Politics
Court clears statutory delegates to vote at APC presidential primary
The number of those to vote to determine presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress at the June 6 National Convention in Abuja may have to be increased as a federal High Court in Kano has declared statutory delegates eligible to participate.
Statutory delegates of a political party in a convention or congress include government personnel and lawmakers elected on the platform of the political party.
A judgement order issued on Friday June 3 by Justice A.M Liman of the Kano Federal High Court of Nigeria was sequel to an originating summons dated the 23rd day of May, 2022 and filed on the 24th day of May, 2022.
The decision of the court allows senators and House of Reps members to vote during conventions, congresses and meetings.
President of the Senate Ahmed Lawan is also one of those seeking to become Nigeria’s oresident in 2023.
The Suit No FHC/KN/CS/137/2022 had prayed the court to declare that Section 84(8) cannot be interpreted to have excluded statutory delegates from voting at the convention, congress or meeting by virtue of Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 20(iv)(c) of the All Progressives Congress Constitution, which allow Statutory Delegation to vote at convention, congress or meeting.
The suit, which was filed by Senator Mas’ud El-Jibrin Doguwa, Hon. Habibu Sani and Hon. Bilyaminu Yusif Shinkafi, had The Senate President, National Chairman of the APC, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
Justice Liman, in delivering the order noted that the second defendant filed a counter affidavit in opposition to the originating summons dated 1st of June, 2022 while the 1st, 3rd and 4th Defendants did not file any process in the suit.
”It is hereby ordered as follows:
That Section 84(8) cannot be interpreted to have excluded statutory delegates from voting at the convention, congress or meeting by virtue of Section 223 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and Article 20(iv)(c) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution, which allow statutory delegation to vote at convention, congress or meeting,”
Politics
2027: Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido in coalition talks
2027: Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido in coalition talks
Key opposition figures yesterday began coalition talks ahead of 2027 polls, barely one year into the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also met with two PDP chieftains, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.
Speaking on Obi’s meeting with Atiku, the ex-VP’s media aide, Paul Ibe, said although they discussed the proposal for coalition, he was not conversant with details of the discussion.
But Obi’s aide, YunusaTanko, was more forthcoming on the reasons behind the meetings.
According to him: “His (Obi) abiding devotion is to the emergence of a Nigeria that works for all its peoples and where the people are quickly pulled out of poverty.
“Worried about the state of the nation and the increasing uncertainty in the living conditions of the poor and underprivileged, Obi in Abuja on Monday visited some top Nigerians, among whom are Former Vice President, and PDP Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki and the former Governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido.
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“At the centre of discussion during each of these visits was the state of the nation and how to reduce the suffering of all Nigerians irrespective of class and location.
“In particular, the desperate condition of the downtrodden in our midst was highlighted. Of particular interest and emphasis in these discussions was the worrisome situation in the Northern parts of the country.”
An excited Atiku posted the photographs of the meeting on his social media handle.
Ibe said Atiku was making a significant effort to bring the opposition into a coalition
He said: “Yes, they met at His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s residence for about 20 minutes this afternoon (yesterday). It was held behind closed doors. So, we wouldn’t know exactly what was discussed.
“We can only guess that it was in furtherance of efforts towards offering Nigerian citizens much better options.
“What is important is that there have been calls for the opposition to coalesce into a strong force and surely, they must have had very positive discussions on some issues of significance . But what we don’t know yet is the exact details of their discussion.”
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In 2019, Obi was Atiku’s running mate during the presidential poll on the platform of the PDP. They were defeated by the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket.
During the last year’s poll, Atiku and Obi, who refused to work together, were defeated by President Bola Tinubu.
Shortly after the post-election litigations, Obi also rejected partisan overtures by Atiku, who mooted the idea of coalition.
Currently, both PDP and LP are contending with some internal contradictions, particularly leadership squabbles that have further polarised them.
The PDP, beset by leadership crisis, has been hit by a gale of defections, making it to lose many members to the ruling party.
Also, LP is split into two camps, and in the Southeast, which is its stronghold, it is ebbing away as many chieftains are leaving in droves.
The rift between LP and its acclaimed founder, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has escalated, with the Political Commission of the union rejecting Julius Abure as national chairman.
According to observers, Obi has not demonstrated the capacity to foster reconciliation in the party.
The direction of the proposed PDP/LP coalition upon during the separate meetings is cloudy.
2027: Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido in coalition talks
Politics
Ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada dumps PDP for APC
Ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada dumps PDP for APC
A former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico and Canada, Prof. Iorwuese Hagher, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Hagher was registered at his Utange Ward in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area by the APC Ward chairman, Orduuga Tyokegh.
Speaking after registering as an APC member, he said, “I have found rest, I am not in APC to look for a job, I have joined the APC to help, I am here to assist my friend Sen. Dr. George Akume who is the first Tiv man to be SGF and he is also the leader of the APC.
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“All politics is local and the Shitile people where I come from have always voted for APC therefore I have decided to join them.”
Hagher who was first appointed by then President Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico later moved to Abuja where he presented his APC registration slip to the Chairman of the Benue State APC Elders Council, Elder Simon Shango, at his office.
Ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada dumps PDP for APC
Politics
Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP
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
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