The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the seat of Abubakar Gummi, member of the House of Representatives representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, vacant following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the judgment, ruled that lawmakers cannot transfer the people’s mandate to another political party. He subsequently ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacant seat. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the court also restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, from further recognising Gummi as a sitting member representing the constituency. Justice Egwuatu granted all the reliefs sought by the PDP and its Zamfara State Chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, and condemned the increasing wave of defections among elected officials. He cautioned politicians against treating defection as routine, emphasizing that they must uphold the will and trust of the electorate. “Before I take my fingers off the keyboard, let me just add that politicians should respect the wishes of the electorates that elected them into office. "A situation where the electorates have made their choices between different political parties and their candidates based on the manifestos and marketability of such a political party, it is legally and morally wrong for such a politician to abandon the party under which platform he or she was elected into office and move to a rival party without relinquishing the mandate of his or her former party. “If a person must decamp, don’t decamp with the mandate of the electorates. "Don’t transfer the votes garnered on the platform of one party to another party. “A politician has no such right to transfer votes of a political party to another political party. “The law must punish such moves by taking away the benefits bestowed upon the decampee politician by the electorate. “And that is what Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution has done. “Political prostitution must not be rewarded." Justice Egwuatu consequently held that Gummi, having defected from the PDP to the APC “before the expiration of the period the house was elected, automatically loses his seat as a member of the House of Representatives.” The court also barred him from receiving any further salaries or allowances from October 30, 2024, and ordered him to refund all such monies collected during the period. “An order is made directing that the evidence of the refund of all monies collected as salaries, allowances or howsoever called be filed in the registry of this court within 30 days of the judgment of this court,” the judge added. The court further awarded a fine of N500,000 in favour of the plaintiffs against the defendants.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has halted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s planned 2025 National Convention until the party fully complies with its constitution, statutory procedures, and the provisions of the Electoral Act. In his ruling on a suit filed by three aggrieved party members, Justice Omotosho also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing or accepting any report from a PDP national convention conducted without due process or adherence to INEC’s guidelines and regulations. The court held that INEC cannot give legal effect to any convention that fails to meet the requirements of the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and relevant regulations governing political parties. The plaintiffs had approached the court to stop the PDP’s planned National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers were to be elected, citing violations of the party’s internal laws and procedures. Listed as defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.

The Executive Director of Services on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Favour Izoukumo, has expressed strong support for an innovative youth empowerment initiative by the Visionary Pathfinder Team, a non-governmental organization led by its President, Mr. Quinton Tekedor. During a courtesy visit to Chief Izoukumo’s office, the team presented their proposal and briefed him on their forthcoming program themed *“Living Beyond the Oil.”* The initiative seeks to reorient the mindset of Niger Delta youths by promoting creativity, innovation, and sustainable ventures beyond the oil and gas sector. Chief Izoukumo commended the group for their foresight and commitment to positive change, describing the initiative as timely and relevant. He urged the team to remain steadfast in their mission and to submit a more comprehensive proposal to facilitate meaningful support from his office. In his remarks, Mr. Quinton Tekedor expressed appreciation to Chief Izoukumo for his warm reception, encouragement, and consistent advocacy for youth development. He reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to driving transformation and empowering young people across the Niger Delta to embrace new opportunities beyond oil dependency.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is set to lead a global prayer session on Sunday, November 2, 2025, dedicated to singles, matured singles, waiting mothers, expectant mothers, and their families. The special thanksgiving service, themed **“A Morning of Divine Visitation,”** will take place at the RCCG National Headquarters, The Throne of Grace, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, starting at 8:00 a.m. Worshippers from around the world are expected to participate both physically and virtually through the church’s official social media channels. According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Assistant to the General Overseer (Administration), Pastor Oladele Balogun, the event was divinely ordained to bring comfort, healing, and breakthroughs to millions seeking marital settlement, fruitfulness, and new beginnings. “This Thanksgiving Service promises to be a morning of divine encounters, restoration, and testimonies,” the statement read. “Pastor Adeboye will minister under a special unction to break yokes, release joy, and usher participants into long-awaited answers to prayers.” The church noted that recent population surveys in Nigeria show that singles and matured singles aged 20 to 45 make up over 40 per cent of the adult population — a demographic often seeking marital fulfilment. It also acknowledged that millions of women globally continue to believe God for the fruit of the womb, underscoring the relevance of the intercession. To ease attendance, RCCG-branded buses will operate from major bus stops in Lagos from 6:30 a.m. to convey worshippers to the venue. First-time visitors will also receive modest gifts and tokens of love. With RCCG’s presence in over 190 nations, the event is expected to unite millions of faithful worldwide in one spirit of prayer, faith, and thanksgiving. Quoting Luke 1:37, Pastor Adeboye reaffirmed the divine assurance that “with God, nothing shall be impossible.”

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has instituted legal action against the Bayelsa State House of Assembly at the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged plot to impeach him. In the suit, marked **FHC/ABJ/CS/221/2025**, Ewhrudjakpo claimed that members of the Assembly were being pressured to remove him from office because of his refusal to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — the platform on which he and Governor Douye Diri were elected. While Governor Diri recently resigned from the PDP, Ewhrudjakpo has maintained his membership of the party. Represented by his counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, the deputy governor also alleged that some local government chairpersons, including Alice Tange of Sagbama LGA, were facing threats of removal for similarly refusing to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ewhrudjakpo is seeking several interim injunctions, including an order restraining the state Assembly from commencing or conducting any impeachment proceedings against him for remaining in the PDP. He argued that such action would violate Sections 188(5)-(9), (11) and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He also asked the court to restrain the Assembly from recognising or dealing with any APC member as the deputy governor of Bayelsa State. Additionally, he is seeking an order preventing the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Bayelsa State Attorney-General from withdrawing his security protection pending the determination of the motion on notice. After hearing Egwuaba’s ex parte application on October 27 — as contained in a certified true copy dated October 29 — Justice Emeka Nwite directed all defendants to appear before the court to show cause why the interim orders should not be granted. The listed defendants include the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, the Bayelsa State Attorney-General, the State Chief Judge, and the Clerk of the Assembly. Justice Nwite held that the interest of justice would be best served by allowing the defendants to appear and state their positions before a ruling on the interim injunction. The case was adjourned to **November 13, 2025**, for the defendants to show cause, after which the court will proceed to hear the substantive motion on notice.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the imposition of a 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel imports into Nigeria. The move, aimed at safeguarding local refineries and stabilising the downstream oil market, is expected to trigger a rise in pump prices nationwide. According to a letter dated October 21, 2025 — made public on October 30, 2025 — and addressed to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the President directed the immediate enforcement of the new tariff under what the government described as a “market-responsive import tariff framework.” The directive, conveyed through a letter signed by his Private Secretary, Damilotun Aderemi, followed a proposal submitted by the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Zacch Adedeji. The proposal recommended a 15 per cent duty on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of imported petrol and diesel to reflect prevailing domestic market conditions. In his memo to the President, Adedeji noted that the initiative was part of the administration’s broader reforms to encourage local refining, promote price stability, and strengthen Nigeria’s naira-based oil economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda for energy security and fiscal sustainability. “The core objective of this initiative is to operationalise crude transactions in local currency, strengthen local refining capacity, and ensure a stable, affordable supply of petroleum products across Nigeria,” Adedeji stated. The FIRS boss also warned that the current misalignment between locally refined products and import parity pricing has created instability in the market. “While domestic refining of petrol has begun to increase and diesel sufficiency has been achieved, price instability persists, partly due to the misalignment between local refiners and marketers,” he wrote.

The Chairman of Obotobo 1 Federated Community, Mr. Ebiware Owolo, has commended His Royal Majesty, King (Dr.) Joseph Timiyan (JP), Torububou I, Agbonu, the Ebenanawei of Ogulagha Kingdom and Chairman of the Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, for his two decades of exceptional leadership and dedication to the progress of the Ogulagha Kingdom. In a congratulatory message marking the monarch’s 20th Coronation Anniversary, Mr. Ebiware described King Timiyan as “a symbol of peace, wisdom, and unity whose reign has brought stability and development to Ogulagha Kingdom and Ijaw nation.” “Your Majesty’s commitment to justice and your fatherly role in resolving communal issues have positioned Ogulagha Kingdom as a model of peace and progress,” Mr. Ebiware stated. The Obotobo 1 community leader further applauded the King’s efforts as head of the Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, where he continues to advocate for collective development, inter-community cooperation, and the welfare of the Ijaw people. He also invited the general public to join the people of Ogulagha Kingdom in celebrating the historic 20th Coronation Anniversary. Mr. Ebiware congratulated the monarch and prayed for divine wisdom, longevity, and continued success in his reign, adding that the people of Ogulagha Kingdom remain united in their loyalty and admiration for their revered traditional ruler. “May your reign continue to usher in peace, prosperity, and greater glory for the Ogulagha Kingdom and the entire Ijaw nation,” he concluded.

Economic experts have called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce higher-denomination naira notes, ₦10,000 and ₦20,000, to restore the currency’s value, improve transaction efficiency, and reduce the cost of cash handling in the country. According to a recent economic review, the persistent depreciation of the naira has rendered the ₦1,000 note, Nigeria’s highest denomination, practically inadequate for everyday transactions. The report noted that while ₦1,000 was worth about $7 in 2005, it now trades for less than 60 cents, representing a staggering 94 percent decline in real value over the past 20 years. The analysts argued that introducing higher-value notes would not fuel inflation, explaining that price increases stem from production costs and market demand, not from the size of currency denominations. They pointed out that many countries with similar economic challenges have adopted higher denominations to preserve currency convenience without destabilising prices. They further observed that many Nigerians—especially traders and residents in rural areas—are forced to carry bulky cash for routine purchases due to the limited value of existing notes. Additionally, the cost of printing, transporting, and securing lower-denomination notes has become a significant financial burden for the CBN. The review recommended either introducing ₦10,000 and ₦20,000 notes or considering a currency redenomination to improve cash management, enhance transactional ease, and align Nigeria’s monetary system with international standards. Experts concluded that the move would not amount to printing excess money but rather to modernising the naira to reflect current economic realities and its severely weakened purchasing power.

Prominent Niger Delta environmentalist and human rights advocate, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to ensure that the 13% oil derivation fund is paid directly to host communities rather than to state governments. In a statement released in Warri, Delta State, Mulade decried the current system, describing it as a misappropriation of resources meant for oil-producing communities. He argued that the present practice allows state governors to divert the funds, thereby depriving the real beneficiaries — the host communities — of development and justice. “The 13 percent derivation is not ghost money — it has a source, and that source is the Niger Delta host communities where the oil is extracted from,” Mulade declared. “Failure to pay the funds directly to the host communities negates the principles of fairness and the very intent of the law establishing the derivation policy.” According to him, the mismanagement of the derivation fund by state governments has resulted in widespread underdevelopment, environmental degradation, and poor living standards across oil-bearing areas. Mulade proposed a new and transparent funding mechanism to guarantee tangible impact in the region. “It is imperative to state that the Federal Government should entered a consortium agreement on behalf of the host communities and pay 70% of the 13% oil derivation funds directly to construction companies to handle mega roads and bridge projects to link and open up the riverine areas to the upland, then Niger Delta would witnessed rapid and real development. While the balance 30% should be channels towards human capital development through the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) recognise by law under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), for direct impact. It is worthy of note that the current practice only gives opportunities to the state governors to turned the derivation funds into a political conduit pipe, a tool to compensate political allied and personal enrichment scheme,” he stated. The activist described the ongoing practice as “illegal and unconstitutional,” insisting that the derivation fund was established to directly benefit the people who bear the environmental and social burden of oil exploration. He further acknowledged the historical role of Chief Dr. Wellington Okrika, the Bolowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, whose advocacy led to the inclusion of the 13% derivation principle in Nigeria’s fiscal policy. Mulade lamented that state governors have “fed fat” on Okrika’s legacy without honouring their obligations to him or to the oil-bearing communities. Mulade called on the Presidency, the National Assembly, and the RMAFC to urgently review the existing payment structure and adopt a new legal or administrative framework that mandates direct and transparent disbursement of the funds to the host communities. He concluded with a call for justice and reform, emphasizing that genuine equity in the Niger Delta depends on fair implementation of the derivation principle. “If President Tinubu truly wants to correct injustices and promote equity in the Niger Delta, he must ensure that the 13% derivation reaches and be impactful to the people for whom it was created — the host communities,” Mulade concluded.