The national leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has withdrawn recognition from all its diaspora chapters in compliance with a court judgment restricting Nigerian political parties from establishing branches outside the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, announced the decision in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to Director, Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama ruled that “no political party registered in Nigeria has the legal authority to establish, operate or supervise chapters outside the country’s territorial boundaries.”

He added that the court also held that “diaspora chapters of Nigerian political parties were illegal, unconstitutional, and unknown to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

In response to the ruling, the NDC said it had suspended recognition of its foreign chapters and withdrawn all previously granted recognitions.

The party, however, expressed appreciation to its diaspora supporters for their loyalty, contributions and continued interest in its activities, particularly their support for its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The statement explained that the decision followed a review of the party’s relationship with groups operating under its name outside Nigeria.

It also cited the case of Prof. Ali Alao v. All Progressives Congress (APC) & Anor, Suit No. CV/187/2025, which was decided by Justice Kekemeke at the FCT High Court in Maitama.

The NDC said it was complying with the judgment as part of its commitment to accountability, transparency and due process.

The statement added that the party had initiated a harmonisation process in locations where multiple groups were operating, with the aim of bringing them under a single umbrella.

It further disclosed that the judgment had been referred to the party’s Legal Department for further examination and advice on the appropriate steps to take.

Despite withdrawing formal recognition, the NDC encouraged its supporters in the diaspora to continue meeting and engaging with one another, assuring them that the party would maintain communication through appropriate and lawful channels.

The party acknowledged the strong interest Nigerians living abroad have shown in its candidates, especially Obi, and urged them to sustain their support.

The statement concluded with a call for collective efforts to build a better Nigeria, criticising the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and reiterating the NDC’s belief that “A New Nigeria is POssible!”

The Presidency has rejected allegations by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deliberately delaying the release of Nigeria LNG (NLNG) dividend funds meant for states until after the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that the Presidency described the allegation as false and urged the public to disregard it.

The response came in a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Makinde, who is the 2027 presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), had alleged that the Federal Government planned to withhold the funds until after the elections. He also claimed that the money had already been spent by the government.

The governor made the allegation on Friday while speaking at the 2027 Budget Stakeholders’ Consultative Engagement held at Olola Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

According to Makinde, each state was expected to receive ₦250 billion from the dividend funds, which his administration had planned to invest in projects aimed at expanding Oyo State’s economy.

He said: “Each state was supposed to get ₦250 billion. We had already identified projects that would expand Oyo State’s economy. But they have now said the money will not be paid until after the election. Is the election more important than the people of Nigeria?”

However, the Presidency dismissed the governor’s claims, insisting that the Federal Government was not withholding the NLNG dividend windfall as alleged.

Onanuga also advised Makinde to exercise caution in his public statements, warning against making claims that could mislead Nigerians for political reasons.

In the statement, the presidential spokesman sought to explain how the Federation Account is managed and how revenue is distributed among the three tiers of government.

He noted that distributing ₦250 billion to each of Nigeria’s 36 states would amount to ₦9 trillion, excluding allocations to the Federal Government, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the 774 local government areas.

The Presidency maintained that the figures and circumstances surrounding the proposed distribution should be understood within the broader framework of revenue allocation in the country.

Scientists have named a newly discovered endangered plant species in Peru after Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The plant, officially named Salvia messii, is native to the Andes mountain range in central and southern Peru. Its discovery was documented in the October edition of the scientific journal Phytotaxa by a research team led by Paúl Gonzáles of the Natural History Museum at the National University of San Marcos, alongside Argentine researcher Rolando Uría and Jean Capcha-Ramos of Huarango Nature.

Naija News gathered that the plant belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, and is notable for its light blue and white flowers. The colours resemble Argentina’s national football kit, which Messi wore throughout much of his international career.

The scientific name follows international botanical naming conventions, with the suffix “i” indicating association or possession. As a result, Salvia messii can be translated as “Messi’s plant”.

The plant can grow up to 1.5 metres tall and has adapted to survive on rocky, arid slopes at elevations between 2,000 and 2,400 metres above sea level.

Despite its ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions, Salvia messii has been classified as an endangered species. Climate change and forest fires are among the threats to its natural habitat.

The naming offers a scientific tribute to Messi, whose achievements in football have earned him global recognition.