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Category: Politics Lite

  • Defection: Court dismisses APC suit seeking sack of ex-Benue gov, Ortom

    Defection: Court dismisses APC suit seeking sack of ex-Benue gov, Ortom

    By Vivian Michael, Abuja

    Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress(APC) seeking the removal of former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, from office over his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

    In the ruling, the court held that the suit had become academic, exercise in futility and can no longer confer any benefits on the APC. It stated that it has been overtaken by events.

    Besides, the judge said that the court has no power to extend the tenure in dispute to accommodate the request of the APC.

    Justice Ekwo said that the tenure being eyed by the APC had been spent by Ortom before the case could be concluded.

    The APC had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, PDP and Ortom before the court praying that Ortom be kicked out of office on account of his defection to the PDP.

    APC asserted that it canvassed for votes and won the majority of lawful votes of 422,932 as against the PDP which scored 313, 878 to come second, in the 2019 governorship election in Benue State.

    The party asked the judge to invoke sections 1, 177 and 179 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 97 of the Electoral Act 2010 to hold that Ortom cannot transfer its lawful votes to PDP, thereby making PDP to unlawfully become the winner of the 2019 poll.

    However in his judgment in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/458/2022, Justice Ekwo held that the cause of action had ceased from the day the former governor completed the tenure of office.

    He dismissed the suit, noting that it no longer has life to sustain it and therefore lacked merit.

  • Ighodalo Denies Involvement In Shaibu’s Impeachment

    Ighodalo Denies Involvement In Shaibu’s Impeachment

    The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has refuted claims that he has a hand in the impeachment of the state’s former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

    Ighodalo, who described the allegation as fake, added that the claims were cooked up to tarnish his reputation.

    This was contained in a statement released by his media team on Monday.

    The statement read, “While we would not usually join issues in response to every passing comment, it has become imperative to address the recent spurious allegations by former Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu.

    “It is necessary for the record, to state in no uncertain terms, that Mr. Asue Ighodalo has had no role or involvement in any form whatsoever in the very public process leading to Mr. Shuaibu’s impeachment and subsequent removal from office by the Edo State House of Assembly.

    “These claims are completely without merit, and Mr. Ighodalo categorically denies any such involvement. These allegations are a clear attempt to unjustly tarnish his reputation and divert attention from the actual issues at hand.”

    He, however, called on the public to disregard the claim, saying, “We urge the public and the media to regard these false statements with well-deserved scepticism.”

  • Former PDP presidential aspirant dumps party

    Former PDP presidential aspirant dumps party

    Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, a 2023 presidential aspirant of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has resigned his membership of the party.

    Ndukwe’s resignation was contained in a letter written by the former deputy speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, to the chairman of his Item C Ward in Bende Local Government Area, and copied to the state chairman of the party, Hon. Asiforo Okere; and the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.

    Ndukwe, a former chief of staff to the governor and commissioner for works under ex-Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, cited personal reasons, current commitments and aspirations for his decision to quit the opposition party.

    He commended the party for giving him the platform to come to political limelight, and wished it success in the state.

    The letter, which was posted on his Facebook page on Monday morning reads: “I hope this letter finds you well. It is with a heavy heart that I compose this correspondence to tender my resignation as a member and stakeholder in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Abia State, effective immediately.

    “My decision to resign as a member within the party stems from personal reasons and reflections on my current commitments and aspirations.

    “After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that potting out of PDP is the best course of action for me at this time.

    “I am immensely grateful for the opportunities that the PDP has afforded me during my tenure as a Councillor, Deputy Chairman Local Government, Chief of Staff to Executive Governor of Abia State, Deputy Speaker Abia 6th House of Assembly and Presidential Aspirant PDP 2023.

    “Serving within the party has been a privilege, and I have valued the relationships I have built with fellow members, as well as the chance to contribute to the party’s objectives and ideals.

    “I want to express my appreciation to you, the Ward Executive Committee, and all members of the PDP Abia State for the support and camaraderie extended to me throughout my association with the party.

    “While I may be stepping away from my formal role, I remain committed to the principles of democracy and the progress of our great state Abia.

    “Please consider this letter as my formal resignation from all duties and responsibilities associated with my position as a member and stakeholder in the PDP Abia State.

    “I wish the PDP Abia State continued success in all its endeavors, and I extend my best wishes for the future. Thank you once again for the opportunities and experiences.”

  • Niger State Gov Bago’s Special Adviser Is Dead

    Niger State Gov Bago’s Special Adviser Is Dead

    Mohammed Adam Erena, a Special Adviser to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on Labour Matters, has reportedly died.

    Governor Bago confirmed the sad development in a condolence message conveyed through his chief press secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.

    The governor expressed that the loss of the former secretary to the state government (SSG) is a significant one for the entire state.

    He highlighted the deceased’s dedication as a public servant and his invaluable contributions to the state, emphasizing that his legacy of unwavering commitment to service and tireless efforts in advancing the development of Niger State will always be cherished.

    Bago offered prayers for the deceased to be granted entry into Aljannah Firdausi, and encouraged the family members of Comrade Erena to accept this loss with patience and faith, recognizing that the will of Allah is absolute.

    Erena, who sadly passed away, held the position of SSG of Niger State during the tenure of the late former governor Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure from 2002 to 2007.

    Additionally, he dedicated his service to the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria at both the national and state levels. He also served as the national vice president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and served two terms as the chairman of the Niger State Council of NLC.

  • Tinubu govt lacks the capacity to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenge – Suswam

    Tinubu govt lacks the capacity to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenge – Suswam

    Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, said the government of President Bola Tinubu can not change Nigeria’s economic fortunes.

    Suswam made this statement in an interview on Channels Television.

    He said the Tinubu administration can not take the country out of the economic woe inflicted by his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Well, it’s rather unfortunate right from the Buhari Government where the mantra of ‘Change’ was the singsong. Unfortunately, people didn’t ask what kind of change he was bringing into governance. Is it positive change or negative change?

    “What we experienced under those eight years were what dovetailed into what we’re experiencing today because whatever foundation that was built by the PDP was completely destroyed by that (Buhari) government.

    “We now began a journey to the abyss. The state of the nation, economically, is nothing to talk about, it’s unfortunate that the current (Tinubu) leadership does not have what it takes to change the economic fortunes of this country,” he said.

    According to him, the removal of petrol subsidy, floating of the naira, and an increase in electricity tariff, among other policies, is evident that the government is out to make things worse for the Nigerian masses.

  • Kogi court summons EFCC chairman over attempt to arrest Yahaya Bello

    Kogi court summons EFCC chairman over attempt to arrest Yahaya Bello

    A Kogi High Court has ordered the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to appear before it on May 13 over alleged contempt of court.

    According to the court, Olukoyede will need to prove why he should not be committed to prison for allegedly disobeying its order over an attempt to arrest the former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello.

    The presiding judge, Isa Jamil Abdullahi, gave the order on Friday while ruling in the suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and motion No: HCL/190M/2024, brought before him by Bello.

    Recall that on February 8, Bello instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit, asking the court to declare that “the incessant harassment, threats of arrest and detention, negative press releases, malicious prosecution” of the EFCC — “without any formal invitation — is politically motivated and interference with his right to liberty, freedom of movement, and fair hearing”.

    The former governor also sought an order “restraining the respondent by themselves, their agents, servants or privies from continuing to harass, threaten to arrest or detain him”.

    On February 9, the Kogi high court granted an interim injunction restraining the EFCC from “continuing to harass, threaten to arrest, detain, prosecute Bello, his former appointees, and his staff or family members, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights”.

    On March 12, the EFCC filed an appeal against the interim injunction because the court could not stop the commission from carrying out its statutory responsibility.

    The Kogi high court delivered judgment on the substantive motion on notice on April 17 wherein the presiding judge granted an order restraining the EFCC “from continuing to harass, threaten to arrest or detain Bello”.

    However, the judge directed the commission to file a charge against Bello before an appropriate court if it had reasons to do so.

    The judgment coincided with the recent “siege” laid on the Abuja residence of Bello by EFCC operatives seeking to arrest him.

    The commission had also obtained a warrant of arrest against the former governor from the federal high court in Abuja.

    The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion.

    At the scheduled arraignment on April 18, Bello was absent.

    At the court session, Abdulwahab Mohammed, counsel to Bello, told Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the warrant of arrest in the first instance.

    He referenced the February 9 interim injunction issued by the Kogi high court, adding that the appeal filed by the EFCC was still pending.

    However, the EFCC has filed a notice to withdraw the appeal.

    In the notice filed on April 22, the anti-graft agency said the withdrawal was predicated on the fact that events have overtaken the appeal.

  • Presidency, LP, PDP React To US Report On 2023 General Election

    Presidency, LP, PDP React To US Report On 2023 General Election

    A United States 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices arrived at its conclusion that the 2023 polls reflected the will of Nigerians.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency welcomed the report but emphasized that the party’s electoral successes did not depend on external validation.

    However, the opposition Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) questioned the basis on which the report concluded that the 2023 polls accurately represented the will of Nigerians, given the evident irregularities.

    The report, issued by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour within the US Department of State, detailed human rights practices and violations across various nations, including Nigeria.

    The report  also stated that there were reports of campaigning at polling stations, lack of ballot secrecy and various irregularities during the country’s 2023 elections

    According to the report, the recent general elections in Nigeria were deemed to reflect the will of the people, despite significant irregularities.

    The report highlighted allegations that supporters of the APC impeded voting in Igbo-dominated areas during the Lagos gubernatorial election in March 2023.

    The report partly read, “National elections were widely reported to have reflected the will of voters, despite technical and logistical difficulties, and some irregularities.

    “Many independent observers who assessed the results of the presidential, legislative, and state-level elections during the year reflected the will of voters despite reports of voter suppression and vote-buying, campaigning at polling stations, lack of ballot secrecy, violence, and intimidation.

    “During the March 18 state election in Lagos, All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters reportedly intimidated and suppressed voters in Igbo-dominated areas, which Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, won in the February 25 national election.

    “Viral videos on social media showed APC supporters in Ojo (LGA in Lagos) threatening to attack ethnic Igbo voters presumed to be pro-Obi.

    “In Eti-Osa, APC supporters also attacked journalists and, in some cases, shut down voting and prevented non-Yoruba voters from accessing polls. They similarly destroyed property and physically blocked voters in Amuwo-Odofin.

    “According to videos posted on social media, police officers were present but failed to respond to attacks.”

    However, in response to the report, the two primary opposition parties, the PDP and the LP, reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing democracy in Nigeria, notwithstanding its imperfections.

    National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, in a telephone chat with Vanguard said: “I am yet to read the report but one thing we, as a party, can assure Nigerians is that we remain committed to the advancement of democracy in our country.

    “We are also committed to ensuring that our country does not become a one-party state or slide into dictatorship.”

    Speaking in a similar vein, his counterpart in the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, said: “With all said and done, we take solace in the fact that the report was fair enough to admit that there were irregularities, including but not limited to vote buying, ballot box snatching, intimidation and physical attacks on our party supporters, especially in Lagos.

    “The report was magnanimous enough to note that supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, suppressed votes in areas dominated by our supporters during the March 2023 governorship election in Lagos.

    “To say the outcome of such an election reflects the majority view of Nigerians is left for the people to judge. Our commitment to the development of democracy in Nigeria remains unshakable.”

    The Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the ruling party, APC, Nze Chidi Duru, stated that the party had moved forward, focusing on advancing Nigeria’s electoral democracy.

  • Senator Ayogu Eze Is Dead

    Senator Ayogu Eze Is Dead

    Former Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ayogu Eze, is reportedly dead.

    The former Senate spokesman died in an Abuja Hospital after a protracted illness.

    A source who spoke to the Daily Post said the late Senator had been down, which prevented him from attending his child’s wedding ceremony earlier in the year, which was held in Lagos State.

    Ayogu Eze was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before he defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, where he ran for the Enugu State governorship election.

  • Wike’s loyalist rejects Fubara’s redeployment, resigns as Rivers commissioner

    Wike’s loyalist rejects Fubara’s redeployment, resigns as Rivers commissioner

    The Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zaccaeus Adangor, SAN has rejected his redeployment to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office), and consequently resigned from the State Executive Council.

    Adangor’s resignation came barely 24 hours after the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, redeployed him in a minor cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday.

    Fubara, in a letter issued on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, redeployed Adangor alongside the State Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, who himself was moved to the Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment

    Adangor and Kamalu, as well as seven other commissioners who had previously resigned from Fubara’s cabinet in the heat of the political crisis that rocked the state, are loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

    Adangor’s resignation was contained in a letter he personally signed, dated April 24 and addressed to the SSG on Wednesday and obtained by our correspondent.

    The letter was titled, “Cabinet Reshufflement: Notice of Rejection of Deployment and Resignation from the Rivers State Executive Council.”

    Adangor accused Fubara of willfully interfering with the performance of his duties as Commissioner.

    He further said the governor had in the last few weeks directed him not to defend, oppose, or appear in suits instituted against his office and the Government of Rivers State by persons admittedly hired and sponsored by the Government of Rivers State.

    The six-point letter reads, “My attention has been drawn to your letter dated April 23, 2024, and widely circulated on social media whereby I was “deployed to the ministry of special duties (governor’s office).

    I hereby give you notice of my rejection of the said deployment and resignation from the Rivers State Executive Council with effect from the 24th day of April 2024.

    “I wish to state for the record that I am no longer willing to continue to serve in the administration of His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, in any capacity whatsoever.

    “It is important to mention that the Governor of Rivers State had in the past couple of weeks willfully interfered with the performance of my duties as the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State, by directing me not to defend, oppose, or appear in suits instituted against the Honourable Attorney-General and the Government of Rivers State by persons admittedly hired and sponsored by the Government of Rivers State.

    “Having served the Government and good people of Rivers State dutifully as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council for the past five years, it has become imperative for me to quit the administration in order to preserve my reputation.

    “I wish the administration of His Excellency well.”

  • Former Imo Gov, Ihedioha resigns from PDP

    Former Imo Gov, Ihedioha resigns from PDP

    Former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha, has tendered his resignation to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing a misalignment between his personal beliefs and the current trajectory of the party.

    In a resignation letter addressed to the chairman of his constituency, Mbutu Ward, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Ihedioha expressed his dedication to the advancement of democracy and good governance in Nigeria despite his decision to step away from the party.

    Having been a member of the PDP since its inception in 1998, Ihedioha highlighted his contributions to the growth and evolution of the party, noting its historical commitment to internal reforms and providing credible leadership both in and out of power.

    However, Ihedioha lamented recent developments within the party, stating that it has deviated from its core principles. He voiced concerns over the party’s inability to enact internal reforms, uphold its own regulations, and effectively oppose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The letter reads, “Since 1998, I have contributed my quota to the development and transformation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as one of the founding members. All these years, I have taken pride in the fact that the PDP is a party that will always look inward for internal reforms and provide credible leadership for the people, whether in power or outside power. I have had the benefit of serving and benefiting from the party at various levels.

    “Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly, no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.’

    “It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately. While the decision was difficult to take, I, however, believe that it is the right one. Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”