Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday proceeded to deliver judgment in a suit seeking the deregistration of five political parties, despite an earlier directive by the Court of Appeal ordering a stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal.

The appellate court had, on May 22, 2026, directed Justice Lifu not to continue with the case involving the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties until an interlocutory appeal filed by Accord Party was resolved.

In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal comprising Justices Mohammed Danjuma, Adebukola Banjoko and Oyejoju Oyewumi ordered the trial court to suspend further action on the matter pending the determination of the appeal.

According to a Certified True Copy of the enrolled order, the appellate court instructed the Federal High Court to stay proceedings until all issues raised in the appeal by Accord Party had been fully addressed.

The appeal stemmed from an application by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who sought to be joined as a defendant in the suit filed by a group of former lawmakers challenging the continued registration of the affected parties.

Adeleke argued that he had a direct interest in the matter because Accord Party was the platform on which he intended to contest the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

However, Justice Lifu, in a ruling delivered on April 27, dismissed the governor’s application, refusing to join him as a party in the case.

Dissatisfied with the decision, Adeleke, through his counsel, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the ruling.

After hearing arguments, particularly the claim that the governor had interests to protect as Accord Party’s governorship candidate, the appellate court directed the lower court to refrain from taking further steps in the matter. The appeal was subsequently fixed for hearing on October 27.

Despite being served with the notice of appeal and the enrolled order, Justice Lifu reportedly declined to halt proceedings, describing the move as an attempt to frustrate or delay the delivery of judgment.

Although the court had earlier adjourned judgment indefinitely, Justice Lifu on Monday made a dramatic turnaround and delivered judgment in the matter, ordering the deregistration of the five political parties at the centre of the legal dispute.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, of opposing the release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, because of an alleged ambition to become Nigeria’s vice president in 2031.

The accusation was contained in a statement issued by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, following criticism of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for calling for Kanu’s release.

IPOB described what it called Soludo’s alleged ambition to emerge as vice president on a Fulani-led ticket in 2031 as “shameless,” while accusing the governor of abandoning earlier commitments he made regarding Kanu’s freedom.

According to the group, Soludo had previously advocated for Kanu’s release after visiting him in detention but has now taken a different position.

“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has watched with utter disgust and righteous anger as Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State, through his government, viciously attacked Mr. Peter Obi for demanding the immediate and unconditional release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“What a tragic betrayal! What a painful display of naked hypocrisy and desperate political prostitution!” the statement said.

IPOB recalled that Soludo visited Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja in January 2023 and publicly supported his release.

“Let it be known to the world that in January 2023, the same Governor Soludo made a high-profile visit to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the DSS facility in Abuja. He sat with our leader, shook his hands, looked into his eyes, and publicly demanded his release. He went as far as offering to stand as surety for Kanu.

“As recently as March 2025, Soludo’s own Commissioner for Information, Mr. Law Mefor, boasted that the governor ‘has been actively working towards Kanu’s release’ because he believed it would restore peace in the South-East,” IPOB stated.

The group expressed surprise at what it described as a reversal by the governor, saying Peter Obi’s call for Kanu’s release was similar to positions Soludo had previously taken.

“Today, the same Soludo, through his government, describes Peter Obi’s identical call for justice as ‘a slap on the Nigerian judiciary’ and claims it undermines judicial processes. This is not statesmanship. This is the height of treachery and political chameleonic behaviour.

“Governor Soludo, what suddenly changed? What changed is your blind and shameless ambition to become Vice President in 2031 under a Fulani-led ticket. You have now chosen to sacrifice Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the collective interest of the Igbo nation on the altar of caliphate appeasement,” the statement added.

IPOB further alleged that Soludo benefited politically from Kanu’s popularity during his governorship campaign but has now distanced himself from the cause.

“You visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention when you needed Igbo votes and his moral endorsement to become governor. Now that you occupy the seat, you have shamelessly turned against him and the people who put you there, all in pursuit of crumbs from Abuja,” it said.

The group also accused the governor of abandoning the broader Igbo cause and disrespecting notable Igbo leaders who had advocated for Kanu’s release.

“Soludo’s shameful new stance is not only a betrayal of the Igbo cause but a direct insult to the memory of great Igbo icons who fearlessly championed the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” IPOB stated.

Reaffirming its support for those calling for Kanu’s freedom, IPOB said it stood with Peter Obi, Primate Elijah Ayodele, and other Nigerians advocating his release.

“IPOB stands firmly with Mr. Peter Obi, Prophet Ayodele, and every well-meaning Nigerian — Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Middle Belt, and beyond — who continues to demand the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“The release of our leader is not a political tool for ambition; it is a non-negotiable demand for justice, equity, and the restoration of the dignity of the Igbo nation and the conscience of Nigeria,” the statement said.

The group concluded by reiterating its demand for Kanu’s unconditional release and insisting that opposition from “traitors” would not derail its pursuit of Biafra.

“Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Now! The spirit of Biafra is alive. The resolve of Ndigbo and all justice-loving Nigerians remains unshaken. No amount of political gymnastics or betrayal from modern-day Efulefus like Soludo can stop the unstoppable march towards freedom and justice.”

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has revealed that President Bola Tinubu temporarily relocated from Nigeria during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to distance himself from policies and decisions he disagreed with.

The senator representing Edo North made the disclosure on Sunday while speaking on The Mic On Podcast, where he reflected on Tinubu’s relationship with the Buhari administration despite being a key figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Oshiomhole, Tinubu remained loyal to Buhari even when he was allegedly sidelined by the government.

He said the current president was uncomfortable with some of the policies, appointments and decisions taken by the Buhari administration but chose not to publicly oppose the government.

“Tinubu stood with Buhari even when he was ignored. Tinubu relocated so that he can be free from humiliation arising from either choice of policy, appointment of people and some of the decisions that Buhari was taking,” Oshiomhole said.

He added: “Remember that the first pronouncement of Buhari was that I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.”

The former Edo State governor further claimed that Tinubu was effectively shut out of the previous administration despite his role as the national leader of the APC at the time.

During Buhari’s tenure, there were several reports indicating that Tinubu spent extended periods in France, a development that generated widespread public speculation and political commentary. Oshiomhole’s remarks have now offered a fresh perspective on the reasons behind those trips.