Politics
We’re studying judgement declaring pro-Wike lawmakers PDP members – APC
We’re studying judgement declaring pro-Wike lawmakers PDP members – APC
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State said, on Tuesday, that it was studying Monday judgment, which declared the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 members of the state House of Assembly members of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chibuike Ikenga, said the party would take a position after receiving advise from its lawyers.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Tuesday, Ikenga stated, “Well the decision of the court is what it is. Ours is to obey or appeal.
“But as we speak our leadership is looking at it and based on the advice from the legal department of our party we will take a position on it.”
Asked how soon that will happen, he said, “I think the process is on now. We are in stakeholders engagement so we will know the next line of action afterwards.”
A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, had, on Monday, declared that the 27 lawmakers loyal to ex-governor Nyesom Wike are PDP members.
The court ruled that the 27 lawmakers were still valid members of the Rivers State House of Assembly because there was no proof that they had defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress.
The court, in a ruling by Justice Okogbule Gbasam, struck out the suit filed by Hyacinth Amadi and three others, seeking to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant on the grounds that they defected from the PDP to the APC.
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The 27 lawmakers had last year announced their defection from the PDP to the APC at the height of the crisis between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.
The Assembly also became factionalised following a failed attempt by the pro-Wike lawmakers to impeach Fubara in October last year.
But in his ruling on Monday, Justice Gbasam held that Amadi and others. seeking to declare the seats of the pro-Wike lawmakers vacant, failed to bring any concrete evidence to convince the court that the pro-Wike lawmakers had truly defected and deserved to lose their seats.
The judge ruled that defection cannot be established through newspaper publications, radio announcements or online publications.
According to the court, a defection can only be established through the party membership register, a membership card and such members fulfilling all requirements of their membership in the party.
But the Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Iboroma, (SAN), said the judgment could not be true because, according to him, the Rivers State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case.
Iboroma said, “As the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the 3rd defendant in the Suit No DHC/20/CS/2024, my attention has been drawn to a recent judgment.
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“This suit did not seek to declare the seat of Martins Amaewhule and 26 others in Rivers State House of Assembly vacant.
“The suit of the claimants was struck out for want of locus standi and jurisdiction and also for being an abuse of court process, which robbed the trial court of jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.
“There is misleading news circulating in social media, print and electronic media that Martins Amaewhule and 26 others are members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“As you all know, Martins Amaewhule and 26 others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on the 11th day of December 2023, and stated that much in affidavit evidence deposed to by Martins Amaewhule for himself and on behalf of 26 others in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1681/CS/2023 before Honourable Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
“The Suit is still pending in court. By Section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, it is only the Federal High Court that can determine whether Martins Amaewhule and 26 others are still members of the Peoples Democratic Party and also members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This much was held by the trial court.
“However, you will recall that there is a subsisting order of interlocutory injunction in Suit No. PHC/512/CS/2024 restraining Martins Amaewhule and his co-travelers from further parading or presenting themselves as lawmakers in Rivers State pending the determination of the substantive suit, which has not been appealed against to date.
We’re studying judgement declaring pro-Wike lawmakers PDP members – APC
Politics
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee, led by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is set to brief the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on its findings and recommendations ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The committee met at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday to finalise its report for presentation to the Amb. Umar Damagum-led NWC, which will then present it to the NEC for ratification.
Following a meeting with the PDP National Assembly Caucus, Oyinlola emphasised the need for unity within the party, noting that any successful political party must be united. He described the discussions as productive and critical for addressing the party’s declining political fortunes.
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Oyinlola also addressed the upcoming Ondo Governorship election, stating that the committee has considered the election while touring the South-West region and is developing strategies to support the party’s efforts.
When asked about internal disputes, Oyinlola confirmed that the committee is focused on reconciling party members who have disagreements. Regarding rumours of possible suspensions, he dismissed them as speculation, pending discussions with the NWC.
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
Politics
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Speaking at a recent event to commission infrastructure projects in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose made his support for Oyebanji clear, emphasising that his loyalty to the governor transcends party lines.
“I don’t care what people say about me,” Fayose declared in response to criticism from his party. “Whoever is not pleased should take their party away.”
His comments come amid growing tensions within the PDP, where some members have threatened Fayose with expulsion for his actions.
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- Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Fayose praised Governor Oyebanji’s performance, citing his developmental strides and the unity among Ekiti leaders as key reasons for his endorsement.
“All former governors of Ekiti are standing behind Oyebanji for a second term,” Fayose noted, underscoring the broad support Oyebanji has garnered due to his achievements in office.
Governor Oyebanji, during the event, highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve the lives of Ekiti residents.
He pointed out that under his leadership, over 40 towns have been connected to the national power grid, boosting local economies through significant infrastructure projects.
Fayose’s endorsement comes ahead of the 2026 governorship election and is seen as a significant boost to Oyebanji’s chances of securing a second term.
Despite Fayose’s strong ties to the PDP, his support for the sitting governor indicates a potential rift within the party as the state prepares for the upcoming election.
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Politics
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Tensions are reaching a boiling point within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State as key party leaders lock horns over political appointments following the recent election.
The power struggle between former APC governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s camp and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s faction has escalated into a full-blown conflict, with both sides accusing each other of greed and overreach in the allocation of “juicy” positions within the state government.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s loyalists have made it clear that they will not tolerate what they perceive as an attempt by Oshiomhole’s camp to monopolize appointments in Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
A source from Ize-Iyamu’s camp told News Direct:
“We will not allow one greedy man to singlehandedly nominate appointees into all the juicy positions or take the lion’s share in nominating political appointees beyond his senatorial district.
“He plans to boss the governor into a tight corner to take command over his government.”
The rift was fuelled by accusations that Oshiomhole’s influence over the incoming governor is growing disproportionately, and there are concerns that the former governor, through his loyalists, is attempting to seize control of key positions in Edo State’s administration.
On their part, Ize-Iyamu’s supporters believe the positions should be distributed equitably across all senatorial districts.
A source from Oshiomhole’s faction dismissed the position, saying:
“Those that didn’t contribute significant votes in the election should take the back seat.
It is not a monkey work, bamboo chop thing; but, if the governor insists he wants to play to their music, we will not hesitate to dance naked and tell the tribunal how we rigged the election that brought him because he knows he didn’t win at the poll.”
The current political tussle appears to be centred on distributing 12 commissioner slots and other high-ranking appointments.
Ize-Iyamu’s camp has argued that it is unfair for one individual, particularly someone from a different senatorial district, to control so many key positions. A senior member from Ize-Iyamu’s faction said:
“We insist 12 commissioners and other juicy appointments are too much for one man who is merely a senatorial leader. We must resist this masked intruder vehemently.
“His puppet can concede his two Ovias to support the Edo North slot, but certainly not in my Edo South or Okpebholo’s Central. We are not fools.”
Meanwhile, political watchers in the state say the deepening feud between these two factions could have serious implications for the stability of the APC in Edo State.
There are also fears that the dispute over appointments could weaken the party’s unity, especially with the looming possibility of litigation at the election tribunal.
While the Oshiomhole camp has implied that it could reveal damaging information regarding the election process, Ize-Iyamu’s camp remains defiant, stating that they can defend their victory without relying on Oshiomhole’s influence.
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
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