News

PDP’ll Pursue Umahi’s Defection To Supreme Court – Wike

Published

4 years ago

March 13, 2022

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has urged the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, to return the mandate he got on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He said it was rather unfortunate that instead of seeking to appeal the judgment of the Abuja High Court, which sacked him, Umahi made a reckless statement attacking the judge.

Wike said this at the inauguration of the Eastern Bypass Road in Port Harcourt on Saturday, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri.

The Rivers governor stated, “Look at a governor making a reckless statement simply because a judge made a judgment according to his own opinion, which you are entitled to appeal up to the Supreme Court.

“You have called somebody a thief in the market and you’re saying I’m sorry. It is late. That your sorry, we the members of the public, we don’t take it.”

The governor said it was the first time in Nigeria’s political history that the defection of a governor to another party was being contested in court.

He opined that the decision of the PDP to challenge the defection of Umahi and others elected on its platform should be seen as a clear example of what was required to strengthen democracy.

Wike said, “It was we members of the PDP who took Governor Umahi to court to demand the mandate of the party from him.

“If our party had done this earlier when people were leaving in the National Assembly, we wouldn’t have had the problem we are having today.

“That is one of the problems of party leadership. People cannot come out and take the bull by the horns. So, Governor Umahi, be assured that the PDP will continue this matter down to the Supreme Court. We will continue with the matter.”

He said it was no longer acceptable that someone would win an election and defect with the victory to another party for fear of escaping visitation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.

The governor stated, “You carry the votes of another party and join another party. Can you transfer votes? You work hard for somebody to win an election and tomorrow, the person says I have defected.

“If you have defected, leave the seat if you know it’s easy. And this will check most of these political harlots, who will never sit in one place.”

Wike also took a swipe at the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, for speaking in an uncanny manner against the PDP.

The Rivers governor said he had written to National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, and given reasons why a disciplinary committee should be set up against the deputy governor, who lost his ward in the last election.

News

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

Published

6 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

6 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.