A major trouble may be brewing in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following the condemnation of the party’s presidential campaign council list by the Obi-Kwankwaso movement.

 
John Ughulu, director-general of the OK movement, in a statement issued  on Monday, said announcing the list less than three months before the general election raises questions about the party’s readiness for the poll.

Ughulu said most of the big names on listed as members of the council lack the grassroots support needed to win a national election.

The NDC had unveiled a 155-member campaign council on Sunday, naming Seriake Dickson, national leader of the party, as chairman, while Peter Obi, its presidential candidate, serves as co-chairman.

The party also appointed Cleopas Zuwoghe, the NDC national chairman, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, its vice-presidential candidate, as vice-chairman and co-vice-chairman, respectively.

Ikenna Enekweizu, the party’s national secretary, is to serve as council secretary, while Ibrahim Abdulkarim, an ICT strategist, was appointed director-general.

Ughulu questioned the timing of the announcement and the movement’s assessment of the party’s organisational preparedness. 

“With less than three months to the general elections, they are only just announcing their Presidential Campaign Council. What exactly have they been doing all this time? Where is the structure? Where is the strategy? Where is the machinery required to prosecute a serious national election?” Ughulu asked.

“Elections are not won by titles, press releases, political noise, or the number of big names on a campaign council.

“Elections are won through grassroots mobilisation, effective coordination, strategic planning, committed people, and a well-established structure that reaches every polling unit.”

The OK movement DG claimed that many members of the NDC campaign council may eventually seek the group’s support and organisational network.

He said unlike the party, the movement had prioritised grassroots organisation ahead of the election, describing a presidential ambition without a functional grassroots structure as “nothing more than a political wish”.

“The OK Movement is not a political decoration, a temporary support group, or an organisation that exists merely to applaud political leaders,” Ughulu said.

“We are a movement built on principles, driven by purpose, and determined to demonstrate what serious political organisation should look like.

“Let those who are only just waking up to the realities of election preparation learn from the difference between having political ambition and possessing the capacity to execute it. The OK Movement is ready. The question is: are they?”

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday dismissed a no-case submission by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and ordered him to enter his defence, if he so desires, in his ongoing trial over the alleged unlawful interception of the telephone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order while ruling on the no-case submission filed by El-Rufai.

The judge held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant calling on the former governor to enter his defence.

For El-Rufai, the ruling is opportunity to respond to the allegations against him as the trial progresses.

It would be recalled that an FCT High Court presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji had, last  week dismissed El-Rufai’s ₦120 million fundamental rights suit against the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The court held that the agencies’ actions, including invitations, an attempted arrest at the airport and the seizure of his passport, did not violate his fundamental rights. It also awarded costs of ₦200,000 against each respondent.

El-Rufai is also facing other ongoing cases, including corruption and money laundering matters linked to the ICPC in Kaduna.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has disclosed that Nigeria’s index Ebola patient was evacuated to Switzerland because she is a Swiss citizen and had stabilised.

WHO regional director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, in a post on his X handle on Monday, said the patient was clinically stable after being successfully managed by healthcare workers in Nigeria.

The patient and her husband, who is also a Swiss citizen, were evacuated to Switzerland early Monday morning aboard a medical evacuation aircraft.

She was reportedly airlifted from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at about 6am.

Janabi said Switzerland would assume responsibility for the patient’s continued medical management and the monitoring of her husband, who is contact number 53.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will continue monitoring 52 contacts linked to the confirmed case.

The WHO official said Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the evacuation.

“Earlier this morning, the Ebola patient in Nigeria and her contact, who is also her husband, were medically evacuated to Switzerland,” Janabi said.

“The reasons for the evacuation are: Both the patient and her husband are Swiss citizens. The patient is clinically stable. The Nigerian medical team successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilized her condition.”

He congratulated the Nigerian government, health workers, clinicians, emergency responders and other partners involved in the response, describing the development as a demonstration of African expertise, resilience and leadership in public health.

He noted that vigilance remains critical as Nigeria continues contact tracing and surveillance to prevent further transmission.

Muhammad Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, had said the patient’s improvement did not mean she was no longer infectious, adding that strict public health protocols remain in place.

Pate said further updates would be provided after the patient and her husband arrive safely at their destination.