Benue Equity and Justice Movement has accused the Benue People’s Democratic Party Governorship candidate, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa of plan to manipulate the Judiciary in order to buy the planned November 16 judgement in the eligibility suit against him.

It will be recalled that the Supreme Court had few years ago banned Mr. Aondoakaa from holding public offices for life as a result of his manipulation of justice while he was Attorney General of the Federation under the PDP regime of former President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, then a Justice of the Supreme Court and now the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), delivered the Supreme Court’s unanimous judgment on December 10, 2021, affirming the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division, which had upheld a Federal High Court decision barring the former minister, who served under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, from occupying any public office in Nigeria for life.

In the Court of Appeal’s judgement on June 1, 2010, Justice A.F.A. Ademola ordered, “1. A declaration is hereby made that the 2nd Defendant undermined and subverted the rule of law, the due administration of justice and integrity of the judiciary in the letters of 8th January, 2008 and 16th February 2009 written by him in the capacity of the Defendant. “2. A declaration is hereby made that 2nd Defendant is not a competent, fit and proper person to hold office as the 1st Defendant having regards to the oaths of Allegiance and office.

Also recalled that the 2027 governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, Mr. Damian Adagba had in September asked the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to remove Aondoakaa’s name from its official portal as the governorship candidate of the PDP as a result of the Supreme Court Judgement.

Also, in a suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2152/2026 which was instituted by David Ejembi, Aondoaver Teryila, Joseph Okpanachi and Benedict Akaazua Orkume against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP and Aondoakaa, the plaintiffs urged the Federal High Court in Abuja on October to stop the former AGF from parading himself as the governorship candidate of the PDP. 

Following the arguments by the lawyers of the People’s Democratic Party, Mr. Aondoakaa and the plaintiffs, the court adjourned the matter to November 16, 2026, for judgment.

But in a press statement which was sent to reporters this morning, Benue Equity and Justice Movement through its General Secretary, Mr. Kingsley Asema said that the pressure group has received Intel which revealed plans by the embattled PDP governorship candidate to bribe the Judge handling the case.

“We have it on a good authority that Barrister Michael Aondoakaa, having realized that the eligibility suit against him in court would not go in his favour based on various evidences that he had been barred from holding any public office, has been holding series of meetings with his political godfather, Mr. Samuel Ortom and legal team led by a former Secretary to the Benue State Government, Mr. Tony Ijohor on the possible way to bribe the Judge handling the case.

“The final meeting on how to manipulate the planned November 16 judgement was held in Jos last Friday, and in attendance were Chief Aondoakaa, Barrister Tony Ijohor, Barrister Clement Mue, Anthony Malik, and Barrister Matthew Onoja. 

“We also have proofs that it was  the legal team led by Ijohor that advised Aondoakaa to reach out to the judge through an unnamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Jos when it was clear that he may be declared ineligible to contest the 2027 governorship election”

Meanwhile, Benue Equity and Justice Movement in the press statement called on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja as well as the Chief Judge of Nigeria to rescue the Judiciary which is the last succour for a common man from the former AGF who is moving fastly to buy the eligibility judgement which has been fixed for November 16, 2026. 

The group stated further that Aondoakaa’s case is a litmus test for the Nigerian Judiciary, noting that selling judgement to him will prove that the Judiciary is no longer a succour for a common man.

…As Commission announces plans for entrepreneurial development centres across North Central, FCT

…NANS Zone C applauds Renewed Hope Agenda, seeks partnership on student empowerment

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Nigerian students to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and economic productivity, declaring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for youth development must translate into practical opportunities that enable young people to turn their ideas into viable enterprises.

The Commission also assured students across the North Central region of their inclusion in its development programmes, disclosing that sufficient funds had been set aside in its budget to support entrepreneurship training and related interventions.

Speaking at the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone C Summit, Comrade Solomon Adodo, Board Member representing the FCT on the NCDC Board, who represented the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, said the Commission was determined to ensure that the creativity and innovative ideas of students were given the necessary support to translate into productivity.

The summit, which took place in Kwara State on Saturday, brought together student representatives from the six states of the North Central region and the FCT.

Adodo commended President Tinubu for establishing the regional development commissions, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention to address developmental challenges, strengthen regional growth and ensure that government programmes deliver tangible benefits at the grassroots.

He said the President’s vision for youth development recognises the enormous potential of Nigerian students and the need to create an enabling environment for their creativity, innovation and productive capacities to thrive.

According to him, the NCDC considers education a critical foundation for regional development and is committed to ensuring that students are carried along in the implementation of the President’s development agenda.

Referencing an essay titled Good Intentions Are Not Enough, Adodo stressed that good intentions must be supported by practical action and meaningful collaboration to achieve lasting results.

He said the Commission was determined to establish a stronger partnership with the student community to ensure that innovative ideas are nurtured and translated into productive ventures.

“It is time for us to reverse the old pattern and embrace a new order, to ensure that the innovations of students are not left to rot, but are given wings to fly and ascend from mere potential to productivity,” he said.

Adodo disclosed that sufficient funds had been set aside in the Commission’s budget to support entrepreneurship training and other interventions aimed at strengthening the economic capacity of young people.

He further revealed that the Commission was making plans to establish entrepreneurial development centres across the six states of the North Central region and the FCT to provide students and other young people with opportunities to acquire relevant skills, develop innovative ideas and build sustainable enterprises.

He encouraged students to look beyond academic qualifications and embrace entrepreneurship, innovation and wealth creation, stressing that Nigeria must transition towards a productive economy in which young people are not only equipped to seek employment but also empowered to create jobs and contribute to economic growth.

He noted that President Tinubu’s aspiration to build a productive Nigeria requires deliberate investment in the capabilities of young people, adding that the country must strengthen its capacity to produce goods and services for domestic consumption and export.

The NCDC Board Member further assured students that the Commission would maintain an open-door policy and work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that their needs and aspirations are reflected in its interventions.

He explained that the Commission has representation from each state in the region, providing an avenue for engagement, interaction and the identification of development priorities.

“The gates and doors of the North Central Development Commission are open to you. Our duty is not to isolate ourselves from you, but to interact with you and ensure that all your needs are met,” he said.

Meanwhile, NANS Zone C has applauded the student-focused initiatives of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing them as encouraging steps towards youth empowerment, economic inclusion and sustainable opportunities for Nigerian students.

The association also announced plans to seek a strategic partnership with the NCDC to establish a regional skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme for students across the North Central region.

Speaking on the proposed initiative, the Zone C Coordinator, Comrade Abiola Azeez Babatunde Adigun, emphasised the importance of investing in students’ skills and entrepreneurial capacities as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and regional development.

The proposed programme is expected to cover Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states, as well as the FCT, with a focus on digital, vocational and technical skills, business development, mentorship and entrepreneurship training.

NANS Zone C said it would engage the Commission’s leadership to discuss the proposed collaboration, develop an implementation framework and identify areas of mutual interest in advancing student empowerment across the region.

The association expressed optimism that a strategic partnership with the NCDC, alongside sustained government interventions under the Renewed Hope Agenda, would create opportunities for students to become skilled professionals, innovative entrepreneurs and active contributors to Nigeria’s economic development.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chancellor of Achievers University, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform initiatives in the education and security sectors, urging Nigerians to unite behind efforts aimed at driving sustainable development and national renewal.
Dogara made the call while delivering the Convocation Address at the 16th Convocation Ceremony of Achievers University, Owo, where he spoke on the theme, “Rethinking National Security for Sustainable Peace, Development and National Renewal.”
The former Speaker described education and security as critical foundations for nation-building, noting that the Tinubu administration has taken important steps to expand educational opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
He particularly praised the Federal Government’s Student Loan Programme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the initiative has provided thousands of Nigerian youths with access to higher education regardless of their financial circumstances.
According to Dogara, investing in education remains one of the most effective strategies for empowering young people and preparing them to contribute meaningfully to national growth and development.
He also applauded government efforts aimed at improving the welfare of university lecturers, describing quality education as indispensable to the country’s progress and future competitiveness.
Speaking on security, Dogara said no nation can achieve meaningful economic development without guaranteeing the safety of lives and property. He emphasized that security remains the foundation upon which investment, agriculture, commerce and social stability thrive.
While acknowledging that insecurity remains a challenge, he commended the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping through enhanced military operations, intelligence-driven interventions and strengthened coordination among security agencies.
He noted that recent measures, including the expansion of security personnel recruitment and efforts to secure forested and rural communities, demonstrate government’s determination to create safer environments for citizens and businesses.
Dogara urged Nigerians to support these efforts through active citizenship, community cooperation and a shared commitment to national unity.
“Government alone cannot achieve lasting security and development. Every citizen has a role to play in building a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria,” he said.
The former Speaker stressed that national development requires collaboration among government, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, educational institutions, the private sector and civil society groups.
As Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited, Dogara also highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment where businesses can access opportunities, investments can flourish and entrepreneurs can contribute to economic expansion and job creation.
He noted that sustainable economic growth depends largely on peace, stability and confidence in public institutions.
Addressing the graduating students, Dogara challenged them to become agents of positive change by applying their knowledge, skills and talents toward solving societal problems and advancing national development.
He urged the graduates to embrace integrity, innovation and service as they embark on the next phase of their lives.
“If you become a lawyer, serve justice. If you become a doctor, serve life. If you become an engineer, build what our country needs. If you become an entrepreneur, create opportunities and jobs for others,” he said.
The former Speaker expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, describing the country as a resilient nation blessed with abundant human and natural resources capable of achieving greater heights through visionary leadership and collective effort.
He called on citizens to remain hopeful and support ongoing reforms designed to strengthen institutions, expand opportunities and improve the welfare of the people.
Dogara concluded by congratulating the graduating students and encouraging them to use their education as a tool for service, leadership and national transformation.
The convocation ceremony attracted members of the university’s Governing Council, management, staff, alumni, parents and other dignitaries who gathered to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class and reaffirm Achievers University’s commitment to producing future leaders for Nigeria and beyond.