Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has expressed optimism that Benue State will return to its economic and political glory as activities towards the 2027 general elections intensify.

Akume spoke when he received some prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the three senatorial districts of the state including some politicians that were in the camp of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

A delegation led by Emmanuel Jime, a former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), pledged loyalty to Akume’s leadership and endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

Akume, in a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, thanked the stakeholders for their support and urged them to remain united in pursuit of the development of the state.

According to the former governor of Benue State, unity of members of the APC is crucial for political stability and for the realisation of the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

Akume reassured the delegation that his leadership would continue to work to restore the state’s relevance, while at the same time prioritising the interests of Benue residents.

Stakeholders of the party made the call and urged that the Tinubu’s administration be supported, adding that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president was designed to foster sustainable development and improve the welfare of Nigerians.

The SGF described the members of the delegation as experienced and respected political stakeholders, not “internally displaced politicians.”

He said their experience, capacity and intellectual inputs remained valuable to the political and economic development of Benue State.

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Akume said that the Tinubu administration had increased the financial allocations to states and local governments substantially.

He said state governments should be made accountable for use of increased allocations for development.

“I know that the President, in an unprecedented manner, has pushed a lot of money to the states and the local governments,” Akume said.

The federation account is accessible to all levels of government. If we can’t develop our state, it is not Mr President’s fault.

“Benue is not an exemption to the rule, he is doing what he is expected to do for the country and for the states.

The SGF urged the political leaders in the state to concentrate on development and stop blaming the Federal Government for local problems.

Akume said he does not have any personal grudge against any political leader or stakeholder in Benue.

He appealed to all members of the party to come together to ensure Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 presidential election.

The former governor recalled his administration between 1999 and 2007, saying Benue attracted massive investment, infrastructure and development projects in the period.

He said his administration had established the basis for socio-economic growth in the state through the implementation of programmes that improved living conditions and expanded opportunities for the residents.

The meeting ended with a unanimous endorsement of Tinubu’s re-election bid and vote of confidence on Akume’s leadership.

The motion was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Dan Ali and seconded by a former Attorney-General of the state, Joe Abaagu.

Earlier Jime had expressed concern over what he described as the erosion of democratic values in Benue State.

He said the state had been relegated to the realm of established democratic principles and called for increased co-operation among political stakeholders to reposition the state.

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has said that the party does not need to resort to violence to win the August 15 governorship election, stressing that violence does not secure electoral victory.

He also described claims that the party and its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, were linked to the rising political violence in the state as the handiwork of desperate politicians.

The former lawmaker made this known while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo.

“The party and its candidate have no connection with individuals or groups alleged to be using the APC’s name to perpetrate violence and create unrest in the state,” he said.

He said the APC was founded on the time-honoured Omoluabi ethos which stands for integrity, discipline, humility, honesty, respect, compassion, justice, accountability and selfless service.”

Condemning the killing of innocent residents for political reasons, the APC chieftain said those responsible were people with a “dead conscience.

He also said, “APC is a party of peace and has no hand in the allegations of violence against it.

We condemn all violence, lawlessness and bloodshed, whatever the status of those involved. “No political ambition, no partisan interest can justify the loss of a life. We urge those who are perpetrating these acts to desist.

“The APC as a progressive party is committed to peaceful co-existence, inclusiveness, tolerance, mutual respect, constructive engagement and people-centred leadership that prioritise the welfare, security and prosperity of the citizens,” Oyintiloye said.

He asserted that the progressive family has never resorted to violence or intimidation in its political activities.

He said the APC had dissociated itself completely from any individual or group hiding under its name to perpetrate violence, create unrest, intimidate citizens or disrupt public peace in any part of the state.

Oyintiloye said the party believes in the democratic process, the rule of law and the sovereign right of the people to freely choose their leaders through peaceable and credible elections.

He cautioned that “anyone who seeks to cause mayhem, sponsor violence or use the APC’s name to justify criminal acts is acting in personal interest and should not be identified with the party”.

Such conduct was “inconsistent with the APC’s long-standing culture of moderation, civility and responsible political participation,” he said.

Oyintiloye then charged party members, political actors, security agencies and the general public to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant and allow relevant authorities to investigate all incidents and bring perpetrators to justice.

He reiterated the APC’s commitment to democracy, peace, justice and protection of lives and property, and urged all stakeholders to put the unity, stability and development of Osun State above politics.

He expressed his sympathy for the families of victims of extrajudicial killings and other acts of violence in the state and prayed that God grants them the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.

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The leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, has described the order of the Federal High Court directing the deregistration of the party as illegal and vowed to challenge it through legal means.

Speaking on the judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Dickson said the court order had no legal merit and was meant to undermine the credibility and progress of the NDC.

The ruling is a threat to the multi-party democracy of Nigeria and an attempt to shrink the democratic space of the country, he said.

“All I can say is that the order has no legal merit and is intended to impact on the foundational credibility and efforts of our party. It is illegal and will not be implemented.

“It is anti-democratic in nature, against multi-party democracy and intended to narrow and stifle the democratic space. “It will be resisted by all of us and all lovers of democracy in Nigeria,” Dickson said.

The party had hired a team of lawyers to take immediate steps to overturn the court order, he said, and urged members, supporters and candidates to remain calm and continue their political activities.

Dickson was confident that the party would overcome the legal challenge and insisted that the ruling would not derail its preparations for future elections.

He also challenged the legal status of the applicant, an association called the Peace Movement Party, on the ground that it was not a registered political party or an association that sought registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2025.

He thought that the association was not interested in the subject matter of the suit and was not a necessary party.

Dickson also said that the court action was sponsored by some unnamed persons who were being threatened by the rapid growth of the NDC. “The progress the NDC has made within five months has unsettled its opponents,” he said.

He said the party would explore all judicial options to reverse what he described as a judicial error and reiterated the NDC’s resolve to deepen multi-party democracy in Nigeria.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would take a well-informed and lawful decision in accordance with the directives of the court after its legal department receives the Certified True Copy of the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja nullifying the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The Commission said it was aware of media reports on the June 26 judgement in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola.

The electoral umpire, the statement said, could not comment on the specifics until its legal department had received and reviewed the court’s decision.

It said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is aware of reports circulating in the media concerning the judgment handed down on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which nullified an earlier order regarding the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

“But until now, the Commission has not received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s order.

“Once the legal department of the Commission receives and studies the CTC of the judgment, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in accordance with the directives of the court.

Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling and we encourage the public to wait for the Commission’s formal position on the matter.”

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Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned a Federal High Court ruling that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party and four others, describing the judgment as part of a wider plan to weaken democracy in Nigeria.

Reacting in a statement issued on X by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku alleged that the judgment is a reflection of what he called “judicial rascality” and a deliberate effort to tilt the political system towards a one-party structure.
He argued that the court ruling is part of a wider political agenda to muzzle opposition parties before the 2027 general elections.

There are already legal restraints on the matter including a pending appeal and a subsisting order of stay of action from the Court of Appeal which should have stopped further proceedings at the lower court.

Atiku argued that the judgment was delivered in disregard of appellate court directives, describing it as a serious threat to democratic norms and institutional order.
The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress, among other parties, by Justice Peter Lifu may yet be the biggest manifestation of a bid to undermine the opposition and entrench a de facto one-party state. “The judgment is the epitome of judicial rascality,” the statement reads.

He also cited a Court of Appeal order in Appeal CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 which, according to him, directed the trial court to stay further action pending the determination of the appeal.

Atiku said the appellate court had fixed October 27, 2026, for hearing, saying the lower court knew of the directive but went ahead.

He accused the ruling establishment of trying to manipulate the judiciary in a bid to silence opposition voices and consolidate political dominance ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“The court order of 22 May 2026 was very clear. “Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation to either win the 2027 elections at all cost or destroy our democracy,” he added.

The former vice president stated that the ADC and other affected parties are still committed to exploring all available legal options to challenge the judgment and safeguard Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system.

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has selected a former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, running with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on what party leaders described as a “unity and rescue ticket.”

The emergence of Amaechi was as a result of wide consultations within the party, and informed by his strong performance as runner-up in the party’s presidential primaries, and his record of service to his State and the country, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said in a statement sent on Monday.

The ADC says Amaechi’s vast experience in the legislature and executive, having been Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term Governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transportation, uniquely places him to complement Atiku’s leadership, broaden the party’s national appeal and strengthen its campaign to offer Nigerians an experienced and credible alternative in the 2027 presidential election.

“The Atiku/Amaechi ticket is more than a political alliance,” Abdullahi said in the statement. “It is the coming together of two proven statesmen who have the experience, national spread and leadership capacity required to rescue our country from its current predicament and reposition the country for a new era of prosperity, security and inclusive development.

The complete statement said:

The National Leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after extensive consultations with party leaders, coalition partners, youth and women stakeholders and representatives of all geopolitical zones is proud to announce that the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has been chosen as the Vice-Presidential Candidate of our great party for the 2027 Presidential Election.

“This recommendation follows the successful conclusion of the ADC Presidential Primaries where Rt. Hon. Amaechi was the first runner up and received wide support from party members across the federation, thus demonstrating his enduring appeal as one of Nigeria’s most experienced and respected political leaders.

“The partnership being proposed between His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi is not just a political alliance but a coming together of two tested statesmen with the experience, national reach and leadership capacity to rescue Nigeria from its present challenges and reposition the country for a new era of prosperity, security and inclusive development.

“Rt. Hon. Amaechi is providing this ticket one of the most comprehensive records of public service in modern Nigerian political history; He has experience in all major aspects of democratic governance. He was Nigeria’s longest serving Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the Fourth Republic and one of the longest serving leaders of the legislature. He later served two terms as Governor of Rivers State, where he oversaw major investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and public sector reforms. He served as a national Minister of Transportation, leading some of Nigeria’s most ambitious transportation and rail modernization projects in history.

There are not many political leaders in Nigeria today who have such a wide and well-rounded experience in both the legislature and executive arms of government. This experience will be a huge asset in assisting the next ADC administration from day one.

“Rt. Hon. Amaechi is a man with an impressive credential and a strategic addition to the ticket. His clout in the South-South and across Southern Nigeria, his reputation as a reformist administrator and his proven ability to build coalitions across political, ethnic and regional divides make him a unique addition to the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar.

“Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi together present a genuinely national ticket that cuts across regions, generations and political traditions. With their combined experience in governance, economic management, public administration, party organization and nation building Nigerians have a credible and compelling alternative that can restore confidence in government and accelerate national development.

“The Atiku-Amaechi ticket is a clear signal that the ADC is ready to govern, to unite the nation and to deliver results when millions of Nigerians are clamouring for competent leadership, economic revival, job creation, security and national unity.

“The leadership of the ADC believes this partnership will galvanize our growing coalition, inspire hope among Nigerians and provide the leadership needed to build a stronger, safer and more prosperous Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The ADC therefore calls on all party members, coalition partners, civil society organizations, youth groups, women leaders, and Nigerians of goodwill to join us as we embark on this historic journey of renewing our nation and securing a better future for generations to come.

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Most of the recently concluded primary elections across various political parties were fraudulent, the Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, has said.

Amadi made this known in an interview on Arise Television, saying the results increased internal conflicts and weakened party leadership.

He said the parties do not have enough strength to discipline aspirants and members.

“Most of the party primaries were fraudulent. Some of the aspirants for the House of Representatives were also favored by zoning but somehow they don’t get into the list, so governors’ influence matters.

“Again, if you look at the chaos in the parties’ organization, new entrants come in and push out old members. For example in Delta State where the former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa came in to unseat Ned Nwoko.

“It’s not that Nwoko and the likes of him didn’t perform, but some structural changes have dislocated them,” he said.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded the list of candidates for the 2027 general elections and refused to review its just concluded primaries, notwithstanding the petitions and protests by aggrieved aspirants.

Punch’s findings revealed that the ruling party had completed work on the results sent to its national secretariat and was prepared to upload the names of successful candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.

The development effectively slammed the door to further appeals and calls for fresh primaries by members who had alleged manipulation and imposition during the exercise.

The APC, according to a principal official of the party and another member of the National Working Committee (NWC), said it had not altered nor was it considering reviewing the results of the primaries.

“We are not analyzing the results of the primaries in reverse,” the chief official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The time for primaries and appeals is long gone. Waiting for the code to upload the results of the primaries winners.

All was settled. We do not know what review they are talking about.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 26 for the release of access codes to its nomination portal and July 11 as the deadline for the submission of candidates’ particulars for the 2027 general elections.

Tickets for lawmakers
At least 54 serving federal lawmakers, including ranking senators and members of the House of Representatives, failed to get return tickets during the APC primaries held from May 16 to 18.

Many aggrieved aspirants, particularly those who were left out in Lagos, Delta, Zamfara, Kogi, Rivers, Plateau and Osun states, have petitioned, threatened to take legal action and called for fresh primaries.

The APC chieftain was asked about reports submitted by the party’s primary election appeal panels and the APC chieftain said the appeals did not significantly change the outcome of the primaries.

From what I’ve seen, the appeal reports didn’t change any of the primary results significantly because a lot of the petitions were found to be frivolous,” he said.

But any well made appeal would have been looked at. Some of the appeals are about zoning matters that are pre-primary issues.

“Some are talking about clearance, that somebody did not resign properly from the PDP before joining the APC. Is that a basis for challenging our primaries? “Those are petty issues that people brought up in their petitions.”

INEC Code awaits party
After the primaries, the party official said that most constituencies did not have appeals.

He added, “There are 109 senatorial districts and 360 House of Representatives constituencies, with thousands of House of Assembly seats. I can tell you in most of these constituencies there is no appeal.

‘And where does the main review report come from? The results to be announced might not differ from what is already known.”

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it would formally provide political parties with an Access Code on June 26 so they can upload the information of the candidates who won the recently ended party primaries.
Prof. Joash Amupitan, the commission’s chairman, revealed the information during a Tuesday meeting in Abuja with the national heads of the political parties.

Amupitan also voiced concern about how the commission’s efforts to focus on the general election preparations for the following year are being seriously hampered by the startlingly high rate of intraparty lawsuits among political party leaders.

He also warned the political parties that the stakeholders’ adherence to the electoral rules in the run-up to the polls will determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections.

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Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal has intensified his attack on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate.

Lawal was said to have claimed that the exercise was rigged and that he had evidence to support his claim.

On Tuesday, the former ADC North-East Vice Chairman told newsmen on a television interview that the results declared by the party did not correspond to the votes cast in many places.

“It was rigged in the first place,” Lawal said.

In the documents he has, Mr Lawal said there are discrepancies between the results collated at the local level and those eventually sent to the party’s national collation centre.

“I have evidence. “I have data from a primary, for example, local government, the return of election was Hayatu-Deen with 20,000 votes and Atiku Abubakar with 1,000 and something votes,” he said.

“But the result that was sent to Abuja was reversed, turned upside down.

The former SGF also stated that some officials involved in the collation process had privately expressed concern about the handling of results.

The change, a state returning officer said, was justified as it would be embarrassing for Atiku to lose in his home state.

Lawal also queried why it took several days for results from Adamawa to get to Abuja allegedly.

“It took our own returning officer almost three days before he could submit the results in Abuja. “”What did they do with the results?” he asked.

Lawal said; “It is on principle and not out of personal hatred that I am opposed to Atiku.

“I will kill myself supporting Atiku, campaigning for him, if I believe he won free and fair and square,” he said.

“Nigeria cannot produce quality leaders if the process of emergence of leaders is flawed,” he said.

“If the process of emergence is fraudulent, defective, the chances of producing good leaders will not be there,” he added.

The former ADC chief also stuck to his earlier comments that drew flak for their ethnic and religious overtones.

Asked if he would take back the comments, Lawal said: “I will not.

He told of his experiences of discrimination as a Christian of the Kilba ethnic group in Adamawa State that he said he had endured.

He expressed his support for Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, stating that he was the most qualified among the aspirants for the presidential ticket.

He said, “None of the three, by all standards, comes close to Hayatu-Deen as the Nigeria that we want to bequeath to another leader today.”

He praised the economist’s corporate background and professional achievements, saying that competence should be the main criterion in choosing national leaders.

The former SGF said he had effectively retired from active partisan politics and was still undecided on who to support in the next presidential election.

I have now retired from politics. “I’m not out knocking on doors for votes for anybody,” he said.

I have one vote of my own, and I keep it to myself. “I may vote for Omoyele Sowore.

Lawal said that he had not taken a decision when asked if he would support a possible alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Lawal also said he had ruled out support for both APC and ADC, while waiting for other candidates that may come up ahead of the 2027 election.

He said, “I’m waiting still. So far. At least I have made a choice. I threw APC out. Now I’ve thrown ADC out. “Waiting for other people to put forward their candidates.”

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