Former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Timi Frank has said the recent Abuja High Court judgment that deregistered the African Democratic Congress and other political parties is a recipe for incoming national crisis nationwide.

Recall that Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Abuja, had on Monday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the Democratic Congress, ADC, Accord Party and others from participating in the 2027 general election.

The ruling had raised questions among Nigerians.

But ADC announced plans to appeal the ruling.

Reacting to the judgment, Timi Frank, in a statement Monday, said it was an attempt to wipe out major opposition platforms, noting that it could lead to a national crisis and undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations.

He urged United States President Donald Trump and the international community to take immediate action to rescue Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

The judgment was a shock, without any prior intimation to the parties concerned. “From the information available to us, it seemed that the judgment was drafted in another place and just delivered by the court,” he alleged.

“Nobody knew that. There was no information, no briefing, not even to the lawyers for the parties.” The judgment came suddenly. “It was something they cooked up and schemed to make it look legitimate without even telling the parties involved,” Frank alleged.

He called the ruling a “mystery judgment.” Frank argued that it was rigged to achieve a predetermined political outcome.

‘What we understood was that the judgment was drawn up elsewhere and handed to the judge. “The script was written by the Office of the Attorney General and the judge just played out that script,” he claimed.

Frank also alleged that the supposed scheme to deregister opposition parties formed part of a grander scheme to stifle political opposition and entrench power.

“Any attempt by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cohorts to deregister political parties, especially the larger opposition parties like the ADC, will cause a crisis that will be difficult to manage,” he said.

The time has come for all lovers of democracy to rise to the defense of the democratic gains that Nigerians have struggled to attain. He said: “Failure to speak out against these developments could have serious implications for the future of our country.

The post ADC Deregistration: Timi Frank Calls Mystery Judgment a Recipe for National Crisis, Seeks Trump’s Intervention appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Plateau State chapter of the Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association of Nigeria, KPFAN, has berated former Governor Jonah David Jang over his opposition to a recent court ruling granting indigeneship to Hausa residents in Jos North Local Government Area based on their birth and long-term stay in the state.

Reacting to the ruling in a statement on Saturday, Mr Jang said the judgment would have serious implications for the state’s identity, cultural heritage and indigenous rights.

“The issue of citizenship, residency, and indigenship in the state has been at the heart of political and social discourse for decades and why should the court rush to take a position on an issue that may escalate tension.

He argued that changing the existing framework could create tensions and undermine the rights of groups that have traditionally been recognized as indigenous to the state.

But the Fulani group, in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Idris Bayero, said the elder statesman’s opposition to the ruling was not only unfortunate but dangerous to the unity of the people and the fragile peace in the state.

Bayero stated that Jang’s position contravenes the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which states that every citizen is equal and there is no discrimination based on tribe, origin and religion.

“The recent utterances of former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah David Jang, against the issuance of indigene certificates to Hausa/Fulani residents of Plateau State have been received with utter dismay and disappointment by the Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association of Nigeria (KPFAN)”, the statement said.

Bayero continued:

His position is not only unfortunate but a dangerous relic of ethnic exclusivism that offends the clear provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

“Senator Jang’s position is in contradiction to Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution which forbids discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, place of origin or religion.

“Every Nigerian citizen, including Hausa/Fulani families that have been living in Plateau State for generations – some for over a century- has the right to be recognised as bona fide citizens of the state they live in, contribute to and pay taxes to. Citizenship is not a privilege to be dispensed on the basis of parochial loyalties.

“The indigene-settler dichotomy has been exploited over the years to marginalize fellow Nigerians. Many of the Hausa/Fulani communities in Plateau were born there, have their ancestral graves there and have contributed immensely to the economy, security and cultural life of the state. It’s a historical injustice to deny them certificates just because their great-grandparents migrated before the creation of the state.

“It is no longer news that there have been cycles of recurring violence in Plateau State. Our association strongly believes that the denial of justice and equality to all citizens regardless of ethnic background by successive Plateau leaders including Senator Jang has been the tinder for recurring conflicts.

“When you have a segment of society that is permanently classified as “non-indigenes” after decades of stay, you create second-class citizens who are subject to exclusion, dispossession, and violence. That’s the true recipe for a crisis.

“No modern society in the 21st century progresses by shutting out fellow citizens from certificates of belonging. If Jang’s logic were to be applied across board, the Nigerian federation would be threatened. We urge him to use his seniority and experience to champion inclusion, not exclusion. The Fulani are not strangers in Plateau. They are neighbours, farmers, herders, traders and in many cases indigenous people whose history predates the 1967 creation of Plateau State.

We call on the Plateau State government to ignore the retrogressive advice of Senator Jang and to move towards a common residency and indigeneity framework that respects the Nigerian Constitution. No citizen should be barred from state rights—employment, education, or political participation—by virtue of their ethnic surname.

“Senator Jang’s statement is an affront to national unity and a direct affront to the Hausa/Fulani communities who have called Plateau their home for generations.

“The Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association will continue to resist all forms of discriminatory policies and will support legal action where necessary. We call on Plateau leaders to learn from history: peace comes from justice, not perpetual exclusion.”

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The Senate has distanced itself from the arrest warrant issued by its Committee on Public Accounts against the immediate Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari. The chamber also condemned uncomplimentary comments by Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves”.

The repudiation came after a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele under a point of order on urgent national importance. Bamidele said the Senate had to protect its institutional integrity, ensure adherence to the Legislative Houses’ Powers and Privileges Act and protect fair hearing and due process.

The controversy broke on Wednesday when the Public Accounts Committee, led by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, resumed its investigation into queries raised against NNPCL by the Auditor General of the Federation in audit reports for the years 2017 to 2023. At the session with the former NNPCL management, the committee resolved to issue an arrest warrant against Kyari.

At the same session, Senator Oshiomhole, a member of the committee, made negative comments about NNPCL. The former management team were interrogated and he described the company as “a bunch of criminals and thieves”.

But barely 24 hours later, the Senate in plenary, disowned both the committee’s action and Oshiomhole’s comments, stressing that they did not reflect the position of the institution.

Bamidele told the Senate any committee performing oversight under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution must do so in accordance with natural justice, fairness, objectivity, parliamentary responsibility and respect for the rule of law.

“Although the Senate has broad investigative and oversight powers, such powers must be exercised in a manner that does not create the appearance of bias, prejudice, prejudgment or predetermined conclusions about any person or institution being investigated,” he said.

He specifically argued that the warrant of arrest issued against Kyari was fraught with procedural irregularities and should be declared null and void. He also called on the Senate to discountenance Oshiomhole’s description of NNPCL.

“Such procedural irregularities may expose Senate proceedings to avoidable legal challenges and diminish public confidence in the institution,” warned Bamidele. He said that any statements suggesting guilt before the conclusion of the investigations were prejudicial to the proceedings.

The motion was strongly supported by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Whip Tahir Monguno, Senator Adamu Aliero who described Oshiomhole’s comments as reckless, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who moved that Oshiomhole withdraw the statement.

In his reaction, Oshiomhole said he made the comments under duress occasioned by equally uncomplimentary remarks against the Senate and senators by former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Alhaji Umar Ajiya, during the investigative hearing.

The Senate, in its resolution, formally distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s statement calling NNPCL “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” stating that such comments are not the official stance or determination of the Senate.

The chamber also discounted the purported arrest warrant issued by the Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, against Mele Kyari.

The post NNPC: Senate Disowns Committee’s Arrest Warrant for Kyari appeared first on TheNigerian.

There has been growing concern in media circles in Osun State following the reported arrest of the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, Olalekan Akindoju, by police officers in Osogbo, on Thursday morning.

The development was confirmed by the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist, Osun State Council, Adeyemi Aboderin in a post on the official Osun NUJ WhatsApp platform.

“IMPORTANT NOTICE,” said Aboderin. Policemen have reportedly arrested Hon.Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, Olalekan Akindoju at his residence on Thursday morning.

“Policemen were said to have raided his apartment and whisked him away to the State CID, Osogbo. More details to come.

The Osun NUJ chairman, also in a chat, said “Yet to ascertain the reason. “I have contacted the PPRO. Reason for arrest not yet known.”

Also, Daniel Odeyemi, Chairman of the Rave FM Chapel of the NUJ, where Akindoju is a member, also confirmed that police officers allegedly came to his residence and took him away.

“Lekan called the Head of Station this morning and said police officers raided his house and they are taking him to the state CID,” he said.

Odeyemi also said that the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Rave FM, Mr Femi Adefila, has gone to the Osun State Police Command headquarters on the matter.

He said authorities at the police command headquarters said they did not know his whereabouts.

Sources within the NUJ also said Akindoju’s whereabouts were unknown after the arrest and attempts to reach him by telephone failed.

“UPDATE ON AKINDOJU’S. ARREST. “In another update, the Osun NUJ chairman said, We have been able to trace him to the cells of Police PRU unit at the Police Headquarters.

“Probably a case of mistaken identity.

We are trying to get him out now.

“Thanks for your concern.

As of press time, attempts to get an official reaction from the Osun State Police Command proved abortive.

The police have not issued any statement explaining the circumstances that led to Akindoju’s arrest or confirming the reasons for his detention.

The post BREAKING: Concerns Mount Over Arrest of Osun NUJ Secretary appeared first on TheNigerian.

A coalition of aspirants in the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, has condemned what they described as “wicked and distracting attempt” to link the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, to the peaceful protests held last week over the party’s primaries.

The group, in a strongly worded statement signed by prominent party figures and released to the press on Wednesday, insisted that the demonstration was a spontaneous expression of dissatisfaction by aspirants and their supporters across Lagos State.
The statement was signed by among others; Hon. Seye Oladejo (Mushin), Hon. Kolawole Taiwo (Ajeromi-Ifelodun), Hon. Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa), Hon. Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi), Hon. Apata Samuel (Somolu), Hon. David Doherty (Amuwo-Odofin), Hon. Ganiyu Egunjobi (Agege), Hon. Ganiyu Ayuba (Alimosho).
However, the aspirants said the protest was not sponsored but the result of genuine grievances.
“It is an insult to the intelligence and a disparagement of the legitimate concerns of thousands of committed APC members and supporters to insinuate that they were sponsored to voice their frustrations,” the statement said.
The protesters, the group said, raised issues of alleged manipulation, distortion of results, cheating and disregard for party guidelines in the primaries. They said the concerns are not isolated or imaginary, but are the frustrations of party faithful who invested time, resources and political capital in the democratic process.
The signatories slammed unnamed persons for trying to make Speaker Obasa a scapegoat to trivialize the allegations and to divert attention from the need for justice, reconciliation and unity in the APC.
“Instead of dealing with the issues that lie at the heart of the protest, some have taken the easy way out: scapegoating. Such futile efforts are clearly meant to divert public attention from the need for fairness and party cohesion,” they said.
They called on party leaders to focus on resolving the outstanding issues from the primaries as they look ahead to the 2027 general elections. APC, they said, is strong because it can contain contrary views, fix its internal weaknesses and emerge stronger through dialogue and fairness.
“The concerns of aggrieved aspirants and their supporters should be addressed, not diverted. “Addressing these grievances in a sincere and urgent manner will bolster confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes and allow us to approach the upcoming elections with a united and formidable front,” the statement said.

The post Lagos APC Aspirants Reject Attempt to Link Speaker Obasa to Protest appeared first on TheNigerian.

Activist and social commentator, Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as JusticeCrack, has alleged that officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, abducted him while disguising themselves as operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS.

Justice Crack made the claims in a post on X Tuesday, saying he was subjected to inhumane treatment while in custody.

He said he was blindfolded and handcuffed for three days, kept in the burning sun during the day and locked in a freezing cold room at night.

He added that the intervention of Nigerians who asked questions about his whereabouts also prevented him from going missing without a trace.

He added that because the matter was still before the court, he was limited in what he could disclose publicly.

“JusticeCrack has never been cracked and it will never be cracked. The DIA took me, they came to arrest me, disguised as DSS officers.

“It was only when Nigerians started talking and demanding answers, they finally took me to the DSS. They wanted to make me disappear. And if it wasn’t for the intervention of Nigerians I may have been gone forever.

“After three days of inhumane treatment, I would like to state that I was blindfolded and handcuffed throughout the three days. In the daytime they exposed me to the hot sun, at night they locked me in a cold room.

“As this matter is still in court I am limited to what I can say at this time. But in fact it was the DIA that took me prisoner and brought me to the CIC. I didn’t realize this until I was transferred to the DSS, at which point I was told.

Justice, he wrote, can never be cracked.

Chidiebere’s ordeal reportedly started in late April 2026 and was reported missing by his family after dropping his child off in school in Abuja.

He was confirmed to be in military custody by the Nigerian Army on 2 May after public outrage and accusations of enforced disappearance.

The military said he was arrested “in connection with some videos and posts that have gone viral of frontline soldiers complaining about poor feeding and welfare conditions”, with the authorities describing the acts as bordering on subversion and incitement of military personnel.

He was later handed over to the civil authorities and arraigned by the DSS before the Federal High Court, Abuja on a three-count charge bordering on cybercrime and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

Justice Crack was remanded in the custody of the DSS but was granted N5 million bail by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on May 18, 2026.

The post “I’ll Have Gone Forever” – Justice Crack Opens Up On His Arrest appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Edo State Police Command has said that the viral video of Agogo the Towncrier, an aide to Governor Monday Okpebholo, making a controversial statement about opposition figures is not true.

In the video, Okpebholo’s aide could be heard telling Monday Agbonika, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, that he would give the police any member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who was found in the state.

He also called Peter Obi, who ran for president in the past, a “stupid man.”

The video shows the police commissioner smiling during the conversation, which led some people to criticize the reaction because of the nature of the comments.

In response to the public outcry, the Edo Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said in a statement released on Saturday that the Commissioner of Police never agreed with, supported, or agreed with what Okpebholo’s aide said.

Ikoedem also said that the comments are being carefully looked at to see if they have any security implications other than those of comedy and showmanship.

The Edo State Police Command said in a statement, “The attention of the Edo State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video circulating on social media, showing the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, on official duty.” In the video, a comedian named Emmanuel Eghogho said some things.

“The Command wants to make it very clear that the comments made in the video by Emmanuel Eghogho are his own and do not in any way represent the views, position, or disposition of the Commissioner of Police or the Edo State Police Command.” The Commissioner of Police never agreed with, supported, or agreed with what was said.

“For the record, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc is still a highly skilled and non-partisan officer who is fully dedicated to the Nigeria Police Force’s constitutional duties.

The Command had previously asked all political parties, their supporters, and the general public to conduct their political activities in a peaceful, lawful, and unobstructed manner. The Command says again that everyone and every group has the right to pursue their legal political interests as long as they follow the law.

The Command, on the other hand, wants to make it very clear that any act of violence, incitement, thuggery, or any behavior that could threaten public peace and safety will not be tolerated in any form. People who do things that could break the law will be dealt with harshly by the law.

“The Edo State Police Command is still committed to keeping the peace, making sure the public is safe, and protecting democratic processes across the State.”

The post Police React as Aide to Monday Okpebholo Insults Peter Obi, Threatens ADC Members appeared first on TheNigerian.

A video that has been going around online shows an aide to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Agogo the Towncrier, making a controversial statement about opposition figures.

Okpebholo’s aide could be heard in the video telling Monday Agbonika, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, that he would turn over any member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who was found in the state to the police.

He also called Peter Obi, who ran for president in the past, a “stupid man.”

The video shows the police commissioner smiling during the conversation, which led some people to criticize him for not reacting appropriately to the comments.

The aide, who has already been accused of threatening Peter Obi’s safety in the state, left after saying what he said in front of the commissioner

At the same time, the ADC in Edo State has gotten worse since a new State Executive led by Tony Alike took over.

There were different reports about the party’s leadership structure in the state, but Alike was named chairman along with 23 other executive members.

The National Collation Chairman, Sem Andrew Uchendu, made the announcement from the party’s secretariat.

The news comes just 24 hours after Rowland Owie, a member of the party’s National Executive Committee, said that Nosa Ehima had been chosen as the state chairman.

Kennedy Odion, the current chairman, whose term is set to end on May 19, said he didn’t know of any congresses that had taken place in the state, which made things even more confusing.

Before announcing the results, Uchendu said that he had spent three days in the state overseeing congresses at the unit, ward, local government, and state levels.

He said that party leaders in the state, led by John Odigie-Oyegun, the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, came to an agreement on how to choose the new leaders.

He said that the process was part of the party’s efforts to make sure that the state has “well-structured leadership.”

After he came out, Alike told reporters that his top priority would be to bring together unhappy party members and change the party’s direction.

He said that he had already begun talking to party leaders, starting with a visit to Odigie-Oyegun.

“We’ll leave here and go back to our private meeting.” In the next few days, we will release a policy statement. But one thing is certain, and that is the most important thing to every Nigerian. The question is, are we happy with how things are right now?

“That is the question, and that is where we are finding answers. We are going to get Nigerians to say “enough is enough” and that this country belongs to everyone. It is not the private property of one person or a group of friends.

“When the people say they are tired of a bad government, the other choice is the opposition.” Uchendu said, “So in the next few days and weeks, before the general election starts in January, we will show how we plan to make that happen.”

The post Aide to Monday Okpebholo Insults Peter Obi, Threatens ADC Members Before Police Commissioner appeared first on TheNigerian.

Yul Edochie, an actor from Nollywood, says that Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate, hasn’t been able to do anything politically lately because of an oath he took before leaving the All Progressives Congress Grand Alliance (APGA).

Yul posted on his 𝕏 handle that Peter Obi’s presidential ambition is linked to APGA, suggesting that the former Governor of Anambra State can’t make any political progress unless he returns to the party.

The movie star said that Peter Obi swore never to leave APGA and even prayed that he would never get anything done politically if he did leave the party that is mostly made up of people from the South East.

Yul Edochie said that oaths are very strong and are getting in the way of Peter Obi’s political progress.

He wrote, “Peter Obi’s goal of becoming president is linked to APGA.” The party he promised he would never leave. Peter promised Ojukwu and Ndi Anambra that he would never leave APGA.

“He said he would die with APGA.” He said that if he quits APGA, he might never get anything done in politics. Later, he quit APGA. That’s why he hasn’t done anything politically since then.

“That’s why people used his name to win elections in 2023, even though he lost. I’m shocked he hasn’t figured this out. Oaths have a lot of power.

“Anything he does with ADC is a waste of time.” Peter Obi could become President after TINUBU in 2031, but only if he runs with APGA.

The post “Oaths Are Powerful” – Yul Edochie Speaks on Peter Obi’s Political Journey appeared first on TheNigerian.

Ifeanyi Okowa, who used to be the governor of Delta State, says that Senator Ned Nwoko is lying to the public about the plan to make Anioma State.

He also questioned the timing of the ongoing talks about creating a new state, saying that the current legislative calendar makes such proposals impossible.

He said that bringing up the issue at this point could be seen as misleading the public. He also said again that any decision about Anioma State would depend on an agreement between the people and the government.

While speaking to APC members in Oshimili South Local Government Area about his senatorial goals, Okowa said this.

Osaai Ovie Success, the Delta state governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, put the video on Facebook on Wednesday.

Okowa denied that he is against the creation of Anioma State, saying that no one from the area is against it.

He did, however, stress that the proposed state must reflect the will of the people as a whole.

He says that the Anioma State that stakeholders are pushing for should include the nine local government areas in Delta North, which is in the South-South geopolitical zone, and Asaba should be the capital.

Okowa spoke out against what he called attempts to change Asaba’s status as the capital of Delta State. He said these moves were wrong and didn’t take into account the historical efforts that went into making it the capital.

He said, “There’s one thing I haven’t talked about in public that I need five minutes to talk about: the issue of Anioma state.” They have a lot of wrong ideas. A lot of false information has been spread about Anioma state on social media.

“No Anioma son, I don’t think there’s any Anioma son who is against the creation of Anoma state, not me as people try to make it seem.” But the Anioma we want must be the one that everyone wants.

“And the Anioma we want is the one that is made up of nine local governments in Delta North and will be based in the South South geopolitical zone, with Asaba as its headquarters.

“An Asaba daughter fought for us, and now Asaba is the capital of Delta state.” Someone who doesn’t know how it happened wants to wish away that headquarters today.

“It’s awful, and it shouldn’t be because common sense should have told him that what he’s doing is wrong.”

“We know how important the headquarters is. And by God’s grace, Asaba is growing beyond what is possible. No one will be able to stop Asaba from growing again.

“It’s important to stay in touch with your people when you’re going after something. That’s why I talked about consultation and a consultative presentation. You need to know what most people want. But if you think you know everything, you’ll go the wrong way.

“I want to be very clear that if you know the schedule of the legislators, you will know that we are already a quarter of the way there.” It’s clear that talking about creating a state now is meant to trick you. We don’t want any lies.

“Anioma State, by the special grace of God, we will keep making decisions, but when it comes, it will be a decision made by all of our people. And everyone in Anioma, including the current government, will stand up and say we want this. And it is possible.

The post Anioma State Debate: Ifeanyi Okowa Accuses Ned Nwoko of Misleading People appeared first on TheNigerian.