Featured

Court Bars INEC from Recognizing Obaseki’s Faction, Declares Orbih’s Delegates Authentic

Published

4 years ago

May 26, 2022

Eric

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing or accepting ad-hoc delegates produced by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.

The court in its ruling declared the Ad-hoc delegates produced by Dan Orbih’s faction of the party as the authentic delegates and must be recognized and accepted by the electoral body.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed by 581 delegates elected on April 30, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that PDP and other defendants in the suit are bound by Section 84 (5) of the Electoral Act 2022 as well as Section 15 of the PDP Constitution relating to delegates elections.

The 581 delegates instituted the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/598/2022 through their five representatives, Hon. Monday Osagie, Hon.Reuben Ekhosuehi, Hon Adeyanba Osaro, Hon Magdalene Osawe and Hon Imariabe Oghogho, with the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature and INEC as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

The Plaintiffs had, in their suit argued by their counsel, Dr John Musa,(SAN) asked the court to determine whether PDP, in view of Section 84 (5) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Section 15 of the PDP constitution can jettison their election monitored by INEC for another one conducted in violation of the provisions of the relevant laws.

They also asked the court to determine whether the defendants can, on their own jettison the authentic delegates for others whose purported election is unknown to any law.

In his judgment, Justice Ekwo after scrutinising the documentary evidence, including the report of INEC on its monitoring of the April 30th delegates election, agreed with the plaintiffs that they were validly and legally elected as authentic Ad-hoc delegates for the Edo State chapter of the PDP.

The court held that the role of INEC in Primary election, Congress and Convention monitoring are statutory and Constitutional and must therefore be strictly adhered to by all political parties and that, going against the elections of the plaintiffs will amount to a brazen violation of laws that are not ambiguous, an action, which no court must allow to stand.

Justice Ekwo, therefore, issued an order of injunction against 1st to 4th defendants restraining them from tampering with the Plaintiffs’ list having been duly elected in the Congress of the party held on April 30th.

The court also issued an order of perpetual injunctions against the 1st to 4th defendants stopping them from conducting any other congress with the purpose of replacing the plaintiffs.

Justice Ekwo issued a mandatory order of injunction against INEC stopping it from recognizing or accepting any delegates list other than the one produced by PDP’s congress of April 30 where plaintiffs emerged as Ad-hoc delegates.

The plaintiffs were elected from 18 Local Government Areas of the State for the purpose of electing National delegates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senatorial elections.

Featured

2027: ADC’ll Lose Presidential Poll If Obi is Not Fielded, Fayose Warns

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

Eric

A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has warned that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will lose the 2027 elections if a former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is not on the party’s ticket.

Fayose made the remark while also assessing the performance of President Bola Tinubu in office.

He spoke on Sunday at the PDP’s national convention holding in Abuja.

“I’m happy with what Asiwaju is doing. You don’t have to have 100 percent of any issue before you are said to be doing well; but when you relate our past with our present, he is not doing well,” the former governor said.

On the opposition, Fayose suggested that the ADC’s chances depend heavily on Obi’s participation.

“I told you that if Obi is not on the ballot of ADC, that is the end of ADC. It looks like now that Obi will not; Atiku will get the ticket,” he stated.

He also cast doubt on Obi’s political path ahead of the election.

“It’s impossible for him to go back to the Labour Party. Obi is a good guy; he’s a fantastic guy, but to become the president at this time is difficult,” Fayose added.

Featured

Wike-led PDP Faction Holds Convention, Reelects Abdulrahman, Anyanwu

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

Eric

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has re-elected Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu as national chairman and secretary, respectively.

The duo secured their positions by consensus on Sunday during the faction’s elective national convention held at the Velodrome of Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The affirmed officers include Aaron Chukwuemeka (Deputy National Chairman, South), Yusufu Nya Akirikwen (SAN) (Deputy National Chairman, North), Kolawale Olabisi (Deputy National Secretary), Odeyemei Mackson Oladiran (National Treasurer), and Lado Dan Marke (Deputy National Treasurer), among others.

Also listed are Eyim Donatus Henry, Dr Grema Kyari, Umar Mohammed Bature, Efere Augustine, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, Egwu Goodluck Chidiebere, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Barr. Aloysius Chinemelu U. Uba, Osuoha Okechukwu Donatus, Dr Adaba Yatu, Ibrahim Bala Aboki, and Momoh Dejih Eugene Bashir, while Professor Ogunshe Adedayo and Hauwa Ahmed Shinge serve as National Women Leader and Deputy National Women Leader, respectively.

Featured

Tinubu Celebrates ‘Low-Key’ 74th Birthday Amid Economic, Security Challenges

Published

4 days ago

March 29, 2026

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated his 74th birthday in a low key in line with his tradition of marking the day based on the mood of the country.

In a special birthday message issued on Sunday morning to mark his birthday, the President emphasised that “consistent with my tradition of marking my birthday in line with the mood of the nation, I resolved to observe this year’s birthday low-key.”

Tinubu, while expressing gratitude for the opportunity given him to serve the nation thanked Nigerians for their show of love and prayers on his birthday.

The President assured that his administration will build a brighter future for Nigerians and generations yet unborn.

He also vowed to overcome challenges facing the nation with continued support of the Nigerian people.

The 11-paragraph special birthday message stated as follows:

“My dear fellow Nigerians,

“Today, as I clock another year on the journey of life, I’m filled with joy and gratitude for the opportunity to serve this great nation. I want to take this moment to thank Nigerians for their messages, show of love and prayers on the occasion of my 74th birthday. I thank all our citizens for their patriotism, solidarity and support for our administration.

“To those who have taken space in newspapers or paid for air time on radio and television to wish me well, I thank you immensely.

“I must thank my wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, for her kind and loving words. I also thank Vice President Kashim Shettima for all he said about me.

“Consistent with my tradition of marking my birthday in line with the mood of the nation, I resolved to observe this year’s birthday low-key.

“As I mark this special day, I am reminded of the challenges we’ve faced since we initiated our reforms. I’m glad that our sacrifices have not been in vain, as we can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, despite the temporary setback caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis.

“The credit for the positive outcomes we have achieved does not belong solely to me, our Renewed Hope team, or our government. We achieved the gains together.

“As we march towards the third anniversary of our administration, it is my deepest conviction that we shall succeed in building a brighter future for our citizens and future generations.

“We are determined to confront some of the challenges we face today, and with your continued support, we shall overcome.

“Let us continue to work together to build a stronger, prosperous and more resilient nation that will make Nigeria the pride of Africa.

“Thank you all, and happy 74th birthday to me!”