Factional group accuses electoral body of bias as PDP leadership recognised by INEC commences 2027 ticket sales

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has protested the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue the party’s candidate nomination upload code to the PDP National Working Committee aligned with Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The development unfolded in Abuja ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Jungudo Mohammed, confirmed that INEC had provided access codes for uploading candidates’ names to the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee. He described this move as a clear validation of their leadership’s legitimacy within the party structure recognised by law.

This dispute stems from a recent Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 30, which nullified the party’s national convention held in Ibadan last November. That convention had produced Turaki and his supporters as leaders but was backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. Following the court ruling, the Board of Trustees under Adolphus Wabara reappointed Turaki’s group as an interim committee, but both camps have since operated parallel structures.

Reacting to INEC’s action, Ini Ememobong, spokesperson for Turaki’s faction, argued that the recognition was only administrative and insisted that INEC would eventually be compelled to accept candidates submitted by their group as well. He referenced past disputes in Ekiti and Osun states where INEC was forced to upload names from rival factions. “The commission must recognise all authentic candidates,” Ememobong said during a phone interview.

Meanwhile, Mohammed stated that only his camp remained officially recognised by INEC and accused Turaki’s supporters of misleading party members. “Unfortunately for them, lies have an expiry date, and INEC has issued us the codes to upload our candidates. We have been duly recognised by the electoral umpire,” he said in a written statement.

While Mohammed’s camp has already begun selling expression of interest and nomination forms for various offices ahead of 2027—with all activities monitored by INEC—the Turaki-led faction continues to issue its own forms without official recognition or supervision from the commission.

The situation has deepened divisions within Nigeria’s main opposition party as preparations intensify for upcoming elections. With both camps determined to push forward with their respective primaries and candidate lists, stakeholders say further legal battles may be imminent if reconciliation is not achieved before 2027.

Source: https://punchng.com/turaki-pdp-faction-protests-inec-access-code-to-wike-camp/

Group alleges trial court lacked jurisdiction as FG’s latest legal move sparks debate over criminal justice procedures

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised fresh objections to the conviction of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, following a cross-appeal filed by the Federal Government in Abuja on Sunday. The group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, stated that the government’s legal strategy has cast doubt on the validity of the original judgment delivered by the trial court.

According to IPOB, the Federal Government’s cross-appeal effectively admits that the trial court did not have proper jurisdiction over some parts of Kanu’s sentencing. The group argued that this admission undermines not only Kanu’s conviction but also raises broader questions about due process within Nigeria’s criminal justice system. “Jurisdiction is not divisible. Jurisdiction is a continuum,” IPOB said in a written statement, insisting that any ruling delivered without full jurisdiction cannot stand legally.

The legal dispute stems from ongoing appeals surrounding Kanu’s case, which has drawn national and international attention since his arrest and prosecution on charges relating to separatist activities. IPOB maintained that if a court is found lacking jurisdiction at any stage—including sentencing—the conviction becomes invalid because both aspects are intertwined under Nigerian law.

In addition to questioning jurisdiction, IPOB accused the authorities of procedural breaches during Kanu’s trial. These include alleged reliance on repealed laws, denial of fair hearing, non-disclosure of applicable statutes and withholding evidence. The group insists that these alleged irregularities render the conviction unsustainable and called on Nigeria’s Court of Appeal to address these points when reviewing the case.

The statement further warned that the outcome could set critical precedents for future criminal prosecutions across Nigeria, especially in cases where jurisdiction or fair hearing is in dispute. IPOB urged legal practitioners, diplomats and human rights organisations to closely monitor developments as they unfold.

Source: https://punchng.com/nnamdi-kanu-ipob-queries-conviction-after-fg-cross-appeal/

Federal circular sets new limits for MDAs, restricts reimbursements and procurement to tighten financial discipline

The Federal Government has enforced new spending controls across ministries and agencies in Abuja, placing a maximum reimbursable imprest of ₦700,000 for ministers as at June 3, 2026. The measure, detailed in the 2026 Annual General Imprest Warrant signed by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, was circulated to all government arms via a directive from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

According to the circular signed by Accountant-General Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, permanent secretaries and directors-general are now limited to ₦500,000 imprest while directors and heads of departments have a ceiling of ₦300,000. For heads of formations in states and other authorised holders, the limit is set at ₦100,000. The statement emphasised that accounting officers are only to approve funds within these thresholds for eligible imprest holders.

Officials said the move is in line with Financial Regulation 1003 and forms part of renewed efforts to enforce accountability and prudent management of public funds. The Accountant-General’s office also stated that reimbursements for any standing imprest shall be made only once per quarter—exceptionally twice if necessary—significantly reducing the frequency compared to previous years.

Furthermore, the circular directed all accounting officers and expenditure controllers to ensure that any procurement above ₦1 million must be conducted strictly through contract awards in accordance with existing procurement laws. “All local procurement of stores and services costing above ₦1,000,000 shall be made only through award of contracts, except as otherwise provided by the Public Procurement Act,” it read.

The government insists that strict compliance with these regulations is expected across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies. As at press time, there was no official response from opposition parties regarding the new fiscal controls.

Source: https://punchng.com/fg-slashes-ministers-imprest-to-n700000/