Politics Archives - Page 14 of 20

Tinubu Concerned Over Opposition’s Lack Of Unity—Akpabio

June 25, 2025 by admin

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has stated that President Bola Tinubu, is interested in a vibrant opposition, urging the main opposition People’s Democratic Party, and the Labour Party, to put their houses in order. Akpabio made the statement during the inauguration of Arterial Road N20 Interchange Bridges. Referencing the recent crisis in the PDP regarding the position of the National Secretary of the party, and the recent defection of Senator Neda Imasuen, Senate Committee Chairman on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, from the Labour Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, the Senate President said the President was saddened to see the opposition in disarray. “However you people got yourself into this confusion, try and get yourself out of it very quickly. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is interested in seeing a vibrant opposition. As a true democrat, we would like to see a very vibrant opposition in the country. It saddens him when he sees the way the opposition in Nigeria is in disarray. “Just before I came here to represent him (Tinubu), I received and read a letter from the Labour Party. So it’s not only PDP that is in disarray. Even the Labour Party is cracked. And people who are strong members of the Labour Party are angling to run Nigeria when they cannot put a small political party like that in order,” he said. Akpabio also stated that he wasn’t tired of receiving defectors to the APC, adding that the party’s doors were open. “Senator Neda Imasuen just decamped this afternoon from the Labour Party and moved from the left-hand side of the Senate to the right-hand side. So that took my time, Honourable Minister, I had to do that ritual. “I’m not tired. I’m happy to receive them because our doors are open in the All Progressive Congress. So congratulations to Imasuen, who has decided to leave the fractured Labour Party to join the APC,” Akpabio stated. In his address, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, faulted the PDP for waiting on directives from the Independent National Electoral Commission before implementing a Supreme Court judgment that affirmed Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary. Addressing the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, Wike argued that the issue of reinstating Anyanwu did not arise, noting that the Secretary was not an appointee of the Chairman, and has been working since his election. “I heard it when the acting National Chairman of PDP was directing the National Secretary to resume. The National Secretary is not your appointee. The National Secretary has been doing his work. So, you can’t call him to resume. “The National Secretary has been working and will continue to work. He doesn’t require anybody to direct him to resume work. “If it’s because of your ignorance of the law, too bad. The law does not recognize ignorance. That you’re ignorant of the law is not an excuse. I feel so bad when people can now move to INEC, for INEC to direct them to obey Supreme Court judgment, it’s most unfortunate,” he said. The FCT Minister rebuked Damagum, saying he won’t join those sabotaging themselves. He urged Damagum to seek guidance instead of acting out of ego or relying solely on allocations, adding that money isn’t the solution to every problem. “Continue to shoot yourself. I will not be a party of those who will shoot themselves. When you don’t know something, ask the right person. Not because of ego, not because of oh, I’m receiving monthly allocation. Money does not solve all the problems. “There’s nothing you can do about it. If you want to learn, come and meet us, we will teach you how to go about it,” Wike said.

Osun LG Crisis: PDP Seeks Tinubu’s Intervention

June 25, 2025 by admin

The Peoples Democratic Party, Osun State chapter, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing local government crisis in the state. The party chairman in the state, Mr. Sunday Bisi, made the call while speaking at the League of Veterans Journalists meeting on Wednesday in Osogbo. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that PDP claimed the February 10 judgment by the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked All Progressives Congress chairmen and councillors. However, APC insisted on the return of the chairmen and councillors, elected in 2022, to office. The Nigeria Labour Congress and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, thereafter, directed local government workers to withdraw their services from February 17, citing security concerns. Similarly, on June 13, the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, dismissed an application by the APC. The application sought to relist an earlier appeal that was struck out on January 13 for lack of diligent prosecution. However, APC maintained that the ruling did not nullify the election. Bisi, however, said that the intervention of the president was necessary to avoid a breakdown of law and order in the state. He alleged that the ongoing crisis in local government areas in the state was due to the refusal of the APC opposition to obey the Court of Appeal judgment. He said that the judgment by the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, affirmed the PDP chairmen elected on Feb. 22 as authentic. “We have served copies of the judgment to all concerned authorities, and we are waiting for them to allow justice to prevail. We are here to serve the people of the state. “We will use all legal means to ensure that justice prevails, and we will not fall into the tactics of the opposition party for the declaration of a state of emergency in Osun,” he said. NAN

LG Polls: Lagos APC Flags Off Campaign, Presents Flags To Candidates

June 17, 2025 by admin

The APC in Lagos State on Tuesday officially presented party flags to its 57 chairmanship and 376 councillorship candidates for the 12 July Local Government Elections. The party also launched its campaign for the council at the event held at the APC State Secretariat, Ogba. Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs Abimbola Salu Hundeyin, the Secretary to the State Government, assured the candidates of the government’s support to help them emerge victorious in the election. “The love I have for this party is unquantifiable. I am with all the candidates; this is not just an official flag-off, it symbolises the beginning of hard work and dedication. “We are solidly behind every aspirant, we are in this together, and all will be successful by God’s grace. “As we raise these flags today, we are proud and happy. Let us remember our values and principles; we are known for being a progressive movement. “We are not only here to win an election, we are here to change the lives of our people and continue the legacy of our President. “We must deliver all our promises to the people. Do all you can as party faithful to ensure victory for this party,” Sanwo-Olu said. Speaking, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, the Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), urged the party’s flag bearers to work for the people when elected. “Youths should be on stage now and do the work of the party, because at the moment, you are not yet at the forefront. “This is an opportunity for you to promote the name of our party. It is sad today that those looking for money are many in politics, and not people who really want to serve. “The love of our community and society should be paramount to us. Those who vied for the ticket but could not get it should be patient because there is still time, and tomorrow,” Olusi said. He urged the youth to divide themselves into groups and move into different streets to mobilise support for the party. Olusi said grassroots governance is critical, hence the need for office holders at the local government level to take care of the people and make a positive impact. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who noted that everyone must accept the decisions of the party at all times, urged all to support party candidates. “The party is supreme; we must stand by the decision of the party. We must obey the party and support all our candidates. We must not fight amongst ourselves. “The election is a testing ground to return President Bola Tinubu in 2027 with a large majority,” Obasa said. Handing over the flags to candidates alongside other leaders, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, State APC Chairman, applauded party leaders and aspirants for ensuring peace before, during, and after the primaries. Ojelabi, who noted that the party had done a lot to reconcile aggrieved aspirants, urged flag bearers to continue reconciliation and win over those who contested against them. According to him, out of the 475 aspirants who vied for chairmanship tickets, only 57 chairmanship candidates were finally selected. He urged the candidates to strive to meet the needs of the people in education, health, infrastructure development, youth development, and other critical areas if elected. He said that the party would continue to monitor the performance of all its elected officers. “It is a real election. We are going all out in this election. Let us reach out, knock on doors, and solicit support,” Ojelabi said. Speaking, the Chairman of the APC Campaign Committee, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, who welcomed the candidates, expressed confidence that all the flag bearers would be victorious at the polls. Balogun, who urged the party’s campaign Local Organising Committee (LOC) in each council area to start rigorous mobilisation of voters, however, cautioned that no campaign should exceed the 9 June deadline stipulated in the electoral guidelines. “This election is local and at the grassroots, so we need to campaign vigorously at the ward level. There is no limit to the campaign. Let the LOC work tirelessly to ensure victory in the election,” he said. According to him, the LOC should be co-chaired in each council by the APC LGA chairman and the council chairman. “The LOC must work with various groups, including ethnic nationalities, so that we can achieve great results. Let us move across all the wards and garner votes for the party.” The chairmanship candidates who received party flags included: Azeez Babatunde (Agege); Idowu Akinola (Orile-Agege); Johnson Akinpelu (Alimosho); Adunni Akindele (Mosan Okunola); Lukman Abiodun (Ayobo-Ipaja); Abiodun Ejigbadero (Agbado Oke-Odo); and Idris Balogun (Egbe-Idimu). Ayinde Akinsanya (Ikotun-Igando); Usman Hamzat (Ifako-Ijaiye); Oluyemisi Rosiji (Ojokoro); Akeem Dauda (Ikeja); Moyosore Adebanjo (Onigbongbo); Segun Odunmbaku (Ojodu); Tunbosun Aruwe (Mushin); Seyi Jakande (Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye); Kehinde Oloyede-Almaroof (Oshodi). Others are Adebayo Olasoju (Isolo); Taoreed Taiwo (Ejigbo); Babatunde Hunpe (Badagry Central); Rauf Yemaren (Badagry West); Ajose Kumayon; Azeez Kareem (Oto-Awori); Isa Abiola (Iba); Muhibat Adeyemi (Ojo); Rasak Oloyede (Oriade); Lanre Sanusi (Amuwo-Odofin); Olufemi Okeowo (Ifelodun); and Olalekan Akindipe (Ajeromi). Idowu Senbanjo (Apapa); Jimoh Olawale (Apapa Iganmu); Adeola Adetoro (Eti-Osa); Biliaminu Agunbiade (Eti-Osa East); Kolawole Emilagba (Lagos Mainland); Taiwo Oyekan (Lagos Island); Bola Oladunjoye (Ikoyi-Obalende); Aminat Alabi (Iru Victoria Island); Muibi Folawiyo (Lagos Island East); and Sulaiman Bamidele (Surulere) also received the party’s flag. The party’s flags were also presented to Ogidan Owolabi (Coker Aguda), Odunayo Oluwafemi (Itire-Ikate), Bayo Adefuye (Yaba), Surah Animashaun (Epe), Wale Anomo (Ikosi-Ejinrin), Ismail Akinloye (Eredo), Abdullahi Olowa (Ibeju-Lekki), Rasak Kasali (Lekki), Adedayo Ladega (Ikorodu Central), Ameen Olawale (Ikorodu North), and Sulaiman Kazeem (Ikorodu West). Others who received the party’s flags are Sunday Benson (Imota), Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba (Ijede), Hammed Aroyewun (Igbogbo Bayeku), Moyo Ogunlewe (Kosofe), Adetola Abubakar (Agboyi-Ketu), Dammy Bada (Ikosi-Isheri), Lateef Ashimi (Somolu), and Adedeji Omope (Bariga). NAN reports that the party also handed over flags to all the vice-chairmanship and councillorship candidates. The flag-off ceremony was witnessed by party chieftains, elected and appointed officials of the … Read more

Ex-APC Presidential Aspirant Berates NWC, Govs For Endorsing Tinubu

May 23, 2025 by admin

A former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 election, Charles Udeogaranya, on Friday, berated the National Working Committee and governors elected on the platform of the APC for publicly endorsing President Bola Tinubu. Udeogaranya argued that failure to subject the President to a primary election in the same manner he clinched the party ticket in 2023, will inevitably rob other prospective aspirants of the opportunity to bring about a better Nigeria anchored on creativity, nationalism and prosperity. He voiced his concern in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, His reaction comes barely 24 hours after the 22 APC governors and the leadership of the party unanimously backed Tinubu as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 poll. The endorsement was announced on Thursday by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, at the APC National Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. Uzodimma moved the motion for Tinubu’s adoption as the APC’s sole candidate, which was seconded by the PGF Vice Chairman, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State. Reacting, Udeogaranya insisted that there should be ‘no room for automatic tickets’ on the APC platform. “There is no room for consensus in continuous hunger, chronic poverty, economic quagmire, insecurity, nepotism, cluelessness and in the leadership of Nigeria. “Consensus is far from it. While I deeply and respectfully appreciate my fellow APC members on their Abuja summit, may I also respectfully inform you that this democracy was birthed by Thomas Jefferson in his declaration of the United States Independence in 1776. “His declaration, which was entrenched by Abraham Lincoln at his speech in Gettysburg 1863 and globally expressed by Martin Luther King Jnr in his Washington 1963 speech, will not fail in Nigeria, come 2027,” he fumed. Reacting, the Deputy National Organising Committee, Nze Chidi Duru, argued that the ruling party did the right thing. “The President has a right of first refusal. If he, however, declines the offer to run for a second term in office, we can then be talking about a primary,” he stated. Punch

Court Cautions Parties, Adjourns Suit Challenging Fubara, Others’ Suspension

May 12, 2025 by admin

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned until May 26, 2025, the constitutional suit challenging the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu. The suit was filed by a former federal lawmaker and People’s Democratic Party Rivers State Governorship aspirant in the 2023 general election, Dr. Farah Dagogo. President Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State, citing security concerns. He further announced the suspension of the state’s democratically elected leadership and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rated).as the Administrator of Rivers State. FHC/PH/CS/50/2025 on April 9, 2025, arguing that the President’s actions were ultra vires and lacked any constitutional backing. At the hearing on Monday, counsel to the plaintiff, Cosmas Enweluzo, SAN, informed the court that all defendants had been duly served and expressed readiness to proceed with the case. The defendants in the suit include President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), Rivers State Administrator. Of all the named defendants, only the fifth defendant, Vice Admiral Ibas (retired), appeared through his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, who requested additional time to respond to the originating summons. After hearing from both counsels, Justice Adamu Mohammed granted the request but cautioned that the matter would proceed on the next adjourned date regardless of further delays. Speaking to journalists after the court session, Enweluzo reiterated that President Tinubu acted outside the Constitution. He stated, “The case challenges the President’s unilateral appointment of an Administrator for Rivers State and the suspension of duly elected officials, including the Governor, Deputy Governor, and House of Assembly members. “The President cannot act as a ‘Tin god’. He does not have the constitutional authority to suspend elected representatives or govern over four million citizens by fiat. It is a constitutional aberration and must not be allowed.” Enweluzo questioned the justification provided by the President for declaring a state of emergency, citing serious cars of insecurity in some parts of the North without any of such action taken. “The insecurity narrative is unfounded. In Benue, Plateau, and Borno States, serious security challenges persist, people are being killed, and some local governments remain under Boko Haram control. “Yet no state of emergency was declared there. Rivers State has remained relatively peaceful, ” he explained. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria commended Dr Dagogo for taking legal action in defence of the Constitution. Enweluzo noted, “We are grateful for principled leaders like Dr. Farah Dagogo who are willing to defend the Nigerian Constitution. Citizens have a right to be governed by officials they have elected and represented by legislators of their constituencies in Degema, Bonny, and others.” Explaining the reason for the adjournment, Enweluzo said, “Counsel for the fifth defendant informed the court that their staff were at the Registry filing processes in response to our originating summons. “They requested an adjournment to complete their filings. In fairness, and since it was their first request, we agreed. The court, therefore, adjourned to May 26, 2025. If delays persist beyond that, the court will be entitled to proceed with the case.” He added that while all other defendants have been duly served, none have filed a memorandum of appearance, conditional appearance, or any legal response to the suit. Counsel to the fifth defendant, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, declined to comment on the proceedings. Punch

Reps Order Oil Firm To Pay $4m Debt Within Five Days

April 30, 2025 by admin

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has directed OML18 Resources Limited, formerly known as Sahara Field Production Ltd., to remit $4,020,000 to the Federation Account within five days. The Committee issued the directive on Wednesday at its investigative hearing, as part of its ongoing probe into outstanding debts owed by oil companies to the Federation Account. The investigation, based on findings from the 2021 Audit Report and data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, involves 45 oil companies collectively owing $1.7bn in outstanding liabilities. A statement issued by the media unit of the committee on Wednesday evening revealed that during the session, “The NUPRC representative, Balarabe Haruna, reported that OML18 Resources owes a total of $20.23m, comprising $17. 37m in crude oil royalties and $2.86m in gas flare penalties.” Mr Haruna added that the company also owes N173.71m in gas sales revenue. Responding to the allegations, Team Lead of OML18 Resources’ Commercial Department, Mrs Olutobi Dairo, acknowledged the debt, noting that the NUPRC is the custodian of the relevant figures and confirming the accuracy of the liabilities. “I agree there are liabilities,” she said. Chairman of the Committee, Bamidele Salam, highlighted the seriousness of the matter, saying, “The money owed to the Federation Account is significant, and Nigeria needs the money. We take it that you have confirmed the NUPRC’s claims.” The Committee resolved that 20% of the total amount, equivalent to $4.02 million, must be paid within 5 days. PAC also instructed OML18 Resources to reconcile its accounts with the asset operator within 14 days and report back to the Committee with a breakdown of the remaining liabilities. Punch

Osun APC, PDP Bicker Over Joint Tinubu-Adeleke Campaign Billboard

April 10, 2025 by admin

The Osun State chapters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday bickered over a campaign billboard seeking support for President Bola Tinubu and the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, erected in Iwo. Osun APC, in reaction to the development, condemned the billboard, describing it as a fraud, the pairing of the picture of President Tinubu with that of Governor Adeleke on a billboard. The billboard bearing the inscription ‘Continuity of Progress’ sponsored by a political body called ‘Osun Leaders of Thought’ was observed in Iwo on Wednesday. The party, in a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, said the billboard was an absurdity, noting that there could not be any acceptable reason for the sponsorship of the billboard “other than a flagrant display of irreverent attitude orchestrated by political Jews with a mission to compare the sky with the ground.” But while reacting, spokesperson for the state governor, Olawale Rasheed, said APC was confused about the support Adeleke was getting across party lines and across local and national audiences. Olawale said members of the public at home and abroad were impressed by the huge delivery of the administration across sectors, noting that the appraisal of performance was coming from federal and non-governmental bodies. “The shock of national and local endorsements creates an identity crisis for Osun APC as it has lost credibility from the Presidency to key national caucuses. The opposition is therefore running amok, ranting over billboards from non-governmental groups, displaying ignorance over the investment drive and wandering over the reality of its unelectability,” Olawale said. Osun APC, however, insisted that the masterminds of the controversial billboard had succeeded in exposing their lack of tact and diplomacy in the art of the use of strategy to achieve their targeted political goal through the misuse of propaganda. The statement read, “We want to tell the whole world that we are vehemently condemning and dissociating our party from the nose and eye sore which exemplified political heresy in the heartland of the core progressive politics in the affected part of the state. “If the rumour milling the round that it was one of those who are currently eating the crumbs from the table of Governor Adeleke by the way of the clinching of a political office who hails from the ancient town of Iwo is the one behind the erection of the controversial billboard is anything to go by, it means that the lingering socio-political challenges of the 34-year-old Osun State appear irredeemable. “How can someone or a group of people without any sense of direction just wake up from the wrong side of their bed and pair a political Lilliputian like Governor Adeleke with the political oracle and giant who has seen it all in all the spheres of politics and politicking? “We want to make it abundantly clear to our esteemed members and numerous supporters that the feigned billboard is a counterfeit whose origin did not emanate from us and therefore, should be discountenanced.” Emphasising that the recent attacks and vituperations by the Osun APC against Adeleke were confirmation of the opposition’s identity crisis, Olawale said the opposition party was faced with weakness within the Presidency and frustrations about increasing breakthroughs of the current administration in the state. “The Osun APC is busy complaining about a successful meeting with the UK Prime Minister’s trade envoy, a meeting with concrete outcomes that the trade envoy hailed as a major breakthrough. The APC is shocked that such a productive investment meeting happened right inside the House of Commons. “The opposition is by now scrambling on what to say to another breakthrough recorded by Mr Governor – the deal on cultural tourism partnership at the British Museum and the linkage between the UK and Osun business through the Nigeria-UK Chamber of Commerce. The public awaits the lies and misinformation from the Osun APC. “The imminent re-election of Governor Adeleke will be the outcome of unwavering people’s support, evidence-based performance in office, eternal vigilance of people to protect their votes and the divine grace of God. A Governor who has done so much for his people and who enjoys so much goodwill among national leaders is unbothered by the rantings of an unelectable opposition,” Olawale said. Punch

JUST IN: Ibas Appoints Administrators For 23 Rivers LGs

April 9, 2025 by admin

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state. This comes less that 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt reportedly restrained him from appointing administrators to oversea the affairs of the local government councils. The order was issued by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity. However, Ibas also approved the constitution of some boards of agencies, commissions and parastatals which he had earlier suspended. The approval was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika. Though the names of the new appointees were not listed, the statement said the appointments takes immediate effect. It reads, “His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State. “He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended. “All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.” Recall that last week, the sole administrator had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state with immediate effect. In a seperate development, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state. He said the cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period. The sole administrator according to a previous statement also issued by the SSG, directed all MDAs that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices to refund such fees to the respective contractors immediately. Punch

Reps Caucus Leadership Not Based On Appointment, LP Lawmakers Tell Abure

April 8, 2025 by admin

The Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives has laughed off the purported sack of its Chairman, Afam Ogene by the embattled National Chairman of the party, Mr Julius Abure. Ogene, a member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra State, had while reacting to Friday’s Supreme Court judgment which removed Abure from office, pledged the readiness of the LP House of Representatives caucus to work with the party’s National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman. Abure, however, announced Ogene’s sack on Monday, in what may be another feud within the party’s fold. In a statement issued by Ogene on Tuesday, on behalf of the caucus, the lawmaker elected on the platform of the Labour Party reminded Abure that it is their duty to name their leader based on personal conviction. The statement partly read, “The Labour Party legislators have emphasised that the position of a caucus Leader is not an office based on appointment; rather the leader is chosen/elected by peers based on their own conviction of his/her leadership qualities and capacity to speak on their behalf in the overall interest of the party and the people they represent. We state this in response to several inquiries from the media and other party faithful arising from developments after the Supreme Court pronouncement sacking the LP Chairman.” “On May 6, 2023, a 35-member Labour Party caucus in the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives elected Hon Afam Ogene as its Leader. Ogene, a ranking member from the 7th Assembly, emerged as the Labour Party leader with 21 votes, after a keenly contested election. Although 34 members-elect of the party were present at the voting session, only 31 of them took part in the exercise, with the trio of Honourables Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Obi Aguocha and Professor Lilian Oby Orogbu abstaining, being persons who conducted the exercise. “So, it’s only the members of the caucus who overwhelmingly elected him, that have the right to remove him as leader, not “an authoritarian power thirsty individual that’s still battling, without much success, to extricate himself from the muddy waters of multiple allegations of malfeasance,” the caucus said in a statement signed by Ogene on Tuesday. He added, “If Abure’s latest ill-advised tactics is because of the stand of the caucus lauding the judgement of the Supreme court, which unequivocally declared that Abure’s tenure has long lapsed, then he is way off-mark, because that remains the majority position of LP House of Representatives members – a fact that would be reinforced on Wednesday, April 9, by the number of legislators that will attend the NEC/Stakeholders meeting convened by the Party’s National Leader, Mr Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti. “We need to let Abure know, and boldly too, that the Labour Party is a credible organisation and not a ponzi scheme … . From Ebonyi, to Plateau, Ondo, Edo (where he embarrassed the party through his undignified episodes with the police), it’s all about slush funds and compromise of the integrity of the office of a party National Chairman. Even in Anambra last week, the mention of the name Abure has continued to emit a putrid smell of financial malfeasance. “He may wish to tell Nigerians, and the world, what is at the centre of his feud with Eze Oko Splendour of Ebonyi State, Kenneth Imasuagbon in Edo, and the aspirants that took part in last weekend’s Anambra LP gubernatorial farce. It is appalling that a man who is yet to account for party finances arising from the 2023 general elections, nor leaves any penny in the party’s account – despite raising hundreds of million naira in sale of forms and other gratifications in several off-season elections – would be so engrossed in wanting to access funds belonging to the House of Representatives caucus, which only points to the depths Abure can go… “Ironically, no sane organ of the party would entrust the Supreme Court-sacked former national chairman with money, no matter how little, at least, until he is able to cleanse himself of the twin evil of allegations of forgery levied against him by former national treasurer of the LP, Oluchi Oparah. Funds belonging to the caucus are intact, and would only be deployed in a manner prescribed by members, not by the former chairman’s discretion. The Labour Party deserves a clean break from that integrity-deficient leadership history, to a future that all party faithful will be proud to associate with.” Punch

Assembly Bombing: Ex-Rivers HoS’ Revelation Vindicates Us – Okocha

April 2, 2025 by admin

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers, Chief Tony Okocha on Wednesday, stated that the recent claim by the former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, were behind the bombing of the state House of Assembly has validated their earlier position. He made the clarification in a statement issued in Abuja. Okocha, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was reacting to an earlier claim by Nwaeke that he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to him by the governor to allegedly burn down the Assembly Complex along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt. The camp of Fubara, through Ehie, has since denied the allegation, saying Nwaeke was not in the right frame of mind when he made the allegation. But Okocha insisted that Nwaeke’s open confession on the live television show did not come to the Rivers APC as a surprise. He said, “Nwaeke’s account further corroborates the position of Rivers APC that Fubara is the architect of the entire political crisis in the state, leading to the swift declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu to restore order and forestall a total breakdown of peace. “The truth is like broad daylight, which shines through the darkness and repels darkness to bring forth daylight. It is important to state here, for the purpose of emphasis and clarity, that Nwaeke, as the Head of Service at the time, was the number three man in the State. As such, his account cannot be hearsay. “Taxpayers’ money in Rivers State was wasted in a way and manner that cannot be forgotten in a hurry amidst scarce resources and global economic crunch. The Supreme Court put it rightly in its unanimous judgment delivered on 28th February 2025 by describing Fubara as a “dictator.” Yes, he was a dictator!” Continuing, Okocha called on security agencies to investigate the claim and bring all those involved, whether directly or indirectly, to book. The APC chairman also berated those criticising Nwaeke for airing his mind. “The APC in Rivers State is strong in its belief that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root cause of this whole matter and make such public. The verbal attacks staged against the resigned HoS will not deter the statesman from unveiling the rot of Sim Fubara’s, which we harped on as the opposition political party. On this matter, APC shall function as watchdogs”, he stated. Punch