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Edo Guber: Court Fixes Date To Hear APC Suit Seeking Ighodalo’s Disqualification

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday fixed September 19 to hear a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, seeking the disqualification of Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

Justice Peter Lifu fixed the hearing of all pending applications after lawyers to the parties in the suit reached an agreement for the adjournment to allow PDP’s counsel, Oyetola Atoyebi, SAN, respond to the plaintiff’s amended originating summons.

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The APC, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1001/2024, had sued INEC, Ighodalo and PDP as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively.

In the application filed by Prof J.O. Odion, the APC sought an order of mandatory injunction directing INEC to immediately remove from its online portal and ballot documents Ighodalo and his party’s names for alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, among others.

On its part, INEC urged the court to dismiss the suit.

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READ ALSO: Edo Guber: APC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plot To Rig Poll Using Fake Security Personnel

The electoral umpire, in its counter affidavit deposed to by Hussaini Abdullahi, a staff in the Legal Services Department, said Ighodalo is the PDP’s nominated candidate for the September 21 poll.

However, the APC, in a motion on notice filed on August 30, sought the leave of the court to amend its originating summons.

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Part of the prayers sought was an order granting leave for the striking out of Ighodalo’s name from the suit.

The APC argued that the amendment was to remove irrelevant references and to meet the purpose of the suit which is to seek the determination of INEC’s statutory power to disqualify an erring political party under Section 84(13) of the Electoral Act, 2022, and in pursuance of the plaintiff’s right of action as guaranteed by Section 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

READ ALSO: Edo Poll: Yakubu Allays Fear Of System Breakdown, Promises, Free, Fair, Credible Election

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But, in a preliminaery objection filed by Ken Mozia, SAN, on Ighodalo’s behalf, the lawyer sought an order striking out the APC’s motion on notice.

Mozia, in his two-ground argument, said the court had no jurisdiction to hear the motion for amendment when there is a pending preliminary objection.

The lawyer also argued that the proposed reliefs sought to be introduced by the APC’s “application are statute-barred.”

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In its proposed amended originating summons, the APC sought a declaration that Section 84(13) of the Electoral Act 2022, Section 285(14)(c) and Paragraph 15(a),(c) and (f) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) confers a statutory duty or power on INEC to disqualify from participating in an election the candidate of a political party that fails to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act (as amended).

READ ALSO: Edo 2024: Obi Locks Down Benin For Akpata, LP As Residents Vow To Chase APC, PDP Away

It also prayed the court for an order declaring the provision of Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022 as unconstitutional, null and void by virtue of its inconsistency with the provision of Section 285 (14) (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), among others.

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When the matter was called on Tuesday, Adaze Emwanta, who appeared for APC, informed the court that the matter was adjourned for hearing of all pending applications.

The lawyer said at the last adjourned date, he notified the court that the plaintiff would be amending their originating process.

“We have filed our motion for amendment and served same on the defendants. But unfortunately, we couldn’t serve the 3rd defendant (PDP) until this morning,” he said.

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Anambra guber: Soludo Raises Alarm, Alledges Plot By APC To Manipulate Election

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Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the forthcoming November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State.

He also warned candidates from Anambra South vying for the governorship seat against destabilizing the state’s political balance.

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The governor made the allegation while speaking at a massive All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) rally held at Ekwulobia Urban Stadium on Saturday. He stated that Anambra is “too big for charlatans” and must not be distracted by what he described as impostors and unserious aspirants.

He vowed that “street urchins won’t govern a state that produced Zik, Nwafor Orizu, Ojukwu, Achebe,” as he rallied party faithful in Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

READ ALSO:IPOB Faults Soludo For Linking Igbo Youths To Kidnapping

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Soludo dismissed as deceitful the promises made by some candidates to serve only one term, insisting that such individuals require “psychiatric evaluation.”

Anambra doesn’t need street urchins as governor. This is the state that produced the likes of Zik of Africa, Dr. Nwafor Orizu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and Prof. Chinua Achebe, among others. It is too big for charlatans,” he declared.

He further alleged that some candidates were merely using their campaigns to extort money from unsuspecting businessmen and the public. According to him, the achievements of his administration over the past four years justify his bid for a second term.

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In a renewed call for peace, Soludo again offered amnesty to armed groups hiding in the forests, urging them to surrender and embrace rehabilitation or face the full weight of the law.

READ ALSO:Any Politician Promising Single Term Needs Psychiatric Test – Soludo

Visibly impressed by the turnout at the rally, the governor noted that he had not yet officially launched his campaign but was humbled by the support.

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He revealed that the rally was entirely organized and funded by party members determined to see him re-elected.

The rally, which took place on August 2, 2025, endorsed Soludo for a second term in office and adopted Chief Emma Nwachukwu as APGA’s candidate for the Anambra South senatorial by-election scheduled for August 16, 2025.

READ ALSO:Soludo Wins ‘Governor of the Year’ For Transformation of Anambra

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It drew an impressive crowd of party loyalists, traditional rulers, community leaders, and political stakeholders.

Also in attendance were the APGA National Chairman, state and local government executives, and former Deputy Governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba.

In a show of solidarity, APGA stakeholders in Anambra South presented a N100 million donation to support the governor’s campaign. Traditional rulers in the senatorial district also honoured Soludo with the “Olu Atuegwu” chieftaincy title — a title that has already been conferred on him in Anambra North and Central, respectively.

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Edo LG Poll: My Ambition Driven By Commitment To Fast-track Grassroot Development – Aspirant

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As local government election in Edo State draws nearer, a chairmanship position aspirant in Ovia South West Local Government Council, Kelvin Omoruyi, said he’s driven by his commitment to fast-track grassroot development in the area.

Omoruyi, who spoke on his aspiration while fielding questions from journalists in Benin, said governance at the grassroot must be felt, stressing that it remains the closest to the people.

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He added that Ovia South West is endowed with agricultural potential that requires the right leadership to harness it for the benefit of the people and the state.

READ ALSO: Complete Road Repairs Before Rainy Season, Okpehbolo Directs Contractors

Omoruyi, who is vying on the platform of the All Progress Congress, APC, noted that if given the party’s ticket and eventually won the chairmanship seat, his administration will focus on peoples oriented programmes.

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He lauded the developmental trajectory of Governor Monday Okpehbolo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa in setting the state on the path of progress after many years of bad and retrogressive governance.

The young entrepreneur and grass root mobilizer said his seven points agenda will focus on rehabilitation and grading of rural roads to link wards; installation of solar power, education and youth empowerment, renovation of dilapidated primary and secondary schools, agricultural and local economy, women and grassroot empowerment among others.

READ ALSO: After Media Reports Of Locking Out Supporters From Govt House, Okpebholo Hits Security Personnel

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He said, “Basically, my mission is improving the overall well-being of our people through purposeful and value driven and people oriented programmes and project.

“Since I understand the yearnings of our people, I deem it fit to come out and offer myself for service of my people and contribute my quota.

“My blue print is to bring governance closer to the people because politics is about the grassroot. Also to make the people understand that governance is about them.

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“I understand that politics is very local, and that has been my driving force for vying for the position of the Executive Chairman,” he said.

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Any Politician Promising Single Term Needs Psychiatric Test – Soludo

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Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has slammed politicians promising to serve only one term in office.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said any politician pledging to serve only one term in office needs to undergo a psychiatric test.

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Soludo stated this on Saturday during a political rally held in Anambra South in support of his second-term ambition.

The governor questioned the logic behind such a promise, insisting that the Nigerian Constitution allows elected public officials to serve two terms, not just one.

READ ALSO:Drama As Ebonyi Politician Declares Self ADC National VC South-East

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“How can anybody with a functioning brain say that? Do you think you’re speaking to fools?

“You come to people and say you will do only one term, any politician who says that must be sent to a psychiatric home because the person must have some mental problem,” Soludo said.

This is coming a month after Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State called for a single-term tenure of six years.

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Also, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said he is willing to accept a one-term presidency in the spirit of equity and zoning.

READ ALSO:Immigration Issues Travel Advisory To Nigerians On US Visas

He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, July 6.

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The former Governor of Anambra State said four years is enough for any serious and sincere leader to make an impact.

He said, “One term is enough to establish that good governance is possible, and if they can impact negatively on us for just two years, why won’t someone achieve a lot in four years?

READ ALSO:Anambra Guber: No Competition, Other Candidates Just Raising Funds – Soludo

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“It’s also to respect the gentleman’s agreement of zoning, which has been a stabilising factor even though it’s not in our constitution.

“I don’t need a day more than four years. I will show the direction of good governance. In two years, there has been maximum damage.

“Two years can change it in a good direction. People want to get up and see a president who cares and shows compassion.”

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