Politics

JUST IN: Supreme Court Dismisses Fubara’s Suit Against Pro-Wike 27 Rivers Lawmakers

Published

6 months ago

February 10, 2025

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filled by the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, seeking to remove 27 members of the State House of Assembly loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The governor premised his ground for their removal on the alleged defection of the 27 lawmakers from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The apex court dismissed the suit in a ruling delivered by Justice Musa Uwani Aba-Aji following the dramatic withdrawal of the appeal by Fubara through his lead counsel, Yusuf Ali, SAN.

Governor Fubara, in the notice of withdrawal of the appeal, simply informed the three-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court that events had overtaken his suit.

The request for the withdrawal of the contentious suit was not opposed by Rivers State House of Assembly and its factional Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, who were represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN,

Olanipekun, SAN, consequently, demanded for outright dismissal of the suit on the premise that parties have filed and exchanged their brief of arguments and thus joined issues with each other.

He argued that the proper order to be made in the circumstances was the dismissal of the case, which the court agreed with.

Following no objections from parties, the apex Court dismissed it and awarded N4m against Fubara to be paid to the House of Assembly and Amaewhule.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the dismissal of the suit, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ken Njemanze, said that the coast has been finally cleared for the 27 lawmakers to take over the House of Assembly fully.

The senior advocate explained that all steps taken by Fubara in the absence of the 27 lawmakers, including presentation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets to only three lawmakers, among others, have become a nullity.

Recall that the Court of Appeal had on October 10, 2024, dismissed Fubara’s appeal on the same matter.

Similarly, the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice James Omotosho on January 22, 2024, nullified the passage of Rivers State’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four members of the House of Assembly.

The court had described the appropriation bill’s passage by the four lawmakers, led by Hon. Ehie Edison, as an aberration and illegality.

It consequently ordered Governor Fubara to re-present the budget to the Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly.

The suit filed by the 27 members of the Assembly loyal to former governor of the state and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, got the blessings of the lower court.

Listed as defendants of the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 were the National Assembly, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Clerk to the National Assembly.

Others included Governor Fubara, Hon. Edison, the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Justice Omotosho had while ruling on an ex-parte motion by the 27 legislators issued an interim order restraining Fubara and his agents from obstructing the pro-Wike legislators from carrying out their constitutional duties.

He also restrained the governor from removing/redeploying the Clerk of the Assembly and withholding funds meant for the Assembly, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

But, while the order subsisted, Governor Fubara presented the budget to the four lawmakers loyal to him and they passed the Money Bill into law.

The governor had also prevented the pro-Wike legislators from sitting by demolishing a part of the Assembly complex and withholding funds for legislative functions.

Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho had held that the four lawmakers’ passage of the budget and other actions taken while the 30 November 2023 order subsisted amounted to a nullity.

He said the governor acted like a tyrant in the manner the Assembly complex was partially demolished and funds for legislative activities withheld.

The judge had issued an order restraining Fubara from frustrating the Assembly led by Hon. Amaewhule from sitting or interfering in its activities.

He also described as unlawful Governor Fubara’s redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk out of the Assembly, stating that the action amounted to an affront on separation of powers.

The judge ordered the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk to resume their offices immediately and unhindered.

Apart from also asking Fubara to promptly release all monies standing to the credit of the Assembly, he also ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately deploy his operatives to the Assembly complex.

The judge had also barred the National Assembly from taking over the Assembly or accepting or treating any request by Governor Fubara on any matter affecting the State Legislature.
(LEADERSHIP)

Politics

Ekiti 2026: APC Sets N40m For Nomination, Offers Discounts For Youths, Women

Published

9 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress has released a revised schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The party also sets nomination and expression of interest forms at a combined N50 million, offered significant concessions, including exemptions for female aspirants and persons with disabilities, and a 50% discount on nomination fees for youths aged 25 to 40.

According to the timetable issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the schedule outlines a series of pre-election activities beginning with the release of the notice to the Ekiti State chapter on Friday, July 26, 2025.

The party said the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms is set to commence on Monday, August 26, 2025.

It stated that the update of the party’s membership register for those eligible to participate in the primaries will take place from Monday, July 29, to Friday, August 9, 2025.

The ruling party said the expression of interest and nomination forms will be available for purchase from Monday, August 26, and will close on Friday, August 30, 2025.

The party said the last day for submission of completed forms, including the accompanying documents, is Thursday, September 11, 2025.

“Screening of aspirants is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, while the publication of the screening results will be done the following day, Wednesday, September 24. Aspirants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening may submit appeals on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

“The ward congress to elect delegates is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, while appeals arising from the congress will be entertained on Monday, September 29. The party’s governorship primary election will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, with the appeal process concluding on Thursday, October 2, 2025,” the timetable read.

The party said the cost of the nomination form has been pegged at ₦40 million, while the expression of interest form will cost ₦10 million, bringing the total to ₦50 million.

“Female aspirants and persons with disabilities are exempted from paying for the nomination form and are only required to purchase the expression of interest form. Youths aged 25 to 40 will receive a 50 percent discount on the nomination form,” it added.

The party also announced that the forms would be available for purchase at the Directorate of Organisation at APC’s National Headquarters in Abuja. Meanwhile, the delegate form will cost ₦5,000.

The APC stressed that only financial members of the party whose membership has been active for at least three months before the release of the timetable will be eligible to participate.

The party urged interested members to contact its Directorate of Organisation or reach out via the contact number provided in the document.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Is Honest, His 4-year Term Promise Is Sacrosanct – PDP Chieftain

Published

14 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dan Ulasi, has thrown his weight behind the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on his four-year term pledge.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had declared that if elected in 2027, he would spend only four years and would not seek re-election.

His promise has attracted criticism from some quarters, with some politicians expressing skepticism.

In an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ulasi said Obi’s promise should not be doubted, describing him as an honest person.

He said, “I believe Peter Obi’s words are sincere. Unlike the usual crop of politicians in Nigeria, he is honest. The constitution guarantees only a 4-year term, which can be renewed by the people.

“Obi has not said anything out of the ordinary; he believes he can accomplish a great deal in those four years.”

Politics

2027: Four Years Enough To Make Impact – Peter Obi Insists

Published

14 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to serving only one term if elected president.

Obi stated that four years is sufficient to turn Nigeria around if leadership is driven by genuine service and not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor made the statement via his official X handle on Tuesday.

Obi said he finds it baffling that his one-term pledge is generating widespread debate, stressing that a sincere leader can achieve significant progress within a single four-year term.

He added that his motivation is rooted in a desire to see Nigeria work, not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor also challenged anyone to investigate his past political campaigns, maintaining that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice, thuggery, or ballot box snatching.

He said: “I still find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate to rule this country, is generating so much agitation. By this feeling, we are doubting the fact that a sincere leader can achieve much in 48 months.

“I have never been desperate in the pursuit of power, or anything else, for that matter. There are some traits associated with desperation, which in no way are in any of my political behaviours in the past and now, like engaging in overly aggressive rhetoric or actions to prove a point or gain attention; becoming overly defensive or reactive to criticism, often to the point of appearing paranoid.

“Making unrealistic or unfulfillable promises to win support or approval, resorting to personal attacks or character assassination to discredit opponents, or frequently changing positions or policies to suit immediate political needs.

“Throughout my political journey, I have never been involved in thuggery, the snatching of ballot boxes, or any form of electoral malpractice. I challenge anyone: conduct your investigations. You will find no stains of rigging or violence associated with my name. I have always chosen the path of peace, principle, and civility.

“In four years, we can confront corruption head-on, redirecting resources to priority areas. For instance, the trillions used to acquire new presidential jets and other unnecessary expenses at this time could have been channelled into education, healthcare, or infrastructure.

“Within the same period, we ensure that the rule is sacrosanct and the rule of law is strictly followed. Within the same period, we can conduct free, fair, and credible elections.”