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Monarchs hail INEC chair’s performance, urge UK govt to discard visa ban calls
Traditional rulers under the auspices of Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council, NTRC, Friday, urged the United Kingdom, UK, to discard visa ban calls on the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu by some person.
This was contained in a letter addressed to the British High Commissioner, and signed by the some traditional ruler, HRH Oba Adekunle Adeyemi (Adara of Adara, Ogun State), HRM King Alfred Prince will (Amanyab of Bassambiri, Bayelsa State), His Eminence Emir Ahmed Yayale (Charanchi, Katsina State ), HRH Alhaji Muhammad Bubu (Lushi Takololo, Bauchi State), HRH Eze Obinna Opoji (Ama of Amajuoyi Kingdom, Imo State) and HRH Alhaji Audu Eleje (Elejuku of Eluku, Kogi State), where the Council pointed out that the calls by the group it described as faceless are being mischievous to blackmail Yakubu with their unfounded facts and malicious attacks on the INEC boss.
According to the traditional rulers the attacks and calls by the group it called United Nigerians in Diaspora, UND, sponsored by disgruntled politicians, who lost elections in 2023, and also with ploy to create disaffection among Nigerians.
The Letter reads in part: “We, the Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council, write His Excellency to address the malicious attack on Mallam Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It has come to our attention that a certain faceless group named United Nigerians in Diaspora Group sponsored by disgruntled politicians, who lost elections in 2023, have leveled serious allegations against the INEC Chairman. We are deeply concerned about these accusations by this faceless group and feel compelled to set the record straight.
“The allegations made by these politicians are baseless and unfounded. We believe that they are attempting to tarnish the reputation of Mallam Mahmood Yakubu and, by extension, the INEC. We vehemently reject these accusations and stand firm in our support for the INEC Chairman.”
Meanwhile, according to the Council, the Yakubu-led INEC has made significant progress in “conducting free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria. The electoral process has been streamlined, and voter confidence has been restored. The INEC has implemented innovative technologies, such as the use of biometric voter registration and electronic transmission of results, to ensure transparency and efficiency.
“Furthermore, the claims made by these disgruntled politicians are clearly politically motivated, aiming to undermine the credibility of the INEC and its Chairman. It is no surprise that these allegations have emerged now, following their loss in the 2023 elections. It is an attempt to shift blame for their defeat onto the INEC and distract from their own shortcomings.”
The traditional rulers also unequivocally expressed their support for the INEC chair, “We, the Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council, stand firmly by Mallam Mahmood Yakubu and express our full confidence in his ability to lead the INEC effectively.
“His tenure has been marked by integrity, professionalism, and commitment to democratic ideals. The INEC, under his stewardship, has become a beacon of hope for the Nigerian electoral system.”
However, the Council called on the alleged group UND to stop their unfounded and spurious allegations forthwith against the INE boss, and also respect INEC as an independent institution.
“We urge all United Nigerians in Diaspora (UND), politicians and their supporters, to exercise restraint and respect the independence of the INEC. It is essential for the peaceful coexistence of our nation that we uphold the democratic process and refrain from unfounded accusations and attacks.
Meanwhile, the traditional rulers also appealed to Nigerians to work together to strengthen democracy despite the challenges which other advanced democracies are also experiencing.
“We call upon all Nigerians to respect the rule of law and work together towards a better and stronger democratic Nigeria.
“In conclusion, we wish to inform His Excellency that we reiterate our unwavering support for Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and the INEC. We reject the malicious allegations made by UND and disgruntled politicians and call on all Nigerians to unite behind the INEC in its efforts to strengthen our democratic process. Let us remember that peaceful, free, and fair elections are the bedrock of our nation’s progress and prosperity”, it added.
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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