Civic News

By Efa Sunday The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, challenging the jurisdiction of courts to intervene in the internal affairs of the party. A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Garba Mohammed, announced this after counsel to the parties adopted their briefs of argument. Arguing the appeal, counsel to Mark, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), urged the court to allow the appeal, maintaining that the issue had already been settled by the Supreme Court in its March 21, 2025 decision, which held that no court has jurisdiction over matters relating to the internal affairs of political parties. He contended that the trial court lacked the competence to entertain the suit instituted by Nafiu Gombe against the ADC leadership. In opposition, counsel to Gombe, Robert Emukpero (SAN), asked the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which ruled that...

  By Efa Sunday The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaving the fate of the party’s disputed national convention held in Ibadan last year hanging in the balance. A five-member panel of justices led by Justice Lawal Garba fixed no date for the verdict after counsel to all parties adopted their final written addresses for and against the appeal. The court said parties would be duly notified when judgment is ready. The appeal challenges an earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal which nullified the PDP national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan. The Turaki-led faction is asking the apex court to overturn that decision, arguing that the issues in dispute are internal party matters and not subject to judicial interference. The faction further maintained that due process was followed in organising the convention. Opposing parties, however, urged the court to ...

By S.T. Abiodun When Alhaji Bashir Aderemi Omotoso, fondly called BAO, informed me in March 2026 of his decision to venture into partisan politics and contest in next year’s elections, I initially received the news with disbelief. Not because he lacks the requisite qualifications, but because I had always considered him an unlikely fit for the Nigerian political space, often characterised by questionable practices. Following our discussion, I took steps to verify his resolve and level of preparedness. It became evident that he had made significant progress in pursuit of this ambition. By the time we spoke, he had concluded wide consultations with his immediate and extended family members, as well as notable and influential personalities in Awotan and Apete communities in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, where he resides. Critical stakeholders across the Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, including religious and traditional leaders, were also carried along. In addition, he ha...

By Efa Sunday In a political landscape often dominated by rhetoric over results, the emergence of Engr. Joseph Utsu Liwhuliwhe Akebeye as a contender for the Obudu State Constituency offers a refreshing departure from mediocrity toward competence, professionalism, and visionary leadership. A distinguished civil engineer with an impressive blend of academic excellence and practical experience, Engr. Joseph Liwhuliwhe represents the archetype of the modern public servant, one whose grounding in science, infrastructure, and problem solving positions him uniquely to address the developmental challenges confronting Obudu. A member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE), the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (MNICE), and a COREN registered engineer, his professional pedigree is not merely ornamental but demonstrative of years of discipline, technical mastery, and ethical responsibility. With a Master of Engineering degree and an ongoing PhD in Materials and Construction Engineerin...