President Bola Tinubu has affirmed that he has long struggled for the democracy that Nigeria enjoys today.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A Federal High Court in Akure has ruled that Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is ineligible to contest the 2028 governorship election, citing a violation of the constitutional eight-year tenure limit.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice Adegoke held that the calculation of Aiyedatiwa’s tenure prevents him from seeking another term after his current one. The court noted that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly bars any governor or president from remaining in office beyond eight years.

The judge referenced the Supreme Court’s precedent in Marwa v. Nyako, which clarified tenure limits for elected officials who assume office following the death of their predecessors. Justice Adegoke emphasized that permitting Aiyedatiwa to contest again would contradict the apex court’s ruling:

“If the third defendant is allowed to contest and serve another four years, that will be against the position of the law in Marwa v. Nyako, where the Supreme Court held that a president or governor cannot serve beyond eight years,” the court stated.

Aiyedatiwa first assumed office on December 27, 2023, after the passing of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and was later sworn in again on February 24, 2025, following his victory in the November 16, 2024, governorship election. The court held that these two oaths of office set constitutional limits on the total time he can remain in power.

The suit was filed by Dr. Akin Egbuwalo of the All Progressives Congress, represented by Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN). Egbuwalo sought interpretation of Sections 137(3) and 182(3) of the 1999 Constitution regarding the tenure of a governor completing a predecessor’s term. He argued that since Aiyedatiwa has taken two oaths – first as a successor and then as an elected governor – he is only entitled to serve one additional term.

The defendants named in the suit included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Attorney-General of the Federation, Governor Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami. Justice Adegoke noted that the third to fifth defendants did not participate in the hearing, and their legal processes were considered abandoned.

The court upheld the plaintiff’s arguments and granted all reliefs sought, effectively barring Aiyedatiwa from contesting the 2028 Ondo governorship election if the ruling stands.

Nine senators on Thursday officially announced their defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during plenary.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A breakdown of the lawmakers shows that five left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), three resigned from the Labour Party (LP), and one quit the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

The PDP defectors are Senators Dauda Yaroe, Lawal Usman, Ogochi Onawe, Aminu Tambuwal, and Austin Akubondu, while Senators Ireti Kingibe, Victor Umeh, and Tony Nwoye left the LP.

Eight of the senators who exited the PDP and LP cited leadership crises within their parties as the reason for their defection.

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, the sole APGA defector, explained that he left the party after being sacked in September 2025. However, the Senate has given Abaribe one week to reconsider, noting that his reason does not align with constitutional provisions.

Earlier, a wave of defections also swept the House of Representatives, where 12 lawmakers formally announced their exit from their parties. According to Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, six lawmakers moved from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while another six left the Young Progressives Party and the LP to join the ADC. Kalu added that several lawmakers had submitted letters notifying the House of their political realignment.