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Reps Lawmaker, Ugochinyere Applauds Court Judgment on Rivers LG Polls

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By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

Spokesman of opposition lawmakers Coalition in the National Assembly, Hon.

Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, on Monday, applauded the Federal High Court, Rivers State Judicial Division over its declaration that there’s no going back on Local Government election in the state, on October 5th as scheduled.

Ugochinyere described the judgment delivered by Justice I.

P.
C Igwe as victory for democracy, blaming the pro-Wike lawmakers of running around to obtain court injunctions in order to frustrate the process, while others were already busy campaigning for votes.

On the suit between: Action Peoples Party (APP) and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Rivers State Government, Governor of Rivers State, Justice Igwe ruled that the Defendants are bound to make adequate provision for election into the Local Government Councils of Rivers State and to ensure that the affairs of the local Government Councils in Rivers State are conducted by democratically elected Local Government Councils.

Justice Igwe ordered as follows, “That upon the construction of Section 7 subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999 as amended, the 2nd and 3rd Defendants are bound to make adequate provision for election into the Local Government Councils of Rivers State and to ensure that the affairs of the local Government Councils in Rivers State are conducted by democratically elected Local Government Councils.

“That in view of Section 7 subsection 1, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999 as amended, Section 5 (A) of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. Law No 2 of 2018, the Decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria Delivered on the 11th  day of July, 2024 in Suit No SC/CV/343/2024: Attorney-General of Federation Vs Attorney General of Abia State and 35 Ors and expiration of the tenure of the former Democratically elected Local Government Councils in Rivers State on the 17th day of June, 2024, the Defendants are bound to conduct Election into the Local Government Councils in Rivers State within the shortest possible time in order to comply with aforesaid Judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“THAT it is further declared that in view of Section 5 (a) of the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission Law No 2 of 2018, Section 9(1)(a), (4) to (6) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the exigencies of the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered on the 11th day of July, 2024 In Suit No SC/CV/343/2024: Attorney-General of the Federation VS Attorney-General of Abia State & 35 Ors, the 1st Defendant is entitled to utilize the National Register of Voters for the 2023 General Elections compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pursuant to Section 9(1)(a}, (4) to (6) of the Electoral Act, 2022, already in custody of the 1st Defendant to conduct Election into the 23 Local Government Councils of Rivers State. That it is also declared that In view of the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria following the said Judgment in Sult No SC/CV/343/2024 Delivered on the 11th day of July, 2024 to the effect that all states without Democratically elected Local Government Councils in place should conduct Elections into their respective Local Government Councils within three (3) months from the date of the aforesaid Judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the defendants are bound to conduct elections into Local Government Councils in Rivers State on or before the expiration of the said three (3) months period, on the 5th day of October, 2024 and to take all necessary steps towards the conduct of the said Election, including sale of forms to candidates and their parties including the Claimant who Is interested in sponsoring candidates for offices in the Local Government Councils.

“That an order of mandatory Injunction be and is hereby issued compelling the 2nd and 3rd Defendant by themselves, or by their agents, privies, servants or representatives and proxies to make adequate provision for election into the Local Government Council in Rivers State and to ensure that the affairs of the Local Government Councils in Rivers State are Conducted by democratically Elected Local Government Councils. THAT it is further ordered that mandatory injunction be and is hereby issued compelling the 1” Defendant to conduct election into Local Government Councils of Rivers State on the 5th Day of October, 2024 or on any other date fixed by the 1st Defendant in accordance with its Electoral Guidelines in order to comply with the aforesaid Judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and to take all necessary steps towards the conduct of the said Elections including sale of forms to candidates and their parties, Including the Claimant who is interested in sponsoring candidates for offices in the Local Government Councils.

“That an order of mandatory Injunction be and is hereby further issued directing or commanding the 1st Defendant to utilize the National Register of Voters for the 2023 General Election compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pursuant to Section 9 (1){a), (4) to (6) of the Electoral Act, 2022 to conduct Election into the twenty-three Local Government Councils of Rivers State. THAT the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Nigeria Army and all other Security Agencies and Paramilitary Organizations are hereby ordered to provide adequate security and ensure maintenance of peace, law and order during and after the Election.”

Reacting to the court judgement during a media briefing, Monday in Abuja, Ugochinyere hailed the judgement saying that it is victory for democracy, stating that the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike’s efforts to stop the polls has been put to shame with this court judgement.

“This court judgement has saved democracy not just in Rivers State but the nation as a whole. The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike has been put to shame with this court judgement. We thank the Judiciary for saving democracy and upholding the rule of law. The local government election in the river state will be held as scheduled. The electoral laws are very simple, there’s no court order that can stop elections.”

The Lawmaker however, called on leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to wake up and restore the party.

POLITICS

Obaseki Slams Gov Okpebholo Over Alleged N96bn LG Fraud

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has slammed his Successor, Monday Okpebholo over allegation that  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members benefited from alleged N96 billion local government fraud during his administration.

 

Reacting to the report of a probe panel set up by Governor Okpebholo, Media Adviser to former Governor Godwin Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, described the fraud allegation as “another desperate effort to justify Okpebholo’s unconstitutional onslaught on duly elected council excos.

Part of the statement reads: “We have read with disdain a statement by Monday Okpebholo alleging that the elected 18 local government chairmen in Edo State mismanaged N96 billion, in another of Okpebholo’s frantic efforts to justify his unconstitutional onslaught on the elected leadership of the third tier of government.

“What is most shocking about the statement is that Okpebholo appears to be completely oblivious of the fact that he does not have supervisory responsibility over the local governments and can therefore not set up any investigation of government officials that are elected into office just like him. 

“As a matter of fact, these local government chairmen have a better claim to their democratic office than he, whose election stands on a knife edge, with the election petition tribunal preparing to deliver justice in the September 21, 2024 election, widely believed to have been rigged.

“Also advertising Okpebholo’s ignorance is his attempt, as usual, to drag His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki into his propaganda. 

“Okpebholo should kindly note that Obaseki was never obsessed with control of local government funds during his tenure, as Okpebholo has shown himself to be in the last three months. 

“We are forced to, by this statement, inform Okpebholo that there are limits to his powers as governor, and if he believes there are financial infractions in a separate tier of government from his own, he should simply inform the relevant agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to carry out their constitutional responsibilities. 

“Okpebholo needs to be reminded that he is neither the Inspector General of Police nor the Chairman of the EFCC.

“We urge all Edo people and Nigerians to ignore the lies and falsehood propagated by Okpebholo in his statement and to rest assured that His Excellency Godwin Obaseki, who is clearly the target of Okpebholo’s witch hunt ran the most transparent government in the history of Edo State and had no authority over local government funds at any time during his eight years in office.

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We Never Zoned 2027 Presidential Ticket to S/East – Labour Party

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The leadership of the Labour Party has denied the news making the rounds that it has zoned the 2027 presidential ticket to the South East.

 

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Obioral Ifoh, the party emphasised that it has not and will not zone any of its positions to any geographical zone or individual.

 

While making reference to a statement released on Sunday titled, “2027: Labour Party still available for Ndigbo to realise presidency – Abure”, Ifoh declared that the party did not at any time said it has zoned the presidency or any of its positions in the coming election.

 

The party was emphatic on its position that though, it made its platform available for the South East to pursue its political aspirations in the 2023 election, it will not close its doors to the zone if it chooses to work with the party in future elections.

According to Ifoh, “the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure on Saturday while speaking at a gathering of South East members of the party in FCT only advised that Ndigbo can still achieve the presidency if they are more united and are able to reach out to other groups, and that the Labour Party is a veritable platform for their aspiration.”

The Labour Party Spokesman stressed that the LP is a national party and has large followership across the country and therefore the issue of zoning does not arise. 

“In 2023 general elections, the party won seats in the North and across the Southern states and we are working hard to surpass that achievement in future elections. 

“Candidates of every position must emerge through highly competitive and democratic processes as the party constitution does not permi zoning. 

“We therefore regret the misinterpretation of the party’s noble intention by a section of the media. Our party was quoted out of context. 

“However, we are excited by the deluge of concerns raised by the public over the misinformation, it clearly shows the level of love and trust Nigerians have for the Labour Party and how far they are willing to support the party in the task of repositioning Nigeria and ensuring that the democracy works again in our dear country. 

“We seize this opportunity to call on Nigerians to have faith in the Labour Party and to support us for the huge task ahead. We will not fail you. Together, we shall overcome.”

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APC Condemns Alleged Attacks on its Members in Zamfara

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The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned alleged attacks on its members by some sponsored suspected thugs.

This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the State APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris.“The state APC leadership described the incident as uncalled for.
“This is condemnable and unacceptable, we are calling on the security agencies in the state to ensure a thorough investigation of the matter,” Idris said.
He added that the APC as a peace loving party in the state would not accept any obnoxious and unwarranted acts of intimidation and harassment.“The APC will continue to maintain its position as the strongest political party in Zamfara and nobody will intimidate us.
“The State APC chapter is hereby warning politicians in the state who always attack its members and properties especially when the party is organising or carrying out an activity in the state.“Our members were attacked by some suspected political thugs while moving from Gusau to Bungudu town for a function organised by a lawmaker, Abdulmalik Zubairu,” the spokesperson added.According to Idris, the members of the party were moving to attend the official inauguration of over N1billion worth of empowerment projects executed by Rep. Abdulmalik Zubairu for the benefit of his constituents and the state in general.“The political thugs openly and strategically stationed themselves along the Gusau to Bungudu Road to perpetrate the attack.“This led to the destruction of many vehicles and wounding of their occupants simply because they are APC members.“We are therefore calling on the state Police Command and other security agencies to immediately swing into action and arrest the suspected perpetrators,” Idris urged.The State APC leadership also urged its members to remain patient as the party would ensure that justice was done to all those attacked and those who sustained injuries.Idris appealed, “We are also calling on our members to remain calm and not to be discouraged by any intimidation and harassment.” (NAN

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