Politics
ROTIMI AMAECHI DECLARES PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION UNDER ADC, AS PARTY SECRETARIAT ATTACK SPARKS SECURITY FEARS
Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on Friday declared his intention to contest for the office of the president in next years election. Amaechi made the declaration during the South-South Zonal Leadership Committee meeting of the African Democratic Congress held at the GRA residence of the partys National Leader, John Odigie-Oyegun, in Benin City.
At the meeting, Odigie-Oyegun expressed doubts that the Nigerian police would arrest those who attacked the ADC secretariat and his residence in Benin City on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Odigie-Oyegun stated this while fielding questions from journalists after the partys zonal meeting. He said, I am not sure if an arrest has been made. I am also not sure if an arrest will be made considering the nature of the event. Imagine people bearing arms in broad daylight and were seen and no one has been arrested up till now.
It was the security agencies that gave us a hint of the attack that saved us. We had to quickly bring the programme to an end. We barely got to my house and we had that the secretariat had been attacked by thugs bearing arms. If we were still there when they attacked the secretariat, we wont be saying what we are saying now.
While noting that the ADC would be ready for Januarys election, he urged the government to allow peace to reign and eschew violence in the run up to the election. He noted that the ADC would do what it takes to make the party the choice of Nigerians. He stated that the public is on the side of his party, adding that this would be the first time a party is put together at the behest of the masses. He added, With what is happening in our nation, an emergency rescue is needed and as a party we will ensure that Nigerians remain the crux of governance. Odigie-Oyegun also urged leaders and party members in the zone to work in unity and learn from each others experience so that the zone can be worthy of emulation.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has dismissed speculations that he is planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following his meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Speaking with journalists after the closed-door meeting on Friday, Mohammed said his visit was strictly focused on governance and security cooperation, not politics or party realignment.
“I am a PDP man. I am not here for politics or defection. I am here for governance and partnership,” the governor stated, describing reports linking his visit to a possible defection as unfounded.
He explained that he briefed the President on the deteriorating security situation in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, where banditry has escalated due to ungoverned forest areas surrounding the Daji Dam.
According to him, he had earlier visited affected communities with security officials to assess the situation and subsequently submitted a detailed report to the Federal Government seeking urgent intervention.
Mohammed said President Tinubu responded positively and issued directives aimed at strengthening security operations in the area.
The governor also called for enhanced interstate collaboration to address banditry, proposing a joint security summit involving Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau and Gombe states.
Reiterating his longstanding support for the establishment of state police, Mohammed argued that although the initiative would be financially demanding, it would ease pressure on federal security agencies and improve accountability at the state level.
“We are very ready for state police. We have always supported it because it will reduce the burden on the Federal Government and make governors more responsive and accountable,” he added.
The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has affirmed the validity of the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in the state on November 15, 2025.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Ladiran Akintola ruled in a suit filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi, granting the reliefs sought by the claimant.
In a certified true copy of the judgment, the court held that the PDP satisfied all necessary conditions to conduct its national convention, regardless of whether it was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The judge resolved all issues raised in the suit in favour of the claimant, declaring that once properly convened, the convention was validly constituted and its resolutions binding on all relevant authorities and individuals.
The defendants in the suit included the PDP, its National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and Governor Umar Fintiri of Adamawa State.
The claimant had sought an interim injunction restraining any action capable of disrupting the convention, as well as an order directing the party leadership to adhere strictly to its guidelines, timetable and schedule of activities.
The case forms part of a series of conflicting court decisions surrounding the convention. While the Oyo High Court had earlier directed the party to proceed with the event, a Federal High Court in Abuja reportedly issued a restraining order shortly before the convention.
During the convention, new national officers, including the national chairman and members of the National Working Committee, were elected.
However, a subsequent judgment by a Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified the convention and barred the elected officials from parading themselves as party leaders.
The latest ruling further intensifies the legal battle over the PDP’s leadership and the legitimacy of its national convention.
The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has upheld the results of the Peoples Democratic Partys 2025 convention, which took place on November 15 and 16, 2025. Justice Ladiran Akintola of Court 5 delivered the ruling on Friday, after considering an application for joinder in the case. The court dismissed requests from Nwachukwu and others who had sought to pause the proceedings.
The judgment approved all 13 claims brought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, through his lawyer, Musbau Adetunmbi. With this decision, the leadership of the party, including the Dr. Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee chosen at the convention, is now officially recognized by the court. This ruling ends disputes over the validity of the convention and confirms the partys internal election results in Ibadan.
In other news, fresh crisis has hit the Peoples Democratic Party in Taraba State after the newly formed 16-member State Caretaker Committee asked members of the dissolved State Working Committee to leave the partys state secretariat. The directive was made public on Thursday evening in a statement issued by the Caretaker Committee chairman, Dr. Falack Victor.
He said the former State Working Committee members no longer have the right to remain in the secretariat following their removal from office and warned that failure to comply could lead to legal steps against them. According to him, remaining in the party office after a lawful dissolution goes against the law.