TENSION IN RIVERS AS POLICE TAKE OVER HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY; COURT SUSPENDS PRO-WIKE LAWMAKERS
TENSION IN RIVERS: AS POLICE TAKE OVER HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY; COURT SUSPENDS PRO-WIKE LAWMAKERS About 30 armed policemen have taken over all the entrances to the House of Assembly quarters located along the Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers state. It was gathered that both the first and second gates to the lawmakers’ estate were safeguarded by the police with about 30 patrol vans used to block the entrances. The development came shortly after the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly claimed that the governor was planning to demolish the quarters following his recent surprise visit to the facility. But the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had explained that his visit to the estate on Thursday was harmless. The governor said: “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there? “You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people.” It was learnt that following the alarm raised by Amaewhule, the anti-Fubara lawmakers including some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) kept vigil around the estate till daybreak. Armed policemen were seen barricading the gates on Friday to secure the facility. However, the Sim Media Volunteers (SMV) called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to monitor the activities of policemen in the state and ensure they observed the rules of engagement. The convener of the group, Frank Kilsi, decried the arrest and intimidation of the governor’s supporters by the police saying the development could lead to anarchy. Kilsi, who spoke in Port Harcourt, on Friday, said: “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to rein in his men and exercise restrain by stopping the unnecessary attack or wanton arrest on any of the governor’s supporters, as further harassment could lead to anarchy and breakdown of law and order that may not do our state any good. Kilsi appreciated the overwhelming support of Rivers people to Fubara and their decision to stand firm in defence of democracy despite challenges. He said: “We, the youths of the state, under the aegis of SIM Media Volunteers, do hereby emphasize the need for peace, justice and development in Rivers State. “We implore all relevant stakeholders such as the citizens, political leaders, traditional institutions, and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the rights and freedom of the people are upheld and protected at all times. “To this end, we would like to acknowledge and applaud the great youths of Rivers State for being peaceful and law-abiding even in the face of provocation”. Kilsi commended the governor’s peaceful disposition and commitment to the security of lives and property in the state and asked him to continue on such a path of development. Meanwhile, a Rivers State High Court has suspended the speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 others from parading themselves as lawmakers. The affected lawmakers are part of a group loyal to FCT minister Nyesom Wike. According to a court document seen by our reporter, the matter will come up for hearing on May 29, 2024. The court also prohibited Martin Amaewhule from convening plenary at the assembly premises. The affected lawmakers are: HON. MARTIN CHIKE AMAEWHULE HON. DUMLE MAOL HON, MAJOR JACK HON. FRANKLIN UCHENNA NWABOCHI HON. CHRISTOPHER KAGBANG OFIKS HON. AZERU OPARA HON, ENEMI ALABO GEORGE HON. GRANVILLE TEXENARI WELLINGTON HON, NGBAR BERNARD HON. JOHN DOMINIC IDERIMA HON. QUEEN UWUMA TONY WILLIAMS HON. LOOLO ISAIAH OPUENDE HON. ABBEY PETER HON. IGWE – OBEY AFORJI HON. JUSTINA EMEI HON. IGNATIUS ONWUKA HON. CHIMEZIE NWANKWO HON. LEMCHI PRINCE NYECHE HON. BARILE NWAKOH HON.…
RIVERS ASSEMBLY CLERK DISOWNS PRO-FUBARA FACTION, INSISTS AMAEWHULE IS SPEAKER
RIVERS ASSEMBLY CLERK DISOWNS PRO-FUBARA FACTION, INSISTS AMAEWHULE IS SPEAKER The clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi, has disowned the pro-Governor Sim Fubara’s faction of the Assembly. Amadi insisted that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly remains Martin Amaewhule. The clerk said the three members of the assembly loyal to Fubara—Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari and Hon. Adolphus Orubimie Timothy—were suspended on October 30, 2023, and they cannot lay claim to be officers of the House.On Thursday, some lawmakers appointed Jumbo as the new Speaker of the Assembly.
WHY NORTHERN ELITES ARE UNHAPPY WITH TINUBU
WHY NORTHERN ELITES ARE UNHAPPY WITH TINUBU The Dean of Borno Elders Forum, Prof Khalifa Dikwa, says members of the elite in the northern region of the country are unhappy with President Bola Tinubu because of his “misfit and weak appointees” as well as his “anti-people policies”. The political analyst, who featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, said northern elite are “not happy because each of these policies affect the north entirely”. “Most of the appointees are either misfits or weak or to the wrong places,” the elder statesman said, adding that the appointments by the Tinubu administration are “lopsided”. Prof Dikwa said even “the southern elite should be annoyed because Nigeria is more than Lagos”. He further described as “provocative”, the 0.5% cybersecurity levy on electronic transactions recently introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and asked the President to immediately order the apex bank to suspend the implementation of the new policy.“This is not the time, it’s wrong timing. Why are they provoking the people of this country? They have taken enough,” he said.
RIVERS CRISIS: ONE HOUSE TWO SPEAKERS AS PRO-FUBARA GROUP ELECTS OWN SPEAKER
RIVERS CRISIS: ONE HOUSE, TWO SPEAKERS, AS PRO-FUBARA GROUP ELECTS OWN SPEAKER The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a whole new twist as some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara elected the member representing Bonny constituency, Victor Oko-Jumbo, as their Speaker. Oko-Jumbo, who is said to be the new speaker for the entire 32-member Assembly, was said to be elected at 10am during plenary on Wednesday, in line with the Standing Order of the House. Oko-Jumbo was one of the four lawmakers loyal to Fubara in the wake of the political crisis in the state. They had at the time of the crisis elected Edison Ehie as the speaker, but the latter later resigned from the State Assembly, and was appointed the Chief of Staff to the Governor. It was not clear how many lawmakers were present during the plenary that produced Oko-Jumbo as speaker. Oko-Jumbo was led to the plenary with the original mace of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Sergeant-at-Arms, David Wariboko, who managed the last sitting of the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly in the same position. Oko-Jumbo in his acceptance speech thanked the members for electing him as the new Speaker sequel to the resignation of the former Speaker, Edison Ehie. He called on the Executive and the Judiciary, as well as the public to disregard every law purportedly enacted by the Amaewhule-led Assembly, describing it as an exercise in futility. “You will agree with me that after the House last sat on the 13th of December, 2023, and adjourned sine dine, there has been an avalanche of legislative rascality perpetrated by the 25 former members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, led by the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule. “These former members, being fully aware of the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the CFRN 1999, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Party (APC) on the 11th of December, 2023. “Consequently, the Rt. Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie-led Assembly, on the 13th of December, 2023, wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaring the seats of the 25 lawmakers vacant in line with Section 109(1)(g) and (2) of the CFRN 1999. “My distinguished colleagues, there are a plethora of cases pending in our courts further to the defection of the former lawmakers,” he said. “All laws, plenary sessions and actions taken by the illegal House members are hereby declared void and a nullity in the eyes of the law by virtue of the judgment of Lord Denning in the celebrated case of MacFoy v UAC (1961) 3 All ER 1169.” Oko-Jumbo emphasised. He said, “Furthermore, this House would want to most respectfully urge and call on His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, DSSRS, to desist forthwith from further dealings with the 25 former lawmakers, in whatever guise. “Those members are merely floating and do not have any landing ground or anywhere to berth their ship since their defection to the All Progressives Congress on the 11th of December, 2023. “This House is the legally and constitutionally recognised House of Assembly by virtue of the defection of the other members, and is ready to receive correspondences from and work with His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. Distinguished colleagues, let me thank you once again.“I know I can count on your unalloyed and unwavering support as we work with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in moving our dear Rivers State forward in promoting the progress and welfare of the State.”
GROUP DEMANDS APOLOGY FROM UMAHI OVER ATTACK ON PETER OBI
GROUP DEMANDS APOLOGY FROM UMAHI OVER ATTACK ON PETER OBI The Igboezue International Association Nigeria and the Diaspora (IIAND), has called on the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to tender a public apology to Mr. Peter Obi, over his recent outbursts against the former Anambra State Governor, asserting that Umshi’s comments not only unjustly targeted Obi, but also disrespected the entire Igbo community. Speaking at a press conference in Onitsha, IIAND’s National President, Pius Okoye, said Obi’s criticism of Lagos-Calabar Costal highway project, neither concerned Tinubu nor Ndigbo, and “we wonder why a man of such calibre, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, should bring Ndigbo into such a matter that does not concern them, if not for trying to retain his job. The association condemned the actions of Igbo politicians who drag the Igbo community into personal disputes, fueled by political rivalry, labeling it disrespectful to the Igbo nation. They urged that political discourse should be conducted with civility and respect, devoid of attempts to divide or undermine the unity of the Igbo people. “We think that Ndigbo deserve an apology from Umahi. If he had stopped at just attacking Obi and accusing him of incitement, we would not worry, but bringing Ndigbo in his comment is lack of respect for the Igbo nation. We demand an apology from him,” they said.The group told Ndigbo not to succumb to panic amidst current challenges in Nigeria, but to maintain their renowned work ethic and resilience in the face of adversity, emphasizing their belief that God stands with them.
NORTHERN GROUPS ASK COURT TO REMOVE GANDUJE, APC CHAIRMAN
NORTHERN GROUPS ASK COURT TO REMOVE GANDUJE, APC CHAIRMAN Two different groups from the North Central have filed suits seeking to nullify the position of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The groups are the Concerned North Central APC Stakeholders and the North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum. The first group, under the aegis of the Concerned North Central APC Stakeholders, had, in a letter to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party dated April 30, 2024, sought the restoration of the zoning arrangement of the party, which put the party’s chairmanship in the zone. The letter was signed by Muhammed Saidu Etsu, Gbenga Lubem, AbdulGaniyu Lukman, Bagu Bung Jung, Isa Abubakar Imam, and Mohammed Kabiru Idris. However, in an originating summons filed by Etsu, through their counsel, Joshua Oka Obono Obla Esq before an FCT high court on Friday, the group contended that Ganduje’s continued chairmanship of the party contravened the provisions of Article 7(vii) and (ix) of the APC Constitution and the consensus reached at the 2022 National Convention held in Abuja, that the national chairman of the APC from 2022 to 2026 must be someone from the North Central geopolitical zone of the country. They are asking the court to make an order setting aside the appointment of Ganduje by the APC as the National Chairman of the APC on August 3, 2023 on the ground that the APC “failed, refused and or neglected to comply with the procedure laid down by Article 31.5 of the APC Constitution.” Those joined as the defendants in the suit include Ganduje, the APC, the NEC of the APC and the NWC of the APC. Similarly, the North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum in a suit filed on Monday before a federal high court in Abuja by their counsel, Ayuba Abdul Esq, is challenging the breach of the party’s constitution by the nomination of Ganduje to replace ex-chairman Abdullahi Adamu in 2023. The suit joined Ganduje, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suits.
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- May 8, 2024
- 70 views
OBAMA’S WIFE MAY REPLACE BIDEN AS DEMOCRATS CANDIDATE IN US ELECTION
OBAMA’S WIFE MAY REPLACE BIDEN AS DEMOCRATS CANDIDATE IN US ELECTION Speculation is swirling within the Democratic Party that President Joe Biden may announce his decision not to seek re-election at the party’s convention in Chicago in August 2024, instead proposing Michelle Obama, the wife of former President Barack Obama, as his preferred candidate. The German publication Der Spiegel has reported on these discussions, which have gained traction amid concerns about the age and popularity of both Biden and his likely Republican opponent, Donald Trump. According to Der Spiegel, the Democratic Party has already included Michelle Obama in its polls of potential candidates, signaling serious consideration of her as a possible nominee. The publication notes that “many Americans dream of a female president,” suggesting that Obama’s candidacy could tap into a strong desire for change and representation within the electorate. The speculation surrounding Biden’s potential withdrawal is fueled in part by the president’s age. At 82 years old, Biden is the oldest person to ever hold the office, and two-thirds of Americans believe he is too old to lead the country for another four years. This sentiment is not limited to Biden, however, as many voters also express reluctance to see Trump, who is only a few years younger, return to the White House. Trump’s legal troubles, including allegations of paying hush money to a porn actress and possible financial fraud, have also raised concerns among voters. Der Spiegel suggests that these factors, combined with the advanced age of both candidates, have led to “deep disappointment” among the American public, with the publication stating, “Never before in the history of the United States have two candidates faced each other who would be so unpopular.” While Michelle Obama has been floated as a potential candidate, she has previously expressed little interest in pursuing a political career. In her memoirs, the former first lady admitted that her experiences over the past decade have not changed her views on entering politics. This stance could potentially impact her popularity among voters, should she decide to run, according to Der Spiegel. The publication also notes that the speculation surrounding Obama’s potential candidacy is a product of the current political climate, with voters seeking fresh faces and new perspectives in the wake of the tumultuous Trump years and the challenges faced by the Biden administration. The Times cannot independently verify this claim. However, Michelle Obama’s office has clarified earlier this year that she has no intention of running for president in 2024, putting an end to rumors circulating in both parties. Former President Barack Obama’s vocal support for President Joe Biden’s re-election has fueled questions about Michelle Obama’s potential involvement in the campaign. While some Democrats expressed a desire to see her play a larger role, Republicans entertained fantasies of her replacing Biden on the 2024 ticket to undermine the president’s political standing. Crystal Carson, director of communications for Michelle Obama’s office, reiterated the former first lady’s stance on the matter, stating, “As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president.” Carson emphasized Mrs. Obama’s support for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ re-election campaign.Sources familiar with discussions surrounding Michelle Obama’s involvement in the Biden campaign indicate that while she intends to assist, her engagement will likely be limited, reflecting her other commitments and longstanding reluctance to re-enter full-time politics.
- Foreign Affairs
- May 8, 2024
- 55 views
NO MORE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN TOGO, PARLIAMENT TO CHOOSE PRESIDENT
NO MORE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN TOGO, PARLIAMENT TO CHOOSE PRESIDENT Togo’s President, Faure Gnassingbe, has signed a new constitution eliminating presidential elections, his office said late Monday, a move that opponents say will allow him to extend his family’s six-decade rule. Civil society groups in the West African nation have called for protests. Parliament will now choose the president. The new constitution comes days after the election commission on Saturday announced that President Faure Gnassingbe’s ruling party had won a majority of parliament seats. There was a crackdown on civic and media freedoms ahead of the vote. The government banned protests against the proposed new constitution and arrested opposition figures. The electoral commission banned the Catholic Church from deploying election observers. Togo’s media regulator suspended the accreditation process for foreign journalists. The new constitution also increases presidential terms from five to six years and introduces a single-term limit. But the nearly 20 years that Gnassingbe has served in office would not count, and the political opposition, religious leaders and civil society say it’s likely that Gnassingbe will stay in power when his mandate expires in 2025. Togo has been ruled by the same family for 57 years, first by Eyadema Gnassingbe and then by his son. Faure Gnassingbe took office after elections that the opposition described as a sham. The new constitution also creates a figure similar to a prime minister, to be selected by the ruling party. Critics fear that could become another way for Gnassingbe to extend his grip on power. A group of about 20 civil society organisations in Togo have called for protests to reinstate the previous constitution.”We will never accept this new constitution, even after its promulgation,” David Dosseh, a spokesperson for the civil society groups, told The Associated Press, calling the 2025 election ”absolutely necessary for the people to choose a new president and finally achieve a democratic transition in Togo”.
- Foreign Affairs
- May 7, 2024
- 55 views
POLITICIANS TRADE BLOWS IN CHURCH AT FUND RAISING
POLITICIANS TRADE BLOWS IN CHURCH AT FUND RAISING A scheduled fund raising event has resulted in chaos after a presiding legislator’s conduct apparently irked opponents. The microphone he was using was snatched away from him, with a group of angry youths chasing off the podium, deeper down the auditorium. Teargas cannister was lobbed at the pulpit as tension escalated, sending scores of worshipers running helter-skelter. All of these played out within the swampy Etono grounds in Bomachoge Borabu, where five Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) churches had gathered for a fund-raising event. All would probably have gone well, but for the fact that the event attracted rival politicians, six Members of Parliament (MPs) from different political parties. All seemed to have gone well, until the presiding legislator, Sylvanus Osoro, South Mugirango MP and Chief Whip, at the podium made a comment. Pockets of youths sandwiched among the congregants started jeering at him, and at a point, the microphone he was using was snatched away from him, In fact, the youths chased him off the podium deeper into the dais where other MPs were sitting. In the melee, a police officer unleashed a tear gas cannister, sending the attendees to scamper. It took awhile to bring the situation under control, Bomachoge MP Obadiah Barongo said he had called Kibagendi as a “deployment to forestall attacks from the army of by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) MPs that had attended the function”. Signs of trouble had manifested when the MP walked into the church escorted by dozens of unruly boda boda riders (commercial motorcyclists) who kept jeering at the UDA leaders as they addressed. Star newspaper quotes South Mugirango MP, Sylvanus Osoro, as later, calming nerves but urged politicians to desist from violence especially in churches. He equally apologised for the ugly turn of events. “Nobody should die for any politician, all of us here are brothers. All of you will leave this function to your respective homes as we go to town to eat lunch together,” Osoro said.How indeed could politicians trade blows in church? The question would continue to resonate.
ONDO GUBER: APC DIDN’T HOLD PRIMARY – INEC
ONDO GUBER: APC DIDN’T HOLD PRIMARY – INEC The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ondo State may not participate in the November 16, 2024 gubernatorial election in the state as Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) Electoral Officers declared that the party didn’t conduct governorship primary election on April 20, 2024 in the state. Reports submitted by INEC Electoral Officers, who monitored the APC governorship primary election across the 18 local government areas of the state, revealed that there were no elections in the designated Registration Areas. According to some reports in circulation signed and submitted by individual Electoral Officers which were received by one Dimas F. Emmanuel, ACLO, INEC headquarters, Abuja, dated 30 April, 2024, the Electoral Officers revealed that there were no election materials made available at the polling stations. They revealed that members of the party came out en mass to perform their civic rights but were disappointed as there were no election materials and the election committee which ought to conduct the election did not show up. According to Abai C.O (Mrs.), the INEC Electoral Officer, who monitored Ifedore Local Government Area, wrote that “The election of All Progressives Congress Governorship Primary was not held in presence due to the unavailability of the election materials to be used and the absence of the Electoral organising committee in all the 10 Registration Areas till Monitoring team left late in the evening.” In her report, Owogbo O.O. (Mrs.), the INEC Electoral Officer for Akoko South-East Local Government Area, said: “In some of the Wards, the electorates arranged themselves in queues according to the number of contestants with representatives, counted the number of the electorates, but their efforts were rendered inconsequential as there were no election materials deployed for the conduct of the election.” She gave the statistics of the Wards she wrote her reports on to include Epinmin I and Epinmin II Ifira, Ipe I, Ipe II, Ipesi, Isua I, Isua II, Isua III and Isua IV. In Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, where the incumbent Governor Aiyedatiwa hails from, Okeniyi Bayo Fatai, the INEC Electoral Officer, who monitored the local government explained that “The party members in the Local Government all converged at the designated venues to exercise their civic responsibilities. “Although INEC monitors were present in all wards for the assignment, but the event was characterized by non-availability of election materials across the 12 RAs in the LGA. “In view of the above, Election did not take place in Ilaje LGA and results were not given to the monitors.” Meanwhile, the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee led by Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi State, had declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa winner of the party’s primary election purportedly conducted on April 20 and April 21, 2024. Governor Aiyedatiwa was said to have polled 2533 out of 3831 valid votes in Akoko South-East. He also was declared to have won Ilaje, his local government with 2485 out of the 7213 valid votes. Other 15 governorship aspirants on the platform of APC had cried foul, saying the party’s primary election never held. None of the other contestants was able to vote for themselves in the purported primary election. A video clip in circulation revealed that Governor Aiyedatiwa could not vote in his Ilaje Local Government Area as well.Olusola Oke, SAN, Wale Akinterinwa, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Olugbenga Edema, Diran Iyantan, Prof. Faduyile Francis, Engr. Ife Oyedele and others insisted that there was no election on April 20 as claimed by Ododo-led Governorship Primary Election Committee.