullahi made the clarification during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Friday, where he dismissed claims that the ADC is being groomed to advance the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

According to him, such claims are unfounded and largely driven by individuals who lack a proper understanding of the party’s internal structure.

He explained that ADC members are fully aware that the party operates on collective ownership, a principle that allows it to welcome influential politicians from different backgrounds.

“Those of us within the ADC know that the party does not belong to any one person. That is why someone like Peter Obi can join, and why Rotimi Amaechi is already a member,” he said.

He further alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is behind the growing speculation, accusing it of attempting to interfere in the ADC’s internal affairs.

The ADC spokesperson also assured that the party’s presidential candidate would be chosen through due process, stressing that the outcome is not prearranged.

“Whoever eventually becomes our presidential candidate, whether Atiku or any other aspirant, will emerge through a transparent and credible process,” Abdullahi stated, reaffirming that the ADC is not the personal platform of any individual.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday scheduled a date for judgment in a case brought by the Civil Society Observatory for Constitutional and Legal Compliance, CSOCLC, challenging President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State last year.

Justice James Omotosho set Friday, March 9, 2026 for judgment after both the plaintiff’s counsel, Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe, and the defence lawyers adopted their processes and presented arguments supporting and opposing the suit.

In the fresh lawsuit, CSOCLC questioned the President’s authority to remove elected state officials during a state of emergency.

The NGO argued that while the President may declare an emergency under Section 305 of the Constitution, he does not have the power to suspend or remove elected executive or legislative officers and appoint an interim administrator.

Justice Omotosho, however, highlighted the similarity of the case to previous ones he had dismissed, citing jurisdictional issues under the old Emergency Powers (Jurisdiction) Act of 1962.

He also referenced a Supreme Court decision from December 15, 2025, which dismissed a related case on procedural grounds.

Acknowledging these earlier rulings, Ahaaiwe insisted they were mistaken.

The lawyer argued that the 1962 Act is a “spent” law, deliberately omitted from statute books before the 1999 Constitution came into effect.

He further contended that a 2025 presidential order modifying the alleged non-existent law is “unconstitutional, null, and void”.

“The constitution has fully covered the field on emergency powers. No executive proclamation can alter the express provisions of Section 305,” he added.

Lawyers representing the 1st to 5th defendants, including the President and the Attorney-General of the Federation, relied on the same 1962 Act and the modification order.

They argued that only the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over such disputes and urged the court to strike out the case.

The plaintiffs had requested 26 reliefs, including a declaration that Rivers State cannot be governed by an appointed administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, outside the constitutional provisions.

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A technical malfunction on Friday compelled a Qatar Airways aircraft carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members to make an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the aircraft developed a fault while in flight within Nigerian airspace, necessitating the emergency landing.

LASEMA explained that it received a distress call via its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines. Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team, LRT, confirmed that the aircraft was in distress.

“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.

“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”

“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.

Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency noted that there was no major damage to the aircraft.

“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.