By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Former Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly,Rt Hon. Adamu Usman,has filed a lawsuit before the Minna Federal High Court Division challenging his substitution of his name with that of Adamu Suleiman by the All Progressive Congress (APC), as the winner of the Edati,Lavun/ Mokwa Federal Constituency 16th,May 2026,APC Primary Election.

The Pre-election lawsuit on the resumed hearing of the matter before Justice Mohammed Barau Saidu,,the Counsel to the Plaintiff,Philip Friday Ada Omachi, submitted that all the respondents in the matter were duly served with the originating summons

The Counsel further told the Court that the Counsel to the first respondent informed the Court that he was served with the motion on notice as filed by the counsel to the plaintiff stating that she is within the timeframe to respond praying the Court to adjourn to a new date for her to respond.

Joined in the lawsuit are the All Progressive Congress (APC),Adamu Suleiman and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),

Adamu Usman,who was also one time Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State,approached the Court praying the Court to seek whether by the combined interpretation of sections 84 (1), (2),85 and 86 of the electoral Act,2026, and Articles 2,7 of the Constitution of the first respondent,the All Progressive Congress,2022 is bound to by its Constitution procedure for the conduct of direct and Consensus mode of primaries.

He also prayed the Court to determine whether the APC guidelines allow the nomination of a Candidate for the 2027 General Elections,in the nomination to contest for the elections into the House of Representatives,Lavun/Mokwa/ Edati. Federal Constituency of Niger State at the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, the Plaintiff prayed the Court to whether by the combined interpretation of relevant sections of the Electoral Act, 2026: and relevant Article of the first respondent,the APC procedure for the conduct of direct consensus mode of primaries and the party guidelines for the nomination of Candidates for the 2027 general elections, the submission of the name of the second respondent Adamu Suleiman Pataugi by the first respondent the APC to the third respondent the INEC as her Candidate for the Edati, Lavun and Mokwa Federal Constituency of Niger State in the coming general elections “ he has not withdrawn his candidacy, is null,void and ineffective”

Adamu Usman,then prayed the Court to nullify the submission of the name of the second respondent Adamu Suleiman, by the first respondent the APC to the third respondent the INEC as the Candidate to the third respondent for Edati,Lavun and Mokwa Federal Constituency of Niger State in the coming general election,” when the plaintiff who emerged winner of the Primary Election by Consensus as contained in the APC result sheet is not dead and when he has not withdrawn his candidacy,is null,void and of no effect whatsoever”

He further prayed the Court to accept,recognize and publish only the name of the Plaintiff as the lawful Candidate of the first respondent the APC for election as member of House of Representatives for Edati,Lavun and Mokwa Federal Constituency of Niger State,for the purpose of contesting the 2027 general election.

“We submit therefore My Lord that,there can be nothing more arbitrary and capricious than the act of the first respondent summiting,forwarding the name of the second respondent to the third respondent as its candidate with regards to an election conducted by her which was clearly won by the plaintiff.

“Especially that the plaintiff has neither withdrawn from the election nor has been pronounced dead.

“ The honourable Court is therefore urged with all humility, that on the strength of the facts deposed to in the plaintiff’s affidavit in support of the originating summons, the arguments canvassed herein in support,the documents exhibited before the Court and the law in support thereof,to uphold the plaintiff’s claim and grant the reliefs sought” he submitted.

Justice Muhammad Barau Sa’idu, after listening to the submissions of the Plaintiff Attorney,adjourned the case to the fourteenth of October 2026 for the adoption of motion on notice and hearing of the suit.

By David Owei

The South-South Youths Initiative (SSYI) has condemned calls for the removal of the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, following the death of 37 suspected miners in Niger State.

The youths in a statement signed by their their National President, Imeabe Saviour Oscar, described the calls as “misplaced, unjust and politically motivated.”

Oscar said it was wrong to hold the NSCDC boss responsible for an alleged operational breach committed by a state commandant.

According to the group, the NSCDC operates a defined administrative structure in which state commandants report directly to zonal commanders, who are assistant commandant-generals.

He said the various state commands also have legal, intelligence, administrative and operational departments responsible for their day-to-day activities.

Oscar further argued that Audi had previously issued circulars warning personnel against detaining suspects beyond the constitutionally prescribed period.

He said: “It is on record that the Commandant General has issued several circulars warning all formations against detaining suspects beyond 24 hours, in line with the Constitution.

“Specifically, circulars to this effect were issued in 2022 and 2024 and widely circulated to all State Commands.”

Oscar described as “wrong, unjust and mischievous” attempts to demand Audi’s removal over an alleged offence committed by a state commandant.

“It is therefore wrong, unjust and mischievous for individuals or groups to call for the head of the Commandant General for an offence allegedly committed by a State Commandant”, he said.

The South-South youths also linked the calls for Audi’s removal to the corps’ operations against illegal mining, alleging that “some powerful illegal miners and their collaborators” were behind the campaign.

The group said that Audi had previously contributed to efforts that helped increase crude oil production in the Niger Delta from about 800,000 barrels per day to approximately 1.6 million barrels per day.

Oscar also said that the Federal Government generated about N40bn from mining activities in 2025, attributing the development largely to operational reforms and measures introduced under Audi.

“The Commandant-General should be allowed to repeat what he did in the Niger Delta in the mining sector,” he said.

It called on the Presidency, the Minister of Interior and Nigerians to disregard what it described as “sponsored calls” for Audi’s removal and instead support him in his efforts to tackle illegal mining.

“Prof. Audi should be supported and encouraged to do more for the nation,” the statement added.

ByCorrespondent

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has cautioned the Federal Government against arresting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over renewed allegations of financial misconduct.

The warning followed a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking a fresh probe into allegations against Atiku dating back to his tenure as Vice President, and concerns raised by former Senator Dino Melaye over moves to invite or arrest him.

In a statement on Tuesday, MURIC Founder and Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said any move against Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, at this time would lack tact and send the wrong signal.

“We warn that such an attempt at this point in time will send the wrong signal to Nigerians. With 2027 general elections at the doorsteps, we will like to caution the Federal Government against such a move. It lacks tact. It is also long in impunity, short in emotional intelligence,” he said.

The group urged the Federal Government to tread cautiously given the proximity of the 2027 elections.

MURIC further warned against government body language capable of portraying Nigeria negatively before the international community.

“At all cost, FG must avoid exhibiting a body language that is likely to portray Nigeria as a banana republic. We lost the ethical ground. What is left for us are our democratic values and norms. Our corporate image in the global community is sinking fast,” the statement said.

The group said handling of the matter must reflect due process and avoid actions that could erode public confidence in democratic institutions.