₦airaland Forum

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) will know by Friday, August 29, whether it can proceed with the local government elections scheduled for August 30.

This follows the adjournment of a case at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in a suit filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against RSIEC, the Rivers State Sole Administrator, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and another respondent.

The ADC is contesting the legality of the recently appointed RSIEC Chairman and members, appointed by the Sole Administrator, insisting that they lack the authority to revalidate the election timetable

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025 remains sacrosanct.
This was contained in a statement by the party’s Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Adolphus Wabara on Thursday.

He described the purported cancellation of 100th NEC meeting and unilateral pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun as null, void and of no effect, being inconsistent and in gross violation of the express provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

Wabara said the National Executive Committee, NEC, is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention, adding that by virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC at its 99th NEC meeting held on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025 to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, 30th June, 2025 is binding on all Organs and members of the PDP.

The former Senate President reiterated that no organ, group or individual has the power or competence to cancel, adjust or postpone the 100th NEC meeting already scheduled by the NEC to hold on Monday, 30th June, 2025.

The statement further said that purported reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary is equally spurious and offensive to the spirit and letter of the PDP Constitution, the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment and the resolution of NEC.

It restated that the decision of the National Working Committee, NWC, at its 600th meeting directing the Deputy National Secretary to act as National Secretary in accordance with the extant powers of the NWC remains valid, having not been set aside by the NWC or NEC, stressing that the attempt by Damagum to overturn that decision was a gross abuse of office.

The party held that the Board of Trustees, being its conscience could not stand idly by and watch the Party descend into chaos through acts of impunity, unilateralism and disregard for constitutional procedures.

“The attention of the Board of Trustees has been drawn to an unconstitutional pronouncement by the Acting National Chairman of our great party, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, purporting to cancel the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to hold on Monday, 30th June, 2025 and directing Senator Samuel Anyanwu to resume as National Secretary of the Party

“It is therefore not within the remit or authority of the Acting National Chairman, to override a collective decision of the NEC. Such conduct amounts to an affront to the constitutional authority of NEC and the collective will of our Party.

“The 100th NEC Meeting shall proceed as scheduled on Monday, 30th June, 2025. All members of NEC are duly advised to disregard any contradictory notice or statement regarding the 100th NEC meeting.

“The Deputy National Secretary, Arc. Setonji Koshoedo remains the Acting National Secretary of the PDP pending any contrary decision formally taken and communicated by the appropriate Organ of the Party.

“All party members are advised to be guided by the supremacy of the Constitution of the PDP, and resist any attempt to drag the party into avoidable crisis,” the statement read in part.

The BoT further stated that no individual interest is greater than the institutional integrity of the PDP, expressing its resolve to continue to defend due process, uphold party supremacy and protect the democratic ethos upon which the PDP is founded.

Wherever he is right now,
May God show him mercy🙏🙏🙏🙏

PDP Nat Sec tussle: Sen. Anyanwu, Ude- Okoye know fate today

Labour Party Opposes Move To Strike Out Suit Over Defection, As 27 Rivers Assembly Cites Supreme Court Judgment

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has adjourned the suit filed by the Labour Party against the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) and 30 others to Monday, March 17, 2025, for the hearing of a motion seeking to strike out the case.

"At the resumed hearing of Suit No: FHC/PH/25/2024 on March 11, 2025, K.C.O. Njemanze, SAN, counsel for the Rivers State House of Assembly, informed the court of a motion filed on March 10, 2025, urging the court to strike out the suit in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025. Njemanze argued that the apex court had already determined all issues raised in the case and that, under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Federal High Court was bound to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision."

"However, Clifford N Chuku Esq., counsel for the Labour Party, opposed the motion, stating that he had filed a reply that morning on points of law to contest the motion to strike out the case. He asserted that the facts surrounding the Supreme Court’s ruling were distinguishable from the subject of the current suit, which centers on the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Chuku further emphasized that the Federal High Court, under Section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), has exclusive jurisdiction to determine issues of defection involving House of Assembly members.

While Njemanze, SAN, urged the court to first hear the motion to strike out the suit, Clifford N Chuku Esq., argued that, in the interest of fair hearing, all pending matters should be taken together before judgment is delivered. He contended that hearing the motion separately could lead to a denial of justice."

"In a bench ruling, Justice E.A. Obile of the Federal High Court (Court 2), Port Harcourt Judicial Division, decided that the court would first hear the motion on notice before considering the substantive case. Consequently, upon agreement of both parties, the matter was adjourned to Monday, March 17, 2025, at 2:00 PM for the hearing of the motion."

PoliticsSupreme Court dismisses Anyanwu’s bid to stay judgment that sacked him as PDP scribe...Soon U will get the full details

Weeks after dumping the Labour Party, lawyer and Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo announced that Nigeria’s situation is one that needs cooperation of key stakeholders for a desired change.

Okonkwo made this assertion following a meeting with Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president of Nigeria and the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a post made in his verified X account, Okonkwo announced that he met with Atiku at his residence.



He said the meeting with the former vice president focused on discussing the best approach to chart a new course Nigeria.

He wrote, “It’s a privilege and honour to be invited by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar for a consultative meeting on how best to chart a new course for our beloved country.



“The situation in Nigeria today requires the cooperation of every well-meaning Nigerian to ensure that our country is restored to its path of greatness.” Okonkwo posted alongside photos of himself and Atiku at their meeting.

RIVERS POLITICS: SUPREME COURT SET TO RULE ON FOUR CASES TODAY

The Supreme Court of Nigeria will today, February 28, deliver judgments on four critical cases stemming from the political crisis in Rivers State.

The four pending cases are:

1. SC/CV/1174/2024 – Rivers State House of Assembly & others vs. Rivers State Government & nine others.

2. SC/CV/1175/2024 – Rivers State House of Assembly & others vs. Rivers State Governor & nine others.

3. SC/CV/1176/2024 – Rivers State House of Assembly & others vs. Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) & nine others.

4. SC/CV/1177/2024 – Rivers State House of Assembly & others vs. Accountant General of Rivers State & nine others.

The apex court had earlier dismissed a related suit, SC/CV/1071/2024, which was filed by the Rivers Assembly against the National Assembly and 16 others.

More details to follow as the Supreme Court delivers its rulings.

February 26, 2025

PDP re-elects Odefa as South-East vice chairman
PDP re-elects Odefa as South-East vice chairman
By Dennis Agbo

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has re-elected Chief Ali Odefa as its National Vice Chairman (South-East) during its zonal congress held at Okpara Square, Enugu State, on Wednesday.

Odefa’s re-election comes after an Ebonyi State High Court in Obiozara, presided over by Justice Gladson Ugbala, nullified his purported expulsion and ruled that he was qualified and eligible to contest for a second term.

Chairman of the Electoral Panel, Hon. Funkeke Mye Solomon, declared that all zonal officers emerged unopposed, describing the congress as free, fair, and credible.

Other zonal officers elected include:

Secretary – Ugwu James Okechukwu

Treasurer – Uchebo Regina

Organising Secretary – Ugwu Cornelius

Publicity Secretary – Igwe Augustine

Financial Secretary – Kenneth Okoro

Legal Adviser – Dominic Nwankwo

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, declined to grant an application filed by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu seeking to stop his planned removal as National Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on Anyanwu’s motion ex-parte moved by his lawyer, Ken Njemanze, SAN, rather ordered him to put the defendants on notice to show cause in the next adjourned date why his prayers should not be granted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Anyanwu, in the fresh suit named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ambassador Umar Damagun, the acting National Chairman of PDP, as 1st and 2nd defendants.
In the motion ex-parte, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025 dated and filed on Feb. 13 by Njemanze, Anyanwu sought two prayers.

He sought an order of interim injunction, restraining INEC from accepting, acting on or giving effect to any correspondence, letter, document, mail, notice, form and or written submission purported to emanate from the PDP not signed by him pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

He also sought an order of interim injunction restraining Damagun from dispatching to INEC any correspondence purportedly emanating from PDP signed by the acting chair and not counter signed by him, pending the hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed simultaneously with this motion ex-parte.

Anyanwu, in the affidavit in support of the motion, said he was the party’s national secretary.

He said he was duly elected as the national secretary at the PDP’s National Convention held on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, 2021 in Abuja.

“Since the aforesaid election, I have been performing my duties and functions as stipulated by the constitution of the PDP, extant laws and regulations,” he said.

Anyanwu averred that as national secretary, he and Damagun (2nd defendant) were signatories to all correspondence, letters, mails, documents, notices, forms, and or written submissions from the party.

“All correspondence, letters, mails, documents, notices, forms and or written submissions from the PDP to the 1st defendant (INEC) cannot be acted on, implemented or given effect to by the 1st defendant without my signature,” he said.

Anyanwu listed the correspondence, notices, written submissions etc., that must be signed by him to include notices of any convention, congress, conference or meetings of the party and list of candidates the party proposes to sponsor at elections.

The National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has invited the embattled National Secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu, former Governor of Benue,
The National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has invited the embattled National Secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu, former Governor of Benue, Dr Samuel Ortom and 10 others.
The Chairman of the committee, Chief Tom Ikimi, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, disclosed that the committee had so far received and considered five petitions.

Ikimi said that the committee met on Wednesday at the Legacy House, Abuja, in line with its mandate pursuant to Section 57(1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) relating to party discipline.

He said that the first set of the petitions were against some key members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

According to him, the committee, however, decided to step down three of the petitions against the top NWC members.

Ikimi said this was to avoid jeopardising the ongoing reconciliatory efforts by the governors’ forum and the Board of Trustees.

“The second set of petitions which were set down for enquiry are those against former Governor of Benue, Dr Samuel Ortom and 10 others and the petition against Anyanwu.

“Accordingly, the national disciplinary committee resolved to invite the affected persons to appear before it on Wednesday, Feb.12 at the Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, ” he said.

He said those expected to honour the invitation include the Petitioners and their witnesses on the one hand, and the affected party members and their witnesses on the other hand.

“The required notices have been issued out accordingly ” he said.

Ikimi reiterated the committee’s commitment to ensuring discipline within the PDP and to restoring the integrity of the party.

He also expressed the committee’s determination to deal fairly with matters brought before it.

He advised those with genuine grievances against any member of the party to take advantage of the standing committee and follow due process in bringing up their complaints.(NAN)

The Acting Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, on Thursday, vowed to holistically probe alleged cases of anti-party activities involving its members in the state.


The committee also announced plans to establish a disciplinary panel in the coming days, stressing that it would not hesitate to recommend sanctions, including suspensions or expulsion from the party, regardless of an individual’s status or influence.

It said that the focus of the probe would include actions taken by members during the 2023 general elections.


The committee made this vow during a press briefing attended by acting executives from both state and local government levels.

Acting State Chairman Robinson Nname-Ewor said they would immediately begin steps toward healing and rebuilding the once-great party, which he said was battered, with hope lost across the state, 23 Local Government Areas, and 319 electoral wards. He emphasized that they would make the PDP Rivers State Chapter great again.

“To achieve this, we shall consult all critical stakeholders of the party, unite members, and work with them to restore the already lost hope. We shall embark on a sensitization tour across the 23 LGAs and initiate a membership drive to boost the party’s population for future elections...
In the coming days we are going to be working on it

The Odili's rescued my political career. When I wanted to run for second term as Chairman of council, they removed my name and I ran to Government house.

When I got there, I saw his wife, and I said ma, I'm finished and she said what happened, I told her they have removed my name for second term. Immediately she took me to Dr Peter Odili, the then Governor of Rivers State.

Odili called Secondus, who was the State party Chairman then. He was just leaving Government house and he ordered him to return and he did, and my name was reinstated.

Sir, if I ever make you cry, may I not have peace.

~Chief Nyesom Wike on Sir Dr Peter Odili.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Imo State on Friday passed a vote of confidence in the new National Secretary of the Party, Ude Okoye, following his landslide victory at the Appeal Court.

The stakeholders, who spoke after the judgment that ousted Senator Samuel Anyanwu, reaffirmed their support for the leader of the PDP Imo State chapter, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere.

They also eulogized the Justices of the Appeal Court for having the courage to remove the embattled PDP National Secretary, thereby declaring Okoye as the new national scribe of the main opposition party. They said that PDP is now on the right path to rescue the party, especially once Anyanwu’s co-conspirators, particularly Umar Damagun, are booted out.

They expressed optimism that the new PDP National Secretary would complete the remaining tenure of Anyanwu, which became vacant when he resigned and contested the Imo State governorship election.

According to the stakeholders, led by the chairman of the Forum of Chairmen, Barrister Uche Alisigwe, the new PDP scribe replaced Senator Anyanwu following his nomination by the South-East Zonal Executive Committee of the PDP in October 2023.

“We, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Imo State, have passed a vote of confidence in the new National Secretary of the party, Ude Okoye, who replaced Samuel Anyanwu after he resigned and contested the 2023 Imo State governorship election.”

😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀THIS IS SUPER STORY😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

This is SUPER STORY 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀🏤✅....PDP never said he remains the secretary, So please stop passing fake messages

Appeal court sacked PDP SECREATARY ANYANWU and affirms Ude Okoye as Substantive Secretary✍️

PDP Acting Chairman Damagum Writes INEC, Demands Bye-Election To Replace 27 Rivers Lawmakers Who Defected To APC.

Court of Appel Nullifies Federal High Court Judgement against Rivers LGA Election✍️

Labour Party headed to the court to challenge the legality of the 27 Rivers lawmakers' defections to the APC The lawmakers, key allies of FCT minister Nyesom Wike, reportedly announced their defection in December 2023 and their seats have been declared vacant amid battle with Governor Fubara But on Wednesday, November 20, the court granted the Labour Party the approval to present video evidence showing the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly members confirmed their defection from the PDP to APC

federal high court has adjourned the suit filed by pro-Nyesom Wike's group in Rivers against the PDP at the national level The pro-Wike group, led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, Oye Fubara Igenewari, and ThankGod Bekee, are asking the court to stop the national leadership of the PDP from dissolving elected executives in the state Umar Damagum, the acting national chairman and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, the PDP governorship forum's chairman, are parts of the defendants. A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit filed by the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike against the Umar Damagun-led national leadership of the party until January 13, 2025, for hearing.

Interesting🤣🤣🤣

Stopping "Rivers State" allocation is dangerous to the country!

Hmmmm

Judges of the federal and state high courts involved in conflicting rulings in political cases rocking Rivers State are now officially being probed by a panel of the National Judicial Council.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun on Monday held a meeting with the panel in her office and gave a marching order that the probe report should be in, this week.

According to the order, all judges involved in the multiple cases arising from the unending political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged godfather, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike, have now been summoned by the probe panel.

The panel is headed by a former justice of the Court of Appeal (name withheld).

Two heads of courts are also members of the panel.

Nigerian Tribune can also disclose that the CJN has also summoned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

RIVERS STATE IS NO MAN'S LAND

Published on October 27, 2024By Casmir Nwankwo

A newly formed militant group, the Niger Delta Development Force, has threabed to bomb oil installations over an alleged plot to use a Federal High Court in Abuja to deny Rivers State’s local government allocation.

The group’s threat comes ahead of a decision expected from Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Monday, which is anticipated to have significant implications for local governance in the oil-rich state.

The group claims that Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, is leveraging his influence and relationships with members of the judiciary to secure rulings that undermine the governance of Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State.

The spokesperson of the group, Justin Alabraba, in a statement on Sunday, stated that any judgment that denies local governments in Rivers State its statutory monthly allocation will be met with heavy destruction of oil installations.

Alabraba emphasised the group’s readiness to act, declaring, “Let them try it on Monday and see. We will shut down major oil pipelines, and it would be the beginning of the worst to come. Wike cannot be using Tinubu’s powers to cause problems in Rivers State.”

The threat raises concerns about potential violence and disruption in a region already fraught with socio-political challenges and a history of militancy tied to the oil industry.

As the ruling date approaches, local authorities and stakeholders are bracing for possible fallout from the court’s decision.

Chijioke Ihunwo, chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area (LGA), has removed former Governor Nyesom Wike’s name from the administrative block of the council secretariat.

The development comes amidst the supremacy battle between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The two leaders have been at odds over the control of the political structures in the state.

Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) hails from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor LGA. His name was previously on display on the administrative block.

However, as of Sunday morning, Wike’s name has been replaced with Obi Wali’s, a renowned politician and activist in Rivers State who passed away in 1993. Ihunwo shared videos of the removal process on X.

Recall that Fubara’s loyalists had joined the Action Peoples Party (APP) weeks before the recent LGA elections.

Of the 23 chairmanship seats in the state, the APP won 22.

We have changed Wike’s name in admin block of Obio/Akpor Council, and replaced with the name of SENATOR DR. OBI WALI. pic.twitter.com/McuvOg6eMv

— Chijioke Ihunwo (@AmbChijioke) October 13, 2024

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😩😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has sworn in 23 newly elected local government chairmen in Rivers State.

The exercise held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Sunday, comes a day after the Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted an election at the grassroots.

The event was attended by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum.

The governor expressed joy at the success of the LG election, saying it takes the help of God to survive the past few days.

He also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for being a democrat.


Fubara, who assured Mohammed that he is still a member of PDP, however, said that a desperate situation requires desperate action. According to him, what his administration did with the support of the people was to salvage the local government councils