We're studying judgement declaring pro-Wike lawmakers PDP members – APC – Newstrends
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We’re studying judgement declaring pro-Wike lawmakers PDP members – APC

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7 months ago

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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

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Youth minister backs Seyi Tinubu to lead Lagos as governor

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4 hours ago

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January 13, 2025

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Minister for Youth Development Ayodele Olawande and Seyi Tinubu

Youth minister backs Seyi Tinubu to lead Lagos as governor

The Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has expressed support for Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, stating that he is well-qualified to govern Lagos State.

In a recent appearance on the Mic On podcast, Olawande addressed the growing rumours surrounding Seyi’s potential run for governor in 2027, affirming that he is more than capable.

“He’s not too young to become a governor,” the minister stated.

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According to him, Seyi is a well-trained and committed individual with a proven track record of helping young people long before his father became president.

While rumours about Seyi’s candidacy began circulating in 2024, particularly after the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL) and other groups endorsed him for the governorship, Olawande clarified that Seyi is not directly involved in the campaign.

“Seyi is not the one engineering the campaign to become the next governor of Lagos State,” he added.

 

Youth minister backs Seyi Tinubu to lead Lagos as governor

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2027: Anti-Tinubu coalition seeks backing of Obasanjo, Gowon, others

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20 hours ago

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January 12, 2025

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

2027: Anti-Tinubu coalition seeks backing of Obasanjo, Gowon, others

A former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, is spearheading efforts to rally support from southern political bigwigs in a bid to form a national coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources reveal that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, are among the influential figures backing the initiative.

Punch reports that Shekarau, the leader of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), has been in discussions with political leaders from the South-West, South-East, and South-South to build a broad-based coalition.

Dr Umar Ardo, the Convener of LND, announced the group’s intent to evolve into a political party, which would provide a credible alternative to Nigeria’s current political landscape.

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Obasanjo, who met with Shekarau and his delegation in October 2024, suggested that the LND should consider adopting a more inclusive name, the National League of Democrats, to reflect the group’s aspirations for a nationwide reach.

He expressed his willingness to serve as a patron for the group. Gowon also endorsed this vision, advising the group to make its platform more inclusive by incorporating southern politicians.

While the LND has not yet registered as a political party, discussions with southern leaders are ongoing. Notable politicians from the South-East, South-West, and South-South have reportedly shown interest in joining the movement if it becomes a national platform.

The LND’s efforts come at a time when opposition leaders are aligning to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

 

2027: Anti-Tinubu coalition seeks backing of Obasanjo, Gowon, others

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APC: Ex-lawmakers want 2026 gov ticket zoned to Osun West

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1 day ago

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January 12, 2025

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APC: Ex-lawmakers want 2026 gov ticket zoned to Osun West

Agitations for zoning of governorship ticket to Osun West Senatorial District is gaining momentum everyday as former members of the State House of Assembly from the zone, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the weekend, called for equity, justice, and fairness in the distribution of the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.

In a communiqué issued after their meeting on January 9, 2025, in Osogbo, signed by Hon. Ajibola Akinloye (Ola Oluwa), who served as Secretary, along with other notable former legislators, including Hon. Debo Akanbi (Ede North), Hon. Yemi Taiwo (Ayedaade), Hon. Abiodun Awolola (Egbedore), and Hon. Bayo Olodo (Ayedaade), among others, and made available to our correspondent at the weekend, the forum demanded zoning of the ticket to their district.

The forum expressed unwavering loyalty to the APC and its leader, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, maintaining that there is the need for equitable representation in the party’s decision-making processes.

They specifically urged the party to zone the 2026 governorship ticket to Osun West Senatorial District, noting that since 1999, the APC had not awarded the ticket to their district, unlike the other two senatorial zones.

“This imbalance raises issues of equity and justice. It is time for Osun West to feel a sense of belonging within the Progressive Party,” they said.

They noted that their request was subject to the decision of Oyetola, whom they acknowledged as having the ‘right of first refusal’ for the APC governorship ticket.

They also called for the immediate resumption of grassroots political activities to strengthen the party’s base and ensure a successful campaign against the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2026.

The former lawmakers expressed their gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fiscal reforms, economic revival, and social welfare programs, describing these initiatives as critical to national development.

APC: Ex-lawmakers want 2026 gov ticket zoned to Osun West

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