Politics

APC Has No Senatorial Candidate In Yobe North, Akwa Ibom North West – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the All Progressives Congress (APC) has no candidate for Yobe North and Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial Districts.

Senate President Ahmed Lawan, who represents Yobe North is battling to get the party’s ticket after losing the APC presidential primary. On the other hand, a former Akwa Ibom governor Godswill Akpabio is also in a tussle to get the ruling party’s ticket to run for the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial seat. Akpabio also vied for the APC presidential race.

But INEC’s National Commissioner, Festus Okoye said the electoral body does not recognise any APC candidate for both senatorial zones.

“In these two constituencies, two names were forwarded and the commission made a determination that the names were not persons who emerged from a validly conducted party primaries and we did not publish their names. That is where we are,” Okoye said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

“Their (Lawan and Akpabio) names were uploaded by the APC to our candidates’ nomination portal but the Commission made a determination that they were not the candidates that emerged from valid party primaries,” he added.

“The commission did not publish their names and their particulars in their constituencies. So, the implication is that as of today, the APC does not have candidates in those two constituencies.”

Last week, INEC denied doctoring and backdating documents to accommodate the nominations of Lawan and Akpabio as senatorial candidates for the 2023 general elections.

“The Forms of the two personalities in question were not published by the Commission,” INEC said.

“The decision of the Commission triggered legal action which is still ongoing.

“It, therefore, defies logic and common sense to go around and submit doctored documents purportedly recognising the duo as candidates when the matter is clearly sub-judice.”

Politics

Senate President assures Nigerian workers of ‘better days ahead’

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has assured Nigerian workers that the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government would work collaboratively to give them a living wage and better working conditions.

The Senate President gave the assurance in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh to congratulate the workers as they commemorate the 2024 May Day.

Akpabio extolled the sterling qualities that stood out the Nigerian worker saying “A Nigerian worker is noted for his patriotism, hard work, resilience, and dedication to duty.

“I am happy to be associated with the Nigerian worker in the last more than 25 years and I can attest to the fact that everywhere you go, the Nigerian worker’s spirit resonates profoundly”.

Speaking on this year’s theme for Workers Day, “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate,” Akpabio promised that the National Assembly under his leadership was more than committed to ensuring the best working conditions for the Nigerian worker adding that, “No Nigerian worker will again be allowed to work under inhuman conditions. We will do everything to give you the best because you deserve the best”

The Senate President reiterated that the theme for this year’s celebration was apt and in tune with the international best practices assuring that Nigeria will never be left behind.

According to him, the 10th National Assembly was fully committed to providing the required legislative enablement aimed at protecting the interest of the Nigerian worker, creating a befitting workplace environment and a pay that takes them home.

“On behalf of the Senate and the entire National Assembly and indeed, my family, I wish to join the world in wishing the Nigerian worker a happy International Labour Day.

“We are celebrating patriotism, hard work, commitment and dedication. And I want to assure you that your sacrifices can never go in vain. The tough times will never last forever and in fact, they will soon be over,” he said.

Politics

Kano court fixes May 27 for hearing of 3 applications on Ganduje’s suspension

Kano High Court sitting at Audu Bako secretariat has fixed May 27, 2024, for the commencement of the hearing of three applications in the case of the suspension of the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The Court presided over by Justice Usman Malam Na’abba after listening to counsels from both parties involved set the date for the hearing.

The applications are preliminary objection, joinder application, and challenge of the jurisdiction of the court to entertain and hear the matter.
The applicants, Haladu Gwanjo and Laminu Sani Barguma through their counsel, Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad filed a motion exparte with 13 paragraph affidavit dated April 16 sworn by the second applicant.

The applicants are seeking for the Court to determine an order of interim injunction on Ganduje’s suspension.

The court had on 17th April granted an order directing parties to maintain status quo as at the 15th day of April, 2024, in relation to the suspension of the fourth respondent from the first respondent by the Ganduje Ward executive committee restraining the respondents whether by themselves, servants, agents, privies from taking any step contrary to the decision of the executive committee of Ganduje Ward which suspends the fourth respondent from the first respondent political party pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

At the resumed hearing , counsel to the applicant, Ibrahim Sa’ad, said they were served with the counter affidavit by the respondent this morning in court.

He asked for another date to enable them respond to the application.

Counsel to the first, second and third respondents did not object to the request made by the counsel to the applicant for a new date to be given.

“We have filed and served all parties our motion dated April 24 challenging the jurisdiction this Court to entertain this matter,” he said.

Counsel to the fourth respondent, Lydia Oyewo, did not also object the new date but told the court that her client was not served with the court processes.

“We have not been served with the processes of the Court. The plaintiff is in contempt of the court because they have failed with the order of the Court directing him to serve all the defendants in the matter.”

“Particularly, we are appearing out of respect to the court. Our client has not been served so we could not file any processes before the Court,” he stated.

He added that, “however, we have been unable to compile and transmit record. In essence, the court of appeal is not yet seized with the jurisdiction for the matter and then for this court to determine and continue with the matter pending when we did the needful.

“This is an intra party matter and the court has held severally to even to the apex court that the court does not have jurisdiction to hear and determine intra party matters that has to do with leadership, membership and discipline of members.”

On their part, parties seeking to be joined led by Barrister S. U Jibril informed the Court of their position in joining the matter.

After listening to both counsels, Justice Usman Malam Na’abba fixed 27 May to enable both parties to serve their processes and for hearing of the three applications.

Politics

Ebonyi assembly passes bill for establishment, deregulation of correctional service

Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a bill into law for the establishment and regulation of the Correctional Service.

The bill inculcates effective management of offenders, promotion of reformation, rehabilitation, reintegration and public safety.

The passage of the bill took place at the Legislative Complex, Abakaliki after extensive deliberations on the bill by the members.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa said the bill was in tandem with the Governor Francis Nwifuru’s People’s Charter of Needs manifesto which placed high premium on the welfare and core needs of the people.

He expressed happiness over the unanimous and speedy passage the House members accorded the bill and maintained that offenders who have turned a new leaf in the correctional centre could be rehabilitated to become responsible members of the state.

Earlier, the Leader of the House, Hon. Kingsley Ikoro said the bill provided for the administration of custodial and non-custodial services in the State.

He emphasized that some of the inmates were innocent of the crimes being accused of and expressed the hopes that their proper rehabilitation and integration into the society would aid productive input to the labour market of the state.

Other members who spoke in favour of the speedy passage of the bill include the member representing Ishielu South, Hon. Arinze Lucas Chukwu, the representative of Ivo, Hon. Onyebuchi Ogbadu and his Ezza South State Constituency counterpart, Hon Friday Ogbuewu.

They commended the Governor, Francis Nwifuru for always prioritizing the interest of the people in his agenda.

There was also a motion for the immediate rehabilitation of a portion of entrance road leading to the Chief Judge of State and the Speaker’s quarters.

The motion was moved by Hon. Abiri Godwin Abiri representing Izzi West Constituency and was seconded by Hon. Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali representing Afikpo North East.