Politics
Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats
Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats
Few days after governors on the platform of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) handed down an ultimatum for things to change in the party, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagun has moved against the FCT Minister and his loyal lawmakers, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Damagun in a letter addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dated 13th November 2024 and released on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, Ikenga Ugochinyere urged the electoral umpire to conduct a bye-election to fill up the 27 seats, they vacated to join the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Wike has been accused of being behind the crisis in the PDP over his disagreement with the Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, his successor.
The crisis which started over control of resources divided the party in the state with 27 lawmakers in the state assembly siding Wike and defected to the APC following Wike’s acceptance to serve in the government of the APC.
He has also been accused of working in cahoots with Damagun to damage the PDP by not organising the National Executive Committee which would lead to the acting Chairman’s ouster.
After a series of agitation, the latest being from the PDP Governors’ Forum over the weekend, Damagun has demanded that INEC conduct elections as soon as possible, apparently moving against the FCT minister.
He argued in letter titled, ‘DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE CONDUCT OF FRESH ELECTION IN 27 STATE CONSTITUENCIES OF RIVERS STATE WHICH HAVE BECOME VACANT PURSUANT TO SECTION 109(1)(g) OF THE CONSTITUTION’ that it’s “unlawful” for the 27 members to defect.
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The members defected to the APC on December 11, 2023.
Damagun said, going by provisions of the Constitution, the lawmakers are no longer members of the Assembly.
The PDP acting chairman therefore urged the Commission to perform its constitutional duties and begin the process of conducting fresh elections to fill the vacancies created in the 27 state constituencies by the unlawful act of the former Assembly members.
Parts of the letter read, “The Leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to draw the attention of the Commission to the gross violation of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly following their unlawful defection from our Party, the PDP who sponsored their elections to the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Monday, December 11, 2023.
“The Commission may recall that our Party, the PDP nominated all our 32 State House of Assembly candidates in Rivers State for the 2023 General Election on the 7th of July 2022 via your electronic candidate election nomination portal (See attached acknowledgement).
“The Commission may also recall that following the nomination, the Commission conducted election into the Rivers State House of Assembly on the 18th of March, 2023 and our Party won 32 seats in the state Assembly. The elected State House of Assembly members were inaugurated and sworn-in on June, 2023.
“However, on Monday, 11 December, 2023 a period of just six (6) months after inauguration, 27 out of the 32 members publicly announced their defection from our Party to the All Progressive Congress (APC). This defection is a gross violation of Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended).
“The only two grounds of division and merger provided for in the Constitution that permit such defection are completely non-existent in our political Party. It therefore means that the defections of the 27 members are without lawful excuse and these members have vacated their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly by the operations of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
“In view of the foregoing, we hereby demand that the Commission performs its constitutional duties and begin the process of conducting a Fresh Election to fill the vacancies created in the 27 State Constituencies by the unlawful act of the Assembly members. Find attached the list of the 27 State Assembly Members and their Constituencies.
“While thanking the Commission for its commitment to deepening democracy in our country, please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats
Politics
Another LP bigwig, Chike Amadichi (Diaspora Chairman) joins APC
Another LP bigwig, Chike Amadichi (Diaspora Chairman) joins APC
Hon. Chike Amadichi, the Diaspora Chairman of the Labour Party, has officially resigned from the party and announced his decision to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This move, which coincides with the defection of six serving members of the House of Representatives from the Labour Party, marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Amadichi, who returned to Nigeria from London, cited personal reasons for his departure but emphasized that his decision was based on consultations regarding how to better Nigeria’s leadership and political space.
In a statement issued shortly after his resignation, Amadichi expressed his gratitude to the Labour Party’s National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, for the opportunity to serve the party’s supporters abroad.
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Amadichi, who was instrumental in establishing over 12 chapters of the Labour Party in countries across the globe, outlined his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s interests.
He pledged to leverage his international connections to attract foreign investments that could help boost Nigeria’s economy and promote national growth.
The statement reads, “I am joining the ruling party to offer my services to Nigerians under the able leadership of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“My decision to leave the Party is personal, and my resolve was anchored on several consultations on how to better the country’s leadership and political space, hence the need to work with the ruling party to drive home the yearnings of Nigeria.
“I have officially sent my letter of resignation to the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure, thanking him for the opportunity to serve millions of the Party supporters in Diaspora.”
Another LP bigwig, Chike Amadichi (Diaspora Chairman) joins APC
Politics
No future for you there, LP lawmaker chides colleagues who dumped party for APC
No future for you there, LP lawmaker chides colleagues who dumped party for APC
The Labour Party caucus at the House of Representatives has voiced its disgust at the decision of some lawmakers to dump the party.
Within Nigeria had reported that four members of the LP – Chinedu Okere (Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West Constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Constituency), and Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo) left the party on Thursday.
The defectors attributed their decision to internal wrangling in the Labour Party.
Reacting to the development, the Deputy Minority Leader of the house, George Ibezimako Ozodinobi (LP, Anambra), slammed his colleagues for quitting the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
After the speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, read the letter of defection, Ozodinobi raised a point of order on the floor of the Green Chamber, expressing disappointment with his colleagues who had just left the LP.
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He also stated that the defectors have made a terrible decision as they have no future in the APC.
“I will quote the Bible. When Jesus was carrying the cross to the Calvary, the woman, Veronica, was weeping. And he looked back and said, women of Israel, don’t weep for me, weep for yourself.
“I am telling those who have defected that they will continue weeping for themselves because where you have crossed over to, you don’t have a future,” the lawmaker said.
Following their defection, the Labour Party described their move as disappointing.
The spokesman of the party, Obiora Ifoh said their defection was quite unfortunate, condemning the action, which he said was irrational, untenable, inconsistent and alien to all known norms for which democracy stands for.
“Though the Labour Party leadership is undaunted by the defection, it has however, elected not to allow it slide and has therefore instructed its legal team to commence the legal actions against the defectors and to also commence the process of regaining our mandates in line with the 1999 constitution and 2022 Electoral Act as amended,” the LP spokesman said in a statement.
No future for you there, LP lawmaker chides colleagues who dumped party for APC
Politics
2027 presidency: Goodluck Jonathan’s posters flood Kano
2027 presidency: Goodluck Jonathan’s posters flood Kano
Campaign posters featuring former President Goodluck Jonathan have flooded major locations in Kano state, sparking speculation about a potential bid for the presidency in 2027.
The posters, strategically displayed at high-traffic areas such as the Gyadi-Gyadi/Zoo Road flyover, Kofar Nasarawa, and State Road, bear the slogan “Team New Nigeria 2027: The Goodluck Nigeria Needs—Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.”
The latest move is seen as a clear indication of Jonathan’s potential interest in the presidency, although his spokesperson, Okechukwu Eze, has yet to comment on the matter.
Jonathan previously faced similar circumstances, with his supporters purchasing nomination forms under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections—a move he later distanced himself from.
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The recent campaign is spearheaded by a political movement known as Team New Nigeria (TNN), which has been ramping up its activities across the country. TNN leader Modibbo Yakubu Farakwai explained that the group’s efforts are driven by public demand for transformative leadership. “Nigerians are hungry for change and yearning for a new party with new faces to drive that change. They want a transformation in the culture and efficacy of governance at all levels,” Farakwai said.
TNN has established a harmonisation committee in Kano State and is in the process of registering as a political party with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The group claims to have mobilised 26,382,000 registered voters across Nigeria and has developed essential party structures, including a flag, logo, constitution, and manifesto.
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