The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to conduct a fresh primary election for its governorship ticket in Gombe State.

The court, presided over by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, gave the order in a suit filed by Usman Aliyu Garry to challenge the emergence of Prof. Isa Ali Pantami as the PDP governorship candidate.

Garry had challenged Pantami’s emergence after the party announced him as its sole candidate on June 26, 2026, arguing that the required primary election was not conducted.

Pantami, who was an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had defected to the PDP after the APC settled for Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus candidate.

Pantami subsequently secured the ticket through voice affirmation during the PDP governorship primary held in May.

But in its judgment delivered on Thursday, the court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh primary election in accordance with the party’s guidelines and relevant electoral laws.

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has told FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, that she cannot be intimidated by insults, threats or political pressure, insisting that no minister is above the law.

Kingibe also declared that Wike could not determine whether she would return to the Senate in 2027, saying the decision belonged to the people of the FCT.

She stated this on Thursday in a post on her X platform, in response to the minister’s recent comments on her criticism of the FCT Administration and her political future.

“I have never been one to be intimidated by insults, threats, or political pressure, and I will not start now,” Kingibe said.

She said her responsibility as a senator was to ask questions, demand accountability and defend the constitutional principles upon which democracy was founded.

According to her, raising questions about public borrowing, public funds and the conduct of government should not be construed as an act of disrespect but as part of her legislative responsibility.

On the controversy over loans obtained by the FCT Administration, Kingibe challenged Wike to produce the official record showing that the Senate approved the borrowings.

“As for not getting approval for the loans, I dare the FCT Minister to show the people of the FCT, and all who have asked, the Votes and Proceedings of the day the approval was given.

“I cannot speak for the House of Representatives but I know that it was NEVER brought before the Senate,” she said.

Kingibe further declared that no public official was above scrutiny.

“No Minister, no matter how powerful, is above the law. No public office holder is above scrutiny,” she said.

The senator also rejected any suggestion that Wike could determine her political fate ahead of the 2027 election.

“And no individual has the authority to decide by personal declaration who the people of the FCT will elect in 2027. That decision belongs solely to the people,” she said.

Kingibe also condemned what she described as attempts to intimidate, silence or demean women in public office.

“Women who choose to serve in public office must not be expected to remain silent simply because they ask difficult questions or refuse to compromise their principles,” she said.

She vowed to continue scrutinising government activities and speaking on issues affecting residents of the FCT.

“I will not be distracted by personal attacks. I will continue to speak when the interest of the FCT demands it, scrutinise matters that require scrutiny, and stand firmly for the people I represent,” she said.

“I did not enter public service to be intimidated. I entered it to serve.

“The will of the people of the FCT will prevail on the day of the election.”

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, has sealed 12 establishments across different parts of the state for persistent noise pollution and other regulatory breaches.

The establishments were found to have persisted with the breaches despite repeated warnings, abatement notices and opportunities given to them to comply with environmental regulations.

A statement by the agency said the establishments were sealed on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in Ogba, Idimu-Ikota, Ejigbo, LASU-Iba Road, Igando and Agodo-Egbe areas of the state.

LASEPA said the action was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State Government to ensure compliance with environmental laws, protect public health and promote a cleaner, healthier and safer environment for residents.

According to LASEPA, the affected establishments had violated various environmental regulations and failed to carry out prescribed corrective measures or comply with directives issued by the Agency.

The establishments sealed include Thrillz Lounge on Odusanmi Street, Ogba; Feixiang Plastic, located along LASU-Ojo Road, Oko Filling Bus Stop; Marvel Hotel & Suites, located at Chrisbee Crescent, BRT Bus Stop, Igando; Keviz Hotel & Suites on Councilor Ajayi Street, Obadore Bus Stop, LASU-Iba Road, and DSN Hotel & Suites, located on Benson Onyeacholen Street, O’Mark Bus Stop, LASU-Igando Road.

Others are Rudaj Vegetable Oil on Tanimowo Street, Ologufe Bus Stop, Igando Road; Celestial Church of Christ (Aduragbemi Parish), located on Adetola Buhari Street, Okerube Bus Stop, Ikotun; Limas, located on Aro-Oloye Street, off Abaranje Road, Abaranje, Ikotun; Nico Hotel & Suites, located at Ayawo Close, NEPA Bus Stop, Egbe-Isolo Road, Ejigbo; 10Kobo Night Club on Abanishe Street, off Hostel Road, Agodo-Egbe; Master Furniture, located on Coleman Street, Pao Bus Stop, Idimu-Ikota Road; and Nikky’s Executive Bar & Lounge on Governor’s Road, Ikotun.

Speaking on the operation, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health and preserving the environment through sustained monitoring, regulatory compliance and effective enforcement of environmental standards across Lagos State.

“Environmental compliance is a collective responsibility, noting that LASEPA would continue to intensify enforcement actions against individuals, businesses, religious organisations and corporate bodies whose activities pose risks to the environment, public health and the wellbeing of Lagos residents,” Ajayi said.

He appealed to business owners, facility operators, religious institutions, scrap dealers and residents across the State to adopt responsible environmental practices, secure all required permits and approvals, comply with relevant regulations and work with LASEPA to promote a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos.