Politics

Court declares Anyanwu as valid PDP National Secretary

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, declared Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as the valid national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, made an order of injunction, restraining the national leadership of the PDP from appointing any person as acting national secretary when Anyanwu’s four-year tenure is still running and subsisting until Dec. 9, 2025, in line with party’s constitution.

Justice Ekwo also declared that any meeting held or resolution reached by the party to prematurely remove or prevent Anyanwu from exercising the powers of his office would be in violation of Article 47 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), hence, becomes null and void and of no effect.

The judge also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “from recognising any purported appointment of any person as national secretary of the party whether in acting capacity or otherwise other than Anyanwu, the elected national secretary of the 1st defendant (PDP).”

The court had, on Nov. 23, 2023, stopped the PDP from removing Anyanwu as national secretary pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

The order followed an ex-parte motion by Dr Joshua Musa, SAN, on behalf of two members of the party; Geoffrey Ihentuge and Apollo’s Godspower.

While Ihentuge is the Ikeduru Local Government chairman of the PDP in Imo, Godspower is the PDP chairman in Owerri Municipal Local Government of the state.

The plaintiffs had sued the PDP; Umar Damagun, party’s acting national chairman; National Executive Committee (NEC); the National Working Committee (NWC) and INEC as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

The plaintiffs, who sought five reliefs, prayed for an order of interim injunction, restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants from carrying out the threat to remove the national secretary (Anyanwu).

This, they said, was in violation of the provisions of Article 47 (1) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

They argued that Anyanwu was duly elected on Dec. 10, 2021, and was entitled to remain in office till Dec. 9, 2025.

They said that an elected national officer of the 1st defendant cannot be arbitrarily removed from office in any manner without his resignation and in breach of the party’s constitution.

But in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants’ counter affidavit, the party’s leadership averred that contrary to the plaintiffs’ argument, Anyanwu applied for leave of absence to enable him concentrate on his election as PDP candidate in the Imo governorship poll which took place on Nov. 11, 2023.

They, therefore, said that contrary to Paragraphs 22 and 23 of the plaintiffs’ affidavit, the NWC approved the deputy national secretary to act in place of the national secretary as provided for in Article 36(2) of the party’s constitution.

Meanwhile, when the matter was called for judgment, two lawyers announced appearance for parties interested to be joined in the suit.

While G.E Ejekela announced appearance for Dr Ali Odefa, the national vice chairman of South East of PDP, P.O. Akpogwu represented Hon S.K.E. Ude-Okoye, who was listed as national secretary of the party.

But plaintiffs’ counsel, Musa, called the attention of the court to Ude-Okoye’s motion for joinder filed on his behalf.

The senior lawyer said though the motion was filed yesterday, he had responded to it.

He, however, faulted the process on the grounds that the exhibits attached to the one served on him were different from the exhibits attached to other parties’.

After much arguments, Akpogwu applied to withdraw the motion for joinder and the plaintiffs’ lawyer sought a cost of N1 million but the judge awarded a N100, 000 fine against the lawyer for filing an untidy process.

Moving his motion for joinder on Odefa’s behalf, Ejekela said the application dated Dec. 22, 2023, was filed on Dec. 27, 2023. He urged the court to grant their prayer.

But Musa, who opposed the plea, said a counter affidavit had been filed.

He argued that the application was an attempt to arrest the judgment, urging the court to dismiss it for constituting an abuse of court process.

Justice Ekwo then stood down the matter for ruling and judgment.

Delivering the ruling, the judge dismissed Odefa’s motion for lack of merit and for being an abuse of court process.

In his judgement, Ekwo held that the plaintiffs had been able to demonstrate, with credible evidence, the threat and move by the PDP leadership to remove its national secretary without due compliance with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

“The court is duty bound to prevent that from happening.

“The plaintiffs do not have to wait until the 1st — 4th defendants carry out their threat before coming to seek redress.

“In such situation, the court is bound to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs,” he said.

Politics

Natasha rejects Senate apology claims, stands firm against intimidation

Embattled Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has strongly refuted reports suggesting that she apologized to the Nigerian Senate over the controversy surrounding her suspension.

In a statement released on Monday, March 24, 2025, the lawmaker described the claims as “false and misleading,” emphasizing her unwavering stance on the matter.

“The reports alleging that I have apologized to the Senate and retracted my position are entirely untrue. I stand firmly by my words and actions. I have not issued any apology to the Senate or anyone regarding this issue,” Akpoti-Uduaghan declared.

The senator criticized those spreading the false narratives, accusing them of deliberately twisting facts to mislead the public.

Suspended for six months following a disagreement with Senate leadership, she reiterated her commitment to defending the rights of her constituents and maintaining her integrity.

“This is not merely about me; it is about safeguarding our democracy’s integrity. I will not be intimidated or forced into submission through false narratives,” she stated, urging the public to disregard misleading reports.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also expressed concerns about a coordinated effort to silence her voice in the National Assembly, reaffirming her dedication to truth and justice despite challenges.

“I urge the public to disregard these rumors and publications as they do not represent my position. My commitment remains to truth, justice, and the people I represent,” she said.

She urged her constituents and Nigerians to remain vigilant against misinformation, emphasizing that any official statement from her would only come from her verified channels.

“I appreciate the support and solidarity of my people. Rest assured, I will continue to fight for what is right and just,” she said.

Politics

Rivers State of Emergency will end as soon as stability is restored- FG

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has assured that President Bola Tinubu will end the state of emergency in Rivers State as soon as stability is restored.

In an interview with The Nation newspaper, Idris stated that Tinubu remains committed to reinstating democratic governance in the state.

“As soon as he assesses that sanity has returned to Rivers State, he will ensure the restoration of all democratic structures in that state,” he said.

He further emphasized the urgency of the situation, adding that “the president will not wait a minute longer than necessary.”

Dismissing speculations about hidden motives behind the emergency declaration, Idris maintained that the decision was made purely in the interest of restoring order.

“The president has no intention whatsoever to take over the governance of Rivers State. He has no intention to be or to appoint a governor for Rivers State,” he said.

According to the minister, the breakdown of governance in Rivers necessitated the president’s intervention. He described the action as “a very responsible but very painful” decision made “in line with constitutional provisions.”

“The way democracy is designed in this country is that the three arms of government must work together, and one will be checking the other,” Idris explained.

“So, we cannot have just the executive functioning and say we have a functional democracy. We didn’t have that, and therefore, the president had to act.”

The emergency rule, declared last week, led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state assembly, with retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas appointed as the sole administrator

Politics

NBA to Tinubu: Restore Fubara back to power immediately, constitution does not recognise an administrator

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has reiterated its call on President Bola Tinubu to restore Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to his elected position as Rivers State governor without further delay.

Last Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and followed it up with the suspension of the elected governor of the state, his deputy and all the members of the House of Assembly over the political crisis rocking the oil-rich state.

The President appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator. Immediately after the move, the NBA released a statement saying the President lacked such powers to suspend democratically elected officials. According to the NBA the removal of Fubara by Tinubu is unconstitutional.

Following up with its earlier statement, the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, insisted that Fubara must be brought back to his position as the governor of Rivers State as the constitution does not recognize a Sole Administrator.

“That is our belief, that is what we expect the president to do, to restore him (Fubara) back to power having unconstitutionally removed him,” Afam Osigwe told Channels Television, Sunday night, March 23 when asked if the president should recall the governor.”

“And that is why we do not recognise that a sole administrator is the rightful person to occupy the government house in Rivers State having been appointed unconstitutionally.

“Even when I saw him taking the oath of office, I was wondering which oath he was taking because he was taking an oath not known to the constitution, the constitution does not recognise an administrator,” he said.

Osigwe pointed out that the problem in Rivers State is being cured with a wrong solution, likening it to one using a sledgehammer on his head because of headache.

He said the measures being taken to address the Rivers problem “are overreaching, extensive, undemocratic and above all, unconstitutional.”

He maintained that the problem in Rivers State is political and only a political solution will bring it to an end.

“I do not believe that it (Section 305) is not explicit, I simply believe that we deliberately refuse to apply it the way it is,” Osigwe said

Osigwe also does not believe that the national assembly approval legitimized the President’s action saying the National Assembly’s approval is like placing something on nothing.