By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expresses grave concern and unequivocal outrage over the recent judgment of the Supreme Court nullifying the November 2025 national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

While the apex court, in a split decision of three to two delivered by Justice Stephen Adah and led by Justice Mohammed Garba, upheld earlier rulings that voided the convention on grounds of disobedience to lawful court orders, HURIWA asserts that the broader context and consequences of this judgment raise fundamental questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic and judicial processes.
HURIWA states without equivocation that this verdict bears the troubling imprint of political interference and elite compromise. “The ruling, in our considered view, reflects not just a legal conclusion but a deeply questionable outcome that appears to align conveniently with the strategic interests of powerful political actors.

“This verdict has all the trappings of a procurement by the highest bidder. It reeks of political trade-offs by influential figures aligned with the Presidency who are determined to weaken, fracture, and ultimately sell off the PDP as a viable opposition platform,” HURIWA declares.

The association is particularly alarmed by allegations and emerging patterns suggesting that some governors elected on the platform of the PDP may have played complicit roles in undermining their own party.

“It is both tragic and dangerous that individuals entrusted with the mandate of the people could allegedly engage in actions that amount to the political crucifixion of their own party. If these claims hold any weight, then what we are witnessing is a betrayal of democratic trust at the highest level,” HURIWA warns.

The apex court held that the PDP acted in contempt by proceeding with its convention despite subsisting court orders and ruled that the matter transcended internal party affairs due to violations of due process.
However, HURIWA cautions that legal reasoning, no matter how sound on the surface, must not be divorced from the political realities and implications surrounding such high-stakes decisions.
The nullified convention had produced a factional leadership led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), amid intense internal rivalry. The legal challenge, initiated by aggrieved members including former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, centred on exclusion and procedural breaches, with prior restraining orders issued by Justices Peter Lifu and James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.

While the Supreme Court affirmed that the PDP’s actions constituted contempt of court, HURIWA insists that the ruling has now opened a dangerous door for the manipulation of judicial processes in resolving political disputes
“What we are witnessing goes beyond the PDP. This is about the future of opposition politics in Nigeria. If judicial outcomes—rightly or wrongly perceived—begin to mirror political expectations, then democracy itself is imperilled,” the statement noted.
HURIWA further warns that the verdict could accelerate the erosion of multiparty democracy by weakening opposition structures and consolidating political dominance in a manner that undermines electoral competitiveness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The implication is clear: a major opposition party has been thrown into deeper crisis at a critical time in Nigeria’s democratic trajectory. This raises legitimate concerns about whether the playing field is being systematically tilted,” the group added.
The association calls for urgent introspection within the judiciary to preserve its independence and credibility, stressing that public confidence in the courts must not be allowed to diminish.
“We are approaching a precarious point where citizens may begin to question the neutrality of the judiciary. Once that trust is eroded, the consequences for national stability and rule of law will be severe,” HURIWA cautioned.
HURIWA also urged members and stakeholders of the PDP to remain steadfast and pursue lawful avenues to rebuild and reposition the party.

“Political parties are not sustained by court judgments alone but by the will, resilience, and collective action of their members. This moment, though challenging, must be seen as an opportunity for internal reform and recommitment to democratic ideals,” it stated.

The association concluded by calling on civil society, the media, and the international community to closely monitor developments within Nigeria’s political and judicial space.
“The integrity of Nigeria’s democracy is under intense scrutiny. What unfolds in the coming months will determine whether democratic institutions remain independent pillars of justice or instruments of political expediency,” HURIWA said.

By Our Correspondent

The Senate on Wednesday called for Federal Government’s intervention following the devastating fire outbreak at the Head Bridge Building Materials Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Specifically, it urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damage and provide immediate relief materials to affected traders.

The upper legislative chamber also called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to design and implement a special intervention fund to help victims rebuild their businesses and restore the market.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent matter of national importance on the Onitsha fire incident sponsored by the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Tony Nwoye, (ADC Anambra North) during plenary.

Presenting the motion, Nwoye recalled the tragic incident in March when a section of the market dealing in plastics, tiles, and high‑pressure pipes went up in flames.

“According to eyewitness accounts, the fire spread rapidly to adjoining sections, fueled by highly flammable materials,” he said.

He noted that the market is one of the largest hubs for building materials in the South‑East, making the incident particularly significant for regional commerce and supply chains.

Nwoye observed that the inferno raged for over three days before it was contained through the combined efforts of the Federal Fire Service, local authorities, and emergency responders from neighbouring areas.

He expressed concern that the absence of functional fire service stations and inadequate firefighting infrastructure worsened the scale of destruction.

“Goods and property worth over ₦3 billion were lost in the incident, including industrial pipes, plumbing materials and other essential building supplies,” he said.

The lawmaker also decried the impact on traders, many of whom rely solely on the market for their livelihoods, noting that the disaster has left victims economically stranded and emotionally distressed, with potential ripple effects on economic activities in the region.

The Senate, in its further resolutions, urged the Federal Fire Service to establish and adequately equip a functional fire station within or near the market to ensure prompt response to emergencies.

Similarly, it called on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON and other regulatory bodies to enforce strict compliance with fire safety standards in markets and commercial centres nationwide.

The Senate also encouraged the Anambra State Government, in collaboration with market authorities, to develop and enforce effective emergency response mechanisms to prevent future occurrences.

It mandated its Committees on Interior, Trade and Investment to investigate the incident, identify lapses, and recommend measures to forestall similar outbreaks.

BY Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

There was a mild drama at the Minna High Court number Six, when a Fulani herdsman was sentenced and convicted to life in jail and slumped and collapsed in the dock.

He was arraigned along with his co-defendant who was discharged for lack of diligence prosecution by the office of the Attorney General of Niger State for the offence kidnapping

Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf,found him guilty of kidnapping and pronounced life jail on him and discharged his crime partner acquitted for lack of evidence against him

Immediately she discharged and acquited the second defendant and pronounced life jail on the first defendant, he slumped and collapsed in the dock.

He was found guilty of the offence of kidnapping punishable under section 2 (2) of kidnapping and cattle rustling law of Niger State.

In over two hours’ judgment, Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf,while reviewing the case, held that the Prosecuting counsel has proved his case beyond every reasonable doubt and was found guilty of kidnapping punishable under section 2 (2), of the kidnapping and cattle rustling law of Niger State.

“ Having reviewed the charge and the evidence tendered before this court, you Musa Nagoma is found guilty of the offence of kidnapping and cattle rustling punishable under section 2 (2) of Niger State law.

“ You are hereby convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment while you Mu’azu Adamu the second defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted for lack of diligence prosecution” she ruled.

However,the court room was thrown into a dramatic scene immediately Justice Balkisu Yusuf pronounced the sentenced on him and interpreted to him from English to Hausa,he slumped and collapsed while standing in the dock

The court correctional officers rushed to the dock and evacuated him to the stationed correctional ambulance at the court premises to the hospital UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA.

There was a mild drama at the Minna High Court number Six, when a Fulani herdsman was sentenced and convicted to life in jail and slumped and collapsed in the dock.

He was arraigned along with his co-defendant who was discharged for lack of diligence prosecution by the office of the Attorney General of Niger State for the offence kidnapping

Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf,found him guilty of kidnapping and pronounced life jail on him and discharged his crime partner acquitted for lack of evidence against him

Immediately she discharged and acquited the second defendant and pronounced life jail on the first defendant, he slumped and collapsed in the dock.

He was found guilty of the offence of kidnapping punishable under section 2 (2) of kidnapping and cattle rustling law of Niger State.

In over two hours’ judgment, Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf,while reviewing the case, held that the Prosecuting counsel has proved his case beyond every reasonable doubt and was found guilty of kidnapping punishable under section 2 (2), of the kidnapping and cattle rustling law of Niger State.

“ Having reviewed the charge and the evidence tendered before this court, you Musa Nagoma is found guilty of the offence of kidnapping and cattle rustling punishable under section 2 (2) of Niger State law.

“ You are hereby convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment while you Mu’azu Adamu the second defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted for lack of diligence prosecution” she ruled.

However,the court room was thrown into a dramatic scene immediately Justice Balkisu Yusuf pronounced the sentenced on him and interpreted to him from English to Hausa,he slumped and collapsed while standing in the dock

The court correctional officers rushed to the dock and evacuated him to the stationed correctional ambulance at the court premises to the hospital