A legal practitioner, Nura Ahmad Muhammad, has stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no constitutional authority to determine the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as internal disputes within political parties remain matters for judicial resolution.

Speaking to DAILY POST, Muhammad described the ongoing leadership tussle within the ADC as a common occurrence in political organisations, stressing that such conflicts are typically resolved through party constitutions, although varying interpretations often lead to prolonged legal battles.

“This kind of crisis within political parties is not new. When disputes arise, parties usually rely on their constitution for resolution, but differing interpretations often make this difficult, which is why such matters end up in court for proper clarification,” he said.

He emphasised that since the dispute is already before the court, all factions must maintain the status quo pending a final judgment.

“Now that the case is in court, all parties must maintain the status quo, and no one should lay claim to leadership until a final judgment is delivered. INEC does not have the authority to decide who leads a political party; it can only act in line with the court’s decision,” he added.

Muhammad referenced constitutional provisions, including Section 223(1) and Section 83(1) of the Electoral Act, noting that INEC’s role is limited to oversight rather than intervention in party leadership disputes.

The crisis has seen rival factions aligned with David Mark and Nafiu Bala both laying claim to the party’s leadership, prompting legal action to settle the dispute.

Recall that former Labour Party presidential candidate and ADC chieftain , Peter Obi, had earlier criticised INEC’s handling of the situation, particularly its decision to withdraw recognition from the faction led by Mark.

“Somebody is pushing this,” Obi said during an interview on Arise Tv, suggesting possible external interference in the commission’s actions.

At the grassroots level, discontent continues to grow among party members.

An ADC member in Kano, Comrade Kabir Sani Mai Kwanuka, accused some party leaders of collaborating with the ruling party to weaken the ADC.

“It is only when the wall cracks that the lizard finds a place to enter. We created the opening ourselves. If this continues, the party has no future,” he said.

He further stressed the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic system, citing past political transitions.

“In 2007, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo attempted to extend his tenure but failed. In 2015, Goodluck Jonathan lost an election as an incumbent and accepted the outcome. No one can suppress democracy in Nigeria; it is bigger than any individual,” he added.

Efforts to obtain fresh comments from the Bala-led faction were unsuccessful. However, Bala had earlier maintained in separate media engagements that he remains the legitimate leader of the party.

ADC holds convention amid controversy

The crisis continues as the faction loyal to Mark held its national convention on Tuesday, despite uncertainty surrounding its recognition by INEC.

The party, during the convention criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Federal Government over what it described as attempts to stifle opposition politics.

Speaking at the convention, the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, said the legitimacy of the exercise cannot be questioned, rejecting suggestion that the exercise was flawed and illegal.

He said the convention was holding before party leaders who raised no objection.

He went on to say that, “The approval of the various committees proposed by the outgoing NWC to support the Caretaker Committee during the transition period; the swearing-in of the Caretaker Committee; and the new executives of the party were all administered the oath of office by competent authorities at that NEC,” he said.

According to Aregbesola, the resolutions at an earlier NEC meeting, which included the dissolution of the former leadership, were communicated to INEC which the commission acknowledged and accepted.

“The report of that NEC meeting was submitted to INEC by Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu and Alhaji Baba Abdullahi. It was on this basis that INEC recognised the new leadership and uploaded the principal officers on its electronic portal,” he said.

Insisting that the removal of the former National Working Committee (NWC) followed due process and cannot not be faulted, Aregbesola said, “No member, I repeat, no member of the former NWC of the ADC therefore has any right or claim to any office thereafter. A dead horse cannot rise again,” Aregbesola said.

He questioned INEC’s absence at the convention, saying it was an abdication of responsibility and breach of the law.

“INEC’s failure to meet its lawful duty is hereby declared an abdication of responsibility and a breach of the law,.

“The decision of INEC to refuse to attend and monitor our convention amounts to dereliction of duty, bordering on a dangerously partisan outlook aimed at unlawfully delegitimising the otherwise legitimate actions of our party,” he added.

“There is no other legitimate ground that INEC can rely on to refuse monitoring our convention, except if INEC, is on a mission to destroy the ADC and pave the way for the APC to coast to victory without any serious challenge.

ADC won’t bow – David Mark

Former Senate President and national chairman of the ADC, David Mark, while speaking at the convention said the party won’t bow to any kind of autocracy.

“In an ever-shrinking democratic space, the ADC will not bow, we will not cower, and we will not retreat,” he said.

Mark said the current problem orchestrated by some persons to bring down the party was part of a bigger struggle to reclaim Nigeria’s democracy, charging politicians across all political parties to come together in order to rescue democracy.

“This generation is asking tough questions of leadership, and we are emerging as a credible alternative because our vision aligns with their aspirations,” he said.

We are heading to disaster – Peter Obi

According to former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, Nigeria is heading to disaster under the current government.

Citing global terrorism index, Obi said Nigeria has continued to occupy almost the bottom position since the current administration assumed office.

According to him, the country has moved from eighth to fourth position in terrorism ranking, an indication of worsening insecurity which he said was alarming.

“If this trajectory continues, in a few years, Nigeria could rank among the worst-affected countries,” he said.

Speaking on national debt and the economy, Obi said the country had borrowed more than ever and heading to disaster.

“We have huge debts, and we have borrowed more, and we are heading to disaster. The reason why I use these short figures is to show you we are drifting,” he said, adding that the figures point to a country in decline.

“We must now sacrifice for the sake of our children. If we don’t do anything, what is happening will take revenge on us and our children,” he said.

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola has revealed the reason ADC lost in the November 25Anambra State governorship election and the February 26 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections.

He disclosed this during the ongoing ADC national convention on Tuesday.

Aregbesola admitted that the party also struggled internally with weak funding and an unprepared structure, which contributed to its inability to secure victory in both elections.

“Our party participated in the 2025 Anambra State and the February 26 FCT local government election.

“We were not victorious for various reasons, including the fact that our opponents employed the power of incumbency, monetization of the electoral process and misuse of state power.

“On our side, we suffered from poor funding and the general non-readiness of our structure.

“However, we have learnt from this lessons and are ready for forthcoming Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections,” he said.

The Jigawa State Government has approved ₦419.47 million to improve primary healthcare services and pay allowances to frontline health workers across the state.

The approval was announced by the Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr. Sagir Musa, after the State Executive Council, SEC, meeting held in Dutse on Tuesday.

According to Musa, ₦362.8 million will be released to 281 accredited Primary Health Care (PHC) centres spread across the 27 Local Government Areas under the Direct Facility Financing programme of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. The money will cover operations from July to December 2025.

He explained that the intervention is aimed at helping health centres run more effectively, stock essential drugs, and provide better medical services, especially in rural communities where access to healthcare is often limited.

Musa said the funding would also strengthen Jigawa’s healthcare system and move the state closer to achieving universal health coverage for residents.

In addition, the council approved ₦56.67 million for allowances for frontline health workers for the same six-month period.

Those to benefit include 75 midwives, 650 Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS) agents, and 130 Community Engagement Focal Persons who work closely with communities on maternal and child health, disease prevention, and public health awareness.

The commissioner said the combined approvals is part of the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery while encouraging workers who serve at the grassroots level.

Troops under Operation MESA have raided an illegal mining site in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, arresting three suspects and recovering arms and other items.

A counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a post on X.

Makama said the operation was carried out at about 1:00 p.m. on April 13 at Taki following coordinated efforts between troops of 12 Brigade and local vigilantes.

According to Makama, the suspects claimed to be gold dealers and members of the Miyetti Allah socio-cultural group.

He added that items recovered during the raid include one locally made pistol, four cartridges, two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two motorcycles, three mobile phones, two cutlasses and the sum of N68,100.

“The suspects and recovered exhibits are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action,” Makama said.

He further stated that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining and related criminal activities in the state.

The Lagos State Government has indicated plans to expand fire safety infrastructure across the state, following the addition of a new fire station as part of recently commissioned projects aimed at improving public safety and development.

According to a statement by the Lagos State government, the projects were unveiled during a two-day commissioning programme held from April 8 to April 9, 2026, under the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. The exercise was carried out on behalf of Bola Ahmed Tinubu by Godswill Akpabio.

Among the key projects delivered is the Tolu School Complex located in Olodi Apapa, Ajegunle, in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area. The complex comprises 36 schools, a modern fire station, and a stadium with 19 mini football pitches.

The inclusion of a fire station within the facility reflects the government’s efforts to protect lives and property while also supporting community growth.

A multi-agency complex named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was also commissioned during the event. The facility is expected to strengthen collaboration among emergency responders and other public service institutions in the state.

Speaking at the event, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, commended the government for its continued investment in safety infrastructure, noting that the new fire station will improve emergency response, especially in heavily populated areas.

“The additional fire station will significantly enhance emergency response coverage, particularly within densely populated communities,” Adeseye said.

Adeseye stated that with the addition of the Tolu Fire Station, the number of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) locations has increased to 25, making it the 11th fire station delivered by the current administration. He added that three more stations are at different stages of completion, with two already included in this year’s budget.

The development highlights the government’s continued focus on strengthening emergency services and building a safer, more resilient, and inclusive environment for residents across the state.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has commenced preliminary political consultations with the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, in what observers see as early positioning ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in the state.

Hamzat revealed via his X account that he met with members of the influential council on Monday, describing the engagement as a platform for meaningful dialogue on the future direction of Lagos.

“I had thoughtful conversations about the future of Lagos and the kind of leadership it requires. I value the experience and guidance shared. This is about listening, learning and working with others to build a stronger Lagos,” he wrote.

The development has drawn renewed focus on succession politics within Lagos, where the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is known for its structured internal consultation process, which often shapes candidate emergence well before formal primaries.

The GAC remains a key decision-influencing body within the party’s Lagos chapter. Led by Tajudeen Olusi, the council comprises veteran politicians and major stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu. It plays a significant role in strategic decisions such as succession planning, zoning arrangements and endorsements within the state’s political framework.

Hamzat’s meeting with the council is widely viewed as part of the customary early consultations that precede major political contests in Lagos, where aspirants typically engage key stakeholders years ahead of elections.

Meanwhile, reactions on social media have begun to frame the engagement as a potential endorsement, with some unverified claims suggesting that consensus may already be forming within the party.

A Lagos-based political commentary platform alleged that the meeting was marked by emotional moments, claiming that a GAC member from Lagos East, Otunba Alebiosu, popularly known as Bush, was visibly moved after Hamzat purportedly secured the council’s backing as the APC’s preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

However, these claims remain unconfirmed.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark has accused authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) led by Nyesom Wike of attempting to frustrate its planned National Convention scheduled for Tuesday in Abuja.
In a statement posted on X, the faction’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the management of the Rainbow Event Centre informed the party of external pressure to withdraw the venue.

According to Abdullahi, the venue owner claimed he had been threatened with the revocation of his license by officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, if the facility was used for the ADC gathering.

He noted that the party had already fulfilled all financial obligations and formalized an agreement with the venue prior to the development.

Despite the alleged pressure, Abdullahi insisted that the faction would proceed with the convention as scheduled at the Rainbow Event Centre.

He added that the group would not be deterred, describing the situation as an attempt to undermine democratic processes.

“After paying all the fees required and setting up for our convention tomorrow, the owner of Rainbow Event Centre has just informed us that he has come under pressure from the FCDA and the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, that if he allows the ADC the use of his facilities, his license will be revoked.

“But we have already signed the contract with him. We will hold our convention tomorrow as planned at the Rainbow Event Center.

‘We will not bow to this creeping tyranny. And definitely not to this petty tyrant,” he wrote on X Monday.

However, the minister of FCT, Nyesome Wike, had earlier dismissed claims that he denied ADC access to Eagles Square for its planned national convention.

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media claiming that it directed Muslims to embark on prayers for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

In a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna, the Secretary-General of the council, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, said the organisation had been inundated with enquiries following what it described as “a series of misleading and unsubstantiated reports” attributed to anonymous and unofficial sources.

He stated unequivocally that the council never issued such a directive at any time, urging the public to disregard the claims in their entirety.

“The council categorically dissociates itself from these claims. At no time did it issue any directive, statement, or call on Muslims to embark on prayers specifically calling for the removal of the chairman of INEC,” the statement read.

Ahmad noted that the reports were not only false but appeared to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and draw the religious body into partisan political controversies.

“These fabrications are clearly intended to create unnecessary tension and drag the council into the murky and often divisive waters of political contestation,” he added.

The council stressed that it remained a reputable religious organisation committed to promoting justice, equity, moral rectitude, and peaceful coexistence, adding that it operated strictly through recognised communication channels.

It warned against reliance on information from unverified social media accounts, which it said were being used to spread misinformation and cause confusion.

“The council urges the general public, particularly members of the Muslim Ummah and the media, to disregard these false narratives and rely only on official communications issued through recognised channels,” Ahmad said.

While distancing itself from the alleged prayer directive, the council, however, reaffirmed its earlier stance on the leadership of the electoral body, insisting that the INEC chairman should either resign or be removed from office.

It explained that its position was based on concerns about neutrality and integrity, rather than political or sectarian considerations.

“Our position is not driven by political bias or sectarian interests but by serious concerns arising from actions and dispositions that have demonstrated a clear prejudice against Islam and Muslims,” the statement added.

The council further argued that such alleged sentiments, if established, would be inconsistent with the expectations of a holder of a sensitive national office in a plural society like Nigeria.

Despite the controversy, the SCSN reiterated its commitment to remaining above partisan interests and resisting attempts to use it as a tool for political manipulation.

It maintained that it would not be distracted from its core objectives by what it described as the antics of mischief-makers.

“The council will not allow itself to be used for political manipulation, nor will it be distracted from its mission of fostering a just, peaceful and prosperous society,” Ahmad said.

The organisation also called for restraint among Nigerians, warning that the spread of false information could undermine national stability and deepen divisions.

Nigeria’s minister of defense, Christopher Musa, has issued a stern warning to individuals accused of supporting criminal elements, declaring that anyone found aiding bandits or terrorists will be treated as a combatant.

Musa made the remarks following his visit to Uba Sani at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, ahead of the Kaduna State Expanded Security Council meeting.

Reacting to the recent airstrikes on Jilli Market, the defense minister emphasized that security forces would not spare those providing any form of assistance to criminal groups.

“A friend of a thief is a thief. Anybody who is doing any trading or providing any support to them, we will find you together and we will deal with you like bandits, like terrorists,” he said.

The statement underscores the federal government’s hard-line stance on tackling insecurity, particularly against networks suspected of aiding armed groups operating in parts of the country.

Musa reiterated the military’s commitment to intensifying operations against banditry and terrorism, warning that both perpetrators and their collaborators would face decisive action.

His comments come after at least 50 civilians were reportedly killed in Jilli Market, located between Gubio in Borno State and Geidam in Yobe State, during an anti-insurgent operation.

The killing had stirred controversy, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemning the airstrike.

However, the presidency tackled Atiku for politicizing the operation targeted at dislodged insurgents.