My Blog

Category: Politics Lite

  • Why we took over Rivers Assembly quarters – Police

    Why we took over Rivers Assembly quarters – Police

    The Rivers State Police Command has clarified its presence at the State House of Assembly Quarters, asserting it’s to maintain peace and prevent any potential disruption of order.

    Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, emphasized that the deployment aims solely at ensuring tranquility, dispelling concerns of any alarming situation.

    The move comes amidst recent tensions, as state lawmakers loyal to Chief Nyesom Wike encountered resistance over facility inspection, with occupants disputing the necessity for renovation.

    The Command urged public cooperation, affirming commitment to fostering a secure environment for all.

    The statement read: :The Rivers State Police Command wishes to clarify the recent reports regarding our presence at the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters.

    “Our deployment in the area is solely aimed at ensuring peace and preventing any possible breakdown of order. We assure the public that there is no cause for alarm, and all individuals are encouraged to continue their lawful activities without fear.

    “Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work towards maintaining a safe and secure environment for all.”

  • 2027: Mega Party Prepares to Unseat Tinubu

    2027: Mega Party Prepares to Unseat Tinubu

    Renowned political economist and former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi, has announced plans for the formation of a new mega-political party aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. 

    Utomi, who criticized the current political landscape for its failure to deliver effective governance, emphasized the need for a drastic change. 

    The proposed party will merge two distinct groups: the ‘mea culpa’ cohort, consisting of former politicians acknowledging past failures, and the ‘new value’ cohort, comprising forward-thinking individuals from various political backgrounds. 

    Utomi highlighted the importance of promoting value-driven citizenship, integrity, and respect for the dignity of people. 

    “The nature and the structure of our politics is such that even good people, when they enter these existing political parties, will play to their interests,” Utomi explained.

  • ALGON support call for Fubara’s impeachment

    ALGON support call for Fubara’s impeachment

    The crises in Rivers state is beginning to take a new dimension after the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, called for the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara yesterday.

    In support of the call, the Rivers State chapter of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria, ALGON, has accused Governor Fubara of withholding funds allocated for the 23 LGAs in the state.

    According to the state chapter of ALGON, the Governor’s action has hindered their ability to carry out their duties, saying it amounts to abolishing local government councils in the state.

    The LG Chairmen also indicated that they are in support of the call for impeachment of the Governor by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Tony Okocha, who had asked the Martins Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Governor.

    Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Allwell Ihunda, the State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said, “It has come to the notice of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, that the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has neglected, failed, and deliberately refused to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds due to the local government in the State Joint Local Government Accounts.

    “And has continued to withhold the statutory allocations due to the 23 local government councils of Rivers State since April 2024.

    “And in the case of Emuoha LGA since March 2024 till date for no just course, thereby starving the third tier of the government of the funds required to discharge its statutory functions in the administration of the local government areas.”

  • Three Edo assembly lawmakers suspended over impeachment plot

    Three Edo assembly lawmakers suspended over impeachment plot

    The Edo House of Assembly on Monday suspended three lawmakers over alleged plot to impeach the speaker and other principal officers.

    The speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, announced the suspension at resumption of plenary in Benin.

    Mr Agbebaku alleged that Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo II), Bright Iyamu (PDP-Orhionmwon South) and Adeh Isibor (PDP-Esan North East I) were being used by some external forces to cause chaos and remove the leadership of the parliament.

    The pronouncement led to a rowdy situation at the parliament as the lawmakers tried to challenge their suspension.

    “Mr speaker, you don’t have the right to unilaterally suspend any member of the house. You must call for votes,” the opposing legislators said. “Allow members to vote on the matter.”

    The speaker thereafter adjourned plenary abruptly.

  • Obaseki speaks on plans after leaving office 

    Obaseki speaks on plans after leaving office 

    Governor Godwin Obaseki says he wants to learn more, do research, and impart knowledge after his eighth year in office ends in Edo.

    Mr Obaseki stressed that after completing his second term in Osadebey House, he will not attempt to be a godfather.

    The incumbent Edo governor assumed power in 2016 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. In his second coming, he lost favour with his so-called godfather, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who, with the help of other party members, wrested the gubernatorial ticket from him, forcing Mr Obaseki to pitch his tent with the Peoples Democratic Party. Mr Obaseki won the subsequent election.

    When asked in an interview with THISDAY what was next for the Edo governor, who has some months left in office, Mr Obaseki said, “Obaseki is very fortunate and has every reason to thank God. If you look at Nigeria today, I am one of the few persons who have had solid private sector experience and have been in government. 

    “I have been in the APC and I have been in PDP. My role is to sit back and see how I can assist and help, nurture, let people know, share my experiences with them and support them. So, I see myself going back to school, research, teach and just impact knowledge.”

    Regarding entrenching leadership in Edo as a godfather, Mr Obaseki said, “There is no need to.”

    The governor added, “You always mentor people, but when you want to sit and begin to direct them, that’s where the problem is. I don’t like being directed, so why should I direct anybody? If I wanted to direct somebody, 

    “I would not get one of Nigeria’s most accomplished lawyers to come and run the state, make sacrifices, and step down from all his enviable professional engagements just to come and be directed in Edo state.”

  • Why I Refused To Return Edo Government Vehicle – Shaibu 

    Why I Refused To Return Edo Government Vehicle – Shaibu 

    Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has opened up about his impeachment, the state’s politics, godfatherism and the contentious issue of the campaign vehicles in his position.

    In an interview, Shaibu, who had previously accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of orchestrating his impeachment, revealed that he has forgiven the governor and is ready to reconcile with him.

    Addressing the issue of campaign vehicles in his possession, Shaibu clarified that the vehicles in his possession were not new but refurbished ones that belonged to previous deputy governors. He emphasized his commitment to transparency and accountability during his tenure.

    He said, “The vehicles they are referring to are the two Prado SUVs used by Lucky Imasuen as the deputy governor. The other Hilux was the one (Dr Pius) Odubu’s wife used, and the Land Cruiser was the one Odubu used.

    “I took all those vehicles to the mechanic who changed their engine and refurbished them. Those are the vehicles that they are telling me to return.

    “So, you can see how heartless men can be. I got only one new vehicle in almost eight years that I served as the deputy governor of the state.”

    He emphasized his commitment to activism and the need for political leaders to prioritize the welfare of the people.
     
    On the issue of his impeachment, Shaibu criticized the process, stating that the oath of office had been breached by Governor Obaseki multiple times. He also highlighted the need for constitutional amendments to protect deputy governors from arbitrary impeachment.

  • Edo APC deputy gov candidate files N2bn libel suit against Ighodalo’s campaign DG

    Edo APC deputy gov candidate files N2bn libel suit against Ighodalo’s campaign DG

    Dennis Idahosa, the All Progressives Congress, APC, deputy governorship candidate for the September 21, 2024 election in Edo State, has filed a N2.15 billion libel suit against Olu Martins, the Deputy Director General, Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship campaign council.

    Idahosa, in the suit, accused Martins of authoring an article that portrayed him as a fraudster.

    The incumbent lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency instituted the suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The case with the suit number CS/2259/24 was filed May 3, 2024 by Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, counsel to the claimant.

    In the suit, Idahosa demanded N2 billion as general, punitive, aggravated and exemplary damages from the Martins for a libelous and malicious publication against him.

    The APC deputy gpvernorship candidate also demanded N15 million, being the cost of the action.

    The Federal lawmaker alleged that the defendant published an article in several social media platforms titled, ‘APC GUBER CANDIDATE, OKPEBHOLO MOCKS OSHIOMHOLE AS IDAHOSA RETURNS FROM FOREIGN TRIP’.

    He said the article, published on May 2, 2024 is libelous and discredited his personal and political reputation in the eyes of the general public.

    Idahosa, as a result, prayed the court for a declaration that the content of the publication made vide various whatsapp group chat pages, facebook and other social media outlets by the defendant is libelous and malicious.

    He also demanded an order of perpetual injunction restraining Martins, his agents or privies from further writing, printing, publishing online or causing to be written, printed or published online, the aforesaid article or words therein or similar words.

    Other reliefs sought include “An order directing the defendant to issue a clear and unqualified public apology to the claimant, in words acceptable to him, to be published by the defendant on the group whatsapp chat pages and other social media outlets, running uninterrupted for four weeks and in retraction of the aforesaid publication.

    “An order of court directing the defendant to cause the withdrawal and removal forthwith of the posting of the aforesaid publication.”

  • It’s the people’s turn in Abia; Politicians have enjoyed enough – Otti

    It’s the people’s turn in Abia; Politicians have enjoyed enough – Otti

    Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has declared that the State under his watch, is the turn of the masses to enjoy the dividends of democracy, arguing that politicians who presided over the affairs of the state since the return of democracy in 1999, have helped themselves enough with the common patrimony.

    Otti who made the declaration while hosting a delegation of the Course 17, Syndicate 2 of the National Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, at Government House Umuahia, said he was on a mission to make the masses and not just a handful of privileged politicians, have a taste of good governance.

    The governor told his audience that his recent decision to wipe off backlog of pension arrears owed retirees since 2014 was a demonstration of his passion for the masses, who had been shortchanged by the ruling elite.

    He said that “never again shall Abia pensioners be owed their pension”, adding that he had also directed that they be paid along with workers on the 28th of every month, a directive, he affirmed, had taken effect from April.

    “This is the people’s time, politicians have helped themselves enough for the past 24 years”, Otti thunderered.

  • Court adjourns Rivers LGs/Govt, AGF, Police, DSS, others case till May 22

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned hearing in the suit seeking to stop the Rivers State Government from withholding the financial allocations of the 42 Local Government Councils in the state, to May 22.

    The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, adjourned the matter to enable parties already served with the court’s documents respond accordingly, just as he ordered service on the 1st to 4th and 6th respondents who were neither in court nor represented by any lawyer.

    At the last adjourned date, the court, while ruling in an ex-parte application, refused to issue an interim order against the Rivers State government and other respondents pending the hearing of the main suit.

    He ordered the plaintiffs to put the respondents on notice and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo by not doing anything that would render the suit nugatory.

    However, when the matter was called on Thursday, while the 1st – 4th and 6th were absent in court, M. N. Umoh, Olumide Fusika, SAN, Damian Okoro, SAN, and Sammie Somiari, SAN, appeared for the 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th respondents respectively.

    The four lawyers all admitted service of court order to maintain status quo and asked for time to respond, adding that they are still within the time allowed by law to file their responses.

    When asked by the judge if they were also served with the court’s order directing all parties to maintain status quo, all but the 5th defendant admitted service.

    Justice Omotosho told the respondents that he had declined to grant the interim order but after plaintiffs’ counsel, Clement Ijom stated that salaries of teachers, primary health workers and other local government staff depend on the allocation, he then ordered parties to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

    Subsequently, the judge ordered the respondents to file in their responses, while the suit is served on the remaining respondents.

    The Inspector General (IG) of Police, Commissioner of Police (CP) Rivers, Director General (DG) State Security (SSS), Director SSS Rivers, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Chairman Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Rivers State Government, AG Rivers State and Finance Commissioner in Rivers are 1st to 9th respondents respectively.

    The plaintiffs, on the other hand, include Dr Chidi LLoyd, Chairman, Emohua Local Government, Hon Alwell Ihunda Chairman, Port Harcourt Local goyvernment, Dr Nwanosike Samuel, Ikwerre Local Government, amongst others.

    They are suing the respondents over the financial allocation to the council as well as their personal security.

    Pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, the plaintiffs had filed an ex-parte application seeking to restrain the Rivers State Government from withholding their financial allocation.

    They had also prayed the court to restrain the security agencies from withdrawing the security personnel attached to them.

    In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/537/2024, and filed by their lawyer, Aliyu Hussein, the local government Chairmen, also sought an order prohibiting the defendants from preventing the enforcement or implementation of the newly amended Rivers State Local Government Law N:5 of 2024 pending the determination of the motion.

    In a 33 paragraph affidavit in support of the application deposed to by Dr Chidi LLoyd, Chairman of Emohua Local Government, the applicants claimed to have been duly elected in a democratically conducted election for a term of three years under the provisions of the Rivers State Local Government Law.

    They asserted that they are autonomous and constitutionally recognized as one of the tiers of the government and that Rivers State House of Assembly Enacted Rivers State Amended Law to guide their affairs and activities.

    They claimed that Rivers State Government, AG and Finance Commissioner who are not happy with the amended law have approached the IGP, CP, DG SSS and Director SSS seeking the withdrawal of policing and other security services from them in order to frustrate the implementation of the amended law.

    The Chairmen alleged that the Police Commissioner in the state who has the responsibility to advise the IG on the policing and security needs of Rivers State is under substantial control of Rivers State Government and would implement the directive of the state government.

    They further asserted that it would be impossible for them to carry out their respective functions and duties without the policing and security services of the IG.

    The Council chairmen asked the court to restrain the defendants, especially the Rivers State Government, from taking the law into its hand.

    They promised to undertake to pay for damages if their suit turns to be frivolous.

  • Edo Guber: Court strikes out suits against Ighodalo’s candidacy for PDP

    Edo Guber: Court strikes out suits against Ighodalo’s candidacy for PDP

    Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Tuesday, struck out two separate suits challenging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s governorship candidate for the coming Edo State gubernatorial election.

    In the ruling, Justice Ekwo held that those who instituted the suits from the political camp of former Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shuaib, have no locus standi.

    The court held that the plaintiffs failed to exhibit sufficient, direct, and tangible personal interest that could lead the court to nullify the primary election.

    The first suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/195/2024, was filed by Adizetu Umoru, while the second suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/196/2024, was filed by Moses Alabi and Christopher Oboarer.

    The plaintiffs had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), PDP, Umar Damagu (acting national chairman), Setonji Koshoedo, PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), and its National Executive Committee (NEC) as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

    The three plaintiffs, in their separate motions filed on February 19, sought an interim order of the court restraining the defendants from using the list of ward congresses held in February. 4, for the purpose of conducting the PDP’s primary in Edo State, slated for February. 22 or any other date pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.

    Justice Ekwo, however, held that the plaintiffs did not establish how their individual interests were affected or jeopardized by the primary election.

    Specifically, the judge said that the plaintiffs did not establish whether they were eligible to participate in the election but prevented or whether wrongdoings were displayed during the election.