News

Imo Assembly PDP Lawmakers Petition Speaker Over Headship Of Committee

Published

6 years ago

May 11, 2020

Editor

No fewer than six People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the Imo House of Assembly have petitioned the speaker, Hon. Chiji Collins, kicking against the headship of the Public Accounts Committee of the house.

In a petition jointly signed by all six PDP lawmakers and made available to newsmen in Owerri on Monday, the lawmakers alleged violation of one of the rules of the Imo House of Assembly.

It was jointly signed by Anyadike Nwosu, Minority leader (Ezinihitte), Frank Ugboma, Deputy Minority leader (Oguta)
and Solomon Anukam, Minority whip (Owerri municipal).

Other signatories are Phillip Ejiogu, Deputy Minority whip (Owerri North ), Okey Onyekanma, former Deputy Speaker (Mbaitoli ), and Tochi Okereke, former Chief Whip (Ngor Okpala).

According to the memo, titled: ‘Headship/membership of the Public Accounts Committee of the Imo State House of Assembly’, the lawmakers argued that such committee is usually headed by a member of the minority party.

They said this is in accordance with the parliamentary convention in the country and in line with international best practices.

The PDP lawmakers said it is regrettable that the Imo Assembly was yet to comply with such parliamentary convention.

They decried the situation where the public accounts committee is headed by a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Chiagozie Nwaneri, member representing Oru East.

The committee is, however, saddled with the task of probing N19.63b Local Government funds which the Gov. Uzodinma-led APC government has alleged was mismanaged by the former PDP administration of Chief Emeka Ihedioha.

The lawmakers, however, insisted that they were not against the Public Accounts Committee discharging it’s functions.

“It is worrisome that we did not comply essentially to our rules particularly Order XVIII Rule 113 (6) (A) (B) (C) and (D) which stipulates that reports to be considered must be laid before the House of Assembly.

“In the ongoing investigation, we did not comply with our rules.

“I therefore urge you to use your good office as the Chief interpreter of our rules to do justice by appointing the Minority leader as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and redirect for the compliance to our rules”, the memo read.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

34 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.