News

Crisis: Edo PDP Ask Court To Stop State Local Government Elections

Published

2 years ago

July 4, 2023

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The protracted crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may not come to an end soon as a faction of the party had approached a High Court sitting in Benin, praying the court to stop the State local government election scheduled for September, 2023.

The PDP faction loyal to the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, and led by the state Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemhim on Saturday, May 27th, 2023, purportedly held primaries of aspirants for the elective offices while the State Electoral Commission consequently scheduled the l election for September, 2023.

But the party faction led by Chief Hilary Otsu, Secretary, Edo State chapter of the PDP, through its Counsel, Omorodion Ehigiator, Esq., in a restraining order marked: B/506/2023 and dated June the 9th, 2023, prayed the State High court to declare the Aziegbemi faction primaries as unconstitutional, illegal, invalid and void.

The claimants in the suit seeking a stop to the local government election are: Hilary Otsu, Secretary, Edo State chapter of the PDP; Johnson Tunde, PDP Ward 3 Chairman, Akoko-Edo local government council; Kure Benedict, PDP Ward 3 Secretary, Akoko-Edo local government council; Ebade Christopher, PDP Ward 4 Chairman, Etsako Central local government council; Alabi Moses, PDP Ward 4 Secretary, Etsako Central local government council, and 13 other ward chairmen and secretaries across different local government councils of the state.

Defendants in the suit are: Dr. Tony Aziegbemhim, Chairman, Edo State chapter of the PDP (1st Defendant); the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (2nd Defendant) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) (3rd Defendant)

Among prayers by the Claimants is:
“A declaration that the primaries of the 2nd Defendant, Peoples Democratic Party purportedly held in Edo State on Saturday 27th May, 2023 without the sanction approval of the National Executive Committee of the 2nd Defendant to nominate the candidates for Local Government Election in Edo State is unconstitutional, illegal,invalid, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”

The Claimants also seek: “A declaration that any list of 2nd Defendant’s candidates for Local Government Election in Edo State emerging from the aforesaid purported primaries of 2nd Defendant purportedly held on 27th May, 2023, is unconstitutional, invalid, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”

And that: “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd Defendant from acting on or recognizing any purported list of the candidates for Local Government Election, 2023 in Edo State.”

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.