Politics

Why We Can’t Take Any Action On Umahi Now – INEC

Published

2 years ago

March 25, 2022

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it cannot yet take a stance on the controversy surrounding the ruling which sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.

A National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, said this at the end of the management meeting of the management meeting of the commission, on Thursday.

An Abuja court had ordered Umahi’s removal over his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All progressives Congress (APC).

The court held that votes cast in the 2019 election were for the PDP and Umahi could no longer hold office after leaving the party.

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The PDP had asked the electoral body to revoke the certificate of return it issued to Umahi and declare its candidate in 2019 as the new governor.

In its response, INEC had said it would make its position on Umahi known this week.

But in a statement on Thursday, the commission said it cannot take any action at the moment because of multiple court cases.

“It will be recalled that the commission met on Thursday 17th March on the matter, decided to defer its deliberation on the Ebonyi cases and stepped down the listed Memorandum to enable its Legal Services and Clearance Committee to study the new processes served on it in the light of the previously served ones and advise the Commission comprehensively.

“Since then, the commission has been served yet more Court Processes on the same matter, bringing the total to 12.

“The Commission deliberated extensively on these cases and decided to further suspend action on the defection of the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Ebonyi State and 16 members of the State House of Assembly from the PDP to the APC in the light of the conflicting judgements and orders served on it from Courts of coordinate jurisdiction,” he said.

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He said that INEC also considers it prudent to stay action on the conflicting judgements and orders being aware of the pendency of Appeals and Motions for Stay of Execution of some of the judgements before various divisions of the Court of Appeal.

On Osun State governorship election, Okoye said that the commission would on Friday 25th March publish in its state and local government offices in Osun State the list and personal particulars of the candidates that political parties propose to sponsor at the election.

He said that these must be candidates who emerged from valid primaries in line with Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022.

He said, “The commission will publish the list and personal particulars of the candidates of 15 out of the 18 political parties that conducted primaries. The nominations of the Action Alliance (AA); African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will not be published for their failure to comply with the commission’s Guidelines on Political Party Operations (2018) or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“The AA did not submit a nomination jointly signed by the National Chairman and Secretary of the party while the ADC and APGA nominated candidates that do not meet the age requirements for the office of Deputy Governor as enshrined in the Constitution. The commission has already communicated this position officially to the affected Political Parties.”

DAILY TRUST

Politics

Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP

Published

14 hours ago

May 7, 2024

Trends Admin

Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP

Dr. Jasper Uche, the 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, has officially tendered his resignation from the party.

In a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Umuaku Ward in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Uche’s decision to step down was clearly stated. The letter copied to both the PDP Chairman of Umunneochi LGA and the State Chairman of the party, reads:

“This is to notify you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from today.

“Kindly note that this decision was taken after extensive consultation.

“I thank the party for giving me the platform, which culminated in my nomination as Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections”.

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In a related development, Hon Ikechukwu Nwabekee, a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Osisioma Ngwa North constituency, has also chosen to sever ties with the party.

In a letter directed to the party chairman of Amasaa Ward 5 in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Nwabekee stated:

“Kindly note that the decision is taken after extensive consultations and out of deep personal conviction.

“The firm resolve to withdraw my membership is without prejudice to my friends, associates, and numerous supporters who might have different opinions, as I seek for new challenges.

“I thank the party for giving me a great platform to perform, including rising to the position of Chief Whip Abia State House of Assembly,” Nwabekee added.

Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP

Politics

BREAKING: Again Rivers Assembly passes new law without governor’s consent

Published

1 day ago

May 6, 2024

Trends Admin

BREAKING: Again Rivers Assembly passes new law without governor’s consent

Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday ignored the state governor Siminialayi Fubara’s consent in passing a new law.

The lawmakers specifically passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment)Bill, 2024 into Law

It is the third time in three months that the state assembly would override the governor.

In March, the assembly had ruled against Fubara to enact the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission Law.

It took same measure in April by passing the local government amendment bill into law despite the refusal of Fubara to give his assent.

The lawmakers also threatened to take stringent measures against the governor “if he continues to flout the laws of the state”.

The assembly said it acted in consonance with the provisions of Section 100 (5)of the 1999 Constitution voted, and with a two-third majority votes passed the bill into law.

The lawmakers had passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment)Bill, 2024 on the 26th of March, 2024, and transmitted it to the governor for assent, which he declined.

Speaking on the bill , the speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said it was to secure taxpayers’ money and ensure that it is not spent on frivolities and twisted contracts.

Amaewhule condemned a situation where due process is relegated to the background, contracts awarded without legal backing and the state being governed in a “dictatorial panache”.

Politics

Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt

Published

2 days ago

May 6, 2024

Trends Admin

Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt

In anticipation of the upcoming governorship election slated for September 21 in Edo State, the state chapter of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called for the fair representation of Muslims in the state’s governance.

Mallam Abdulazeez Igbinidu, the Chairman of Edo State’s NSCIA, voiced this demand during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City. He emphasized the inadequate representation of Muslims in the state’s governance structures.

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Addressing the attendees, Mallam Igbinidu highlighted the purpose of the meeting, which aimed to collectively address the concerns of Muslims regarding the conduct of the upcoming governorship election.

He stressed the necessity for equity and fairness in representation within the state’s governance framework to ensure that Muslims are adequately represented.

The call for equitable representation underscores the importance of inclusivity and diversity in governance, reflecting the need for all population segments to be adequately represented in decision-making processes.