By Suamini Eboh,
SSA Lauds Sylva for Appointing More Women into Positions of Authority
The Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Social Networking, Miss Oyambo Peace Owei has lauded the State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva for appointing more women into positions of authority.She described the appointment of the new Director General Due Process and E-Governance, Mrs. Tonbofa Ashimi as a core professional saying with her wealth of experience she is capable of transforming the bureau.She described the Director General as a hardworking woman who is noted for her meticulousness in handling assignments given to her.She urged the staff of Due Process and E-Governance to accord her the desired support to achieve the objectives of the bureau.She also prayed for the grace of God upon the Director General to enable her carry-out her functions successfully.

Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, over the weekend, appointed new aides in the wake of the unceremonious resignation of some political appointees from his administration. The resignation and appointement were a follow up to his battle with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over his re-election bid.
Sylva who appointed Mr. Fiezegate Olorogun as a Commissioner and Director-General for the State Due Process and e-Governance Bureau, noted that the new appointments will bring a breath of freshness into his administration, especially in the journey to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
Crisis had hit the administration of Sylva over the resignation of three influential members of his cabinet, based on a shift in their loyalty to the camp of President Goodluck Jonathan and Hon. Seriake Dickson.
The Commissioner for Youth, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon. Bekiakpo Etifa; former Commissioner of Local Government, Hon. Weripamowei Dudafagh; Special Adviser to the State Governor on Inter-Party Relations, Hon. Steven Diver; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Orientation, Gesije Isowo and the Chairman of the Board of the State Internal Revenue, Mr. Solomon Apreala had all resigned in the face of the crisis.
But the governor, over the weekend, swore-in a new set of officers to oversee the steering of the affairs of the state. Among them are: Mrs. Tombofa Ashimi, the new Director General, of the State Due Process who replaces Mr. Von Kemedi, and Mr. Fiezegate Olorogun, who is the Commissioner of Legal Education, Youths and Conflict Resolution, replaces Mr. Bekis Etifa

pdp and sylva,

By Dada Aladelokun, The Nation Newspaper 16 December 2011

Turbulence in Bayelsa State

ONE state that has been on the political radar throughout the year is Bayelsa. Governor Timipre Sylva has been fighting to save his political career.He has remained in the eye of the storm which is believed have been masterminded by his political opponents in Abuja. To them, Sylva’s much-desired return to the state’s number-one seat through next year’s governorship election will only fructify if they are politically dead and buried. They are men of grit and power. They dictate what happens in the party and polity. Therefore, they must be obeyed by all, including governors.Far back before the 2007 elections, Sylva had got acquainted with the fact that politics in the part of the country is not for the lily-livered. Even after braing the odds in his own ‘family,’ the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he was soon to face a stiffer storm against his opponents. He did a grim political duel with Action Congress’s (AC) governorship flag-bearer, Ebitimi Amgbare, among others.While after the poll Sylva was popping the champagne, Amgbare was belly-aching. Eventually, he not only kicked, he cried to the tribunal with the allegation that there was no governorship election in the state, alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) merely allocated results to parties that participated in the elections.The AC also accused INEC of conniving with the PDP to cook up results. The PDP and INEC denied the allegations and defended the results at the tribunal.The state’s Elections Petition Tribunal looked into the complaints and ruled in Sylva’s favour. Not satisfied, Amgbare sought solace at the Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt. But it ordered a re-run election in the state. It held, and again, the PDP carried the day. Sylva was crowned the second time in one year as governor. The massive campaigns that characterised the preparations towards the April 2011 governorship elections in the state fizzled out.Later, the ruling by the Federal High Court, Abuja, upheld the prayers of five governors including Sylva, thus ruling that their tenure ought to end 2012 when elections are expected to take place.INEC headed for the Appeal Court, Abuja which also affirmed the ruling, before it later headed for the Supreme Court which is still at work. The ruling of the Federal High Court is now history as it turned back the hand of the clock of the heightened preparations for the governorship elections in Bayelsa State. Hence, the ongoing frenzied wait till 2012.However, at the height of the campaigns, there were a few major political parties with serious governorship candidates. They included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with Chief Timipre Sylva; the Labour Party (LP) with Mr. Timi Alaibe; the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) featuring Dr. Imorno Kubor; Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP); Mr. Ebitimi Amgbare; Change for Advocate Party (CAP) Chief Abel Ebifemowei and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) which features Chief Eberiye.There were other parties, but the main ones that were so pronounced in the race were the PDP, LP and the ACN.As the 2012 governorship election approaches in the state, serious but underground preparations have been in top gear among the governorship candidates in the various parties. But Sylva has remained their major headache. Reason: His acknowledged performance in the saddle. Sylva once beat his chest that his administration’s developmental projects would speak for his performance at the 2012 elections.And the pro-Sylva group also claimed: “There is no need for another primary in the PDP; the candidature of Governor Sylva is okay for the party because he has performed well.” However, not many were shocked to the marrow when, recently, Sylva was curiously excluded from the PDP’s governorship primary. And insinuations were thick in the air that the political enmity between him and President Goodluck Jonathan has been his costliest undoing. Now, he is still flexing muscles that he remains in the race, even in the same PDP, even if heaven will fall. Whatever happens between now and the next election, if it will hold, will determine whether or not the political whirlwind in the state will simmer down. But a poser remains unanswered by the PDP leadership: What is Sylva’s sin?

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

The judicial action instituted by Governor Timipire Sylva to retrieve a ticket he once held is drawing to a close. Given the level of high level intrigues that outmaneuvered the Governor, could there be a silver lining in stock for him?

These are undeniably edgy days for Governor Timipire Sylva of Bayelsa State and his associates. A Governor that could well have been sitting comfortably on a winning wagon is today hanging perniciously for political survival.

Last Monday the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja further stretched the nerves of the Sylva camp with its decision to reserve judgment on the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP against the ruling of a Federal High Court that had earlier given a breather to the Sylva camp.

The decision puts both Governor Sylva and his traducers in the local chapter of the party and also at the national level on a waiting game to determine the legitimacy of the PDP’s nomination of Rep. Serikae Dickson as the party’s gubernatorial candidate ahead of the rescheduled February election.

Besides the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the Bayelsa political combatants are also in anxiety over another pending judgment from the Supreme Court on the tenure extension case involving five Governors and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The Supreme Court after hearing from parties to the case and learned friends of the court had equally reserved judgment on the case.

The developments in Bayelsa follow the determined efforts of opponents of the Governor to bar him from a second term in office.

That the opponents of the Governor comprised mostly of associates of President Goodluck Jonathan who is an indigene of the state lent credence to speculations that the hands of the President were deeply involved in the issue.

Remarkably, till now the presidency has not openly tilted towards any of the two camps in the divide between Governor Sylva and his opponents.

Given the silence of the presidency on the issue it is as such remarkable that all sides in the dispute are now waiting on the courts on the way to go.

Just days after the PDP barred the Governor from participating in the November primaries the Governor won a judicial victory when an Abuja high court ordered the party to suspend the gubernatorial primary election it conducted in Bayelsa state on November 16, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice that was entered before it by the incumbent governor of the state.

In giving the ex-parte injunction, Justice Gabriel Kolawole specifically warned that, “in the event, perhaps, unlikely that the 2nd defendant (PDP) in defiance of these orders, take steps which may be prejudicial, perhaps subversive of these orders and of these proceedings before the return day which I have fixed at 22/11/2011.

“This court will without much ado, proceed to making such necessary orders to nullify such steps or decisions taken once they are served with the processes and/or orders made herein in order to uphold and protect the sanctity of the court’s processes and to vindicate the integrity of the court as the established constitutional arbiter between the state and the citizens and between the citizens inter se.”

The PDP, however, feigned ignorance of the order and for some days even though the order was pasted on its premises refused to acknowledge it until it was convenient for the party to contest it.

Governor Sylva’s case is built on the assumption that having won the earlier primaries conducted in January before the postponement of the election that there was no sufficient ground to have disqualified him in the subsequent primaries that took place last November.

After stonewalling for some time the party eventually took its case to the Court of Appeal, a move that inevitably compelled Justice Kolawole to on November 22 stay proceedings on the original prayers sought by the Governor.

When the case resumed last Monday at the Court of Appeal the PDP counsel in a bid to justify the party’s position submitted that Governor Sylva breached the party’s constitution which requires members having dispute with the party to seek internal mechanisms of resolving the issue.

But given the array of opponents and insinuations on the personalities pitched against the Governor, some were to ask, “to whom should the Governor take his case?”

The PDP’s counsel, Chief Olusola Oke also cited section 87 of the Electoral Act which bars the courts from interfering or stopping the conduct of a party primary.

Pleading that it was not given the opportunity to respond to the issues brought before Justice Kolawole, the party as such pleaded with the Court of Appeal to discharge the injunction given by the lower courts that would have otherwise forced its hands to welcome Sylva.

Governor Sylva who is represented by Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN on his part argued that the High Cout was sufficiently fit to hear and give the order it gave. Chief Fagbemi cited section 6(6), 251 and 252 of the 1999 constitution relating to the powers of the courts.

He also drew the attention of the court to what some have interpreted as the apparent determination of the PDP to dilly-dally on the case in a way to frustrate his client.

The Governor’s political advisers are convinced that irrespective of the delay that the Governor could be returned to power in the same way Mr. Rotimi Amaechi was returned as Governor of Rivers State if he is recognized as the authentic holder of the PDP gubernatorial ticket.

After listening to all the parties the 5-man panel of justices presided by Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, reserved judgment on the case indefinitely, saying the date would be communicated to all the parties.

With all sides to the dispute now waiting anxiously for the judgment the people of Bayelsa are as such at the cross roads on the way to go. Even more is the Governor Sylva whose hope for a silver-lining is now tied to the pronunciations of the courts.

By The Nation Reporter

Sylva to PDP: Your Decision Can’t Stand

Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva at the weekend spoke of his commitment to the governorship race next year.He described the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) decision to send the name of the aspirant, which it cleared, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a charade.“The party’s decision cannot stand,” Sylva said.In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Doifie Ola, the governor said: “This unfortunate decision of the PDP is condemnable in every democratic sense. “But it is all part of a serial illegality that began since preparation for the governorship election in the state.“It gathered momentum and reached a frightening height with a November 19 primary held against the order of a court of law, and despite the absence of INEC. “The action has been condemned by all and it is only natural that anything emanating from that process cannot stand. Nothing has changed from this truth.“As for me and my able deputy, Werinipre Seibarugu, we remain committed to the February governorship election in Bayelsa State under our great party, the PDP. “We are confident that the truth will emerge at the end of the day and, by the grace of God and the will of the people, we will be re-elected.“The regrettable misadventure of PDP does not change the fact that we are in court challenging the illegal conduct of PDP in the Bayelsa State governorship race and it is only the court that will have the final say in the matter. “Those trying to plant the seed of illegality at INEC must realise that Nigeria is a country governed under laws and PDP cannot afford to be a lawless fiefdom within the democracy.”Sylva appealed to his supporters to remain calm and positive, saying, “We are confident in the ability of the judiciary to return sanity to the political situation in our state, so that together again we shall continue the patriotic task of taking our state to the next level.” Sylva condemned INEC’s acceptance of the candidate from the November 19 primary.,“Even though INEC has not announced a shift in its well advised rejection of the November 19 charade, it is only instructive to warn that INEC, a critical institutional bulwark against political arbitrariness, must resist the temptation to be drawn into the mucky waters of autocratic partisanship, which those who nurse a morbid fear for democracy and free choice have reduced the Bayelsa governorship race to.”

By Akanimo Samson, Leadership Newspaper 13 December 2011

Rivers, Bayelsa At War Over Boundary

Things are currently falling apart between Rivers State, and its sister state, Bayelsa, the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan, over boundary problems.The backstage conflict appears to have taken a new twist with the Rivers State Government dragging the president’s state before the Apex Court to arbitrate in their dispute.Port Harcourt confirmed yesterday that it has filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking clarification on issues surrounding their boundary with Bayelsa State.The state Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, had given an indication to this effect during a joint meeting of officials of the two disputing states with the National Boundary Commission (NBC) in Port Harcourt.Ikuru, who is also the Chairman of the Rivers State Boundary Commission, said there was the need for the NBC to defer further discussions on the matter, pointing out then that it would amount to subjudice as “any discussion on the issue would amount to challenging the authority of the court, which is contemptuous”.The deputy governor, who was represented by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Worgu Boms, called on the NBC and the Surveyor-General of the Federation to be sensitive to boundary issues between states with to fast-tracking amicable settlements.Ikuru’s Bayelsa State counterpart, Mr. Werinipre Seibarugu, had expressed gratitude to the Rivers state government for hosting the meeting that was intended to resolve the boundary cases between states, claiming that settlement will foster their longstanding relationship.The obviously startled Director-General of NBC, Dr. Mohammed Ahmad, has noted that Rivers and Bayelsa had mutual relationship over the years, saying there is need for a peaceful resolution of issues concerning their common boundaryHe also explained that the Port Harcourt meeting was aimed at fast-tracking the resolution of all pending matters not affected by the Supreme Court case.In another development, the Rivers Commissioner for Transport, Mr. George Tolofari, has said that the Creek RoadMarket in Port Harcourt will be fenced off to forestall the encroachment of trading activities on the road.Tolofari stated this during an unscheduled visit to some markets and illegal car parks in the state capital.The transport boss who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Urban Development Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Chairman of the state Environmental Sanitation Authority, Isoboye Jack and the Controller General of TIMARIV, the state’s traffic management agency, Mr. Nelson Jaja, frowned at the attitude of traders who carry out their activities on the road which according to him expose them to accidents.He said government would begin the enforcement of law which stipulates that heavy duty vehicles can only come into Port Harcourt from 9 pm to 6 am.

na wa o

We‘ll Return to Street, Falana, Agbakoba, Others Warn Jonathan

Nigeria’s civil rights community has told President Goodluck Jonathan to shelve the proposed removal of oil subsidy.Representatives of the Civil Society Organizations met with President Goodluck Jonathan for three hours at the Presidential Villa,Abuja,on Friday where they bared their minds to him on the implications of the planned subsidy removal for the country and the generality of Nigerians.They pledged to return to the trenches and fight for the people should the President stick to what they described as his “fixation” on fuel subsidy.The meeting was in continuation of the President’s consultations with stakeholders on the issue. He had earlier met with leaders of some key political parties.Some of those at the session were foremost human rights campaigner, Femi Falana, ex-President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba(SAN); Rights Advocate, Hajiya Bilikisu Yusuf, ex-Student Union Activist, Nasir Nura, Clement Nwankwo, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu, Labour activist, Saliu Lukman, Anikko Briggs among others. Apart from the President, those on the government side were Vice-President Namadi Sambo, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke; Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, the Minister of Labour, Mr. Emeka Wogu; the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, a Special Adviser to the President, Oronto Douglas among others.A source described the session as “frank and sincere” with all the sides making their contributions unhindered.The source said: “The President expressed his gratitude to the CSOs for rising to the challenge of the constitutional stalemate which the nation ran into in 2010 following the health trip of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua to Saudi Arabia.“He said were it not for the agitation of the CSOs, only God knows the kind of turmoil Nigeria would have found itself in.“The President later claimed that he invited the leaders of the civil society groups for consultations on the proposed withdrawal of fuel subsidy.”“The Minister of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala also made a presentation on why the removal of subsidy has become inevitable for the nation.”But, according to another source, the civil society leaders , who took turns to speak, insisted that there are many alternatives to the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.They also listed many sources of funding for the government to finance its budget and projects.The source said: “In his contribution, Falana said with the ongoing reform of the PPPRA, it has become evident that about N1.3trillion that Nigeria is spending on fuel subsidy is far more than it should be.“He said the list of over 138 beneficiaries of oil imports has suddenly been trimmed to about 42 who have depots. He said if a clean up of the system is done, the fuel subsidy can be affordable for the country.“He also asked the President to learn from the withdrawal of subsidy for food items and commodities in the 90s. He said today Nigeria is spending trillions of Naira to import food items.“Falana also suggested that since neigbouring countries like Senegal, Niger have refineries which are operating below capacity, Nigeria should refine its crude at lesser cost from these neighbouring nations pending the time it will fix its refineries.“On his part, Agbakoba asked the government to look inward to fund its projects. He said from shipping alone, Nigeria can earn N7trillion per annum.“He urged the government to learn from President Barrack Obama who is taxing the rich to save the middle class.”“ Anikko Briggs from Bayelsa State reminded the President that the poor in the Niger Delta cannot afford to buy fuel at between N120 and N150 per litre. She said the high unemployment rate in the Niger Delta will be compounded by the withdrawal of fuel subsidy. She said the consequence is predictable.”The third source at the session said: “The CSOs demanded the immediate reform of the EFCC and ICPC without sparing sacred cows to rid the nation of corruption; drastic reduction of jumbo allowances being paid to government officials especially members of the National Assembly; cutting recurrent cost and increase its revenue drive.”“On the use of Executive fiat to withdraw fuel subsidy, they reminded the President that the PPPRA Act does not give him such powers. Jonathan must revert to the National Assembly to amend the PPPRA Act first before he can unilaterally withdraw the fuel subsidy.“We told the President to ignore the fixation that the fuel subsidy must go in the interest of democracy and the nation. We made him realize that when the CSOs fought for him to be acting President and struggled for him to be substantive President in April, it was because he promised a transformation of the nation.“We said that there is nothing new in all the palliatives reeled out at the session because successive governments of ex-President Ibrahim Babangida and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo had toed .similar paths“We made him realize that withdrawal of fuel subsidy is not transformation. We were all unanimous in rejecting the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.But we said if the government remains adamant on the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, we will go back to the streets to protest.“We also pledged to assist the government with a list of sources of funds to finance its projects.Asked what the response of the President was, the fourth source at the session added: “He promised to look at our points.”

Sylva Faults Submission of Dickson’s Name to INEC



Governor Timipre Sylva


By Chuks Okocha

Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State Sunday described the submission of the name of Hon. Henry Dickson by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its gubernatorial candidate for the February 11, 2012 as a charade.

This came as INEC said it had no constitutional right to reject Dickson as PDP governorship nominee for the next year election, stating that there was no court injunction stopping the commission from doing otherwise.

A statement signed by Sylva’s Chief Press Secretary, Doifie Ola, said the PDP’s decision to submit the name of Dickson to INEC did not in anyway change his commitment to the governorship race and the reality that the PDP was engaged in a charade, whose product would not be able to stand the test of time.

According to the statement, “This unfortunate decision of the Party is condemnable in every democratic sense. But it is all part of a serial illegality that began since preparation for the governorship election in the state gathered momentum and reached a frightening height with November 19 primary held against the order of a competent court of law.”

Sylva further faulted the submission of Dickson’s name to INEC, saying, “wise counsel of a wide segment of civilised humanity within and outside Nigeria, and also despite the absence of INEC, the body statutorily mandated to monitor and confer legitimacy on such exercises, has contributed in making the submission charade.

“Men of conscience within and outside our shores have since risen in condemnation of the absurdly pointless act of November 19 in Yenagoa and it is only natural that anything emanating from that process cannot stand. Nothing has changed from this truth, he said.

Accordingly, the embattled governor said: “As for me and my able deputy, Rt. Hon. Werinipre Seibarugu, we remain committed to the February 2012 governorship contest in Bayelsa State under our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We are confident that the truth will emerge at the end of the day, and by the grace of God and the will of the people, we will be re-elected,” he said.

But INEC in a reaction through Chief Press Secretary to the commission chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said INEC was not aware of any court order, but a motion in court.

According to Idowu, “INEC is not aware of any court order. Apart from that, there is a subsisting provision in the Electoral Act 2011 as amended which says that INEC shall not reject the names of nominees from the political parties.”

“The regrettable misadventure of PDP does not change the fact that we are in court challenging the illegal conduct of PDP in the Bayelsa State governorship race and it is only the court that will have the final say in the matter.

“Those trying to plant the seed of illegality at INEC must realize that Nigeria is a country governed under laws and PDP, the biggest political party in the country, cannot afford to be a lawless fiefdom within the democracy”, the embattled governor said.

He appealed to his supporters in Bayelsa State and beyond, and all lovers of democracy, to remain calm and positive, saying, “We are confident in the ability of the judiciary to return sanity to the political situation in our state, so that together again we shall continue the patriotic task of taking our state to the next level.”

“Persons who seek to benefit from the democratic space should not be afraid to submit their whims and atavistic instincts to the democratic crucible of the law. The resort to impunity cannot stand”, he stated.

Sylva questioned the basis on which INEC could accept a candidate from the 19 November primary in Bayelsa State, saying, “Even though INEC has not announced a shift in its well advised rejection of the November 19 charade, it is only instructive to warn that INEC, a critical institutional bulwark against political arbitrariness, must resist the temptation to be drawn into the mucky waters of autocratic partisanship, which those who nurse a morbid fear for democracy and free choice have reduced the Bayelsa governorship race to.”

When reminded about a court order, Kayode Idowu said, “Is there any court order, we are aware of a motion in court and not of any court injunction.”

Madam Pa don suffer. This is the work of Pius Adesanmi. The good is good with words abeg.

Nigerians have lost their right to protest! Rubbish.

By Adebiyi Adedap and Sunday Okobi

As legal tussle over the November 19 governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State shifts to the Court of Appeal, the state governor, Chief Timiprie Sylva, has accused the party of perpetrating judicial fraud.

His accusation, however, comes as a Coalition of Nigerian Human Right Groups (CONHRIG) expressed dismay over the current political situation in state, describing it as “a violation of human rights by soldiers and armed groups posted to the state by the Federal Government.”

At the resumed hearing Thursday at the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, Sylvia through his counsel Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) called attention of the court to what he described as a “fraudulent way” in which the party has invoked its jurisdiction in order to stall hearing of the substantive suit.

Fagbemi decried the fraudulent invocation of the court’s jurisdiction, pointing out that PDP created the impression that the record of proceeding at the trial court was compiled by the court registry and transmitted by the court, whereas it was all false.

“The appellants gave the impressions that the record of proceeding at the court below was compiled and transmitted by its [court’s] registry whereas by their records it was a record compiled and transmitted by the appellants themselves. And because they made it seem like it was record compiled and transmitted by the court below, we had no choice than concede. What I am saying is that they got us all here fraudulently. It is by fraud we are here without first getting a stay,” he said.

The mode of transmission of the court records was revealed when counsel to PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Abunaker Kawu Baraje, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) prayed the court to grant an application, seeking a departure from the rules, the application was to cure the defect of it compiling and transmitting the records instead of the court itself doing so.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa told Fagbemi to file necessary application for consideration over his complains, if he had an issue with the court record as compiled by the appellants.

The controversial governorship primaries shifted to the Court of Appeal as all parties agreed to face PDP’s appeal on the ruling of an Abuja Federal High Court, which ordered the party to within 72 hours show cause why the application filed by Sylva to stop the primaries should not be granted.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court who granted the order adjourned the case indefinitely so as to allow the appellate court decides on the appeals before it.
Fagbemi had told the court that the path of law was to allow the Court of Appeal to decide on the Appeal filed by the PDP especially when an application to stay of execution has been filed.

He confirmed the receipt of processes from the Court Appeal including that notice of appeal and motion for stay of execution; he urged the lower court to reserve its jurisdiction on the matter until the Court of Appeal rules on the matter.

According to him, once an Appeal has been entered in the court, the lower court suspends proceedings until the appeal is taken. PDP represented by its National Legal Adviser Olusole Oke, also told the lower court that the party did not deny been served with the process of the court, and that the party has responded promptly to the processes which states that the party should show cause why the application filed by Sylvia should not be granted.

He, however, informed the court that the PDP was never served with any court injunction. Determined to bypass the trial court, PDP filed an appeal challenging the ruling of the trial court, at the same time filed an application for stay of proceeding at the Court of Appeal Justice Bulkachuwa adjourned till December 12 for hearing as the court directs parties to file and exchange their written briefs before the adjourned date.

Meanwhile, the CONRIG said the conduct of the Federal Government in the state as it related to human right, democracy and the rule of law was shocking and embarrassing.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, CONRIG’s Assistant-General Secretary, Mr Kehinde Adegbuyi, said: “As a build-up to the gubernatorial election in the state, we are worried about the growing cases of arrests, intimidation, assault on innocent people and the blatant rape of democratic norms in the state.

“Not only are members of other political parties being arrested and locked up without charges, supporters of other political parties other than the controversial anointed PDP candidate whose emergence was believed to be at the prompting of the Federal Government are being arrested, detained and humiliated,” Adegbuyi said.

The group further submitted that “the PDP primaries in Bayelsa State is a farce,” saying it was a way to deny citizens the right participate in decision making. “We are only setting the process for friction, public mistrust, social unrests and political upheavals. It is isolationist to deny the people the right to participate in the process that leads to elections which must begin with a transparent and people-driven party primary.”

Adegbuyi alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan was believed to have “installed a puppet as the PDP candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in that state where they had many contestants for the race, thereby “foisting its candidate down the throat of Nigerians.”

The group therefore appealed to the Federal Government to withdraw soldiers from Bayelsa State and allow credible, people-driven primaries to take place in the state urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “not to conduct the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State unless there are clear indications that the Federal Government is ready to allow a free and fair election in the state.”

ASUU abeg nah

What is good for the goose,

Sad.

Adan ni yen

Na wa ooo. Orisirisi

Fresh air that has turned into hot air for Nigerians.

Whaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

?

No

Very well bros

?

Yes ooo

Hmmm

Na wa ooo

All we want is light

Preach Preacher!!!