US Election: Kamala Harris calls Donald Trump, concedes defeat
Vice President Kamala Harris publicly conceded the 2024 election to President-elect Donald Trump in a hopeful press conference at her alma mater Howard University on Wednesday.
Category: Politics
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Appeal Court affirms Amaewhule as Speaker of Rivers Assembly
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, affirmed Hon. Martin Amaewhule as the valid Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly. It also validated the Amaewhule-led members of the Assembly as bonafide lawmakers for the state. The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, dismissed an appeal that was lodged before it by Governor Siminalaye Fubara and upheld a judgement the Federal High Court delivered on January 22, which nullified the 2024 budget of Rivers State on the premise that it was not presented before members of the state assembly that were known to the law. According to the appellate court, Fubara, shot himself on the foot when he voluntarily withdrew a counter-affidavit he filed to challenge a legal action the Amaewhule-led lawmakers instituted to be recognised as valid members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The court held that Fubara’s decision to present the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to only four out of 31 members of the Assembly, amounted to a gross violation of section 91 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. It will be recalled that the Rivers State Assembly was fractionalised owing to the frosty relationship between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike. In the heat of the fracas, governor Fubara sidelined the Amaewhule-led 26 members of the House that were loyal to Wike and presented the state’s N800billion 2024 budget before the four lawmakers led by Hon. Edison Ehie who had emerged as a factional Speaker of the Assembly. The Ehie-led faction, which had also declared seats of the Amaewhule-led pro-Wike lawmakers vacant for defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, promptly passed the budget which was quickly assented to by Governor Fubara. Meanwhile, following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, both Fubara and Wike signed a peace pact that included the restoration of Amaewhule as the bonafide Speaker of the State Assembly. Vanguard reports that the factional Speaker, Ehie, who had approached the court and was joined as an interested party in the suit, subsequently withdrew all the processes he filed before the court and equally rescinded both his seat and his membership of the Assembly. Whereas Governor Fubara, in line with terms of the peace deal, withdrew all the processes he filed to challenge the suit, however, the pro-Wike lawmakers only withdrew an impeachment notice they served on him while they declined to terminate their legal action. While deciding the suit, Justice James Omotosho of the high court held that the budget was invalid as it was not properly presented before the Rivers State House of Assembly as required by the law. It held that Governor Fubara acted like a tyrant when he demolished the Rivers State Assembly complex and withheld funds standing to the credit of the legislative house. The court also described as unconstitutional the redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Rivers State Assembly by Governor Fubara. Justice Omotosho stressed that the governor lacked the statutory rights to interfere with the operations of the Assembly, adding that he acted in contempt of a subsisting order that barred the parties from taking any steps to overreach the matter that was pending before the court. Besides, the court held that the National Assembly could not take over the legislative affairs of the state in the absence of the preconditions that were listed under section 11 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Consequently, the court, among other things, nullified all actions the Rivers Assembly took without the participation of the Amaewhule-led members of the House, among which included the presentation of the state appropriation bill. It issued an order of injunction, restraining Governor Fubara from impeding or frustrating the operations of the Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership as its speaker. It ordered the governor to release all funds standing to the credit of the Rivers State House of Assembly. While upholding the verdict of the lower court, the appellate court held that Fubara conceded to the Amaewhule-led lawmakers when he withdrew all the processes he filed against their suit. “A party must be consistent in the presentation of its case. A party cannot approbate and reprobate or blow hot and cold at the same time,” the appellate court held. It held that the orders of the trial court were appropriate given the circumstance of the case, saying the appeal Fubara filed before it amounted to an academic exercise. Accordingly, it ordered Fubara to pay a cost of N500,000 to each of the Respondents in the appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024.
Court affirms Abure as substantive Labour Party Chairman
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday has declared the 2024 Labour Party national convention held in Nnewi in March valid, constitutional and in line with all laid down laws in Nigeria. In a judgement made by Justice Emeka Nwite while delivering the judgement went further to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to grant due recognition and all privileges to the Labour Party’s National Working Committee as led by Barrister Julius Abure.
Yahaya Bello hiding in Kogi’s government house kitchen -Dino Melaye
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in 2023 Kogi State Governorship elections, Senator Dino Melaye has accused former Governor Yahaya Bello of hiding in the state’s government house kitchen to evade arrest by EFCC. An elated Senator, who was reacting to his legal victory after six years, made this revelation on his X handle on Tuesday. Melaye wrote; “After 6 years of legal battle with the Federal Government and IGP on 12 different frivolous cases, just to silence me and drown my voice. “The last of the 12 cases was decided yesterday and I won it just like the other 11 before it. I was humiliated and detained 436 days between 2017 and 2019. “Truth will always remain constant and for me it is a no retreat,no surrender situation. I will continue to speak the truth despite all odds. “In an unjust society, silence is crime. Truth have no volume. “I was humiliated and escaped 4 assassination attempts, to the glory of God, I am here today bouncing and making progress. “No amount of threat, arrest or humiliation will break Dino because if you speak the truth, you will die,if you lie you will die, it is better to speak the truth and die. “Bello, (Yahaya) who instigated these charges is a hunter, who has now become the hunted, hiding inside his successor’s agbada or taking cover in the coven and the oven of Government House kitchen, to escape arrest. “This is what it means to be law-abiding. When your innocence is questioned, be available to prove your innocence. “When you evade common invitation, resist arrest, or refuse to appear in court, you have pronounced yourself guilty! “Truly, the guilty is afraid. “Bello should do the right thing by showing up to explain how N110B moved from the state coffers to his pocket. That is the definition of good citizenship.”
Obasanjo was behind my impeachment -Ladoja reveals
The former Oyo State Governor, Rashidi Ladoja, has revealed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo masterminded his removal from office. In a recent interview on Fresh FM to celebrate his 80th birthday, Ladoja revealed that Obasanjo was the powerful force responsible for his impeachment, contrary to popular belief that it was orchestrated by the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and his then-deputy, late Adebayo Alao-Akala. “You see, some people said it was Akala, it was Adedibu. No, it was not any of them. It was Obasanjo. “It was during the time of Ileya (Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabi). We went to see Baba Obasanjo. I think it was on a Friday or Saturday that we went to see him in Abeokuta. I was there with Oyinlola, Daniel and Agagu. Ladoja said he, along with other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, including Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and Dr. Segun Agagu, had pleaded with Obasanjo in Abeokuta to halt the impeachment plans. This revelation sheds new light on the events surrounding Ladoja’s impeachment in 2006. “We did not call Fayose, because we knew that Fayose was Baba’s son. So they knelt down and I knelt down with them. They were begging him, ‘Baba, please, let Ladoja be.’ “Baba then said ‘Rashidi, go and resign!’ I said ‘No, I won’t resign!’ He said, ‘If you don’t resign, you would be removed’. “I said ‘No, they cannot do it.’ He asked ‘why?’ I said ‘because you cannot get two-thirds. He said ‘two-thirds my foot’ and then he left the place in fury. Daniel ran after him.” Oba Ladoja added: ”While we were reflecting on what we were going to do, myself, Agagu and Oyinlola, a man came in, it was the former World Court Justice Bola Ajibola. “He said ‘what is wrong with you?’’ He said: “I know your problem. Your problem is that you don’t want Ladoja to be impeached. They, Oyinlola, Agagau and Daniel said yes. Justice Ajibola said ‘well, I’ve talked about it to Segun, he’s just adamant. He said ‘but you’re leaders in your own rights. There comes a time when you must have to stand up and fight.” Oba Ladoja maintained: “ Then he told us the story of ‘Jafitafita.’ The story of ‘Jafitafita’ is simple. It is about tortoise and his wife, yannibo.” “I must put it on record that Prince Ajibola did wonderfully for us because he told us exactly what to do and we “jafitafita. When eventually we got the judgement of the Appeal Court. Baba said no. People said this is a declarative judgement, he said they are going to stay its execution. And eventually, it stayed until the Supreme Court confirmed the judgement of the Court of Appeal.” It’s worth noting that Ladoja’s impeachment was a contentious issue, with the Oyo State legislators voting him out of office on January 12, 2006. However, the Appeal Court later declared the impeachment null and illegal, and Ladoja was reinstated on December 7, 2006.
Tinubu receives Edo Gov-Elect, tasks him on development
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has called on the Edo State governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to prioritise the development of his state while assuring him of the full support of the Federal Government and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF). President Tinubu advised on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress party, where the Edo governor-elect and the deputy governor-elect, Rep. Dennis Idahosa, presented their certificates of return. President Tinubu emphasised the importance of good governance and delivering results to the people of Edo State. ‘’Governor-elect, you can now face the task of development. We are here to work with you. You have seen the progressive governors of APC. They are truly progressive. Work with them. Learn the ropes, and I believe you are up to the task,” he said. Acknowledging the challenges of democracy, particularly in emerging economies like Nigeria, the President added, ”You have earned the victory. Democracy is difficult, particularly in emerging democracies and economies like ours. ”If you hear complaints from places like America, you know how difficult it is to navigate democracy. But it remains the best form of government. ” The President congratulated Senator Okpebholo and his deputy and described them as a ”good symbol of people ordained by God to work together.” ”You started as rivals and ended us as partners. You are a symbol of good understanding in politics; the man at our party’s helm has been through it before. ”In Kano, he was a front runner, became a second runner, and became a deputy before he eventually became a governor,” he said. President Tinubu acknowledged the role played by former Edo state governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the progressive governors and the APC leadership in the successful outcome of the gubernatorial election in Edo. ”I saw Adams Oshiomhole radiating in joy… sincerely the governors showed up in Edo, they impressed me. They defended the party. They worked hard for the party,” he remarked. President Tinubu also commended INEC and the security agencies for ensuring a peaceful and organised election, with no reports of violence or disturbances. ”I must thank the security agencies. There was no bloodshed, no riot, people voted and went back to their houses in peace, and the fears dissipated instantly, ” he said. The President urged the party leadership and membership to remain united and focused on achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda. ”Never mind the noise makers. I do a lot of statistical sampling and results. When you hear politicians saying ‘all politics is local’, you must respect that notion. ”When you see the stability in the Edo North senatorial district, we see a man that won the Central senatorial district and a candidate who has won a seat in the south senatorial district; we did a match- which turned out to be a winning match,” he said. President Tinubu also commented on the heavy downpour on Election Day in Edo and the electorate’s commitment to voting in the rain without using an umbrella. ”It is a very punching illustration,” the President said, referring to remarks made by the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Ganduje, about the election-day rains in Edo. In his remarks, Senator Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s national chairman, commended the leadership and support of the President, the governors, and all stakeholders. ”On the day of the election, there was an exciting scenario: it was raining heavily, yet people came out to vote without using an umbrella. Your Excellency, the people were convinced that our party is the party to be voted for, and we won the election, ” he said. The APC National chairman noted that the party’s next focus is securing victories in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ondo and Anambra states. ”The election in Anambra is part of our programme, ‘ Political de-marginalization of Southeast geopolitical zone.’ ”Having only two states in the Southeast as APC is too small for us. We need more states from the Southeast geo-political zone,” he said.
PDP rejects Edo Governorship election results
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the results of the Edo State Governorship election in its entirety. The Party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Illiya Damagun stated this while addressing newsmen in a press conference held on Monday. Damagun claimed the PDP had on several occasions alerted of sinister plot by the APC to subvert the election, the roles allegedly being played by AIG Zone 7, Benneth Igwe and Edo State Commissioner of Police @PoliceNG CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo and the appointment of a known APC apologist and supporter, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). “Several demands by our Party for the redeployment of these officials as well as the release of all arrested PDP members and supporters fell on deaf ears and tend to validate PDP’s suspicion of a top-level conspiracy to rig the Edo State governorship election. “Nigerians and the world watched in horror as the APC-compromised security operatives and thugs unleashed terror, harass, arrest and detain PDP members and supporters, foisted siege mentality on the people and paved the way for APC agents and procured INEC officials to manipulate the ballot process, substitute genuine results from the Polling Units with fictitious figures and transferred the victory clearly won by our candidate, Asue Ighodalo to the defeated APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo. “As Nigerians already know, despite the violence, intimidation and manipulations by the APC, results obtained from the Polling Units show that our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo clearly won the election before the figures were altered at the State collation exercise in favour of the defeated APC candidate.” The PDP therefore unequivocally rejected the final result of the Edo State Governorship election as declared by INEC, saying it doesn’t meet the minimum standard for democracy having not reflected the expressed will and aspiration of the people in line with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines for State Governorship election. The PDP demands that INEC within the time stipulated by Section 65 of the Electoral Act, 2022 review the Edo State governorship election and announce results only as obtained from the genuine votes cast at the Polling Units. The PDP however charged the people of Edo State to remain resolute and undeterred as the Party make moves to retrieve the mandate with legal means.
Peter Obi discredits Edo Gubernatorial election
Labour Party Presidential candidate in 2023 Election, Mr. Peter Obi has expressed dismal at the conduct of the Edo State Governorship election. The former Anambra State Governor believed the electoral process which produces Monday Okpebholo of APC does not express the wish of the Edo indigenes. According to him, “What happened over the weekend in the name of election in Edo State does not in any way represent the democratic process we chose as a method of electing our political leadership. “Instead, it was a blatant example of ‘state capture’ and continued gross undermining of our democratic process and values. “Any nation whose leadership recruitment process is so fatally flawed is doomed, and we are all seeing the effect in our country. “I urge those in authority not to allow this situation to stand, or depend on it to remain in power. “As a country, we have invested significantly in IReV and BVAS, and they must be allowed to function and used properly in order to free our electoral process from the massive falsification that has plagued it and worsening.” Obi also urged the agencies and individuals being used to undermine the democracy simply because they hold positions of authority to remember that their time in office is not eternal. “The society that you are helping to destroy today will eventually take her revenge on you tomorrow. “To the lecturers and others complicit in perpetuating this charade, you must reflect deeply on the roles you are playing in damaging the very foundation of our democracy. “The damage you are causing today will inevitably take revenge on you tomorrow and affect your children in the future. “This kind of action has no place in a true democracy. That is why I have always maintained that today’s politics is not about capturing power, but about saving the country and making it work for everyone, regardless of their background.”