To ensure transparency and fairness in its candidate selection process, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has established appeal panels to review complaints stemming from its recent presidential, governorship, and legislative primaries. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, announced that these panels are tasked with hearing grievances from aspirants and stakeholders, subsequently offering recommendations in accordance with the party’s constitution and electoral laws.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The party has assigned leadership to oversee these reviews:

• Presidential & Governorship Panel: Chaired by National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Samuel Anyanwu serving as a member. This 24-member committee will convene on June 10 at the party’s Abuja headquarters.

• National & State Assembly Panel: Chaired by Suleiman Afolagbe. This nine-member committee will hold hearings on June 8 and June 9 at the party’s National Working Committee Hall in Abuja.

The PDP has formed two appeal panels to resolve disputes following its recent primary elections. By reviewing petitions from dissatisfied candidates, the party aims to uphold internal democracy and procedural integrity.

• Who is in charge? National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed leads the presidential/governorship panel, while Suleiman Afolagbe heads the National and State Assembly panel.

• When and where? The National and State Assembly appeals will be heard on June 8–9, followed by the presidential and governorship appeals on June 10. All proceedings will take place at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja.

In a move to strengthen its commitment to a credible election process, the PDP has officially set up appeal panels to address the outcomes of its recent primaries. These panels will provide a platform for aggrieved stakeholders to seek redress, ensuring that all recommendations align with the party’s electoral guidelines and legal requirements.

National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed confirmed that the panels are scheduled to meet at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja between June 8 and June 10, with specific leadership assigned to manage both the legislative and executive primary appeals.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a clear warning to political parties: any primary election conducted after the May 30 deadline is invalid unless a higher court decides otherwise. INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated that parties must follow the Electoral Act 2026 until the Court of Appeal rules on INEC’s pending appeal. Haruna clarified, “Currently, primaries held after the deadline are null and void unless the court overturns a previous ruling that found fault with our timetable.” This clarification follows a legal back-and-forth, including a Federal High Court decision to nullify parts of INEC’s 2027 timeline and a second court later confirming the commission’s power to issue timetables, but within statutory limits. Separately, in Kaduna State, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has ordered reruns in numerous constituencies after finding significant “irregularities” and “fraudulent practices” in its initial primary polls.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigerian Senate has officially transitioned from a flat excise duty to a price-based tax for sugar-sweetened beverages. This amendment, arising from the Customs, Excise Tariff (Amendment) Bill, replaces the previous ₦10 per litre charge with a percentage-based levy determined by the Minister of Finance. Legislators noted that the previous flat-rate system had become ineffective due to inflation and rising public health concerns. Furthermore, the Senate has mandated the creation of a dedicated health fund, financed by a portion of these tax revenues, to bolster primary healthcare, disease prevention, and insurance coverage for vulnerable citizens. This initiative aims to address the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases—such as diabetes and hypertension—linked to high sugar consumption.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a move to curb excessive sugar consumption and boost public health funding, the Senate has overhauled Nigeria’s sugar tax policy. The outdated ₦10 per litre flat tax is being replaced by a flexible, price-based levy to better reflect current economic realities. Revenue from this new tax will be directed into a specialized health fund designed to support disease prevention and expand healthcare access. Lawmakers emphasized that this shift is a strategic public health intervention to combat the rising burden of lifestyle-related ailments like obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Senate Overhauls Sugar Tax to Tackle Public Health Crisis The Senate has approved a major shift in how sugary drinks are taxed in Nigeria, moving away from a flat ₦10 per litre fee to a dynamic, price-based system. This new policy, guided by the Customs, Excise Tariff (Amendment) Bill, is designed to be more effective than the previous system, which had lost its impact due to inflation. Crucially, the government will now funnel a portion of the proceeds into a new health fund dedicated to fighting non-communicable diseases and improving primary healthcare services. By tying the tax to retail prices, the Senate aims to discourage unhealthy dietary habits while securing sustainable funding for national health interventions.