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Anambra Election: Supreme Court to Vote for the Governor

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By Law Mefor

Anambra State is fast becoming the home of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, the state has been in the news mostly for the wrong reasons and many unsettling issues surrounding the coming governorship election scheduled for November have only served to heighten it. Political party primaries for the governorship election have come and gone but have equally created very wide latitude for confusion and conflict.

The three leading political parties capable of producing the next governor for the state, namely, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and All Progressives Congress (APC) are now riddled with crisis and court cases.

The constitutional requirement for becoming the governor of a state does not stipulate that the candidates must be indigenous to the states where they are contesting.

For the avoidance of doubt, here are the extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution for qualification to become a governor: Section 177 explicitly states: “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a State if (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; (b) he has attained the age of thirty-five years; (c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent”.

Indeed, there is no provision for the candidates to be indigenous to the states to qualify to contest. Many say that this lacuna may be what the Chief Edozie Njoku faction is exploiting by organizing primaries which produced him, a man from Imo state, as a candidate, which means he could become the governor of Anambra state since the window for substitution has since closed up. Politicians have really been doing the dance of the absurd with the Anambra governorship election.

What is more, the regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are such that only the national chairman of a political party can submit the names of the flag bearer and his or her running mate. Furthermore, it is political parties that actually stand for elections in the current dispensation and not the candidates per se. What this means is that while the election may go on, it may ultimately be the Supreme Court that will determine which of these candidates will become the governor.

Here are the possible and plausible scenarios for Anambra state: All Progressive Congress: Senator Andy Uba is the candidate so far recognized by the INEC but one of the aspirants, the Executive Secretary of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, is in court challenging the candidacy of Andy Uba and the validity of APC primaries. As a matter of fact, George Moghlau is asking the courts to even disqualify his own party from participating in the governorship election owing to the way and manner the primaries were conducted. If George Moghalu’s court case succeeds, the APC may not have a candidate in the Anambra governorship election and Andy Uba may also not become Governor even if he and his party win.

The Peoples Democratic Party on its part has two candidates laying claim to being the legitimate candidate of the party. The multiple court cases by the PDP contestants forced the INEC not to publish any of the candidates when it first released the list of candidates. Two rival primaries held under the auspices of the PDP produced the former President of the Transcorp Group, Valentine Ozigbo, and the rival primaries produced a former senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and senior brother of Andy Uba, by name, Ugochukwu Uba. As it stands, no one is certain who the candidate of PDP is between Val Ozigbo and Ugochukwu Uba. The Supreme Court will also decide it and either man will become governor if the PDP wins.

Perhaps the most interesting is that of the ruling party in Anambra state, All Progressives Grand Alliance, where three factions are laying claim to producing the authentic party executive committee. The three factions are respectively led by Dr. Victor Oye, Hon. Jude Okeke and Chief Edozie Njoku. The three factions are in court, each trying to prove why its executive committee is the authentic one. Without going into the nitty-gritty of the cases to avoid being prejudicial, it is Dr. Victor Oye’s executive committee that produced the former CBN governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, as candidate; while Hon. Jude Okeke’s faction produced a serving member of House Reps, Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji whose name was first published by INEC before being replaced with Soludo; and Chief Edozie Njoku who apparently produced himself in his faction’s primaries despite the fact that he hails from another state (Imo).

It is important to note here that Edozie Njoku hails from Imo State and if the courts uphold him as the authentic chairman of APGA and since he is the candidate produced by his own primaries, it stands to reason that he hopes to become governor of Anambra State since the extant constitutional provision for qualification of candidates for governorship does not include one being an indigene of the state he or seeks to govern. This novel development, though could be a watershed if it materializes, will open a new vista in the nation’s democracy, Many however believe that the man Njoku is only upping his bargaining power and not necessarily positioning to become a governor position of Anambra state.

As stated earlier, though the court cases may not stop the election, the situation has made it rather very difficult to identify the candidates of these leading political parties. For a state that goes with the slogan, ‘Light of the Nation’, this is not a good example for the rest of the country. Many attribute the kind of politics played in Anambra to too many rich persons and relatively high social exposure. But even if this is true, the two factors can still be better deployed if the citizens of the state can learn inclusive politics and play down their individualism. The billions of Naira that aspirants from Anambra state commit to purchase forms of political parties can be better channeled to the development and empowerment of the less privileged ones.

Indeed, nothing is settled in the Anambra governorship election. But it promises to be yet another election where the courts will decide who will eventually become the governor. Only the candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who has all the trappings of a dark horse, is certain of his candidacy and the motley of other political parties and their teeming candidates do not seem to stand much chance.

So, all eyes are justifiably on the three leading political parties now enmeshed in crisis and ridiculing the prime state.

POLITICS

I Didn’t Call for Ganduje’s Resignation – Alia

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has denied calling for the resignation of Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Tersoo Kula.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CPS was reacting to some media reports that the governor has called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.

The Kula said the governor at no time called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.
He said the governor enjoyed a good relationship with the Ganduje-led leadership of APC.
“It is imperative to clarify that at no point did Governor Alia assembled, attended and sent a representative or participated in any meeting to discuss the removal or call for resignation of Alhaji.
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
“The Benue State governor remains firm in his support and allegiance to the leadership of the National Working Committee of the APC, under the leadership of Alhaji Ganduje.
“Furthermore, at no point, whether publicly or privately, has the governor advocated or expressed any desire for the resignation of the National party chairman”, he said.
He said the governor was focused on positively changing the fortunes of the state.
“He is alive to his responsibilities as the leader of APC in Benue State and is doing everything legitimate to reposition the party for future victories.” Kula said.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Benue State said it has withdrawn the only case filed by the embattled state chairman of the party, comrade Austin Agada that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi.
It said the said case has been consequently struck out by Justice T.A. Kume.
The state publicity secretary of the party, Daniel Ihomun,  said this was done in compliance with the directive of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in its 146th meeting held on the 20th March, 2024, wherein resolutions targeting peace were made directing all pending cases filed by members of the party in Benue State against the party or concerning the party and its members be withdrawn within 7 days.
Mr. Ihomun in a statement, made available to newsmen in Makurdi, said the State Legal Adviser of the APC, Alyebo Mathew Esq, at the instance of the state chairman, filed a Notice of Withdrawal on the 25th March, 2024, in the only case filed by the chairman that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi.
The party urged all members affected by the directive to withdraw all matters in court to clear the way for proper reconciliation that will ultimately pave the way for peace in the party.

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POLITICS

Mutfwang Meets PDP North Central Leadership Calls for Unity among Officials

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From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has called for unity a purpose among officials of the North Central geopolitical political zone towards the growth of the party in the region.
He noted that the region has consistently remained a stronghold for the PDP since its inception, attributing it to the party’s ideologies and its developmental impact on the citizens at any given opportunity.


Governor Mutfwang made the commendation during a meeting on Wednesday with PDP officials from the North Central, led by the zonal National Vice Chairman, Hon.
Theophilus Dakas Shan, at Plateau House in Abuja the nation’s capital.

While applauding the dedication, patriotism, and steadfast support of the PDP officials in the region for their role in promoting unity and internal democracy in the party reiterated that such dedication will not be forgotten by the party.
Governor Mutfwang through his Director of Press and Public Affairs expressed his gratitude to the zonal officials for their commitment during the 2023 general elections, an effort he said aligned with the party’s principles.
He reiterated that the party’s mission is to govern not for personal gain but for the people’s liberation, voicing his expectation that the PDP will continue to be the people’s party, deserving of significant involvement in its administration.
As the opposition party, the Governor emphasized the need to strive for the governance Nigerians aspire to, stating, “We must offer constructive criticism to the government and ensure the Nigerian people are not shortchanged.”
The Governor announced plans to reform the party into a robust, dependable, and credible political platform that enables Nigerians to run for elections and fulfill the promise of democracy.
The National Vice Chairman of the PDP North Central Zone, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, congratulated Governor Mutfwang on his election and Supreme Court victories.
He pledged full support to his administration, noting that the Governor’s unique position as the sole PDP-elected Governor from the zone will not be taken for granted.
He acknowledged the North Central’s role in electing the National Chairman of the PDP by consensus before the 2023 elections. However, recent political events in Benue State, has set aside the Chairman from office adding that the zone needs to address the matter as a family.
Hon. Shan said plans are underway to hold congresses of the Party and called for unity to ensure that the process is reliable, credible, and universally accepted, thereby minimizing potential litigation.

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POLITICS

FG Seeks Swedish Govt Support on Technical Education

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal Government is seeking the support of the Swedish Government to help drive its ongoing efforts of integrating technology and skills into the education sector.The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman who made the appeal while hosting the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englung, on a working visit to the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja, said it was important to leverage Sweden’s technical expertise.

The Minister also said the Federal government is seeking the support of the Swedish government in the development of indigenous languages to aid sound educational development in Nigeria.
He said: “The presence of (Swedish) tech companies in education and training is very important for us because one of the major things this ministry is focusing on now is to bring technology and skills into our education system right from the very early stage of education and we feel it is a very important mechanism tool for learning and teaching.
”And so we will be looking at your experiences to see how we can grow from that because what we want is right from primary school we want our students to be exposed to technology and skills so that at that stage they can grow with it and nurture critical thinking capabilities.“Right now education is not all about just providing training for jobs and skills of today, but preparing them to think about the skills of tomorrow and the best way to do that is by nurturing critical thinking capability right at the early stage.“So we will be leveraging your expertise and experience in order for us to develop our plans and integrate skills and technology into the curriculum at all the levels of our education system in Nigeria.”Mamman who noted that some agreements had been signed between Nigeria and Sweden in the past, however, stressed the need for both countries to deepen bilateral relationships by committing to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in several areas of partnerships.The Swedish envoy had earlier named some Swedish firms in Nigeria engaged in educational and entrepreneurship programmes.Hahn – Englung who expressed Sweden’s readiness to deepen existing relationships, especially in the area of education, noted Sweden’s desire to have more students study in the country’s institutions of higher learning.“We have quite a number of companies especially when it comes to EdTech but then also, we have ideas to see what we can do more together.“We have many Nigerian students going to Sweden every year. They are very competitive students we have noticed but we will like to see that expand more.”

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