Politics

Edo Guber: Court Reserves Judgement On Suit Challenging Akpata’s Nomination As LP Candidate

Published

2 years ago

June 11, 2024

Editor

A Federal High Court presided over by Justice Babatunde Quadri in Benin City has reserved judgement to July 19, 2024, suit challenging the nomination of Barrister Olumide Akpata as Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate.

Imansuangbon had approached the Federal High court in Benin and Abuja and challenged the nomination of Barrister Olumide Akpata as the candidate of the party for the gubernatorial election slated for September 21st, 2024.

Imansuangbon is challenging the nomination of Akpata on the grounds that the LP did not follow the electoral guidelines in the primaries, and that he (Olumide) did not fill and sign the indemnity form among other grounds.

After two adjournments in the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Benin, the case eventually came up for hearing Tuesday where written addresses from counsels of the plaintiff and defendants were adopted.

Lead counsel to the plaintiff, A. A. Malik (SAN), in his argument prayed the court to dismiss the submission of the counsel to Akpata on the ground that the 1st defendant (Akpata ) violated the electoral act and party’s constitution which he noted are critical elements of the electoral processes.

Malik who pointed out that the plaintiff has disclosed reasonable cause of action on the matter, urged the court to throw away the submission of the 1st defendant, declare and return the plaintiff as the winner or on the alternative void, nullify the primary election and order a fresh election.

He alleged that the conduct of the LP governorship primary was marred with over voting which, according to him, was in contrary to the party guidelines and constitution.

On his part, the counsel to the defendant and running mate to Olumide Akpata, Kadiri Asamah (SAN) submitted that the argument and submission of plaintiff was baseless, and can’t be litigated upon by the court.

He added that it was a pre-primary issues and as such be dismissed by the court.

Asamah, while adopting all the arguments contained in his written addresses, urged his Lordship to dismiss the written addresses of the plaintiff.

He added that it was an abuse of court processes.

Addressing newsmen after the court session, Imansuangbon, however, expressed confidence in the ability of the court to dispense justices in the matter, even as he reiterated his desire in his struggle to bring about a better Edo for all.

Up Next

Amaewhule, 26 Others Not Assembly, PDP Members, Rivers AG Insists

Don't Miss

JUST IN: I’m Being Sidelined In My Constituency, Senator Kingibe Cries Out

Comments

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

5 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.