Politics
Breaking: Supreme Court affirms Sanwo-Olu election as Lagos governor
Breaking: Supreme Court affirms Sanwo-Olu election as Lagos Governor
The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro, dismissed two separate appeals that challenged his return as winner of the governorship election held in the state on March 18.
The appeals were brought before the court by candidates of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and that of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abdulazeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor.
Specifically, the LP and its candidate, Rhodes-Vivour, had prayed to the court to determine whether Sanwo-Olu, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was qualified to contest the election, considering that his deputy and running mate, Obafemi Hamzat, has dual citizenship.
The appellants alleged that the Lagos State deputy governor took the citizenship of the United States of America, USA.
They argued that since the deputy governor, by his action, was constitutionally ineligible to contest the election, it invalidated Sanwo-Olu’s candidature at the election.
However, both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, as well as the APC, urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal for lack of competence.
The respondents stressed that both the Lagos State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal had unanimously dismissed the allegation and LP’s petition against the outcome of the gubernatorial contest.
Also, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Garba Lawal, the Supreme Court said there was no evidence that Sanwo-Olu’s deputy denounced his Nigerian citizenship.
It held that the prohibitions in Section 28 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not applicable to a person that is a Nigerian citizen by birth.
The apex court said there was no law stripping a Nigerian citizen by birth from enjoying his status, rights, and privileges owing to the acquisition of the citizenship of another country through naturalization.
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
Politics
BREAKING: Again Rivers Assembly passes new law without governor’s consent
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”.
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