The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP), Delta State Chapter yesterday won the chairmanship position in 24 local government areas ( LGA) in the elections conducted on July 13, 2024.
Affirming the results read by the Returning Officers of each local government, the Chairman of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission ( DSIEC), Dr Jerry Agbaike stated that the PDP claimed victory in 24 local governments of the state while the candidate of the PDP in Udu local government returned unopposed.
He also declared Vincent Oyibode as the Chairman of the Udu local government area after he returned unopposed.
Meanwhile, in Ika South Local Government Area; the returning officer, Mr . Marcus Ugbaja revealed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party ( LP) secured 301 and 442 votes respectively while PDP won the elections securing a total of 75, 124 votes.
The returning officer for Warri North, Mr Imila John certified that PDP won after pulling 18, 128 while APC got 645 votes.
In the same vein, PDP was also declared as the winner of the elections in Warri South by Returning Officer, Faith who disclosed that the party amassed 52,928 votes while its closest rival; APC pulled 2, 538 votes.
Mr. Akpi Innocent, the returning officer of Warri South West declared the PDP winner with 47, 563 votes while APC polled 2, 505 votes.
The returning officer of Sapele LGA; Obigwe Martins certified that PDP amassed 35, 583 votes while APC polled 4,876 votes.
PDP also got a total number of 57, 461 votes while APC scored 2,715 votes as declared by the Returning Officer, Mr Enuagha Richardson.
Meanwhile, the returning officer of Ukwuani LGA, Okuzor Fabian disclosed that PDP secured 23, 500 votes while APC scored 902 votes.
The Returning Officer of Ndokwa West, Engr. Victor Omoniyi certified that PDP scored 27, 596 while APC got 766 votes amongst others.
According to him, ” In 2024, Delta State Local Government Elections, the People’s Democratic Party contested against Accord Party, Action Alliance ( AA), All Progressive Congress ( APC), Labour Party ( LP), Sand Social Democratic Party. PDP also clinched 499 councilorship seats while the Allied People’s Movement claimed one councilorship seat in the election.
Chairman of DSIEC, Mr. Jerry Agbaike presented certificates of return to the 25 CChairman-elect
However, the South/ South Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, Delta State Chapter, Mr Tony Ezeagwu described the electoral process as a joke.
He claimed that several ad-hoc staff of the DSIEC who were operating at the poling units were certified card-carrying members of PDP.
” There was no election because PDP card caring members were used as DSIEC staff for the elections. If you want to talk about election; you should see the resemblance as such.
It is quite unfortunate that we are still wallowing in ignorance. We can match any party but we feel that local government is not worth
We went into the elections to tell Deltans that the Labour Party is still on the ground in the state.
That will be the best thing that will happen to the country; will be for a truly independent body to conduct future elections at the local government level.
Sadly, those who were appointed into the state electoral commission are the stooge of the ruling party” he declared.
The Organised Labour, Abia State chapter on Sunday warned the state government that failure to adhere to and implement the Memorandum of Understanding reached at the meeting by July 28, 2024, “no other notice will be given to the government than to proceed on an indefinite strike.”
The union has once threatened to go on strike on Monday, June 8, 2024, due to the state government’s inability to dialogue with the union over the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage and the N35,000 palliative wage award as approved by the Federal Government since October 2023.
Following the ultimatum, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti met with members of the organised labour in the state with a directive to the state Accountant-General to liaise with the union on their demands, among other issues.
The state’s NLC Chairman, Ogbonnaya Okoro, had alleged that the state government is currently paying N20,100 while workers in the Local Governments receive N18,000 as minimum wage.
However, the governor said that records available to him showed the state is paying N30,000 minimum wage.
Addressing the press on Sunday, July 14, 2024, Okoro warned the state government that failure to adhere to and implement the Memorandum of Understanding, reached at the meeting by July 28, 2024, “no other notice will be given to the government than to proceed on an indefinite strike.”
The details of the agreement he highlighted include the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage and the N35,000 palliative wage award as approved by the Federal Government, payment of severance allowances to Directors and Permanent Secretaries compulsorily retired, payment of current leave allowances, among others.
Also speaking, the state chairman, Trade Union Congress, Ihechi Eneogwe, disclosed that for over one week, organised labour has been discussing with the state government on these issues which the state government must address soonest.
Interview with Prince Eze Madumere, an APC Chieftain and ex-Imo Deputy-Governor under the Rochas Okorocha-administration
Has your party, the APC, done well under this administration to retain the presidential ticket beyond 2027?
Going by the present socio-political and economic realities, APC has not done well even though the ruling party has also done well in some areas of human endeavour. However, I think it will be too early to write off the party because the administration has not even gone half of its present tenure. My appeal is for us to be prayerful and hopeful. I also still feel that the current administration would have by now shown some glimpse of determination to improve the country in certain areas like the persistent insecurity in the country. It should give us some sense of concern that insecurity is escalating in almost every part of the country. Kidnapping and demand for ransoms have been on the spiral increase, the insurgents that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari told Nigerians that it has reduced insecurity dramatically in the Northeast, for example, but it has been on the increase recently with the resumed bomb explosion in Borno State. The food shortage in the country is getting to a crisis level to the point of assuming a serious source of concern to many Nigerians. Foodstuff has since got out of the reach of the rich let alone the less privileged citizens. As I said earlier, the APC government has not done well in certain areas, especially in managing the country economically. However, I want to say that all hopes are not lost; particularly with the window the Federal Government opened for duty-free and tax-free importation of certain food items into the country. It could not have come at a better time than now with the former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, telling Nigerians that there is no foodstuff in the silos across the country. I don’t, however, have any iota of doubt on whether the present administration still possesses the capacity to turn things around within so short a time. Arrangements and machinery are already in motion to redirect the ship. I just want to passionately appeal to Nigerians to exercise little patience.
APC has boasted that it will overrun the Southeast in 2027, how possible can this be?
There is a difference between political realities and mere notice-me noises to be heard for political patronage. We call that lips service. In today’s Nigeria, you win by performance and not by mere binding and casting claims. We have some real performers as governors in the Southeast. If you say we can achieve that by mere rigging that is understandable, but unfortunately unacceptable. Nigerians no longer care about parties, but individuals with track records and visible achievements.
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR AND BOARD CHAIRMAN FOR THE NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY (NPA)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The President has also approved the appointment of Senator Adedayo Adeyeye as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Dr. Dantsoho holds a Doctorate degree in Maritime Technology from Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, and a Master’s degree in International Transport from Cardiff University of Wales, United Kingdom.
Before his appointment, he had served in various roles in the Nigerian Ports Authority as Assistant General Manager; Technical Assistant to the Managing Director; Port Manager, Onne Port; and Principal Manager, Tariff & Billing.
Senator Adeyeye, the Board Chairman, is a seasoned lawyer, journalist, and politician.
He is a former Minister of State for Works and former Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District.
The President expects the new leadership of this pivotal agency to deploy excellence in the discharge of their duties to enable efficient port services and improved industry outcomes.
The Senate, on Thursday, went into an emergency executive session following a heated disagreement over the official sitting time of the Red Chamber, reports The Nigerian Tribune.
The disagreement involved the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and his predecessor, Senator Ahmed Lawan, over the timing of the plenary sessions.
According to the Senate’s rules, the official commencement time is 10 am.
However, it has reportedly become routine for sessions to start much later, often around 11 am or even later, as lawmakers trickle in late.
Traditionally, the Senate adjourns its sittings for the day with plans to reconvene at 11 am the next legislative day, despite the official start time being 10 am.
On Thursday, the Senate sought to formally amend its rules to shift the official sitting time from 10 am to 11 am.
This motion was brought forward by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.
As the Senate moved to deliberate on the amendment, Lawan opposed the proposal.
He challenged Akpabio, arguing that the reason for changing the sitting time—to synchronise with the House of Representatives—was not convincing or “scientific” enough.
He insisted that there were no substantial reasons to shift the sitting time and highlighted that lawmakers were more energetic in the early hours, making a 10 am start more productive.
“The explanation that the change was to enable the Senate to synchronise its sitting time with that of the House of Representatives is not saleable to senators,” Lawan stated.
He added that pushing the sitting time to 11 am would extend the sessions till 3 pm, a time when committees should be actively working.
Akpabio responded, reminding Lawan that the 11 am practice was inherited from Lawan’s 9th Senate.
Lawan, however, refuted this, stating, “No, that is not correct!” Akpabio also clarified that starting at 11 am did not necessarily mean sessions would last until 3 pm, suggesting they could end by 1 pm instead.
Senator Bamidele intervened, explaining that senators often had multiple engagements, including oversight duties and committee assignments, which sometimes kept them working late into the night, making a 10 am resumption challenging.
In a bid to calm the rising tension, Akpabio swiftly called for an executive session to address the issues privately.
Edo: PDP NWC Suspends National Vice Chairman (South South) Chief Dan Orbih …Sets Up Six-Man Investigation Committee
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 588th meeting today, Wednesday, July 10, 2024 considered all issues, including complaints on the activities of the National Vice Chairman (South South) Chief Dan Orbih concerning the September 21, 2024 Governorship election in Edo State
The NWC at the meeting unanimously condemned the embarrassing actions and utterances of Chief Dan Orbih relating to the Edo State Governorship Primary Election of our great Party which actions and utterances are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and the demand of his office as a national officer of the Party.
Consequently, the NWC has set up a six-member committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issue pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Party.
In the meantime, the NWC forthwith suspends Chief Dan Orbih from participating in all meetings, activities and programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation by the Committee.
The NWC acknowledges the support and solidarity of the overwhelming majority of the people of Edo State who are rallying with our Party and Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, whose vision is in tandem with the Will and aspiration of the people for continued massive development of the State on the platform of the PDP.
The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party in Edo State to remain united, focused and continue to work hard for the victory of our Party and Candidate in the September 21, 2024 Governorship election in Edo State.
Nobody is too big to be elected out of office by the people. It will happen & wallahi nothing will happen. So forget all these intimidations flying up and down. Let us be patient.
Even IMF & World Bank no go save una that time. Political strategist una. That one na for Lagos.
I didn't call names o, but due to their guilt, they already know who is being spoken about. Wallahi, none of you will force anyone to support this utter failure of governance disguised as useless, dangerous ethnocentric political strategy.
A former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Takai Shamang has been abducted in his hometown, Biniki, in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Shamang, 78, was also a former President General of the National Union of Electricity and Gas Workers, now National Unctionsion of Electricity Employees between 1982 and 1989.
Confirming the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), his daughter, Mrs Grace Abbin, said her 78-year-old father was abducted at his residence in Biniki, at about 8:00 pm on Friday.
Shamang is the President and Founder of Gantys Aid for Widows, Orphans and Needy Foundation, popularly known as GAWON Foundation.
A video surfaced yesterday of a militant leader named ASABUJA threatening to take over Local Government Councils in Rivers State. He is not staff or an employee of the any of the councils in Rivers state but have been recruited to move from LGA to LGA to unleash crisis in the area. Today, he is boasting of taking over Obio/Akpor Local Government council @PoliceNG @HQNigerianArmy @OfficialDSSNG @NGRPresident @officialABAT
Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara has directed heads of administration in the 23 Local Government Areas to take charge of the councils with effect from Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
This follows the expiration of the tenure of elected chairmen, their deputies, and councilors who were mostly loyal to former governor and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
It will be recalled that members of the House of Assembly whose seats were recently declared vacant by the State High Court following their defection from PDP to APC had vetoed the Governor in amendment of the LG law to extend the tenure of the former council officials by six months.
The Court in declaring the seats of the embattled lawmakers vacant also ruled that all laws and resolutions they made after defecting to APC are null, void and not binding on the State Government.
STATEWIDE BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA, GSSRS
TUESDAY, 18" JUNE, 2024
My fellow Rivers people
1. I come before you today with immense gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support to me and my administration.
2. I urge us all to reflect on the shared sacrifice we have all made to have a peaceful and prosperous Rivers State and indeed Nigeria. It is my wish that we continue to live in peace and harmony as one.
3. Together, we have achieved milestones in different sectors of our economy which includes infrastructure, health, education, workers welfare, improved service delivery, agriculture and social welfare that resonates deeply within our communities.
4. Your dogged and committed support has been the bedrock of progress, and for that, I extend my sincerest thanks.
5. I also wish to acknowledge and commend the dedicated services of the outgoing elected Local Government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councilors who were elected and sworn in three years ago, and whose tenure expired yesterday the 17" of June, 2024, as provided for by the Law.
6. On behalf of the Government and the people of Rives State, I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State.
7. I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavors.
8. As we move forward in making sure that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is upheld, and that law and order is maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people, I hereby direct Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAS) to continue to provide leadership in their respective Local Government Areas.
9. Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAS) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigor and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.
10. 1 assure you, my good people of Rivers State that we shall continue to defend you, provide infrastructural development, sound healthcare delivery, quality education and undiluted welfare service packages for all our people and workers.
11. Once again, I thank you my dear good people of Rivers State, for your steadfast support and dedication to our shared vision of unity,progress and prosperity.
12. Together, we will continue to build a brighter and better future for all.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, John Mayaki, has described the party’s flag bearer in the 21 September governorship election in the State, Senator Monday Okpebholo as a “difficult-to-sell candidate”.
Mayaki who was head of the media team of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign organization in Edo, stated this on Friday while speaking at the 5th edition of the Mayaki’s Roundtable with Friends in the Media.
Speaking on the theme: “Party Supremacy, Competence, and the Future of Edo State”, Mayaki recalled that former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, took a decision to work against his party presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the last general election.
He added that what matters to him now is the development of Edo and not party supremacy.
According to him, “We all know that in party politics, the party is supreme, but what will your reaction be, if presented with a difficult-to-sell candidate for an election?
“As a committed progressive, how will you react when presented with a candidate who has no clear ideology or manifesto, who is likely to set the state back 20 years?
“Lets consider this classical case and a more recent one. The party is supreme but former Governor of Rivers State and now Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike took a decision to work against his party presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the last general election and was proudly appreciated by President Bola Tinubu who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“That simply tells you that even Mr. President who is a core party man appreciates people who went out of their way to support a better and credible candidate to emerge as president, irrespective of party affiliation.”
The former Tinubu/Shettima campaign spokesman in Edo opined that the candidate with the carriage, clout and charisma befitting of a Governor should be voted, irrespective of party affiliation.
He said: “For me therefore, I have made up my mind to commit myself to encouraging my numerous supporters across the state, especially in my local government area, ward, and unit, that they vote for the candidate who will best develop the state, regardless of political affiliation. I mean a man who has the carriage, clout and charisma befitting of a Governor.
“In this governorship election, it will not be about party. It will be about the man who will help us develop this state. That’s the man myself and my supporters will vote for.
“My party at the state level is currently factionalized and fragmented, but that’s not the issue for discussion today. What matters to me now is the development of Edo State and not party supremacy. Who will lead us to the promised land? Who has the capacity, competence, connections, experience, and sincerity to provide the leadership needed to tackle the enormous challenges in governance and take the state out of the woods?
“My candidate is the man we can all trust. The man who has networks and connections both home and abroad. The man with ‘moral’ or ethical reputation, not a novice to governance system. This man is not of the APC stock because irrespective of party supremacy, the future of Edo state is more supreme in my heart. My first commitment is to the state while the party is secondary.”
He, therefore called on Edo people “to embrace the candidate who has demonstrated competence and the ability to govern the state, regardless of party affiliation, in the upcoming September 21st governorship election in Edo State.”
President Bola Tinubu has assured the Organised Labour that a an executive bill on the new national minimum wage for workers will soon be sent to the National Assembly for passage.
Tinubu made this known on Wednesday in his second Democracy Day speech on June 12, 2024.
“In this spirit, we have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with Organised Labour on a new national minimum wage. We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of our law for the next five years or less,” the President said.
COURT FAULTS SECTION 3 OF RIVERS ASSEMBLY SERVICE COMMISSION LAW AS AMENDED BY AMAEWHULE, OTHERS
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday nullified Section 3 of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission Law as amended by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.
The recently amendment law was enacted after the Assembly had vetoed the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
That section 3 had sought to strip the Governor of the constitutional power to appoint the Chairman and Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission.
By the amended law, the Speaker of the Assembly would have the power to appoint the chairman and members of the commission.
But in his ruling, the presiding judge of the court, Justice Mrs Kariba Dagogo Jack, said the amendment law no 3, 2024, was inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, and as such null and void.
The suit was filed by the Association of Legal Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that felt concerned about that significant change.
It was to the effect that the NGO sought the court’s interpretation of the amendment in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
Justice Dagogo-Jack ruled that the amendment violated sections 5, 176, 197, and 198 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The judge clarified that the Nigerian Constitution grants the exclusive right to appoint members of boards, commissions, and institutions, including the States Assembly Service Commission, to the executive governors of the states, which must be confirmed by the States Houses of Assembly.
She said the amendment that shifted the power to constitute the House of Assembly Service Commission to the Speaker, contravene the doctrine of separation of powers which guarantees the right of the various arms of government to operate independently of each other.
The presiding Judge further stated that the Rivers State House of Assembly is not authorized by law to exercise executive powers which includes the constitution of the Rivers State House of Assembly Commission, which is among bodies described in part two of the third schedule of the Constitution whose membership are to be constituted by the Governor.
She described the actions of the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly as an attempt by legislators to usurp the responsibilities of the executive in clear violations to the principle of separation of powers.
Consequently, Justice Dagogo-Jack issued an order striking down section three of the law and imposed a perpetual injunction preventing the enforcement of that section.
The lead counsel for the NGO, Association of Legal Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, Barr. Boma Owunabo, spoke to journalists after the ruling.
He said the suit was instituted in public interest to challenge the usurpation of executive powers by the Amaewhule-led Rivers State Assembly through the amendment.
The crisis in the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party heightened during the stakeholders meeting between the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Chairmen of 17 political parties for the state governorship poll in Benin-City, the state capital.
When it was time for introduction, two people presented themselves as the state Chairman of the party.
First to speak, Mrs Elizabeth Ativie, who introduced herself, thus “I am the Right Honourable Elizabeth Uyimwen Ativie. By the grace of God, I am the youngest and the latest chairman in town, the Chairman of the Labour Party, Edo State.”
Rising swiftly to counter her, Mr Kelly Ogbaloi took the microphone, cleared his voice and said, “I am Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi (KSE), Chairman, Labour Party, Edo State.” The participants roared into laughter.
For both of them, however, there was no time for jokes as the issues which their actions threw up aptly captured the state of things in the party in the state.
Speaking with THEWILL in a brief interview, Mr Ogbaloi said, “I am the substantive Chairman of the Labour Party in Edo State. As far as I am concerned, I am not aware of a change of position in Edo State and I will continue to do my work until such a time that people are back to rectitude to do what is right. That was why I was in INEC.”
Explaining further about the embarrassing display at the INEC meeting, he said he heard “in the air”, that Mrs Ativie was appointed by the suspended National Chairman of the Party, Julius Abure, even though he was not formally informed. “But I doubt if he has the legitimacy to make such an appointment after he and his exco had been suspended by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. A party is a corporate entity and such appointments are not made without procedure. That is why I have refrained from making any formal statement of the matter. The party ought to be talking of holding a congress and not appointing a committee, but we agree that congress can be put on hold because it is going to be held in Edo State, which we all need to face.”
Efforts to get Ativie, ex-Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, failed as she could not be reached.
Recall that following the ratification of the suspension of Julius Abure from membership of the Labour Party by the Edo State chapter of the party, the Abdulwaheed Omar-led National Transition Committee (NTC) of the party has advised the suspended national chairman, Julius Abure, to keep off and stay away from the activities of the party in Edo State and elsewhere in the country.
According to the Chairman of the NTC’s sub-committee on Media and Publicity, Comrade Tony Akeni, the committee cautioned Abure and those the NTC referred to as the “Nnewi Gang,” who claim “to have been re-elected to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at the disputed Nnewi Convention, to keep off the party’s activities in Edo and Ondo States, as well as other parts of the country.”
The NTC had since declared that the national convention orchestrated by Julius Abure at Nnewi by what it described as a “fragment of questionable hangers of Abure”, was “a phantom charade and does not hold any legitimacy whatsoever.”
The NTC stated that Julius Abure had been suspended by the ward executive of Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, in Esan North East Local Government Area of the state through a letter dated May 14, 2024, an action which was further ratified by the state executive council in another letter dated May 24, 2024, and signed by the state chapter chairman, Mr. Kelly Ogbaloi, and secretary of the state chapter, Mr. Frederick Akhere.
Both letters were submitted to INEC and the party’s national headquarters on Monday May 27, 2024 by leaders and supporters of the party who stormed the federal capital territory for the purpose.
On the structure of the Edo State chapter of the party, Comrade Tony Akeni noted that any purported dissolution of the party’s executive council leadership in Edo state is a “figment of Abure’s imagination, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
The sub-committee chair stated: “The Nigerian public, especially our party’s teeming supporters in Edo State, should note that Abure’s suspension was appropriately ratified by all tiers of our party’s structure in the state, from the ward and local to state executive councils. The ward’s suspension dated Wednesday May 14, 2024 was confirmed at a meeting of the state executive council held on Friday, May 17 in Benin City,” the NTC said.
The Labour Party NTC said it is committed “to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the party operates in accordance with its constitution. Any individual or group attempting to disrupt the party’s activities will face appropriate sanctions in due course. Let dissidents working with the suspended Abure therefore not test our magnanimity of patience and the whiplash of the long rope they are tramping on.”
“We hereby advise the suspended former national chairman of our party, Julius Abure, to desist from parading himself as a member of Labour Party or undertaking activities that undermine the labours of our authentic party leaders in Edo state and our party’s candidate in the forthcoming governorship election. We recognise and uphold his suspension by the executive committee of his Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo state and ratification of his suspension by the LGA and state executive councils.
“The Labour Party upholds the principles of transparency, accountability and adherence to its constitution. As things stand today, by virtue of his suspension as ratified by all constitutional strata of our party, Julius Abure is not a member of the Labour Party. Not even an ordinary member. Any individual who has been suspended by the party’s executive committee must respect the decision and refrain from engaging in any activity on behalf of the party as it is fraudulent and criminal to do so.
“Julius Abure is hereby advised to comply with his suspension.We call on the able leadership of Bishop Samuel Omede and other strata leaders of our Edo State chapter of Labour Party, from the wards to state level, to focus on the forthcoming governorship election and deliver the candidate of our party, Barrister Olumide Akpata.
“Our party leaders, stakeholders and genuine Obidients in Edo must make sure that Abure’s divisive expeditions and distractions are overcome to enable our party win Edo State and win the governorship election decisively,” the NTC stated.
THEWILL recalls that the Julius Abure-led national leadership of the party, on Monday, May 27, dissolved the Kelly Ogbaloi-led exco in the state and swore in a caretaker committee headed by Mrs. Ativie.
Abure’s excuse was that the tenure of the dissolved exco had since expired in the month of April 2024. But before Ativie’s committee came on board, Kelly Ogbaloi-led exco endorsed the suspension of Barr. Julius Abure as National Chairman of the Labour Party.
House of Reps adopts motion to admit President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, former Heads of State, Senate President, Senators and other dignitaries into the Green chamber for a joint session
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other senators ushered into the Green Chamber for the Joint Session to commemorate 25 years of unbroken democracy. Joint session to be called to order soon
So, if I were a teacher and I have to score this regime after one year, I would have dissolved the class because there is nothimg to score.
I will take it as my responsibility to inform the authorities that for one year, we learnt nothing. Inflation has gone to almost a percentage it has never been seen before, unemployment has become a major problem, insecurity got worse in the last one year and then the minimum wage.
The Nigerian Army wishes to provide latest update on the recent unfortunate event involving an unprovoked attack by unidentified hoodlums on Nigerian Army personnel at Banex Plaza, Wuse, Abuja, which occurred on Saturday 18 May 2024, leading to the closure of the Plaza on Sunday 19 May 2024.
In response to this incident, a high-level meeting was convened in the Office of the National Security Adviser including the Principal General Staff Officer to the NSA, Commissioner of Police FCT, the FCT Director of the Department of State Services, the Leadership and Management of Banex Plaza, a Representative from the Directorate of Abuja Environmental Protection Board, and the National Chairman of the Mobile Phone Traders Association. The primary objective of this meeting was to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the continued security of the Federal Capital Territory.
The following resolutions were agreed upon: a. Immediate reopening of Banex Plaza: Banex Plaza will be reopened immediately to the public.
b. Closure of Shop C93: The leadership of Banex Plaza is instructed to lock up Shop C93 with immediate effect.
c. Arrest of Perpetrators: The owners of the shop who orchestrated the mob attack on the soldiers are to be arrested and handed over to the Nigerian Police.
d. Vigilance by Market Leaders: Market leaders are to remain vigilant and report any remaining perpetrators to the authorities.
Furthermore, the two individuals already arrested have been handed over to the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police for further action.
The Nigerian Army will also thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of its personnel at the plaza and the subsequent attack.
It must be reiterated that acts of violence against military personnel are not only condemnable but also pose a significant threat to national security and public order. We therefore urge members of the public to exercise caution and restraint when interacting with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform. There are established channels for reporting grievances or misconduct by personnel to the appropriate authorities. It is imperative that these channels are utilized to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect our nation.
The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and will continue to work diligently to prevent such incidents in the future.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU Major General Director Army Public Relations 27 May 2024
The entertainment industry has lost another top Nollywood player with the demise of one of its leading directors, Reginald Ebere.
Veteran entertainer and actor, Segun Arinze broke the news on Nollywood Giants, a WhatsApp platform created for notable Nigerian entertainers on Sunday, where he lamented the painful loss of Ebere.
National Secretary of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Perekeme Odon also confirmed the sad news.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our dear brother and colleague, Mr. Reginald Ebere,” Odon said while announcing the passing of the director.
The statement said details about his burial would be forwarded on the platform.
Ebere’s colleagues have been paying tributes on the deceased.
*POSTPONEMENT OF THE INAUGURATION AND RETREAT FOR MEMBERSHIP OF GOVERNING COUNCILS OF FEDERAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS*
The Federal Ministry of Education regrets to announce the postponement of the Inauguration and Retreat for Pro-Chancellors, Chairmen and Members of Governing Councils of Federal Tertiary Institutions, earlier scheduled for Thursday, 30th and Friday, 31st May 2024.
This is as a result of the Presidential directive, as conveyed by the State House Press Release dated 23rd May 2024, for a comprehensive review of the membership of the Governing Councils of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.
We regret any inconveniences this may cause.
Further updates will be communicated in due course.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Folasade Boriowo Director (Press & PR) Ministry of Education
There is currently heavy presence of security at Government House, Kano, amid the ongoing royal tussle.
The security operatives manned strategic places, though they did not restrict movement in and out of the facility.
Our correspondent observed that the Chief Security Officer to the governor was visibly disturbed as he moved about, declining comments.
Top security operatives who earlier met with the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, are currently inside the government house holding another meeting.
Meanwhile, Governor Abba Yusuf who accompanied Emir Muhammadu Sanusi to the palace earlier on Saturday is still there.
Daily Trust correspondent saw his convoy inside the palace some moments ago.
Yusuf had earlier asked the police to arrest Ado Bayero for “creating tension”, but the police vowed to obey the court order against Sanusi’s reinstatement.
A Federal High Court in Kano on Thursday issued an ex-parte order restraining Governor Abba Yusuf from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Justice Mohammed Liman who gave the order also halted the implementation of the new law that abolished the four emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.
But while issuing a reappointment letter to Sanusi on Friday, Governor Abba Yusuf faulted the order, saying the judge issued it from the United States.
The governor had vowed to report the judge whom he accused of abusing his office. Emir Sanusi later led Jumat prayers at Government House before moving to the palace.
But few hours after Sanusi entered the palace, Ado Bayero arrived the state and settled into a mini-palace.
He was later given military protection.
Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, Deputy Governor of Kano, had accused the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, of facilitating the return of the dethroned Emir.
Gwarzo, in a short video interview at Emir’s palace in Gidan Rumfa, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, is holding forth, alleged that the NSA released two jets to bring Ado Bayero to Kano
He had said, “The National Security Adviser gave two jets to bring the dethroned emir to Kano and to bring him to the place. We don’t understood their intention.”
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has asked the Emirs who were removed following the return of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano to leave the palaces within the next 48 hours.
Five emirs appointed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje are the ones mainly affected by the order.
Ganduje had split Kano emirate into five and appointed an emir for each.
Among the newly created Emirates were Karaye, Gaya, Bichi and Rano.
But the Kano House of Assembly controlled by the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) had repealed the law which Ganduje used to make the changes.
The lawmakers had transmitted their bill to Governor Yusuf who signed it into law on Thursday evening.
Addressing a media briefing after signing the law, Governor Yusuf directed the sacked monarchs to vacate official residences and palaces and hand over to the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs within two days.
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