Politics
Fresh Legal Battle Unfolds In Edo APC Guber Contest
A fresh legal battle has erupted in the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidacy in the upcoming September 2024 gubernatorial election as Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri, one of the aspirants, has escalated the dispute by filing a lawsuit (No. FHC/ABJ/CS/299/2024) at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
Dekeri aims to compel both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC to officially recognize him as the legitimate winner of the contested February 17, 2024, gubernatorial primary election.
This development follows the APC national leadership’s declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the primary election winner on February 22, despite Dekeri’s earlier acknowledgment by local government returning officers.
The legal tussle intensifies as both sides stand firm on their respective claims to the party’s coveted candidacy.
Mr. Ojo Babatunde, the council officer overseeing the collation of results from polling units, announced Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri as the victor with 25,384 votes, surpassing his closest contender, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, who secured 14,127 votes.
Dekeri’s legal team, including Joseph Nwobike, SAN, Chief Henry Akunebo, SAN, and ten others, contends that the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the rescheduled primary election on February 22, 2024, and as the APC candidate, is deemed invalid, wrongful, and illegal.
They argue that this action blatantly violated the 1999 Constitution and Section 84(13) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended.
In their legal argument, Dekeri’s counsels, referencing the case of OJUKWU v. MILITARY GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE & ORS (1985) LPELR-21274 (CA), cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against taking actions contrary to the law.
In a letter through his lawyers to INEC, informing the commission of his suit, Dekeri, said “The declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner of the rescheduled primary for 22nd February, 2024 and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Edo State Governorship election scheduled for September, 2024 is invalid, wrongful and illegal as same was done in brazen breach of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, Electoral Act, 2022, as amended, and the Party’s constitution and guidelines for the primaries.
“It is the contention of our client that as the rightful winner of the primary election of 17th February, 2024, his right to be declared as the rightful candidate of the All progressives Congress for 2024 Edo State governorship election by APC has become accrued and vested, and that his accrued and vested rights cannot be extinguished, overridden and or defeated by the later declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo in a supplementary primary election which ,from all intents and purpose, was supposed to be a continuation of the previous primary election.
“Our client further contends that your commission is under a duty pursuant to section 84(13) to reject the purported nomination of Senator Monday Okpebholoas the candidate of APC for the Edo State Governorship election which nomination was done in breach of the provision of its Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended.
“The purpose of this letter is to respectfully inform you of the pendency of this suit and at the same time to request you not to accept, receive and or process the nomination of Senator Monday Okpebholo or any other person for that matter other than our client as the rightful candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Edo State Governorship election slated for September, 2024,”
Politics
Gaetz Withdraws From Trumps Cabinet Nomination
Following his observations that ‘the momentum was strong’ Matt Gaetz whom 47th POTUS elect, Donald Trump nominated for Attorney General has withdrawn.
Biztellers reports that this follows his meeting with Senate and the feedback, which included two women, represented by their attorneys, who accused him of having paid for sex.
Consequently, Gaetz placed on record his full commitment to seeing “that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history.”
His withdrawal according his statement on micro-blogging site, X, was based on his conviction that “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle”.
ALSO READ: Trump Taps 27-Year-Old Karoline Leavitt As New White House Spokesperson
In is view, “Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1”.
Gaetz wrote, “I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.
“I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”
His backers have promptly encouraged to take his seat in the House of Representatives, having been elected to the house under the flag of the Republicans to represent Florida.
Politics
Adeleke Represents SW On Ad Hoc Committee on Nat’l Electrification Plan
The Executive Governors from Nigeria’s South West have unanimously nominated Senator Ademola Adeleke as the chairman of the zone on the National Economic Council (NEC).
Adeleke is the Executive Governor of Osun State, southwest, Nigeria.
This, according to the Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, transpired on Thursday, at a meeting of the NEC.
ALSO READ: Adeleke Flaunts Local Content Records, Industrialisation Progress
He noted that the meeting reviewed the state of Nigeria’s electricity sector and resolved to engage subnational structures to address current challenges in the sector.
“The meeting particularly sought to build on the devolution of the electricity sector and its movement into the concurrent legislative list which empowers state governments to regulate the sector in their respective areas,” he stated.
Consequently, the NEC, therefore set up an ad hoc committee to review actions in the sector by state governments and explore ways to ramp up activities through coordination, Rasheed highlighted.
The full list of members of NEC’s Ad-hoc Committee on National Electrification:
- Governor of Cross Rivers State, Bassey Out – Chairman, South-South
- Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda – Chairman, North-West
- Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya – Chairman, North-East
- Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke – Chairman, South-West
- Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma – Chairman, South-East
- Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang – Chairman, North-Central
- Hon. Minister of Finance, Wale Edun
- Hon. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu
- Special Adviser, NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai
- Special Adviser, Power Minister, Hon. Bolaji Tunji
- MD/CEO Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu
- MD/CEO Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Jennifer Adighije
- Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak
- NEC Secretariat
Politics
ACF Pledges Support For Northern Presidential Candidates Ahead Of 2027 Elections
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its decision to back Northern candidates in the 2027 general elections, citing the urgent need to address the worsening socio-economic and security challenges facing the region.
In a communique issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, the forum expressed deep concern over the economic state of Northern Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, attributing the region’s struggles to flawed governance and poor policy decisions.
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The ACF criticized the Federal Government’s economic policies, describing them as detrimental to the livelihoods of Northern citizens.
According to the communique, signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the policies have compounded the already dire economic conditions in the region.
The statement reads, “Arewa people remain at a great disadvantage, being already worse off economically compared to other parts of Nigeria. While economic reforms are indeed desirable, they should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve. Policies must have a human face.”
The forum noted that the North faces chronic food insecurity, limited educational and vocational opportunities for youth, and a heavy reliance on small-scale economic activities.
“Livelihoods are currently dependent on micro activities. The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now,” the communique emphasized.
The ACF also addressed the pervasive insecurity in the North, warning that the situation has begun to erode public confidence in the government.
“Security is an irreducible minimum of human existence. In this regard, insecurity in its various manifestations remains the most worrisome challenge of Arewa people, that has even started to corrosively undermine the authority of government,” the forum stated.
It condemned the government’s response to the crisis, arguing that the Federal Government has failed to meet its primary duty of safeguarding lives and property.
“That those whose responsibility it is to provide security will be saying they are doing their best is unacceptable,” the communique said. “The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure.”
The ACF faulted what it described as the “flawed leadership selection process” under the Tinubu administration, claiming it has elevated individuals without the requisite competence or experience to key positions.
It urged the Federal Government to “review, reassess, reevaluate, and re-order the direction of its economic policies with a view to giving it the needed human face.”
Looking ahead to the next general elections, the ACF pledged its support for Northern politicians who demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the region’s challenges and fostering national development.
“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic conditions, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters much worse,” the communique stated.