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Group slam CUPP Over call for Sack of Service Chiefs
The Conference of Civil Society for Peace, Security and National Development has taken a swipe at the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) for calling for sack of the nation’s service chiefs describing it as a bunch of political jobbers.
Recall that CUPP had issued a statement on Tuesday signed by its spokesman, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, saying it has instituted a law suit at the Federal High Court seeking among other things a declaration that the Service Chiefs having attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of service in the Nigerian Armed Forces cannot lawfully have their services extended by the President or continue to perform any duty pertaining to their respective offices in the Armed Forces of the Federation amongst other demands.
But the CSOs in a statement issued on Wednesday signed by its conveners, by Comr. Mike Msuaan and Mallam Adamu Kabir Matazu, described CUPPS as bunch of political jobbers seeking crumbs from political opponents of the President Muhammadu buhari’s administration.
The CSOs maintained that there has been significant progress made in the war against insurgency, banditry kidnapping and other forms of criminalities in the country but regretted that enemies of the country have vowed to distract the administration to score cheap political points using the likes of CUPPS, SaharaReporters amongst others.
The rights group responding to the threat by CUPPS to mobilise for a nationwide protest within 30 days should the President fail to sack the service chiefs and guarantee security of lives and property said it was a huge joke that would be resisted by the CSOs and citizens in general.
“The civil society organisations most of whom have done detailed assessment of security situation in the country and the efforts of the current service chiefs know exactly where we were and where we are at the moment. Although, it is not yet uhuru, significant successes have been achieved and this we shall continue to engage the citizens on the need to support our military.
“It is embarrassing to say the least that the coalition of supposedly opposition political parties could be ignorant to the point of asking the Court to compel the President to sack the service chiefs or anyone on the account of attaining retirement age. Elementary understanding of government should avail to CUPPS and its cohort that the President reserves the right to extend the tenure of anyone.
“Reading through the statement of CUPPS points clearly that they were paid to discredit the service chiefs and the Presidency in general as it kept repeating one item over and over to earn their pay. It is either asking the court to compel the President to sack the service chiefs or asking the court to compel the service chiefs from performing their duties forgetting that appointment and sack is prerogative of the President.
“We find it disturbing that the group which claim to have been driven by patriotism to approach the court have never found it expedient to stand in solidarity with the troops at any point in time since 2015 when the entire nation was on the verge of been over thrown by insurgents and other violent criminals. Suddenly, because the CUPPS and their cohorts have received their pay check, they have now found reason to be patriotic”, the CSOs averred.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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