Politics
Why NADECO Wants ECOWAS To Probe Tinubu
Nigeria’s prodemocracy group, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) has filed a petition at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) urging the sub-regional body to save its reputation by looking into the grave allegations of certificate forgery levelled against, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria.
In the letter, dated Tuesday, October 10 and signed by Executive Director, NADECO, USA, Lloyd Ukwu, the prodemocracy group maintained that ECOWAS’s reputation was at risk of being smeared by the forgery saga involving the Nigerian leader’s certificates from the Chicago State University.
President Tinubu is also the Chairman of ECOWAS.
He averred, “The allegations are not only detrimental to the reputation of ECOWAS but also raise significant questions about the moral and legal fitness of President Tinubu to continue leading this esteemed regional body.”
NADECO expressed the position that that it was morally questionable and globally embarrassing for a president facing such allegations to hold such prominent position “within our regional organization”.
The letter read, “I write to you on behalf of NADECO USA, a pro-democracy group dedicated to the preservation and promotion of democratic values in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
“NADECO USA is also writing to you today in its capacity as a concerned corporate citizen of the West African region, deeply committed to the principles of justice, transparency, and integrity that are fundamental to the success of our esteemed regional organization, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“Firstly, we would like to express our utmost appreciation for the significant strides that ECOWAS has made over the years in promoting regional stability, economic cooperation, and sustainable development within West Africa. The collaborative efforts of member states under your memberships have undoubtedly contributed to the advancement of our region.
“However, it is with deep concern that we bring to your attention a matter of utmost importance regarding the leadership of ECOWAS.
“NADECO raises a matter of grave concern that demands our immediate attention. We believe that it is crucial for ECOWAS to uphold the highest standards of integrity and credibility in its leadership, which is paramount for the success of the organization and the region as a whole.
“Recent reports and allegations regarding the conduct of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, the current Chairman of ECOWAS, have cast a shadow over the credibility and integrity of him and by extrapolation, ECOWAS, the organization.
“It has become a public record that President Tinubu has been involved in serious allegations, including certificate forgery at the Chicago State University and other drug-related offenses in the United States of America.”
The prodemocracy boy strongly urged the subregional body to thoroughly investigate the allegations against President Tinubu.
“Again, we respectfully call upon the member states of ECOWAS to initiate a serious and thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently holds the position of Chairman.
“These allegations are not only detrimental to the reputation of ECOWAS but also raise significant questions about the moral and legal fitness of President Tinubu to continue leading this esteemed regional body. It is our strong belief that someone facing such serious allegations should not hold a position of such prominence within our regional organization.
“In light of these allegations, we humbly urge the member states of ECOWAS to uphold the highest standards of accountability and ethical leadership. As a regional body committed to the betterment of West Africa and its people, it is imperative that we maintain the utmost transparency and ethical conduct within our ranks.
“Therefore, NADECO USA makes the following threefold request on behalf of concerned citizens and stakeholders in the West African region:
“Member states of ECOWAS should call for the immediate resignation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the face of these allegations. Such allegations, if proven true, seriously undermine the credibility and trustworthiness of our organization,” it added.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has explained that the persistent crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party compelled him to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
The governor’s defection was formally announced on Monday by his deputy, Mani Mummuni, after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state and supported by political stakeholders across Zamfara.
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According to the statement, Governor Lawal had remained committed to the PDP despite the ongoing leadership crisis and had made several efforts to reconcile factions within the party.
However, attempts to achieve peace and unity reportedly failed, leading to prolonged legal battles.
The development followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court.
The earlier judgment had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governor was said to have informed political stakeholders during a series of meetings that he would make a final decision about his political future after the appellate court delivered its ruling.
Following the judgment, Lawal concluded that joining the APC would better position him to continue what he described as the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission.”
His defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Zamfara State and could influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has handed a significant setback to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, dismissing his appeal challenging a Federal High Court ruling that questioned his eligibility to contest the upcoming governorship election.
A three-member panel delivered a unanimous judgment on Monday, affirming that the trial court acted correctly when it allowed Dr Akindele Egbuwalo, the plaintiff, to amend his originating summons.
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Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who read the lead judgment, said the governor failed to show that the High Court’s decision caused any miscarriage of justice or denied him a fair hearing.
The appeal was therefore dismissed for lacking merit, and the court awarded ₦2 million in costs against Aiyedatiwa.
The ruling reinforces the November 24, 2025, Federal High Court decision in Akure, which granted Egbuwalo permission to challenge Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility for re-election.
Earlier, the Court of Appeal also rejected an application by Aiyedatiwa to set aside a January 27, 2026, order staying proceedings in the case before the Federal High Court.
The appellate court clarified that the stay was a lawful exercise of its jurisdiction aimed at protecting the integrity of the proceedings.
The panel further emphasized that attempting to overturn its own order would be akin to sitting on appeal over its own decision.
The governor’s remaining option, the court noted, is to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court. Another ₦2 million in costs was awarded against Aiyedatiwa.
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party has deepened following a ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja which upheld a ban on the party’s proposed national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A three-man panel of the appellate court on Monday dismissed an appeal filed by a faction of the party led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear a suit concerning the controversial convention.
The Turaki-led faction had approached the Court of Appeal after a Federal High Court barred the party from holding its planned national convention scheduled for November 14 and 15, 2025.
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The lower court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising or validating the proposed convention.
However, delivering judgment, the appellate court ruled that the Federal High Court had the authority to entertain the case, rejecting the argument that the matter was purely an internal affair of the party.
According to the court, the appellants could not present what it described as a clear violation of the party’s constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as merely an internal party issue.
The panel subsequently dismissed the appeal and awarded a cost of N2 million against the appellants.
The ruling is part of judgments delivered in nine harmonised appeals filed by the Turaki-led faction over the dispute surrounding the convention.
The latest court decision is expected to further intensify the internal wrangling within the opposition party as it continues to grapple with leadership disputes and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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