Politics
2023: Court denies Umahi senatorial ticket
….Umahi’s Camp Reacts to Court Ruling on Senatorial Ticket
The camp of the governor of Ebonyi State Governor, Engr Dave Umahi has reacted to the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki awarding the senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Princess Ann Agom Eze.
In a statement issued by Special Assistant, Strategy to the Governor, Chooks Oko, the governor’s camp urged members of the public to ignore the court ruling as the court was misled by misrepresentation of facts, including an oath in which it claimed that Agom Eze lied.
The statement was titled ‘ignore the fake news regarding Ebonyi South APC Senatorial Seat’.
Oko clarified that the court ordered a rerun of the primary instead of awarding the ticket to Agom Eze as was being peddled in the media.
It read, “The attention of Ebonyi state Governor has been drawn to a mischievous fake news by one Mrs Ann Agom Eze, who contested the Ebonyi South APC senatorial primary election and got one vote, over the court judgement on Ebonyi South APC primaries.
“The judge was misled by Ann Agom Eze who lied on oath that she never withdrew from the contest.
“She further connived with her friend who is a member of the APC Working committee to submit forged documents purported to be coming from APC national headquarters.
“With these false information and the misleading of the learned judge, the pronouncement of the court was that THERE SHOULD BE A RERUN ELECTION WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS where all the parties should participate.
“Ann Agom Eze and her PDP collaborators are ignorant of the wordings of section 115 of the electoral law they are quoting as the Governor was never a candidate in any two elections as they are oblivious of the difference between a candidate and an aspirant.
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“The public is enjoined to ignore the fake news and await the date of the ordered primaries where Ann Agom Eze and her collaborators will face another shame.
The ambition of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr Dave Umahi of representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District at the Senate come 2023 has suffered set back.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State, on Friday, recognised Princess Ann Agom-Eze, as the Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor had approached the court through his counsel, Roy Nweze Umahi, to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to recognise him the authentic senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South senatorial District.
However, things took a dramatic turn when on Tuesday, Princes Agom Eze approached the court with a counter argument on the governor’s senatorial bid.
Umahi’s Counsel had argued that the governor’s name should be recognised by INEC, hence the first winner of the Ebonyi South Senatorial primary election which took place at Afikpo North Local Government Area, in the state, Austin Umahi had withdrawn.
It was gathered that Austin Umahi (the governor’s younger brother), a contender, stepped down at the second primary election conducted on June 9, 2022, which made way for the governor to emerge unopposed.
But, in his judgement, Justice Fatun Riman, relied on section 115 of the Electoral Act 2022.
Justice Riman noted that the governor was not an aspirant and cannot participate in the election or pre-election matters of the APC as regards the Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone because the primary held on May 28, 2022.
From the cited section of the new Electoral Act, the governor neither procured forms for nor participated in the election and cannot claim any right based on the primary election.
Recall that the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, had warned that politicians who procured multiple forms were criminals and risk two years’ imprisonment.
In a swift reaction to the ruling, the Counsel to Agom Eze, Barr Nwonu Nnaemeka, pointed out that his team’s argument was as soon as Austin Umahi withdrew from the primary, Agom Eze should claim all her rights as regards the exercise, being the second runner-up.
Umahi’s Camp Reacts to Court Ruling on Senatorial Ticket
The camp of the governor of Ebonyi State Governor, Engr Dave Umahi has reacted to the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki awarding the senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Princess Ann Agom Eze.
In a statement issued by Special Assistant, Strategy to the Governor, Chooks Oko, the governor’s camp urged members of the public to ignore the court ruling as the court was misled by misrepresentation of facts, including an oath in which it claimed that Agom Eze lied.
The statement was titled ‘ignore the fake news regarding Ebonyi South APC Senatorial Seat’.
Oko clarified that the court ordered a rerun of the primary instead of awarding the ticket to Agom Eze as was being peddled in the media.
It read, “The attention of Ebonyi state Governor has been drawn to a mischievous fake news by one Mrs Ann Agom Eze, who contested the Ebonyi South APC senatorial primary election and got one vote, over the court judgement on Ebonyi South APC primaries.
“The judge was misled by Ann Agom Eze who lied on oath that she never withdrew from the contest.
“She further connived with her friend who is a member of the APC Working committee to submit forged documents purported to be coming from APC national headquarters.
“With these false information and the misleading of the learned judge, the pronouncement of the court was that THERE SHOULD BE A RERUN ELECTION WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS where all the parties should participate.
“Ann Agom Eze and her PDP collaborators are ignorant of the wordings of section 115 of the electoral law they are quoting as the Governor was never a candidate in any two elections as they are oblivious of the difference between a candidate and an aspirant.
“The public is enjoined to ignore the fake news and await the date of the ordered primaries where Ann Agom Eze and her collaborators will face another shame.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has warned against attempts to destabilize the peace and security of Igbajo by some group of people led by Prince Gboyega Famodun through conflicting Oroke festival days.
He directed security agencies to deal decisively with any trouble maker.
According to a government statement, issued in Osogbo, reports at the disposal of the government indicated an attempt by a faction belonging to Famodun to create conflict at Igbajo by fixing a different festival date from the one officially announced by the legal and officially crowned king of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde.
An effort, it noted was designed to create violence and crisis in the peaceful town of Igbajo.
As a government, the statement added, we reiterate that the Monarch of Igbajo today is Oba Ademola Makinde and the May 23rd already fixed for the Oroke Day Festival remains the sacrosanct date for the popular cultural and traditionally significant event.
“We note further that the Head of Igbajo traditional institution remains the present Owa of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde and he is therefore empowered and entitled to fix the day for the Oroke festival. Actions of the Famodun faction is therefore against tradition and law and is therefore a nullity.
“In a bid to forestall breakdown of law and order and in line with my responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of Osun state, I direct security agencies to enforce the holding of the Oroke festival on the official date of May 23rd and to ensure no gathering is held on May 19th set by any other faction.
“The above directive and actions are taken to maintain peace and protect the ancient town from those hell-bent on manipulating the traditional institution to destabilize the state”, the Governor was quoted as saying,” he cautioned.
Adamawa State High Court’s Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan has issue an arrest warrant for suspended INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari.
The court instructed the Inspector General of Police to promptly apprehend Barrister Ari and present him in court to face trial on three charges.
This directive followed an application filed by the Adamawa State Government on April 16, 2024.
During the proceedings, Chief L. D. Nzadon, representing the complainant, informed the court that they were seeking an arrest warrant against the defendant.
Referring to Section 20, Subsection (1j) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2018, Chief Nzadon urged the court to utilize its authority and instruct the Inspector General of Police to apprehend the defendant, regardless of his location.
He explained that attempts to serve the defendant were unsuccessful, as the court’s bailiff had been in Bauchi State from May 2nd to May 4th, 2024, but couldn’t locate him.
In his ruling on the application, the judge noted that this was the third instance the case had been mentioned without the defendant present in court.
He acknowledged the complainant’s counsels’ explanation regarding their inability to serve Ari, suggesting that it seemed he was deliberately avoiding
The executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, have officially suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South, citing alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.
The suspension notice was jointly signed by several ward executive members, including Omotoye Olusola, Bakere Usuf, Tore Obwoselu, Oloyinmi Idowu, Borewaye Louyomi, Oladipupo Bose, Alkimbobola Seyi, Lawal-Babatunde, Aritawe-Ademole, Akinkuoju Olarewaju, and Fabioye Ajoke.
Ibrahim’s suspension follows the recent APC governorship primary election in the state, where he faced defeat. Citing Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution, the party executives justified their decision to suspend Senator Ibrahim.
The 16-member Executive Committee made this decision during a meeting held on Monday, May 13, 2024.
Additionally, the party recalled a prior meeting in Abuja, convened by the APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, where all governorship aspirants were urged to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Despite the suspension, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proceeded to file a lawsuit against the governor and the APC, disregarding the party’s directives.
The letter, made public in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday, states: “We, the members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward II in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, convened a meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024.”
“During our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members.
“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to violate the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities.
“As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities By Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.
“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja
“During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions.
“Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NNPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them.
“Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets.
“For emphasis, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso has been suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect, and he is hereby prohibited from participating in any APC activities nationwide.” the letter added
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