Five indigenes of Rivers State have approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the conduct of local government elections scheduled for August 30, 2025.

The plaintiffs—Fredrick Ededeh, Benita Samuel, Jane Madubuike, Boma Aggo, and Comfort Agbom—argue that the elections are unlawful because Rivers State remains under a state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a proclamation they say has not been lifted.

They claim that holding elections during emergency rule undermines democratic principles, violates constitutional provisions, and disregards the mandatory 90-day notice for such polls. The suit also questions the legality of organising the elections under a sole administrator instead of a duly constituted electoral commission.

Their legal action mirrors earlier calls by stakeholders and civil society groups for the suspension of the elections until normal governance is restored in the state. The court is expected to announce a hearing date in the coming days.

Abdulrahman Zakariyau

The National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress, led by Interim National Chairman Senator David Mark, has assured the party’s state chairmen of their full inclusion in the opposition coalition seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

This assurance was given during a meeting held on Thursday at the Abuja residence of the interim chairman.

The meeting brought together the ADC NWC, state chairmen, and selected stakeholders.

Recall that on July 2, 2023, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Dumebi Kachikwu, alongside some state chairmen, accused Mark and interim National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, of being imposed on the party, alleging they planned to oust some state chairmen.

However, speaking after the meeting, the party’s Interim National Spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, reaffirmed the leadership’s commitment to working closely with the state chapters.

He stated, “We have invited all the state chairmen to this meeting to reassure them that we don’t have any intention to push them away. Thirty-seven state chairmen, including that of the FCT, were present.

“The purpose is to dispel all kinds of falsehood and rumours circulating around the country—that we have come to take over this party and push them aside.

We don’t have any such intention. We are here to work with them as partners to build a stronger political party. “They are assured and will leave Abuja today more confident than they were yesterday that they are partners in this coalition-building process.”

Reacting to the comments made by Kachikwu, who had rejected the coalition and criticised the emergence of the new party leadership, Abdullahi said, “A presidential candidate is not an officer of the party. He is just a member. We are on solid legal ground, and if anyone has evidence that we violated our constitution, we are open to being challenged. No ADC member has disagreed with the process so far.”

Also speaking, ADC Forum Chairman and Kogi State Chairman, Kingsley Ogga, said they had been part of the coalition discussions from the beginning.

“We have been on this process for almost three years. We have been carried along on what they planned to do and how they intended to do it.

“We sat down together, deliberated together—that is how we reached this point. Everyone was carried along, and we support what is coming up now,” he said.

Other key figures present at the meeting included former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, and former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, among others.

In a notable display of effective representation and commitment to grassroots development to enabling the economic growth of his constituency, Rt. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi has proven again that a purposeful governance and representation delivers great results.

In his usual proactive and result-driven approach as a duly elected lawmaker who is fully committed to delivering on his cardinal campaign promises to his dearly valued constituency, the vibrant lawmaker/leader that effectively represents Owerri west state constituency in the Imo state House of Assembly (IMHA) has commissioned constituency project at Umuguma__a modern daily market built to promoting and bolstering economic activities to ensure the overall welfare of his people.

The remarkable project underlines the people’s lawmaker major moves to fostering several community developments and turning his constituency to hub of economic activity in terms of doing business, and as well to enhancing a succour to the constituents for a better living.

The community of Umuguma was buzzed with excitement and happiness on Saturday, the 9th day of August 2025, regarding the completed and commissioned market-building project by the longest serving majority leader as it would foster ease of trading, and ensure commercial life among the five geopolitical blocs of the community and improve the lives of the residents.

Laudably, the leader of majority caucus of Imo 10th Assembly and Member, Rt. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi’s legislative leadership and representation has been a hallmark of equity, fairness and inclusivity. The new modern-market marks a significant unity in the community. There-by, equally enabling the five geopolitical blocs of the lucky Umuguma-community; Umuome, Umunwanyi, Umunkwo, Umuagu and Ogbuosisi to enjoyably benefit from the economic opportunities and privileges it embodies.

In commission of the landmark project, the notable personalities in attendance were Hon. Victor Osigwe (Ikeoha), the Executive Chairman of Owerri West Local Government Area (L.G.A), Hon Humphrey Umunnakwe, the All Progressive Congress (APC) political party Chairman of Owerri West Local Government Area (L.G.A), His Royal Highness (H.R.H) Dr. G.N. Ugorji (Ohamere IV of Umuguma) and the DPO of Owerri West (Umuguma Division) and women leaders from the five geopolitical blocs of the community, defining the great state of their rapture about the new development and its sacrosanctity.

A milestone that will change their doldrums of perplexity in carrying out economic activity. The populace of the community expressed their profound delight and gratitude to the prolific lawmaker for the construction of the new modern-market, which was wholeheartedly described by them as unmatched kindness and support to thier community development.

The dutiful lawmaker, Rt. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi in his remark expressed deeper gratitude to the land donors in which the market is built on for their generosity, asserting that the land donation by them is a vital contribution to the community’s growth and prosperity.

Furthermore, the vibrant lawmaker seized the opportunity to reaffirm his unwavering passion to delivering creditably in his oversight functions as a ranking lawmaker.

He enthusiastically and assuredly added in his remark that his legislative leadership is committed to fostering several community transformative projects that will improve and uplift the lives of the people.

And will remain steadfast and focused in discharging his assigned legislative duty, role, assignment, responsibility and function to sponsoring, co-sponsoring and supporting top-notch public-friendly motions and executive bills aimed at galvanizing necessary frameworks for good and proper administration of the state. Also, to ensure an administrative legality.