Nigeria News (Standard)
Oshiomhole Says APC Sacked Him as National Chairman via Zoom Meeting at Presidential Villa
Former Edo governor alleges court orders and internal party moves led to his removal after 2019 electoral victories
Former Edo governor alleges court orders and internal party moves led to his removal after 2019 electoral victories
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has revealed that he was removed from office through a virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held via Zoom at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Oshiomhole, who now represents Edo North Senatorial District, made this known during an interview on AIT aired on Sunday, 16 June 2026.
Oshiomhole explained that his ouster in June 2020 came after he led the APC to a second-term victory for President Muhammadu Buhari and resolved leadership disputes within the National Assembly. According to him, moves to remove him began with a petition allegedly signed by eight members of his ward in Edo State, which was followed by a series of court cases and interim orders that paved the way for his suspension.
He said, “I led my party to victory under Buhari. With my colleagues in the National Working Committee, we were able to fix the leadership tussle of the National Assembly, both Senate and House of Representatives effortlessly. Our president didn’t have to run around the country; we did all the marketing and persuasion needed.” Oshiomhole alleged that after stabilising the party, aggrieved members resorted to court actions when they could not remove him democratically. “Once the system got stabilised, I was sacked through a Zoom. When people couldn’t get me removed democratically, they claimed eight members of my ward passed a vote of no confidence on me. Based on that, they went to court and obtained an interim order.”
The former Edo State governor further stated that although he appealed against the suspension order and initially won at the Court of Appeal, the same court later reversed itself three weeks later. He recounted how, shortly after this reversal, an unprecedented NEC meeting was convened virtually at the Villa where his removal was formalised.
Oshiomhole’s exit marked a significant turning point for APC leadership. The party’s NEC subsequently dissolved its National Working Committee and set up a Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee to oversee party affairs amid ongoing internal divisions. His latest statements offer fresh perspective on one of Nigeria’s most dramatic recent political shake-ups.
At press time, no official response had been issued by current APC national officers regarding Oshiomhole’s account.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ex-Rivers Commissioner Named Among Top 50 Global Thought Leaders in Media Communications
Former state official recognised for strategic communication expertise as only Nigerian on international list released Tuesday
Former state official recognised for strategic communication expertise as only Nigerian on international list released Tuesday
A former Rivers State commissioner has been named among the world’s 50 most crucial thought leaders in media communications, marking a significant international recognition for Nigeria’s public sector professionals. The announcement was made on Tuesday, positioning the ex-commissioner as the sole Nigerian on the prestigious list.
The selection, announced by an unnamed global body, highlights individuals who have demonstrated exceptional influence and innovation in media communications worldwide. The ex-commissioner’s inclusion follows years of service in Rivers State, where his work reportedly shaped public information strategies and advanced government engagement with citizens.
This development is seen as a boost to Nigeria’s reputation in global communications circles, especially at a time when the country is pushing to improve its image abroad and promote transparency in government messaging. Analysts say such recognition can encourage more professionals within Nigeria to pursue excellence and adopt best practices aligned with international standards.
Although details about the selection criteria were not made public, sources familiar with the process noted that honourees were chosen based on their impact, leadership, and contributions to the evolution of media communications. No official statement has been issued by the Rivers State Government or federal authorities as at press time. However, communication experts in Nigeria have described the recognition as a welcome development that could inspire better performance among public officials.
Observers expect this recognition to open further opportunities for knowledge exchange between Nigerian professionals and their global counterparts. Stakeholders are also calling on government to leverage such achievements to enhance capacity building within the country’s communication sector.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Court Rejects ADC, Aregbesola’s Application to Withdraw from Leadership Suit, Imposes ₦1m Fine
Presiding judge rules against withdrawal bid in high-profile party dispute; ADC, Aregbesola to pay ₦1 million penalty
Presiding judge rules against withdrawal bid in high-profile party dispute; ADC, Aregbesola to pay ₦1 million penalty
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, seeking to withdraw from an ongoing suit over the party’s leadership structure. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, also imposed a ₦1 million fine on the applicants.
The court proceedings saw the ADC and Aregbesola move to discontinue their involvement in a legal tussle concerning who holds legitimate authority within the party. However, the presiding judge rejected their request, citing procedural grounds and maintaining that such withdrawals must adhere strictly to established legal frameworks. The court further ordered both parties to pay a total of ₦1 million as penalty for what was described as an abuse of judicial process.
This development comes at a time when internal wrangling has unsettled several political parties ahead of upcoming elections, with many Nigerians closely following disputes over party leadership and representation. Legal experts note that cases like this highlight ongoing challenges with internal democracy within Nigerian political parties and may set precedents for future litigation.
Although neither ADC officials nor Mr. Aregbesola issued an immediate public reaction following the verdict, observers expect both parties to either comply with the financial sanction or file an appeal. The outcome is likely to influence future conduct in intra-party disputes and could affect preparations for electoral activities if leadership controversies persist.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Pulse Nigeria Website Shows ‘Page Not Found’ Error, Users Advised to Return Home
Visitors encounter 404 error on news platform; site encourages users to access latest updates via homepage and social media
Visitors encounter 404 error on news platform; site encourages users to access latest updates via homepage and social media
Pulse Nigeria’s website displayed a ‘404 Page Not Found’ error message on Thursday, redirecting visitors from an outdated link and urging them to return to the main homepage for current news content. The incident affected users attempting to access specific articles, with the platform assuring that other sections of the site remained operational.
The error page informed users that the link they followed may be outdated, but emphasised that the rest of Pulse Nigeria’s news content is still accessible. A prominent prompt invited readers to navigate back to the homepage and continue engaging with the latest stories.
Pulse Nigeria also highlighted its official presence across several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and WhatsApp. These channels were listed as alternative sources for real-time news updates and multimedia content.
Technical issues resulting in 404 errors are not uncommon among digital publishers in Nigeria. Such occurrences often stem from expired or broken URLs, especially when articles are updated or archived. Pulse Nigeria did not issue a separate statement regarding the incident as at press time.
Users are advised to use verified links from the homepage or official social media handles when seeking specific information or headlines. The news platform continues to provide breaking news and analysis on national events through its digital channels.
