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Rivers Congresses: Confusion In Court As SANs Battle To Represent PDP’s Acting Chairman, Others

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A mild drama played out at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, as three Senior Advocates announced representation for the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umar Damagum, in a suit challenging the conduct of congresses of the Rivers State chapter of the PDP.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had last month issued an order restraining the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies from stopping, truncating, frustrating or disrupting the wards, local governments and state congresses of the party slated for July 27, 2024.

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He subsequently adjourned to August 15, for a hearing in the suit brought by six loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.

When the matter was called on Thursday, shortly after K. C. O. Njemanze, SAN, announced his appearance for the plaintiffs, two other SANs Chief Ferdinand Orbih and Kamaldeen Ajibade stood up at the same time to announce representation for the 1st to 4th defendants the PDP, Damagum, National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature.

Intervening, the court ordered the senior SAN to take the first shot, and accordingly, Orbih announced his appearance, when he was done, Ajibade subsequently did the same for the same parties.

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But, the drama did not end there as another senior advocate, Sunday Ibrahim Ameh, also stood up to announce representation for the same set of defendants in the matter.

Justice Lifu, not wanting the commotion to escalate, prompted the members of the inner bar to resolve the issue among themselves, following which Orbih applied for a short adjournment to enable them to do the needful.

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Since the request for adjournment was not opposed by any counsel, the court subsequently fixed August 30, for a hearing.

The justice of this case demands an adjournment and consequent upon the agreement of counsel, this matter is adjourned till August 30, for final report on the counsel representing the 1st to 4th respondents, sequel to a meeting to be so held”.

Justice Lifu directed that “if the meeting fails,0” then the senior lawyers should file a motion alongside an affidavit proving that they were actually engaged by the parties in the suit.”

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While stating that all pending motions would be heard at the next adjourned date, the judge invoked the powers of the court to extend his previous ex-parte order restraining PDP and security agencies from stopping the Rivers State congresses, pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.

Meanwhile, due to the stalling of the case, the court could not take the application of some persons seeking to be joined as defendants in the suit.

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Their lawyer, Chief D. O. Okoro, SAN had at Thursday’s proceedings drawn the court’s attention to the motion for joinder.

The applicants include; David Omereji, Prince Solomon Eke, Isoboye Tobin, Goody Pepple, Okijah Chigozirim, Ogoloma Amachree, Goodfriday Nweke, Alfred Letam, Wechie Raymond, Mrs Erebie Micheal and Ogenma Idalumimulu.

It will be recalled that Justice Sobere Hambo, had last month while ruling in an ex-parte application brought by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, David Omereji and 10 others restrained the party alongside three national executives from holding the planned congresses at any other location or date pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed.

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But, Justice Lifu in his ruling a week later, ordered the PDP, Damagum, Anyanwu and Bature to proceed with the conduct of the said congresses initially slated for July 27.

According to the ruling, the PDP and the three national officers must adhere strictly and honour the provisions of the guidelines, adjusted timetable and schedule of activities 2024, duly issued and published by the party, pending the determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed along with the motion ex-parte.

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Justice Lifu had also restrained the party and its officers from allowing any person who did not obtain a nomination form or ad-hoc form within the time stipulated in the guideline from running for any elective office of the PDP or ad-hoc or national delegates positions, pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed.

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In granting the request of the plaintiffs, the Judge had ordered them to enter into a fresh undertaking to indemnify the defendants if, by the end of the day, the court discovered that it was misled into granting the restraining orders.

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The said amount for damages according to Justice Lifu would be assessed by the court.

The six PDP members who filed the ex-parte application are; Hon Aaron Chukwuemeka, Dr Benibo George, Solomon Ogbonna, Lenebari Inaania, Enia Harris and ThankGod Owhorji.

The defendants in the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ ABJ/ CS/106/12014 are; PDP, Damagum, Anyanwu, Bature, INEC, Nigeria Police Force, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Director General, State Security Service (SSS) and DSS as 1st to 10th defendants respectively.

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1966: For 3 Days Nigeria Had No Head Of State Because… Ekefa Olubadan, Oloye Alabi

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Oloye Lekan Alabi, the Ekefa Olubadan of Ibadanland, has stated that Nigeria had no Head of State for three days after the July 1966 counter-coup led by Murtala Muhammed and his group.

In an interview with Edmund Obilo on Splash FM 105:5 Ibadan, Oyo State, Alabi said Murtala and his fellow coup plotters had planned to break the northern region away from the rest of Nigeria.

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He said they already sent their families back to the North, preparing for secession.

READ ALSO: ‘My Target Is To Become Olubadan,’ Not Lesser Oba – Ladoja

Oloye Alabi added that their plan was to move towards Ibadan and Ilorin, then destroy the bridge linking the North to the South in order to divide the country permanently.

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However, Alabi said that it was the British High Commissioner and the American Ambassador who stepped in and convinced them to remain in Nigeria.

In Alabi’s words: “For three days Nigeria had no Head of State because (Murtala) Mohammad and his gang called it “A raba”.

They said in Hausa it means when you distribute things equally”

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Bill To Establish Federal Oil And Gas Hospital In Delta Scales Second Reading In Senate

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A Bill seeking to establish the Federal Oil and Gas Hospital in Benikrukru, Delta State, has passed second reading in the Senate.

The proposed hospital is aimed at providing comprehensive medical services for workers in the oil and gas industry, as well as for communities affected by oil and gas operations.

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Presiding over the session, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health for further legislative work. The committee is expected to report back within four weeks.

The bill, titled A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Oil and Gas Hospital, Benikrukru, Delta State (SB. 847), was sponsored by Senator Onwakpo Thomas Joel (APC, Delta South). It was first read on June 24, 2025.

READ ALSO:;Senate Approves Establishment Of Bitumen Development Commission

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Leading the debate, Senator Joel explained that the bill aims to provide specialized medical services to oil and gas workers and their host communities, who are frequently exposed to occupational hazards resulting in illnesses and injuries.

The bill seeks to establish a hospital that will ensure access to quality healthcare for workers in the oil and gas sector, as well as residents of communities affected by exploration activities,” he said.

He noted that the hospital would offer emergency care, occupational health services, and treatment for oil and gas-related conditions, helping to reduce downtime and increase productivity in the industry.

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The siting of this hospital is strategic. It will help address long-standing agitations and restiveness in the Niger Delta by offering tangible health benefits to affected communities,” Joel added.

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He highlighted that Delta South Senatorial District has the highest offshore crude oil production in Delta State and ranks second nationally. The proposed location for the hospital lies at the heart of offshore oil exploration, serving communities and companies such as Chevron, Shell, ExxonMobil, Total, and Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

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Senator Joel also emphasized that the hospital’s funding structure has been designed to avoid additional financial burden on the federal treasury.

The hospital will be funded by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), which derives revenue from 1% of every contract awarded within the oil and gas sector,” he explained.

Since the NCDMB is not directly funded by the federal government, the hospital’s funding will come from this independent revenue source.”

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The bill’s passage is seen as a significant step toward improving healthcare access in oil-producing communities and addressing environmental and occupational health concerns in the Niger Delta.

 

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FG Launches Passport Front Office For Senior Public Officials

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The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja launched a new passport front office specifically for senior public officials

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said that the office has a specialised facility designated to facilitate a timely and seamless passport process.

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He stated that the facility was established in response to the persistent challenges faced by senior government officials in accessing passports.

Before now, many top-level public servants had to abandon their official duties and endure long queues at standard passport offices.

READ ALSO:5 Most Expensive Passports In the World

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“It will became clear that for us to serve the nation more effectively, we must also serve those tasked with its leadership more efficiently,” he said.

He further said that the initiative was part of a broader reform effort championed by the ministry.

When we came in, it was shocking that the Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Immigration Service had no dedicated passport facility for public officials.

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“Today marks a turning point as we begin to bridge that gap and set a new course for service delivery in our nation,” he added.

READ ALSO: US Halts Passport Applications With ‘X’ Gender Marker

Tunji-Ojo also commended the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for its professionalism and implementation expertise.

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“This facility sets a new benchmark for excellence and will significantly improve access, reduce waiting time and thereby elevate the overall passport service delivery standard,” the minister stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration was attended by the Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, heads of all Services under the ministry alongside stakeholders.

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