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El-Rufai’s wife demands N2bn damages from ICPC over alleged defamation

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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El-Rufai’s wife demands N2bn damages from ICPC over alleged defamation

AICHATOU El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has demanded N2 billion in damages from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged defamatory statements made against her.

The demand was contained in a pre-action notice filed by her lawyers following an ICPC statement titled, “Clarification on the Access Control Protocol at ICPC Headquarters, Abuja,” issued on May 18.

Her legal team accused the anti-graft agency of damaging her reputation through remarks it described as false, malicious and defamatory.

The lawyers objected to the commission’s description of her as “a woman who identified herself as the wife of a defendant,” arguing that the statement cast doubt on her status as the lawful wife of the former governor.

They also faulted the ICPC’s claim that her earlier statements were “false and misleading,” saying the remark portrayed her as dishonest and deceptive.

The legal team further challenged the commission’s allegation that she violated visitation protocols at its headquarters, insisting the claim painted her as someone who disregards institutional rules.

They also rejected suggestions that she contradicted herself over claims that her husband was denied food while in custody, arguing that the statement was intended to undermine her credibility.

El-Rufai’s lawyers further frowned at claims that she attempted to create a media spectacle to bypass official procedures, describing the suggestion as malicious and unwarranted.

According to the notice, the publication was widely circulated across local and international media platforms, exposing her to ridicule, embarrassment and reputational damage.

Describing their client as a woman of “unblemished character,” the lawyers accused the commission of using its official platform to unfairly target a private citizen.

They demanded an immediate retraction of the statements and a public apology to be published in at least three national newspapers, as well as on the commission’s website and social media platforms.

The legal team is also seeking N2 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages, alongside a written undertaking that no similar statements would be made against her.

The ICPC has been given 14 days to comply with the demands or face legal action.

Federal High Court judge collapses, dies in Kano

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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Federal High Court judge collapses, dies in Kano

A JUDGE of the Federal High Court in Kano State, Mohammed Yunusa, has died after reportedly collapsing at his residence in the state.

The judge was rushed to a hospital following the incident but was later pronounced dead.

Confirming the development, the Director of Information of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Catherine Christopher, said Yunusa died at the Kano State Medical Centre after a brief illness.

She added that the deceased had since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

In a statement issued on Saturday May 23, the Federal High Court described the late jurist as a distinguished judge who served with dedication, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the administration of justice.

“The Chief Judge, judges, management, and staff of the Federal High Court extend their heartfelt condolences to his immediate family,” the statement read.

It prayed for the repose of his soul, asking Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

Yunusa was known for handling several high-profile cases during his time on the bench.

One of the notable cases under his watch came after the 2023 general elections when his court clarified that it did not nullify the candidature of former Abia State Governor-elect, Alex Otti.

The court had held that the Labour Party candidates who contested in Abia were not parties before it and could seek redress in the appropriate division.

He also presided over a suit filed by one Ibrahim Haruna-Ibrahim seeking the revocation of certificates of return issued to Labour Party candidates declared winners in Kano, other states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Tuggar, Wunti, lose Bauchi APC governorship ticket to ex-governor Abubakar

Esther Tomo
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Tuggar, Wunti, lose Bauchi APC governorship ticket to ex-governor Abubakar

FORMER Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) executive, Bala Wunti, have failed to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket for the 2027 election in Bauchi State.

The party’s primary election, which was delayed for several hours before the final announcement, ended with former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, emerging as the APC flag bearer after defeating six other aspirants.

The results were announced in the early hours of Saturday by the Chairman of the APC Governorship and House of Assembly Primaries Committee for Bauchi State, John Abang, a retired assistant inspector general of police.

Abang said Abubakar polled 57,517 votes to win the contest, while Tuggar came second with 26,001 votes.

Another aspirant, Nura Soro, secured 13,638 votes, while Wunti garnered 13,648 votes in the exercise.

Other contestants included Kabir Baba Ma’aji, who got 8,157 votes, Baba Abubakar Suleiman with 7,688 votes, and Yakubu Abdullahi, who polled 7,181 votes.

The victory marks a fresh return for Abubakar, who lost his re-election bid in 2019 to the incumbent governor, Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mohammed had defeated Abubakar during the 2019 governorship election when the former governor was seeking a second term under the APC platform.

THE ICIR reported that Tuggar was among the earliest members of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet to resign following the directive that political appointees interested in contesting elective offices in 2027 must step down from their positions before March 31, 2027.

The Bauchi APC governorship primary was characterised by a prolonged wait before the final declaration of results, but eventually produced Abubakar as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

Kwara APC: Danladi emerges governorship candidate amid controversies

Mustapha USMAN
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Kwara APC: Danladi emerges governorship candidate amid controversies

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Salihu Yakubu Danladi, has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Kwara State, in a process that was marred by confusion, tension and accusations of internal power play within the ruling party.

Danladi, from Kwara North, polled 94,990 votes to defeat 14 other aspirants, including a serving senator, in the exercise held across the 16 local government areas of the state.

The result was announced on Friday, May 22, at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin by the Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Musiliu Obanikoro, who declared the Speaker duly elected after what he described as a peaceful exercise.

“There is no loser in any contest in APC. We are all winners,” Obanikoro said while announcing the final result.

He added that Danladi satisfied all requirements to emerge as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

However, the primary was preceded by a storm of controversy after the exercise was abruptly postponed on Thursday, May 21, 2026, despite earlier voting arrangements and mobilisation in several wards across the state.

The postponement came amid reports of unrest at the APC secretariat in Ilorin, where suspected political thugs were said to have stormed the premises during the build-up to the exercise, forcing the deployment of security operatives, including the police and the State Security Service (SSS) to restore order.

The party later shifted the exercise to Friday, May 22, 2026.

The crisis was rooted in deepening internal divisions within the Kwara APC over the screening of aspirants for the 2027 polls, which initially saw more than 100 aspirants disqualified before the party reversed itself and cleared all 159 contenders, including Danladi.

The situation was further complicated by political alignments ahead of the primary, particularly reports of aspirants who stepped down in favour of Yahaya Seriki, who had earlier been endorsed as preferred successor by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The governor’s endorsement of Seriki, days before the exercise, had stirred controversy within the party, with concerns raised over zoning as stakeholders from Kwara North and Kwara South insisting power should move from Kwara Central after AbdulRazaq’s tenure.

 

We’ll review court verdict on 2027 election timetable before taking action – INEC

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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We’ll review court verdict on 2027 election timetable before taking action – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would study the court ruling nullifying its timetable for the 2027 general election before deciding on its next action.

According to TheCable, INEC’s director of voter education and publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, revealed this on Friday in reaction to the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja that voided the timelines issued by the commission for the conduct of party primaries and submission of candidates by political parties.

“We have not received the judgement, and we cannot comment on it. Yes, the judgement is in the public domain, and we don’t know the reasons for the decision that was taken. So, there’s need to study the whole judgement and decide on the next step to take,” Eta-Messi said.

Under the revised timetable released by the commission, political parties were expected to submit their membership registers by May 10, conduct primaries to pick candidates, and complete withdrawals and replacements before the end of May ahead of the 2027 polls.

But in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2016 and filed by the Youth Party (YP) on March 11 with INEC as the sole defendant, the court ruled that the commission lacked the statutory powers to abridge timelines provided under the Electoral Act, 2026.

Through its lawyer, J.O. Olotu, the party sought a declaration that INEC’s powers under Sections 29, 82, and 84(1) of the Electoral Act to receive notices of party primaries, candidates’ particulars, and monitor the exercises do not include fixing timelines for political parties to conduct primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

Delivering judgment, the judge, Mohammed Umar, ruled that INEC could not fix or prescribe the timetable within which political parties may conduct their primary elections for the purpose of nominating candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The judge held that the powers granted to INEC under Sections 29, 82, and 84(1) of the Electoral Act do not extend to determining timelines for party primaries.

Umar also held that INEC could not lawfully shorten the statutory period allowed for political parties to submit the particulars of candidates. 

The ruling comes at a critical stage in the preparations for the 2027 elections, as many political parties across Nigeria have already conducted National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and gubernatorial primaries while consultations, coalition talks, and internal mobilisations are ongoing ahead of their presidential primaries.

The ICIR reported that over the past months, several parties have intensified activities in preparation for candidate selection processes. INEC had unveiled its revised timetable for the 2027 polls, with most political parties expected to conduct primaries between April and May 2026.

The timetable sparked debates among political stakeholders, with opposition parties and smaller political groups arguing that the deadlines were too restrictive and could undermine internal party democracy.

Primary elections in Nigeria have historically generated major controversies, including disputes over delegate selection, imposition of candidates, parallel primaries, and prolonged legal battles that sometimes affect parties’ participation in general elections.

Court strikes out suit seeking validation of Kingibe’s suspension, awards her N20m damages

Esther Tomo
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Court strikes out suit seeking validation of Kingibe’s suspension, awards her N20m damages

THE FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has dismissed a case filed to support the suspension of the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory at the Senate, Ireti Kingibe, from the African Democratic Congress (ADC)

The court ruled that matters of party discipline are strictly internal issues that the courts should not interfere with.

Delivering the judgment on Friday, May 22, the judge, Peter Lifu, held that political parties have their structures and procedures for handling disciplinary issues, including suspension of members, and such matters do not fall under judicial control unless there is a clear breach that requires intervention.

The case arose from a move by some executives of the Wuse Ward of the ADC in Abuja who had announced the suspension of the senator and later approached the court seeking approval of their action. The judge faulted this approach, questioning why the same group that carried out the suspension would still come to court to validate it.

According to the court, if the senator was dissatisfied with the decision, she would have been the right person to challenge it rather than the individuals who imposed it seeking judicial backing for their action.

Lifu said the suit was without merit, adding that it lacked legal foundation and amounted to an abuse of court process.

The court also referenced provisions of the Electoral Act in its decision and imposed financial penalties on the plaintiffs. It awarded N10 million against litigants in favour of Kingibe. The judge also ordered another N10 million to be paid by the plaintiffs’ counsel, in favour of the senator, bringing the total penalty to N20 million.

At the heart of the dispute was the claim by the Wuse Ward executives that Kingibe had been suspended on 10 March over alleged misconducts. The ward leadership also said the decision had the backing of a two-thirds majority of its executives.

Following the announcement of the suspension, Okezuo Kanayo and Isaiah Samuel initiated the suit on behalf of themselves and other ward members, naming the senator as the sole respondent. They were represented by, Kolawole Olowookere, a senior advocate.

The plaintiffs had asked the court to restrain Kingibe from presenting herself as a member of the ADC, attending party meetings, or participating in any party-related activities. They also sought orders stopping her from interfering in ward affairs, including access to party records and participation in administrative matters.

They argued that her suspension followed the provisions of the party constitution and was carried out properly by ward executives. They further accused her of continued involvement in parallel meetings and acting in ways that undermined the ward’s authority.

On the other hand, counsel to the senator, Marshal Abubakar, argued that the case should not have been brought before the court. He maintained that the matter was purely an internal party issue and that the plaintiffs had failed to follow the party’s established dispute resolution procedures.

He also informed the court that the plaintiffs were under suspension, adding that they had no legal standing to institute the action.

He urged the court to dismiss the suit and impose punitive costs on the plaintiffs for what he described as a baseless filing.

The plaintiffs’ lawyer, I.G. Ogugua, however, disagreed with the defence position, arguing that political parties could not hide under internal affairs when constitutional rules are allegedly violated.

Kingibe, who was elected to the Senate in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party before later joining the ADC, has been at the centre of internal disagreements within the ward since her defection.

APC to conduct direct primary for presidential ticket

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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APC to conduct direct primary for presidential ticket

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) members who obtained the presidential nomination forms for the 2027 election will participate in a direct primary, as the party has released guidelines for the exercise.

The party has also announced members of the presidential primary and appeal committees, as well as state coordinators for the exercise.

In a statement on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the collated results from the 774 local government areas would be submitted to the presidential primary election committee in Abuja on May 24.

“The decisions were approved by the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in accordance with the constitution of the party, the Electoral Act, and APC’s commitment to transparent and credible primary election process,” Morka said.

He said that the party named the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, as chairman of the presidential primary election committee, while other members of the committee include Ken Nnamani, Victor Ndoma-Egba, Yakubu Dogara, and Idris Wada.

Former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, will serve as the chairman of the presidential primary appeal committee. Other members are Samuel Piwuna, a former director at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh.

According to Morka, the party remains committed to a transparent and credible primary election process, noting that the party would adopt the direct primary mode for the presidential election, allowing all registered party members to vote for their preferred candidates across the country’s 8,809 wards.

Morka said that under the arrangement, results from the 774 local government areas will be collated by designated officers, while state coordinators and collation officers will supervise the exercise across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The party further unveiled state coordinators and collation officers who are governors and political leaders drawn from all 36 states and the FCT for the exercise.

The APC primaries are part of preparations for the 2027 general election and have been ongoing across the country in recent weeks. The ruling party earlier released a timetable for the conduct of its primaries for various elective offices, including the House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, state assembly, and presidential contests.

The House of Representatives primary election, initially scheduled for May 15, was later shifted to May 16, while the Senate primary held on May 18 and the governorship primary on May 21. The presidential primary is scheduled for May 23.

The party had also fixed N100 million for the presidential nomination form and commenced the sale of forms in April as part of preparations for the primaries.

Earlier this month, the APC National Working Committee waived the screening requirement for Tinubu ahead of the primary, citing his previous screening before the 2022 APC presidential primaries and endorsements by party stakeholders.

A businessman from Edo State, Osifo Stanley, had purchased the presidential form hours after Tinubu got the form.

FRSC condemns attack on officers by suspected SSS operative

Mustapha USMAN
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FRSC condemns attack on officers by suspected SSS operative

THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has condemned an alleged attack on its officers during a routine traffic enforcement operation in Abuja.

In a statement signed by Deputy Corps Commander, Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, on Friday, May 22, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the incident as unacceptable and a threat to public safety and law enforcement.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on Thursday, 21 May, at about 3:20pm, at the RS7.118 Idu Unit Command axis, when an FRSC patrol team flagged down a Toyota Carina driver over a suspected traffic violation.

The Corps noted that the driver initially refused to stop and drove dangerously before eventually being intercepted in traffic near the command area, adding that the situation escalated when the enforcement team approached him for routine checks of vehicle and driver documents.

The FRSC stated that the motorist became hostile, verbally abusive, and resisted lawful directives despite efforts by personnel to de-escalate the confrontation.

It added that the situation further deteriorated when the driver advanced towards officers and pulled out a pistol, firing two shots within the vicinity of the command.

“Despite several tactical and professional attempts by FRSC personnel to de-escalate the situation, the offender escalated the confrontation by physically advancing toward officers and later drawing a pistol, which he fired twice within the vicinity of the Command. 

“In the face of imminent danger to lives and property, FRSC personnel acted with remarkable restraint, professionalism, and tactical discipline to swiftly disarm the assailant without loss of life. One Marshal sustained minor bruises during the process,” the statement read.

The suspect was thereafter handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at Life Camp Police Station, along with the firearm, ammunition components and the vehicle involved in the incident.

Preliminary findings, according to the Corps, identified the suspect as an operative with the State Security Service (SSS). The matter has since been transferred to the appropriate authorities for investigation.

“The armed suspect was immediately handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at Life Camp Police Station alongside the firearm, ammunition components, and the vehicle involved. Preliminary identification later revealed the suspect to be a personnel of the Department of State Services (SSS). The matter has since been transferred to the appropriate State Command for further investigation,” it added.

Reacting to the development, the FRSC Corps Marshal condemned the attack, insisting that no individual, regardless of status or agency affiliation, is above the law.

He warned that firearms and official positions must not be used to intimidate or obstruct law enforcement officers carrying out legitimate duties, adding that security personnel are expected to demonstrate compliance with traffic regulations and respect for constituted authority.

Mohammed also commended the FRSC personnel involved for their “professionalism and restraint under provocation”, noting that their conduct prevented the situation from escalating into a broader security crisis.

He called for stronger inter-agency cooperation and discipline among security operatives, stressing that mutual respect remained essential to national security and public safety.

The ICIR reports that officers of security agencies and civilians in Nigeria have reportedly confronted traffic enforcement officials severally, particularly in cities such as Abuja and Lagos.

In one recent case, an Abuja motorist was convicted after allegedly assaulting and abducting an FRSC officer during a patrol on the Kubwa Expressway.

Similar tensions have previously been reported between FRSC personnel and other security operatives during enforcement activities, including past clashes involving soldiers and police officers.

However, in many instances, Corps officers have also been accused of misconduct, including abuse of power. Viral videos have shown some officers jumping onto vehicle bonnets and being driven off by motorists.

The ICIR contacted the head of Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications (DPRSC) for the SSS, Peter Afunaya, for a reaction to the FRSC’s claim. He did not pick up calls made to him and did not respond to text and WhatsApp messages.

Lawmaker representing Kano governor’s constituency defects to NDC after losing APC primary

Esther Tomo
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Lawmaker representing Kano governor’s constituency defects to NDC after losing APC primary

THE lawmaker representing Gwale Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, Abdulmajid Umar, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The politician was received on Thursday in Abuja by former Kano State governor and prominent NDC figure, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Abuja.

Umar represents Governor Abba Yusuf’s Gwale Local Government Area. He moved into the NDC together with former Gwale LGA Vice Chairman, Kabiru Auwal.

News of the development was shared by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, through a Facebook post released on Thursday.

Hassan wrote, “Today, (Thursday, 21st May 2026), His Excellency, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, welcomed Hon. Abdulmajid Isa Umar Mai Rigar Fata, member representing Gwale Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, following his defection from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.

“Also received were Hon. Kabiru Sani Auwal Obi, former Vice Chairman of Gwale Local Government, and Mal. Mahadi Isa Umar, who joined the party alongside him.”

Kwankwaso reportedly described the arrival of the new members in the NDC as a positive addition to the party’s support base in Kano.

The assembly member first secured his seat in 2023 through the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) before later aligning with the APC alongside the governor who defected with many of his cabinet members.

The switch in party loyalty occurred hours after a Federal High Court decision created room for politicians planning to seek alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking after the ruling, ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the judgment might encourage many politicians to leave the APC.

“The decision of the court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” the party said.

According to the ADC, the ruling removed barriers affecting politicians who intended to contest elections under different parties, adding that it would encourage freedom of association.

“We believed at the time that that particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC. Now that the court has ruled against it, we are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party,” the statement added.

 

Confusion, tension trail Kwara APC governorship primary as party postpones exercise

Mustapha USMAN
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Confusion, tension trail Kwara APC governorship primary as party postpones exercise

FRESH confusion and tension engulfed the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State on Thursday, May 21, after the party abruptly postponed its governorship primary despite voting activities and mobilisation already commencing in several wards across the state.

The development came amid reports of unrest at the party’s state secretariat in Ilorin, where suspected political thugs allegedly besieged the premises during the exercise.

The APC had announced that the governorship primary would hold today (Thursday), with party members already gathered in many wards before the postponement notice was issued later in the day.

In a statement, the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Abdulwaheed Olawale Babatunde, said the exercise had been shifted to Friday, May 22, 2026.

“The APC governorship primary earlier scheduled to hold today, Thursday, 21st May 2026, has been postponed,” the statement read.

The postponement followed days of internal disputes within the Kwara APC after the controversial screening of House of Assembly aspirants for the 2027 elections.

According to reports, more than 100 aspirants were initially disqualified during the screening exercise, triggering protests and allegations of attempts to impose preferred candidates. The party later reversed the decision and cleared all 159 aspirants, including Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, whose name had initially been excluded.

The ICIR reports that the Thursday’s governorship primary was also overshadowed by reports that some aspirants had stepped down for Yahaya Seriki, endorsed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Amid the uncertainty, suspected thugs and cultists allegedly loyal to one of the aspirants reportedly stormed the APC secretariat in Ilorin, chanting slogans in support of the aspirant.

Security operatives, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, were later reportedly deployed to the area to restore order.

Despite the postponement, Daily Trust reported that voting activities and mobilisation had already gained momentum in some wards before the directive was issued.

On May 19, the state governor publicly endorsed Seriki as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

In a statement issued after what he described as “extensive consultations” with party leaders and stakeholders, AbdulRazaq threw his weight behind Seriki, describing him as “young, pro-people, astute and broad-minded.”

The governor said Seriki possessed the qualities needed to sustain the APC’s hold on the state and continue the programmes of his administration. He, however, maintained that other aspirants remained free to contest the party’s governorship primary.

The endorsement nevertheless triggered controversies within the party, particularly as both AbdulRazaq and Seriki are from Kwara Central Senatorial District. The development stirred concerns in parts of Kwara North and Kwara South, where some stakeholders have argued that power should rotate to another district after the governor completes his tenure in 2027.

 

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