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Ebonyi Assembly on Commotion, as Embattled Speaker Declares 3 Seats of PDP Lawmakers Vacant

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Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki

The embattled speaker of Ebonyi state house of Assembly, EBSHA, Mr. Francis Nwifuru on Tuesday declared the seats of three (3) members of the opposition party, Peoples Democratic party, PDP vacant, directs the independent National electoral commission, INEC to conduct refresh election to fill in the vacancies.


The seats of the affected PDP lawmakers’ were declared vacant following In a motion moved by Chinedu Onah representing Ohaukwu south constituency and seconded by Chukwuma Igwe representing Onicha west constituency.

Recall that the federal High court sitting in Abuja, had last week declared the seats of 15 members of the house including the speaker Francis Nwifuru for defecting from PDP to APC.

The 15 lawmakers whose seats the court declared vacant include Odefa Odefa, Victor Uchukwu, Kingsley Ikoro, Benjamin Jununu, Nkemka Okoro, Anthony Nwegede, and Chinwe Nwachukwu.
The rest are Onu Nwonye, Friday Nwuhuo, Moses Odunwa, Chinedu Awo, Chinedu Onah, Chukwuma Igwe, Chukwu Lucas and Francis Nwifuru.
But, the embattled speaker Francis Nwifuru read the letters on the floor of the House after which he declared the seats of the three lawmakers vacant.
According to him: “The seat of the member representing Ishielu north constituency, Hon. Ali Ikechukwu Kizito is hereby declared, those in support say Hi, those against say no, the Hi’s have it. 
“The Clerk of the house is to make a memo to the independent National electoral commission, INEC, to tell them of the vacancies that occured as a result of the resignation of some of our distinguished honourable members of the house of Assembly, ranging from Hon. Victor Aleke, Ali Ikechukwu Kizito and Hon. Franca Okpo, informing them of the vacancies and also tell them to consider conducting election to have a representatives in the hallowed chamber.

“The house have done so well this year, and they need some opportunities to go and pursue their primary objectives even though the forthcoming primary election. We need to work with our constituents very effectively, based on the electoral acts that was signed into law the primaries will start by 4th April 2022.
The speaker however declared a three month recess to enable the members of the house participate in the forthcoming party primaries scheduled to hold 4th April 2022., “Base on that, we need to give ourselves little time to go back to constituency, and tell your constituents what you have been able to do and what you are yet to do” he stated.
In a swift reaction, Chief Victor Aleke representing Ebonyi North West constituency who spoke to journalists on behalf of the three (3) affected Members of the House of Assembly whose seats were declared vacant tasked the general public to disregard the information. 
According to them: “This is to inform the general public to disregard the concocted information circulating that the seat of the three PDP Ebonyi State House of Assembly members: Hon Victor Aleke, Hon Mrs Franca Okpo and Hon Okechukwu Ali were declared vacant.
“Recall on 8th March 2022, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja in a declaratory judgement sacked the Ebonyi State Speaker and 15 Lawmakers for defecting to APC and that judgement still stands.
“All this actions of the sacked members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly Members are total abuse to the rule of law and contempt of Court Judgement which is tantamount to arrest.
“Ndi Ebonyi should disregard such information as it holds no water and it cannot stand. 
“We hereby urge all constituents of these members whose seats were purported declared vacant to remain calm and peaceful as the court pronouncement that sacked the 16 Ebonyi State House of Assembly members still stands until they get stay of execution or get favourable judgement from the appellate court.
“For your information, as it stand now, Ebonyi State House of Assembly Members are made of; Hon Chris Usulor, Hon Victor Aleke, Hon Chidi Ejem, Hon Engr. Humphrey Nwuruku, Hon Dr. Oliver Osi, Hon Mrs Franka Okpo, Hon Okechukwu Ali, Hon Mrs Lilian Ezulor.
“Presently, These are the members of the state House of Assembly until court of competent jurisdiction says otherwise or fresh elections conducted after 90 days according to Justice Inya Ekopom Declaratory Judgment” they stated.

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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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