Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

The organisation also claimed that there was alleged disagreement over funds which was responsible for a reported dispute between Gbajabiamila and Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.

 

President Bola Tinubu has been asked to probe his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and order a full, independent and transparent investigation into allegations of misconduct and an alleged kickback request.

 

In an open letter addressed to the President and copied to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), BudgIT,

Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria), a civil society, Nigerians for Accountability and Integrity (NANI), said it was concerned about alleged irregularities surrounding the purported establishment and recognition of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

 

The letter, signed by NANI’s Public Relations Officer, Hauwa Yelwa, claimed that there were unresolved contradictions between official denials of knowledge of the councils and their alleged inclusion in official government documents.

 

The group stated: “We demand the immediate suspension of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, pending the outcome of a full, independent, and transparent investigation into serious allegations relating to the purported establishment, recognition, and inclusion of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).”

 

According to the group, documents allegedly linked to the councils and provisions reportedly contained in the 2026 Appropriation Budget raise questions about governance, due process and accountability.

“Our investigations and collated reports have shown that there are unresolved contradictions between official denials of knowledge by Femi Gbajabiamila regarding these councils and their apparent inclusion in official state documentation, including provisions reportedly reflected in the 2026 Appropriation Budget,” the statement said.

 

NANI further alleged that it was in possession of evidence linking the Chief of Staff to the processing of grants earmarked for the councils.

 

The organisation also claimed that there was alleged disagreement over funds which was responsible for a reported dispute between Gbajabiamila and Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.

 

In addition, the group alleged that individuals who attempt to raise concerns regarding the matter have faced intimidation and threats, and called for protection for potential witnesses.

 

The group said: “There are additional allegations circulating from multiple independent sources suggesting a recurring pattern in which access, appointments, or official facilitation within certain government structures are allegedly influenced through unofficial or monetised channels, only for such arrangements to later be disowned when controversies arise.

 

“It is also alleged that individuals who attempt to raise objections or report grievances in relation to such dealings are subjected to intimidation or threats. These are grave allegations that, if left unaddressed, risk undermining public confidence in the integrity of this government.”

 

NANI also expressed concern for the safety of Prince Matthew, alleging that he was reluctant to publicly discuss the matter due to fears for his security.

 

The group drew parallels with previous anti-corruption actions taken by the Federal Government, including the suspension of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, arguing that similar standards of accountability should apply to all public officials regardless of status.

 

The organisation urged the President to take five immediate steps, including the suspension of the Chief of Staff pending investigation, the establishment of an independent investigative panel, a comprehensive audit of all documentation and budgetary allocations linked to the councils, protection for whistleblowers and witnesses, and assurances that due process would be followed,” the group stated.

Copies of the letter were sent to several national and international organisations, including anti-corruption agencies, civil society groups, security agencies, diplomatic missions and multilateral institutions.

 

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor Gbajabiamila had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the letter

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Ademola Adeleke may have suffered a major political setback ahead of the 2027 general election and the 2026 governorship election in Osun State, respectively, following a Federal High Court judgement ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Accord Party, alongside three other political parties.

 

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the ruling on Monday in a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five parties for failing to meet constitutional performance thresholds.

The other political parties affected by the judgement were the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

 

The plaintiff had asked the court to determine whether INEC was constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that failed to satisfy the requirements set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

 

The suit also relied on provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations, which were cited as reinforcing the constitutional conditions for the registration and continued existence of political parties.

According to the National Forum of Former Legislators, the five parties had persistently failed to meet the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration.

 

The group argued that the parties neither secured the minimum electoral performance required by law nor won elective positions at the national, state or local government levels.

 

Under the constitutional provisions cited before the court, political parties are expected to secure at least 25 per cent of votes cast in a state during a presidential election or win at least one elective seat at the federal, state or local government level to justify their continued registration.

 

The plaintiff told the court that the ADC, Accord Party and the three other affected parties performed poorly in the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections, failing to win seats across critical levels of government.

It argued that their continued existence as recognised political parties was unlawful and undermined the integrity of the country’s electoral system.

 

Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiff asked the court to declare that INEC was duty-bound to deregister political parties that fail to meet the constitutional requirements and to compel the electoral commission to carry out the exercise before preparations for the 2027 elections advance further.

 

The group also sought an order restraining the five parties from participating in elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies and primary elections, while asking the court to prohibit INEC from recognising or dealing with them unless they fully comply with constitutional provisions.

 

In his judgement, Justice Lifu granted the reliefs sought and ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties.

The ruling could have significant implications for the political future of several prominent politicians ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

Atiku has recently won ADC presidential ticket for the as part of efforts by opposition leaders to build a coalition platform capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu in the next presidential election.

Similarly, Adeleke has won Accord Party governorship ticket in his State amid growing speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the polls.

 

With the court ordering the deregistration of both parties and otehrs, the political calculations of their members and prospective candidates may now face fresh uncertainty pending any appeal or further legal action.

Atiku, Adeleke, others suffers setback
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the de-registration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four political parties.

The other parties affected are: Actions People’s Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Accord Party (AP).

With the judgement, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the ADC. may not be fielded for the 2027 Presidential election.

The Court said the parties failed to meet the constitutional threshold of section 225 of the 1999 Constitution.

Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the power to deregister parties that failed to meet the constitutional threshold.

Details later

Panic broke out in Ijebu-Jesa on Wednesday when the stage where Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and other dignitaries sat collapsed during the launch of the Imole Canvassers.

 

The event was organised by the Accord Party candidate for Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Pelumi Olajengbesi.

 

According to the organiser, the Imole Canvassers, numbering 10,000, are expected to take Governor Ademola Adeleke’s good governance message to all corners of the federal constituency and Osun East Senatorial District at large.

 

In a video obtained from the event, the stage caved in immediately after the governor stood up to address the audience.

Some gunmen have attacked Ora, a boundary community along Osun/Kwara boundary and abducted the Vice Chairman of the Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, Mr Debo Farounbi.

 

Farounbi was reportedly abducted in Ora around 10pm on Tuesday, alongside three other people by the gunmen, who shot into the air causing panic among the residents.

 

It was further learnt that the military men and local volunteers that were stationed in the town put up a strong resistance, forcing the perpetrators to abandon three of those abducted.

 

They reportedly went away with Farounbi after a heavy gunfight.

 

Some residents, who spoke to The PUNCH on Wednesday, said the attackers shot sporadically before they went for their target.

 

A resident, who pleaded for anonymity for security reasons, during a chat with our correspondent said the gunmen had “successfully moved those abducted in the town towards the bush.

 

The resident said, “Four people, two Fulani women and two men including the Ifedayo Local Government Vice Chairman, Debo Farounbi were abducted. But the resistance put up by the military made the perpetrators to abandon three people.

“The however went away with Farounbi. Our people did not sleep throughout the night. We are in serious fear. The incident happened around 10pm on Tuesday.”

 

When contacted, the Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident.

 

One person was abducted. He is a local government Vice Chairman, Hon Debo Farounbi. Immediately the incident happened, the military, police and others responded. Efforts are in place to rescue the man. It is abduction until we are able to prove that it is a case of kidnapping,” Ojelabi said.

 

Farounbi’s abduction is the third of such incident that will occur in the community in the last 7 months.

 

The PUNCH reports that in December, 2025, a retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi was abducted by suspected bandits in Ora.

 

After spending almost four weeks in captivity, Owolabi was eventually released in a community in Kwara State following the payment of an undisclosed ransom.

 

Barely weeks later, suspected bandits invaded Ora again through the Kwara boundary on February 1 and abducted two other residents. They were also released after about four weeks in captivity.

 

Meanwhile, a cross section of the residents that spoke with our correspondent on the recurring incident of abduction in the community have called for stronger security presence to stop further invasion of the town.

 

A community leader, identified simply as Thomas, and a market leader, Mrs Alarape, in a telephone interview, expressed concerns that more residents may flee the town.

 

“People are leaving the town. And more people may leave unless some urgent is done to secure us. The invaders are coming through our boundary with Kwara State,” Alarape said

 

The wife and twin children of the younger brother of the former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress 2027 gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, have been kidnapped in Ibadan, the state capital.

 

An eyewitness told PUNCH Online that the incident occurred on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state.

 

Confirming the incident, one of the media aides to Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, said, “Adelabu’s younger brother’s wife (Laide) together with her twin (Peter and Paul) were kidnapped this morning (Wednesday) by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan.

 

“The family members were going out this morning from Elewura to link the express when they were attacked and whisked away by the unknown kidnappers,” he explained.

 

The PUNCH reports that over 40 teachers and students were kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

It will also be recalled that a chieftain of APC in the state, Wale Oriade, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital, in December 2025.

 

It was gathered that the incident occurred around 7:06 pm at his office located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Micra vehicle with two occupants—a driver and an armed man—who forcibly seized Oriade and whisked him away in the same vehicle.

 

“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” the eyewitness

 

Reacting in a text sent to Crime Reporters Oyo on Wednesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said, “I can not independently verify this for now, but please hold on.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, screening committee on Tuesday cleared former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan by waiver ahead of the party’s presidential primary.

,Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu who is a member of the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP NWC Presidential and Gubernatorial Screening Committee, disclosed this in Abuja after the screening exercise.

DAILY POST recalls that a faction of the PDP backed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde had announced that Jonathan would be screened as the party’s presidential aspirant as of Tuesday.

Ahead of the planned screening Jonathan, who was expected to submit his nomination form on Monday, reportedly failed to show up.

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