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BREAKING: Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Akeredolu’s Sack

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit that challenged the emergence of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last governorship election held in Ondo State.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment on Wednesday, held that the suit filed by Mrs. Olajumoke Anifowoshe was statute-barred on the grounds that being a pre-election matter, it was filed outside the 14 days provided in Section 185(9) of the Constitution.

Justice Ekwo held that, although the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/881/20200, which challenged the outcome of the APC’s governorship primary election held on July 20, 2020 was originally filed on July 26, 2020 (within 14 days after the occurrence of the cause of action), it was wrongly commenced when the plaintiff chose to sue the Governor of Ondo State as against Akeredolu in person.

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READ ALSO: Court Verdict: Chairmanship Aspirant Congratulates Obaseki, Says Victory For Edo People

The judge said the amendment effected by the plaintiff on the originating summons, to substitute the party named as first defendant – the Governor of Ondo State – with Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, was done on August 13, 2020 outside the 14 days allowed by the Constitution.

The judge said the amendment of the originating process for the purpose of substituting parties in the course of the suit, would have been in order if it was done by the plaintiff within the 14 days allowed for the commencement of pre-election cases under Section 185(9) of the Constitution.

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The judge faulted the argument by the plaintiff that the subscription of the Governor of Ondo State with Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (as the first defendant) was a mere misnomer.

READ ALSO: Edo Guber: Ize-Iyamu Appeals Judgement Nullifying His Deputy’s Candidacy

Justice Ekwo said since the original suit was defective, the correction/substitution effected by the plaintiff outside the constitutionally stipulated 14 days can not be regarded as misnomer.

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“Misnomer has to do with a correction of typographical error, not where a party is substituted. The substitution of a party in the course of proceedings is outside the realm of the concept of misnomer,” the judge said.

He noted that the Governor of Ondo State is not the same as Akeredolu, and that while the former is an office, the later is a human being.

The judge added that it was Akeredolu who participated in the primary, whose outcome was being challenged, and not the Governor of Ondo State earlier sued by the plaintiff before the amendment was effected on the originating summons.

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READ ALSO: Obaseki Hails Court Verdict, Says Ruling ‘Victory For Truth, Rule Of Law’

Details shortly…

(NATION)

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UK High Commissioner Concludes Anambra Visit, Urges Transparent Election

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The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, has completed a two-day visit to Anambra State, meeting with political and security leaders to discuss preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

The visit comes just weeks before the election, scheduled for 8 November.

During his stay, Montgomery held talks with Governor Charles Soludo, gubernatorial candidates, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the state Commissioner of Police, and representatives from civil society organizations.

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READ ALSO:Transgender Woman Jailed For Deceiving Man About Gender In UK

According to a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja on Thursday, the discussions centered around the technical and logistical preparations needed to ensure a smooth election.

Among the key topics were securing the 5,720 polling units across Anambra, addressing voter turnout concerns, and managing the security situation across the state’s 21 local government areas, the statement noted.

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Speaking at the end of his visit, Montgomery emphasized the importance of a transparent and peaceful electoral process.

READ ALSO:INEC Accredits 121 Observers For Anambra Governorship Poll

“Our focus is solely on the electoral process itself – that it should be transparent, peaceful, inclusive, and enjoy the confidence of the Anambra people.

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“We do not endorse any particular candidate or political party. I encourage all eligible voters to exercise their democratic rights and to engage peacefully in the election,” he said.

The High Commissioner reaffirmed the UK’s continued support for Nigeria in strengthening its democratic institutions and promoting good governance, stressing that the UK would remain a committed partner in the lead-up to the election and beyond.

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PSC Promotes Over 400 Officers, Appoints New DIG For North-East

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The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector General of Police, Dankwara Mohammed, as a Deputy Inspector General of Police to represent the North-East geopolitical zone.

Mohammed replaces DIG Sahabu Abubakar Yahaya, who recently retired from service.

In a statement by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, on Friday, the Commission also approved the promotion of Commissioner of Police, Abibo Deinma Reuben, to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

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READ ALSO:PSC Names Conference Hall After Ex-chair Arase

Eleven Deputy Commissioners were also elevated to substantive Commissioners.

The statement partly read, “The Commission also approved the promotion of CP Abibo Deinma Reuben from the rank of Commissioner to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

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“The Commission further approved the promotion of eleven Deputy Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Substantive Commissioners. They are Naziru Bello Kankarofi; Nendel Joseph Gomwalk; Tijani Olaiwola Fatai; Wilson Aniefiok Akpan; Morkwap Dongshal, and Abdullateef Ajape Yusuf. Others are Cletus Nwadiogbu, Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration, Taraba State; Ahmed Mohammed Bello; Abdulraheem Nurudeen; Patrick Daaor and Umar Mohammed Hadejia.”

Thirteen Assistant Commissioners were promoted to Deputy Commissioners, while 44 Chief Superintendents advanced to Assistant Commissioners.

READ ALSO:PSC Promotes 12 AIGs, 226 Other Senior Police Officers

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Similarly, 412 Superintendents rose to the rank of Chief Superintendents, with several Deputy Superintendents confirmed as substantive Superintendents.

The PSC chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd) congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation, stressing that promotion in the police comes with higher responsibilities and expectations.

The promotions come amid a series of recent promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.

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PHOTOS: Obi Meets Commonwealth Chief In London, Urges Youth Empowerment

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A former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has called for deeper investment in education, innovation, and youth empowerment.

This is as he noted that they are foundation for strengthening democracy and driving development across Commonwealth nations.

Obi made the call after meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, at the organisation’s headquarters in London on Thursday, October 16.

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Writing on X on Friday, Obi said the meeting — which he attended with his wife — focused on “promoting democracy, deepening the rule of law, expanding access to education, and empowering young people across Commonwealth nations.”

READ ALSO:Why Wike Is Always Attacking Peter Obi — Obidient Movement

“With over 2.5 billion of the Commonwealth’s population under the age of 30, young people remain the organisation’s greatest asset and hope for the future,” Obi said.

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He stressed that for Nigeria, “a nation richly endowed with human and natural resources, meaningful investment in education, innovation, and entrepreneurship is key to unlocking the vast potential of our youth.”

“When properly equipped, our young people will not only drive national development but also contribute significantly to global progress,” he added.

Obi described youth unemployment as “one of the most pressing challenges of our time,” noting that solving it requires “intentional and practical action — through skills development, access to quality education, and the creation of an enabling environment for small and medium-scale enterprises to thrive.”

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READ ALSO:How Obi Surprised Me Early Morning with ‘Ghana-must-go’ Bag — Charly Boy

The Commonwealth Secretary-General who recently became the first African woman to lead the 56-member organisation, reaffirmed that her top priorities include “education, youth engagement, and employment creation.”

According to Obi, Botchwey “spoke passionately about the need to build inclusive societies that promote democracy, good governance, justice, and equal opportunity for all.”

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Her visionary, reform-minded leadership continues to amplify the voices of developing nations within the Commonwealth and inspire greater cooperation among member states,” Obi wrote.

READ ALSO:2027: Details Of Jonathan, Peter Obi Meeting Emerge

He quoted the Secretary-General as stressing that “empowering young people is not only vital to sustaining democracy but also indispensable to shaping a stable, peaceful, and prosperous future for all Commonwealth citizens.”

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Obi described Botchwey as “a trailblazer whose dedication to education, youth empowerment, and democratic ideals strengthens the global Commonwealth community.”

“I remain confident that with leaders like her, the Commonwealth will continue to serve as a beacon of unity, hope, and shared progress for its member nations,” he said.

Meanwhile, checks by The PUNCH shows that the body is yet to issue an official statement on the meeting or related developments.

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