Connect with us

Politics

2023: Tension In Ebonyi APC As Group Raises Alarm Over Alleged Imposition Plot, Abandonment

Published

on

…Wants Party Leadership To Prevail On Umahi For Equal Treatment

A group under the aegis of “Concern Ebonyi Movement” has raised the alarm that Governor David Umahi-led All Progressive Congress, APC, has abandoned the legacy members of the party in the state, just as it expressed fear that the development portend a grave political danger for the party in the forthcoming party primaries and 2023 general election.

The group subsequently called on the governor to immediately reverse the trend whereby “all local government chairmen are single handedly handpicked without carrying along old members of the APC who had laboured day and night for the party.

The group said it is shocking that the new APC members that joined the party alongside Governor Umahi have continue to boast that there is nothing anybody can do, noting that they enjoy the backing of the national leadership of the party.

Advertisement

The group added that the party must concede some positions to the old APC members if it is serious about winning in the state.

This alarm came on the heel of an alleged plot by the governor to impose an unpopular aspirant as candidates on the party forthcoming primary in the state.

In a statement jointly issued on Friday by the convener, Dr Uchechukwu Nwafor and Emeka Afam, and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki, the group said what the leadership of the party need to do under the watch of Governor Umahi is to provide a level playing field for aspirants vying for political offices in the coming primaries.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: 2023: Crisis Mars PDP 3-man Delegate Election In Ebonyi

They added that any attempt to arm twist any aspirants may spell doom for the APC.

They also noted that the body language of the governor and those that came with him to the APC seems to suggest that they will not be given equal opportunities to contest for various positions for the 2023 General elections.

Advertisement

The group said should their fear come to be, APC would go into the elections as a fragmented body and thus provide opportunity for the PDP to exploit to their advantage.

They, therefore, called on the national leadership of the ruling party to prevail on governor Umahi to ensure equal treatment for all the party members.

According to the statement, ” It is no longer news that the way and manner the governor who is the leader of the party has acted gives reason to raised this alarm. We deserve to be given the right of first refusal having kept the party alive in the state.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: ‘Reverse Our Sack’ Ebonyi Governor, Deputy, Lawmakers Tell Appeal Court

” Yes, we are eternally grateful to the governor for not only joining the APC, but also for the wonderful work he is doing in the State.

“His infrastructural development as well as people oriented policies have endeared him and the party to the people.

Advertisement

“However, while we commend him on that, he must also not take it for granted that it will not be easy for the party to win the 2023 elections without a fight from the PDP.

“The PDP remain strong in Ebonyi State and the party is also looking for loophole to employ in order to place them in a vantage position to win the poll.

“This is where our worries come in. Governor Umahi must keep the APC united and avoid any anti-democratic tendency that will not augur well for the party”.

Advertisement

Politics

Court Declines Kachikwu’s Motion Against INEC, ADC Leaders

Published

on

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday declined to hear an application filed by the African Democratic Congress’ 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, against the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, refused to entertain the motion.

Kachikwu, through his counsel, Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), had sought an order compelling INEC to withdraw the publication of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola’s names as national chairman and secretary of the ADC, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Advertisement

INEC had recently recognised Mark, a former Senate President, and Aregbesola, a former Governor of Osun State, as the party’s national chairman and national secretary.

READ ALSO:Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Refund Of Rivers’ Monies Expended By Ibas

On July 7, Kachikwu and four others – Adikwu Elias, Etimbuk Umoh, Muhammed Khala, and Alaku Godwin William – filed an originating summons challenging the recognition of the duo.

Advertisement

The suit lists INEC, ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark, and Aregbesola as the first to fifth defendants.

When the matter was called on Friday, Akinlaja told the court that a motion dated September 19 had been filed. He argued that despite the pendency of the suit, INEC went ahead to recognise Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders.

The plaintiffs asked the court to set aside the recognition and publication of their names, describing it as a breach of the doctrine of lis pendens. They also sought an injunction restraining Nwosu, Mark, and Aregbesola from further relating with INEC as ADC’s national officers.

Advertisement

However, counsel for the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), along with other defence lawyers, opposed the application.

READ ALSO:South African Court Finds Radical Politician Malema Guilty On Gun Charges

After hearing arguments, Justice Omotosho declined to entertain the motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1331/2025.

Advertisement

He said, “This court is not inclined to nullify anything at this stage, whether done before or now. This is a political case. I am not taking any interlocutory matter.”

The judge held that all processes filed by the parties, including preliminary objections, would be taken together with the substantive case.

Despite repeated pleas by Akinlaja for the motion to be heard, the court stood its ground.

Advertisement

Justice Omotosho also granted an application for joinder filed by Nkemakolam Ukandu, the ADC deputy national secretary, and ordered that his name be added as a defendant.

He directed the plaintiffs to file the amended processes within 48 working hours and gave the defence seven days to respond. The case was adjourned till October 23 for hearing.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Politics

Fubara Sacks Commissioners, Others

Published

on

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has sacked all commissioners and other public office holders serving in his administration.

The decision, according to a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday evening by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, takes immediate effect and followed the recent Supreme Court judgment.

The governor, during a valedictory session with his cabinet to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary at Government House, Port Harcourt, thanked the outgoing officials for their services and contributions to the state’s development over the past two years.

Advertisement

The statement read in part, “Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Gov Fubara Dissolves Rivers Pension Board

The governor highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s Independence, and called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr President to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and a brighter future for all.

Advertisement

“Furthermore, the Governor has relieved all Commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgment of their appointments with immediate effect.”

Fubara also reiterated his commitment to serve the state “with renewed vigour,” while expressing gratitude to Rivers people for their support and wishing Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.

READ ALSO:Why I Refused To Challenge Emergency Rule – Fubara

Advertisement

Recall that the immediate past administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), upon assumption of office during the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu, suspended all commissioners, special advisers, and assistants appointed by Fubara. Ibas also dissolved boards and suspended heads of parastatals he met in office.

Since Ibas exited the state on September 18, the fate of Fubara’s appointees had remained uncertain. The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting after the lifting of the emergency rule, had called on the governor to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees for screening, alongside the 2025 budget for passage.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Politics

2027: Crisis Rocks Kaduna ADC Over Power Tussle

Published

on

The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is enmeshed in crisis as a fierce power struggle among leading figures threatens the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

ADC stalwart, Malam Salihu Lukman, raised the alarm on Wednesday, warning that the party may not make a meaningful impact at the polls if the internal rift persists.

In a statement, Lukman alleged that some party leaders have aligned with certain aspiring candidates for the 2027 elections to the exclusion of others.

Advertisement

He called on former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Malam Jaafaru Sani, Alhaji Bashir Saidu, and other opposition leaders in the state to halt what he described as “the madness” of candidates bent on hijacking party structures.

READ ALSO:Ex-Tinubu Campaign Coordinator Resigns From APC

According to him, “anybody who is not ready to work as part of a united opposition in Kaduna State is consciously or unconsciously working for the APC.”

Advertisement

Expressing concern over the infighting, Lukman said his efforts to mediate had largely failed.

“The fact that Senator Musa Bello is aggressively seeking to control structures of ADC in Zone 2 is a reflection of my failure, largely because I am associated with him.

“Senator Lawal Adamu (Mr. La) has avoided all my requests to meet him. I have met Malam Jaafaru Sani on this matter and had discussions with Malam Nasir. Sadly, we are not united, and the perception is that I am part of the problem.”

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Why APC Candidates Contested 2023 LG Election Despite Intimidation — State Chairman

Lukman stressed that he has no political ambition but remains committed to building a united front. “As a citizen from Kaduna State, I am willing to make every necessary sacrifice to move our state forward. Without sounding immodest, I made every sacrifice to contribute to forming the coalition and negotiating the agreement with ADC.

“May I therefore appeal to Malam Nasir and all our leaders to please seek to unite us. It is only if we are united in ADC that we can unite our people in the state to defeat the APC in 2027. We must bear in mind that it is not just about defeating APC but about producing a government controlled by our party based on collective leadership.

Advertisement

“We need to put an end to the era when we produce emperors as governors. Anything short of a government managed by collective leadership under ADC will be unacceptable.”

Continue Reading

Trending