Appeal Court Stops National Assembly From Imposing Statutory Delegates In APC
The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Monday restrained the National Assembly from imposing the use of statutory delegates at the ongoing special convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The appellate court gave the order in a ruling on an application filed by the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, challenging the verdict of a lower court which gave statutory delegates the go-ahead to participate in the exercise.
In the appeal filed by A.A. Popoola and Karma Fagbemi, the APC chairman argued that Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act on statutory delegates’ participation in the primary was in conflict with Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 20(iv) of the APC Constitution.
Justice A.M. Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, had on June 3 directed the statutory delegates to take part in parties’ congresses and conventions ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The judge gave the order while ruling in a suit filed by the trio of Senator Mas’ud El-Jibrin Doguwa, Hon. Habila Sani, Hon. Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi who were challenging the disenfranchisement of statutory delegates from voting in the National Assembly primaries.
In his ruling Justice Liman declared that statutory delegates are constitutionally qualified to attend all meetings, congresses, and conventions of any registered political party in Nigeria.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the APC approached the Appeal Court to reverse the verdict.
Justice Haruna Tsammani, who delivered the lead judgment at Monday’s proceeding, also restrained the National Assembly from enforcing the lower court’s judgment.
He also directed the service of order by substituted means on the parties in the matter.
APC Chairman Adamu Announces Lawan As Consensus Candidate
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced Senate President Ahmed Lawan as the consensus presidential candidate of the ruling party.
It was learnt that Senator Abdullahi Adamu announced Lawan as the party’s preferred candidate at the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday in Abuja.
The APC Chairman at the meeting said that he arrived at the choice of Lawan after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.
He, however, said other presidential aspirants will be allowed to contest the party’s presidential primary election at the Eagle Square, Abuja slated for June 6th to 8th 2022.
It was gathered that the NWC members rejected the announcement of Lawan as the consensus candidate and insisted other aspirants must be given the chance to compete.
The announcement of Lawan as the consensus candidate of the party then led to a division among the NWC members.
It is understood that members of the NWC met in line with the directive of the President that a consensus candidate should be picked after consultation.
Also, Adamu’s adoption of Lawan as the consensus candidate is against the position of ten APC northern Governors, who endorsed the zoning of the party’s presidential ticket to the South.
Other presidential hopefuls set to contest the APC presidential ticket include Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ogun State, Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State among others.
Presidency Replies Tinubu For Claiming To Be Responsible For Buhari’s Emergence As President
The Presidency on Monday stated that no one can claim to be responsible for the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as president of Nigeria in the 2015 general elections.
This is coming days after the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu claimed that he is responsible for the emergence of Buhari as president.
Tinubu stated this at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, while addressing the APC delegates ahead of the party’s primary elections.
The statement was, however, retracted by the presidential aspirant, claiming that the statement was wrongly interpreted.
The presidency in a statement released through the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the emergence of Buhari as President was decided by millions of Nigerians.
The statement is titled ‘Comment on the statement made by a leading APC flagbearer candidate.’
The Presidency in reaction said, “It is perhaps not surprising that on the eve of the All Progressives Congress flagbearer primary there are those running as candidates who wish to associate themselves with the President’s rise to elected office seven years ago.
“There are many people who played parts large and small in his historic election in 2015, making history as the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president with power changing hands peacefully at the ballot box.
“There are those who advised the President to run again; those who decided to build a political party – the APC – that could finally be the political vehicle capable of delivering victory where all other opposition parties and alliances before it had failed.
“Those decisions may have been agreed upon by a few. But they were delivered by thousands and voted for by tens of millions. No one can or should claim to have made this possible.”
“What matters is the future: the policy platforms, the ideas, the drive, and the determination to take over the President’s stewardship of our country and build upon his legacy to make our country better than it has ever been.
“The person most demonstrable in those qualities is the one to lead our party and our country forward.”
Ken Nnamani Withdraws From APC Primary Election
A former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, has withdrawn from the race to emerge as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nnamani made his withdrawal from the race known while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday.
The former Senator said his decision to withdraw from contesting the APC presidential ticket was because he had not had the opportunity to market his profile and ideas to the delegates.
He, however, promised to continue to engage with the ruling party and its leadership to make sure that the ideas and values he cherish find a strong footing.
He said: “In the present circumstances, it does not make any sense for me to continue in the race as I have not had the opportunity to market my profile and ideas to the delegates of our party in a manner that allows for deliberation and introspection.
“Therefore, I discontinue my aspiration and wish the party a successful primary and unity of purpose so that we can win the 2023 general elections.
“I will continue to engage with the party and its leadership to make sure that the ideas and values that I cherish and propagate find a strong footing in the party administration and in public leadership after the election.”
Speaking further, the former Senate President applauded the APC Northern Governors for backing power shift to the Southern region.
Nnamani said recent events have shown that zoning the office of President to the South East has been jettisoned.
He said: “The events of recent days created the impression that zoning had been jettisoned in the APC.
“The vacillation of party leaders regarding zoning of the APC presidential ticket has not created clarity in the party and injures the confidence and faith of many in the south, particularly the south-east, in the party.
“It has the implication of suggesting to many in the party, including myself, that the party will allow conveniences of the moment to override foundational issues of justice and fairness.”
Fayose Warns Tinubu Of Danger Ahead In APC Presidential Race
The former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday warned the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to tread carefully in his pursuit of the party’s presidential ticket.
In an open letter to the former Lagos State governor, Fayose warned of the danger ahead if Tinubu goes ahead and participates in the APC presidential primary slated for Tuesday in Abuja.
He described Tinubu as “one of the leading lights of the Yoruba nation.”
The ex-governor expressed fear that the APC chieftain might get the same treatment from his political allies like the late former Premier of the old Western region, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, MKO Abiola.
Fayose was reacting to the backlash trailing Tinubu’s last week’s remark on President Muhammadu Buhari in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The letter read: “Let me start this letter to your good-self whom I considered as one of the leading lights of the Yoruba nation; as a letter that may not be patronizing, especially for the content based on the subjective views I will express here as a Yoruba man and not as a politician.
“I equally wish to state that I am not an APC man and will never be.
“I am writing based on my observed views and the attached possible dangers about your good-self tomorrow.
“One of the undeniable facts about your outburst in Abeokuta, which is a clear indication that you clearly saw a political danger to which you reacted. This informed the basis of my writing to you now.
“I equally read the reactions of your political allies both in the North and in the South. The reactions gave me a great concern for you and your life. Again, I see danger!
“As a knowledgeable student of history whom you are;our great sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the celebrated winner of the June 12, 1993 general election, Alhaji Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, were led to the Golgotha by Self acclaimed “Champions of Democracy.” I am sure the same people may advise you to ignore my advice.
“Going by the handwriting that is now clearly on the wall, if I may comment sir, I see you as one that may be swimming against the political tide of the cabal in your party. They are equally preparing for your actions and reactions and are fully set to contain the same as they did to both Awolowo and Abiola.
“Unfortunately your kingdom has been badly balkanized if what happened in Abeokuta is anything to go by.
“My advice:
“The book of Proverbs chapter 22 verse 3 (The Good News Translations), “sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it but unthinking people will work into it.
“Again, Asiwaju, for reasons of not being misinterpreted, I will like to stop here and allow you to make your decisions, good or bad as the wise full-grown adult who you are.”
Big Blow For APC As Ex-National Scribe, Akpanudoedehe Dumps Party
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has lost yet another party big wig, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe.
The former National Secretary of the ruling party confirmed his membership withdrawal in a letter dated June 4, 2022, which was addressed to the APC chairman of his Offot Ward 6, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Akpanudoedehe’s resignation is coming amidst controversies surrounding the party in an effort to pick a candidate for the 2023 general elections.
Akpanudoedehe was part of the defunct Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC of the party headed by Governor Mai Mala-Buni.
Akpanudoedehe said the decision to dump APC was a difficult one for him, however, he had to yield to the calls of his associates, allies and supporters.
The politician’s letter titled; ‘Resignation of my membership of the All Progressives Congress’, reads; “I write to notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), forthwith.
“Henceforth, I cease to be a member of the APC in my ward (ward 6 in Uyo LGA) or anywhere for that matter. I hereby relinquish all rights which inured to me as a member of the APC, member of the National Advisory Council and member of the National Caucus of the APC.
“This decision to part ways with the APC is a tough one, but leadership entails adherence to the wishes of the vast majority of associates, allies and supporters who have shown fidelity over time and have now witnessed the obduracy of the APC in handling the Candidates Selection processes in Akwa Ibom State.
“Our greater goal of providing service to the people of our dear state remains sacrosanct”.
Akpanudoedehe had worked with Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led CECPC for two years and only left at the March 26 national convention of the party where Senator Iyiola Omisore was elected in his stead.
The former Minister has been having a running battle with presidential aspirants and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio over the control of the APC structure in Akwa Ibom state.
No One Can Stop Me From Being Atiku’s Running Mate – Okowa
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has expressed confidence in emerging the running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking through his Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, the Governor said only God can work against his emergence.
He stated that he has contributed positively to the growth of the party, which he does not brag about, because that is the right thing to do as a party man.
Okowa also rejected speculations that former governor of the state, James Ibori, was secretly working against his chances to be Atiku’s running mate.
Aniagwu said: “The governor has contributed to the growth of the PDP, he doesn’t boast about it because as a member of the party he has the responsibility to do that.
“You also know how many times the party brought him in to assist in conducting primaries. I am not aware if there is anybody who is bringing any roadblock, if there is anybody who is going to block Okowa, I think it should be God.
“And the last time I checked I don’t think he has offended God for God to take that decision against him.
“So we are on course, I don’t think there is any problem between Okowa and Ibori, these are persons who have worked together very closely.
“And Okowa has continued to respect our leader, Chief James Ibori. I have not heard Ibori speak evil of Okowa neither have I heard my boss speak badly of Ibori”.
NASS Shut Down As PASAN Begins Indefinite Strike
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, has again embarked on indefinite strike.
The parliamentary staff embarked on the industrial action to protest further delay in the full implementation of their revised condition of service.
PASAN had about a year ago, suspended its indefinite strike to allow the implementation of the Memorandum of Action.
The Parliamentary staff had in May 2020 written to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, appealing to them to wade into a brewing crisis occasioned by an alleged plot to stop the implementation of the revised condition of service for members.
However, the lawmakers despite another chance given them to do the needful reportedly failed to implement the service conditions.
A member of PASAN EXCO who hinted about their ordeal in a conversation with the Daily Post, said members of the group have decided to shut down activities of the National Assembly until their needs are met.
“The two chapters, National Assembly Commission and the National Assembly chapter have unanimously agreed that we will are going on an indefinite strike because we have a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU that was signed but the management has refused to implement the agreement.
“The MoU was signed on March 21, 2020, but to date, nothing has been implemented,” said the PASAN member who spoke anonymously with newsmen.
He added: “There was an act on consequential adjustment on minimum wage, the Federal Government has released fund for that but till date, the National Assembly Service is being owed the arrears of that minimum wage”.
It was learnt from reports that the National Assembly Commission, Utako facility was under lock and key and officials were sighted wandering within the area as at the reporting time.
I Won’t Allow Imposition Of Candidate – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday warned that he would not allow the imposition of a presidential candidate ahead of the All Progressives Congress presidential primary.
This is coming hours after Northern Governors elected on the platform of the party called for power to be shifted to the south.
The spokesman to the president, Garba Shehu in a statement released on Monday noted that his principal cleared all doubts about where he stands on the choice of a presidential candidate.
Shehu said the president told the 14 governors of northern states that he has no preferred candidate and has anointed no one candidate.
He wrote, “The President said he had a clear mind about what he was doing and asked the APC governors to feel the same way: “You were elected as I was. Have a clear mind as I have. God gave us the chance; we have no reason to complain. We must be ready to take pain as we take joy. Allow the delegates to decide. The Party must participate, nobody will appoint anybody.”
The Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Governor Simon Lalong and Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of the Progressives Governors Forum, had earlier called for power to be rotated to the southern part of the country.
The governors apologised to President Buhari for the leakage of their signed memorandum which was not in support of any particular candidate and gave assurances to the President on their readiness to accept his leadership on the matter.
You Must Return Our Mandate, Resign Now, PDP tells Oyo Dep Gov
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyo State chapter, yesterday, asked the state’s deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan, to resign immediately, having abandoned the party and the votes that produced him on the party’s joint ticket.
This statement followed Olaniyan’s defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday. The state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Akeem Olatunji, in a statement, noted that the PDP leadership in the state, South-West region and national levels all intervened at different intervals to resolve the situation fuelling the suspected defection plan but to no avail.
The PDP, therefore, warned against any attempt by Olaniyan and his new party to steal Oyo people’s mandate through the backdoor after the APC was utterly rejected at the 2019 governorship polls.
The PDP, which cautioned against what it called selfish motivation, said it was disappointed by comments credited to the deputy governor after officially announcing his defection from the PDP to the APC that even though he has left PDP, he still remains the deputy governor.
It noted that such move amounts to daylight robbery of the people’s mandate.
The party said Olaniyan should not pretend not to know what is right to do after leaving the political platform that sponsored him and Makinde on the joint ticket if truly he has any atom of the Yoruba ‘Omoluabi’ toga he always ascribed to himself.
“Oyo people did not vote for a PDP/APC joint ticket, they voted entirely for a PDP mandate.
“It is only when you contest for election as an independent candidate and wins and then decides to move to any political party of your choice that you become the owner of the votes cast by the electorate. Unfortunately, that is not for Olaniyan who wants to have his cake and still eat it.
“The Oyo PDP, which is the rightful owner of the mandate, will retrieve it using every available legal means if Olaniyan fails to humbly resign as a gentleman with his new move.
“Our position is simple and very clear on this matter and as a matter of legal implication, the votes in any election in Nigeria are to political parties, and not candidates. It is on this note that the PDP as the ruling party in the state is advising the Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, not to be carried away by the lies and deceits told him by a political neophyte or be bamboozled into self-delusion of thinking he can be used as a tool to steal Oyo people’s mandate through the backdoor,” the PDP stated.
Lawan: Trouble For Adamu As APC Members Demand His Resignation As Party Chairman
Some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have demanded the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the national chairman of the party.
The members, including party delegates and leaders, said Adamu has demonstrated irresponsibility by single-handedly announcing the choice of Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the consensus presidential candidate of the party for the 2023 elections.
They further accused him of lying as the President, Muhammadu Buhari had debunked endorsing Lawan contrary to claims by the APC National Chairman.
Similarly, the state Governors, as well as the National Working Committee of the party, have denied endorsing Lawan.
Following the drama, a section of the party members, delegates and others have called on Adamu to step down as the APC National Chairman.
“By this show of shame, Adamu has clearly shown that he is not fit to preside over APC. It is shameful that a man rehabilitated from political penury in March by President Buhari who made him National Chairman by consensus can now be trying to destroy the same party within three months,” said Mohammed Argugu, a delegate from Sokoto State as quoted by The Nation.
Another delegate, Ms. Bintu Ibrahim from Niger State, said: “I no longer have confidence in Adamu to continue as APC Chairman.”
Also, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Dr. Salihu Lukman, described the step taken by Adamu as autocratic, slamming him for not consulting with NWC members before making such a weighty announcement.
On his part, Alhaji Buba Galadima, described Adamu as “a political snake.”
“If President Buhari is someone who remembers past evil against, he would not even be shaking hands with Adamu today, much less make him APC Chairman given the very wicked thing he did against Buhari while Buhari was the presidential flagbearer of ANPP and Adamu the sitting governor of Nasarawa,” he said.
PUBLISHED BY LEADERSHIP SCORECARD MAGAZINE
www.leadershipscorecard.com
