APC Suspends Jimoh Ibrahim 

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, the Lawmaker representing the people of Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State at the National Assembly. He was suspended for anti party activities by some members of the ward executives of the party at Igbotako ward 2, in Okitipupa Local Government of Ondo State. The Executives of the Igbotako Ward II, in a letter after the end of their meeting, suspended the Senator for his actions and activities, which they said, violated the party’s Constitution. They also cited that the suit instituted by Jimoh against the APC, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as his involvement in anti-party activities influenced their decision to suspend the Senator from the party. It would be recalled that after the primary election of the All Progressives Congress which produced Aiyedatiwa as the candidate of the party, Jimoh who is an Aspirant in the contest approached the court, seeking the nullification of the exercise. The letter read, “We, the members of the APC Exceutive Committee of Igbotako Ward (1 in Okitipupa 1 ocal Goverment Arca of Ondo State, convened meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024, during our meeting, We deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members, We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to be in violation of the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities In accordance with Article 21, Section A of APC Constitution”.

Ondo Guber; Court orders APC, Aiyedatiwa, INEC to open defence

The Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to file their defense in a suit seeking removal of Aiyedatiwa as APC gubernatorial candidate for November election. This is following a claim by the APC that it had written a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, seeking for transfer of the case from Abuja to Ondo State. In the ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that the three defendants must file their respective defence within days allowed by law since the suit is a time bound one. The plaintiff, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, is before the court questioning the conduct of the primary election that produced Aiyedatiwa as APC gubernatorial candidate. When the matter came up, Tuesday, Counsel to the APC, Tayo Oyetibo informed the Court that his client had forwarded a letter to the Chief Judge praying for movement of the case from the Abuja division to Akure division. He however admitted that APC had not received any response to the letter. In response, Justice Ekwo held that there was no letter before him and as such, cannot act on anything not before the court. However, the court held that with or without the letter before him, the defendants must respond to the issues raised by the plaintiff. APC in its letter by Matthew Bukkar SAN, dated May 12, but received in Chief Judge’s Office on May 13, 2024, claimed that the primary election being challenged was conducted in Akure, the Ondo State capital. It explained that it has a functional office in Akure with State Working Committee on ground and that the electoral body also has office in Akure. Besides, APC said that governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa whose candidacy is being challenged is resident in Akure. The party therefore said that Akure division of the Federal High Court is the approximate convenient place for the case to be determined. However, counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Chris Uche SAN was prevented from reacting to the letter on the ground that the said letter was not before the court. After issuing the order, Justice Ekwo fixed May 29 for hearing of the suit with a warning that all processes in respect of the suit must be filed and exchanged by parties. Ibrahim who is representing Ondo South in the Senate, is praying the court to cancel the nomination of Aiyedatiwa as APC candidate on the ground that the April 20 primary election that produced him was unlawful. In the suit instituted on his behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chris Uche, Ibrahim, a governorship aspirant who participated in the primary election alleged that the poll was marred with a lot of irregularities. Among others, the Senator claimed that sections 221, 228 of the 1999 Constitution and that of 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 were grossly violated in the conduct of the disputed primary election by the APC. He alleged that some delegates who could have voted for him at the primary election were not accredited to vote thereby making the primary election liable to be set aside and nullified. He is therefore praying the Court to bar INEC from accepting governor Aiyedatiwa as the APC governorship candidate in the coming November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State. The Senator also sought an order of perpetual injunction prohibiting governor Aiyedatiwa from holding himself out or parading himself as the APC governorship candidate. Similarly, Ibrahim wants the court to set aside the purported primary election and compel the APC to conduct a fresh one in compliance with sections 221, 228 of the 1999 Constitution and that of 84 of the Electoral Act 2022. The aggrieved governorship aspirant prayed the Federal High Court to delist the names of the APC and Aiyedatiwa from the political parties and candidates that would participate in the gubernatorial poll . Plaintiff further requested that APC and governor Aiyedatiwa be stripped of all rights except a fresh primary election is lawfully conducted for the purpose of nominating candidate for the governorship election.

Zamfara APC Chairman Sacked

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Zamfara State, Tukur Danfulani, has been sacked by the ward executive of the party in Galadima, Gusau Local Government Area of the state. The ward executive led by its deputy chairman, Garba Bello, and fifteen others on Saturday sacked the state chairman for alleged lack of good leadership, and discrimination against party members who violate the laws of the APC. He was also accused of diverting the activities of the party to some people who were not the leaders of the APC in Zamfara State. Speaking with the journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, the Assistant Youth Leader of Galadima ward, Abuhuraira Ilyasu, said 16 out of 27 executive members of the ward signed for the dismissal of the state chairman “On behalf of the leaders of APC Galadima ward in Gusau local government, we are here today 11th May 2024 to impeach the leadership of APC Chairman in Zamfara State, Honourable Tukur Danfulani due to the bad leadership,” Ilyasu said. “We have the list of all executive members that have signed for the impeachment of the Chairman, we have sixteen members out of 27 excos in Galadima ward.” He called on the party’s national headquarters to take note of their decisions and appoint a caretaker chairman for the party in Zamfara who will lead the APC in the North-West state

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.

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.

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.”

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.

PDP unveils campaign council for Edo 2024 governorship election

The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday in Benin unveiled a 200-member campaign Council for the September 21, 2024, Governorship Election in the State. In a statement, the PDP State Organizing Secretary, Tony Anenih (Jnr.), said members of the Campaign Council were versatile members of the PDP who have been carefully chosen to deliver the party’s candidate, Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo. Anenih noted that the campaign structure has an Advisory Council, to be headed by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, a Management Committee and a State Campaign Council, made up of 200 eminent members of the PDP. He said the women wing would be headed by the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, and Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo while the youth wing would be led by the Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor. Anenih explained that the selection process was carried out under the direct supervision of the leaders of the party headed by Obaseki. “I do not have any doubt whatsoever in my mind, that this group of very versatile members of the PDP that have been carefully chosen, will deliver our erudite, intellectually-sound and broad-minded candidate, Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo,” he said. “The advisory council has seven eminent members of the state, with the Governor as Chairman; the Management Committee is made up of the Director General and 13 Deputies for Finance, Contact and Mobilization and Media/ Publicity Field Operations and Security, among others” According to him, the youth and women wings which are very critical wings will be working independently, its relationship with the other Directorates will be symbiotic. He added “On behalf of the party, I congratulate each and every one of you that have been selected, and the party hopes and expects you to hit the ground running.”

INEC releases final list of candidates for Edo Governorship election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially unveiled the final list of candidates for the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election. Following the conclusion of initial primaries, the Commission had earlier disclosed the personal details of gubernatorial candidates and their running mates at its offices across the state. In compliance with the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, certain political parties opted to conduct fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates before the 15th April, 2024 deadline. Notably, the Action Alliance (AA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) made substitutions for their Governorship candidates and running mates. Additionally, the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) replaced only the running mates of their candidates. A total of seventeen (17) political parties will be fielding candidates in the election, with sixteen (16) being male and one (1) female. The final list, inclusive of detailed candidate information such as age, academic qualifications, and disability status, has been made accessible at INEC’s offices in Edo State, as well as on its website and social media platforms. Part of the statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, read: ”With the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election, the next activity is the electioneering campaign. ”As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, campaigns by Political Parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day. ”Therefore, Political Parties are now permitted to start campaign in public from Wednesday, 24th April 2024 and end at midnight on Thursday, 19th September 2024, as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election. ”As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the Commission reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity. For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions mentioned in Sections 92 – 97 of the Electoral Act 2022.” The Edo State Governorship Election is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 21st September 2024.

PDP To Elect New Chairman In August

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to elect a new national chairman in August 2024. This announcement follows the 98th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja yesterday, at which party stakeholders decided to extend Umar Damagum’s tenure as the party’s acting national chairman. Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who serves as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, shared this information with journalists during a press briefing held in Abuja yesterday. He said: “In the next two months we will see a lot of activities, leadership is a responsibility. We said in September that we would have come out from our congresses. “We will look at the issue of leadership and look at the issue of our constitution where it will be and we will do it without rancour.” Mohammed emphasized that the smooth execution of the party’s NEC gathering demonstrated the absence of any disagreement or hostility within the leadership. “It was planned that the party will have an explosion. PDP is more than that, we have gone beyond all these idiosyncrasies. This party is a united party that is guided by experience and constitutionality. “There were a lot of permutations and mischievous thinking outside there. But we looked at all the issues and we worked along our guidelines and constitution. There is no problem or dissension and problem among members,” Premiumtimes quoted the PDP chieftain saying. In his remark, the acting national chairman, Damagum, said that the leadership of the party was not a do-or-die affair. “This is not a matter of life and death. I am still an elected member of this NEC. Even if I revert to deputy national chairman I’m still a member of NWC. The issue of surviving or not does not emerge,” he said.