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Tag: John Owan Enoh

  • BOI to unlock funding for cotton, textile, garments sector revival

    BOI to unlock funding for cotton, textile, garments sector revival

    The federal government has begun the revival of Nigeria’s Cotton, Textile, and Garment (CTG) sector, with the Bank of Industry taking concrete steps to unlock targeted funding support to drive the process.

    The initiative kicked off with an inspection tour of key textile sites in Kaduna State by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh. This is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration’s industrial recovery plan under Agenda 7, which prioritises job creation, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable industrial development.

    Speaking during the tour, the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said the economic revitalisation effort of the federal government presents a major opportunity to stimulate job creation, especially in the cotton, garments and textiles sector, noting that the revitalisation is about improving lives across different sectors.

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    Olusi said, “It holds significant potential for job creation not just within the factories, but across the value chain, including our basic cotton farmers and even in protein production zones. The renewed attention to the CTG sector is a deliberate move to restore economic health and investor confidence in Nigeria’s industrial ecosystem.

    “Our goal is to create hope and renew interest in a sector that was once a major employer of labour. It’s a crucial step toward rebuilding the economy, the Bank of Industry would continue to work with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and other stakeholders to improve funding access by unlocking the sector’s full export potential. The government’s plan is not merely about reviving factories but also to build a stronger, sustainable industrial base.

    “We see this as more than a factory revival. It’s an economic strategy. It aligns with our broader mission to transform Nigeria’s industrial future with real impact on households and communities.”

    Senator Enoh during the tour of the United Nigeria Textiles Limited (UNTL), described the factory’s revival as a litmus test for broader industrial renewal, stating that the Tinubu administration is committed to repositioning the CTG industry as a backbone of inclusive growth, while attributing the decline of UNTL to uncontrolled imports, smuggling, and lack of copyright protection, which allowed substandard products to flood the market.

    He stressed that the potential economic impact of UNTL could be revived, advocating for government intervention to address challenges and obstacles to production as it highlights the necessity of labor-intensive industries like manufacturing and agriculture for job creation in a country of 200 million people, arguing that services are important but insufficient for creating jobs on the scale needed for a nation such as Nigeria.

  • Local manufacturers losing out to fake products

    Local manufacturers losing out to fake products

    The Federal Government has decried the counterfeiting of original made-in-Nigeria products, stressing that local manufacturers of high-quality products are losing out in the market to counterfeited Nigerian products brought through smuggling.

    The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh who was on a tour of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) laboratories in Lagos said, “The experience I have had in the last three days on the matter of counterfeit products is terrible”.

    The Minister’s industrial tour which was in a move to promote industrial growth and foster innovation spanned three days, taking him to some other industries in the Southwest under his ministry.

    Vowing to protect local companies to boost employment he said, “Together with SON, we will protect these companies that believe in our country and President Tinubu. That is our duty. We have to create jobs for Nigerians too.”

    The Minister noted that one of his mandates, in terms of the ministry’s programmes, is the promotion of Made-in-Nigeria goods and services.

    He said he was determined to move beyond mere discussions to the necessary actions that would ensure the delivery of quality products.

    “My team and I are determined that this mandate, which has existed for too long, must now move beyond words to action. We must ensure we deliver, as we get set, quality products will be key in advancing Made-in-Nigeria goods and services. We need quality goods that will be competitive both within and outside the country.”

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     In his address, the SON Director General, Ifeanyi Okeke said the visit underscores the commitment of the Federal Government to strengthen the nation’s quality infrastructure in alignment with the renewed hope agenda of the president.

    Okeke appreciated the minister for his guidance in advancing Nigerian industrial sector growth.

    He said SON as a regulatory institution, is playing a pivotal role in realising the renewed hope agenda by ensuring that quality and standardization remain at the heart of national development.

    Pointing out that the SON laboratory serves as the bedrock of conformity assessment, providing essential testing and analysis across critical sectors, including mechanical engineering, energy, food safety, petroleum products and microbiology, he said these activities directly support the federal government’s drive towards economic diversification, industrialisation and global competitiveness.

    The SON boss further explained that the organization oversees standards in Nigeria. “In Africa, we have the African Regional Organisation (ARSO), which oversees standards across the continent. We also have the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), which is based in Switzerland.”

    He added that testing in the laboratories is also part of SON’s mandate.

  • Fed Govt pledges inclusive industrial revolution

    Fed Govt pledges inclusive industrial revolution

    Minister of State for Industry,  Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh, has pledged to ensure an inclusive industrial revolution.

    He spoke during an event  on “Inclusive industrial revolution plan,”  in Lagos.

    Hosted by the ministry, it was aimed at engaging women leaders on shaping Nigeria’s industrial future.

    Enoh said the  event provided a unique opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in the industry and explore strategic pathways for fostering a more inclusive and sustainable industrial revolution.

    “For the industrial revolution of the Renewed Hope Agenda to be successful and deliver on its goals, it must be an inclusive one that recognises the immense contributions of the leading women in the industry,”  he said.

    According to him, women’s leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s industrial landscape are invaluable.

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    He charged them to take their rightful place in the industrial revolution drive, as their participation will be instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives that empower women in industry and contribute to economic growth.

    He urged them to express their key challenges to find lasting solutions and collectively drive impactful change.

    The minister said women remain at the forefront of industrial innovation by participating, driving strategy, leading manufacturing, and defining new market frontiers. He stressed the need for the industrial sector to recognise women as equal partners in economic growth by investing in their leadership like it did in men.

    “Industries thrive on innovation, fresh thinking and diverse perspectives. The best companies, economies, and dynamic industrial nations recognise that you do not win by excluding half of your best minds. This is not about gender but about competence and industrial competitiveness. And if we are truly serious about building a resilient, future-ready industrial sector, then we must discard every mindset that suggests this is an issue of equity or representation,” he said.

    He disclosed that he will continue to seek ways to strengthen collaboration between government and industry stakeholders and simultaneously address challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s industrial landscape.

     President of Commonwealth Business Women Africa, Mrs Ngozi Oyewole  made a clarion call on behalf of the women to  support their pursuit of greater opportunities within the economy and decision-making processes.

    “Women are pivotal to Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution. Our insights, experiences, and creativity are essential for driving innovation and sustainable growth in our economy. By harnessing the talents and perspectives of women, we can accelerate industrialisation and enhance productivity across various sectors—from manufacturing to technology and beyond,” she said.

    Oyewole proposed six  immediate actions that women can undertake to effectively contribute to the country’s industrial renaissance and bolster its economy. These include Entrepreneurship and Startups, Skill Development and Training, Innovation and Technology, Collaboration and Partnerships, Advocacy for Inclusive Policies, and Promotion of Sustainable Practices.

  • Coca-Cola investment in waste collection hub excites minister

    Coca-Cola investment in waste collection hub excites minister

    The  Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, has hailed the Coca-Cola System, comprising the Coca-Cola Company and the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), for its investment in the Packaging Collection Hub to address waste collection challenge in the country.

    Enoh  spoke at  the opening of the hub in Apapa, Lagos .

    Enoh described the collection hub as a bold step that would redefine the nation’s  industrial landscape, where manufacturing meets sustainability and industry produces output and impact.

    “Establishing this hub by the Coca-Cola System, comprising Coca-Cola Nigeria and the Nigeria bottling partner of CCHBC, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, marks an important moment in our national industrial journey. It demonstrates what happens when industries rise beyond profit and embrace responsibility to the environment for job creation,” he said.

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    The Minister affirmed that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, was  committed to achieving its mandates, including strengthening industrial clusters, deepening local production and backward integration and creating a self-sustaining industrial ecosystem.

    He lauded the Coca-Cola System for investing in the hub, adding that the initiative would ensure that waste is no longer waste, but recycled.

    He stressed that the hub will enable a new industrial value chain in which plastic is not discarded but repurposed, collectors are not sidelined but empowered, and businesses become more resilient by being more responsible.

    Enoh also expressed excitement at the number of jobs the hub will create and the countless others in the recycling value chain. 

    “This is the blueprint for the future: industries that innovate, manufacturers that take responsibility, and a government that enables prosperity through smart policies,” he added.

  • Enoh reaffirms support for sports as Tennis Open end in Calabar

    Enoh reaffirms support for sports as Tennis Open end in Calabar

    Immediate past Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh has yet again reiterated his support towards the development of sports despite his recent redeployment as Minister of State for Industry.

    Senator said as much as the second edition of the Renewed Hope and People First 2024 National Tennis Open tournament came to a successful end in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State’s capital.

    The tournament which drew players from across Nigeria, had talents vied for honours in various categories with the finals held on Saturday, December 7th on the hard court of the Calabar Sports Club 1898

    Nubari John and Rebecca Ekpenyong stole the show during the hotly contested finals of the tournament after piping their opponents Aliyah Precious and Timiprie Maxwell to go home with cash prizes, gifts and trophies

    Organisers stated matter-of-factly that the tournament is staged annually to promote the growth and development of tennis in Cross River State and Nigeria as a whole and also as platform for exposure of the budding talents with a view of fostering unity and sportsmanship amongst Nigerians and sports lovers.

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    “The tournament aligns with the Minister’s commitment to youth empowerment, national unity, and grassroots sports development, a vision inspired by the Renewed Hope agenda,” the organisers noted in a release signed by Diana-Mary Nsan, the 

    SA (Media) to the Minister of State for Industry.  “The grand finale not only celebrated excellence throughout the duration of the games, but also reinforced the importance of industry, tourism, and sports as catalysts for socioeconomic development.”

    Meanwhile, Senator Enoh has reaffirmed his support for the growth and development of tennis and football in his native Cross River State despite the fact that he’s no longer the Minister of Sports Development, even as he promised to increase the prize money for the next edition of the tennis open as well as institution of a football talent hunt across the state in early 2025

     “I will continue to give young Cross-Riverians who show excellence and hard work, the platform to excel right to the Zenith of tennis and football,” he said.

    ” This is a clarion call to Cross Riverians, that there is an opportunity and early support for those who show seriousness to excel in tennis and football.

    “I am ready and willing to give the needed support.” he added.

    Speaking further, Senator Enoh appreciated the efforts of His Excellency Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the Executive Governor of Cross River State for his passion towards sports development in the state, such that he embraced the tournament into the events programme of the grand annual Calabar Festival.

    He also acknowledged the enthusiasm of the Sports Commissioner Hon. Agnes Atsu, noting that the performance of Team Cross River at the 8th edition of the National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, showed great improvement from their previous performance, and this speaks monumentally of the efforts put in by the leadership of the state.

    Meanwhile, the Governor of Cross River State, who was able represented by the Sports Commissioner, Hon. Agnes Atsu, lauded the initiative and committed to working with the talents from the tournament to elevate the state in tennis.

    The second edition of the tennis tournament saw an array of dexterous and ranked tennis players in Nigeria. Female Nigeria no.7 Rebecca Ekpenyong, no. 11, Timiprie Maxwell and Amarachi Odoh, Nigeria no. 24. Others include Aliya Precious, Universal Tennis Ranking U14, U16 Champion Bayelsa State and John Nubari who emerged winner was one-time U16 champion Rivers State.

    Senator Enoh later donated Tennis equipment for the continuous training of young tennis talents in Cross River State, sponsorship to other National tournaments for Charles Olom and Theresa Otu of CRS, for their maximum sports exposure.

    The high point of the tournament was the presentation of cash prizes, gifts and trophies to players, not forgetting the presentation of awards of honour to the outstanding coach of the tournament, Ekpenyong Peter Effiong and the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, in recognition of his continuous support towards the growth and development of tennis in Cross River State and Nigeria.

  • 12th West Africa Deaf Football Championship Kicks off in Lagos

    12th West Africa Deaf Football Championship Kicks off in Lagos

    The Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh, has charged the Nigerian Deaf Football national team (The Deaf Eagles) to win the 12th edition of the West African Deaf Football Championship which kicked off in Lagos at the weekend.

    Senator Owan Enoh gave the charge while declaring the event open at the magnificent Onikan Waterfront Stadium on Saturday.

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     Represented by Mrs. Nkana Mbora, Director of Sports in charge of the Lagos liaison office of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development (FMSD), the minister reasoned that he is in tune with the hosting more so when it is obvious that it such a sector of our sports that accounts for Nigeria laurels at international competitions like the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympic and  Paralympic Games in France and as cannot be neglected.

    The Minister said he is fully aware that Nigeria is going for her fifth win of the championship having emerged as champions four times in the past and wished them well having seen the outstanding football skills they displayed.

    As the host country, the minister advised team Nigeria to play a fatherly role by ensuring that all the visiting teams feel at home.

    West Africa Deaf Sports President, Mr Ibrahim Amuda in his welcome address, thanked Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) for their financial support for WASU since 2010. He also commended  all the visiting teams from various countries like Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.

    Meanwhile, President of Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation(NDSF), Alhaji Saka Sulaiman Dagbo, said the tournament will provide dual benefit to team Nigeria, preparation for the 2nd Africa Deaf Football championship in Morocco in November and  the 2025 Deaflympic Competition.

    This submission was collaborated by the Comrade Ige Jenyo Olawale, the Vice President of NDSF.

  • Paralympic Games: Minister applauds  Nworgu  for securing Team Nigeria’s  second medal

    Paralympic Games: Minister applauds  Nworgu  for securing Team Nigeria’s  second medal

    Minister of Sports Development,  Senator  John Owan Enoh, has congratulated Nworgu  on her  silver medal finish, describing  her outstanding performance as heart-warming and inspiring.

    Nworgu clinched the silver medal in Women’s up to 41Kg power lifting and in doing so, set two new Paralympic records with her last two attempts in the coveted gold medal event .

    She  was narrowly beaten by China’s Zhe Cui, who lifted 119kg to set a new Paralympic Games record, taking the gold.

    Nworgu lifted an impressive 118kg to secure the silver medal. The Chinese had won silver medal at the previous Olympic.

    He said:  “It is with immense pride that I, on behalf of our dear President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and sports loving Nigerians, congratulate Ogechi Nworgu for her silver winning heroics at the Paralympic Games.

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    “This well -deserved victory, coming at a time when our country is still reeling under the disappointment of the Olympic Games is not only heart-warming but uplifting. Thank you Ogechi Nworgu for lifting the Nigerian spirit from the agony of our recent disappointment.

    “ The nation is grateful to you for your patriotism, hard work and for showcasing the resilient Nigerian spirit. Your outstanding performance and the performance of Mariam Eniola Bolaji who had earlier clinched our country’s first medal and  creating history in the process, for herself, our  country and the African continent, being the first African player, male or female to win a badminton medal at either the Olympic and Paralympic Games; remain a source of pride and inspiration.”

    He further said:  “My sincere hope is that your performance will inspire our other athletes yet to compete in their various sports to strive for gold and by so doing, secure a prominent place for themselves in the annals of Nigeria’s sports immortals.

    “The government and people of Nigeria are solidly behind all of you as you go for Paralympic laurels.

    Once again, thank you Esther Ogechi Nworgu for making us proud and for lifting the spirit of the nation.”

  • Owan-Enoh, Usani lay claim to guber ticket in Cross River

    With the governorship elections slated for Saturday in Cross River State, the Senator representing the central district of the state, John Owan-Enoh, and Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Usani Usani, still insist they are the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    However, Owan-Enoh’s name had earlier been published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the governorship candidate of the party.

    Addressing reporters in Calabar on Thursday, Owan-Enoh, insisted he remains the only candidate of the party and anything else that is happening are just distractions.

    He said he is the only person that before the primary elections toured the whole state and met with the people.

    The lawmaker called on the public to troop out on Saturday and vote for the APC in the general elections.

    He the election was not about any individual or group but about the soul of the state, which he said is dying under the present administration.

    Owan-Enoh debunked reports that he was responsible was encouraging violence and also responsible for stoking the ember of violence.

    He accused the present People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led government of setting the tone for violence by allegedly appointing cultists into government.

    But also addressing reporters, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, also claimed he is the candidate of the party in the state.

    Usani said it was his delight to consolidate his resolve to contest for the seat of the governor of the state.

    “I use this medium to express my determination toward this bid with honesty of purpose solely to rework the Cross River State moral, social, economic and collective value fabric whose outcome shall redefine our common identity of honesty and honour. I promise a safe, secure, inclusive and equal opportunity environment. I hereby request you to support this intention, our common destiny for a new face for Cross River State,” Usani said.

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    Owan-Enoh had emerged as the governorship candidate of the party last year in the direct primary elections conducted by the National Working Committee of the party led by Ali Magaji.

    But in a parallel congress conducted in the state by the Chairman of the gubernatorial election Committee, Emmanuel Annom, Usani had emerged as winner.

    This had led to a situation where there were two executive committees of the party in the state. Owan-Enoh belonged to the faction led by the late Dr Mathew Achigbe, now with Sir John Ochala in acting capacity. Usani on the other hand belonged to the camp led by Mr Godwin Etim John.

    Since then both of them had continued to lay claim to the ticket and this had to a series of litigations.

    A Federal High Court Judgment delivered by Justice Simon A Amobeda in Calabar on February 11 in a case filed by Etim John and two others challenging the legitimacy of the current State Executive Committee of the APC in Cross River State, led by the late Sir Mathew Achigbe who is now being represented in acting capacity by Sir John Ochala, had declared that the Etim John faction be taken as the legitimate state executive council of the party, hence INEC should only take names of candidates that come from this faction.

    On the eve of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, INEC had made an announcement, delisting Owan-Enoh and other candidates of the party.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Frankland Briyai, had announced that all candidates submitted by All Progressives Congress in the state are to be removed.

    He said this was pursuant to an order of the High Court with suit number FHC/CA/CS/731/2018 between Godwin Etim John vs the APC and others.

    He said the logo and names of the APC would be retained pending the submission of the list of candidates by the Godwin Etim John led state executive by the national working committee in compliance with the order.

    However, last week, the Court of Appeal had sitting in Calabar on Wednesday granted a Stay of Execution Order, which reaffirmed Senator John Owan-Enoh and other candidates names’ submitted to INEC as candidates for the election.

    The panel of three Judges headed by Justice A. M Uwade directed that parties in the matter maintain Status Quo Ante pending determination of the substantive case.

    This latest order had been subjected to different interpretations by the two camps.

    While the Owan-Enoh faction claimed that Stay of Execution order and maintaining Status Quo simply reverses all that INEC may have done “in error or compromise of any sort”, the Usani camp interpreted it to mean that that things should return as they were before the appeal was brought to the court.

    Both camps have accused each other of working for the PDP in the state.

     

  • C/River: Appeal Court order upholds Owan-Enoh, others as APC candidates

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar on Wednesday granted a Stay of Execution Order which reaffirmed Senator John Owan-Enoh, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and others published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State.

    The panel of three Judges headed by Justice A. M Uwade frowned at INEC’s misinterpretation of her earlier order of February 20 which directed that parties in the matter maintain Status Quo Ante pending determination of the substantive case.

    The three judges in the panel unanimously agreed that the Stay of Execution Order earlier granted subsist in the interest of justice as evident in the affidavit and counter affidavit as contained in the subject matter of the appeal, suit No CA/C/62/2019.

    A Federal High Court Judgement delivered by Justice Simon A Amobeda in Calabar on February 11 in the case filed by Etim John and two others challenging the legitimacy of the current State Executive Committee of the APC in Cross River State, led by the late Sir Mathew Achigbe who is now being represented in acting capacity by Sir John Ochala, had declared that the Etim John faction be taken as the legitimate state executive council of the party.

    The judge also went further to pronounce that candidates from the list submitted by Etim John should be recognized by INEC.

    This Federal High Court Judgement prompted the appeal for which the stay of execution has been granted.

    Responding to the Stay of Execution Order the Counsel to Etim John and others, Ayei Okpa said “I am satisfied with the order of court because it is in the interest of justice and all parties have agreed to expeditiously handle the matter and bring the substantive matter to an end.”

    Also responding, Counsel to the APC, Awa Kalu SAN said, “the import of the Stay of the Execution granted and reinforced simply reverses all that INEC may have done in error or compromise of any sort”.

    According to him, Senator Owan-Enoh, Senator Ndoma-Egba and other candidates of APC whose names were published by INEC as submitted to them by the National Working Committee of the APC, remains as the status quo and that the court has given the respondents’ counsel up to Friday March 1, 2019 to file their brief on the substantive case and the matter adjourned to Monday 4thMarch, 2019 for hearing.

  • Confusion over judgment on Cross River APC

    There was confusion in Calabar on Monday following a Federal High Court judgment that sacked the Cross River State candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator John Owan-Enoh and ordered recognition of Niger Delta Affairs, Minister Pastor Usani Usani as the candidate of the party.

    Usani and Owan-Enoh have been in a protracted battle over the governorship candidate ticket of the party.

    Reports of the judgment were circulated on social media by appointees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led state government on Monday evening.

    Investigations by our correspondent revealed that in a two-hour judgment delivered by Hon Justice Simon A Amobeda earlier, the court ordered that INEC should only receive and accept the names and candidates for the 2019 elections that emerged from the executive led by Godwin Etim John.

    It also ordered that persons parading themselves as the executive members of the APC in Cross River State should forthwith cease, declaring the Godwin Etim John-led executive as the authentic.

    The court also sacked the leadership of the party led by Mr John Ochalla, which is loyal to Owan-Enoh, it was gathered.

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    Reacting to the judgement, the Director General of Usani Campaign Organization, Ekpenyong Cobham, said the enforcement of the judgement has been long overdue and appealed to INEC and the security agencies to do the needful by complying fully to the judgement.

    But reacting to the development, the media spokesperson for the Owan-Enoh Campaign Organisation, Dan Amor said the “purported judgment” was an unnecessary distraction which cannot stand in law.

    In a statement titled “The Purported Federal High Court, Calabar Judgment On Cross River APC”, he said, “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, has been drawn to a purported judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Calabar, seeking to enforce an earlier controversial ruling of a Bwari, Abuja High Court that recognized the Etim John’s factional the state executive council of the party and directing the withdrawal of the candidates of the late state chairman, Dr. Matthew Achigbe, from state/federal assemblies to governorship, from the 2019 general elections, and wishes to state as follows:

    “That the Bwari, Abuja High Court ruling has since been appealed by the defendant in the Appeal Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja pending hearing.

    “That the claimant, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani had sought an Abuja High Court sitting in Apo, FCT, to declare him the governorship candidate of the APC in our state and his case summarily dismissed by the court presided over by Justice Adeniyi on January 7, 2019 on the following grounds:

    (a). Usani’s case was full of contradictory claims and forgeries.

    (b). Usani’s affidavit in support of originating summons was unreliable.

    (c). Usani was not found to be an aspirant and his case not justiciable in tandem with the laws of the country.

    (d). That the Etim John’s supervised primary was illegal and contrary to the party’s constitution and guidelines for primaries.

    “That the primary which produced our candidates for the general election (from state assembly, National Assembly and governorship) was a Direct Primary conducted by the National Working Committee of the party as stipulated by the party’s constitution, as against the Etim John’s primary conducted by a state faction.

    “We therefore see the purported judgment reportedly delivered today by the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar as an unnecessary distraction which cannot stand in law.”

    He accused the state government of being behind the development.