Youth Party Suit Hypothetical, Lacks Merit, Says Commission

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to overturn the Federal High Court judgment that nullified its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.

The commission also filed an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of its appeal.

In the notice of appeal dated May 25 and filed through its lead counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, INEC raised nine grounds challenging the May 20 judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit instituted by the Youth Party (YP).

INEC argued that the trial court erred in law by failing to determine the jurisdictional objection it raised that the suit was hypothetical and academic, a development it said amounted to a denial of fair hearing.

The commission further faulted the court’s interpretation of Sections 29(1), 82 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, insisting that the law did not preclude it from issuing timelines and schedules to guide political parties in the conduct of primaries and other pre-election activities.

According to INEC, the lower court wrongly held that the electoral body lacked statutory powers to prescribe timeframes for political parties to conduct primaries for the nomination of candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.

The commission also contended that the trial judge failed to apply the provisions of Section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2026 to the matter.

Consequently, INEC urged the appellate court to allow the appeal, set aside the judgment and strike out the suit filed by the Youth Party on the grounds that the party lacked the locus standi to institute and maintain the action.

Justice Umar had ruled that INEC’s revised timetable imposed restrictive deadlines on political parties contrary to the Electoral Act, 2026, and declared that the commission had no legal authority to fix timelines for party primaries beyond what is provided in the law.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, polled 277,192 votes in the direct primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the 105 wards in the eight local government areas of the state.

Governor Douye Diri, who served as the state’s Coordinator/Collation Officer for the presidential primary, declared the results at the collation centre at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.

His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted Governor Diri as saying that the peaceful conduct of the exercise across the state, from the presidential to the National Assembly and the House of Assembly primaries, showed a shift from the party’s “toxic” primaries previously in the state.

He stressed that no single individual could win an election without collective support, urging members to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general election.

His words: “As our party chairman already informed us, the party at the national level graciously asked me to be the returning officer and the chief collation officer.

“You have conducted yourselves so well. The exercise has been peaceful, calm, and in some areas more of a festive mood.

“To all those who contested and lost, you still have to be party men. I’m seeing a lot of them here, and that shows they are sportsmen. They belong to APC and they are going nowhere,” he said.

The Bayelsa helmsman stated that with the party’s unity and the strength of incumbency at both the state and federal levels, APC was well-positioned to dominate the elections.

“If all of these people here will go back to our wards, can’t we deliver? Can anybody beat us in Bayelsa State? It is a very big capital No.

“We have the human beings that know the strategies of elections. With our numerical strength and incumbency, it is game over in Bayelsa State,” he said.

Giving a breakdown of the results presented by the returning officers in each of the local government areas, he said Tinubu scored 39,454 in Brass, Ekeremor 45,949,
Kolokuma/Opokuma 22,593, and
Nembe 32,487.

The president also got 24,896 in Ogbia, Sagbama 46,283
Southern Ijaw 34,692 and
Yenagoa 30,834.

His only challenger, Mr. Stanley Osifo, got only five votes from Yenagoa local government area.

Earlier, speaking to party faithful and supporters after the exercise in his Sampou/Kalama Ward 6 in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area, the governor said the APC remained the only party offering hope to Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

He said while there were two contestants in the presidential primary, the president was the overwhelmingly preferred choice among party members due to his leadership record and national visibility.

Diri acknowledged the reforms undertaken by the current administration were painful but maintained that they were necessary as the country would ultimately be repositioned for long-term prosperity.

He also expressed confidence that the restructuring of Nigeria was possible under Tinubu, describing him as one of the few leaders with the experience, democratic credentials, and political will to transform the country.

According to him, restructuring remains critical to addressing the nation’s recurring ethnic, religious, and political challenges.

Citing Tinubu’s role in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle and his involvement in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during the military era, he said the president was one of the best-qualified leaders to champion the restructuring agenda.

Collation of the results was observed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa, Isah Ehimeakhe, the commission’s Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Eme Akpa, ‎as well as the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Daniel Iyamah and service commanders

In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), House of Representatives members, Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma federal constituency) and Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw federal constituency) as well as the State APC Chairman, Hon. Warman Ogoriba

Also present were the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, his counterpart in Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, among other party stalwarts, stakeholders and members.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has withdrawn from the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), slated for Today.

In a statement entitled ‘My decision to withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries’, which he personally signed on Wednesday night, Fubara stated that he would support whoever emerged as the candidate of the party.

He said: “After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC gubernatorial primaries.

“Leadership is ultimately about sacrifice. There comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good of the people. Rivers State is bigger than any individual, and at this critical moment, the peace, stability, and unity of our dear state must take precedence over every personal interest.

“To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel. Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way. But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain. My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people.

“As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose. It is enough to say that I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else.

“I sincerely thank our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for the platform and support extended to me throughout this process. I also express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and encouragement.

“The APC remains our collective home, and I urge all party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and committed as we continue to build a stronger and more united future together.

“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming River’s state gubernatorial election not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity and I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers state till the end of my term. Thank you, and May God bless Rivers State.” He stated.