The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, has called on governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and citizens to take urgent and collective action to address climate change.

This is necessary to protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

The learned Silk made this statement on the eve of the commemoration of World Environment Day 2026.

Chief Ojukwu noted that climate change has become one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.

In Nigeria, its effects are increasingly evident through recurrent flooding, desertification, drought, coastal erosion, and other environmental hazards.

A statement by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages Department, quoted the NHRC boss to have also expressed concern over environmental pollution from industrial and urban waste, including plastic pollution, oil spills, and improper waste disposal, which continue to degrade ecosystems and threaten public health.

According to him, these challenges continue to affect livelihoods, food security, public health, and access to clean water, especially among vulnerable populations.

The Executive Secretary emphasized that climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a human rights issue. He stated that its impact threatens the enjoyment of fundamental rights, including the rights to life, health, food, housing, development, and a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

The Human Rights Advocate expressed concern that women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, and low-income communities often bear the greatest burden of climate-related disasters and environmental degradation.

Chief Ojukwu therefore urged governments at all levels to strengthen climate action, enforce environmental laws, and invest in sustainable solutions such as renewable energy, afforestation, environmental conservation, and effective disaster-risk management.

He also called on businesses and other stakeholders to adopt environmentally responsible practices and ensure that economic activities do not undermine the rights and well-being of affected communities.

The NHRC further notes that it has worked closely with relevant stakeholders in developing the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which integrates environmental protection and environmental rights as key components of responsible business conduct and sustainable development.

While reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to environmental justice and climate resilience, the Executive Secretary stressed that protecting the environment is essential for the protection and enjoyment of human rights.

He urged all Nigerians to play their part in safeguarding the environment and building a sustainable future for generations to come.

World Environmental Day is marked on the 5th of June annually.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned political parties that any primary election conducted outside the commission’s May 30 deadline remains invalid, unless a higher court overturns an earlier Federal High Court judgment on the matter.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna made the disclosure and advised that political parties would have to continue to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 pending the determination of the commission’s appeal before the Court of Appeal.

Haruna stated: “Obviously, for now, any primary held outside INEC’s May 30 deadline will be invalid unless the Court of Appeal overturns the Federal High Court judgment in INEC’s appeal against the ruling that the timetable breached the Electoral Act 2026 in some of its provisions.

“In other words, for now, the political parties are better advised to be guided by the existing Act.”

The INEC commissioner’s position follows the ongoing legal dispute over the commission’s timetable for party primaries and candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general election.

A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, in a judgment, had nullified aspects of INEC’s electoral guidelines and schedule put in place for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has commenced legal action against the Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tsoho, over allegations of corruption, disobedience of the orders of courts as well as manifest bias against the party in respect of a pending case at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.

The suit dated and filed on June 4, by the National Welfare Secretary of the ADC, Nkemakolam Ukandu, has the National Judicial Council (NJC), FHC CJ, Justice John Tsoho and Justice Peter Lifu, a judge newly assigned to hear the suit challenging the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC.

The plaintiff who is seeking to be joined in the Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe against the Mark-led leadership, is accusing the CJ and Justice Lifu of manifest bias, and willingness to do the biddings of persons against the interest of the party.

Ukandu, in the suit he personally filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, faulted the CJ for reassigning the suit to Lifu, in alleged disregard of the orders of the Supreme Court as well as Justice Emeka Nwite of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, who was initially hearing the suit brought by Gombe against the party.

The plaintiff in the suit marked FHC/ ABJ/ CS/ 1165/2026, recalled that an appeal from an interlocutory decision of Justice Nwite rose to the Supreme Court, wherein the apex court on April 30, 2026, “made an order of remittance of Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025: Nafiu Bala Gombe VS. ADC & 4 ORS back to Justice Emeka Nwite for continuation of hearing of pending applications challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court”.

He stated that upon resumption of hearing before Nwite, the Plaintiff wrote to the CJ praying for a reassignment of matter to another judge of this Honourable Court.

“All the Defendants’ Counsel including Counsel to the Applicants seeking to be joined in this matter opposed the said application by the Plaintiff’s Counsel and Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite thereafter adjourned the matter sine die pending the service of the said letter by the Plaintiff’s on all the parties in the matter, outcome of the letter by the 2nd Defendant and the furnishing of the CTC of the judgement of the Supreme Court to the court.

“Without complying with the orders of the Supreme Court and Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite, the 2nd Defendant in abuse of his judicial powers reassigned this matter” to Justice Lifu, Ukandu stated.