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Amidst Rowdy Session, Abba Moro Emerges Minority Leade

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Amidst a roundy session at the floor of the Senate yesterday, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) emerged as minority leader and Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) also emerged as minority whip.

 

The seats of the Senate Minority Leader and Minority Whip became vacant after the Court of Appeal sacked the former occupants, Senator Simon Davou Mwadkwon (PDP, Plateau North) and Darlington Nwokocha (LP, Abia Central) respectively.

The appellate court nullified the election of Mwadkwon and ordered a rerun while Nwokocha was removed and Augustine Akobundu of the PDP declared as the authentic winner of the 25 February election in the senatorial district.

The PDP senators had, last week, held a crucial meeting at the National Assembly complex Abuja on the replacement for the principal positions of Senate Minority Leader and Minority Whip.

Senator Garba Maidoki (PDP, Bauchi), who briefed journalists after the closed door meeting, had said the opposition lawmakers settled for the North Central geopolitical zone to produce the Minority Leader.

During Tuesday’s plenary, Akpabio announced the duo of Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) as minority leader and Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) as minority whip.

The Senate President said the new minority leaders had the majority support of their colleagues in the opposition.

He said 41 minority senators signed the document endorsing Moro as minority leader while 30 backed Ngwu for minority whip seat.

The announcement did not sit well with other parties in the minority caucus especially the Labour Party.

Raising a point of order, Senator Okechukwu Ezea (LP, Enugu North), protested the absence of his party in the minority leadership, describing the arrangement as injustice against other minority parties.

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“How can the PDP take three minority leadership seats? This is unfair, unjust and unacceptable,” he said.

The Senate thereafter degenerated into a rowdy session with LP lawmakers rejecting the exclusion of their party in the minority leadership.

Amid the uproar, Senator Tony Nwoyi (LP, Anambra North) accused Akpabio of picking minority leaders for the opposition parties.

“How can you be choosing minority leaders for us? Are we your slaves?” Nwoyi tackled the Senate President.

Lawmakers from the ruling party made frantic efforts to pacify their colleagues from LP, some of whom approached Akpabio for consultation.

After about 15 minutes of rowdy session, the Senate President addressed the opposition lawmakers and dismissed the claim of his interfering in the affairs of the opposition.

Akpabio said he only announced the names forwarded to him by the opposition caucus and that it would be unfair not to respect the voice of the majority.

He, therefore, urged the opposition caucus to always put their house in order before forwarding any name to him.

He said, “All we need to produce a leader is a simple majority. What’s the reason for not agreeing with the position of the majority?

“41 minority senators signed for Abah Moro and 30 signed for Osita Ngwu. They have the majority. It will be unfair for me not to announce them after getting the majority of support. My job is not to work with individual opinion but with the majority of positions.”

Efforts by Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi) to convince Akpabio to stay in the seat of the minority whip failed as the Senate President ruled him out of order.

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Aliero explained that the opposition caucus resolved that Abba Moro should be the minority leader but was yet to decide on the position of the minority whip.

But Akpabio referred him to Senate Standing Rule 52(6), which says it shall be out of order for any senator to speak on any issue that has already been decided.

Akpabio, therefore, ruled Aliero out of order.

 

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‘No vacancy in Aso Rock come 2027,’ ex-lawmaker declares

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A two-term former Lagos State House of Assembly member, Sir Jude Idimogu, says there will be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock come 2027.

Idimogu, who represented Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II between 2015 and 2023, made the declaration in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

He was reacting to the recent announcement by an opposition group, which vowed to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Idimogu, who is also the deputy leader of Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ndigbo, Lagos State, and APC member, said no alliance between opposition leaders could pose a significant threat to Tinubu’s re-election.

The former lawmaker described the coalition of opposition politicians against the second term aspiration of the president as nothing but an exercise in futility.

He noted that the ruling party had a strong leadership and grassroots support that would propel the party to victory in 2027.

Idimogu maintained that the president deserved a second term because he was building a legacy of sustainable development.

“In Nigeria, power is being rotated between the North and the South, so I believe it is the turn of the South to complete their eight years in office.

“So there is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2027 and I am appealing to all the Northerners in the party to support the president to complete his eight years.

“Regarding the coalition, I can tell you, there is really no political gang-up that can unseat Tinubu in 2027,” he said.

Idimogu said that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda was yielding positive results, hence he did not see the prospect of any opposition candidate reeling out anything better than his.

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“I don’t know which of the candidates will come out today and reel out a policy that is better than what the administration of Tinubu is doing.

“This is because Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda is yielding positive results and we can see improved power supply.

“Our naira against the dollar is now gradually appreciating with the restoration of the naira-for-crude deal, and the export drive,” he said.

The ex-lawmaker also noted that the prices of food items were gradually reducing in the market with the implementation of favourable policies to increase farmers’ outputs.

“So I will give it to him (Tinubu). In two years’ time, I will be one of those that will quickly champion his re-election in 2027,” he said.

Idimogu advised the people behind the coalition to instead join hands with the president in the interest of the country. (NAN)

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I’m committed to rebuilding, growing Labour Party, Usman assures party leaders

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The acting National Chairperson of Labour Party, Sen. Nenadi Usman, has assured party members and supporters of her commitment to rebuilding and growing the party for future victory.

In a message of appreciation to members and leaders of the party after Wednesday’s NEC meeting in Abuja, Usman assured that a new Labour Party would come out of the crisis which had now been settled by the Supreme Court.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) marked a significant moment in the life of our great party, the Labour Party, as the National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting and Stakeholders’ Interactive Town hall convened in Abuja.

“It was a gathering filled with purpose and clarity, and I was truly honoured to be present among eminent leaders and committed stakeholders — including my dear elder brother and grand leader, H.E Mr Peter Obi and his running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed,” she said.

Usman also acknowledged other leaders of the party in attendance, including the leader of NEC, Gov. Alex Otti, the Deputy Governor of Abia, Ikechukwu Emetu, LP members of the National and State Assembly members as well as representatives of NLC and TUC, leaders of Obidient Movement and other patriotic Nigerians.

She described the meeting as both timely and necessary, as the stakeholders worked collectively to fortify the foundations of the party, build unity and refocus on its enduring mission — building a New Nigeria that works for all.

Usman, a former Minister of Finance, said she was humbled by the resolution passed at the NEC meeting, appointing her as the acting national chairperson to lead the party during the period of transition.

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She also said that a formal visit was paid to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) where the Supreme Court judgment affirming the legitimacy of the party’s leadership transition was presented and the outcome of NEC proceedings communicated.

“This is more than a procedural step — it is a demonstration of our collective commitment to due process, internal democracy and the transparent governance that the Nigerian people rightfully expect from us.

“I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all members of the Labour Party, the leadership of the NLC and TUC, the Obidient Movement and every Nigerian who continue to believe in this movement.

“To our leader and presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, your steadfastness and integrity continue to inspire millions.

“I reaffirm my commitment to the values and vision that define the Labour Party — a party of the people, for the people.

“Now is not the time for distraction or division. Now is the time to build, with unity, courage and a deep love for our country,” she said.

Usman said together, she and other stakeholders would continue the journey of hope, while pledging to serve with diligence, openness and unwavering focus on shared goals.

NAN

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Peter Obi to opposition: Nigeria is collapsing, speak up when things are wrong

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, says Nigeria is collapsing, charging the opposition to speak up against bad governance in the country.

Obi, who was speaking at the National Executive Committee meeting of the party in Abuja on Wednesday, decried the level of poverty and hardship Nigerians are facing.

He said that things have gotten bad, and it is time to stand together for the right things, starting from the Labour Party.

“We must speak when things are wrong, Nigeria is collapsing, the numbers are clear, the indices are clear, more and more people are poorer. People who used to feed well are now begging, even in this hotel. Any time I enter this hotel, I see people telling me, ‘Oga, I came to Abuja, I can’t go back’.

“Where I used to go that people ask me, ‘Oga will you eat? Will you drink?’ Nobody is asking me anything again. That shows you how bad it is. So, let us know that things are difficult, things are bad. Let us stand together and ensure that the right things, starting from our party, are done,” Obi said.

The Labour Party held its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and was chaired by former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman.

The meeting follows the controversy over the recent Supreme Court judgement on the national chairmanship position for the Labour Party.

In attendance were the 2023 LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, and the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

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Senators and members of the House of Representatives who are members of the party were also present.

After the meeting at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, leaders of the opposition party marched to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Led by Peter Obi, and the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, the members were received by INEC National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun.

They asked the electoral body to recognise Nenadi Usman as the LP chairman, days after the Supreme Court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognising Abure as the National Chairman of the LP.

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