Politics
FCT Council Polls: Why LP Candidates are Excluded from participating-INEC
By Our Correspondent
Ahead of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council election on February 21st 2026,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has maintained that candidates of Barr. Julius Abure-led Labour Party (PL) will not participate in the election based of pending legal suits.
The commission has in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Wednesday by Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi said that there is no Access Code authorising Abure-led LP to participate at the February 21st FCT Council election.
The statement further noted that given that the matter is subjudice, INEC will continue to respect the sanctity of the judicial process and await the final determination of the pending cases.
Recall that the party supporters of LP protested on Monday January 5th 2026 at INEC Headquarters Abuja, complaining about the exclusion of their candidates for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Election scheduled for Saturday, 21st February, 2026 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and demanded for the issuance of access code to upload names of its candidates for the election.
The statement reads in part,”In response, the Commission wishes to state that the Labour Party has been enmeshed in prolonged internal leadership disputes since 2024, which culminated in the judgment of the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025 (Usman v. Labour Party) delivered on 4th April 2025.
“In that decision, the Apex Court unequivocally held that the tenure of the Barr. Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired.
“Despite this clear pronouncement, the Abure-led faction purportedly conducted primaries for the August 16, 2025, bye-election nationwide and the FCT Area Council Election.
“It is also pertinent to recall that the Abure-led faction instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1523/2025– Labour Party v. INEC at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the decision of INEC excluding it from participating in the bye-election.
” Judgment was delivered on 15th August, 2025, dismissing the suit and enforcing the Supreme Court’s position that Barr. Julius Abure was no longer recognised as the National Chairman of the Labour Party and thus upholding the decision of INEC to exclude the Labour Party from the bye-election.”
Continuing the statement further added,”Thereafter, the Labour Party filed multiple suits against INEC in different courts, all seeking Orders compelling INEC to grant an access code for the upload of its candidates for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Election scheduled for Saturday, 21st February, 2026.
“These suits include Suit No. NSD/LF.84/2024 before the Nasarawa State High Court, Akwanga Division. When the matter at the Nasarawa State High Court got stalled, the Labour Party approached the Federal High Court Abuja in Suit No.
” FHC/ABJ/CS/2110/2025 seeking an Order compelling INEC to issue Access Codes to its candidates and the matter is still pending before the Court.
“The Labour Party again approached the FCT High Court, Jabi Division in another fresh Suit No. CV/4792/2025 and filed a Motion seeking an Order compelling INEC to issue Access Codes to its candidates for the FCT Area Council election.
“The matter was adjourned, after INEC had filed its Reply, to 15th January 2026 for the hearing of the motion. One would have expected the Party to wait for the hearing of this motion, but the Labour Party filed another suit in Suit No. CV/4930/2025 before the FCT High Court, Life Camp Division, seeking the same relief to compel INEC to grant Access Codes to upload its candidates for the FCT Area Council election.
“By an Order Exparte in this latest Suit No. CV/4930/2025, the FCT High Court sitting in Life Camp, Abuja granted an interim Order on 16th December, 2025, directing the Commission to upload the names and particulars of the Labour Party candidates for the FCT Area Council Election. The Court expressly stated that the Order would lapse after seven days unless extended.
“Upon being served with the originating processes, INEC promptly filed its defence, challenging the competence of the suit and the jurisdiction of the Court.
The interim Order consequently lapsed on 23rd December, 2025 and was not extended.
“Accordingly, there is presently no subsisting Court Order for INEC to act upon.
“Given that the matter is sub judice, INEC will continue to respect the sanctity of the judicial process and await the final determination of the pending cases.
“The Commission reiterates its unwavering commitment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as its Regulations and Guidelines, and will continue to hold political parties accountable to democratic standards and the Rule of Law in the conduct of their internal affairs.”
No Access Code for Abure-led LP
to contest FCT Council Polls amidst pending legal suits-INEC
Ignatius Okorocha, Abuja
Ahead of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council election on February 21st 2026,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has maintained that candidates of Barr. Julius Abure-led Labour Party (PL) will not participate in the election based of pending legal suits.
The commission has in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Wednesday by Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi said that there is no Access Code authorising Abure-led LP to participate at the February 21st FCT Council election.
The statement further noted that given that the matter is subjudice, INEC will continue to respect the sanctity of the judicial process and await the final determination of the pending cases.
Recall that the party supporters of LP protested on Monday January 5th 2026 at INEC Headquarters Abuja, complaining about the exclusion of their candidates for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Election scheduled for Saturday, 21st February, 2026 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and demanded for the issuance of access code to upload names of its candidates for the election.
The statement reads in part,”In response, the Commission wishes to state that the Labour Party has been enmeshed in prolonged internal leadership disputes since 2024, which culminated in the judgment of the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025 (Usman v. Labour Party) delivered on 4th April 2025.
“In that decision, the Apex Court unequivocally held that the tenure of the Barr. Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired.
“Despite this clear pronouncement, the Abure-led faction purportedly conducted primaries for the August 16, 2025, bye-election nationwide and the FCT Area Council Election.
“It is also pertinent to recall that the Abure-led faction instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1523/2025– Labour Party v. INEC at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the decision of INEC excluding it from participating in the bye-election.
” Judgment was delivered on 15th August, 2025, dismissing the suit and enforcing the Supreme Court’s position that Barr. Julius Abure was no longer recognised as the National Chairman of the Labour Party and thus upholding the decision of INEC to exclude the Labour Party from the bye-election.”
Continuing the statement further added,”Thereafter, the Labour Party filed multiple suits against INEC in different courts, all seeking Orders compelling INEC to grant an access code for the upload of its candidates for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Election scheduled for Saturday, 21st February, 2026.
“These suits include Suit No. NSD/LF.84/2024 before the Nasarawa State High Court, Akwanga Division. When the matter at the Nasarawa State High Court got stalled, the Labour Party approached the Federal High Court Abuja in Suit No.
” FHC/ABJ/CS/2110/2025 seeking an Order compelling INEC to issue Access Codes to its candidates and the matter is still pending before the Court.
“The Labour Party again approached the FCT High Court, Jabi Division in another fresh Suit No. CV/4792/2025 and filed a Motion seeking an Order compelling INEC to issue Access Codes to its candidates for the FCT Area Council election.
“The matter was adjourned, after INEC had filed its Reply, to 15th January 2026 for the hearing of the motion. One would have expected the Party to wait for the hearing of this motion, but the Labour Party filed another suit in Suit No. CV/4930/2025 before the FCT High Court, Life Camp Division, seeking the same relief to compel INEC to grant Access Codes to upload its candidates for the FCT Area Council election.
“By an Order Exparte in this latest Suit No. CV/4930/2025, the FCT High Court sitting in Life Camp, Abuja granted an interim Order on 16th December, 2025, directing the Commission to upload the names and particulars of the Labour Party candidates for the FCT Area Council Election. The Court expressly stated that the Order would lapse after seven days unless extended.
“Upon being served with the originating processes, INEC promptly filed its defence, challenging the competence of the suit and the jurisdiction of the Court.
The interim Order consequently lapsed on 23rd December, 2025 and was not extended.
“Accordingly, there is presently no subsisting Court Order for INEC to act upon.
“Given that the matter is sub judice, INEC will continue to respect the sanctity of the judicial process and await the final determination of the pending cases.
“The Commission reiterates its unwavering commitment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as its Regulations and Guidelines, and will continue to hold political parties accountable to democratic standards and the Rule of Law in the conduct of their internal affairs.”
Politics
President Tinubu Flags Off 2027 Campaign In Kaduna, Seeks Renewed Mandate
By Our Correspondent
The All Progressives Congress,( APC) has flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections on Saturday in Kaduna, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term on the strength of his administration’s record.
President Tinubu the declaration at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, saying that it was a great honour to return to the historic city where Nigeria’s early leaders converged before independence.
Tinubu thanked Kaduna voters for the victory they gave him in 2023, saying he had come to thank them and seek their mandate for a second term to fulfil his promises of prosperity, continuity and progress.
He dismissed opposition talk about hunger, saying “Who created it? They did. We are trying to eradicate it,” noting that his administration and APC governors now pay salaries regularly and are developing their states.
The President urged supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs), and come out en masse on January 16, 2027 to re-elect APC at all levels. “Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more smuggling. We are ushering in a new era,” he said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigerians elected Tinubu in 2023 not because he was richest or best speaker, but because the alternative was calamity, and he urged Kaduna people to renew APC’s mandate.
Shettima listed gains in Kaduna, including Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Federal University of Education, Zaria, vocational institutes in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf with over 4,000 graduates, and NELFUND support for students.
He said Tinubu has identified with the North for years, recalling how he gave political succour to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2007, supported Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and stood behind late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, describing Tinubu as a man of honour.
Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna is the spiritual centre of Northern politics and that all northern governors were present to show support.
Yari said Tinubu’s economic record, from exchange rate reforms to subsidy removal and trade balance, shows improvement, adding that APC will campaign with its records in infrastructure, health, education and cash transfers.
Yari declared, “Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent for you, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by God’s grace.”
Governor Uba Sani, who welcomed guests, paid tribute to Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their love for Kaduna and the North, saying Renewed Hope Agenda has brought massive interventions in transport, education, healthcare, agriculture and security.
Sani recalled that Tinubu defied security advice to travel to Birnin Gwari in December 2022, and has now fulfilled his promises, with N117 billion released for the 123km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road abandoned for over 40 years, and restoration of security on the corridor.
He also cited ongoing Zaria-Soba-Pambegua road, the $865 million Kaduna Metropolitan Red Line with $300 million already mobilized, N84 billion NELFUND benefit to North-West students, and 95 percent completion of N740 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway.
Sani challenged the “so-called Northern candidate” to show track record of 200km of road while in office, noting that over 1,000km of roads have been constructed in the North under Tinubu and Shettima.
He warned supporters to be vigilant, alleging opposition has upgraded its campaign “from Facebook and Twitter to AI.”
Politics
APC Flags Off 2027 Campaign In Kaduna, Tinubu Seeks Renewed Mandate. From Cyril Mbah, Abuja. The All Progressives Congress, APC, on Saturday flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections in Kaduna, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term on the strength of his administration’s record. Speaking at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, President Tinubu said it was a great honour to return to the historic city where Nigeria’s early leaders converged before independence. Tinubu thanked Kaduna voters for the victory they gave him in 2023, saying he had come to thank them and seek their mandate for a second term to fulfil his promises of prosperity, continuity and progress. He dismissed opposition talk about hunger, saying “Who created it? They did. We are trying to eradicate it,” noting that his administration and APC governors now pay salaries regularly and are developing their states. The President urged supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs), and come out en masse on January 16, 2027 to re-elect APC at all levels. “Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more smuggling. We are ushering in a new era,” he said. Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigerians elected Tinubu in 2023 not because he was richest or best speaker, but because the alternative was calamity, and he urged Kaduna people to renew APC’s mandate. Shettima listed gains in Kaduna, including Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Federal University of Education, Zaria, vocational institutes in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf with over 4,000 graduates, and NELFUND support for students. He said Tinubu has identified with the North for years, recalling how he gave political succour to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2007, supported Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and stood behind late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, describing Tinubu as a man of honour. Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna is the spiritual centre of Northern politics and that all northern governors were present to show support. Yari said Tinubu’s economic record, from exchange rate reforms to subsidy removal and trade balance, shows improvement, adding that APC will campaign with its records in infrastructure, health, education and cash transfers. Yari declared, “Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent for you, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by God’s grace.” Governor Uba Sani, who welcomed guests, paid tribute to Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their love for Kaduna and the North, saying Renewed Hope Agenda has brought massive interventions in transport, education, healthcare, agriculture and security. Sani recalled that Tinubu defied security advice to travel to Birnin Gwari in December 2022, and has now fulfilled his promises, with N117 billion released for the 123km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road abandoned for over 40 years, and restoration of security on the corridor. He also cited ongoing Zaria-Soba-Pambegua road, the $865 million Kaduna Metropolitan Red Line with $300 million already mobilized, N84 billion NELFUND benefit to North-West students, and 95 percent completion of N740 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway. Sani challenged the “so-called Northern candidate” to show track record of 200km of road while in office, noting that over 1,000km of roads have been constructed in the North under Tinubu and Shettima. He warned supporters to be vigilant, alleging opposition has upgraded its campaign “from Facebook and Twitter to AI.”
By our correspondent
As the 2027 election draws close, the All Progressive Congressive,(APC) on Saturday flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections in Kaduna, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term on the strength of his administration’s record.
The President who made this declaration at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, President said it was a great honour to return to the historic city where Nigeria’s early leaders converged before independence.
Tinubu thanked Kaduna voters for the victory they gave him in 2023, saying he had come to thank them and seek their mandate for a second term to fulfil his promises of prosperity, continuity and progress.
He dismissed opposition talk about hunger, saying “Who created it? They did. We are trying to eradicate it,” noting that his administration and APC governors now pay salaries regularly and are developing their states.
!
The President urged supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs), and come out en masse on January 16, 2027 to re-elect APC at all levels. “Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more smuggling. We are ushering in a new era,” he said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigerians elected Tinubu in 2023 not because he was richest or best speaker, but because the alternative was calamity, and he urged Kaduna people to renew APC’s mandate.
Shettima listed gains in Kaduna, including Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Federal University of Education, Zaria, vocational institutes in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf with over 4,000 graduates, and NELFUND support for students.
He said Tinubu has identified with the North for years, recalling how he gave political succour to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2007, supported Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and stood behind late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, describing Tinubu as a man of honour.
Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna is the spiritual centre of Northern politics and that all northern governors were present to show support.
Yari said Tinubu’s economic record, from exchange rate reforms to subsidy removal and trade balance, shows improvement, adding that APC will campaign with its records in infrastructure, health, education and cash transfers.
Yari declared, “Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent for you, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by God’s grace.”
Governor Uba Sani, who welcomed guests, paid tribute to Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their love for Kaduna and the North, saying Renewed Hope Agenda has brought massive interventions in transport, education, healthcare, agriculture and security.
Sani recalled that Tinubu defied security advice to travel to Birnin Gwari in December 2022, and has now fulfilled his promises, with N117 billion released for the 123km Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road abandoned for over 40 years, and restoration of security on the corridor.
He also cited ongoing Zaria-Soba-Pambegua road, the $865 million Kaduna Metropolitan Red Line with $300 million already mobilized, N84 billion NELFUND benefit to North-West students, and 95 percent completion of N740 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway.
Sani challenged the “so-called Northern candidate” to show track record of 200km of road while in office, noting that over 1,000km of roads have been constructed in the North under Tinubu and Shettima.
He warned supporters to be vigilant, alleging opposition has upgraded its campaign “from Facebook and Twitter to AI.” Flags Off 2027 Campaign In Kaduna, Tinubu Seeks Renewed Mandate.
F
Politics
Sea Incursion: Senate Demands Urgent Shoreline Protection As Ayetoro Community Faces Extinction
By our correspondent
Senate on Thursday called for immediate and comprehensive shoreline protection to save Ayetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State from being wiped out.
The call followed a motion moved on Thursday by Senator Dayo Faduyile (Ondo South) on the urgent need to save the historic coastal community from sea incursion.
Presenting the motion, Faduyile told the Senate that homes, livelihoods, cultural heritage and public infrastructure in Ayetoro are being progressively destroyed by ocean surges, with recent reports indicating that about 80 per cent of buildings in the community have been lost to the sea.
He said the destruction has devastated schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship and traditional institutions, displacing thousands and disrupting fishing and other economic activities.
“Continued destruction of homes and community infrastructure has displaced families, threatened access to safe water and healthcare and put the future of the historic community in grave uncertainty,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed concern that previous shoreline protection interventions have faced implementation challenges, including reported delays in earlier Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) contracts, necessitating verification of project status, expenditure and outstanding obligations.
He noted that the scale of the crisis exceeds the capacity of residents and requires urgent intervention by the Federal Government, Ondo State Government, relevant development agencies and international development partners.
Faduyile added that the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has indicated that substantial financial resources are required to address the crisis, underscoring the need for adequate funding, sound engineering and sustainable protection measures.
He warned that further delay may result in additional loss of lives, property and livelihoods, while exposing vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and the elderly, to worsening humanitarian and environmental conditions.
The Senate, in its resolutions, called on the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment, the NDDC and other relevant agencies, to work with the Ondo State Government and OSOPADEC to implement an adequately funded shoreline protection programme for Ayetoro.
It also called for a transparent review of all ongoing shoreline protection contracts for the community, including their funding status, outstanding obligations and completion timelines, and for necessary remedial action to be taken.
The upper chamber urged the Federal Government to explore budgetary provisions and climate adaptation financing to support sustainable coastal protection, including construction of embankment where technically appropriate, and restoration of essential community infrastructure.
It further urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant authorities to provide immediate humanitarian assistance, safe water, healthcare and temporary shelter for residents whose homes and livelihoods are threatened.
The Senate mandated its Committees on Environment, Niger Delta Development, Ecology and Special Duties to liaise with relevant ministries and agencies on implementation and report back within four weeks.
It also mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation of its resolutions and report accordingly.
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