Politics
Court Restrains PDP From Suspending Governor Ortom

The media aide to Benue State governor, Nathaniel Ikyur, has announced that a Makurdi High Court has issued a restraining order against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) preventing them from suspending or expelling Governor Samuel Ortom from the party.
The ruling was given on Thursday by Judge Augustine Itoyonyiman.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State is part of a group of five PDP governors known as G-5 who are dissatisfied with the national leadership of the party.
The group is led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, with the other members being Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, and Okezie Ikpaeazu of Abia State.
The group of dissatisfied governors known as G-5 are requesting the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP National Chairman, in order to balance the party’s leadership structure, as he is from the same northern region of Nigeria as Atiku.
However, Mr Ayu has refused to step down from his position as the head of the PDP.
Governor Samuel Ortom took legal action against the PDP, including its National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC), all National Officers (elected or appointed), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to prevent the party from expelling him.
The case with the reference number MHC/46/2023 was filed on February 15th and coincides with the widespread speculations that the PDP may expel Governor Samuel Ortom, who is the party’s candidate for the Benue North-west Senatorial election slated for February 25th.
The presiding Judge, Augustine Itoyonyiman, granted an ex-parte order restraining the PDP and its entities from expelling, suspending or imposing any other sanctions on Mr Ortom, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
In addition to the restraining order granted against the PDP and its organs, the judge, Augustine Itoyonyiman, also issued an order preventing INEC and its officers from receiving or acting on any communication made by the PDP seeking to disqualify Governor Samuel Ortom from participating in the Benue North West Senatorial District election in the 2023 general election.
The hearing of the case has been scheduled for February 24th.
Politics
Okpebholo Excites Edo Workers With Welfare Package

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured that his administration would do everything within its powers to take care of Edo State civil servants and make them happy.
He made the pledge on Friday when he received Executives of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, led by its Acting State Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide.
Egwekhide said they were in Government House to congratulate the Governor on his recent victory at the governorship election tribunal that affirmed his victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
On his part, the Governor said whatever Edo State workers are enjoying in the state is the responsibility of his administration to do because it is worker friendly.
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Okpebholo said, “Whatever we are doing, which is favouring Edo workers, is done because it is our responsibility as a government. Edo people voted for us to work for them, and that is what we are doing to ensure life is made better for our people, including the workers.
“We embrace transparency in all what we do as a government to enable the people to trust us as we are not afraid of criticism. Positive criticism will put us on our toes to work harder for Edo people.
“The renewed hope agenda of the president has given us room and platform to perform and serve Edo people better as we embark on practical governance.
“We are doing everything in the State to ensure peace, unity, growth, and development. That is why we ensure smooth collaboration amongst the three tires of government. In all we do in the State, we ensure the three Senatorial zones are carried along.”
The NLC acting chairman, Egwekhide, commended the Governor for his developmental strides and the friendly environment created for Edo State workers to operate.
He said the visit was necessary as the body had come to congratulate the Governor for his deserved victory at the election petition tribunal in Abuja.
According to him, “Workers in Edo State are proud of you for the developmental strides in the State. You have created a friendly relationship between your administration and Edo workers as you have always taken steps to favour Edo State workers.
“Without asking, workers received their 13th month. You raised the subvention of Ambrose Ali University (AAU) from N41 to N500 million. You regularized casual workers in Edo State. You increased what is due pensioners monthly from N50 million to N1 billion naira for both local and State pensioners.”
He noted that a committee has been set up to look into the compulsory pension scheme, which has become a burden on retired civil servants, adding that the report will be submitted to him for his action.
“We thank the governor for several employments given to our people in the very short time in office,” he added.
In a related development, Gov Monday Okpebholo also received the new branch controller, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Edo State, Apanke Utande who was on a courtesy visit to Government House, where the Governor urged him to collaborate with his administration to improve the lives of Edo people.
Politics
‘Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election A Done Deal, Says Ex-lawmaker

Sir Jude Idimogu, a former two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has strongly stated that there will be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock come 2027, reaffirming his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Idimogu, who served as the representative of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II from 2015 to 2023, shared his views during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
His comments followed the recent declaration from an opposition group promising to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
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A steadfast member of the APC and deputy leader of the Ndigbo socio-cultural group in Lagos, Idimogu dismissed the opposition’s chances of defeating President Tinubu in 2027, asserting that no coalition of opposition leaders could pose a significant challenge to the president’s second-term aspirations.
“The ruling party has strong leadership and unwavering grassroots support that will carry us through to victory in 2027,” Idimogu stated, branding the opposition’s efforts as “futile.”
He further noted that power rotation between the North and South made it clear that it was the South’s turn to complete its eight years in office.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2027, and I am appealing to all Northerners in the APC to support the president in completing his eight years,” he added.
In his assessment of the current administration’s progress, Idimogu lauded President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, citing positive developments such as better power supply, the strengthening of the naira against the dollar, and the implementation of policies that have helped reduce food prices and boost agricultural output.
“With the restoration of the naira-for-crude deal and the export drive, we are seeing tangible results. I don’t see any opposition candidate who can present a policy better than what Tinubu’s administration is already doing,” he explained.
Looking ahead to 2027, Idimogu expressed his firm belief that he would be among those advocating for President Tinubu’s re-election, given the progress already made under his leadership.
Idimogu concluded by urging the opposition coalition to reconsider its stance, suggesting that they join forces with the president for the greater good of the nation.
Politics
Supreme Court CTC Vindicates Abure Executive

The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) under Julius Abure has been vindicated by the content of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgement between Nenadi Usman and the party.
This was contained in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Wednesday night.
According to the National Publicity Secretary
Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh
As promised earlier, we warned that Senator Nenadi Usman and her cohorts have been in the voyage of misleading Nigerians with wrong interpretation of the judgement of the apex court.
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There is no where it stated that the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure led executive has elapsed or that Nenadi Usman and her National Caretaker Committee has been directed to take over the leadership of the Labour Party.
The Supreme Court emphatically stated that issues within the political party are internal affairs of the party and that party supremacy must be observed.
It is pertinent for us to state clearly that there is no vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party. The highest organ of the party, the national convention has in March 2024 elected its leaders in line with the constitution of the party and electoral act and their tenure is subsisting.
Consequent upon that, any meeting convened in disregard to the constitution of the party is illegal and the outcome null and void. We are therefore warning all those involved in the illegal meeting holding in Abuja to refrain from further factionalising the party and respect the constitution of the party as we will not fail to activate the provision of the party on disciplinary actions.