The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been conducting high-level strategy sessions to prepare for an appeal against a recent Federal High Court decision that nullified the party’s registration. These emergency meetings have included key party figures, such as presidential candidate Peter Obi, national leader Seriake Dickson, and members of the National Working Committee.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Legal Strategy and Next Steps Following the Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja, Kogi State—which overturned a prior judgment that had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party—the NDC is finalizing its legal approach.

• Party officials confirmed that emergency meetings are ongoing to prepare for the formal appeal, which is scheduled to be filed on Monday.

• While the party has not yet publicly identified the leader of its legal team, the National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, is expected to hold a significant role.

• National Secretary Ikenna Enekweizu indicated that the identities of the legal team members will be revealed once the legal processes are formally filed.

Party Stance on the Ruling The NDC has expressed strong defiance regarding the Lokoja court judgment, characterizing it as a move intended to suppress Nigeria’s democratic process.

• Enekweizu stated that the ruling lacks legal foundation and is unprecedented in the Nigerian judiciary.

• Despite the legal challenge, the party remains confident in a successful appeal and continues to assert that all its candidates, including Peter Obi, will appear on the ballot for the 2027 elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially launched training sessions for political party representatives to facilitate the use of its online nomination portal for the 2027 general elections. The commission has set a deadline of July 11, 2026, for parties to successfully upload their presidential and National Assembly candidates.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Current Status and Support for Parties While some concerns have been raised regarding access to the portal, INEC officials emphasize that the process is well underway:

• INEC personnel are actively interfacing with political parties to ensure they understand the digital submission process.

• The commission has stated that technical staff from the parties are familiar with the requirements, and INEC support staff are available to assist with any challenges.

• Victoria Eta-Messi, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, addressed reports of missing access codes by noting that codes are being distributed in conjunction with the mandatory training sessions held last Thursday and Friday.

• Parties that have not yet received codes are encouraged to complete the training process, as further support remains ongoing.

Key Timelines and Legal Framework This digital nomination exercise is being conducted in compliance with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandates that nominations be submitted at least 120 days before the elections. The specific portal schedules are as follows:

• Presidential and National Assembly: The portal for Forms EC9 and EC9A–EC9E opened on June 27, 2026, and will close on July 11, 2026, at 6:00 pm.

• Governorship and State Houses of Assembly: The portal is scheduled to open on July 18, 2026, and will remain accessible until August 8, 2026.

Troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai have successfully apprehended a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operative, Muhammad Shuaibu, for his alleged role in a planned attack on two military formations in Borno State. The suspect was captured by soldiers from the 212 Battalion at the Forward Operating Base in Chabbol after intelligence surfaced regarding the imminent threat.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the apprehension occurred during a routine perimeter patrol conducted approximately 500 meters from the base’s anti-vehicle defensive ditch. Key details surrounding the operation include:

• The arrest was executed following actionable human intelligence concerning an impending assault.

• Preliminary investigations indicate that Shuaibu was involved in plotting attacks against the 199 Special Forces Battalion—commonly referred to as “Mosquito Camp”—and the Forward Operating Base at Chabbol.

• During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the planned operation, claiming that the terrorist group intended to move forward with the attack despite his detention.

Operational Impact and Next Steps This intelligence-led operation allowed military commanders to bolster defenses and increase security reinforcements around the specific locations targeted by the terrorists. Following his capture, Shuaibu has been transferred to the 7 Military Intelligence Brigade to undergo further questioning and investigation. This arrest remains a critical component of the broader efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to degrade terrorist capabilities and enhance stability across Nigeria’s North-East region.