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  • CSOs, APC clash over mass defection of Ondo lawmakers

    CSOs, APC clash over mass defection of Ondo lawmakers

    The Coalition of All Civil Society Organisations in Ondo State (CACSOD) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded words following the mass defection of opposition lawmakers in the State House of Assembly to the ruling party.

    The development followed the official defection of two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers — Oladiji Oguntudo, representing Akure South Constituency I, and Raymond Daodu, Deputy Minority Leader and member representing Akoko South West Constituency I — to the APC during plenary.

    Before their defection, Oguntudo and Daodu were the only remaining PDP members in the Assembly, which is presided over by Speaker Olamide Oladiji and already dominated by the APC. Their move now gives the ruling party total control of all 26 seats, leaving the parliament without an opposition.

    Reacting to the development, the Coalition of All Civil Society Organisations in Ondo State (CACSOD) described the situation as a major threat to democracy and accountability.

    In a statement signed by its Chairman, Alo Martins, the coalition warned that a legislature without opposition undermines checks and balances and weakens governance.

    “A democratic system without an effective opposition is a democracy in name only,” the statement read.

    However, the APC defended the defections, describing them as an endorsement of the ruling party’s performance and leadership. The party said the lawmakers’ decision to join its ranks reflects growing public confidence in its efforts to deliver good governance and improve the lives of Ondo residents.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa to students: be patient, Tinubu’s reforms yielding results

    “Opposition lawmakers are essential for checks and balances, rigorous policy debates, and oversight of the executive arm. When the legislature becomes a one-party chamber, it risks degenerating into a rubber stamp, unable to question policies, demand transparency, or defend citizens’ interests.”

    The group described the mass defection as a “betrayal of the electorate’s trust,” noting that the lawmakers were elected based on specific party manifestos and platforms.

    CACSOD said, “Voters who supported opposition candidates now find themselves represented by members of the ruling party without their consent. Such political opportunism undermines the integrity of elections and erodes citizens’ faith in the democratic process.”

    The coalition called on the National Assembly and the ongoing Constitution Review Committee to strengthen the anti-defection law, particularly Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows defections on the grounds of internal party division.

    It said the clause had been “grossly abused by politicians who manufacture or exaggerate internal crises to justify crossing over to the ruling side.”

    CACSOD added, “We further call for a constitutional amendment that makes it mandatory for any elected official who wishes to defect from the party under which they were elected to first resign from office and seek a fresh mandate under their new platform.”

    The group warned that the absence of opposition in the Assembly could erode accountability, stifle dissenting voices, and embolden impunity in governance.

    It urged citizens to be vigilant and reject politicians who engage in “political carpet-crossing” for personal gain.

    “Citizens must shine their eyes. We must no longer reward political carpet-crossers who prioritize personal gain over public service,” the group said.

    Reaffirming its commitment to defending democracy, the coalition stated, “Democracy loses its meaning when every voice in the legislature sings the same tune. For governance to serve the people, there must always be room for dissent, dialogue, and accountability.”

    But in a swift reaction, the APC dismissed the criticism, describing the defections as a validation of the party’s progressive governance under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and President Bola Tinubu.

    In a statement signed by its Director, Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, the party explained that both leaders have demonstrated a clear commitment to the development of Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.

    The APC added that it rejected the notion that a political movement is a betrayal of democratic values, maintaining that in a competitive polity, elected representatives retain the right to choose the platform that best enables them to serve their constituents.

    According to the party, to suggest otherwise is to stifle democracy and undermine the will of the people.

    “Also, we take umbrage with CACSOD’s assertion that the absence of opposition equates to the death of democracy. This is a myopic view that fails to recognize that democracy thrives on performance, accountability, and the consent of the governed. If political actors and parties fail to offer credible leadership, coherent programmes, or measurable results, they forfeit the confidence of their members and supporters.

    “We welcome our new members, the House Minority Leader, Hon. Olajide Oguntodu, Akure South 1, and Hon. Oluwatoyin Daodu, from Akoko South West 1, and pledged to treat them with dignity and equity. They will be mentored, supported, and given the platform to aspire to any position for which they are suitably qualified. Our doors are open to talent, integrity, and dedication,” the statement read.

    The party urged civil society and all well-meaning citizens to judge political developments by their substance and outcomes rather than alarmist rhetoric.

    It, however, added that the people of the state deserve governance that works – practical, accountable, and results-oriented, stressing that APC remains committed to providing exactly that.

  • Group condemns NLC’s move against Labour Minister

    A group, the Coalition of Delta APC Support Groups, has condemned the barricading of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige’s residence by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    It also called on Nigerians to speak against the act.

    In a statement made available to newsmen in Warri, the group, through its convener, Prince Daniel Ekuigbo, described the move as not only a violation of the minister’s right to private living, but also a threat to other humans.

    Recall that the NLC had organised a protest to the residence of the minister, demanding that Chief Frank Kokori be reinstated as chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), a position that has been already assigned to Mr Austin Enajemo-Isire, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    However, Chief Kokori had been duly appointed as chairman of the Michael Imoudu Labour Training Institute, Ilorin, Kwara state by the president.

    Wondering why the NLC is making an issue out of the chairmanship appointment because their preferred candidate is a former labour leader, the convener noted that the organised labour may have committed a criminal offense.

    Adding that the NLC ought to “prioritize” the interests of Nigerians over one person, the statement stressed that taking such protest to an unofficial residence is reckless and puts the life of the entire neighborhood at risk.

    Ekuigbo expressed shock that the NLC is determined to break the law and even spill the blood of Nigerians to achieve a clearly illegal purpose.

    Read Also: NLC: minister not fit to hold public office

    “The picketing of the Labour Minister’s private residence was not only unlawful and against the Trade Dispute Act of Nigeria and gross violation of the fundamental right of Dr Ngige to his private life, but also criminal and an embarrassment to organize labour organization.

    “Assuming without conceding that Ngige acted outside Presidential approval to refuse the inauguration of Kokori as chairman of the board of the NSITF, does such act constitute a trade dispute which permit the NLC to picket offices or businesses where the dispute arises?

    What exactly is NLC’s interest in this matter? The same Kokori has been given another appointment by Mr President as Chairman of the Michael Imoudu Labour Training Institute, Ilorin, so why is NLC insisting Kokori must be Chairman of NSITF?

    “The NLC must know that there are federal laws that established and regulate trade unions and trade disputes which must be obeyed by all parties, employers and employees including trade unions.

    “NLC can only act within such laws and must restrict its protest or picketing to the official offices and in this case, perhaps offices of the Minister of Labour, the office of Mr President or other Federal Government office connected to the NSITF in its determination to compel either Dr Ngige to disobey Mr President or Mr President to change his approval from Mr Isire to Chief Kokori whichever is applicable.

    “For the NLC to take its protest to the private residence of a government official for matters that are wholly and strictly official, is totally condemnable and should be denounced by all Nigerians because such act is not only lawless but violates the private life of Ngige and indeed any official of government and private sector.

    “To take petrol tankers loaded with fuel and block the entrance of the Minister’s house is not only an illegal and dangerous act of intimidation but a reckless threat to life and properties of not only Dr Ngige and family but Dr Ngige’s neighbors and their families.

    “Finally, we call on all Nigerians to rise up and condemn this barbaric act by the NLC. Nigerians should direct the NLC to prioritize the interest of Nigerians ahead of an individual who believes he is entitled to be appointed to a particular position by the President of Nigeria”.

     

  • Delta APC hails Ogboru at 61

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has praised its governorship candidate, Great Ovedje Ogboru, on his 61st birthday.

    Prince Benefa, Comrade John Ekabukmor, Chief Felix Hitler, Mrs. Blessing Fakah and Mrs. Mary Abagidi, who all spoke on behalf of the party, said Ogboru’s leadership is worth emulating.

    They prayed God to continue to protect him.

    Others noted that people like Ogboru are few in the Southsouth and so should be held in high esteem.

    Other party members – Denbofa Oweikpodor, Victor Ebikabowei Samson, Rev. Johnson Urhukpe, Prince Charles Ikpama, and Michael Edoukumor – described Ogboru’s as an epitome of true leadership with uncommon style.

    They urged Deltans to rally round him to recover his “stolen mandate”.

  • What future for Delta APC?

    A Federal High Court in Asaba, the Delta State capital, has sacked the factional chairman of the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jones Erue. Senior correspondent OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE examines the implications of the judgment and the way forward for the party.

    A PALL of uncertainty hangs over the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC), in the aftermath of the sacking of its factional chair, Jones Erue, and his state executive committee by a Federal High Court in Asaba, the Delta State capital. Also sacked were the ward and local government executives of the party.

    The party has been struggling, amidst allegations of mismanagement of campaign funds, to come to terms with its humiliating defeat at the just-concluded governorship election. Coming at this point in time, the Justice Toyin Adegoke judgment has further exacerbated the deep divisions within the factions. Aside enflaming the leadership crisis and the struggle for control of party structure, the judgment have far-reaching implications.

    For instance, the re-election of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as well as the election of Francis Waive to the House of Representatives and three members to the Delta State House of Assembly may be in jeopardy, because they emerged as flag bearers from the primaries conducted by the sacked executive committee.

    Also affected were the nominations of Great Ogboru, the governorship candidate; immediate past governor and senatorial candidate for Delta South, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Delta North senatorial candidate, Doris Uboh, among others.

    Justice Toyin Adegoke declared the plaintiff, Cyril Ogodo, as the authentic chairman of the party. In suit number FA/ASA/CS/76/2018, the plaintiffs had sought 13 reliefs among which are a declaration that the Ogodo-led executive committee is the authentic state executive.

    They also prayed the court to declare as null, void and of no effect any and every action purportedly taken, initiated or carried out by the fourth defendant, Jones Erue, as chairman of the APC (first defendant) by the second defendant (National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole) in Delta State, following his purported inauguration, swearing-in and recognition and/or appointment by the national chairman as chairman of APC in Delta State.

    The plaintiffs further prayed the court to declare the candidates that emerged from the primaries conducted by the Ogodo-led executive as the authentic list of candidates for the 2019 general elections.

    The court in the judgment, granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs. Counsel to the defendants, Dr. Okubor Nwachukwu, said the judgment will be tested at the Court of Appeal, expressing confidence that it will be upturned at the appellate court.

    But, in a swift reaction, Senator Omo-Agege dismissed the court judgment, saying it lacks the jurisdiction to adjudicate on a matter being addressed by another court of equal jurisdiction.

    Omo-Agege blasted the court judgment nullifying his nomination as the senatorial candidate of the APC, saying he was never a party to the suit and so remains the party’s validly nominated candidate.

    In a statement signed by his media aide, Godwin Anuaghe, the senator said the APC primaries which produced Omo-Agege and other APC candidates was a consent judgment which has not been set aside by any court of competent jurisdiction.

    The statement reads: “Today’s judgment by Justice Toyin Adegoke of the Federal High Court in Asaba may give joy to the plaintiffs and their supporters, but it is of no effect and does not alter the status quo.

    “Senator Ovie Omo-Agege remains the senator-elect and Rev. Francis Waive remains the lawmaker-elect of the House of Representatives. First, the electoral college which elected Omo-Agege and Waive as APC candidates came into being by virtue of a consent judgment that has not been set aside. It is still a valid and subsisting judgment that has not been set aside by a superior court of competent jurisdiction. Therefore, their election into their respective positions remains valid.

    “Secondly, there is no consequential order made by Justice Toyin Adegoke for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Senator Omo-Agege and Rev. Waive and re-issue same to those parading themselves as the valid candidates for the general elections. Neither was there any order made against Omo-Agege and Waive, as they are not parties to the suit and as such are not bound by the said judgment.

    “Thirdly, the court ,in its wisdom, held that the consent judgment is not binding on Cyril Ogodo and co. because they were not parties to that suit. It becomes trite that today’s judgment also cannot be binding on Senator Omo-Agege and Rev. Waive, because they were not joined as parties to this suit. Further to this, the court, therefore, cannot make any declaratory orders against them.

    “Fourth, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, under the directive of the National Executive Committee (NEC), is the only organ that is saddled with the responsibility of organising primaries to nominate and sponsor candidates for elections, and not one Mefor Progress, an individual, as Justice Toyin Adegoke wrongly held in her judgment.

    “It is imperative to state that the consent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which validates the Jones Ode Erue-led exco, is a final judgment of court like any other judgment, it is valid until set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction.

    “The Asaba Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to sit as an Appellate Court over a consent judgment delivered by a court of coordinate jurisdiction. Consequently, Prophet Jones Ode Erue and his executive remain the valid and authentic executives of Delta State APC.

    “The judgment delivered by Justice Toyin Adegoke of the Federal High Court 1, Asaba, is therefore of no consequence.”

    But, the court declared that the APC chairman, Chief Cyril Ogodo, in an interview, chided Senator Omo-Agege for distorting facts, saying the consent judgment was adequately addressed by the court.

    His words: “What consent judgment?  Consent judgment with whom? You should have asked him the simple question, ‘with whom did he enter into a consent judgment?’ The issue of consent judgment was adequately addressed in the judgment. It is a nullity. That consent judgment died even before Adams Oshiomhole came to power. Omo-Agege is a lawyer and should know the truth. Apart from the 13 reliefs granted by the court, the court on its own granted eight other reliefs to the plaintiffs.”

  • ‘Omo-Agege not affected by sack judgment’

    The Asaba Federal High Court judgment, which sacked the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) executive committee does not affect Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, his spokesman, Nath Dortie, has said.

    The court had sacked the Prophet Jones Ode Erue-led executives, which conducted the primaries that gave Omo-Agege the ticket to contest this year’s senatorial election.

    Justice Toyin Adegoke, in the March 19 verdict, recognised the Cyril Ogodo-led executive committee instead.

    The Federal High Court in Abuja had last June 18 recognised the Erue-led executives.

    A statement by Dortie said since the Senator was not a party to the suit, he was not bound by Justice Adegoke’s verdict.

    The statement reads: “This judgment is in conflict with the valid, unchallenged and subsisting June 18, 2018, judgment of Justice Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The suit validated, recognised and gave legal life to the Prophet Jones-led executives, a judgment that the plaintiffs in the Asaba court has failed to set aside/appeal against.”

    Omo-Agege noted that the APC and Erue have appealed Justice Adegoke’s judgment, but insisted that the Federal High Court, whether in Abuja or Asaba, was the same and of coordinate jurisdiction nationally.

    He added: “The Asaba court has no appellate authority to override or set aside the valid, subsisting and final judgment of the Abuja court.

    “Without prejudice to the appeals already filed, it is our opinion that not being a party to the Asaba action, Delta State APC candidates in the 2019 elections, including Senator Ovie omo-Agege, is not and cannot be bound by pronouncements in the Asaba judgment.”

  • Delta: APC Group accuses council bosses of plot to dismiss supporters

    A political pressure group, under the aegis of Delta APC Parrots have accused council chairmen in Delta state of plotting to dismiss staff who are “sympathetic” to the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate, Chief Great Ogboru.

    In a statement released Thursday and made available to newsmen in Warri, the group claimed that the 25 local government bosses have begun collating names of the affected staff.

    The statement which was signed by the group’s spokesman, Comrade Igho Israel, disclosed the move is not unconnected to the March 9 gubernatorial and State House of Assembly polls.

    Further claiming that the plot is being influenced by the state governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the statement said it was all to actualize his (Okowa’s) re-election bid.

    “They have started threatening council staff across the 25 LGA who are sympathetic to the course and vision of our great leader, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru and every other aspirants contesting under the plat form of our party, APC, in the March 9 gubernatorial and House of assembly elections.

    “Delta APC Parrots is using this medium to alert the whole world and the various security agencies across the country on the evil and malevolent plans of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in directing council chairmen in the state to intimidate, bully, scare, coerce and terrorize council staff in the state, in order to rig the forthcoming gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the state in favor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state”, the statement read.

    Stating that it will not allow the victimization of the party’s supporters to come to play, the APC Parrots urged anyone who becomes victim to reach out to the group.

    “We will not stand by and watch Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and his rubber stamp council chairmen to unleash his evil plans on council staff due to his selfish agenda to impoverish this great state for another 4 years. Any council staff who is victimized by any council chairmen should report immediately to the APC Parrots,” the statement added.

    In a related development, the APC Parrots has tasked eligible voters in the state to shun candidates of the opposition PDP claiming to be in alliance with Chief Great Ogboru.

    Describing them as politicians out to steal from the people “for another four years,” he urged the electorates to be mindful of them.

  • Delta APC to get campaign panels

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State will inaugurate its governorship campaign council and kick off its campaign on January 5.

    A statement by the media director of Great Ogboru Campaign Organisation, Zik Zulu Okafor, said the party’s governorship candidate, Great Ovedje Ogboru, would lead passionate APC chieftains and select members from the 3,670 units, 270 wards and 25 local governments for the occasion.

    The statement reiterated that the January 5 event was not a rally, but the inauguration of committees for the campaign  – state, councils, wards and units.

    “It is, therefore, not envisioned to be a rowdy occasion, but a strategic event, tactical in concept and execution, to achieve a decisive victory at the governorship polls”.

    The statement reads: “Ogboru, an Urhobo from Delta Central, whose mother hails from Ukwani, Delta North, and wife of Ijaw clan, Delta South; for which reason he is fondly called a Total Deltan, is known for his granite-cast integrity. He hopes that the inauguration of these committees will be a defining moment towards actualisation of the people’s yearning for a humane government that will turn their misery into a mystery, and miracle of hope and triumph through economic empowerment.

    “Indeed, the inauguration will be remembered as that awe-inspiring day that the people took the first unshaken political step to transform into concrete reality, Ogboru’s delightful quest for One Delta and a New Delta for All, a  vision of unity, without any form of discrimination but zero tolerance for corruption.

    “Ogboru, who holds an MBA from Huron University of South Dakota, London Campus, and a Master of International Relations from the University of Kent in Canterbury, says his ultimate goal is to work with the people, irrespective of tribe or political leaning, to banish poverty and deprivation, to bring about infrastructural revolution, employment and empowerment of youths and women, general welfare of the people, and the creation of an exemplary modern state.

    “The whole gamut of this vision and the mission to actualise it, which will be anchored and propelled by the solid and strategic committees to be inaugurated on January 5, are comprehensively and lucidly captured in Ogboru’s inspirational mantra and manifesto – Delta Liberation 2019.”

  • Delta APC dismisses Omo-Agege’s suspension

    The Delta state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the alleged suspension of Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, from the party.

    The state’s party Secretary, Chidi Okonji, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said that Sen. Omo-Agege remained a key member of APC in delta state.

    Okonji also said that the senator remained the authentic nominee of APC for the Delta Central Senatorial District in next year’s general election.

    The statement reads: “Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is a key member of the All Progressive Congress, APC and he is the authentic nominee of APC for the Delta Central Senatorial District in next year’s election.

    “He won the primary conducted on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018 by the Primary Election Panel of APC led by General Onoja from Benue State in a landslide.

    “This clarification became necessary due to the fake news circulating in the media that the Distinguished Senator who is the only elected member of APC in Delta State has been suspended by the Chief Cyril Ogodo-led APC faction on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

     

    “This same illegal Delta APC State Working Committee that claim to have suspended Omo-Agege also organised an alternative Delta Central senatorial primary in Ughelli on Tuesday, 2nd, October that returned Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, who is no longer in our party, as the winner of the APC Delta Central Senatorial primary.

     

    “Mr. Solomon Igbiaye who acted as the Returning Officer of the alternative primary is a member of APC from Warri North Local Government Area.

    “He was not appointed by the National Working Committee of our party.

     

    “You will recall that Ogodo and five other members of his illegal State Working Committee were expelled from the party last week for anti- party activities and impersonation of party officials.

     

    “Members of the party, supporters of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and the general public should therefore disregard the purported suspension of the Distinguished Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria and the alleged nomination of Olorogun O’tega Emerhor as the senatorial candidate for Delta Central District.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Delta APC expels factional chair, nine others

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta Chapter has sacked a factional chairman Cyril Ogodo and nine others for alleged anti- party activities and impersonation of party officials.

    Its scribe ChidiOkonji disclosed this yesterday in a statement.

    He said the decision to expel its members was reached at an emergency meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) last Wednesday in Asaba.

    Okonji said in reaching the decision the APC State Executive Committee (SEC) “considered the Report of the Disciplinary/Fact Finding Committee headed by Dr. IykeOdikpo, wherein the Recommendations/Resolutions contained therein was unanimously adopted by the members in attendance.”

    According to the statement, those expelled with Ogodo include Terry Otunya, Henry Onianwa, EbiakpoEzebri, EdeworAkpedafe, Christian Onodjacha and Yemi Omaghomi.

    Others including, Oviri Emmanuel Orakata, Emmanuel Oki and JimiyevwenDigbameUbu were expelled “for filing a case in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/509/2018 and HCK/56/2018 respectively in accordance with the provisions of Article 21(D) v of the party’s Constitution.”

  • 2019:Delta APC tackles PDP

    The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to start preparing his handover note.

    The party said Deltans were fed up with the government.

    In a statement yesterday by its chairman, Jones Ode Erue , the party described Okowa as the worst governor in Delta State’s history.

    He also described the report that about 5000 APC members defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as fallacious and mischievously concocted by a drowning and confused Governor meant to mislead the reading public.

    Jones said: ” Okowa must be  living in a fool’s paradise to have said he can’t be intimidated by the APC when it is obvious, his days in Government House are numbered owing to his abysmal performance as governor.

    “Okowa is  acclaimed to be the road master when most roads in Asaba, the state capital and other parts of the state are in deplorable conditions, even the so called completed roads are purely substandard. Who is fooling who?”