Category: Featured

• Tension in states over slots

• Parties moderate struggle for positions

The battle for senatorial tickets ahead of next year’s elections has pitted governors against senators nursing re-election in many states.

The governors, who belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are completing their second terms on May 29, next year.

While some senators have decided to halt their aspirations to give the governors a leeway, others have resolved to slug it out with them at the primaries.

There is tension between some governors and senators, based on the fact that the governors may muscle them out because they control the party machinery and the majority of delegates.

The pattern of struggle, intrigues and resentment appears the same across the states.

In Niger State, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, who has unfolded his ambition for the senatorial ticket on the platform of APC in Niger North District, will be locking horns at the shadow poll with Senator Sabi Abdullahi, who was rejected in the 2019 elections.

In Taraba State, Governor Ishiaku Darius, a PDP chieftain, was challenging Senator Emmanuel Bwacha for the Taraba South ticket.

However, a few weeks ago, Bwacha defected to the APC to seek the governorship ticket.

In Kebbi, sources said the Progressives Governors Forum, Governor Atiku Bagudu, is eyeing the senatorial ticket in the Central District.

His opponent is the former governor and one-time Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Adamu Aliero, who has spent two terms in the Senate.

Bagudu’s counterpart in Jigawa State, Abubakar Badaru, who was initially nursing a vice-presidential aspiration should Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi pick the ticket, is consulting on whether he should pitch his tent with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is running for president, or obtain a senatorial form.

Until recently, the Enugu North PDP senatorial ticket was a bone of contention between Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Senator Chukwuka Utazi, who was re-elected to the Senate in the last general election.

A frosty relationship had developed between the two politicians over the slot.

However, a few weeks ago, Utazi told party leaders that he had stepped down for the governor.

In Plateau State, Governor Simon Lalong is battling Senator Nora Daduut for the Plateau South ticket.

The governor had nominated the woman professor as a candidate for the by-election following the demise of Senator Ignatius Longjam.

In Abia South, the coast appears clear for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to pick the South senatorial ticket as Senator Eyinnanya Abaribe has opted for the governorship ticket.

A source said the governor may be the lone contestant at the primary.

In Benue State, Governor Sam Orton is squaring up with Senator Orkel Jev in Benue Northwest, also known as Zone B.

But, a source said Jev is likely to withdraw from the race.

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has unfolded his senatorial ambition in Delta North on the platform of the PDP.

Following his declaration, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, who is also nursing an ambition to retain his seat in the Upper Chamber, has defected to the APC to realise his aspiration.

By Joseph Jibueze, Deputy News Editor

The All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership has received a petition which seeks to disqualify Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, from participating in the forthcoming governorship primaries.

The petition alleges that there are discrepancies in his Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) forms CF001 submitted in 2015 and 2019.

The April 12 petition also alleges that the governor was convicted for an offence in 1986.

The petitioners add that he bears Shawn Michael Davis in addition to Dapo Abiodun.

But the governor, in a letter to the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, through his lawyers Afe Babalola & Co, urged the party to disregard a petition.

The law firm, in an April 19 letter to Adamu, described the petition as full of spurious and unfounded allegations meant to mislead the party into disqualifying the governor from participating in the 2023 gubernatorial election.

The law chamber said that the petition was not served on the governor, which “was a deliberate move to deprive him of the opportunity to set the records straight and knowing full well that the petition was characterised by falsehood and malice”.

Abiodun claimed the petition was nothing more than the machinations of political jobbers and saboteurs sponsored by desperate opposition elements to disrupt the peaceful political atmosphere in Ogun, spread rumours/propaganda about him and mislead the APC.

He said the petitioner relied on “hearsays”, urging Senator Adamu and APC national leadership to disregard them.

According to Afe Babalola & Co, the allegation of discrepancies in Abiodun’s INEC Form CF001 for 2015 and 2019 is statute-barred.

The firm argued that the allegation can only form the basis of a cause of action in court 14 days from the day the governor filed and deposed to the forms.

It further stated that the alleged contradiction in the two INEC forms cannot be used to determine the eligibility of the governor to contest the next governorship election.

The law firm recalled that cases were filed in court and petitions filed at the Governorship Election Tribunal seeking to disqualify the governor based on allegations of falsehood and inconsistency in the two INEC Forms.

It said the Supreme Court affirmed the decisions of both the tribunal and courts that the allegations were status-barred and that the forms did not contain any false statement.

On the allegation that the governor was convicted for an offence in 1986, the chamber said the petitioner failed to attach any judgment to prove it.

The firm also denied the allegation that the governor has a former name, saying he has no other name other than Prince Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun.

“His name is reflected in all his certificates and other former documents. We urge Your Excellency to disregard the petitioner’s unfounded allegation,” the firm pointed out.

The law firm added: “Your Excellency, it is not in doubt that all the allegations in the petition relating to our client’s Forms CF001 for 2015 and 2019 are baseless and unfounded.

“As shown above, the High Court of the FCT, Governorship Election Tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court have all held that the said allegations are unfounded and status-barred so that there would be no basis for disqualifying our client.

“Our client has been adjudged by the Tribunal and courts to be eminently qualified to contest the 2019 Ogun State gubernatorial election, which he won a landslide.

“Since, as of today, the courts have held that our client is qualified under the 1999 Constitution, the party cannot impose additional grounds for disqualification on him.

“Also, the APC Constitution and guidelines for the conduct of primary elections cannot override the CFRN.

“Therefore, the party has no vires to prevent our client from contesting any election under its banner.

“As rightly admitted by the petitioner, only a court of law can disqualify our client. The party cannot disqualify him or prevent him from contesting in the party’s primary election.

“Your Excellency, our client is ready and willing to, at the screening stage for the party’s primary election, present his credentials and relevant document (including his primary school certificate, which has been alleged to be nonexistent) to establish his eligibility to contest in the upcoming 2023 governorship election in Ogun State.

“Therefore, we urge the party not to be distracted or misled by unfounded allegations aimed at preventing the party from presenting our client, who is the best candidate for the 2023 gubernatorial election, as the party’s flag bearer.

“We also urge the party not to give credence to any rumour which may scuttle the party’s chances in the said election.

“Finally, we pray that the petition should be disregarded as it is fraught with falsehood, speculation, inaccuracies.”

The letter was said to have been received at the APC National Secretariat by Ambassador Samuel Jimba on April 26.

By Bolaji Ogundele and Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

Ministers who have unfolded presidential ambitions ahead of next year’s election yesterday said they will not resign their membership of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

While Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Chris Ngige said he has not received any instruction to resign from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Minister of State for Education Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba said the constitution permits aspirants to resign only 30 days to the poll.

But, at the state level, more appointees have continued to tender their resignation, following their declaration of intention to run for political offices.

In Sokoto State, Deputy Governor Manir Dan’Iya, who has declared his interest to succeed Governor Aminu Tambuwal resigned yesterday as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, along with the Secretary to the State Governor, Chief of Staff and 11commissioners.

The ruling party was said to have issued new guidelines for the conduct primaries, to determine candidates for the various elective positions.

Section 3(i) of the APC guidelines for the nomination of candidates for the 2023 general elections says “no political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for the purpose of the nomination of candidates.

“Any political office holder interested in contesting for an elective office shall leave office 30 days, prior to the date of election or party primary for the office sought.”

However, speaking to some correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Ngige denied knowledge of the directives that aspirants should resign ahead of the May 30 presidential primary.

The minister, who maintained that his decision not to resign is in line with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, adding that the March 18 judgement of the Federal High Court in Umuahia, struck out Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act.

Asked when he will resign in line with his party directives, Ngige said: “I don’t know about that. I’m hearing for the first time from you. But like I always say, I’ll be guided by the letters and spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You are pushing me into something that is not necessary to discuss, because that aspect of the law, enacted by the National Assembly, via the Electoral Act, that Section 84(12) has been struck down by a court of law and the cases are on appeal. And for now, no matter how bad the judgement is, that’s the maximum jurisprudence. No matter how bad the law is, it is a judgement of court. It should be obeyed, until upturned or stayed.

“But there is no stay, there’s no atonement of that particular pronouncement, and the party is on appeal. So, the judgement is still subsisting. That aspect of the law was injurious to some persons and should not have been there.

“I also know that the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria in certain sections, Section 107, 137 and 88, prescribe disqualification clauses for people who are going for election and that prescription is supreme, because it’s in the constitution and the constitution is ground-norm of all laws.”

Pressed further that his party has asked all appointees in his cadre to resign, he said: “No, it’s not there. It is not in the works at all. But I will make some consultation with the party, I will find out.”

When reminded that APC is aware that the judgment of court has not been vacated, Ngige said: “I have not seen that pronouncement from the party. I have not seen any release from the party. It has not been conveyed to me or to anybody. I’m an aspirant, I’m a presidential aspirant. So, I’ll find out and if it is true, I will know what to do.”

The minister said he would only resign 30 days to the presidential election as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution as amended.

He said: “The resignation of a minister or anybody who is in office is guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We are required to contest elections if we want. We are required to resign 30 days before any election we choose to contest. That is the position of the law. Every other person can have an opinion.

“My position is that the law of the country rests on the ground norm called the Constitution. If you do not like the Constitution, your work is to amend it. There is no subrogation of power that is required for you to include into a law what is not in that law.”

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said “in the course of the 20 years that I have been in his political household, has afforded me the opportunity to learn and proffered my little effort in the service of our fatherland, Nigeria”.

He added: “We all thank our party, its chairman, the NWC and the NEC that he leads as they build on the work many previous party officers started in coming together to present Nigerians with a Progressive Platform that is a congress for all shades.

13 aides resign in Sokoto

Tambuwal accepted the resignation of Deputy Governor Dan’iya, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Malam Saidu Umar, and 11 other key political office holders.

This is contained in a statement by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, in Sokoto.

The statement listed others, whose resignations were accepted by the governor, to include the Chief of Staff Mukhtar Magori and Commissioners for Finance, Environment, Youths and Sports and Lands and Housing, Abdussamad Dasuki, Sagir Bafarawa, Bashir Gorau and Aminu Bala respectively.

Others are: Commissioners for Commerce, Works, Water Resources, Solid Minerals, Religious Affairs and Careers and Security, Bashir Gidado, Salihu Maidaji, Shuaibu Gwanda-Gobir, Abubakar Maikudi and Abdullahi Maigwandu and Retired Col. Garba Moyi respectively.

Dan’iya urged the leadership and members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to support his quest to fly the party’s flag.

He expressed his intention when he visited the state PDP leaders at the party secretariat.

He said that the meeting was initiated to intimate the party caucus of his intention to run for governor.

He said: “As you can see, I just met with the caucus and leadership of PDP in Sokoto to inform them officially about my intention to run for the office of the governor of Sokoto state in the 2023 general elections.

“However, let me thank Almighty Allah for this day, and also my mentor, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, who gave me the support and the courage to seek for this office. I will ever be grateful to him.

“I want to assure the leadership of the party that my intention, if given the mandate, is to run an all-inclusive government and consolidate on the achievements recorded by Gov. Tambuwal from 2015 to date,” he said.

The deputy governor added that as a team player in the present administration, he is in the better position to step into his shoes.

“Therefore, I promise, if given the mandate, will sustain all the legacy projects started by my boss, complete them and embark on new projects that the people desire,” he pledged.

Dan’iya also promised to focus more on education, health, agriculture, youth empowerment, economy, security and of course run a welfare oriented government.

“My priority will be on new modern ways to govern, seek partnership within and outside the state, and also harness abundant mineral resources available in Sokoto.

“We will also explore new ways of revenue drive to boost our state income,” he said.

Alhaji Bello Goronyo, the PDP Chairman, thanked the deputy governor for the visit and assured him of level playing ground with all other aspirants in the state.

 

The planned hearing of the application for the extradition of suspended DCP Abba Kyari to the United States (US) was stalled owing to a request by the Attorney General Federal for time to file some documents.

At the mention of the case on Wednesday,  AGF’s lawyer, Pius Akutah, sought more time him respond to processes just served by Kyari’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN).

Akutah noted that although the court had, on the previous date, fixed hearing for April 27, he filed a motion for extension of time to respond in view of the delay on the part of Kyari’s lawyer.

Magaji did not object to Akutah’s request for time,following which Justice Ekwo adjourned til June 2 for a hearing.

The case experienced similar delay on May 23, 2022 when the was last mentioned.

Lawyer to Kayri at the proceeding, Nurieni Jimoh (SAN) informed the court that his client was yet to be served with the extradition application as required by law, a development Akutah confirmed.

Akutah said the applicant could not serve before now because of Kyari’s involvement with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He assured the court that the applicant would effect service on the respondent (Kyari) by March 24 and prayed the court for an adjournment.

Jimoh, who did not object to the application for adjournment, said he was entitled, under the court’s rules, to 14 days, from the date of service, to file a response.
Justice Ekwo then adjourned till April 27 for hearing.

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has declared a House of Representatives member and governorship aspirant, Farah Dagogo, wanted for allegedly hiring cultists to attack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt.

The Governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, directed the Rivers State Police Command to arrest Dagogo.

Wike accused the federal lawmaker of hiring cultists, who stormed the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt and disrupted the screening of aspirants for various elective positions.

“The Police must as a matter of urgency arrest Farah Dagogo, wherever he is, and must be made to face prosecution.

“Already, some the hoodlums hired by Farah Dagogo have been arrested and will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement reads.

But a source close to the lawmaker said Dagogo knew nothing about the incident at the PDP secretariat.

He explained that a group of aspirants vying for the House of Assembly and National Assembly tickets protested the refusal of the PDP Committee to screen.

He said: “While they were addressing journalists at the PDP secretariat, policemen arrived the scene and started shooting into the air.

“They arrested some of the aspirants and took them away. Dagogo was not there. Why will they declare him wanted?”