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16/06/2026

THE BATTLE FOR THE BALLOT
By Patrick Adeokhor

The political atmosphere in Nigeria was thrown into turmoil on June 15, 2026, when a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja delivered a judgment that would reverberate across the nation’s democratic landscape. In a ruling that immediately sparked controversy, Justice Peter Lifu ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The other affected parties were the Accord Party (A), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). While the ruling affected all five parties, the inclusion of ADC attracted the greatest attention because of its prominence in opposition politics and the fact that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had emerged as its presidential flagbearer for the 2027 election. Similarly, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was contesting on the platform of Accord.
The judgment was based on Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. According to the court, political parties are required to demonstrate electoral relevance by either securing at least 25 percent of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective seat at the national, state, or local government level.

The plaintiffs, the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, argued that the affected parties failed to meet these constitutional benchmarks during the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections. After reviewing the evidence, Justice Lifu ruled that INEC was constitutionally obligated to deregister the parties and further restrained the electoral body from allowing them to participate in the 2027 elections.
Supporters of the judgment hailed it as a victory for constitutionalism and electoral reform. They argued that democracy should not be crowded with political parties

03/06/2026

Owo Church Attack Verdict: What the Ruling Means for Nigeria Amid Growing Insecurity
By Patrick Adeokhor

The June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, remains one of the deadliest assaults on a place of worship in Nigeria's recent history.
The attack, which occurred during a Pentecost Sunday service, claimed the lives of 41 worshippers and left more than 100 others injured.
By Patrick Adeokhor

Four years after the tragedy, justice has finally been delivered. On June 3, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four defendants to death by hanging after finding them guilty of terrorism-related offences connected to the attack. The convicted persons are:
Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25
Al Qasim Idris, 20
Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26
Abdulhaleem Idris, 25
A fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, was discharged and acquitted after the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence linking him to the crime.

The judgment has been welcomed by many Nigerians as a significant step toward accountability and justice for the victims and their families. However, while the ruling closes a painful legal chapter, it cannot erase the trauma suffered by survivors or restore the lives lost on that tragic day.

Beyond the courtroom, the verdict carries important implications for Nigeria's ongoing battle against terrorism and violent extremism. It demonstrates that perpetrators of mass violence can be investigated, prosecuted, and punished under the law. At a time when insecurity continues to threaten communities across the country, the successful prosecution sends a message that acts of terror will not go unchallenged.

Yet the ruling also highlights a broader reality: justice after an attack is not enough. Nigerians continue to demand stronger intelligence gathering, improved security coordination, and proactive measures to prevent future tragedies. The true test of the nation's security architecture lies not only in punishing offenders but

20/05/2026

Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race is beginning to take shape around three major political blocs.
The PDP is backing former President Goodluck Jonathan for a possible comeback bid. A party faction has cleared him as its sole aspirant, presenting his candidacy as a “redemption” mission after his 2015 defeat. However, his ambition faces a major obstacle: a court case challenging his eligibility under the Constitution, with judgment expected on May 26, 2026.
The opposition landscape has also shifted. Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have aligned under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after leaving the ADC coalition. Obi is positioned as the NDC’s sole presidential aspirant, while Kwankwaso is expected to seek the vice-presidential slot. Their alliance aims to unite opposition strength, especially in the North-West, and build on their combined 2023 voter base.
Meanwhile, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC are preparing for a continuity campaign focused on securing a second term. The ruling party argues that Tinubu’s economic reforms are beginning to produce results and portrays the opposition as divided and unstable.
Another important figure, Atiku Abubakar, remains politically active but appears increasingly isolated as Obi and Kwankwaso consolidate support elsewhere.
Overall, the race currently looks like a three-way contest:
APC promoting continuity under Tinubu,
PDP pushing Jonathan’s political redemption,
NDC trying to transform Obi-Kwankwaso’s 2023 momentum into a stronger national coalition.

Which of these three blocs do you think has the weakest spot right now — PDP’s legal risk, NDC’s structure problem, or APC’s economic record.

13/05/2026

GOVERNOR FUBARA, WIKE AND BATTLE FOR RIVERS AHEAD OF 2027
By Patrick Adeokhor

The political future of Siminalayi Fubara has become one of the most closely watched developments in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. What began as a power struggle between the Rivers State governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has now developed into a fierce battle for political survival, party structure, and control of Rivers State.
At the early stage of the crisis, many political observers believed Governor Fubara had successfully asserted his independence and politically outsmarted Wike, the man widely credited with facilitating his emergence as governor. However, recent political events appear to suggest otherwise, as Wike continues to demonstrate enormous influence over the political machinery in Rivers State and beyond.
The latest twist emerged during the screening exercise of the All Progressives Congress governorship aspirants in Abuja. Governor Fubara reportedly appeared before the APC screening panel on May 10, 2026, but spent less than twenty minutes before he was allegedly asked to “take a bow and go.” The development immediately sparked widespread speculations about his political fate within the party.
While some reports claimed he had been cleared by the screening committee, others maintained that the APC leadership was still undecided on his status. The National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, declined to give a definitive position, insisting that the committee would submit its report in due course. The uncertainty surrounding the screening has further heightened tension among Fubara’s supporters and fueled fears that powerful forces within the party may be working against his second-term ambition.
Political analysts believe the governor’s troubles are deeply rooted in his prolonged confrontation with Wike and the political structure loyal to the former governor.

08/05/2026

THE FRAGILE THREAD OF DEMOCRACY: OPPOSITION, DEFECTIONS, AND THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA
By Patrick Adeokhorl

In the unfolding drama of Nigeria’s political landscape, recent developments have once again exposed the fragility of the nation’s democratic fabric. The reported movement of the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, alongside former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, into the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), signals yet another shift in the ever-fluid terrain of opposition politics. This realignment comes in the wake of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruling on the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a judgment that has further deepened uncertainty within opposition ranks.
What is becoming increasingly evident is a pattern of restless political migration—leaders crisscrossing party lines in pursuit of relevance, influence, or perhaps ambition that critics often describe as inordinate. Whether these movements are driven by genuine ideological differences or mere political survival, the result is the same: a fragmented opposition struggling to find coherence and direction.
Adding to the complexity are fresh legal challenges reportedly filed against the legitimacy of the newly formed NDC. These court actions, coming at a critical time, raise questions about whether unseen forces are deliberately working to destabilize opposition efforts. To many observers, it appears as though there is an invisible hand—subtle yet effective—undermining attempts at building a formidable alternative to the ruling establishment.
Curiously, while opposition figures face legal and structural hurdles, little to no resistance greets the steady stream of defections by governors and key political actors into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This imbalance fuels a growing perception of selective accountability, where the rules of engagement seem unevenly applied depending on political alignment.

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