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Benue Assembly acted within law in CJ’s removal – APC elders

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Benue All Progressive Congress (APC) Elders’ Forum said the State House of Assembly acted within the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in removing the State Chief Judge.

The forum’s chairman, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, made the disclosure on Saturday during a press conference in Makurdi.

Gemade said that the party elders unanimously support the assembly’s decision.

The chairman told newsmen that the forum reviewed all that transpired in the assembly, engaged the leadership of the assembly and discovered that they acted within the law.

He said two-third of the lawmakers voted for the removal of the chief judge as required by the constitution.

“It is clear that the Benue State House of Assembly acted within the constitutional framework outlined in Section 292(1)(a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“We stand in solidarity with the assembly on this decision, especially given the serious allegations that necessitated such action, including mismanagement of the sum of N666.9 million in less than one year.

“Abuse of office by acting outside the scope of his work as the chief judge, as evidenced in granting a waiver of Section 76 of the Benue State Electoral Law.

“The electoral law was duly passed by the Benue State House of Assembly and assented to by the Executive Governor of Benue, amongst other grievous misconduct,”he said.

Gemade further commended the State Assembly for promptly sanctioning their erring members who attempted to ridicule what they did collectively during the preliminary.

On allegations that the assembly sanctioned the chief judge even before directing the governor to write to the National Judicial Council for investigation, Gemade said he was only removed as a chief judge and not as a judicial officer.

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He said the constitutional provisions for removing a chief judge and judicial officer were not the same.

The group further passed a resounding vote of confidence on Gov. Hyacinth Alia and President Bola Tinubu and pledged to support their second term bid in 2027.

“We call upon our Gov. Alia to remain steadfast and focused on his vision for development, urging all detractors to refrain from ill-motivated interference that could hinder our collective progress.

“On the same pedestal, we passed a resounding vote of confidence in President Tinubu for maintaining faith with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“As we massively voted for Alia and Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, Benue is prepared to repeat history come 2027,” he said.

On the call by Senate Minority Leader Sen. Abba Moro (PDP/Benue West) that the National Assembly should take over the Benue House of Assembly, the group said that the senator’s call was not supported by the country’s constitution.

He said Moro’s motion was not only misguided but also demonstrated his lack of understanding of the constitutional process.

“Section 11(4), which mandates the National Assembly to take over the functions of the state assembly, can only be activated when the state assembly is unable to perform its functions by reason of a situation prevailing in the state.

“Section 11(5) explicitly defines the inability of the house to perform its functions as when the house is unable to hold a meeting and transact its business.

The Benue State House of Assembly has one leadership, enjoys full quorum at all sittings and has continuously been performing its functions.

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“As elders, we urge Sen. Moro to focus on providing quality representation to his constituents rather than his desperate attempt to destabilise a performing APC administration in his home state,” he said.

Gemade further called on all stakeholders in Benue State to prioritise unity and cooperation and the opposition to engage constructively rather than seeking to undermine the progress. (NAN)

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APGA Urges Better Welfare, Conditions For Osun Workers

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The Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has expressed deep concern over the welfare of workers in the state, calling on the Osun State Government to prioritize the needs and aspirations of civil servants and public workers.

This was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman of the Party, Wole Adedoyin, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo.

According to the statement, APGA recognizes and appreciates the indispensable role that Osun workers play in the administration and development of the state. Without the hard work, loyalty, and sacrifice of civil servants, governance would grind to a halt, and public service delivery would be severely impaired.

The party noted that while workers across the country face similar challenges, the plight of Osun workers demands special attention. Delayed salaries, pension arrears, poor working environments, and lack of adequate motivation have continued to diminish the morale of workers in the state.

“Osun workers deserve better,” Adedoyin said. “It is unacceptable that in 2025, workers still struggle with irregular salary payments, inadequate housing, and insufficient health coverage. This is a violation of their rights and a breach of trust between the government and its employees.”

APGA called on the state government to implement a comprehensive worker-friendly policy that includes prompt payment of salaries and pensions, professional training opportunities, and improved infrastructure in public offices. According to the party, a motivated workforce is the bedrock of any successful administration.

The party also urged the state government to engage directly with workers’ unions and associations to identify critical areas of need and to ensure a participatory approach to policy-making regarding labor and employment matters.

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APGA used the opportunity to salute the resilience and patriotism of Osun workers, especially teachers, health professionals, law enforcement officers, and local government staff, who continue to discharge their duties in the face of adversity. “Your commitment to the state does not go unnoticed,” the statement read.

Wole Adedoyin reaffirmed APGA’s commitment to the protection of workers’ rights, stressing that the party’s philosophy—Be Your Brother and Sister’s Keeper—would remain its guiding principle in standing with the workforce of Osun State.

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Akpoti-Uduaghan Is Guided By Patriotic Commitment – North Central Women

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Call Mgbeke Comedian

North Central Women on Friday criticized Prof Mgbeke, dismissing her recent remarks about the representative of Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as mad imaginings, deception and fantasy.

They also described the remarks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-South Organizing Secretary, Mr. Blessing Agbomhere, as banal and irrelevant.

“It is amazing that male politicians in Nigeria are resorting to dishonest tactics to fight women.”

The women in a statement in Abuja criticized the leadership of the Senate for placing Nigeria in a dilemma.

“The six-month suspension is raised in almost all the news media in the world.’’

They urged the senate leadership to save Nigeria from ignominy.

Specifically, the women praised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for not allowing anyone to make her an emotional client in the country.

They also applauded her for playing a major role in the national history of Nigeria.

The statement issued by the Chairperson of North Central Women Front (NCWF), Mrs. Mary Adamu emphasized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s unflagging commitment to improvement of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The women scolded the spokesperson of Executive Watch Dog, Mr. Fidelis Ella for advertising his ignorance.

The women of repute and experience branded Dr Sandra Duru (Mgbeke), Ella and Agbomhere parrots and bootlickers of anti-democratic forces.

“Unstable people can destroy anybody for a political appointment, contract and petty cash.”

The women further dismissed allegations of malicious agenda, dirty game of propaganda and destruction.

They described the plot to dismantle Yoruba Government, destabilize the national structure and halt the country from moving forward as a foolish talk.

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“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is guided by patriotic commitment.’’

The women urged sympathizers of the Senate President and a former ministerial nominee not to lead Nigeria to confusion.

The statement denounced intolerance, lies, perversion of truth and crazy ideas.

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Politics

Umo Eno: Political Parties In Nigeria Lack Ideology

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Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom, says political parties should not be the reason for division among people.

Speaking on Comfort 95.1 FM in Uyo on Wednesday, Eno said it is time Nigerians moved past partisan conflicts.

“Why can’t we be peaceful? Why must political parties separate us? Why must we have issues because my brother is in one party? No, we are all Akwa Ibomites first,” he said.

The governor described political parties as mere vehicles to attain power, saying governance should be inclusive once the mandate is secured.

“I see party as a vehicle to get to power — and when you get there, please begin to govern. Govern everyone, relate with everyone,” he said.

Eno lamented what he called the growing culture of misinterpretation, citing a recent controversy about his comments on Ibom Air.

“I know every day, now, I say something, people go to town and misinterpret it. Yesterday, I made an analogy and they say, ‘Oh, the man is demarketing Ibom Air’. That’s far from it. Ibom Air is the best airline,” he said.

“I’m saying that much as I love Ibom Air — it is our airline, it’s a preferred airline. Much as I love it and have it as a state government, if I arrive at the airport and Ibom Air has a technical fault — which is possible — and I have an appointment in Abuja or Lagos, maybe to deliver a talk or meet investors, and there’s an alternative airline… will I not go?

“Will I say, because this is my airline and it is owned by the state government? So when people say, ‘Oh, he was demarketing Ibom Air…’ No! It’s an analogy. Come on, people know better than this.”

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Eno reiterated his position that Akwa Ibom people must remain united regardless of party affiliations.

“For me, what I’m saying is that Akwa Ibom is one, political parties are vehicles,” he said.

He said Nigerian politics lacks defined ideological boundaries, unlike in developed democracies.

“I’ve asked the question, and I want you to tell me: What’s the political ideology of this party and that party in this country?” he asked.

“We’re not like the Americans who say, ‘This is the ideology of the Democrats and this is the ideology of the Republicans.’ Everybody keeps going and coming, keeps going and coming.”

Eno said his message was one of unity and maturity, regardless of the platform anyone belongs to.

“Whatever thing I’m doing, I’m saying let us be one. Whether it is any party, any party platform,” he said.

“You have finished the election. We are now in governance. You are sworn into office to be a governor for Akwa Ibom.”

On Tuesday, Eno hinted at a possible defection ahead of the 2027 general election.

He likened the PDP to a faulty aircraft, adding that the party is now fragmented and risks grinding to a halt before the 2027 elections.

In response, Felix Morka, national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the ruling party welcomes the governor’s remarks and agrees with his assessment of the PDP.

“We couldn’t agree more that Plane PDP has become demonstrably inoperable and unsafe for travel,” the APC spokesperson said in a statement.

“We assure Governor Eno that a flight with us will be a mighty good ride to remember.”

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