Politics
A’Court Voids Rep’s Sack Over Defection To APC
The ruling overturned an earlier decision by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who on October 30, 2025, declared Gummi’s seat vacant after he defected from the PDP to the APC.
The suit was filed by the PDP and its Zamfara State Chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, who argued that Hon. Gummi had abandoned the party under whose platform he was elected and should therefore lose his seat.
However, the appellate court disagreed with the lower court’s position, affirming that legislators can seek alternative political platforms if their party’s internal crisis obstructs their ability to perform legislative duties.
The court subsequently allowed Hon. Gummi’s appeal (CA/ABJ/CV/1606/2025) and awarded ?1 million in costs against the PDP and Jibomagayaki in favour of the lawmaker.
Reacting to the judgment, Hon. Gummi maintained that the persistent leadership crisis within the PDP made it difficult for him to effectively serve his constituents.
“The persistent crisis within the PDP created an environment that hindered me from adequately representing my constituents or ensuring equitable distribution of democratic dividends within the bounds of the law,” he said.
Ahead Convention: Ex-Presidential Aide Joins APC Nat’l Secretary Race
A former Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has thrown his hat into the ring for the position of National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party’s National Convention later this month.
Speaking with The Tide source in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Chief Obono-Obla stated that he was the right person for the job, given his pedigree and experience in law, governance, and anti-corruption efforts.
“I am not just a candidate, but a custodian of integrity, experience, and vision,” he said.
With 35 years of practicing law across Nigeria’s legal system, Chief Obono-Obla believes his legal foundation will ensure APC’s operations remain within the bounds of the law, protecting the party from avoidable crises and litigation.
As a former Special Assistant to the President and to the Attorney General, Chief Obono-Obla learned the delicate balance between politics and policy, which he believes will serve the party well.
He also worked to strengthen justice delivery nationwide as Acting Secretary of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee.
Chief Obono-Obla stated that as Nigeria’s anti-corruption czar, he was prepared to champion transparency and accountability, values that could anchor the party’s future.
He emphasized that his wealth of experience would be a value addition to the party.
As a writer, author, and commentator on national and international issues, Chief Obono-Obla stated that he would apply all the skills acquired in almost all areas of life to articulate APC’s vision with clarity and communicate effectively with members.
Chief Obono-Obla, a traditional ruler, believes his role adds another dimension, grounding him in Nigeria’s cultural realities and giving him grassroots legitimacy.
“I understand the pulse of our communities, the importance of inclusivity, and the need to bridge modern governance with traditional institutions,” he said.
As a founding member of the APC, Chief Obono-Obla was Secretary of the defunct CPC Merger Committee and Co-Secretary of the Joint Inter-Party Merger Committee that negotiated the formation of the APC in 2013, an experience he believes uniquely positions him to safeguard the party’s legacy and strengthen the Secretariat.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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