Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Federal High Court Orders INEC to Deregister ADC, Accord Party, Three Others for Poor Poll Performance
Justice Peter Lifu rules affected parties failed constitutional benchmarks; INEC yet to issue official reaction as 2027 polls approach
Justice Peter Lifu rules affected parties failed constitutional benchmarks; INEC yet to issue official reaction as 2027 polls approach
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party, over their failure to meet constitutional requirements for electoral performance. The judgement was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on Friday, following a suit brought by former lawmakers who argued that underperforming parties should not remain on the political register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The affected parties—Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and ADC—were said to have failed to win any seat in recent elections or secure at least 25 percent of votes in any state during the last presidential poll. Plaintiffs maintained that keeping parties with little or no electoral support only clutters the ballot and undermines Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
According to court documents, the suit sought clarification on whether INEC is constitutionally mandated to deregister political parties that do not satisfy Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The plaintiffs claimed that none of the five parties met minimum criteria during the 2023 general election or subsequent by-elections—criteria which include winning seats in the National Assembly or state legislatures, or achieving significant vote thresholds at federal and local levels.
Justice Lifu, in his ruling, agreed with arguments presented by the plaintiffs and ordered INEC to remove the five parties from its register. He stated that allowing such parties to continue operations contradicts constitutional provisions and could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. “Keeping political parties that do not meet constitutional standards on the ballot paper is a breach of Section 225A,” Justice Lifu held.
INEC has not issued a public statement regarding the court’s decision as at press time. The ruling is expected to have major implications for smaller parties seeking relevance ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections in 2027. Political analysts say this development may prompt other minor parties to intensify grassroots mobilisation or risk deregistration before future polls.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Prophet Odekunle Urges Critics to Understand His Journey Amid Public Scrutiny
Comfort Life Mission founder in Lagos recounts early struggles, calls for empathy as ministry faces mounting criticism
Comfort Life Mission founder in Lagos recounts early struggles, calls for empathy as ministry faces mounting criticism
Prophet Odekunle Epaphras, founder and General Overseer of Comfort Life Mission International, has appealed to his critics not to judge him without understanding the challenges he faced on his path to success. Speaking in Lagos on Saturday during an interview with journalists, Odekunle addressed recent criticisms from some religious leaders and members of the public regarding his ministry’s rapid growth.
Odekunle, who leads the Lagos-based church, said his achievements are a result of years of perseverance, spiritual training, and mentorship under different Christian leaders. He recounted that he gave his life to Christ at age 13 and actively participated in church activities, including prayer teams and fasting programmes. According to him, these formative experiences shaped his commitment to ministry.
The cleric explained that his journey was marked by periods of financial hardship and extended waiting for what he described as God’s appointed time. He noted that before establishing Comfort Life Mission International, he served under several prominent ministers and completed Bible school to strengthen his spiritual foundation. “People see where I am today but they do not know what I passed through,” Odekunle said during the media interaction.
Odekunle’s comments come as some religious leaders have questioned his methods and the rapid expansion of his congregation. The founder maintained that criticism is not new in ministry but urged the public to show understanding and avoid rushing to conclusions without knowledge of a person’s background. He emphasised that every success story is built on years of unseen sacrifices and divine guidance.
The Comfort Life Mission International overseer reaffirmed his commitment to serve faithfully despite opposition. He encouraged young believers facing similar trials not to be discouraged by negative voices but to remain steadfast in their faith journey. As reactions continue from different quarters, stakeholders in Lagos’ Christian community say they expect further dialogue among church leaders over standards for ministry growth.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos State Disburses ₦15bn, Creates 320,000 Jobs Through Employment Trust Fund
LSETF says over 20,000 small businesses received funding as agency marks decade of job creation in South-West state
LSETF says over 20,000 small businesses received funding as agency marks decade of job creation in South-West state
Lagos State Government has announced the disbursement of more than ₦15 billion to over 20,000 small and medium-scale businesses across the state through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), leading to the creation of more than 320,000 direct and indirect jobs within the last ten years. The disclosure was made on Monday in Ikeja by the Executive Secretary of LSETF, Feyisayo Alayande, during a media parley where she presented the agency’s ten-year impact report.
Alayande stated that LSETF, established in 2016 to tackle unemployment and foster entrepreneurship in Lagos, has become a vital instrument for economic empowerment. She highlighted that access to finance, skills development initiatives, market opportunities and technology support provided by the fund have enabled thousands of residents and enterprises to thrive despite Nigeria’s challenging business environment.
According to Alayande, LSETF interventions have also helped safeguard more than 173,000 jobs that were at risk of being lost due to economic headwinds. Over 82,000 small businesses have benefited from capacity-building programmes organised by the fund during its decade of operation. She said: “Our focus remains on empowering Lagosians with resources and knowledge needed for sustainable livelihoods.”
She explained that since inception, LSETF has focused on inclusive growth by targeting young people and women-owned enterprises among its beneficiaries. The agency’s support covers various sectors including trading, manufacturing, hospitality and creative industries. Alayande noted that partnerships with local and international development partners have strengthened the fund’s impact across Lagos’ five administrative divisions.
While presenting the impact report, Alayande affirmed that LSETF would continue scaling up interventions in job creation and enterprise support as Lagos State aims to further reduce unemployment rates in South-West Nigeria. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment regarding the agency’s reported achievements.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Delta Tricycle Operator Outsmarts Kidnappers, Escapes Abduction Attempt in Warri
Security agencies urge increased vigilance as residents recount growing cases of abduction along major transport routes in Delta State
Security agencies urge increased vigilance as residents recount growing cases of abduction along major transport routes in Delta State
A tricycle operator in Warri, Delta State, has narrated how he narrowly escaped from suspected kidnappers after being lured under false pretence on Monday. The incident occurred along a busy route in the metropolis, highlighting renewed concerns over rising abduction cases targeting commercial transporters in the South-South state.
According to the operator, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, he was approached by three men posing as regular passengers. After picking them up at a known junction, the suspects diverted him towards an isolated area under the guise of changing their destination. Sensing danger as one of the men tried to restrain him, the driver managed to swerve his tricycle abruptly and escaped from their grip before raising an alarm that drew the attention of passersby.
Abductions and attempted kidnappings targeting drivers and commuters have become more frequent across Delta and neighbouring states in recent months, with residents reporting similar tactics used by criminal elements. Local unions representing tricycle operators have repeatedly called for increased police patrols and more visible security presence on major roads to deter such attacks.
The Delta State Police Command has urged transport operators to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour immediately. “We are working with community leaders and transport unions to improve intelligence gathering around hotspots,” a senior police officer stated. The officer warned that criminals often exploit routine routes and low-traffic periods to perpetrate abductions, advising drivers not to travel alone during late hours whenever possible.
Authorities say investigations into Monday’s incident are ongoing, with efforts underway to identify those behind the foiled kidnapping. Meanwhile, residents are advised to exercise heightened caution as security agencies step up patrols in identified flashpoints across Warri and other parts of Delta State.
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