Politics
Edo Guber: Abuja Court To Deliver Judgement On Suit Challenging Akpata’s Nomination As LP Candidate

A Federal High Court Abuja presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, Tuesday, reserved judgement to July 22nd, 2024, suit challenging Olumide Akpata’s nomination as Edo State governorship candidate of Labour Party.
Recall that another Federal High Court which sat in Benin on June 11th had also fixed July 19th to deliver judgment on the LP governorship primaries.
The plaintiff, Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, is arguing in his suit that the candidate (Akpata) did not follow the electoral guidelines in the primaries, and that he (Akpata) did not fill and sign the indemnity form among other grounds.
At the resumption of hearing in Abuja on Tuesday, counsels to both the plaintiff and defendant written addresses were adopted after a three hours’ intensive legal crossfire by the party’s legal representatives.
READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin Faults LP Candidate Akpata’s ‘Son Of The Palace’ Claim
Counsels to Imansuangbon, A. A. Malik (SAN), led other nine counsels, pleading the Federal High Court to declare the plaintiff as the winner of the LP primaries.
They argued that the defendant violated the electoral act and INEC guideline, and therefore not qualified to stand as the LP governorship candidate.
Malik hinged his plea on the allegation that Akpata gave false information to the acquisition of citizenship of another country which he submitted.
He described the act as a grand departure from the Nigeria Constitution accepted norms.
READ ALSO: Band A: Court Restrains Ikeja Electric, NERC From Implementing New Tariff
He argued that Akpata, while filling INEC form EC 9 “stated his name to be Akpata Olumide Anthony which is different from, and not the same as Akpata Olumide Osaigbovo” which he earlier stated on oath to be his name and under which he contested and reportedly won the primary election of the LP.
Counsel to Imansuangbon wanted the court to determine whether Akpata “has not supplied or otherwise given false information to the INEC within the meaning or contemplation of the provisions of section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022 read together with section 182(1) (a) and (j) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”
On the discrepancy surrounding the choice of running mate to Olumide, Malik argued that Alufokhai Oluyinka Faith’s withdrawal has further exposed her and shouldn’t have bothered coming to court.
He added that “INEC does not have her record of substitution as far as INEC is concerned Olumide Akpata does not have a valid substitution as required by INEC and the electoral act”.
READ ALSO: Edo Guber: Court Reserves Judgement On Suit Challenging Akpata’s Nomination As LP Candidate
“Therefore Olumide must carry the baggage and therefore be disqualified by section 29 of the electoral act and Imansuangbon should be declared as the winner”
While counsel to the defendant, J.J Usman (SAN) asked the court to dismissed the applications of the plaintiff for lack of merit.
He argued that the issue of name raised by the plaintiff should also be dismissed.
He noted that Akpata Olumide Anthony and Akpata Olumide Osaigbovo is the same person.
Justice Ogwuatu subsequently fixed July 22nd for judgment
Politics
Why Wike Is Always Attacking Peter Obi — Obidient Movement

The Obidient Movement has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments describing Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, as a “social media president.”
Wike had, on Thursday, accused Obi of playing politics with national issues after the former Anambra State governor visited a local authority school in the FCT and lamented the poor condition of public facilities.
“I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local authority school and said the government has abandoned public schools. His name is Mr Peter Obi. It’s not everything you must play politics with,” Wike had said.
READ ALSO:Wike Gives Update On Rivers Emergency Rule Expires Date
However, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, dismissed Wike’s comments, saying they were aimed at keeping the minister in the news.
“How will Wike sell his market if he doesn’t mention Peter Obi?” Tanko asked. “As I am talking to you, you need to see the mammoth crowd we have in our town hall meeting here in Nnewi (Anambra State).”
Tanko further dismissed the FCT minister as the least of the Obi and his followers’ worries and defended Obi’s comments on the state of public schools in the country’s capital, insisting that the Wike merely drew attention to a national concern.
He stressed that Obi’s comment on the state of public facilities in the FCT was to point out that they are in dire need of attention, saying, “I was there on the ground and saw those dilapidated buildings. We also visited a clinic where only one nurse was on duty. Even the roads to the place are not easily accessible.”
Politics
JUST IN: Rivers Cancels N134bn Secretariat Contract, Demands N20bn Refund

The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled a ₦134 billion contract awarded by the former sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (retd), for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt.
The contract, awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation during the period of emergency rule under Ibas, was nullified by the Council at its meeting on Thursday.
READ ALSO:Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Refund Of Rivers’ Monies Expended By Ibas
Following the cancellation, the Council directed CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid for the project.
Also, the Council approved the constitution of a six-member committee chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu to assess and recommend suitable locations for the construction of Computer-Based Test centres across the state to support external examinations.
The Council also mandated the state’s flood control committee, also headed by Odu, to take urgent measures to mitigate flooding in affected areas, while cautioning residents against blocking drainage channels.
More to come…
Politics
Bode George Reacts To Mbah’s Defection To APC

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has expressed surprise over the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, George said he did not anticipate the move despite several reconciliatory efforts by senior PDP figures to resolve internal issues in the party.
“I never saw it at any time. In fact, when Anyanwu was brought back as secretary to complete his assignment, he asked his people not to attend meetings. We were wondering what was going on in the South-East. Now that we have settled the matter and fixed the convention date, it’s only a question of time. Whatever position the East wanted to give him would have been his. So, what’s the essence of leaving now?” George said.
The PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) member revealed that several party leaders had met with Governor Mbah to persuade him to remain in the party.
READ ALSO:INEC Accredits 121 Observers For Anambra Governorship Poll
“The governor, we all waded in and convinced him. Many people went there, telling him, ‘Calm down, the convention is next month. You’ll get whatever is due to the South-East.’ But the rationale and emphasis he gave, it was like I was in a very long dream,” he added.
While wishing the governor well, George maintained that the PDP remains strong and resilient despite recent defections. He also criticised the ruling APC, describing it as a “private enterprise” owned by an individual.
“I wish him the best of luck. This is not the first time people are leaving. The PDP is an iroko tree. The APC is owned by one man; he publicly said, ‘I own the party.’ That man is President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
Recall Guardian reported that Mbah, in a public address on Tuesday, noted that while he has changed political parties, the cultural and regional identity of Enugu remains the same.
READ ALSO:2027: PDP Northern Group Endorses Jonathan For Presidency
The governor explained that the decision to join the APC was based on the need for stronger representation and better alignment with the federal government to support development projects in the state.
“Let me be clear, I will represent our state and our region with the same strength of purpose as I have always done. Our Igbo DNA does not change; our destiny does not change. What changes is that our vision now finds stronger reinforcement at the federal level,” Mbah said.
He assured residents that all ongoing projects in the state, including schools, hospitals, roads, and other services, would be completed as promised.
Despite the development, George expressed optimism that the PDP remains “absolutely redeemable” and will continue to play a significant role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
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