
The African Democratic Congress ADC national convention is set to proceed at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja, despite earlier concerns regarding the venue. Senator Dino Melaye, a chieftain of the ADC, confirmed this to journalists at the convention site. This development follows allegations by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party鈥檚 National Publicity Secretary, who claimed on Monday night that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA attempted to pressure the venue owner into canceling the event. Abdullahi described this as political intimidation, stating that a formal contract had been signed and payments made for the venue. Melaye reiterated that the party would proceed with the event as planned due to a binding contract. Neither Wike nor the FCDA had responded to these specific allegations. Earlier, Kola Ologbondiyan, media aide to the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, had expressed concerns about securing a venue, alleging sabotage and stating that applications for Eagle Square and Moshood Abiola National Stadium were unsuccessful. Wike, however, denied these claims, asserting that no formal application had been received and that Eagle Square is accessible to all groups following due process.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadThe Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that had nullified parts of the Independent National Electoral Commission's INEC electoral guidelines for the 2027 general elections. The appellate court ruled unanimously that the Youth Party, which initiated the lawsuit, lacked the legal standing to challenge the guidelines. Justice Adebukola Banjoko, whose lead judgment was read by Justice Okon Abang, stated that the Youth Party failed to demonstrate how the guidelines negatively impacted it or its members regarding primary elections or candidate submissions for the 2027 polls. The court concluded that the Youth Party did not establish any injury from the guidelines to justify the suit. The three-member panel also found that Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court erred in his May 20 ruling, which had deemed the guidelines inconsistent with certain provisions of the Electoral Act. Justice Umar's earlier judgment had stated that INEC lacked the power to compel political parties to conduct primaries within commission-fixed timelines and had nullified aspects requiring parties to submit membership registers and candidate particulars ahead of statutory timelines. INEC had appealed this decision, arguing through its counsel, Dr Alex Izinyom, that the Federal High Court did not address its preliminary objection that the suit was hypothetical. The Court of Appeal upheld INEC's appeal, vacating the Federal High Court's judgment and thereby rest

Tein Jack-Rich, an All Progressives Congress chieftain and former presidential aspirant, has called for enhanced economic and investment collaboration between Nigeria and the United States. Speaking in Washington, DC, after receiving an award at the Celebrate America 250 event, Jack-Rich emphasized that deeper partnerships would foster industrialization, job creation, and economic growth across Africa. He urged the US to expand trade, investment, and technology partnerships with Nigeria and the rest of Africa, stating that the continent's economic potential relies on such collaboration. Jack-Rich described the US as Africa's most dependable strategic partner and suggested that positioning Nigeria as America's primary economic partner in Africa would stimulate industrial development continent-wide. He highlighted Nigeria's vast resources, including oil, gas, critical minerals, agriculture, and its youthful population, as key attractions for American investors. Eric Trump, son of US President Donald Trump, also spoke at the event, acknowledging Africa's promising investment potential and advocating for stronger US economic engagement to prevent other global powers from filling the void. He noted that expanding partnerships with African countries aligns with President Donald Trump's economic agenda. Nigeria and the United States share a significant commercial relationship, with American companies active in various Nigerian sectors, and both countries aim for increased foreign di
Must ReadThe United States House of Representatives has adopted an amendment, sponsored by Congressman Gregory Steube, to withhold 100% of US assistance to Nigeria. This measure is contingent on Nigeria meeting specific conditions to address violence. The amendment, approved by a voice vote, was added to the fiscal 2027 State Department spending bill, which subsequently passed the House. Congressman Steube stated that American taxpayers should not fund governments that disregard the abduction, torture, and murder of Christians. The original bill proposed withholding 50% of funds until the US Secretary of State certified Nigeria had taken effective steps to prevent violence and hold perpetrators accountable. Steube's amendment increased this to 100% while keeping the certification conditions the same. He argued that Nigeria's government has failed to address a wave of violence and that foreign aid should not reward failure, also citing America's national debt. This measure still requires Senate approval and the President's signature to take effect. The vote follows President Donald Trump redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in 2025 and a US missile strike on Nigerian territory, despite a subsequent security partnership between the two nations targeting terrorist groups.