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Rivers PDP Urges INEC For Fresh Elections In 27 State Constituencies

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1 year ago

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly initiate fresh elections for the 27 vacant State Constituencies in Rivers State.

This call comes in the wake of the defection of 27 former State lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC), prompting the PDP to assert that their seats are now legally vacant under Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The PDP stands firm in its stance that, with the defection of these lawmakers from the platform of the PDP, the very party through which they secured their positions in the Rivers State House of Assembly, their seats automatically become vacant.

This legal standpoint is grounded in Section 109 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, specifying that a House of Assembly member must vacate their seat if they become a member of another political party before the expiration of the election term.

According to the Supreme Court’s interpretation, this applies unequivocally to the 27 lawmakers who have defected.

In alignment with constitutional provisions, the PDP urges the Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly to promptly declare the seats of the 27 former lawmakers as vacant.

This, the party insists, is a necessary step to uphold the integrity of the legislative process.

With the seats now officially vacant, the PDP further calls on INEC to exercise its duty within the stipulated timeframe as outlined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

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Fresh elections are crucial to fill these vacated positions, ensuring representation for the 27 State Constituencies in Rivers State.

The PDP issues a stern warning to the defected lawmakers, advising them to refrain from presenting themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Such actions, the party emphasizes, would constitute impersonation and carry serious criminal consequences.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

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Politics

Ighodalo Will Fail At Appeal Court—Edo Governor

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13 hours ago

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April 5, 2025

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Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, says Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 election, and the opposition party will fail in their bid to overturn his electoral victory at the appeal court.

On Wednesday, the Edo state governorship election petition tribunal affirmed Okpebholo as the elected governor of the state and dismissed Ighodalo’s petition.

Ighodalo, who rejected the tribunal’s ruling, said he respects the judiciary but noted that Edo people’s right to credible elections must not be compromised.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate also said his legal team has been instructed to challenge the judgment at the court of appeal.

However, speaking on Friday during a celebration hosted by his supporters, Okpebholo boasted that he would win at the appeal court and even at the supreme court.

The Edo governor said the opposition party is “wasting money on court cases,” adding that his “mandate cannot be hijacked”.

“The opposition party has been talking and shouting, but Edo people spoke very clear and loud with their votes on September 21, 2024,” Fred Itua, spokesperson to the governor, said in a statement.

“Edo people voted for the right person in Senator Monday Okpebholo. The people will speak again when the time is right.

“We have defeated them at the tribunal, and they said they want to appeal the ruling. If they like, let them appeal and even get to the Supreme Court. We will defeat them.

“They have stolen enough money from Edo State. So, they are wasting the money on court cases. If they like, let them spend the whole money they stole from the people.

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“They will never steal Edo people’s mandates given to me and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the September 21st governorship election.”

In 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Okpebholo of the APC as the winner after he polled 291,667 votes to defeat Ighodalo, his closest challenger, who scored 247,274 votes.

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Politics

S’Court Verdicts: Abure Remains Chairman —LP

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13 hours ago

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April 5, 2025

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The Labour Party (LP) says the judgment of the supreme court on Friday is an endorsement of Julius Abure’s leadership.

Reacting to the verdict, Obiora Ifoh, the party’s national publicity secretary, said Abure remains the LP chairman.

The apex court had nullified the judgment recognising Abure as national chairman of the party.

The court held that the issue of leadership is an internal affair of a party over which courts lack jurisdiction.

“Supreme Court strikes out Nenadi, Abure suits, says only Political Parties can determine who their leaders are,” Ifoh wrote on the party’s X page.

“It also said that the courts shouldn’t dabble into the affairs of the political parties. Abure is still the National Chairman of the Labour Party.”

The supreme court had allowed the appeal filed by Nenadi Usman, a former senator representing Kaduna south, and one other — and held that there were meritorious.

The apex court also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Abure-led faction of the LP, describing it as lacking in merit.

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Ighodalo vows to Appeal tribunal verdict upholding Okpebholo’s election victory

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3 days ago

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April 3, 2025

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 19 September governorship election in Edo, Mr Asue Ighodalo, has said he will challenge the tribunal’s judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s victory and dismissed the petitions from the PDP and Ighodalo.

Ighodalo, in a statement in Benin, said his decision to challenge the judgment aimed to protect Edo people’s collective rights and ensure they freely determine their future.

“Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the outcome of the Sept. 21, 2024 election in our dear state.

“While we may not all agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must continue as democracy’s foundational bedrock.

“Our pursuit of justice affirms our firm belief that Edo people’s right to freely choose their leaders through credible, free, and fair elections must always prevail.

“As a committed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and urge all Edo people to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding,” he stated.

Ighodalo said this was not the end of their journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

He commended the people for their massive support, sincere love, and belief in their shared vision for a prosperous Edo, which had fuelled their journey.

“For us, this has never been about personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ for Edo while upholding democracy’s core values.

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“I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a serious miscarriage of justice.

“This is not about me or any single individual; it is about democracy’s essence, our collective right to determine our future, and our legacy for generations unborn.

“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” Ighodalo said. (NAN)

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