Politics
Akwa Ibom: APC Gov Candidate Emerge After 10 months
After a controversial primary held 10 months ago, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has now officially recognized Akanimo Udofia as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State.
This is the first time Mr. Udofia has been accorded this recognition, as the primary was not monitored by INEC as mandated by the law.
INEC cited a court order as the reason for recognizing Mr. Udofia’s candidacy, which was announced in amendment number six posted on its website on Friday.
After a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered INEC to list Akanimo Udofia’s name as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Akwa Ibom, INEC has now officially recognized him as the candidate.
The court judgment came after Mr. Udofia instituted a suit against INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu.
“That an order of mandamus is hereby made compelling the respondent to list the applicant as the governorship candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom State in view of the extant judgments and judgment orders of the Court of Appeal,” Justice J.K. Omotosho said in his judgment.
The Supreme Court had on Tuesday struck out the same application (a cross appeal) filed by Mr Udofia, describing it as an academic exercise, having dismissed the main appeal filed by a former presidential aide, Ita Enang.
Mr Enang, a former senator from Akwa Ibom, was one of the APC governorship aspirants in the 26 May, 2022 primary election of the party in Akwa Ibom.
He appeared before the Supreme Court to contest the ruling of the Abuja Court of Appeal, which declared Mr. Udofia as a legitimate member of the APC and thus qualified to participate in the party’s primary elections in Akwa Ibom.
In response to the decision of the Federal High Court, the former senator wrote a letter to INEC on March 10, stating that there was no court order instructing the commission to include the gubernatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom State on the ballot.
Mr Enang, in the letter addressed to the INEC chairman, said “the judgment order was obtained in suppression of correct facts while concealing the fact that an appeal was pending on the Supreme Court on the same subject matter and the Court of Appeal in its original judgment of 19 January did not make any positive or consequential order whatsoever directing INEC to enlist Mr Udofia or Mr Enang (himself) as the Akwa Ibom APC governorship candidate for the 2023 election.”
Mr. Enang stated in the letter that, based on all the available court judgments, the APC does not have a candidate for the governorship race in Akwa Ibom State.
He urged INEC “to be properly guided as there was no consequential order from either the Appeal Court or the Supreme Court on the matter to enable it to act by accepting and publishing the name of any person as the candidate”.
The APC had conducted its governorship primary on May 26, 2022, around midnight, which was not overseen by INEC as required by law. Mr. Udofia emerged as the victor of the primary.
According to a report sent by the INEC office in Akwa Ibom to its headquarters in Abuja, the APC did not hold its governorship primary in the state.
INEC has relied on this report and has refused to acknowledge Mr. Udofia as the APC’s gubernatorial candidate in the state until March 10th.
Shortly after the primary last year, Mr. Enang filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Uyo, seeking to be declared as the APC’s gubernatorial candidate in the state. He argued that Mr. Udofia was not a member of the APC at the time of the primary.
Mr. Enang claimed that Mr. Udofia could not have been a member of the APC and thus ineligible to participate in the party’s primary, as he had also been on the ballot for the Peoples Democratic Party’s gubernatorial primary in Akwa Ibom during the same period.
On November 14, 2022, Judge Agatha Okeke nullified the primary election that produced Mr. Udofia and ordered a fresh primary to be conducted within two weeks.
However, the judge also ruled that Mr. Udofia was not eligible to participate in the new primary. On January 19, the Appeal Court overturned the ruling but did not direct INEC to include Mr. Udofia’s name as the APC gubernatorial candidate in Akwa Ibom.
The United Kingdom’s (UK) Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme (ETAS) for visitors from many additional countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, became operative on Wednesday.
It was gathered that the system comes with the objective of tightening border security would allow eligible travellers to enter Britain with pre-travel authorization.
The cost implication of the ETAS, according to the AFP would be £10 per head and permits stays of up to six months within two years.
The initiative was first introduced in 2023, beginning with Qatar.
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In 2024, it was expanded to include five Gulf countries but would now be covering citizens from approximately 50 more nations, including Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and several Caribbean territories.
It was gathered that travellers required to use the system can apply via an app. The applications for the newly added countries opened last November.
By April, the scheme is expected to extend to European Union (EU), countries and other territories. From March 5, travellers in these regions can begin applying for ETAS.
The system applies to visitors transiting through the UK, as well as to children and infants.
However, British and Irish citizens, residents, and those holding passports from British-overseas territories are exempt.
In addition, it does not alter requirements for countries that already require a visa for UK entry, such as China and South Africa.
However, London’s Heathrow Airport had opposed the scheme, on the grounds that its rollout already reduced the number of passengers transiting through the UK, a clear indication that the policy made the country “less competitive” and harmful to economic growth.
This development parallels Europe’s forthcoming ETIAS system, which is expected to begin later this year.
The EU’s version will cover visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 countries, including the UK, and will cost seven euros for three years of access.
According to government data, the US, Canada, and Australia collectively account for around six million visitors to the UK annually.
The UK government views the ETAS as a crucial step in strengthening its border security measures.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has called on party members in Kano State to prioritize unity as they prepare to reclaim political control from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Speaking at the 8th and 9th APC Members Kano State House of Assembly Forum dinner on Monday, Ganduje, represented by the APC Chairman in Kano, Abdullahi Abbas, urged members to focus on collaboration to achieve their political ambitions.
Highlighting the importance of solidarity, Ganduje stated, “Unity is the only way forward for us; it’s our only option to achieve our goals. God has already intervened in our situation.
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“The current government is distorting the state; we are just waiting for the right time. The next election will be like shifting a hen from its eggs.”
He also criticised NNPP leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, downplaying his influence in Kano politics.
“I am always surprised when Rabiu Kwankwaso claims he has the people’s support. I swear to God, if not for the issues that caused some of us to leave, he wouldn’t have won any election in the state. This time, he will see. Those who supported him are already disappointed and regretful.”
Ganduje expressed confidence in the APC’s ability to reclaim the state, adding, “I assure you, we are done with Kwankwasiyya. Even the governor is unaware of all that is happening.”
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, also stressed the need for party cohesion, assuring members of the APC’s strong position.
“What we need in Kano now is unity. The issue of the election is not a concern. If elections were held today, we would have no reason to fear. The loss we experienced was God’s will. Let us pray and work together in unity,” Ata said.
Criticising the NNPP-led administration, Ata noted, “We must strive to reclaim Kano because the state is not in the right hands. Nobody is benefiting from the leadership. I appreciate the president for prioritising Kano. For example, when other states received 250 housing units, Kano received 500 units.”
The Chairman of the Forum, Abdul’azeez Gafasa, commended the honorees for their service to the APC and reiterated the importance of party unity.
“Our leaders have worked hard to bring us together,” he said, pledging the forum’s commitment to progress and mutual support.
The event, which celebrated notable APC members, including former House Speakers Rt. Hon. Kabiru Rurum, Rt. Hon. Hamisu Chidari, and Rt. Hon. Yusuf Atta, underscored the party’s resolve to reclaim Kano in the next elections.
Edo State’s local government councils have been plunged into chaos, with three chairmen facing impeachment proceedings amid accusations of violence, unconstitutional actions, and political interference.
The affected councils — Uhunmwonde, Orhionmwon, and Owan East — are witnessing escalating tensions that threaten governance and stability.
In Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, tensions escalated on Tuesday when gunmen allegedly attacked bystanders, leaving several injured.
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The council chairman, Kenneth Adodo, accused the attackers of being policemen sent from the Edo State Government House.
“The people who came to shoot were policemen from the Government House,” Adodo alleged.
The incident followed moves by councillors to impeach the local government leadership, intensifying concerns about safety and order in the area.
Leadership Dispute in Orhionmwon
In Orhionmwon Local Government Area, councillors impeached the Leader of the House, Hon. Daniel Osariemen, on Wednesday, replacing him with Hon. Chuks Isan.
The impeachment was reportedly an attempt to preempt a suspected plot by Osariemen to oust the council chairman, Hon. Newman Ugiagbe, and his deputy, Midwest Ogbebor.
Osariemen later led a group of unidentified individuals to seize the council secretariat in Abudu, where he declared himself acting chairman.
Ugiagbe, in a statement issued by his press secretary, Roy Osariemen, dismissed the action as illegal.
“The action in Abudu is illegal. I remain the chairman of the Orhionmwon Local Government Area,” Ugiagbe asserted.
In Owan East, Chairman Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri has described his impeachment as unconstitutional and vowed to challenge the process in court.
Addressing journalists in Benin City on Thursday, Okodo-Kadiri outlined several irregularities, including the absence of a seven-member investigative panel as mandated by the Edo State Local Government Law of 2000 (amended in 2002).
He also alleged that the councillors used an unofficial mace during the impeachment and that two of the councillors who participated had been suspended for gross misconduct.
“The process violated the provisions of the law,” Okodo-Kadiri said. “The governor alleged that council chairmen embezzled ₦50 million meant for salaries, but this claim lacks merit. Monthly salary expenditures far exceed ₦50 million, and salaries were paid up to November. If funds were misappropriated, where is the proof? Our bank records are clear, and no salaries are owed.”
Okodo-Kadiri further criticized the lack of due process in reinstating the suspended councillors. “Their participation rendered the proceedings invalid. My office was never notified of their reinstatement,” he added.
The embattled chairman vowed to seek redress through the judiciary. “I trust the courts to restore justice and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
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