News

LP Crisis: Drama As Abure, Apapa Clash Over Appeal Court Ruling

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2023

The Julius Abure and Lamidi Apapa-led factions of the Labour Party have disagreed over a ruling of an Appeal Court, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Thursday.

While Apapa and his supporters claim that the court dismissed Abure as National Chairman and affirmed their candidate as the authentic chairman, the Abure-led Labour Party dismissed such claims as fake news.

According to reports emanating from the Apapa-led camp, the Appeal Court also dismissed the governorship and other candidates sponsored by the Abure-led National Working Committee while affirming Apapa’s leadership of the party.

In response, the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh said in a statement in Abuja, that facts about what transpired in court state otherwise.

He said, “It is another devastating blow for the Lamidi Apapa led dissident group as the Court of Appeal Owerri, sitting in Abuja today, Thursday August 24, 2023 dismissed the appeal filed by one Mr Basil Maduka, who is contending for the Labour Party governorship candidacy for Imo state.

“The court further held that the appeal by the Labour Party was not necessary as the decision of the trial court was in its favour and that mere comments of the trial judge in the matter was NOT A JUDGEMENT and should be discountenanced.

“Labour Party had asked the Court of Appeal to quash the comments of the trial court in the Federal High Court Owerri. Labour party also told the court that Senator Athan Achonu won the party’s primaries.

“The attention seeking camp of Lamidi Apapa had earlier today as usual misinformed the public by twisting the clear judgement of the appellate court.

“It is therefore important to state that neither the Federal High Court Owerri nor the Court of Appeal Owerri, which sat in Abuja today made any orders in the matter other than for lack of locus standi against the plaintiff (Basil Maduka).

“Consequently, the status quo remains with Senator Athan Achonu as the validly nominated candidate of Labour Party for 2023 Imo governorship election

“With this Court of Appeal judgment and the endorsement of Senator Achonu by our national leader Peter Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, the Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure and other stakeholders and party members, the dust has settled on the gubernatorial ticket issue.

“Achonu has received the governorship flag of the party and has since flagged off his campaign with a well attended ceremony in Owerri on Tuesday.

“Recall that similarly, the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City recently affirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of Labour Party (LP).

“In the case of Mr Lucky Shaibu v. Julius Abure & 5 ORS (Appeal No: CA/B/93/2023), His Lordships Justice Theresa Ngolika Orji Abadua, Fatima Omoro Akinbami and Hon. Justice Sybil O. Nwaka-Gbagi in a unanimous decision dismissed the appeal of the Appellant.

“In his lead judgment Justice Abadua, while nullifying the earlier suspension and all actions taken against Abure and the party arising from the purported suspension, affirmed the decision of the High Court of Edo State and held that one man cannot suspend the national chairman of Labour Party in line with Article 13 and 17 of the Constitution of the Party and the extant Electoral Act of 2022 particularly when the appellant has been described by the party as unknown.

“We are therefore calling on the Labour Party members, Obidient faithfuls and the general public to distance themselves from these falling and compromised members of the party who have since been shoved out of the party.”
VANGUARD

News

FG Gives KWAM 1 Aviation Appointment, After Airport Incident

Published

1 hour ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has announced plans to engage Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol, after the recent controversy over his conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
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‎This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in a statement outlining resolutions to recent cases of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports.
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‎Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had agreed to reduce KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month and would work with the musician to promote awareness on acceptable conduct within the aviation space.
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‎The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will lead the engagement process.

READ ALSO:Man Jailed For Cybercrime, Forfeits Cars, Land, $42,000 To FG
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‎”The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
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‎”Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police,” the statement read.
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‎The minister added that the decision followed appeals from well-meaning individuals, as well as KWAM 1’s public show of penitence over the August 5 incident in which he allegedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft’s movement.
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‎Keyamo also revealed that the NCAA would withdraw its criminal complaints against the artiste.

READ ALSO:NCAA Stops Fuji Star K1 De Ultimate From Flying For Six Months
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‎The development comes days after the musician apologised to the public, insisting the flask he carried on the day of the incident contained water for medical reasons and not alcohol, as was alleged by security personnel.
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‎The minister emphasised that the clemency was granted on “compassionate grounds” , warning that the government remained committed to enforcing safety and security laws in the aviation sector.
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‎On August 5, KWAM 1 was involved in a confrontation with airline staff and security officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos.

READ ALSO: Air Peace Jet Hits Antelope At Asaba Airport, NCAA Reacts
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He was accused of carrying a prohibited flask believed to contain alcohol, spilling its contents on personnel, and later walking onto the aircraft’s tarmac, allegedly blocking the plane from taxiing.
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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority described the act as a breach of aviation safety regulations and initially placed him on a six-month no-fly list while filing a criminal complaint with the police.

News

Gov. Mohammed Flags Off Cybernation Program In Bauchi, Targets 100, 000 Citizens On Digital Skill

Published

4 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

In a determined move to position Bauchi State as a hub for digital innovation and a technologically-driven state, Governor Bala Mohammed on Tuesday flagged off what he called a “Cybernations” program–
an intensive cybersecurity training initiative.

This ambitious program known as the Digital Literacy and Skill Framework Bauchi Initiative, the project, developed in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will provide basic digital skills training to more than 100,000 citizens by 2027.

Speaking at the launching in Bauchi on Tuesday, the governor said the initiative “marks a turning point for our state’s economic future” and will ensure that citizens, especially young people, can participate fully in the global digital economy.

He added that DL4ALL will integrate digital education into schools and workforce development policies, creating a talent pipeline for both local and international employers.

He also said it will offer advanced training to 2,000 youths in high-demand technology fields such as software development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity among others.

He said, “We acknowledge that Information Technology is today and in the foreseeable future the fastest growing industry and one with increasing capacity to absorb young people with skills. Its advantage is such that everyone can undertake training and acquire skills, be certified and create a sustainable source of livelihood leveraging on its power.

“Our vision is clear: to transform Bauchi into a digitally inclusive, economically vibrant, and innovation-driven state. We aim to harness technology not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for economic diversification, human capital development, and social transformation.”

Also, the Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju in a goodwill message Harped on the importance of cybersecurity awareness in today’s digital age.

He highlighted the need for collective efforts to equip Nigerians with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in a digital society.

He added that through visionary leadership of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Muhammed, Galaxy Backbone has successfully extended its digital infrastructure to Bauchi via fibre optic connectivity and deployed 3 eLTE base stations to deliver true broadband internet access.

Country Representative of Protexxa’s Abi -Hafsat Abubakar, described the initiative as a gateway to over 3,5 million global cyber security jobs.

“The Cyber Nation programme, in partnership with Protexxa Inc, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and second in Africa, whereby 500 youths will be trained as certified cyber security experts with dire f pathway to local and international employment, including opportunities to earn foreign currency”.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director General Bauchi State Bureau for Information and Communication Technology, (BICTDE), Hayatudeen Babamaji noted that the Bauchi State Cyber Nations Program, in partnership with Protexxa Inc., under the leadership of Governor Balance Mohammed is a pioneering initiative the first of its kind in Nigeria and second in Africa.

Babamaji added that the program will train youths to become world-class cybersecurity professionals, equipping them with the skills to protect critical infrastructure and participate competitively in the global digital economy.

“As we launch these programs, I want to reaffirm that this is not random. Our vision is clear, our direction is set, and with the collaborative programs such as these, we will achieve our goal of making Bauchi State an ICT hub not just for the North East region but whole of Nigeria and beyond”.

Other critical stakeholders include the Chief Operating Officer, Protexxa Inc. Canada, Rick Huijbregts, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission,(NCC) Dr. Aminu Maida, National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji and MD, Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited, Mrs Nkechi Idehen among others.

News

Anambra Guber: ‘I’m On Sabbatical,’ Don’t Use My Name In Your Campaign, Ngige Tells APC

Published

17 hours ago

August 12, 2025

Editor

Former Anambra State governor and two-time minister, Senator Chris Ngige, has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, not to link him to their campaign, saying he is currently on sabbatical from partisan politics.

A campaign poster featuring Ngige alongside the APC candidates has been circulating on social media, creating the impression that he is backing the party in the November 8 governorship election.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Hyggi Obialo, Ngige clarified that his consent was neither sought nor obtained before the publication was released.

“Senator Chris Ngige is on sabbatical from active partisan politics as he takes a well-deserved rest after 25 years in politics and public service,” the statement read. “We advise those behind the poster to respect his wishes, as he has repeatedly stated in public that he is out of partisan politics for now.”

Ngige served as governor of Anambra State from 2003 to 2006, represented Anambra Central in the Senate from 2011 to 2015, and was Minister of Labour and Employment from 2015 to 2023.