Headline

Makinde, Wike’s Feud: Not Yet Uhuru for PDP

Published

10 months ago

August 25, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

It appears that the more remedial intervention is applied to the myriad of crises bedeviling the erstwhile major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the more the ugly heads of conflict arise.

The battle for the soul of PDP has remained a recurring decimal since the party held its primaries to elect the presidential candidate for the 2023 General election at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The said election Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who defeated other aspirants including the former governor of Rivers State and presently the Minister incharge of the Federal Capital Territory.

However, the outcome of the election did not do down well with Wike, who revolted when the party failed to yield to his demand of changing the then party Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, citing the fact that the flag bearer and the Chairman cannot come from the same region (North). He consequently broke away with four other governors in a bid to frustrate the candidacy of Atiku and work against his party to favour the eventual winner, President Bola Tinubu. The other governors were Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State. The quintet became to the PDP, the infamous G5 Governors.

Much as only Seyi Makinde managed the retain his position for a second term in office, the three others lost their bid to serve in the Senate while Wike was compensated with the Abuja ministerial job; a position he holds till date, and from where he continues to supervise the activities of the PDP with his loyalists constantly at loggerheads with the leadership. And with his public declaration to support Tinubu in the forthcoming 2027 election, Wike has been described as a mole practically enjoying PDP’s membership in name with the sole intention of destabilizing and destroying it for the benefit of the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party had wondered why someone, who had sworn to lead the campaign for the reelection of Tinubu of the APC will be insistent on controlling the machineries of the PDP, if not for the intent to weaken its structures. The feud pitched Wike against Atiku, causing the former Vice President to decamp to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with other heavyweights including David Mark, Dele Momodu and others.

Recall that Wike has fought the party over the position of The National Secretary. While he preferred Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the party and the South East settled for Sunday Ude-Okoye. The party feared that the retention of Anyanwu would derail their peace chances, growth and 2027 election prospects.

But with the various legal tussle here and there, causing the mass defections of elected officers under the party’s umbrella, including the governors of Akwa Ibom and Delta states; Umoh Eno and Sheriff Oborewhori, the party succumbed and reinstated Anyanwu.

Wike’s insistence at having his way in all things led to things falling apart between him and his 2023 election period ally, Seyi Makinde. Many has also said that Makinde’s interest in contesting the presidency in 2027 under the PDP platform may have formed part of the reasons for the no love lost situation between him and Wike

With the Oyo State Governor backed by his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed, and the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and Wike allegedly enjoying the support of Governors Caleb Muftwang (Plateau) and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), the party continually polarize.

So as it stands, and despite all the entreaties, reconciliatory efforts of former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, uhuru is still far from PDP, and the battle for the soul of the party is now between the Oyo State Governor and the Federal Capital Territory Minister.

The two political gladiators used to be good friends and played a key role in the victory of President Bola Tinubu in 2023, following their resolve to work against the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as it stands now, are arguably the most powerful entities in the PDP. While Makinde is insistent on Convention for November as agreed by the National Executive Council (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC), after the August date failed to hold, Wike is doing all within his powers to ensure that convention never holds (at all).

The rift between Makinde and Wike reportedly reached its crescendo when, at a meeting in Ibadan, earlier in the year, the PDP governors rejected the planned reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu by the Bukola Saraki-led reconciliation Committee; a move seen by Wike as a betrayal by the Oyo State Governor.

Makinde had worked in synergy with the party’s national leadership, which earlier fixed June 30 for the PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting and August 2025 for its convention, hut events truncated the efforts, forcing a new November date

Reports available to The Boss says that Wike and his loyalists are pushing for a postponement of the convention, apparently to get a stronger hold of the party ahead of the 2027 election, a move Makinde is vehemently opposing to gain ground for himself.

Earlier in June, Wike, Ortom, Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi had converged on Abuja to deliberate on the state of affairs of the PDP, giving conditions for peace and progress of the party.

Their communique made it clear that the decision of the PDP governors to back Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary against Senator Samuel Anyanwu was a recipe for chaos and upheaval in the party. He had his way, and claimed victory against Atiku, whose subsequent departure from the party allowed Wike a free hand.

“In the spirit of fairness, inclusion, federal character principles and respect for our party constitution, the party must make an unequivocal announcement, zoning its presidential candidate to the South in the 2027 general election.

“That to finally arrest the inexorable drift towards extinction in our party, the party must, without further delay, respect the judgment of the Supreme Court. We, therefore, unequivocally reaffirm Senator Sam Anyanwu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary of our great Party.

“In line with the provisions of our party constitution, only the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, can issue notices of meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Committee, National Caucus and the National Working Committee and to this end, all notices not issued by him and actions founded on them, including correspondences to the Independent National Electoral Commission, are null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” the communique had read.

But what Wike did not ancipate was the roadblock in form of Seyi Makinde after achieving most his demands and chasing Atiku away from PDP.

Also, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Olabode George, had warned Wike and his group to know that nobody, no matter their status, could hijack the party.

“As an elder, I am a custodian of the rules and regulations governing our party. I want to advise this young man (Wike) to know that the only authority that can make a comment on this issue (convention) is the NEC. I want to advise them (G-5) that if they have any issue that will be of support to the party, or even if they are against the direction of the party, it is morally expedient to talk about it within the family.

“These guys (Wike-led group) should calm down. They will not dare the NEC. Let the decision come from NEC. I spent 10 years in the National Working Committee but I have never seen anything like this before. We will not discuss anything outside of NEC. Whatever the majority says, that is it,” George said.

The party, he further stated, is a collective heritage, saying, “Nobody owns this party, no matter who the heck you are. We don’t have any emperors in our party. We will stick with the rules and regulations as stated. We will be meeting on June 30, and by the grace of God, all this back and forth and innuendos will be put to bed.”

PDP has concluded that the plots by the Wike group to truncate the party’s planned convention cannot be as unacceptable as their utterances and resolve to support President Bola Tinubu.

While acknowledging Wike’s sacrifices after the party lost in 2025, the party warned that “Whoever is in the PDP and expects to hear anything supportive from Wike and his group as regards the NEC meeting or convention must be deceiving himself, adding that having openly admitted to supporting the re-election bid of President Tinubu, Wike has done his worst for PDP.

“Imagine someone who claims to still be in the PDP but intends to support the presidential candidate of the ruling party in 2027; what could be worse than that?” The party noted.

On its part, the Oyo State chapter of the party described Wike’s meeting as alien and strange to the structure of the PDP.

According to the Oyo Chapter, what took place was simply Wike meeting with his “committee of followers and friends,” not a gathering of bona fide party stakeholders.

Also in spite of Wike, a Southern Leaders’ Zoning Consultative meeting was held in Lagos under the chairmanship of the governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri.

But ahead of the National Elective Convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, Wike’s camp rejected the relevance of the Zoning Consultative.

The PDP Governors’ Forum followed up the Lagos meeting with another meeting in Zamfara State three days later.

Reliable source disclosed that the governors’ deliberations were on pressing issues that must be resolved to ensure a smooth national convention in Ibadan.

While Wike’s camp is resolute in its bid to prevent the November convention from taking place, citing disputes over the zonal leadership of the South-South and South-East, Makinde, other governors and their allies are committed to ensuring that the convention proceeds as planned in line with the party’s constitution.

Amid these tensions, the zoning committee of 44-member, led by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, continued its consultations across all regions as promised at its inauguration on August 14. They are expected to propose a zoning formula for the 19 National Working Committee positions between the North and the South at the 102nd National Executive Committee this Monday.

As expected, a few state chairmen, former governors, National Assembly members, and other key stakeholders aligned with Wike’s camp, publicly distanced themselves from the gathering.

The PDP leaders, in a statement jointly signed by party chairmen from Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states, alongside National Assembly leaders and other stakeholders, on Thursday, dismissed “any resolutions, communiqués, or outcomes” purportedly emanating from the meeting as “neither binding on, nor reflective of the collective will and aspirations of the PDP family across Southern Nigeria.”

They condemned the Lagos gathering, described as the “PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,” insisting it was convened without proper consultation.

“The attention of the undersigned state chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party from the South and some critical stakeholders has been drawn to a meeting ‘Nicodemously’ summoned in Lagos today, 21st August 2025, by some persons purporting to do so on behalf of PDP members of the South tagged ‘PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,’ convened by the Admin Secretary, Zoning Committee of the PDP, at the behest of the Chairman Zoning Committee (H.E. Senator Duoye Diri) at the Legend Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The said meeting, tagged a summit, was allegedly convened in the name of the three geopolitical zones of Southern Nigeria — South-East, South-South, and South-West.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we categorically dismiss any resolutions, communiqués, or outcomes purportedly emanating from this meeting as neither binding on, nor reflective of the collective will and aspirations of the PDP family across Southern Nigeria. Decisions reached in secrecy and exclusion cannot and shall not assume the authority of consensus,” the statement partly read.

The statement noted that the meeting, allegedly summoned by the Zoning Committee’s Administrative Secretary at the behest of Chairman Diri, was “deeply disturbing” because several state chairmen, national officers, principal lawmakers, and former governors were excluded.

“It is highly regrettable and indeed deeply disturbing that such a meeting was convened without the courtesy of inviting several state chairmen from the South-East and South-South, as well as the duly elected National Secretary and Deputy National Legal Adviser of our great party.

“Even more troubling is the inexplicable exclusion of several national officers, eminent leaders, and critical stakeholders of the PDP. Such a brazen disregard for established structures and statutory organs of the PDP not only offends the spirit of collective decision-making but also risks undermining the very foundation upon which our party was built,” they said.

The signatories, including Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, O. K. Chinda; Senators Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, Mike Nnachi; and former National Secretary Onwe S. Onwe, warned that the Lagos parley was “premature and targeted at protecting the interest and selfish ambition of a select few.”

They further urged the PDP National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee to disregard any outcome of the meeting, declaring it “illegal and divisive.”

“We call on the National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, and all stakeholders of the party to disregard any outcome of the said meeting, which is not only illegal but divisive.

“Take notice that where any iota of regard is given to the outcome of the purported meeting, we shall not hesitate to take appropriate steps in line with our party’s constitution to resist the same with full force,” the statement concluded.

Makinde’s response to Wike was straightforward however, insisting he would not jump into gutter with anybody.

He added that the National Executive Committee would decide on zoning on Monday, stressing that he would not “go low with anyone who decides to go into the gutters.”

He said, “Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them. Some people are now going into the gutters. We will reach out to them. That is democracy.

“I can disagree with people, but there shouldn’t be anything personal here. It should be about what we are giving to Nigerians because they are watching.”

The governor noted that despite the challenges, recent elections demonstrated that the PDP still remained a strong and influential party.

On zoning of the PDP presidential ticket to the South, Makinde stated that the party had not reached that stage yet.

“We haven’t even got there. We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don’t have a party, anything you are trying to do will fall flat.

“Our efforts right now are directed towards having a vibrant and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in again,” he said.

Dignitaries at the meeting included the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, Bayelsa governor, Diri, Governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Peter Mba of Enugu, represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, former Osun Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Bode George, and Monsurat Sunmonu.

Stakeholders and observers have agreed that personal ambition is the sole reason for the crises PDP has suffered in the last three years. They also believe that with Wike having one leg in PDP, and the other leg in the APC, the much sought-after peace and unity will continue to elude the party.

The Monday meeting will reveal more as Wike continue to battle Makinde for the soil of the party.

Headline

Parties’ Deregistration: ADC, Not NDC, is the Target

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

As the 2027 presidential election draws closer, intrigues, manipulations and maneuvers have continued to be the order of the day as political parties engage in one gimmick or another to outdo and undo one another.

While some are playing politics of numbers and conviction, others are engaging tendencies that tend to question the status quo and established principles under which genuine democracy is formed. As a matter of fact, fingers have been pointed at the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal government as the brain behind all machinations that have attempted to derail multi-party democracy, and institute a one-party state, which is alien to the Nigerian democratic roots. This is as a result of the constant imbroglio that has consistently engulf almost all the major political parties in the country.

Fresh facts have however, emerged to prove that every act of frustration thrown at the opposition has been indirectly aimed at the main opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

According to reliable sources, the recent deregistration of parties, especially the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), was actually targeted at the ADC.

Recall that the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on June, 26, set aside its earlier judgement directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party. A ruling that put a question mark on the eligibility of the party presenting candidates in the forthcoming 2027 elections

The presiding judge, Isah Dashen, held that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter.

The court upheld the application filed by a certain organization, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that the party was a necessary party to the suit.

According to the judge, the earlier judgement was constitutionally defective as it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties.

He declared that such an omission rendered the entire process null and void.

Mr Dashen further ruled that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 10, 2025 judgement, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He also observed that certain material facts were suppressed in the earlier proceedings, which justified the decision to set aside the judgment.

Consequently, the court ordered that the substantive suit should begin afresh, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PMP and the NDC as parties to the case.

According to NAN’s reports, the applicant’s lawyer, Chikezie Ekeocha, told journalists that the PMP approached the court after discovering that NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.

According to Mr Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgement.

“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of 10 December 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” he said.

He explained that the implication of the ruling is that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment stands reversed.

“The recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgement must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Mr Ekeocha stated.

He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been decided.

“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.”

Mr Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the position that existed before the 10 December 2025 judgement.

The ruling effectively returns the dispute over the registration of the NDC to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new determination is made.

It would also be recalled that a few weeks earlier, the Federal High Court in Abuja, had ordered the deregistration of five political parties including the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The others are Action People’s Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Accord Party.

However, on June 16, the Court of Appeal in Abuja halted the enforcement of the judgement, ruling that it violated its earlier ruling staying proceedings before the Federal High Court.

While INEC awaits the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment to deregister the NDC, the NDC has reacted, rejecting the judgment as travesty of justice.

Lending credence to the notion that the President Tinubu-led administration is basically targeting the establishment of the ADC as a party, and the candidature of its presidential flagbearer, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is also the presidential candidate of the ADC, has stated categorically that there are plots to prevent the party from participating in the 2027 general election.

Atiku’s position is stated in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu on Monday, notifying the public that he had received credible information suggesting that political and legal manoeuvres were being deployed against the ADC, stressing that the persecution that has been thrown towards the NDC was a clear distraction as the main target is the ADC.

Atiku alleged that anti-democratic elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were working to ensure that the ADC is excluded from the ballot.

“We are fully aware of their plots. While they seek to sow confusion within the opposition, we know their real target is the ADC because it represents the most credible alternative,” he said.

Atiku called on Nigerians to reject any attempt to determine which opposition parties participate in the election.

“We therefore call on all Nigerians — not just ADC members and supporters — to rise in defense of democracy and reject any attempt by the ruling party to cherry-pick which opposition parties are permitted to participate in the next general election,” he said.

“Our message to the APC and the hooded men plotting in dark chambers is simple: you may conspire, but you will not succeed.

“If the APC is truly confident in its popularity, why is it so terrified of the ADC?”

He said he hoped the information available to him would not materialise but argued that recent political developments made such concerns difficult to dismiss.

“The pattern has become all too familiar. First, institutions that ought to be neutral are drawn into partisan contests,” he said.

“Then, frivolous litigations suddenly gain unusual momentum. Administrative powers are selectively deployed.

“Political pressure is mounted behind closed doors. Before long, democracy itself becomes the casualty.”

Atiku alleged that the ruling party has focused more on weakening the opposition than addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.

“The obsession with silencing the opposition has become so consuming that governance itself has taken a back seat,” he said.

“At a time when Nigerians are battling hunger, inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and collapsing purchasing power, those entrusted with public office appear preoccupied with political survival rather than national survival.”

Nigerians recall that ever since the official rejuvenation of the ADC in June/July of 2025, where the duo of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola emerged as the party’s chairman and secretary respectively, the party has not known moments of peaceful coexistence as litigations from corners unknown have sprang up in a bid to destabilize the party and deprive it of the opportunity of featuring on the ballot paper come 2027.

ADC, as a child of circumstance emerged from the rumbles of the litigation-ridden former main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where two factions have consistently remelained at loggerheads over leadership. While the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who is working assiduously to ensure the reelection of Bola Tinubu, leads one faction, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who became a defacto head, leads the other faction. In all, PDP appeared to have no direction, forcing many of its members to jump ship, thereby birthing the ADC, and to a large extent, the NDC, which is presenting Peter Obi as the presidential candidate, with former Kano governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as his running mate.

Sources also informed The Boss that the hasty reading and passage of the Electoral Act 2026 by the Godswill Akpabio-led National Assembly, with many great areas left unattended to, were also part of the grand design to deprive the ADC the constitutional rights of presenting candidates for the 2027 elections.

But both the ADC and the NDC has vowed that they would follow every process to ensure that the crackdown on opposition parties by the Tinubu administration comes to an abrupt end.

But beyond the intrigues, Nigerians are gearing up to participate fully in the forthcoming election with cross sections of the population either hailing Tinubu for his policies or knocking him for the untold hardship in the land.

Headline

South Africa Nothing Without Africa – MTN Boss, Mcebisi Jonas

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2026

Eric

The MTN Group Chairman, Mcebisi Jonas, has condemned the ongoing anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa, describing it as a symptom of State failure being cynically exploited by politicians with no interest in genuine solutions.

The speech is seen as one of the most substantive interventions by a senior business figure into xenophobic crisis currently plaguing South Africa.

Delivered during the funeral service of Zimbabwean-born activist and public servant, Thokozani Damasane, Jonas’ words have sparked a wave of discussion across South African civil society.

“I was thinking, what is home to Damasane?” he said. “Because I understand, and I understood very early in life, that home is where humanity is. Home is about humanness. It is about the good of humanity and striving for the good of humanity.”

Thokozani Damasane was born and educated in Zimbabwe before relocating to South Africa during the post-apartheid transition period. Jonas described him as arriving “as an outcast” into a country still finding its post-liberation footing – and choosing, nonetheless, to commit himself entirely to its struggles and its people.

“He immersed himself deeply into the struggles, into the pains of South Africans, and he became one of us,” Jonas said.

“In Damasane’s strength, our strength as South Africa and South Africans is reflected. And in his weaknesses, our own weaknesses are reflected.”

Speaking further, Jonas blamed the state for the failure being witnessed, emphasising that if foreigners leave South Africa today, the country’s problems will still persist.

“Foreigners can leave tomorrow – inequality will be with us,” he told the congregation.

“Foreigners will leave tomorrow – unemployment will be with us. Foreigners will leave tomorrow – our police will remain corrupt. Foreigners will leave tomorrow – our politicians will still be concerned with one thing: being elected and re-elected.

“The problem is the failure of the state. The State doesn’t manage immigration. It doesn’t manage its borders. It doesn’t enforce
law enforcement. It doesn’t manage education. What are you expecting?”

Jonas argued that this failure created fertile ground for political manipulation. “When people feel the burn, they become vulnerable to politicians whose sole purpose is to be elected and re-elected. Some of them have no credibility whatsoever. But they lead marches and tell our people that the problem is not us – it is foreigners.”

Jonas recounted a conversation he had witnessed between Damasane and a young man who had challenged the right of foreigners to be in South Africa. Damasane’s response, Jonas said, had stayed with him ever since.

“Damasane said to this guy: Just wait fifteen or twenty years. You will also want to leave your country.”

Jonas told mourners those words now carry a weight Damasane may not have anticipated. “As I stand up today, I look at South Africa. The level of oppression and inequality, the level of exclusion of our people, the level of corruption, the betrayal of the dream of liberation – those words of Damasane ring very loud in my ears.”

South Africa is nothing without Africa

Jonas closed with a call for what he described as a return to “national consciousness” – one rooted in continental solidarity and economic interdependence rather than ethnic exclusion.

“We are a nation embedded in Africa,” he said. “And without Africa, our growth as a country – economically – our fortune is intertwined with the growth of Africa. South Africa is nothing without Africa. And Africa is nothing without South Africa.”

He also reframed the question of legacy and identity for Damasane’s children, who were present. “Sometimes this thing called meritocracy is measured in wealth. No. It is values, it is principles, it is integrity. And your father had all of that.”

“We cannot judge people by their origin,” he told mourners. “We cannot determine the legal status of people by their origin.”

Headline

NDC Rejects Court Ruling on Party’s Registration, Heads to Appeal Court

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2026

Eric

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), on Friday, vowed to challenge the judgment nullifying its registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that it would exercise its constitutional right of appeal.

Reacting to the ruling on Thursday, the party’s spokesman, Osa Director, said the NDC was still awaiting the certified copy of the judgment before making a comprehensive statement on the court’s decision.

He, however, confirmed that the party had resolved to head to the appellate court.

“We are still waiting to obtain a copy of the judgment. After reading the comprehensive judgment, we will make a detailed statement,” he said.

The spokesman added: “For now, what is certain is that we will exercise our right of appeal.”

Insisting that the party would challenge the ruling, he said: “It is our constitutional right to appeal, and we intend to exercise that right.”

When asked specifically whether the NDC would appeal the judgment voiding its registration, the spokesman replied: “Yes, the party will appeal the case.”

The party’s reaction came shortly after a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, in a judgement that nullified its registration by INEC, a development that could have significant implications for the NDC’s participation in the country’s political process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The NDC, however, maintained that it would refrain from making further comments on the substance of the judgment until it had studied the full text of the court’s decision.

The party’s planned appeal is expected to set the stage for a fresh legal battle over its status and continued existence as a registered political party.