Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday warned against the creation of a one-party state, saying any nation that must practice it must do so carefully and with a well-planned process and projected outcome.

He stated this in Abuja while paying tribute to the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, at a memorial lecture and day of tribute.

Jonathan warned that any attempt to bring about a one-party state through political machinations to soothe only personal aspirations will be detrimental to the country.

The former president also called on the family of the late former federal commissioner to, among other things, set up a yearly memorial lecture in his honour to continue to push his ideas and what he stood for, which is a united, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.

On his part, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, lamented that the labour of our heroes past was already in vain.

The former Anambra State governor highlighted the endemic poverty in rural areas, the state of insecurity, and the rising cost of living.

He maintained that the labour of people like Pa Edwin Clark had not paid off, as the sacrifices people like Pa Clark made were in vain today.

The chairman on the occasion and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said that the task of ensuring that Nigeria remains united and indivisible must be ensured by all, as the nation could only make progress if national interest was put before any personal interest.

… Abure’s faction suspends Gov Otti, Kingibe, others

By Abubakar Yunusa

A faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure has suspended Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, and Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT), indefinitely.

The suspension was announced in a statement released by Umar Farouk Ibrahim, LP national secretary, on Wednesday.

Other members who were suspended are Darlington Nwokocha, Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi.

On May 2, the Abure-led faction inaugurated a five-member disciplinary committee headed by Ayo Olorunfemi, the party’s deputy national chairman, to investigate some members over alleged anti-party activities.

Announcing the report of the disciplinary committee, Farouk said the national executive “rarified the recommendations of the panel”.

The LP scribe said the suspended members will no longer act for and on behalf of the party.

Farouk said Nenadi Usman, chair of the LP caretaker committee, was omitted from the list because she is not a registered member of the party.

“By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party,” Farouk said.

“All concerned institutions including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies among others are to take note.

“It will surprise Nigerians and party faithfuls that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members of the party.

“First, we have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party being not a card carrying member of the Party.

“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.

“We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party.”

The national secretary said the party’s leadership had said it was not interested in any coalition of opposition parties.

Farouk said the initiators of the coalition “lack the capacity, the character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement”.

The LP is currently divided into two factions; one is led by Abure while the other is being controlled by the caretaker committee under the leadership of Usman.

Earlier, the caretaker committee constituted a panel chaired by Kingibe to probe Abure over allegations of corruption, misappropriation of party funds and anti-party activities.

Speaking at the press conference, Usman accused Abure of “persistently parading himself as national chairman of the party despite being removed” by the supreme court.

Governor Hyacinth Alia will not honour the House of Representatives Committee invitation scheduled for Thursday, May 8.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi.

The House had summoned the governors of Benue and Zamfara, alongside their Assembly leadership.

Kula stated that the invitation is unconstitutional and the governor will not comply with it.

He explained that Alia has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the lawmakers’ invitation.

“Yesterday, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Reps Committee invitation.

“They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend. They will also challenge it in court,” he said.

Kula added that the governor, independently, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation’s legality.

He said: “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it.”

Kula also claimed that the civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered.

According to him, the address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.

He said there is a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilising Benue.

In recent weeks, he noted, there have been protests in Abuja allegedly representing Benue people’s concerns.

“These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light,” he said.

He claimed the organisers seek to undermine progress and return to a failed political order.

“Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain,” Kula added.

He accused the protest sponsors of trying to remove the governor through disruptive means.

“They will not succeed. Benue people stand firmly with their governor,” he said.

He assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and the government is functioning effectively.

“Governor Alia is committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges,” he said. (NAN)