Politics

Igbo lawyers apply to join suit seeking exit of South-East from Nigeria

Published

3 years ago

October 26, 2021

Association of Igbo lawyers has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja with an application to be joined as a party in a suit some Northern elders filed for exit of the South East region from Nigeria.

The Plaintiffs, Nastura Ashir Shariff, Balarabe Rufa’I, Abdul-Aziz Sulaiman and Aminu Adam, had in their suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/538/2021, maintained that the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to set in motion a framework for a referendum to allow the South-Eastern region of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to decide on their bid for self-determination.

Cited as 1st to 4th Defendants in the suit are Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the National Asembly.

Specifically, the Plaintiffs, are seeking three principal reliefs from the court, among which include;

“A declaration that in view of the provisions of Articles 1, 2, 4, 14 and 20(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2004, the 2nd and 3rd defendants (the Senate President and House of Reps Speaker) have the power to call for a joint session of both Chambers of the 4th defendant to deliberate on the agitation for self-determination by the Southeastern states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As well as, “An order directing the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants to provide a framework that will pave the way for the self-determination of the South-eastern states so as to leave the geographical entity called Nigeria before any further step is taken to further amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

They claimed that their action was based on the need to end violence and destruction allegedly occasioned by the agitation for secession, championed by the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

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“Even before the emergence of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), there was a group at the south-eastern part of Nigeria known as the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) under the leadership of one, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.

“The main objective of the group mentioned in the immediately preceding paragraph is also the creation of the Independent State of Biafra, away from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Long before the emergence of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), there was a move by the people of the south-eastern part of Nigeria formerly Eastern Region led by the late Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The secession attempt by the people of the then Eastern Region under the leadership of the late Col. Ojukwu was directly responsible for the first Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970. The said civil war had claimed many innocent lives from both sides of the divide as well as the destruction of properties worth billions of naira which was detrimental to the growth and development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The lessons of the civil war have faded in the minds of many Nigerians and a repeat of the carnage of the civil war is not necessary, going forward. The IPOB’s agitation for self-determination has turned violent against both the people of the south-east who are against their agitations and other Nigerians carrying out their lawful businesses within the south-eastern states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The IPOB through its militant arm — Eastern Security Network (ESN) — is responsible for the killings, expulsions and destruction of properties of other Nigerians not belonging to the Igbo tribe.

“Resolving, with finality, the existential question of self-determination of any part of Nigeria is now more urgent, imperative and prevails over and above the issue of amending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can be further amended at any time after the question of self-determination must have been resolved by Nigerians”, the Plaintiffs added.

However, the Igbo lawyers, led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Chuks Muoma, Ukpai Ukairo, Ebere Uzoatu and Hon Obi Emuka, in their joinder application, wondered why the Plaintiffs failed to join the South Eastern states in the suit.

They are therefore praying the court to join them as Defendants in the suit to enable them to represent the people of the southeastern region.

In the application they filed through Victor Onweremadu, the Applicants, argued that the suit has the capability to shape the life of the generation of Igbo people.

In a 12-paragraph affidavit in support of their application deposed to by one Ekenna Felix Jonathan, the Igbo lawyers averred: “That this suit is so crucial and a sensitive matter which concerns the Indigenous Igbo speaking tribe in Nigeria and has the capability to shape the life of the future generation of the people of the south-east of Nigeria and other Indigenous Igbo speaking tribe in Nigeria.

“That the Igbo Lawyers Association represented by the applicants are an Indigenous association of lawyers from the south east of Nigeria and other Indigenous Igbo speaking tribe in Nigeria.

“That the Igbo Lawyers Association and its objective is to represent the interest of the Igbo people which said people are Indigenous in the south east of Nigeria. Thus, the association is interested and is a necessary party to be joined.

“That It will serve the interest of justice if the Honourable court grants the application and join the applicants as defendants in the suit and that the plaintiffs will not be prejudiced if the application is granted”.

Meanwhile, Justice Inyang Ekwo has set down November 1 to hear the suit.

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Atiku leads Tambuwal, El-Rufai, others to Buhari as 2027 election draws near

Published

7 hours ago

April 11, 2025

Trends Admin

Former President Muhammadu Buhari and Former Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar

Atiku leads Tambuwal, El-Rufai, others to Buhari as 2027 election draws near

Former Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal paid a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his Kaduna house.

According to a video seen by our correspondent on X, other politicians who visited Buhari on Friday included former Minister of Communications Isa Pantami, former Governor of Imo State Achike Udenwa, former Governor of Benue State Senator Gabriel Suswam, and former Governor of Adamawa State Jibrilla Bindow, among others.

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Atiku, who took to his verified X page on Friday to disclose the visit, described it as a “wonderful time” with the former president.

Atiku wrote, “As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations.

“Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015-2023.

“It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour.”

The PDP chieftain, however, did not disclose the details of the meeting’s agenda and its outcome.

Atiku leads Tambuwal, El-Rufai, others to Buhari as 2027 election draws near

Politics

You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers

Published

2 days ago

April 10, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor Monday Okpebholo

You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has welcomed lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state’s House of Assembly.

Okpebholo assured them of a conducive environment to operate and collaborate for the state’s development.

The governor gave the assurance when he received Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, who defected to the APC.

Osamwonyi, representing Uhunmwonde State Constituency, was received into the party by the Chairman of the APC Edo State chapter, Jarrett Tenebe.

Governor Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for joining the APC, stating that their defection has strengthened the party.

He expressed his desire to collaborate with them to drive development and improve the lives of Edo people.

“We congratulate you on returning home. Your coming is a plus for the party, as we have five of you who have joined, and you have made our party stronger.

“A lot of people from other political parties are ready to join our party, and soon there will be a carnival. I seek your help to drive development, and together, we will develop the state and make life better for our people.

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“Uhunmwonde Local Government is very special to me, and together we can develop the area and open it for growth and development.

“The next election, especially the 2027 presidential election, we are ready in Edo State. We have kick-started our own campaigns for the president in 2027. We have to mobilise the youth in our state, and you are part of the youth. I promise you that you will enjoy our party, as you have chosen to join us,” he said.

The governor highlighted his administration’s developmental strides, aiming to boost the state’s economy and enhance the lives of its citizens.

He specifically mentioned Uhunmwonde Local Government, stating his commitment to its growth and development.

Okpebholo also announced the kickoff of the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, calling on the youth to join the party’s efforts.

Also speaking, Tenebe stated that the party is now in full control of the State Assembly, as it now has the majority of the members in the house.

“Hon. Osamwonyi joined the party following the developmental strides your administration has achieved in the few months you have led the state,” he said.

Osamwonyi, on his part, said his decision to join the party was a result of the disunity in his former party, the PDP, from the national to unit level, as well as the achievements of Governor Okpebholo in a very short time in office.

“The division in my party, the PDP, made me join the APC. For me, it is a homecoming, as I was once in the APC. Your developmental strides attracted me back home, as I want the best for my people.

“The several projects captured in the budget for the Uhunmwonde people are impressive. I had no choice but to join the party for the development of my people,” he said.

You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers

Politics

Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman

Published

2 days ago

April 9, 2025

Trends Admin

Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa

Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman

Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has declared himself the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling as justification for his takeover.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Apapa cited the Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1217/2024 and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, which he claims validates his position.

According to him, the apex court ruling invalidates all decisions and actions taken by Barrister Julius Abure since April 4, 2023.

“The Supreme Court lambasted the two lower courts for exceeding their jurisdiction,” Apapa said during the briefing. “They rightly noted that issues regarding the internal leadership of a political party are non-justiciable and outside the jurisdiction of the courts.”

Relying on Article 14(2)(a)(b) of the Labour Party Constitution, Apapa asserted that, as the most senior Deputy National Chairman, he is now constitutionally empowered to assume leadership in an acting capacity. Alongside his announcement, he named Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the Acting National Secretary of the party.

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Apapa also revealed that the National Working Committee (NWC), as constituted in 2022, will convene on Monday, April 14, 2025. At the top of the agenda is a new strategic roadmap for the party, including plans to zone the National Chairmanship to the North and the Secretary position to the South.

“We are also taking proactive steps to resuscitate the moribund Board of Trustees and make it functional again. The time has come for real internal democracy and inclusion in our great party,” Apapa declared.

He disclosed that preparations are underway for fresh congresses at all levels—ward, local government, state, and national—aimed at re-establishing grassroots participation and internal legitimacy. According to him, only financial members will be eligible to vote or contest.

It should be recalled that a separate faction loyal to 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti convened a National Executive Meeting earlier today.