Category: Politics

Caucus

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 21, 2024(NAN) The Rivers caucus in the House of Representatives has disowned one of its members, Rep. Dumnamene Deekor as its leader and spokesman, saying he was never instructed to speak on behalf of the caucus.

Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Leader of the Rivers Caucus in the house, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, dismissed a statement credited to the lawmaker.

The statement had called for sanction of the coordinator of the G-60 Lawmakers, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere.

Abiante said the leadership of the Rivers caucus in the house had always been based on seniority.

He added that a second term lawmaker could not lead the caucus when there are more senior lawmakers.

He explained that as a lawmaker, Deekor is aware of the fact that every member had the right to comment on any issue affecting any part of the country.

This, he said,  was because they had sworn to defend the integrity of Nigeria.

“The Rivers caucus in the house of representatives read with dismay,  a statement purportedly issued by the member, representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Deekor.

“The statement called for the discipline of the Coordinator of the G-60 Lawmakers in the Green Chamber,  Ugochinyere over his position on vexed issues in the polity.

“We refused to collectively accede to Deekor’s self serving stands as he has never been elected by the Rivers caucus to speak on our behalf.”

He said that Deekor being a second term lawmaker,  could not have arrogated to himself, the position of caucus leader in the midst of third and fourth term lawmakers.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ODF/CHOM/MNA
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Maureen Atuonwu

Terrorism

By Naomi Sharang
Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Retired Maj.-Gen Garba Wahab, Director-General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, has urged the judiciary to carry out due diligence in handling cases of terrorism, insurgency and banditry.

Wahab told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that the call became necessary to guard against impunity by perpetrators of such acts.

”Let the judiciary start doing their job because if we don’t, we are encouraging impunity,” he said.

Wahab said that the centre would look at the security issues during a roundtable to be held on Monday and Tuesday on “Asymmetrical National Security Challenges, the Army and National Development”.

He said that the security challenges in the country were well-known issues by all, adding that it behoves on all stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the myriad of the problems.

“We will like to trudge on to find a solution to the security challenges. We know the problems but what are the solutions?

“We have issues. We must find solutions; we must beg, if it means begging. This is our country and it must work.

“We must find a way to make sure things work in Nigeria. Prosecution is a two-way thing. The judge and the prosecuting officers must up their game.

“The judiciary must be up and doing. Series of allegations have been leveled and we are not leveling allegation against anybody, but we must work as a country,” Wahab said.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, Development Specs Academy, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, said that the meeting with newsmen was organised as part of public engagements designed to strengthen public awareness on asymmetrical national security challenges.

“The essence of our special attention to our strategic partners is to emphasise the roles and relevance of credible and highly professional bodies, institutes and institutions as well as agencies of government that are headed by professionals in public communication and the media.”

He said that asymmetrical security challenges ranged from embedded targets, refusal of the average person to help the army and other security agencies with local intelligence.

“We become illiterate enough not to understand that it is our duty to provide that intelligence for us to be protected.

“So, that is a security challenge for those managing security, but it doesn’t take the standard form that they are familiar with, and they could refusal to help.”

Ikechukwu listed the partners to the planned roundtable to include the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, among others.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
NNL/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Emirship tussle: Lawyers, activists hail court verdict

Court

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 21, 2024(NAN) The National Coalition of Northern Lawyers and a group of activists under the aegis of Public Interest Activists (NCNLPIA), have commended the ruling of the Federal High Court, Kano, which reinstated Alhaji Ado Bayero as Emir Kano.

Mr Napoleon Otache, NCNLPIA convener, on Friday in Abuja commended the court for what he described as upholding the rule of law and protecting the sanctity of traditional institutions.

He said at a news conference that the ruling was a victory for justice, truth, and the people of Kano State.

According to him, the judgment vindicates the popular stance on the illegality of the Kano State Government in dissolving the Kano Emirates.

He urged Gov. Abba Yusuf to apologise to Emir Ado Bayero for the humiliation and embarrassment inflicted upon him by the dethronement, including the unlawful dissolution of the Kano Emirates.

Otache advised the governor to respect the court’s decision and work towards peace and reconciliation in Kano State.

He said that with the judgement, the court had again proven that the judiciary was the last hope of the common man, adding that the court’s ruling has demonstrated that the rule of law must be obeyed.

He said: “the judiciary has given the rude awakening that it is there to correct the conversion of the Kano State House of Assembly.

It would be recalled that Justice Abdullahi Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano overturned all the actions taken by Gov Yusuf after the Kano Emirate law was amended by the State House of Assembly on May 23.

Justice Liman faulted the governor’s assent to the bill and the presentation of an appointment letter to Sanusi on May 24, 2024 in spite an order of court directing all parties to maintain status quo.

However, through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, the state government gave a different interpretation to the ruling.

“The Kano State Government acknowledges the ruling by the Federal High Court regarding the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 and views same as upholding the rule of law.

“By the ruling of the Court, it has unequivocally reaffirmed the validity of the law passed by Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State on Thursday 23rd May, 2024 by 5: 10pm’’, he said. (NAN)www.nannews.ng
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Edited by Uche Anunne

Group faults APC over call for emergency rule in Rivers

Emergency

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Concerned Citizens Forum of Nigeria (CCFN), a civil society organisation,  has faulted the call for emergency rule in Rivers by Rivers chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Promise Ekeanyanwu, the Executive Director of the group, made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that APC, Rivers chapter, on Wednesday called for state of emergency in the state as the political tension there escalated.

The caretaker committee chairman of the party, Mr Tony Okocha, told newsmen that “APC Rivers state is calling for a state of emergency in Rivers state so that I and you can have peace in this state’’.

Ekeanyanwu said that declaring a state of emergency would undermine democratic governance.

He also said the call for a state of emergency, if heeded to, would exacerbate the existing instability in the state.

According to him, implementing such a measure would erode the trust of the populace in the democratic process.

He said it would further disenfranchise the people of the state and potentially exacerbate the existing tensions.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into to determine if APC was involved in the crisis in Rivers and if found culpable hold it accountable for any wrongdoing.

The CCFN executive director stressed that the security situation in the state should be a concern that required attention.

He urged the relevant authorities to adopt proactive measures that would address the root causes of the issue.

“Declaring a state of emergency is not a viable solution, as it will only lead to further violence, displacement and human rights violations’’, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ODF/DCO/KUA

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Uche Anunne

Campaigns
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged political parties to adhere to the law in their campaigns for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

This is contained in a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee in Abuja on Friday.

Olumekun said that the advice became imperative following publication of the final list of candidates for the governorship elections and as campaigns had begun.

“Over the years, a recurring problem in Nigeria’s electioneering process has been the use of power of incumbency to deny opposition parties and candidates’ access to public facilities for rallies and other campaign activities.

“These include public buildings such as stadiums, open spaces in public places, total denial or restricted access to state-owned media (specifically radio and television stations);

“The imposition of excessive levies and fees for outdoor and media advertising, and even the removal or vandalism of billboards and posters.

“These actions often result in violent clashes among party supporters and a breach of public peace.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission wishes to reiterate that Section 95 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the use of State apparatus to ‘the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election,” Olumekun said.

He also advised the media to comply with the provisions of the law during the campaigns.

According to him, under Section 95 (3), (4) and (5), it is obligatory for public media houses to allot equal coverage and visibility to all parties and candidates.

“Section 95 (6) provides sanctions against heads of public media organisations, their principal officers, and other officials for contravention,” he said.

He said that the publication containing the commission’s guidelines for the conduct of political rallies, processions and campaigns had been uploaded to the Commission’s website (www.inecnigeria.org).

According to him, the same document has also been uploaded to INEC social media platforms.

“Consequently, the attention of all concerned is drawn to the provisions of the law and the guidelines for strict compliance,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Ese E. Eniola Williams

UniAbuja

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has visited the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), urging the institution’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its ongoing strike.

The Chairman of the committee, Abubakar Fulata, in an interview with newsmen shortly after Friday’s visit in Abuja said the appeal became necessary to prevent destabilising the academic calendar.

The lawmaker said the visit aligned with the constitutional provisions empowering legislators to carry out oversight functions over Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure compliance with the Appropriation Act.

He called on the institution’s management to judiciously utilise what was provided in line with the 2024 Appropriation Act.

He also advised them to seek additional ways to fund the university instead of relying almost absolutely on the government.

In his remarks, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, commended the lawmakers for their visit and for intervening in the dispute between the school management and ASUU.

He lauded the committee for its efforts that resulted in the Federal Government removing universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

“The removal of universities from IPPIS helped us from going to the Head of Service of the Federation and several MDAs before carrying out our functions like salary payment, appointments, and promotion among others,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker and Moses Solanke

Lagos PDP state exco ratifies Adewale’s suspension,party chieftain kicks

Suspension

By Adeyemi Adeleye

Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ratified the indefinite suspension of a  former State Chairman of the party, Chief  Segun Adewale (aka Aeroland).

The party ,in a letter dated June 19 and signed by the State Secretary, Mr Soji Orioye, said the resolution was taken at the party’s executive meeting on Wednesday .

Orioye said the committee made the resolution upon receipt of letters of suspension of Adewale from his ward and local government area( Alimosho Local Government Area )and after due diligence.

He said Adewale’s ward and local government area  notified the state executive committee of the party about his suspension   in a letter  dated June 12.

Orioye said that his suspension  followed alleged acts of misconduct,  including breach of the  party’s constitution, diversion of election funds, and  anti-party activities .

“That State Executive Committee of the Party notes with regrets that the body is already in receipt of several petitions against the same Mr Segun Adewale wherein he was alleged to have taken some prominent leaders of the party to court.

“This, he did, without exploring the conflict resolution mechanism of the party ,which action ordinarily amounts to a fundamental breach of the party’s constitution.

“The state exco further takes judicial notice of Mr Adewale’s disdain and disrespect for the Constitution of the Party, as well as all other constituted organs of the party.

“This he did, using the Nigerian Police to arrest and harass some prominent party leaders and the principal officers of Alimosho Local Government Exco- his own local government,” Orioye said.

He said that the party’s State Working Committee was mindful of its constitutional responsibilities to the party.

According to him, the committee in strict compliance with the principle of fair hearing as guaranteed in the Constitution of Nigeria and as contained in Section 57 (5) ofthe Constitution of our great Party (2017 amended version), gave Adewale an opportunity to defend himself.

He said that this was through a letter of invitation, dated June 12 ,to a fact- finding meeting.

Orioye said that Adewale shunned the invitation and failed to take advantage of the window of opportunity to defend himself.

“That failure to appear personally or through a counsel before a panel of enquiry without any legal excuse or any formal apologies to attend the meeting and defend himself over such heinous allegations becomes an undefended case.

“There is therefore, a natural presumption of guilt to the levelled allegations ,hence his decision not to honour the invitation.

“That in order to instil discipline, maintain orderliness as well as to defend, uphold and advance the supremacy of the constitution of our great Party- PDP, the State Executive Committee of the party in Lagos State after an extensive deliberation on the matter, had no other option but to ratify the suspension of Mr Adewale as carried out and passed from his ward and local government.

“That accordingly, Mr Segun Adewale (alias Aeroland) is hereby suspended from our great party – Lagos State PDP in accordance with section 57, Subsection 3 and Section 58, subsection (A), (B), (D), (I) and (L) of our Party’s Constitution (2017 Amended Version)”he said.

Confirming the letter in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Lagos State PDP Chairman, Mr Philip Aivoji, said that the decision to suspend former state chairman was jointly taken by state exco.

“it was the decision of the entire exco, ” Aivoji told NAN on telephone.

Reacting, Adewale said that the party’s constitution only allowed suspension of any party member or leader  from the ward ,claiming  he had not been suspended by his ward  for any alleged act of misconduct.

“It is unfortunate that leaders and exco that are supposed to be suspended from the party for working against the PDP in the 2023 general elections are the ones suspending me that stayed to defend the party and its votes.

“I am still in the party, I am still the South West ex-officio of the party, representing Lagos in the zone and the national body has not removed me.

“The national body is even asking me and begging me to stay.

“The premise on  which the state exco is talking of suspension is  faulty because the constitution states that I must be suspended from my ward and there is nothing like suspension from my ward,” he said.

Adewale said that instead of publishing the report of his suspension in the media for sensationalism, the state executive  should proceed to the zonal level and then the  national level, to actualise their plan.

“If the suspension is real and not for sensationalism or propaganda, the letter should be sent to South West zone of the party and the national leadership in Abuja.

“They should take the suspension letter to Abuja now. They should notify the  national body of PDP and Southwest Zonal exco of the party, not the press. We are waiting for the letter.

“They can suspend but it is the national  body that will ratify it,” he said.

He alleged that the former PDP National Deputy Chairman and life Board of Trustees member, Chief Olabode George had been fingered in “all the drama of my suspension”.

“The reason for the suspension is because I took Bode George up and keep challenging him for always trading away the party every four years on the eve of elections,” Adewale said.

He said that he didn’t show up at the state executive disciplinary committee when invited because its membership were full of those that worked against the party in the last elections.

“He that comes to equity must come with clean hands. They are the ones we are supposed to  be suspended because they worked against the party,” Adewale said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Sanction

By EricJames Ochigbo

Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Rivers Caucus in the House of Representatives has urged the leadership of the house to discipline Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) for allegedly spreading “falsehoods” on the escalating political crisis in Rivers.

In a statement  by the leader of the caucus, Rep. Dumnamene Dekor (PDP-Rivers), the caucus alleged that Ugochinyere also engaged in spreading held-truth in the media.

According to the caucus leader, Ugochinyere had thrown caution, decorum, and responsible conduct, expected of the high office he now occupies, to the wind.

Delay said his interventions in the media were laden with blackmail, half-truths, outright lies, misinformation and disinformation, and malicious propaganda.

The lawmaker explained that Ikenga’s prejudicial media statements also constituted a thoughtless assault on due process and ongoing judicial processes aimed at resolving the disagreement in Rivers.

Dekor said the conduct of Ugochinyere impinged on the privileges of members of the caucus,  integrity of the house itself, and constituted a reckless violation of sections 49 and 72 of the Constitution.

“The attention of the Rivers Caucus has been drawn to yet another unfortunate and misleading press briefing by Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere on Tuesday, June,  18, on the ongoing disagreement between the Governor of Rivers and the House of Assembly, and latterly, Local Government Chairmen.

“To begin with, Ugochinyere is not from Rivers, so his political value is unquestionably non-existent, except to those who are naive enough to fall for his cheap gimmicks.

“The current situation in Rivers does not concern him in any way because he is from Imo, a state that is grappling with myriad political and social issues of its own in respect of which Ugochinyere cannot find his voice.

“The disagreement in Rivers has never been brought to the floor of the House of Representatives to warrant other members’ intervention in a debate.

“His actions impinge on the privileges of members of the Rivers caucus, the integrity of the house itself, and constitute a reckless violation of the constitution vide sections 49 and 72.

“We,  hereby,  publicly call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to take urgent steps to discipline Ugochinyere,” he said.  (NAN)

EOO/CHOM/SH

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Sadiya Hamza