The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed a suit filed by Sen. Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking an order for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise its faction.
Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a judgment, described the suit as “an abuse of court process, unmeritorious and lacking in merit.”
Justice Ibrahim held that the plaintiffs had failed to prove any entitlement to the reliefs sought
The judge equally agreed with the preliminary objection filed by the INEC that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case.
Justice Ibrahim, who affirmed the leadership of Mohammed Abdulrahman-led PDP, the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said “the preliminary objections filed by all the defendants succeed.”
The judge earlier struck out the name of PDP as 8th plaintiff from the suit, while agreeing with the Abdulrahman-led argument that the 1st to 7th plaintiffs had no authority to file the case on behalf of the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the Wabara-led BoT had filed the fresh suit.
They had sought an order of the court compelling INEC to recognise the PDP interim National Working Committee (NWC)’s faction led by its National Chairman, Kabir Turaki, SAN, in its official website, among others.
They said the names of members of the Kabir Turaki-led NWC was forwarded to the electoral umpire via their letters dated May 4.
NAN reports that the originating summons, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was filed on June 4 by a team of lawyers led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN.
The BoT members, who are plaintiffs in the suit, are ex-Senate President Adolphus Wabara; BoT Secretary, former Gov. Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger; ex-Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana and PDP chieftain, Olabode George as 1st to 4th plaintiffs.
Others are the former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma; also an ex-Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina; member of BoT and NEC, Dame Esther Uduehi and PDP as 5th to 8th plaintiffs respectively.
They sued INEC as sole defendant in the suit.
But the PDP faction, loyal to the minister of FCT, approached the court and challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.
NUJ President urges collaboration, capacity building to secure future of journalism
NUJ President urges collaboration, capacity building to secure future of journalism
Journalism
By Aisha Cole
Ibadan, July 17, 2026 (NAN)The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Alhaji Alhassan Yahya, on Friday, urged union leaders to embrace collaboration and capacity building to secure the future of journalism in Nigeria.
Yahya made the call at the opening of a three-day retreat for executives of the NUJ and National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in the South-West Zone on Friday in Ibadan.
Yahya, who was represented by the NUJ National Deputy President, Dr Abimbola Oyetunde, said that meeting was convened to provide opportunity to reflect on the profession and strengthen unity among journalists across the South-West region.
He described the theme, “Stronger Together: Collaboration, Capacity and Sustainability for the Future of Journalism,” as timely amid challenges posed by technology, AI, misinformation and economic pressures.
The NUJ president also said that the realities demanded that journalists work together, build capacity continuously, and develop sustainable strategies to secure the profession and meet evolving audience expectations.
“Over three days, participants will engage in capacity-building sessions, exchange ideas, strengthen networks and rejuvenate.
“Delegates should contribute actively to enrich our collective knowledge,” he said.
Yahya said that the retreat demonstrated the NUJ and NAWOJ’s enduring partnership to promote ethical journalism, defend press freedom, encourage professionalism and nurture the next generation of journalists.
He appreciated NUJ and NAWOJ national executives, its South-West leadership, and also the Oyo as well as the Ogun councils, organisers, sponsors and partners for the initiative.
Also, a former NAWOJ National President, Hajia Ifeyinwa Omowole, commended the facilitators and the NUJ National Deputy President for their commitment to journalists’ welfare.
Omowole urged delegates to use the opportunity to refresh their knowledge and forge ahead in the noble profession.
NUJ Lagos State Chairman and Chairman of South-West NUJ Leaders, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, urged journalists to speak with one voice to achieve greater success in unionism.
He commended participants from the six states in Zone B for their doggedness and commitment to strengthening union bonds.
The former NAWOJ South-West Chairperson, Mrs Olusola Jacob, commended Omowole for consistently organising the South-West retreat, saying it had helped to make the union stronger.
She urged NUJ and NAWOJ members to sustain the tempo to ensure greater progress in union activities.
The NUJ Vice President, Zone B, Mrs Ronke Sami, also commended women leaders in the media for the collaborative initiative.
Sami urged members to sustain the strong collaboration existing in the zone for collective growth.
In her contribution, NAWOJ Vice Chairperson, Zone B, Mrs Adeola Adekunle, said women journalists in Nigeria had paid a high price for truth-telling, including imprisonment and harassment.
Adekunle said women’s sacrifices remain central to journalism’s future and democratic accountability in the country.
She cited the 1995 arrest of Chris Anyanwu under the Abacha regime and the detention of Ladi Olorunyomi, noting that intimidation had evolved from military tribunals to online abuse and political threats.
The NAWOJ vice president also added that BBC’s Kiki Mordi faced coordinated online attacks after her sexual harassment investigation, while election reporter Bolanle Olabimtan had her phone seized in 2023.
Adekunle listed ongoing challenges to include online gender-based abuse, workplace sexual harassment, under-representation in leadership, limited mentorship, and safety risks.
She said that these were not just women’s issues but journalism issues, warning that silencing women erodes perspectives, community representation, and democratic accountability.
Speaking on the theme “Collaboration, Capacity and Sustainability,” Adekunle urged greater investment in digital safety, leadership, mental health, and newsrooms that protect women and prevent burnout.
She said that while past generations paid with freedom and safety, the responsibility now was to build institutions to celebrate courage and not simply journalism.
