Politics
Court Blocks PDP NEC, BoT From Dismissing Damagum As Acting Chairman
The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order preventing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from removing Umar Damagum as Acting National Chairman until the party’s national convention in December 2025.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court barred the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) from recognizing anyone else as chairman ahead of the convention.
The decision follows a lawsuit filed by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina, chairman of the PDP in Yobe State, who alleged that some party stakeholders were plotting to replace Damagum in violation of the party’s constitution.
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Maina claimed that clandestine meetings were being held to push for Phillip Salawu, a former deputy governor of Kogi State, to replace Damagum.
He argued that such actions would undermine the party’s internal rules, which stipulate that national officers can only be elected or removed at the party’s national convention.
Maina, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joshua Musa, said he had informed the PDP’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, about the plot in two separate letters.
However, he claimed that no action was taken to address the issue.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu agreed with Maina, emphasizing that according to the PDP’s constitution, Damagum can only be removed at the party’s national convention or by a court order.
The judge noted that any attempt to replace Damagum before the convention would violate the rotational leadership arrangement, which gives the northern region the right to complete its four-year tenure.
The court also dismissed objections from the PDP NEC and BoT, which argued that Maina lacked the legal standing to bring the case and that the court had no jurisdiction.
Justice Lifu ruled that Maina, as a PDP member seeking to protect the party’s constitution, had the right to file the suit.
The court further ruled that the current leadership arrangement must remain in place, with Damagum continuing as Acting National Chairman until the next national convention, as the northern region has not completed its leadership tenure following the resignation of former chairman Iyorchia Ayu.
This ruling is expected to temporarily halt internal power struggles within the PDP as it prepares for its national convention in 2025.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the appointment of six new officials to pivotal positions within his administration, effective from November 15, 2024.
The announcement was made public on Friday in a communiqué signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor.
The newly appointed officials bring a wealth of experience to their roles and include: Dr. Emmanuel Iyamu as Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
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Dr. Iyamu, an accomplished academic and business leader, holds a Doctorate in Petroleum Resources and an MBA. Prior to his appointment, he served as the CEO of Gabbem Integrated Services Ltd.
Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi as Managing Director of the State Waste Management Board. Enehita-Inegbenehi is a seasoned professional with expertise in human resources and leadership.
He previously led multiple businesses, including JEI Visions Service Apartments and JEI Visions Iron Metals.
CP Friday Ibadin (retd.) as Corps Commander of the Edo State Security Corps Governance. A former Commissioner of Police with international experience, including an assignment with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, Ibadin is renowned for his security expertise.
Stainless Ijeghede as Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency. Ijeghede, a mechanical engineer, previously worked in the petroleum sector with Shell Petroleum, focusing on well engineering and safety.
Lucky Eseigbe as Managing Director of the Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency. A legal expert with an LL.B and LL.M from Ambrose Alli University, Eseigbe has vast experience in legislative consulting and legal advising.
Emmanuel Ehidiamen Okoebor as Commissioner for Finance-designate. With over 25 years in the banking industry, Okoebor has held senior roles, including Assistant General Manager at United Bank for Africa (UBA).
He is also a registered member of COREN and the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
As the build up to the Ondo State’s off season gubernatorial election continues, the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated the list of contestants by adding the Labour Party’s Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus.
The umpire made the disclosure on Friday in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, where it made it clear that it was acting in compliance with an order of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
The statement was issued under the subject, ‘update on the list of candidates for the 2024 Ondo governorship election’.
It reads, “The Commission was yesterday 14th November 2024 served with the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement of the Court of Appeal which set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja Division. The FHC, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024 had on 27th September 2024 ordered the Commission to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the candidate of the Labour Party for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
“However, in the appeal with reference number CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 filed by the Labour Party, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division struck out the judgement of the FHC for lack of jurisdiction.
“In obedience to the court order, the Commission has restored Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus, whose name was first published as the Labour Party candidate for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election and uploaded same to our website for public information.”
In the quest to ramp up the push against the negative effects of climate change, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved changes in the leadership of the state’s climate change team.
Consequently, Gov Adeleke directed the abolition of the office of Senior Special Assistant on Climate Change and the redeployment of the SSA on Climate Change, Prince Moruf Adedapo, out of the sub sector to the pool of SSAs.
To add bite to the changes, Gov Adeleke also directed the movement of the office of the consultant to the state on climate change and renewable energy from the Ministry of Environment to the Governor’s Office.
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Biztellers reports that with the changes, the consultant, Prof Chinwe Obuaku will henceforth be reporting to Gov Adeleke directly.
A government statement underpins these to “a strategy to give bite to the administration’s push to fast track implementation of adaptation and mitigate climate actions”.
As part of the leadership reforms, Gov Adeleke further directed that liaison between the state government and federal agencies as well as development partners on climate matters should be coordinated by the state consultant.
It was gathered that stakeholders would henceforth be relating with the state consultant on climate related matters as the office of SSA on Climate Change no longer exists.
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