The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court judgment concerning the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The electoral commission stated that it would not take any decision based on information circulating on social media, stressing that its actions must be guided by verified legal documents rather than unconfirmed reports.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the position known on Monday while responding to media enquiries about the political future of the ADC and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The clarification follows a court ruling that affected the leadership of the party under former Senate President David Mark, raising questions about the validity of its leadership structure and Atiku’s presidential candidacy.

Speaking on the matter, Amupitan maintained that the commission had not received the official copy of the judgment and would therefore not act on information obtained from social media.

He said INEC would only take a position after receiving and examining the authenticated court documents.

Recall that the Federal High Court in Abuja had nullified the leadership of the ADC faction led by David Mark and invalidated decisions taken by its caretaker committee, including Atiku Abubakar’s nomination as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

In the judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and ruled in favour of Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party’s former National Deputy Chairman (North-East).

Gombe had approached the court to challenge the process through which the committee led by Mark assumed control of the party.

He argued that following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party’s leadership.

The former deputy chairman subsequently asked the court to invalidate decisions and actions taken by the Mark-led leadership on behalf of the party.

The court’s decision came barely 24 hours after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The Federal High Court has announced that its 2026 Christmas vacation will begin on Monday, December 21, and end on Tuesday, January 5, 2027.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has departed Nigeria’s U-23 team camp to concentrate on the senior national team’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Tanzania.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Chelle, who also supervises the Olympic Eagles, will be unavailable for Nigeria’s two-legged U-23 AFCON qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) because both teams have matches scheduled during the same international window.

The Olympic Eagles are scheduled to travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg against DR Congo on Friday, November 13. The encounter will take place on the same day the Super Eagles host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

The return leg is slated for Tuesday, November 17, in Ikenne, coinciding with Nigeria’s second meeting with Tanzania.

In Chelle’s absence, assistant coach Deniran Ortega will oversee the Olympic Eagles, working alongside Ikorodu City head coach Bright Ozebagbe.

Ortega reportedly conducted most of the team’s training sessions on Thursday and led the technical crew during their friendly victory over Grassrunners on Friday, ahead of the squad’s departure for the first leg.

Meanwhile, Chelle has selected 23 players for the Super Eagles’ AFCON qualifying matches against Tanzania. Among the notable inclusions are Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna and Molde FC midfielder Daniel Daga.

Goalkeeper Michael Atata and junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke have also earned places in the squad. Atata will compete for the goalkeeping position alongside Samuel James of SJK FC and Clinton Andy.

Other notable selections include defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi, as well as midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye.

The attacking options also feature Peter Edokpolor and Umar Abubakar.

The seven home-based players in the squad are expected to depart Nigeria on Tuesday for the Olympic Eagles’ first-leg encounter against DR Congo at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.

Full Nigeria U-23 Squad

Goalkeepers: Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Clinton Andy (Rivers United); Michael Atata (Ikorodu City).

Defenders: Christian Akpan (Genk FC, Belgium); Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland); Vince Osuji (Tromsø IL FC, Norway); Emmanuel Godwin (Pardubice FC, Czechia); Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United); Aliu Sugau (Barau FC).

Midfielders: John Otomewo (Reims FC, France); Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway); Wilfred George (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Chibuzor Nwoko (Fulham FC, England); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City); Sadiq Saleh (FC Metta, Latvia); Victor Samuel (Pardubice FC, Czechia).

Forwards: Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Sulaiman Sani (Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia); Umar Abubakar (FC Famalicao, Portugal); Zadok Yohanna (Brighton FC, England); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia); Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme).