He said that the appointment of the former Finance Minister to lead the 29-member national caretaker committee of the Labour Party at a meeting convened by the Abia State governor, Alex Otti, lacks legitimacy and is a waste of time and resources.
Politics
APC NWC: Count me out of court case, says Oshiomhole
- says he is not interested in returning as APC chairman
- As party holds NEC meeting today
Former national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has said he is not a party to a suit instituted seeking the return of the National Working Committee under his leadership.
He said this on Monday ahead of a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the party holding on Tuesday (today) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
The APC NWC was sacked last June at an emergency meeting of NEC held at the Presidential Villa and a caretaker committee led by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.
Former National Vice Chairman, South-South of the party, Hillard Etagboeta, had filed a suit to challenge the dissolution of the NWC which was led by Oshiomhole.
Another chieftain of the party from Abia State, Kalu Kalu Agu, has also filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Kalu in the suit, amongst other prayers maintained that Oshiomhole-led NWC was illegally dissolved last June and prayed the court to bar the caretaker committee from convening any NEC meeting for the party, pending when all issues relating to legality or otherwise of the dissolution of the Oshiomhole-led NWC are fully resolved.
Oshiomhole in a statement he personally signed titled, “My Position Has Not Changed,” disclosed that he was no longer interested in returning to the APC national secretariat as national chairman.
The former Edo State governor who insisted that the court case instituted by Etagboeta did not enjoy his blessings, further declared that “even if another NEC decision or a court order reverses the dissolution, with utmost humility I will decline to return as APC chairman.”
The statement read in part, “In reporting the legal action taken by a member of the dissolved National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), some attributions have been made to the effect that plaintiff is an ‘ally of Oshiomhole’ or an ‘associate of Oshiomhole’.
“The court documents are clear on who is the plaintiff.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the 21-member NWC under my leadership largely worked cohesively and harmoniously. The only exceptions were those of the three members used by forces desperate to take control of the party. They contrived a crisis and abused the judicial process to undermine the constitution and integrity of the party.
“The majority of 18 members worked as a team and not as allies or loyalists of anybody.
“When the National Executive Committee (NEC) in its wisdom dissolved the NWC, I immediately announced publicly that I accepted the decision, regardless of its illegality or otherwise, as it affected my position as national chairman.
“I was the only one at the press conference where I made the announcement for personal reasons. The reason, of course, was that some of my colleagues in the dissolved NWC obviously didn’t share my position not to contest the dissolution in court. I can only accept responsibility for my own decision.
“Subsequently, I instructed my lawyers to withdraw the suits challenging my purported suspension from office by the proxies of those bent on removing me as chairman.
“It is, therefore, the height of mischief to insinuate, as it is being done in some quarters, that I would publicly accept the decision and later surreptitiously seek to contest it in court.
“That chapter of my political life is closed. Even if another NEC decision or a court order reverses the dissolution, with utmost humility I will decline to return as APC chairman.
“I am proud of the accomplishments of the NWC under my leadership and I am grateful to the principled 18 members who worked as a team committed to the cause of the party.
“Above all, I bear no grudges against anyone for the manner of my removal.
“Instead, I am grateful and loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari who encouraged me to contest the chairmanship of the party.
“I am also very much appreciative of the support of President Buhari who encouraged me to assert the authority of the party without fear or favour.
“Indeed, I would not have lasted as long as I did as national chairman but for the president’s support for me. I will continue to support his administration to succeed in serving the common good of the people of Nigeria.”
Politics
Power belongs to God, Otti replies Deputy Speaker Kalu over 2027 Imo gov poll
Power belongs to God, Otti replies Deputy Speaker Kalu over 2027 Imo gov poll
Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has revealed why he chose not to respond to a recent claim by the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu. Kalu had stated that Otti would be the last Governor of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia, predicting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would take over the state in 2027.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Government House in Umuahia, Otti explained that he decided to remain silent on Kalu’s remarks because he believes it is pointless to predict the future. He stressed that power belongs to God, not man.
“It is foolhardy for me to talk about what will happen tomorrow. I chose not to respond to Ben Kalu’s comment because I believe that power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He wills. I cannot sit here and say what will happen in 2027. I do not subscribe to playing God,” Otti said.
Meanwhile, Chief Okezie Usim, a chieftain of the APC in the state, warned members of the Labour Party against attacking the Deputy Speaker. Usim defended Kalu’s comments, pointing to an interview by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, who stated that the LP would take over power from the APC in Lagos in 2027.
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Usim questioned the difference between Kalu’s Abia prediction and Rhodes-Vivour’s Lagos claim. “Only a hypocrite would praise Hon Rhodes-Vivour for his assertion but launch an attack on Hon. Ben Kalu for making similar predictions,” he argued.
He criticized the Labour Party’s response to Kalu’s comments, describing it as hostile and intolerant. Usim compared the reactions in Lagos and Abia, stating, “When Rhodes-Vivour expressed the desire to defeat and take over power in Lagos State, which is APC’s stronghold, nobody called for his head. The APC and their supporters took it in good stride and completely ignored Rhodes-Vivour.”
Usim further argued that it is troubling and anti-democratic for the Abia Labour Party to attack anyone who desires to take over from the LP Governor in 2027. “What is the sin of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu in merely expressing his desire for his political party to replace the Governor in 2027? Why treat the two statements differently?”
He concluded, “If Hon. Rhodes-Vivour is praised for supporting the Labour Party to take over Lagos State Government House, why shouldn’t Hon Ben Kalu’s fearless claim of APC’s imminent victory in Abia State be commended?”
Power belongs to God, Otti replies Deputy Speaker Kalu over 2027 Imo gov poll
Politics
Imo electoral body denies releasing candidates list ahead LG poll
Imo electoral body denies releasing candidates list ahead LG poll
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has refuted allegations that it has prematurely released the names of political party candidates for the upcoming elections.
Recall that the local government elections are slated for September 21.
In response to these allegations, ISIEC Chairman Charles Ejiogu issued a press statement advising political parties and the public to ignore the report.
Ejiogu described the report as “misleading and potentially disruptive” to the Commission’s plans for transparency.
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“The attention of ISIEC has been drawn to the news making the rounds to the effect that the Commission had released the names of candidates in the upcoming local government council elections. This piece of information, in its entirety, is both misleading and mischievous” the statement stated
Ejiogu explained that the Commission will only release the list of candidates from all registered political parties after verifying their personal details, as required by law.
Following this clarification, the ISIEC Chairman instructed all participating political parties, their candidates, and the general public to disregard the rumor, which he described as a “blatant falsehood” with outright ignominy.
Imo electoral body denies releasing candidates list ahead LG poll
Politics
Kaduna LP rejects Nenadi Usman as Party’s national chair
Kaduna LP rejects Nenadi Usman as Party’s national chair
The Labour Party, LP, in Kaduna State, has expressed its opposition to the appointment of a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman as the party’s National Caretaker chairman.
Recall that the Usman-led National Caretaker Committee was inaugurated at a stakeholders’ meeting at Umuahia, Abia State, some days ago.
The party’s National Working Committee led by Barrister Julius Abure had rejected the outcome and resolution reached at the stakeholders meeting, saying Abia governor, Alex Otti, lacked the power to convene such meeting.
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Reacting to the development, Kaduna State LP chairman, Auwal Tafoki, in a statement, described the emergence of Usman, an indigene of the state, as illegal and unconstitutional.
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