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Edo poll: Court decides Imasuagbon, Akpata LP candidacy tussle July 19
Edo poll: Court decides Imasuagbon, Akpata LP candidacy tussle July 19
A Federal High Court sitting in Benin presided over by Justice Babatunde Quadri has reserved judgment till the 19 July, 2024, on the candidacy tussle in the Labour Party Governorship primaries conducted on February 23, 2024.
Kenneth Imasuagbon had approached the High Court in Benin and Abuja, challenging the nomination of Olumide Akpata as the candidate of the party for the governorship election slated for September 21st, 2024.
He is challenging the nomination of Akpata because the Labour Party party (second defendant) did not follow the electoral guidelines in the primaries and he (Olumide) did not fill and sign the indemnity form among other grounds.
After two adjournments, the case eventually came up for hearing on Tuesday (today) where written addresses from counsels of the plaintiff and defendants were adopted.
Lead counsel to the plaintiff, A. A Malik (SAN), in his argument, had prayed the court to dismiss the submission of the counsels to Akpata on the ground that the 1st defendant violated the electoral act and party’s constitution which he noted are critical elements of the electoral processes.
Malik also pointed out that the plaintiff had disclosed reasonable cause of action on the matter and urged the court to throw away the submission of the 1st defendant, declare and return the plaintiff as the winner or on the alternative void, nullify the primary election and order a fresh election.
He alleged that the conduct of the LP primaries was marred with over-voting which runs contrary to the party guidelines and the constitution.
On his part, the counsel to the defendant, Kadiri Asamah (SAN) said that the argument and submission of the plaintiff is baseless and can’t be litigated upon by the court adding that it was a pre-primary issue and as such be dismissed by the court.
Asamah, while adopting all the arguments contained in his written addresses urged his Lordship to dismiss the written addresses of the plaintiff, adding that it was an abuse of court processes.
After listening to both parties, the judge looked at his calendar and said, “July 19 for judgment.”
Addressing newsmen after the court session, Imasuagbon expressed confidence in the ability of the court to dispense justices in the matter, reiterating his desire to bring about a better Edo State for all.
“I am confident in the ability of the court will dispense justice in this matter. We have taken the right step by taking the matter to court to clear any ambiguity.
“I desire to see that Edo State becomes better for everyone and hopefully we will be able to realize that in the near future.”
In a startling turn of events, a video has surfaced online showing a group of armed bandits conducting Eid prayers deep within the forests of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The footage, which has sparked widespread alarm, was shared by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on his account on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
According to reports, the armed groups gathered in at least two distinct locations Maidaro, Sabon Birni, and East Kaduna, within the Dogon Dawa Forest.
The bandits armed with a variety of sophisticated weapons. In addition to carrying automatic rifles, the bandits were seen equipped with drones and mobile phones, suggesting an alarming level of coordination and access to technology.
Security analysts, including Makama, have expressed deep concern over the implications of this gathering. Tagging both the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in his post, Makama emphasised the urgent need for strategic countermeasures against these criminal elements.
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
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Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.