Politics
ADP candidate prays court to nullify Rivers LG elections
The Action Democratic Party (ADP) ) has prayed a Federal High Court in Abuja to nullify the election victory of the Action Peoples Party (APP candidates in the Rivers Local Government (LG) poll held on Oct. 5.
The plaintiff, Juboye Abraham, a candidate of the ADP in that election in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1464/2024 filed by his lawyer, Ukpai Ukairo, urged Justice Binta Nyako to make order setting aside the candidacy of the APP in the election.
He also prayed the court to nullify all the votes cast for the state’s local government chairmen on the APP platform for being in breach of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Rivers Local Government Law.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the suit dated and filed on Oct. 4, Abraham sued Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APP and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) as 1st to 3rd defendants in the suit.
He also joined the elected LG chairmen including Chijioke Ihunwo, Ezebunwo Ichemati, Chief Brain Gokpa, David Omereji, John Ngubo-Otamiri, Promise Reginald, Mathew Dike, Enyiada Cookey-Gam, Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, Dr Igwe Achese, and Prince Isaac Umejuru as 4th to 14 defendants.
Others are Ms Tonye Oniyide-Briggs, Dr Harry Agiriye, Dr Gift Okere, Vincent Reuben Obi, Chibudom Ezu, Itvyekor Ikporo, Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile, Dr Sule Amachree, Monday Dumye, Israel Abosi, Martins Nwigbo and Engr Ishmael Oforibika as 15th to 26th defendants respectively.
The seven questions sought for determination include “whether by virtue of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) the 1st defendant (INEC) has the vires to deregister political parties which are in breach of the provisions of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (a amended)?
“If the answer to question 1 above Is in the affirmative, whether the 1st defendant can de-register the 2nd defendant which is in breach of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)?
“If the answer to question 2 above is in the affirmative, whether the 1st defendant can continue to accord the 2nd defendant (APP) the status and privilege of a political party?
“If the answer to question 3 above Is In the negative, whether the 2nd defendant can function as a political perty in Nigeria?
“If the answer to question 4 above is in the negative, whether the 3rd defendant (RSIEC) can accept the names of the 4th to 26th defendants as the Local Government Council Candidates of the 2nd defendant for the October 5, 2024, Rivers State Local Government Election?
“If the answer to question 5 above is in the negative, whether the 3rd defendant (RSIEC) can place the logo of the 2nd defendant (APP) on the ballot for the October 5, 2024, Rivers State Local Government Election?
“If the answers to questions 5 and 6 are in the negative, whether the court ought to make an order nullifying the standing of the 4th to 26th defendants as candidates in the Local Government election and setting aside any benefit or privilege attendant thereto?”
Abraham, therefore, sought a declaration that it is illegal, unconstitutional and void for INEC to continue to keep APP in the register of political parties in Nigeria when it is manifest that the party is in breach of Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution.
He sought an order compelling or directing INEC to exercise its powers under Section 225(A) of the 1999 Constitution to deregister APP as a political party registered in Nigeria with powers to field candidates in any election, having been in breach of the law.
He also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the RSIEC from placing APP logo on the ballots for Oct. 5 Rivers Local Government Election, having been in breach of Section 226(A) of the 1999 Constitution.
Abraham further sought an order setting aside the candidacy of the 4th to 26th defendants in the said election and nullifying all the votes cast for them for being in breach of Section 226(A) of the 1999 Constitution and Rivers’ LG law.
When the matter came up before Justice Nyako, Kalu Agu, who appeared for the plaintiff, informed that all the defendants had been served and the matter was slated for mention.
Agu, who said the suit was a pre-election matter, sought a short date for the hearing.
When the judge asked him what the subject matter (res) of the case was all about, he said: “the res is about the non-performance of the statutory responsibility of the 1st defendant (INEC)”
According to the lawyer, the election was conducted on the 5th of October, 2024.
Justice Nyako then told him that they were still within time since the suit was filed via originating summons.
Counsel for APP (2nd defendant), Obed Agu, said though they were yet to file any application, they intend to respond to the plaintiff’s suit.
Obed also told the court that INEC lawyer was in court but stepped out before the proceeding commenced.
The judge consequently adjourned the matter until Feb. 5 for hearing.
She ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on defendants who were not represented in court.
NAN recalls that the LG election was held in the state despite the police withdrawal of security for the exercise.
The police had said that they acted in compliance with a Federal High Court order but RSIEC Chairperson, Adolfus Enebeli, said the commission was buoyed by the Supreme Court judgment and that of Justice Chigozi Igwe of Rivers High Court.
The PDP, which Siminalayi Fubara was elected governor, boycotted the Oct. 5 election, forcing Fubara’s loyalists to seek an alternative in APP, whose candidates eventually won the chairmanship seats.(NAN)
Cross River chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has objected to the recall of the suspended state Chairman of the party, Mr Venatius Ikem, by the National Working Committee (NWC).
This is contained in a statement issued by the state Secretary of the party, Mr Anthony Edako, on Monday in Calabar.
The party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) insisted that the chairman remained suspended until NWC and stakeholders met to decide otherwise.
According to the party, any purported decision to reinstate the suspended chairman without first having an expanded meeting to look into SEC’s complaint is null and void.
“We have been made aware of a letter circulating on social media, purportedly written by the national organising secretary reinstating the suspended state chairman.
“We wish to state categorically state that this letter is null and void, as it did not emanate from the proper channel having the authority to write such a letter,” the statement said.
The party said that only the national chairman and national secretary were authorised to write such a letter.
“So, the national oganising secretary overstepped his bounds, and his actions are consequently deemed ultra-vires,” it said.
The secretary recalled that on Nov. 20, 2024, NWC dismissed the suspension of the chairman of Cross River Chapter of PDP, Venatius Ikem, which was made on Nov. 15, 2024.
“The reason for the dismissal of the suspension was communicated to the SEC of the party.
“Consequently, the SEC of the party, on Nov. 22, 2024, suspended the state chairman based on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee of the state and communicated same to the national,” he said.
He further stated that SEC was invited by the NWC and after deliberations, it was unanimously agreed that NWC should convene a meeting with stakeholders from Cross River to determine Ikem’s fate.
“The meeting between the NWC and stakeholders from Cross River has not been convened yet.
“The meeting is a crucial step in ensuring that the decision-making process is transparent, fair and in line with our party’s constitution,” he said.
The secretary said that any purported decision taken to reinstate the suspended chairman without first having the expanded meeting to look into SEC’s complaint was, therefore, null and void.
He urged party members and stakeholders to disregard the said letter and continue to recognise the suspended chairman as such. (NAN)
The heightened security follows the controversial impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025, over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of power.
A heavy security presence has been deployed at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, amidst escalating tensions ahead of a crucial court hearing on March 7.
The hearing is related to the ongoing leadership crisis within the Assembly. To maintain order, operatives from various security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Lagos State Task Force, have been strategically positioned around the complex.
They are conducting thorough checks on individuals and vehicles attempting to enter the premises.
The heightened security follows the controversial impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025, over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of power.
In response, Obasa filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of his removal, with the Lagos State High Court scheduling a hearing for March 7.
The leadership tussle has led to a tense atmosphere within the Assembly.
On Monday, an emergency plenary session was convened amid speculations that current Speaker Mojisola Meranda might resign to align with the party’s zoning arrangement.
Security personnel cordoned off the premises, thoroughly searching staff and visitors before granting entry.
Following reports that journalists were denied entry into the premises of the State House of Assembly, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin refuted the claim.
He said, “To forestall breakdown of law and order, CP Olohundare Jimoh ordered the proactive deployment of human and operational resources to the House of Assembly. This is also to ensure water-tight security and prevent miscreants and thugs from causing mayhem.
“For clarification, entry is allowed into the Assembly complex for journalists and every other person with genuine business to carry out there.
“Furthermore, part of the measures employed is diversion of vehicular traffic around the Assembly complex. This is necessary to ensure firm grip and control over the security architecture.
“For emphasis, there is no restriction of movement into the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the diversion of traffic was proactively emplaced to forestall breakdown of law and order in the Assembly and its environs.”
The situation has also impacted Assembly operations, with civil servants directed to work remotely until further notice due to the ongoing leadership dispute.
The Lagos House of Assembly has been embroiled in a leadership crisis following the removal of Speaker Obasa.
The crisis stems from internal power struggles within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and growing dissatisfaction among lawmakers regarding Obasa’s leadership style and alleged financial mismanagement.
Tensions escalated when Obasa was ousted, leading to the emergence of a new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, by the majority of the lawmakers.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn last week when Obasa, refusing to accept his removal, stormed the Assembly complex with a team of security operatives. His presence, accompanied by heavy security, was seen as an attempt to reclaim his position and assert control over the legislature.
This development has deepened the crisis, with divisions among lawmakers and interventions from key political figures, including President Bola Tinubu, who is reportedly pushing for Obasa’s reinstatement despite resistance from some legislators.
The directive was issued during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday by lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, following a recent Supreme Court judgment.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour deadline for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget.
The directive was issued during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday by lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, following a recent Supreme Court judgment.
Elanzanews previously reported that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had pledged to implement the Supreme Court verdict that nullified the local government elections conducted by the state in October 2024.
However, he noted that his administration disagreed with the court’s ruling delivered on Friday. He made this position known in a statewide broadcast on Sunday.