Lagos PDP Chairman Kidnapped
The Lagos State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Philip Aivoji, has been abducted. He was abducted along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway around 6 p.m on Thursday, according to sources. The state publicity secretary of the party, Hon. Hakeem Amode, confirmed the abduction. He called on security agencies and government authorities at all levels to intervene promptly and secure his release. Amode stated that the chairman was returning from a stakeholders’ meeting in Oyo State convened by Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke. He said, “It is disheartening that kidnapping has become a prevalent issue in our country, and the government’s inability to address this menace is deeply concerning. “The abduction of Aivoji underscores the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate this menace. “Aivoji’s abduction was a violent incident, and his current whereabouts or any communication from the abductors remain unknown. “We implore the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States, alongside security agencies, to expedite efforts and secure his safe return to his family and well-wishers. We firmly believe that, with increased efforts from security agencies, Aivoji can be rescued from these criminals, and we call on the public to support initiatives aimed at ending this threat to innocent lives.”
Ogun: Supreme Court Affirms Governor Abiodun’s Re-Election
The Supreme Court has affirmed the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State. The Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which dismissed the appeal filed by by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, seeking the nullification of the re-election of Governor Abiodun. Delivering the Lead Judgement, Justice Tijani Abubakar dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit
Kaduna: Uba Sani wins at the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has affirmed the Victory of Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the March 18 governorship election in Kaduna state. The Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which set aside the decision of the Kaduna governorship election tribunal sacking Sani and declaring the governorship election in the state as inconclusive. Delivering the Lead Judgement, Justice Tijani Abubakar dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit. More Details later
S’Court Upheld Nasir Idris as Kebbi State Gov
The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Nasir Idris of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Kebbi State. The Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja dismissing the appel filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aminu Bande challenging the victory of at the March 18 governorship election. Delivering the Lead Judgement, Justice Abba Aji dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit More Details later
Gombe Guber: Gov Yahaya election affirmed a S’Court
The Supreme Court on Friday, dismissed an appeal by Jibrin Barde of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)challenging the election of Governor Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe state. The Apex court lead judgment read by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, unanimously dismissed an appeal by Barde for want of merit, incompetent and liable to be dismissed. Consequently, the apex court has affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, which had in November, 2023, upheld the election of Yahaya as Governor of Gombe State. The appellate court had upheld Yahaya’s election after dismissing two separate appeals challenging his declaration as winner of the March 18, governorship election in the state.
Court declares Sen. Anyanwu authentic PDP national secretary
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has declared Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Therefore, the court made an order of injunction, restraining the national leadership of the PDP from appointing any person as acting national secretary when Anyanwu’s four-year tenure is still running and subsisting until Dec. 9, 2025, in line with the party’s constitution. Justice Ekwo also declared that any meeting held or resolution reached by the party to prematurely remove or prevent Anyanwu from exercising the powers of his office would be in violation of Article 47 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), hence, becomes null and void and of no effect. The judge also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “from recognizing any purported appointment of any person as national secretary of the party whether in acting capacity or otherwise other than Anyanwu, the elected national secretary of the 1st defendant (PDP).” Recall that the court had, on Nov. 23, 2023, stopped the PDP from removing Anyanwu as national secretary pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter. The order followed an ex-parte motion by Dr Joshua Musa, SAN, on behalf of two members of the party; Geoffrey Ihentuge and Apollo’s Godspower. While Ihentuge is the Ikeduru Local Government chairman of the PDP in Imo, Godspower is the PDP chairman in Owerri Municipal Local Government of the state. The plaintiffs had sued the PDP; Umar Damagun, party’s acting national chairman; National Executive Committee (NEC); the National Working Committee (NWC) and INEC as 1st to 5th defendants respectively. The plaintiffs, who sought five reliefs, prayed for an order of interim injunction, restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants from carrying out the threat to remove the national secretary (Anyanwu). This, they said, was in violation of the provisions of Article 47 (1) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. They argued that Anyanwu was duly elected on Dec. 10, 2021, and was entitled to remain in office till Dec. 9, 2025. They said that an elected national officer of the 1st defendant cannot be arbitrarily removed from office in any manner without his resignation and in breach of the party’s constitution. But in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants’ counter affidavit, the party’s leadership averred that contrary to the plaintiffs’ argument, Anyanwu applied for leave of absence to enable him concentrate on his election as PDP candidate in the Imo governorship poll which took place on Nov. 11, 2023. They, therefore, said that contrary to Paragraphs 22 and 23 of the plaintiffs’ affidavit, the NWC approved the deputy national secretary to act in place of the national secretary as provided for in Article 36(2) of the party’s constitution. Meanwhile, when the matter was called for judgment, two lawyers announced appearance for parties interested to be joined in the suit. While G.E Ejekela announced appearance for Dr Ali Odefa, the national vice chairman of South East of PDP, P.O. Akpogwu represented Hon S.K.E. Ude-Okoye, who was listed as national secretary of the party. But plaintiffs’ counsel, Musa, called the attention of the court to Ude-Okoye’s motion for joinder filed on his behalf. The senior lawyer said though the motion was filed yesterday, he had responded to it. He, however, faulted the process on the grounds that the exhibits attached to the one served on him were different from the exhibits attached to other parties’. After much arguments, Akpogwu applied to withdraw the motion for joinder and the plaintiffs’ lawyer sought a cost of N1 million but the judge awarded a N100, 000 fine against the lawyer for filing an untidy process. Moving his motion for joinder on Odefa’s behalf, Ejekela said the application dated Dec. 22, 2023, was filed on Dec. 27, 2023. He urged the court to grant their prayer. But Musa, who opposed the plea, said a counter affidavit had been filed. He argued that the application was an attempt to arrest the judgment, urging the court to dismiss it for constituting an abuse of court process. Justice Ekwo then stood down the matter for ruling and judgment. Delivering the ruling, the judge dismissed Odefa’s motion for lack of merit and for being an abuse of court process. In his judgement, Ekwo held that the plaintiffs had been able to demonstrate, with credible evidence, the threat and move by the PDP leadership to remove its national secretary without due compliance with the provisions of the party’s constitution. “The court is duty bound to prevent that from happening. “The plaintiffs do not have to wait until the 1st — 4th defendants carry out their threat before coming to seek redress. “In such situation, the court is bound to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.”
Imo Guber: PDP Calls For Uzodinma, APC’s Disqualification Over Fake Video
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify Governor Hope Uzodimma and the All Progressives Congress (APC) just 24 hours before the Imo governorship election. This demand comes in response to the alleged involvement of the APC and Governor Uzodimma in creating and disseminating a fake video against PDP’s Imo state governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. The PDP, through its national publicity secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, labelled the video as “barbaric and shameful,” accusing Governor Uzodimma of stooping to new lows to mislead the people of Imo. The PDP claims that the fabricated video is a manifestation of Governor Uzodimma’s fear of Senator Anyanwu’s popularity, prompting him to employ deceitful tactics to undermine the opposition candidate’s chances in the election. Commending the swift response of TVC, which was allegedly misrepresented in the fake video, the PDP reiterated its support for Senator Anyanwu, dismissing the video as entirely false. The party called on the people of Imo state to disregard the misleading content. The PDP suggested that if anyone should withdraw from the race, it should be Governor Uzodimma, accusing him of showing a lack of readiness for a peaceful, free, fair, and transparent election. The party urged INEC to disqualify the APC and Governor Uzodimma, citing their reported involvement in producing and circulating the fake video as a gross violation of electoral laws.