The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, sacked 20 members of the Cross River State House of Assembly that defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.
The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, held that the lawmakers, having abandoned the political party that sponsored them to power, ought to vacate their seats.
The judgement followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021, which was filed by the PDP.
A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Monday, struck out the motion filed by sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi, seeking for a stay of execution of the March 8 judgment.
Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the motion after Chukwuma Ma-Chukwu Ume, SAN, counsel for Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, prayed the court for the withdrawal of the motion, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, did not oppose the application.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion for stay of execution was marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/920/21, between PDP Vs. INEC and three others.
Justice Inyang Ekwo had, on March 8, in a judgment, ordered Umahi; his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, and 16 lawmakers to vacate their office and seats, following their defection from the PDP to All Progressives Congress (APC).
The judge also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to immediately receive from the PDP, the names of its candidates to replace them, among others.
NAN, however, reported that on March 10, Governor Umahi and others had sought an order of the FHC Abuja, staying the execution of its judgment directing them to vacate their offices over their defection to another political party.
In a motion on notice filed by Ume, the applicants also prayed the court to stay the execution of its order directing INEC to receive another names in their place or hold a governorship election in accordance with Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal dated and filed on March 9 by the appellants, among others.
NAN reports that Ume also sought a withdrawal of the stay of execution motion filed on behalf of the lawmakers marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1041 between PDP Vs. INEC and 20 others.
At the resumed hearing, Ume informed the court of his intention to withdraw the two motions for stay of execution dated March 9 on the grounds that an appeal had been entered at the Court of Appeal on the matter.
Counsel for the PDP, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, did not oppose the application.
In a short ruling, Justice Ekwo struck out the matter.
NAN reports that Ume had, on Wednesday, approached the court to withdraw the stay of execution motion filed on Umahi’s behalf due to a mistake in the application.
Fuel Crisis: APC is Kneeling on the Necks of Nigerians- PDP …Slams Buhari for Abdication of Duties
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautions the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to note that its unrelenting culture of arrogance, impunity and criminal pillaging of our national resources is akin to kneeling on the necks of Nigerians.
The PDP warns that there is a limit to what the people can bear under an administration that remains arrogant, inhumane, unconcerned and insensitive to their plights occasioned by its misrule.
Is it not an unpardonable dereliction of duty that while the nation is in turmoil and agonizing under a collapsed national grid, protracted fuel crisis, distressed aviation sector, plummeting currency, crippled production and commercial activities, President Muhammadu Buhari remains aloof and “absent” as always?
The failure by President Buhari, who also doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to take immediate action, other than the snobbish stance by his Presidency that “heavens will not fall” because of fuel scarcity amounts to daring Nigerians to do their worse.
It is often said that when a government abdicates its responsibility to the citizens at whose pleasure it should serve, then that government is complicit in the suffering of its people and a beneficiary of their woes.
Sadly today, thousands of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises; the drivers of the economy are folding up daily, industries are relocating to neighboring countries, universities are on strike, the aviation sector is on the brink of collapse, our Railway is tottering to a halt due to lack of diesel, police are threatening to go on strike, insecurity is on the rise due to the collapse of the informal economic sector, yet Mr. President had time to holiday in England!
If President Buhari could personally communicate on issues that concern his fizzling party, the APC, while in England, it is inconceivable that he failed and neglected, as always, to attend to life discounting experiences and pains encountered by Nigerians daily by the thoughtless and inhumane policies of his government.
President Buhari needs to be reminded of his duty to Nigerians, to in the least, show some empathy, competence and concern as our country rapidly drifts towards a looming precipice. The frustration in the country is already degenerating into a nationwide restiveness that may result to the breakdown of Law and Order if allowed to fester.
With petrol now selling between N400 to N500 per liter, diesel at over N800 per liter, kerosine at over N750 and aviation fuel at N670 per liter, millions of businesses, employments and sources of livelihood have collapsed in both urban and rural areas resulting in acute hardship and widespread social tension across the country.
Our Party fears that the situation is getting to a boiling point and can trigger a nationwide agitation that might be worse than the October 2020 EndSARS if not addressed immediately.
President Buhari must take responsibility for the criminal racketeering in his government by APC leaders which has led to the crippling of the economy under his watch. He should stop abdicating his duties by sending his aides to issue wild claims, fake promises and noncommittal apologies on the abysmal failures of his administration.
Rt Hon Abok Officially Defect to the Opposition PDP
Rt Hon Abok Nuhu Ayuba had yesterday, March 18th, officially tended his letter of membership withdrawal to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), while presenting a letter of intent, seeking to return to his earlier party, the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), at the party's Local Government Secretariat in Angware, Jos East. According to him, his action became necessary in other to save our Local Government and the State from failed leadership that will lead to a state of total collapse if allow.
Appreciating the party for considering and accepting his intention in a warm welcome, Abok said, "Mr Chairman and your EXCO, elders and party faithfuls, ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you, deeply touched and inspired by your generous words of acceptance and encouragement. With boundless gratitude for the confidence you placed in me — I here, wish to extend my deepest respect and appreciation to all the leaders, faithfuls, and the people all together for your strong support."
"Thank you Mr Chairman, for graciously preparing and guiding the meeting today. I greatly look forward to supporting you and working with you, as you have wisely steered the party in Jos East towards a progressive state and on a part of very successful mission."
"Distinguish comrades, weldone! For you did astutely guided this great party into the 21st. century standard as expected. You have defined an ambitious agenda that has formed the PDP truly indispensable to winning elections, and to attaining the set level of peace, prosperity and human dignity within our Local Government, State, and the nation, of which the common Plateau man daily yearns for. My debt to your courage and mission is immeasurable. I hereby resolve to working along in line with your pure refined vision."
"In earnest, I hope that the youth of Jos East, Plateau, and Nigeria will come to the realization that the PDP is working hard to build a better future for us. As a loyal returnee — I pledge to wholly embrace the party's ideals, hopes, and appeals. I am an optimist — and I am full of hope about the future of our great party. Let's work together for a PDP that can deliver more, and better, and win all elections."
Reacting on its own part, Hon Izang Ishaya Adamu, Chairman, PDP Jos East said, "Rt Hon Abok is the best person we have expected. His unwavering dedication to justice, principle, and leadership experience is crucial to the party's organizational unity and progress towards winning elections not only in Jos East, but but in Plateau and Nigeria. We are delighted he is back to our team."
"The PDP family welcomes Abok as a leader in Jos East. He comes with extensive experience and strategic leadership skills. We are delighted he is bringing his expertise and energy to the table for our party's important mission ahead, he will be a critical part of the party's leadership team and will bring tremendous experience to our efforts in raising our voices in support of freedom and democracy in Nigeria."
"Abok has proven his worth in the State House of Assembly as a unified, progressive, all inclusive and a visionary leader who holds his people's aspirations and conditions dearly. A defender of democratic principle and Plateau heritage, even as it caused him his exalted office. We are happy to receive him today." He ended.
Also, elders, Hon Danny Izang Hon ........ ........ prayed for, and blessed the returnee child for he came with his boots full of beautiful colors. Abok was therefore called upon to enter his father's political estate with immediate effect to begin his task of rebuilding a new Jos East, Plateau State, and Nigeria.
Signed: Itse Samuel Kaze, Media Assistant to Rt Hon Abok Nuhu Ayuba, 19th March, 2022.
A member of the House of Representatives, Samaila Suleiman (APC, Kaduna North), has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) citing the internal squabbles in the party as his reason.
Daily Trust reports that Suleiman, who represents Kaduna North federal constituency is also the chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties.
In a letter dated March 8, 2022 to the APC state Chairman in Kaduna, Emmanuel Jekada, Suleiman stated that his decision followed the breakdown of internal democracy and fractionalization of the party at all levels, especially at the national level.
The letter, which was copied to the APC chairman for Kaduna North LGA and ward chairman for Unguwan Sarki, stated that the resignation took immediate effect.
He also attached his membership registration card.
Confirming the resignation, the APC chairman for Kaduna North LGA, Sulaiman Wada, said the letter was received at the state secretariat.
He however said as the rep member did not follow the proper channel of resigning at the ward level, the LG and ward will have to apply to the state party to get the certified copy of his resignation letter.
The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo who was sworn-in earlier today, Thursday, 17th March, 2022, has announced the following appointments:
(1) Professor Solo Osita Chukwulobelu-Secretary to the State Government (2) Dr. Sir Chukwudi Okoli - Accountant General (3) Mr Chinedu Nwoye (Glamour)- Deputy Chief Of Staff/State Chief of Protocol.
FULL TEXT OF SEN. SUNDAY OGBUOJI'S PRESS STATEMENT
*LEGAL ISSUES REGARDING THE GOVERNORSHIP OFFICE IN EBONYI STATE - THE NEED FOR NIGERIAN LAW TO BE APPLIED APPROPRIATELY*
*BEING A PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY THE 14th DAY OF MARCH, 2022*
I have followed, keenly, the outcome and many reactions to the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja regarding the consequences of an elected Governor abandoning the political party upon which he/she was elected.
It will be recalled that I had instituted similar action at the Ebonyi State High Court but was, unfortunately, unable to get a favorable outcome thereat. However, with the turn of event to my favour at the Federal High Court Abuja, I was, once again, surprised at the consequential order made by my Lord of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
I had expected that, in line with our laws, only persons who participated in the said 2019 Governorship election in Ebonyi State are capable of being declared substitutes in a case as the one at hand. The order that PDP should whimsically nominate “anyone” to replace Governor Umahi who left the PDP was one that I am not in agreement with. My reason is simple - Hon. Iduma Igariwey never participated in the gubernatorial election in 2019. He vied for and won election for the House of Representatives to represent Afikpo North and Afikpo South Federal constituency. Therefore, he is incapable of being nominated to replace a Governor.
Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2022 is the nearest law that draws our attention to what should be done in a situation where the General Election is yet to be held. The section requires that a political party can substitute its candidate in cases of death or withdrawal by holden a fresh primary election within 14 days from the date of such death or withdrawal. But, in this case, the general election had been concluded with a winner and the first runner up. I emerge the runner up in that election. Therefore, if for any reason the PDP or its candidate Gov. Umahi are incapable of continuing in the office of Governor and a need to replace them arises, it is only proper that the first runner up in the election is the most legally qualified person to be named as a replacement. I hold this strong view because it is the people’s votes for both the party and its candidate that confers the authority to govern and if the votes of a particular party and candidate is no longer reliable, then the next legitimate votes are those of the first runner up.
In the light of the above brief statement, I am notifying the nation that I have instructed my lawyer to file application before the Court of Appeal in Abuja and the FHC (where a motion for stay of execution is pending) to be joined in the suits so as to ensure that all the issues are resolved adequately in line with our laws.
My most earnest desire is the good of Ebonyi State and our people. I will continue to stand for justice and fairness to all.
May God bless Ebonyi State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC (EEDC) wishes to inform her esteemed customers of another system collapse which occurred at 5.10pm this evening, Tuesday, 15th March, 2022.
This is coming barely 24 hours after the grid collapse experienced in the early hours of yesterday, Monday, 14th March, 2022.
As a result of this unfortunate development, all our outgoing feeders are out and supply to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States has been affected.
We are currently on standby, awaiting further directive from the National Control Centre (NCC) for restoration of supply.
- CECPC thanks INEC for intervention - Says March 26 Convention sacrosanct, assembly crack lawyers to vacate court order
The leadership crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) took a twist on Tuesday when the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) bounced back to reclaim control of the national secretariat of the party.
Although Governor Buni was not around at the secretariat, CECPC Secretary, Sen John James Akpanudoedehe, had stormed the party’s headquarters around 12 noon, in a rousing welcome from the members of the secretariat staff.
Arriving the secretariat in the company of Buni’s men, the party’s chief scribe had told newsmen that the situation in the party was grossly misrepresented.
In a statement he issued on arrival, he reiterated his claim that Governor Buni is totally in charge, commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for, “for firm guidance in the entire circumstances.”
The Buni’s CECPC reassured the party’s leaders, stakeholders and members that the March 26 proposed national convention is still on course.
Reassuring that the processes for the convention are in place, the Buni-led CECPC disclosed that; “the party has engaged a team of senior lawyers to address a purported court order halting the planned APC National Convention.”
According to the statement; “the APC Caretaker Committee under the chairmanship of Governor Buni makes this press release to clarify the events of last week.
“We reassure the membership and stakeholders of the party, as well as the Nigerian people in general, that the governing party is crisis-free, strong and remains united in giving the country the transformative leadership and good governance which she promised them.
“The CECPC, therefore, informs the Press and the General Public as follows: That the CECPC was appointed, and has always done her best, to steer the affairs of the APC in line with the mandate invested in her at the inauguration by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress.
“That on February 28, 2022, the CECPC Chairman took a long-delayed trip abroad on health grounds, leaving behind written authorisation for other members of the CECPC to continue work in his absence, particularly the day to day management of the APC.
“That in his absence, sundry activities earlier scheduled for action appeared to develop fresh urgency in order to satisfy the timetable for the 2023 general elections released by the INEC, thus galvanizing some within the CECPC to act in their best understanding of both the situation and the leadership dynamics in the Committee/party.
“That all such actions were clearly identified at all times as happening in an acting or proxy capacity, and under the auspices of the substantive Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni, contrary to widespread speculations that the Chairman, Secretary or some other officials of the CECPC have been removed from Office or otherwise replaced,” he noted.
On the convention and the role played by the Electoral umpire, the Buni-led Committee wrote: “That the CECPC is intact and functional as originally constituted. That delivering a seamlessly successful National Convention for the APC on March 26, 2022, is a top priority for the CECPC.
“We shall continue to execute such assignments as are legal pending the return of the Chairman who is on his way back to the country and shall resume office on arrival with the full support of all members and other stakeholders. We are grateful to INEC for her firm guidance in the entire circumstances,” it commended.
Commenting on the attempt to vacate the court orders threatening the conduct of the convention, the statement noted: “the party has engaged a team of senior lawyers to address a purported court order halting the planned APC national convention.”
“We hereby call on the Judiciary to give the matter the needed and expedient attention in our bid to vacate the purported Court order and allow for the conduct of a transparent and rancour-free national convention deserving of our great party, APC.
“The Caretaker Committee hereby restates absolute loyalty to the APC, thanks to the national organs and leadership of our party led by President Muhammadu Buhari, and reassures our members and citizens that the party is stronger than ever before and poised to extend her winning streak since 2015 into 2023 and beyond,” the statement read.
Buhari, APC Perfect Examples of Arrogance in Failure- PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration as a perfect example of arrogance in failure.
The PDP asserts that President Buhari presides over the most rudderless, corrupt, disunited, disorganized, arrogant political party and government in the history of our country; a fact that is already established by Nigerians across board.
PDP’s position is predicated on the comments by President Buhari, who in his lame attempt to address the irreconcilable infighting in his fizzling APC fixated on the PDP, apparently discomfited by the renewed massive popularity of the PDP among Nigerians ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The Buhari administration is a certified failure which has brought unprecedented economic hardship, chaos, escalated insecurity, a state of anomie and hopelessness in our country in the last six years.
If Mr. President were ‘present’ as President and party leader, he should have known that the party that is “enfeebled and adrift”, plagued by ‘disunity, mismanagement and corruption”; “arrogance of power” and “self-aggrandizement” which he alluded to, is not the PDP but the evidently mismanaged and mutating crisis ridden APC.
It is important to educate Mr. President on the arrogance of power in his refusal to timeously appoint an economic team or listen to wise counsel on the economy and security. This is why he completely mismanaged our national affairs and turned our nation into the poverty capital of the world and the third country with the highest level of terrorism according to the World Terrorism Index.
Such arrogance of power is manifesting in President Buhari and APC’s refusal to accept failure for the near collapse of our economy from the $550 billion economy (largest in Africa and 26th globally) handed over to them in 2015 by the PDP; the fall of the naira from about N197 to a dollar to almost N600 today and the hike in petrol price from N87 per liter in 2015 to between N300 andN400 per liter today.
In addition to this, the price of diesel which is a critical component in the productive sector of the economy now stands at inconceivable N700 per liter under the APC.
Is it not arrogance of power that informed the Buhari-led APC administration to import contaminated fuel, induce agonizing fuel scarcity on our citizens and yet had the effrontery to tell Nigerians that “heaven will not fall” over the fuel situation?
The same arrogance of power accounted for the repeated refusal by the APC administration to obey Court Orders; for President Buhari’s repeated refusal to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill until he was pressured by the PDP and Nigerians as well as his constant disdain toward the people in repeatedly refusing to address the nation on critical issues, notably during the October 2020 EndSARS protest and the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The arrogance and impunity of the APC administration also accounted for its refusal to prosecute APC leaders indicted for corruption; the barefaced denial that no one was killed in the EndSARS protest despite national and international evidence of bloody massacre of our youths at the Lekki Tollgate as well as the failure to account for the billions of naira Covid-19 Funds stolen by APC leaders.
This is in addition to the recent arrogant, corrupt and criminal removal of electricity subsidy without reference to Nigerians among other thoughtless and inhumane actions of the APC government.
Moreover, it is ludicrous that Mr. President who confirmed that the APC as a party of irreconcilable political warlords, is bedeviled by “the infighting we are seeing” instead of the expected “robust debate on the issues that matter”, is looking elsewhere for a lesson in “disunity, mismanagement and corruption”.
Mr. President has so arrogantly mismanaged the APC that it is now plagued by two illegal national chairmen, multiple structures in States; enfeebled to the extent that it cannot conduct a valid National Convention or produce legitimate candidates for elections, with its activities no longer recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Since President Buhari has now agreed that government should not be “a vehicle for self-aggrandizement to be held at all costs” the PDP urges him to assist his party to wind up as Nigerians are now rallying on the platform of the united, cohesive, focused and dependable PDP in our mission to Rescue and Rebuild our nation from the arrogance and misrule of the Buhari APC government.
CLARIFICATION ON THE POSITION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE CECPC
Further to the Media Conference earlier held by the Spokesman of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, the Party wishes to note that the Secretary of the CECPC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, never sent a resignation letter to the Party to the best of its knowledge and neither was he sacked as some social media blogs speculated. All those are utterly false.
The APC is one family, the Caretaker is one unit. We have an Acting Chairman who is racing against time to deliver a convention and committee members that are united in supporting him in carrying out that onerous mandate.
So please, disregard social media stories that are not rooted in fact or even sound reasoning.
SIGNED: Salisu Na'inna Dambatta Director (Publicity) APC National Secretariat, Abuja. March 12, 2022.
The 17 members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly whose seats have been declared vacant by an Abuja Federal High Court for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Thursday said they have appealed the judgment of the high court.
The lawmakers at a press briefing in Abakaliki also said they have filed a stay of execution on the matter.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Francis Nwifuru, in company of other affected colleagues, noted that they will obey the judgment as law-abiding citizens, but urged their supporters and constituents to remain calm.
“We are law-abiding citizens so we will obey the law. We are dissatisfied with the court ruling which is why we have appealed the judgment.
“It is about two days ago we started hearing the rumour that a Federal High Court in Abuja declared our seats vacant on the ground that we defected from PDP to APC.
“I know the position of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But I am not in a position to know how the judiciary interprets the law. I am not against that.
“We have filed an appeal and a stay of execution. Since the matter is in the court of law there is no need to say anything about it. Our position is that the law will take its position. We are begging our constituents to remain law-abiding,” he said.
Politics › Re: Court Sacks 20 Cross River Lawmakers For Defecting To APC by Kwanza(op): 3:59pm On Mar 21, 2022
