Politics

Court stops suit seeking to void Akpata as Edo LP candidate

Nigerian govt should stop paying lip service to education strikes —NBA

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to void the nomination of Olumide Akpata as the candidate of the Labour Party in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

In a judgement, Justice Omotosho upheld the arguments by Akpata’s lawyer, Johnson Usman, (SAN) that the plaintiffs were without the legal right to institute the suit.

The suit was filed by Anderson Asemota, Monday Mawah, a deputy governorship candidate, and Lamidi Apapa, listed as acting national chairman of the Labour Party.

Listed as defendants were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Olumide Akpata and the Labour Party.

Justice Omotosho held that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to have approached the court on the issue because they did not participate in the February 23, 2024 primary of the party from which Akpata emerged as the party’s candidate.

The judge also found that the issue was about the nomination of a candidate, which forms part of the internal affairs of a political party.

He held that it is the party that determines who its candidate is, and proceeded to hold that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suit.

The judge further held that even if the court was to assume jurisdiction, the suit itself lacked merit.

Justice Omotosho noted that contrary to the plaintiffs’ arguments, the Court of Appeal nullified the orders made by a high court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) including the order restraining Julius Abure-led leadership of the party.

The judge said, “This means that the third plaintiff (Apapa) and those who were in acting capacity with him immediately had all their decisions nullified and non-existent.

“Thus, any letter written by the said acting executives, or any decisions including the purported consensus primary election which produced the 1st plaintiff (Asemota) are all non-existent, void and of no effect whatsoever.

“It is a trite principle of law that you cannot put something on nothing and expect same to stand.

“The entire foundation upon which the plaintiffs claim rests has been thoroughly demolished by the decision of the Court of Appeal.

“The argument that the decision of the high court of the FCT was valid as at when the primary election was conducted may be true to some extent especially if the Court of Appeal had yet to hand down its judgment.

“The judgment, however, destroys this argument and ensures that the first plaintiff for all intents and purposes cannot be deemed to be a candidate who emerged from a valid primary election.

“Thus the 1st plaintiff cannot claim that his name should be accepted by the ist defendant as candidate of the 3rd defendant for the governorship elections in Edo state in 2024,” Justice Omotosho said.

The plaintiffs had prayed the court to among others, order INEC to publish Asemota’s name as the winner of the Edo Labour Party Governorship Primary Election, having emerged as the consensus candidate and winner of the February 22 primary conducted by the primary election committee set up by the party’s national working committee (NWC) under Apapa’s leadership.

Politics

Ekiti North stakeholders plan grand endorsement rally for Gov Oyebanji

Ekiti North stakeholders plan grand endorsement rally for Gov Oyebanji
Stakeholders across the five local government areas of Ekiti North Senatorial District — Ido/Osi, Ilejemeje, Ikole, Moba, and Oye — are set to hold a Grand Endorsement Rally in honour of the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), and his deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Aduye, to add their voice to the growing call for his return to office for a second term.

According to a release by the planning committee, the rally is scheduled for 10.00am on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Event Arcade, Akinlade Estate, Olojudo Road, Ido-Ekiti.

Themed “One Ekiti North! One Voice! One Agenda! BAO Again!!!”, the event represents a powerful, collective affirmation of support for Governor Oyebanji’s sterling leadership and impressive developmental strides across the state.

The decision to endorse the Governor and his deputy follows extensive consultations and careful consideration by stakeholders across all segments of Ekiti North.

The consensus is unambiguous: Governor Oyebanji is not only fulfilling his promises, but has exhibited exemplary integrity, proven competence, and a compassionate, people-first approach to governance.

His inclusive style, pragmatic reforms, and relentless commitment to infrastructure, public service delivery, and human capital development have earned him widespread admiration and trust.

The rally will convene a broad-based coalition of political leaders, youth and women’s groups, professionals, artisans, the traditional institution, and civil society actors — all united by a common belief in the Governor’s transformative record and forward-looking vision for Ekiti State.

At the heart of the endorsement lies a triad of values that define the Ekiti North identity:

United – Our strength lies in our solidarity. Across wards, communities, generations, and political affiliations, we stand as one people with a shared destiny.

Progressive – We are forward-looking, committed to bold ideas and sustainable development that uplift every member of our community.

Principled – We are guided by values. Integrity, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to service form the core of our political culture.

“Governor Oyebanji embodies the spirit of selfless service and transformational leadership that our people deeply respect. Ekiti North is not only endorsing him — we are reaffirming our confidence in a leader who represents the very best of our aspirations.”

Stakeholders emphasize that the rally is more than a political gathering — it is a civic declaration of trust, unity, and a shared vision for the future of Ekiti.

Politics

Reps in closed-door meeting with Rivers Sole Administrator, Ibas

Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, is currently meeting with the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Rivers State.

The meeting is holding after several postponements.

The meeting signals the lawmakers’ decision to exercise their constitutional right to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Speaking at the meeting, Ibas apologised for not attending the previous meeting and requested for additional time to prepare to brief the committee.

Ibas said he is still settling down in his new role and appealed for the understanding of the committee.

Following his plea to the committee, journalists were then excused and the meeting went into a closed door session.

President Bola Tinubu had appointed Ibas as Sole Administrator after declaring an emergency rule in Rivers State.

Ibas’ appointment followed Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Sim Fubara in line with the emergency rule proclamation.

Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike have been at loggerheads over the political structure in the state.

The face-off led to Tinubu suspending Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state House of Assembly.

Politics

Defection is a new dawn in Delta – Ned Nwoko

Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC -Delta) has described the the defection of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a new dawn in the political history of the state.

Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Crude Oil theft, gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja, in his reaction to the defection of the Delta Governor.

He noted that it was a new dawn also for the realisation of the much desired Anioma state.

According to him, with the Delta governor’s defection to the APC, a significant chapter in our nation’s political history is being rewritten.

“This moment is not just about shifting allegiances, it is about the bold possibilities now within reach.

“For the first time in decades, we have a real chance to restructure Nigeria’s federating units through constitutionally backed reforms that serve justice, equity, and true federalism

“It now behoves on you to rise to this historic moment. The past must not be carried into the future.

“Old habits, old politics, and the old deals that led to the gradual decline of the PDP in Delta must be left behind.”

He said that Oborevwori, as governor leading the charge among five PDP governors now aligning with the APC, he has stepped into a party re-energised and focused.

According to him, this a party that has begun laying the groundwork for bold constitutional amendments, chief among which is the creation of two new viable states; Anioma and New Delta.

“Let me remind you, this agenda was declared a done deal by the party leadership long before your defection, a testament to the APC’s commitment to correcting historical imbalances and ending regional marginalisation.

“Your defection must not be symbolic, it must be transformative.

”This is your opportunity to embrace a new sense of purpose and demonstrate renewed dedication to progressive governance, fairness, and inclusive development. It is time to right the wrongs of the past.”

The lawmaker added that the creation of Anioma State would finally give voice, identity, and institutional power to the aspirations of Delta North.

He said that the proposed New Delta will address the communities, bring government closer to the people, and unlock new paths for economic growth.

“For the first time, the APC is armed with the numbers to amend the constitution. This time, we can fulfill these promises without demanding painful tradeoffs from the South.

“We are not lobbying from a place of weakness, we are standing firmly in a position of strength.

“These changes are more than political. They are economic necessities. They are about focused governance, better infrastructure, increased federal allocation, and grassroots democracy.

”Two new states will mean two new engines of development,” he said.

Nwoko noted that the realignment must mean responsibility.

“This is the golden hour for the South, and especially for Delta. Your move to the APC must be anchored in vision. Embrace the party’s progressive agenda.

”Lead the charge for constitutional reform. Leave behind the politics of survival and step into the politics of legacy,” he added.

Nwoko said that the governors alignment with the President and the Renewed Hope Agenda would ensure that a New Delta and Anioma is not left behind.

He added that the state would also benefits from the vast opportunities available at the centre.