Before his eventual sack as the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy, Wale Edun’s exit from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cabinet has been long predicted.
Therefore, it was not a surprise that the president finally gave him a shove from the Federal executive Council, FEC on Tuesday, replacing him with Dele Oyedele who was just recently appointed by the president as Minister of State for Finance.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, the development followed a minor cabinet reshuffle by the president. Oyedele appointment, the statement said takes immediate effect.
Also appointed apart from Oyedele is Dr. Muttaqha Darma as Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.
Edun’s sack has generated some reactions from not a few Nigerians, particularly those who insist that he has played a key role in the president’s ongoing economic reforms as the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and that his removal came when the president did not give an indication that he would be replaced.
But the magazine, however, learnt that his serious health conditions may have forced the president to show him the way out from his cabinet, so that he can have enough time take care of himself.
Sources revealed that the president has been searching for Edun’s replacement since he fell sick last year, and had to be flown abroad from treatment, even though the Presidency never confirmed that he was ill at the time.
“President Tinubu wanted another round peg in a round hole to replace Edun, that’s why he has delayed his removal from his government till now. Apart from that, the president wanted to give him time to patch thing up in the ministry before his eventual exit, that’s why he was granted many months, almost up to a year before he was removed,” the source said
Adding that, “Don’t also forget that Edun and Tinubu have come a long way since the president was the governor of Lagos state, when the former minister served as the Commissioner of Finance. His health challenges have been there since that time, as he had to take a break at one time or the other from the State Executive Council, SEC to seek medical attention. “
After serving as the Commissioner of Finance in Tinubu’s cabinet as Lagos Governor, Edun had to resign his position in 2004, while Tinubu’s second term in office had just taken of because of some health problems at the time.
The former minister also faced some health problems last October, following which he was flown abroad for treatment.
The Presidency, however preferred to remain anonymous on the issue of Edun’s health until he was finally shown the exit yesterday, ending his three year’s run as Tinubu’s most strategic cabinet minister, considering his dual role as the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy.
Meanwhile, the former minister has expressed gratitude to the president for the opportunity to serve in that position.
In a statement on Tuesday, Edun said he was grateful that President Tinubu entrusted him with a key role in his cabinet since May 2023, which had enabled him to play an important role in repositioning the economy.
Any moment from now, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, will announce his resignation from the federal Executive Council, FEC.
The indication to the came on Tuesday after he met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Aso Villa, the Nigerian Presidency, Abuja, the nation’s capital, where he presented a comprehensive report on his stewardship of the power sector to the president.
The development has now put paid lips to earlier suggestions in some political quarters that another governorship aspirant, Senator Sarafadeen Ali had received the endorsement of the president to fly the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC ticket in next year’s governorship election in the state.
The submission of the report to the president, sources close to Adelabu claimed delayed his resignation from the Council to join the governorship election in the Pacesetters State.
Adelabu was supposed to have resigned his appointment following a directive to FEC members, wishing to contest the 2027 election, to resign from their positions.
Some Ministers have also acted on the president’s directive by resigning their Cabinet posts to pursue their political ambitions next year.
They include the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, Yusuf Sununu former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, Minister of Transportation, Ahmed Galadima Aminu, Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, amongst others.
They submitted their resignations over on March 31. There are however fresh claims by some sources that some federal officials, including Adelabu are set to leave their positions in few days to enable them contest next year’s elections.
According to a statement signed on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the minister, Tunji Bolaji, who said Adelabu will submit his resignations letter soon, saying he has been delayed due to his intention to ensure the ongoing reform in the nation’s Power sector.
Part of the statement: “Chief Adebayo Adelabu is expected to resign his position as Minister of Power in the coming days. The timing of his anticipated resignation reflects his commitment to addressing key sectoral challenges and ensuring continuity in ongoing reforms prior to exiting office.
“Notably, this includes efforts to stabilise the sector following recent declines in power generation due to gas supply constraints to power plants, ongoing pipeline repairs, and outstanding obligations to gas suppliers, as well as the need to secure the President’s approval for his intended resignation and gubernatorial aspiration in Oyo State.”
Meanwhile, keen political analysts watching the state insist that the governorship election race in the state has now been thrown open with the minister entering the race.
“All the initial belief that Senator Ali is Abuja’s candidate have now been fully rested. The President appears have to left all the aspirants to determine their fate by participating in a primary election, or in consensus arrangement as the party leaders may deem it fit to pick the APC candidate for the next election.
Apart from Adelabu and Senator Ali, a former Senate Leader and former PDP governorship candidate, Teslim Folarin is among the aspirants positioning to take Governor Seyi Makinde’s position after the 2027 election.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court has threatened to initiate contempt charges against the duo of the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Prof Joash Amupitan ,and the National Secretary of the Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic party PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu should they continue to disregard its valid orders.
In a notice of consequences of disobedience of Court order dated Monday April 20, 2026, the Court in Form 48 warned that the duo risk imprisonment if they continue to disobey its judgment of January 12, 2026, relating to the internal and leadership crisis within the PDP.
“Take notice that unless you stop further disobedience and comply forthwith/obey the judgment/order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, made on the 12th of January 2026, which dismissed the suit of Senator Samuel N Anyanwu challenging his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic party PDP, you will be guilty of contempt and you will be liable to be committed to prison”, the court notice reads.
The Source reports that the PDP, on the strength of the reports and recommendations of the Chief Tom Ikimi-led National Disciplinary Committee NDC, suspended and later expelled Anyanwu and others over alleged gross anti-party activities and misconducts.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu
Their expulsion was formally executed at the November 14 and 15, 2025, National Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
However, Anyanwu, then National Secretary of the PDP under the Iliya Damangun-led National Executive Committee, NEC, approached the FCT High Court seeking the nullification of his purported suspension and expulsion.
Senator Anyanwu, in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/1050/2025, also sought an order of the Court setting aside both the reports of the NDC and his purported expulsion.
But Justice Halilu, in his ruling on January 12, 2026, while dismissing Anyanwu’s appeal for lacking in merit ,held that the matter before the court was non-justiciable as it was within the internal affairs of the party.
The FCT High Court warning is coming on the heels of demands by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP for INEC to withdraw its recognition of Anyanwu as the Secretary of the party.
The faction in a strongly-worded letter last week , addressed to the electoral umpire , warned that it will not hesitate to initiate contempt charges should the INEC continue to ignore a valid subsisting court order.
The Turaki-led faction in its petition drew attention to the FCT High Court ruling of January 12 ,2026, which affirmed the suspension and expulsion of Anyanwu from the PDP.
The party emphasized that the disciplinary action against Anyanwu and others was sequel to the reports and recommendations of the NDC of March 10, 2025.
In the petition signed by its legal team led by Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, the Turaki-led faction argued that the implication of the expulsion and its judicial affirmation is that Anyanwu has long seized to be a member of the party and, therefore, can no longer act on behalf of the party in any capacity whatsoever.
According to the faction, Anyanwu being very aware of the implications of the judicial affirmation of his suspension and expulsion, only decided to file an appeal just a few days ago ( April 10,2026) after almost three months of the court’s verdict.
“By implication, the judgment of the court dismissing his case challenging his expulsion is subsisting, and remain in force, and the Commission has the constitutional obligation to enforce, comply and implement the judgment even without prompting”, the PDP stated.
But in its reaction ,the Wike-backed PDP faction , while denying the suspension and expulsion of Anyanwu and others, insisted that the appeal filed at the Appellate court on April 10 ,was done in error ,and will soon be withdrawn.
In a statement on Saturday April 18, 2026, from its spokesperson, Hon Jungudo Haruna, the faction,also, noted that the legal action instituted by Anyanwu is not in connection with his purported expulsion, but originated from a case filed at a Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the party, the said motion on notice is challenging the competence and proceedings of the Ikimi-led NDC.
It explained.that the NDC reports and recommendations were never at any point deliberated on and ratified by the National Working Committee NWC of the party.
“The recommendations had no binding effect and no valid suspension existed at any time ” Haruna stated
The Wike-backed PDP emphasized that the FCT High Court presided over by Honourable Justice Halilu did not affirm any expulsion or suspension ,but rather dismissed Anyanwu’s suit on the ground that the matter falls under the internal affairs of the party and therefore non-justiciable.
The opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, has expressed deep shock and concern over reports which suggest that only about seven per cent of the total budgetary allocation to the Military for the 2025 fiscal year has been released by the Federal Government.
This is as the party warned that the non-release of budgeted funds has severely hampered the procurement of security equipment, and weakened operations on the military front lines and theatres of operations.
The ADC’s alarm bell is tolling in the middle of avoidable deaths of both senior and junior military personnel at military formations, particularly within the security- challenged regions of Nigeria of late.
In a statement from Bolaji Abdullahi, its spokesperson on Tuesday April 21, 2026, the ADC alleged that out of the total budgetary allocation of N336.76 billion for security equipment and logistics in the 2025 fiscal year, only N16.71bn has been released.
According to the party, this ugly situation has resulted in lack of funds for the servicing of key logistics including transport, fuel for aircraft and maintenance of barracks, and military bases.
The party expressed serious concern that such a lackadaisical attitude towards the military is coming at a very critical moment that the country is facing security challenges.
It emphasized that the poor funding of military operations have resulted in some serious consequences including mass abduction of innocent citizens, and wanton loss of lives of military personnel, particularly in the North-east region of the country.
The party noted with regret reports indicating that over 400 women and children abducted in Ngoshe Borno State are presently facing threat of death in insurgents’ den.
“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, is appalled by recent reports that only about seven per cent of the Nigerian Army’s budget for security equipment has been released in the 2025 fiscal year.
“Out of the N336.76.billion approved, only a paltry N16.71 billion has reportedly been disbursed, while nothing has been released for critical logistics such as transport, aircraft fuel and military barracks.
“At a time when Nigeria is battling widespread insecurity, this is not just disturbing, it is indefensible.
“Reports indicate that over 400 women and children abducted in Ngoshe, Borno State are now the subject of a N5 billion ransom demand by Boko Haram, with a 72-hour ultimatum, and chilling threat that the victims may be dispersed and never seen again if the Government fails to act.
“The connection between these two realities is direct. When only a fraction of security funds is released, when nothing is provided for logistics like mobility and fuel, and when equipment procurement is delayed, the result is predictable.
“And when the state looks weak, those who threaten it grow stronger with devastating consequences for ordinary Nigerians”, the ADC stated.
According to the opposition Coalition, while critical security agencies are starved of funds, the Government has continued to lavish money on such frivolous projects as the maintenance of unwieldy presidential air fleet.”
The party warned that the negative effects of such gross misplacement of priorities by the Government have already begun to manifest across the country, with farmers, and Communities left vulnerable and unable to return to their farms.
“While the military struggles with chronic underfunding, the Federal Government has reportedly ensured full funding for the luxurious presidential air fleet enjoyed by the President ,and his immediate family, even as military aircrafts remain grounded due to lack of resources.
“A Government that releases only seven per cent of security equipment funds, and nothing for critical logistics cannot claim to be serious about winning the war against terror.
“You cannot starve our brave men and women in uniform of the tools they need and expect them to defeat a determined, and well-armed enemy.
“This is not just a budgeting failure, it is a failure of leadership”, the ADC declared.
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, has formally nominated, Murtala Sule Garo as the new Deputy Governor of the State.
Garo, the All Progressive Congress, APC gubernatorial running mate in the 2023 general elections, if confirmed by the House of Assembly, will be replacing eirstwhile Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulssalam Gwarzo, who resigned his position a couple of weeks ago on the heels of the realignment processes in the State.
The former Deputy Governor was forced to vacate his office following the commencement of impeachment proceedings against him by the State Lawmakers over alleged gross financial misconduct and abuse of office.
However, not a few observers believe that his travails stemmed from his refusal to join Governor Yusuf in defecting from their original political platform- the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP to the APC in February, 2026.
The former Deputy Governor had, instead, preferred to stick with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Yusuf’s estranged godfather and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement in Kano.
Comrade Gwarzo has since joined forces with the opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC, alongside Kwankwaso and Dr Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the 2023 APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 elections.
The appointment of Garo, who served as the Kano State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs through out the eight years of the immediate past Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, ( 2015-2023) was contained in a statement from Mustapha Muhammad, the Governor’s spokesperson late Tuesday evening.
According to the statement, the nomination of Garo is in line with Section 191 ( 3) of the 1999 constitution ( as amended), which empowers the Governor to nominate a Deputy Governor where a vacancy exists.
“Following wide consultations with key stakeholders ,the Governor has requested the Assembly to grant the necessary approval for Garo’s nomination.
“48 year old Murtala Sule Garo is a season political administrator with over two decades of service in both elective and appointed positions.
“He served as State Organizing Secretary of his party , Special Adviser to the Kano state Governor ,and elected Kabo Local Government Chairman.
“He also served as Chairman of ALGON Kano, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, and Deputy Governorship Candidate of the APC in the 2023 general elections.
“His nomination is part of the efforts to strengthen governance and sustain effective service delivery in Kano state”, the statement reads.
The nomination of Garo ,who was strongly recommended by the political camp of the immediate past National Chairman of the APC ,Dr Ganduje, brings to an end weeks of intense politicking and lobbying for the state’s second highest office.
Governor Hope Uzodimma has vowed to prevent any form of “hostile takeover” of power in Imo politics, stressing that justice, inclusion and consensus remain key to sustaining peace in the State.
Speaking Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at a meeting with the Imo Elders Council at the Government House Banquet Hall in Owerri, the Governor said lessons from the 2020 crisis when he came into office underscored the dangers of political exclusion.
He noted that a panel led by Emeritus Catholic Archbishop Anthony Obinna found marginalisation to be a major trigger of instability.
“Anyone denied justice may not be committed to peace. We will eliminate any type of hostile takeover by building consensus among ourselves,” Uzodimma maintained.
While receiving the report of the Imo Elders Council on “Charter of Equity”, he described the Elders Council as “the conscience of the State,” explaining that it was established by law to guide governance beyond any administration.
The Governor disclosed plans to amend the law to strengthen the Council’s authority, including sanctioning members who resort to deliberate misconduct.
On the Imo Charter of Equity report, Uzodimma reiterated that it takes into consideration fair distribution of key political offices across the three senatorial zones, urging stakeholders to respect zoning arrangements and avoid divisive politics.
He also reaffirmed the State’s alignment with the Federal Government, acknowledging the support of President BolaTinubu.
The Governor expressed optimism that adherence to equity and justice would guarantee stability and a smooth political transition in Imo State.
“Charter of Equity has come to stay. Listen to the voice of reason and believe in the Charter of Equity. Work with the Federal Government and support the President. And go home and pray and allow God to do the remaining,” Uzodimma said.
The Governor promised to consult further with the leadership of all the three zones that comprise Imo – Okigwe, Owerri and Orlu – to deepen the consensus that will lead to the political stability that has eluded Imo State over the years.
He assured the Elders Council that their job will not end with his administration as the body will continue to advise future Governors in Imo State.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Imo Elders Council, HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, commended Governor Uzodimma for promoting unity in the State, noting that sustainable development can only be achieved when all regions progress together.
Ilomuanya urged that the Imo Charter of Equity should go beyond rhetorics and be implemented through fair appointments, balanced project distribution and equal opportunities across the State’s zones.
He described the Charter as a commitment to building an inclusive Imo where no area feels marginalised and every citizen can aspire to leadership without discrimination.
He further advised the Governor to remain guided by the principles of fairness, justice and peace embedded in the Charter.
The meeting ended with prayers for continued peace, unity and progress in Imo State, alongside a renewed call for collective responsibility in advancing the State’s development agenda.
Present at the event were the Deputy Governor of the State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband, Barr. Chukwuma Ekomaru; former Deputy Governor, Lady Ada Okwuonu, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, some stakeholders and opinion leaders of the State and members of the State Executive Council.
President Bola Tinubu has sacked his Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr Wale Edu, in a move that has shocked those who know how close to each other both men are.
Edun, a confidant of the President was a Commissioner in Tinubu’s Government when he was Governor, and later, the Chairman of the President’s Publishing Company which publishes The Nation Newspapers.
However, others said the President was not expected to sacrifice more competence over friendship.
Sacked with Edun is Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
Taiwo Oyedele: Replaced Wale Edun.
Their removal by President Bola Tinubu followed a minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council announced on Tuesday.
According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the two cabinet members, Mr. Edun and Arc. Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.
Edun was directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, recently appointed Minister of State, Finance, who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, PhD, has been named as the Ministerial nominee for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.
The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the Ministry.
The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”
Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
The President thanked the outgoing Ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.
The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”
It is not known exactly why Edun was sacked suddenly, but not a few fingers are pointing at the still shaky economy, and especially the embarrassing blocking of the Villa gate on Monday, April 21, by protesting retired Policemen and Women over their pension. They want out of the Contributory Pension Scheme.
For the records, however, not a few people had speculated as soon as Oyedele was appointed Minister of State, Finance, that Edun would soon be out of the Federal Cabinet.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Monday, April 20, 2026, pulled off what could pass as the longest adjournment of a pending litigation in the chequered history of the Judiciary with the announcement of April 19, 2027, as the new date for the continuation of proceedings in the festering tussle for the control of the revered traditional throne of the ancient Kano Emirate.
While the unusual judicial move may have jolted not a few, keen observers of the almost three-year struggle for the throne have come to perceive the development as representing part of a well-scripted blueprint for the actualization of the second term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Instructively too, the unusual adjournment to some, appears to highlight the stark reality about institutional capture in the country’s democratic arrangement of late.
What could have ordinarily passed as just a routine change of baton within the leadership structure of the Kano Emirate snowballed into a full blown tussle following the alleged partisan roles of the powers-that-be.
The President, it is alleged, in concert with some Kano political figures, including then National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, had queued behind the factional 15th Emir Aminu Ado Bayero to continue to stake his claim to the throne following his controversial dethronement on Thursday, May 23, 2024, by Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf.
Governor Yusuf had rallied the subservient Kano State House of Assembly to hurriedly amend the State’s Emirate Council laws to pave for the reinstatement of the 16th Emir of Kano, Mohammad Sanusi II, after shoving aside Bayero.
Interestingly, Sanusi, as the 14th Emir of Kano, was deposed by the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in 2020 and replaced with Emir Bayero whose late father, Ado Bayero was the 13th Emir.
As at the time of his dethronement,
Emir Aminu Bayero, who was out of Kano state, was said to have initially decided to accept his fate as the will of God.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
But with Governor Yusuf, his then political godfather and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Emir Sanusi, cousin to the Governor, on the other side of the political divide (New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP), some APC chieftains marshalled by then National Chairman Dr Ganduje, allegedly collaborated with Federal authorities to escort back to Kano, the deposed 15th Emir Bayero.
While Emir Sanusi holds court at the Kofar Kudu main palace in the City ,Emir Bayero operates from the Nasarawa mini palace which serves as a monsleum for past Emirs.
Similarly, while the Kano state Government recognizes and provides all the logistical supports including security, and legal costs for Emir Sanusi, the Federal Government, through some APC stalwarts in the state continue to allegedly back Emir Bayero.
Besides the general air of tension and anxiety generated by the unusual situation whereby Kano Emirate hosts two Emirs at a time, the development also resulted in the severe disruption of the cultural heritage of the people.
For the past three years, the ancient and rich cultural and religious Sallah Dubar festivities have not been held over fears of eruption of violence and instability.
Security agencies, particularly the Police, have, in the last three years, suspended the Sallah Dubar celebration, citing the insistence of the two rival Emirs to observe the festivities simultaneously, as well as the high possibility of clashes between their supporters as major reasons for their action.
Expectedly, the two contending forces have since turned to the Courts in a bid to assert their authorities on the throne with a plethora of litigations from both sides.
However, the Supreme Court in 2025, in an effort to enforce sanity amidst conflicting and embarrassing judicial pronouncements,moved to consolidate all the appeals from both parties.
The consolidation exercise had, also, rekindled hopes of the prolonged tussle coming to end sooner than later, with both parties waiting with anxiously for the final decision by the apex court.
However, the unusual long adjournment of proceedings by the country’s apex court has, in the main, not only raised questions about motives, but also the presumed independence of the Judicial arm of Government in the country.
This magazine gathered that the unprecedented long adjournment may have been allegedly instigated by the need to protect the political interest of President Tinubu in the swing state of Kano.
According to an impacable source, the President, after the recent realignment processes in the State, which has seen political actors going in opposition directions, does not want to be caught in-between the Emirate stool crisis.
“Don’t forget that the President, for the same political reason, was initially a big factor in the refusal of the deposed 15th Emir Aminu Bayero to accept his fate.
“In fact, it is a well known fact that the Federal Government, through one prominent security chief has been the lifewire of Emir Bayero in the face of the Kano State Government’s efforts to boot him out of the throne.
“When this crisis began in 2024, the Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, his former leader, Emir Sanusi, who is closely related to the Governor, were on one side .
“On the other hand, the Federal Government , through some powerful forces and APC members from Kano were backing Emir Bayero.
“Now, the situation on the ground is dicey in that, you know politicians, nothing is too much for them to sacrifice to achieve their ambition.
“The problem appears to be that when they were negotiating with Governor Yusuf to join APC, they may have relegated the Emirate throne crisis to the background.
“May be, they had taught that it will not become an issue in the election of 2027. But the truth is that the outcome of the Emirship crisis will have serious implications both for the President and the Governor.
“So, I am not surprised that they have moved to put everything on hold until after the election. But I doubt if it will help them because the people are already aware of the game they are playing.
“We know that Bayero may have been sacrificed. Yes. This is because the Governor is a blood relation of Emir Sanusi, and nobody is expecting him to turn his back at him now, after taking the risk of installing him in the first place. But the people are not deceived. Even the Bayero camp, is aware of what is going on.
“The President is just trying to be smart politically”, a source volunteered.
He, however, expressed serious concern and regret that the Judiciary, rather than reassuring and re-building its image, has, instead, continued to engage in actions that undermine and erode public trust and confidence.
“Although ,they (Supreme Court) may explain away this weird adjournment by insisting they want to concentrate on resolving political matters ahead of the 2027 elections, I am not sure the people will believe them .
“This is because their antecedents of late suggests that this may be yet another decision influenced by the executive branch of Government.
“I, for one ,will not be convinced that this is not another disappointing case of state capture because if the Supreme Court is not under pressure to halt the Emirate case, they can decide the matter in weeks if not days. After all, they are not taking any new arguments from the parties. Theirs is to examine pronouncements already made by the trial and Appeal Courts”, he added.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has affirmed the judgment of an Abuja Federal High Court which recognized the Senator Esther Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party, LP, as the authentic national leadership of the party.
The Source reports that Honourable Justice Peter Lifu of Abuja Federal High Court had in January, 2027, ruled to affirm the Supreme Court verdict of April 4, 2025 , sacking the Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee NEC of the LP.
The apex court in the judgment, while holding that issues bordering on the internal and leadership leadership issues of political parties are non-justiciable, also, declared the Nnewi National Convention that threw out Abure-led leadership as null and void.
The Supreme Court noted that the controversial Convention came long after the tenure of the Abure-led NEC had elapsed.
But dissatisfied with the trial Court’s judgment, Abure approached the Appellate Court seeking a reversal, and also an order mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to recognise him as the duly elected National Chairman of the LP.
However, in a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the Appellate Court, comprising Justices Oyejoju Oyewumi ,A B Mohammed ,and Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, April 21,2026, while affirming the trial Court’s earlier ruling, held that the apex court of the land had conclusively settled the leadership tussle in the LP with the nullification of the Nnewi Convention that purportedly threw up Barr Abure for a second term in office as the National Chairman.
The Appellate Court similarly agreed with the position of the trial Court in ordering the Electoral Commission to recognise the Nenadi Usman-led interim national leadership of the party.
Citing Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the Court of Appeal panel, equally held that the Court is empowered to compel Government institutions, including INEC to perform their statutory functions as was done by the trial court.
The Appellate court concurred with the trial Court, that the September 4, 2025, constitution of the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee was in tandem with the “doctrine of necessity,” to avoid a leadership vacuum.
The panel berated both the Abure-led NEC ,and the Nasarawa state High Court over abuse of Court processes ,and engagment in forum- shopping on a matter that had earlier been conclusively settled by the highest court in the land.
The Panel consequently dismissed Abure’s appeal ,and awarded N10 million against him.
Meanwhile, Senator Usman while reacting to the Court’s verdict, appreciated party faithful across the country for their patience, support and understanding.
This was as he described the ruling as a victory for the rule of law and democracy, commending the Judiciary for its courage and steadfastness in upholding justice ,in the face of deliberate attempts by some forces to undermine the integrity of the system.
After three years of no record of infection, the Cross River State Government has confirmed a fresh case of COVID-19, raising concerns about a possible resurgence of the virus in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Calabar, the state capital.
He revealed that the index case involves a Chinese national working with Lafarge, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 before falling ill weeks later.
According to Ayuk, the patient’s condition deteriorated at a state medical facility, prompting an emergency transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where further medical investigations were conducted.
“At UCTH, samples were taken in line with established protocols, and it was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms consistent with COVID-19,” Ayuk said, adding that the patient is currently responding to treatment.
Despite the development, the commissioner attempted to allay fears, stating that the state’s health system had been strengthened to effectively respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
He noted that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River was recorded in 2022, stressing that preliminary findings suggest the patient may have contracted the virus within Nigeria.
“The incubation period for COVID-19 ranges between two and 14 days. However, this individual arrived in the country on March 17 and only began showing symptoms on April 10, which exceeds the typical incubation window,” Ayuk explained.
Health authorities have since launched contact tracing efforts to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the patient.
The state has also activated its emergency response centre and deployed rapid response teams to Akamkpa Local Government Area, where the patient is based.
“There is no way to completely stop the virus, but we can prevent an outbreak by containing it effectively and ensuring it does not lead to fatalities,” Ayuk added.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator in Cross River, Dr. Yewande Olatunde, warned that COVID-19 has not been eradicated globally and urged residents to remain vigilant and adhere to public health guidelines.
