| Source | Date | Story Title | Summary of Reports | Subject/Category | Website Link/Page Number | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 23rd March 2020 | Ekiti: Fayose, Olujimi at loggerheads over PDP Ward Congresses | The fallout of the ward congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State is causing division in the party’s ranks in the State. A faction loyal to a former governor of the State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and another camp loyal to Senator Biodun Olujimi have been trading words over the outcome of the exercise. Following the exit of Fayose as governor of the State and the victory of Olujimi as Senator, there has been struggle over who controls the party structure. Olujimi’s emergence as senator placed her in a vantage position and a rallying point as the leader of the party in the State, with many party loyalists now seeing her as a unifying factor of the party in the State. There have been complaints over alleged irregularities and compromise in the ward congresses. Prior to the arrival of the committee appointed to conduct the exercise, a congress was said to have been held under the watch of the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies. Senator Olujimi, alleged that the members of the committee, led by Taraba State Deputy Governor, Haruna Manu, had compromised the process in favour of Fayose’s loyalists. She urged the committee to uphold the result of the congress earlier held before the late arrival of the committee members to Ekiti State. Meanwhile, the media aide to Fayose, Lere Olayinka, denied allegations of favouritism and writing results of the congress in favour of his principal. According to him, it was only the committee sent from Abuja that had the mandate of conducting the exercise and not the one claimed to have been held earlier by Olujimi’s camp. | Ekiti State, PDP, Olujimi, Fayose | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ekiti-fayose-olujimi-lock-horns-over-pdp-ward-congresses.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 23rd March 2020 | APC, PDP trade words over Zamfara governorship review case | The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are trading words over the pending application filed by the ruling party for the Supreme Court to review its judgment on the 2019 Zamfara State election matter. APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement issued on Saturday, March 21 stated that PDP’s declaration that the Supreme Court had no option than to dismiss the pending application (by the APC) to review its judgment on the matter, amounted to yet another effort by the opposition party to intimidate the Court. Issa-Onilu also stated that it was “criminal and irresponsible” for a party that had once run the country for an uninterrupted period of 16 years and voted out of power for “maladministration” to seek to bring the country down by taking actions or making statements targeted at undermining a critical state institution like the judiciary. He called on the Supreme Court to focus on dispensing justice in the case of Zamfara State as well as other matters before it and ignore what it called the “irresponsible ranting of the PDP”. However, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, advised APC to bury its thinking that the Supreme Court would review its judgment on the Zamfara State election in its favour. Ologbondiyan, who spoke with journalists on Saturday, March 21 in Abuja, after a meeting with critical stakeholders from Zamfara State, urged the Supreme Court to “resist the APC” and abide by its own verdict of not reviewing any judgment already delivered by it. | APC, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-pdp-trade-words-over-zamfara-govship-review-case.html | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 23rd March 2020 | How political parties violated rule on election expenses, by INEC | One year after the 2019 general elections, over 60 per cent of political parties that participated are yet to file their statutory returns with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act. Before the deregistration of 74 parties by INEC recently, 92 registered parties participated in the February 23 and March 9, 2019 presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State Assemblies elections. It was learnt that some of the parties, aside from violating the campaign finance laws by spending above the amount stipulated in the Electoral Act, have also not submitted annual statements of assets, liabilities and analysis of their sources of funds to the electoral body. INEC Director of Publicity and Voter Education, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, told journalists that just over a third of the parties that participated in the 2019 general elections filed their statutory returns. Section 86 of the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended) empowers INEC to monitor and keep records of the activities of registered political parties in the country, while section 92 (3) of the same law also mandates political parties to submit their election expenses to the Commission in a separate audited return within six months after an election. Osaze-Uzzi stated that though many parties had been deregistered, the Commission was in the process of formally notifying those that have not complied and would draw their attention to the legal provisions. On the Commission’s efforts in ensuring that parties file their statutory returns, Osaze-Uzzi noted that several workshops had been undertaken to enlighten them on financial reporting, proper book keeping and many more. He also added that the Commission had organised capacity building workshops for its field and headquarters officers to undertake proper monitoring of the spending of parties, as well as engage external auditors to look into the books of the parties. | INEC, Political Parties | https://guardian.ng/news/how-political-parties-violated-rule-on-election-expenses-by-inec/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 23rd March 2020 | APC crisis: I’m now APC acting spokesman — Nabena | The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Yekini Nabena, stated that he has taken over the position of Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu in acting capacity, pending the vacation of a court order restraining Issa-Onilu from duty. A Sokoto High Court earlier restrained the party from appointing or electing Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu or any member into its top positions except through a national convention. The APC deputy spokesman, in a statement issued in Abuja, stated that he would act pending the time Issa-Onilu would sort out the court matter. Nabena stated thus: “The APC is a law-abiding party and as leaders of the party, we must be seen to be doing the right thing at all times, including respecting the order of the court. In lieu of this, Malam Onilu has begun the process of vacating the order of the Sokoto High Court restraining him. But pending the time this will be done, I will act in his position. He called for understanding among the APC supporters worldwide, urged the media and other stakeholders to cooperate with him in carrying out the assignment. He assured media representatives of prompt response to enquiries and clarifications while creating mutual understanding between the public and the governing party. | APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-crisis-im-now-apc-acting-spokesman-nabena.html | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 23rd March 2020 | Rivers PDP elects Akawor as new State Chairman | A former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Mr. Desmond Akawor has emerged the new Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. This is as the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on Nigerians to mount pressure on the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to ensure credible elections in 2023. Akawor was elected by delegates during the PDP State Elective Congress at the Obi Wali Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt on Saturday, March 21. The New Rivers State Working Committee of the PDP will assume office in May 2020, when the second term of Mr. Felix Obuah-led Committee comes to an end. PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; Governor Nyesom Wike, National and State Assembly members joined other party delegates to vote during the State Elective Congress. Akawor takes over from Obuah, who will serve out his two terms as Rivers State PDP Chairman in May, after leading the party to electoral victories in 2015 and 2019. The State congress of the party followed successful Ward and Local Government congresses in the State. Chairman of Rivers State PDP Elective Congress Panel, Senator Sam Anyanwu, stated that 39 party positions were listed, with 39 officials picking forms for each of the post. The entire 39 officials were elected unopposed. | Rivers State, PDP | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/03/23/rivers-pdp-elects-akawor-as-new-state-chairman/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 20th March 2020 | Senate proposes compulsory debate for Presidential, governorship candidates | A Bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act to empower the Independent National Electoral COmmission (INEC) to organise mandatory election debates for all candidates to the offices of President, vVce President, Governor and Deputy Governor scaled second reading at the Senate on Thursday, March 19. The proposed legislation was sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC, Oyo North), who stated that, if passed, the Bill would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and bring it in conformity with the practice of other renowned democracies of the world. According to him, “This Election Debates Bill, if passed into law, shall be used to sample the candidates’ knowledge on a wide range of issues, like a detailed analysis of how they intend to drive the economy, foreign, health and education policies among others”. Senate President Ahmad Lawan cautioned against allowing INEC to conduct the debate. He stated that INEC being a government body, the responsibility to organise election debate would probably cause some difficulties especially for people in the opposition to participate in it. Earlier, senators during debate backed the proposed legislation, saying it would give voters the opportunity to examine candidates and make their judgment about them. | Senate, Electoral Act | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-proposes-compulsory-debate-for-presidential-govship-candidates.html | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 20th March 2020 | Ekiti Assembly suspends plenary, other activities indefinitely | Ekiti State House of Assembly on Thursday, March 19 announced indefinite suspension of legislative activities as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Moving the motion under matters of urgent public importance, the Chairman of House Committee on Health, Mrs. Teju Okunyiga, informed the House of one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Ekiti State. Also, the State’s taskforce on coronavirus on the same day announced the first death on Nigerian soil possibly from the deadly virus.Okunyiga called on the lawmakers to take enough precautionary measures to contain further spread of the disease, including shutting the Assembly complex. Other members who spoke on the matter, including Mrs. Yemisi Ayokunle, Gboyega Aribisogan and Abiodun Fawekun, suggested that asides the Assembly complex, public places like schools should be shut down for now. Ruling on the motion, the Speaker, Mr Funminiyi Afuye, stated that: “Activities at the Ekiti House of Assembly is hereby suspended as suggested by members, until further notice when the tension about the dread coronavirus is doused”. The Assembly thereafter adjourned sitting sine die. | Ekiti State of Assembly, coronavirus | https://guardian.ng/news/ekiti-assembly-suspends-plenary-other-activities-indefinitely/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 20th March 2020 | COVID-19: INEC postpones Bayelsa, Imo, Plateau bye-elections | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the four senatorial bye-elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Plateau States over the Coronavirus global pandemic, with some recorded cases in the country. National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, who disclosed this in Abuja, stated that the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States scheduled for September and October 2020, respectively are not affected. According to him, INEC received notification of vacancies for the Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial districts following the swearing into office of Senator Diri Duoye and Senator Lawrence O. Ewhrudjakpo as governor and deputy governor of Bayelsa State, respectively. He stated that the Commission also received notice of vacancies for the Imo North Senatorial District following the death of Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu and for Plateau South Senatorial District following the death of Senator Ignatius Datong Longjan. Okoye stated that arising from the declaration of vacancies by the President of the Senate, INEC commenced preparations for the conduct of bye-elections to fill the vacancies. However, given the health emergency occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic and the preventive measures put in place by the health authorities, Federal and State governments, the Commission has decided to postpone the four senatorial bye-elections until the situation normalises. According to Okoye, “This is line with Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which empowers the Commission to postpone any election in the event of any emergency or natural disaster. The Commission is compelled to take this step-in recognition of the fact that all major activities in the electoral process involve large gathering of people. These include the conduct of political party primaries, campaigns, stakeholder meetings, training and deployment of election and security personnel, movement of accredited observers and journalists, congregation of voters and other stakeholders at polling units, as well as the collation centres”. | INEC, Bye-elections | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/covid-19-inec-postpones-bayelsa-imo-plateau-by-elections.html | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 20th March 2020 | Oyo APC chides Makinde over PDP rally in Ibadan | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State on Thursday, March 19 chided Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration for allowing the South West Zonal rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to hold in Ibadan while some countries and States were closing down public institutions and banning public gatherings. This was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Publicity Secretary of APC in the State, AbdulAzeez Olatunde. According to Olatunde, “Few indices of the enormity of the pandemic will suffice here, for the populace to appreciate the gravity of maladministration going on in Oyo under the government of Makinde. It noted that while States like Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Jigawa, Kebbi and Kaduna were giving their schools 30 days break because of the pandemic, the PDP-led government in Oyo was calling people out in thousands for a rally". "Where is the concern and care for the health of the innocent people of Oyo in their actions? We can only pray to Almighty God to come to the aid of Oyo people from this clueless PDP government”, Olatunde added. | Oyo State, PDP, APC | The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 20th March 2020 | Ishaku returns, says domestic accident kept him away | Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku on Thursday, March 19 deemed it necessary to return to the State after 87 days of prolonged absence. Ishaku was last seen performing public function in December last year when he presented the 2020 Appropriation Bill to the state House of Assembly. The governor, who arrived in the State about 4p.m, stated his prolonged absence was due to the injuries he sustained as a result of the domestic accident he had when he fell down from the staircase in his house located in Abuja, which led to various degree of injuries. He said he was advised by his doctor to seek medical help from Germany. On why he failed to transmit power to his deputy, he stated it was not necessary “because I came back to the country without any waste of time”. The Governor, who asked the people to cease from handshake pending when the COVID-19 virus is addressed, stated that the State would leave no stone unturned to prevent the virus from entering the State. While urging the people to continue to give him peace for him to herald the much needed development to the State, stated his government would continue to extend an olive branch to the opposition political parties. | Taraba State, Darius Ishaku | https://guardian.ng/news/ishaku-returns-says-domestic-accident-kept-him-away/ | |
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 18th March 2020 | Supreme Court reserves ruling on Zamfara governorship review | The Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 17 reserved ruling in the application for the review of the judgement which disqualified the governorship and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State in the 2019 general elections. A five-member panel of justices presided by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, after listening to the parties, announced that a new date would be communicated to the parties. Ex-governor Abdulazeez Yari’s faction of the APC, through its counsel, Robert Clarke (SAN) brought the application seeking a review of the consequential order of the apex court which voided the total votes polled by the APC in the election over issues relating to the party’s primary. Clarke argued that the consequential order denied the rights of fair hearing to the APC and benefitted PDP which was not party to the appeal. According to him, “We are not challenging the judgement of the court but the consequential orders". However, counsel to the Senator Kabiru Marafa-led faction of the APC, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), asked the court to dismiss the application with punitive costs. Citing the recent cases in Bayelsa and Imo States and Sections 235 and 285 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999, Ozekhome argued that the decision of the Supreme Court is final and cannot be reviewed. | Supreme Court, Zamfara State, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/supreme-court-reserves-ruling-on-zamfara-govship-review.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 18th March 2020 | Kano PDP holds Ward Congresses despite court order | Kano State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, March 17 announced that it successfully held Ward Congresses in all 484 Wards in the State. Speaking to journalists in Kano, Adamawa State Governor Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who led the party’s national ward congress committee to Kano State, revealed that the committee, in collaboration with the State party leadership, had conducted successful congresses in all the 484 wards in the 44 local governments of the State. The court order has directed PDP and five others to maintain the status quo. A motion ex-parte was filed by Musa Ashiru, Adamu Yusuf and Kabiru Ibrahim. Governor Fintiri however, denied knowing anything about a court order obtained directing the party to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. | Kano State, PDP, Ward Congresses | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kano-pdp-holds-ward-congresses-despite-court-order.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 18th March 2020 | Imo to conduct Local Government polls as Uzodinma constitutes Electoral Commission | Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has signified his intentions to conduct Local Government elections in the State soon. This is consequent upon his constitution of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC). The Speaker of the State Assembly, Collins Chiji, who read the letter from the Governor at plenary on March 17, disclosed that Mrs. Pauline Onyeka would serve as Chairman while Henry Adimelechi, Ezeukwu, Mrs. Jacinta Uchechukwu and John Ohiri would serve as members of the Commission. The Speaker immediately inaugurated a screening committee, to be chaired by Authur Egwim representing Ideato North Local Government Area, and appointed some committee members to screen the nominees. Hon. Chiji, however, urged the ad-hoc committee to report back to the House on Thursday, March 19. | Imo State Independent Electoral Commission | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/imo-to-conduct-lg-polls-as-uzodinma-constitutes-electoral-commission.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 18th March 2020 | Buhari’s intervention timely — Edo APC | Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) for intervening in the crisis rocking the party in Edo State and other parts of the country. The Chairman, Edo State Chapter of the APC, Anselm Ojezua, stated this while speaking with journalists in Benin. According to him, “President Buhari’s intervention saved the party from possible implosion. I give credit to the President and the Progressive Governors Forum for halting a very dangerous situation. The party was moving towards a dangerous situation as all sides had taken very extreme positions and the fear was that the party could implode”. Ojezua explained that the APC opted for a second look at the possibility of reconciliation, especially since a reconciliation committee has been set up but was yet to commence work. | Edo State, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buharis-intervention-timely-edo-apc.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 18th March 2020 | I have learnt my lesson — Oshiomhole | National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole resumed work on Tuesday, March 17 after being away for about two weeks, saying he has learnt his lesson. An Abuja High Court had on March 4 ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole. Reprieve came his way on Monday, March 16 when an appeal court ruled in his favour. Oshiomhole chaired the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting at its national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, March 17. At the end of the meeting that lasted for about five hours, Oshiomhole announced the lifting of the suspension on the party’s National Deputy Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu and the National Vice Chairman (North West), Inuwa Abdulkadir. The suspension of Shuaibu and Abdulkadir by the Oshiomhole-led NWC was part of the issues that fuelled the crisis rocking the party. Oshiomhole stated that the decision on the two members of the NWC was taken in the spirit of the ongoing reconciliation in the party. He added that the two party chiefs could resume their duties. According to Oshiomhole, “I have asked everyone, whatever they consider to be my shortcomings, for forgiveness and they have forgiven me. Whatever I considered to be anyone’s shortcomings that irritated me I have also forgiven and I believe this is the way it should be so that we can provide a united and cohesive leadership for our party". | APC, Adams Ohiomhole | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ive-learnt-my-lesson-oshiomhole.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 17th March 2020 | INEC officials charged with falsifying 2019 poll results, absent in court | Two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) charged with electoral fraud during the February 23, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections failed to appear in court for their arraignment on Monday, March 16. The officials, Sulaiman Ikhuoriah and Olugbenga Omotiloye, were scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu of an Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama. The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation charged them with falsifying results in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidates, against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates in the elections held in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Ikhuoriah was said to have served as the Collation Officer for Ward 6 in Saint Maria Gorreti Secondary School, while Omotiloye was an Electoral Officer at Bishop Kelly, beside St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City. The alleged infractions of the two officials of the electoral body were investigated by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Edo State. However, when the matter came up in court, both defendants were absent from court, prompting the judge to ask the counsel from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation of their whereabouts. The prosecution told the court that the DSS was yet to bring the two defendants to Abuja from Edo State. Justice Halilu, however, frowned at the inability of the prosecution to bring the defendants to court. | INEC, Electoral Offences | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/inec-officials-charged-with-falsifying-2019-poll-result-absent-in-court.html | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 17th March 2020 | PWDs want domestication of Disability Act in all States | A Group of persons with disabilities (PWDs) under the aegis of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has charged other States to emulate the 10 States that have domesticated the Disability Act in the country. Executive Director of CCD, David Anyaele, made the call when he visited the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Glory Edet in Uyo on Monday, March 16. He commended the 10 States that have passed the Bill into law and Akwa Ibom State, where the Bill has reached the committee stage and urged the remaining States to follow suit for the interest of PWDs and the nation. According to him, the 10 States that have passed the Bill into law are, Kano, Jigawa, Anambra, Kogi, Ondo, Lagos, Ekiti, Plateau, Kwara and Bauchi, adding that the organisation was creating awareness around PWDs for them to understand the implications of corruption. | PWDs, Disability Act | https://guardian.ng/news/pwds-want-domestication-of-disability-act-in-all-states/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 17th March 2020 | Kano Assembly suspends five members over rowdy session | Kano State House of Assembly has announced the suspension of five members over a row that ensued in the House in the past week. The lawmakers who were suspended for six months include: Labaran Abdul Madari (APC, Warawa Constituency), Garba Yau Gwarmai (APC, Kunchi/Tsanyawa), Isyaku Ali Danja (PDP, Gezawa), Mohammed Bello (APC, Rimingado/Tofa) and Salisu Ahmed Gwamgwazo (PDP, Kano Municipal). The Speaker, Alhaji Abdulazeez Gafasa, who made the announcement during the Assembly’s sitting on Monday, March 16, stated that the members were suspended for misconduct and violation of the House’s rules and regulations, disrupting the sittings of the House and preventing proceedings from going on. According to Gafasa, "They behaved violently and even attempted to snatch away the Assembly’s mace in a clear attempt to sabotage the house sitting”. It could be recalled that there was a rowdy session in the House last week when the Assembly’s committee saddled with the responsibility to investigate Muhammadu Sanusi II, the then Emir of Kano, attempted to submit its report on the floor of the Assembly. It was reported that the affected members suspected the committee had recommended for the dethronement of Sanusi, and therefore attempted to prevent the report from being deliberated at the floor of the Assembly which resulted to the rowdy session. | Kano State House of Assembly, Suspension | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kano-assembly-suspends-five-members-over-rowdy-session.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 17th March 2020 | Suspension: Oshiomhole ‘wins’ at Court of Appeal | The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered a stay of execution on the suspension of the embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole. A three-member panel of the appellate court presided by Justice Abubakar Dati Yahaya on Monday, March 16 held that Oshiomhole’s ex-parte application for a stay of execution of the ruling of the high court has merit. One of the lawyers in the case, Wole Olanipekun, SAN argued that the order of the trial court has already created a situation of disorder in the party and the situation could degenerate if the appellate court fails to intervene. The court has, however, adjourned further hearing to Friday, March 20, 2020. | APC, Adams Ohiomhole, Suspension | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/suspension-oshiomhole-wins-at-court-of-appeal.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 17th March 2020 | Court approves Giadom as APC acting National Chairman | An FCT High Court in Maitama on Monday, March 16 granted an interim order allowing Chief Victor Giadom, APC’s acting National Secretary to act as the party’s national chairman. Justice Samira Umar Bature made the order following a motion ex-parte filed by the party’s National Vice chairman, North-East, Comrade Mustapha Salihu and argued on his behalf by O.C. Ugwu, Esq seeking for an interim order allowing Giadom to act as APC’s acting chairman and to preside at all meetings of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) pending the decision of the party’s NEC fixed for March 17. The motion also asked for an interim order restraining the APC and its officers or anyone purporting to act as an officer of the 4th defendant (APC) from preventing or in any way disturbing Chief Victor Giadom (present Acting National Secretary) from functioning as the Acting Chairman (unless otherwise decided by the National Executive Committee of the party pending the hearing of the motion on notice”. | APC, National Chairman | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-approves-giadom-as-apc-acting-national-chairman.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 17th March 2020 | APC postpones NEC meeting | The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting earlier scheduled for today, Tuesday, March 17, 2020. The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, announced this after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, March 16 in Abuja. Bagudu stated that President Buhari was pleased to endorse the suggestion to postpone the NEC meeting. | APC, NEC meeting | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/breaking-apc-postpones-nec-meeting.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 16th March 2020 | APC NEC meets Tuesday as Tinubu, 11 Governors back Oshiomhole | Ahead of the March 17 emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, March 16 lent his support to the embattled National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Tinubu’s position came hours after the chairman of the party’s reconciliation committee, Chief Bisi Akande, urged all the feuding camps to withdraw court cases for peace to reign. Tinubu played a key role in Oshiomhole’s emergence as National \Chairman of the ruling party in June 2018. Before then, Tinubu had had confrontations with the then Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who enjoyed the support of some APC governors at the time. A source within the party is of the opinion that the APC might split into two camps if those for and against Oshiomhole did not shift their positions. According to the source, “The President as the overall leader of the party has a key role to play to keep the party one. Tinubu has made his position known, the President should also make his position known”. | APC, NEC, Tinubu | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-nec-meets-tomorrow-as-tinubu-11-govs-back-oshiomhole.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 16th March 2020 | PDP wins Sokoto bye-election | Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Adamu has won the bye-election for Kebbe Constituency of Sokoto State House of Assembly. He defeated seven other candidates who contested on the platforms of various political parties including, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Adamu polled 15,663 votes to emerge winner of the election. The candidate of APC, Abubakar Umar Bello, who had withdrawn from the election scored 254 votes. | Sokoto State, Bye-election, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-wins-sokoto-by-election.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 16th March 2020 | Pressure mounts on Obasa to step down as Lagos Assembly Speaker | Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is under intense pressure to step down since the removal of two principal officers, Hon. Rotimi Abiru and Mr. Olumuyiwa Jimoh as Chief whip and Deputy Majority Leader. The House had also suspended two other members including Hon. Moshood Oshun and Hon. Raheem Kazeem indefinitely from the Assembly over what it described as gross misconduct, insubordination and actions capable of destabilising the House. Since the removal and suspension of the lawmakers, things are no longer at ease in the House. It was gathered that following the development in the House, some power blocks including some forces in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are planning to remove Obasa as Speaker over allegation of lack of transparency and high-handedness. | Lagos State House of Assembly, Speaker | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pressure-mounts-on-obasa-to-step-down-as-speaker.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 16th March 2020 | Late Lawmaker’s brother wins bye-election in Kwara | Adam Ahmed Rufai, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared winner of the Patigi State Constituency bye-election in Kwara State conducted on Saturday, 14 March 2020. INEC Returning Officer, Dr. Abdulazeez Ishola Musbau of the University of Ilorin, stated that Rufai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) having scored the highest votes (10,354) emerged winner in the election. His major contender, Mohammed Salihu Yahaya, candidate of the Peoples Democratic PArty (PDP) got 4,623 votes. Six political parties took part in the House of Assembly bye-election. The APC candidate would replace his late brother, Saidu Ahmed Rufai, who died in December 2019. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the State, Mrs. Aisha Ahman Pategi, who is from the Constituency stated that the victory was a sign that APC was still much on ground in Patigi. | Kwara State, Bye-election | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/late-lawmakers-brother-wins-by-election-in-kwara.html | ||||||
| Punch Newspaper | Monday, 16th March 2020 | Edo PDP Crisis deepens as court stops State Congress | An Abuja High Court on issued an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, from holding or conducting any State congress. This followed a motion filed by Mr. Friday Okah and three others against the PDP,challenging the Ward and Local Government congresses conducted by the party in Edo State on Saturday, February 1 and Saturday, March 7, 2020, respectively. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Aikhuenegbe Malik, who is counsel to the plaintiffs asked that the PDP Edo State congress scheduled to hold on Saturday, March 14 be halted. Earlier, Justice Joy Okeaya-Inneh of the Edo State High Court sitting in Ekpoma, had ordered that status quo be maintained till March 31 when she would rule on whether to strike out a suit filed by Mr. Sylvanus Eruaga against the February 1 Ward congresses of the party. The Edo State PDP had filed a motion to strike out the suit and the court adjourned ruling until March 31. It ordered all parties to maintain status quo. Counsel for Eruaga, stated that his clients would abide by the order and urged the PDP to do same. | Edo, PDP | https://punchng.com/edo-pdp-crisis-deepens-as-court-stops-state-congress/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 16th March 2020 | 2019 polls: INEC, CSOs differ on US claims | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organisations have expressed varied positions regarding the claims of the United States that security operatives in Nigeria intimidated voters, officials of INEC and election observers during the 2019 general elections. In its 2019 country reports on human rights practices, the US Department of State noted that the elections in Nigeria within the year under review were marred by violence and practices which did not encourage enough voter participation in the electoral exercise. Mr. Rotimi L. Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, told journalits that reports that there was widespread intimidation of INEC officials, voters or observers by the DSS and the army during the 2019 general elections across the country, is untrue. He added, “To be sure, the U.S. did not deploy its observers to all the States for the 2019 general elections and could not have established what actually transpired at every polling unit. However, there was indeed an incident in Rivers State during the governorship/State Assembly elections when some security personnel interfered with the electoral process, but the Commission acted swiftly, invoked the powers conferred on it by extant laws and suspended the election at that point”. | INEC, United States | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-polls-inec-csos-differ-on-us-claims.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 13th March 2020 | Police seal Ekiti PDP Secretariat as Fayose, Olujimi supporters clash | The police have sealed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Ekiti State, following an altercation between the supporters of former governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Biodun Olujimi. The incident happened while the supporters were waiting to submit their petitions before the appeal panel constituted over the last ward congress. It was gathered that weapons such as cutlasses, bottles and stones were freely used, prompting the police to immediately deploy its men to the venue. Many party faithfuls were said to have sustained injuries during the fracas. The ward congress held on Saturday, March 7 is still generating crisis among the loyalists of the two factions in the PDP in the State. | Ekiti State, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/police-seal-ekiti-pdp-secretariat-as-fayose-olujimi-supporters-clash.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 13th March 2020 | Senate moves for removal of Immunity for Vice President, Governors and their deputies | The Senate on Thursday, March 12 passed for second reading a Bill seeking to alter provisions of the Constitution to qualify criminal liability for certain public officers under Section 308. Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides immunity for a sitting President, Vice President, Governors and their deputies. If the proposed legislation is passed, Vice President, Governors and their deputies would lose immunity from criminal liability when the offence involves misappropriation of public funds or incitement to violence. The proposed alteration, however, does not affect a sitting President. The explanatory memorandum of the Bill, sponsored by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, reads: “This Act provides for qualification of the immunity clause to exclude immunity for public officers referred to in Section 308 from criminal liability where the offence involves misappropriation of funds belonging to the Federal, State or Local Governments and also the use of thugs to foment violence”. | Senate, Immunity | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-wants-immunity-removed-for-v-p-govs-deputies.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 13th March 2020 | Court orders APC to recognise Ajimobi, 2 others as national officers | Ahead of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) billed for March 17, a Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered that the former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; Waziri Bulama and Paul Chukwuma, should be allowed to attend. Ajimobi, Bulama and Chukwuma were recently named as national officers of the party by its National Working Committee (NWC). Ajimobi was appointed as Deputy National Chairman; Bulami took over as Acting National Secretary while Chukwuma was named National Auditor. Some chieftains of the party have opposed the three appointments. Delivering ruling on Thursday, March 12 in an ex-parte application filed by the Lagos State Chairman of the APC, Tunde Balogun, Justice Mohammed Liman restrained the APC and its officials from “disturbing, preventing or obstructing Waziri Bulama, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Paul Chukwuma from carrying out their duties following their respective appointments. Balogun argued that the nomination of Bulama was ratified at the meeting of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) held on January 14, 2020; while those of Ajimobi and Chukwuma were ratified at the NWC meeting of March 4, 2020. He told the court that the APC National Executive Council could not effectively operate unless Bulama, Ajimobi and Chukwuma were allowed to perform their duties. After listening to the applicant’s lawyer, Justice Liman granted the prayers and adjourned further hearing till March 25, 2020 to take the Motion on Notice. | APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-orders-apc-to-recognise-ajimobi-2-others-as-national-officers.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 13th March 2020 | Local Government polls: Bello inaugurates SIEC, others | Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has inaugurated the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, with a charge to conduct free, fair and credible Local Government elections. The Governor also promised not to interfere with the activities of the electoral commission, stating that Kogi electorate would be given the freedom to choose those who would represent them. The Governor also inaugurated the State’s Judicial Service Commission and the Kogi State Hajj Commission, urging them to undertake their respective tasks diligently. | Kogi, SIEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/lg-polls-bello-inaugurates-siec-others.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 13th March 2020 | NEC meeting: Police beef up security at APC Secretariat | No fewer than eight patrol vans filled with anti-riot policemen laid siege at the national secretariat of the ruling APC in Abuja on Thursday, March 12, as part of measures to beef up security in the area. Their presence is not unconnected with the emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party slated for MArch 17 and convened by a faction of its National Working Committee (NWC), after the suspension of the embattled National Chairman of the party. A security source stated that they are being proactive following intelligence report about looming breach of law and order around Wuse II where the party’s secretariat is located. An Abuja High Court had on Wednesday, March 11 granted another application filed by the North-East Vice Chairman of the party, Mustapha Salihu, barring some members of the party from disrupting the planned NEC meeting. | APC, NEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nec-meeting-police-beef-up-security-at-apc-secretariat.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, 12th March 2020 | Senate moves to stop High Courts from entertaining Pre-election Matters | A Bill seeking to amend the provisions of the 1999 Constitution to preclude the State and FCT High Courts from entertaining pre-election disputes emanating from elective congresses of political parties, scaled second reading on the floor of the Senate on Wednesay, March 11. The Bill, sponsored by Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central), seeks to alter Section 272 of the Nigerian Constitution by inserting, a new subsection to read that: “Nothing in this section shall empower the High Court of a State to entertain a dispute from a member of a political party challenging the actions or decisions of a political party in respect of the election of a principal officer or member of its executive committee or other governing body following from a congress, conference, convention or other meeting convened by that political party for the purpose of electing such principal officers or members". Also scaling second reading is a Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution, to provide immunity for members of the legislature in respect of words spoken or written at plenary sessions or committee proceedings, and institutionalise legislative bureaucracy in the Constitution, sponsored by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central). All Constitution Alteration Bills were referred by President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege. | Pre-election Matters, Constitution Amendment | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-moves-to-stop-high-courts-from-entertaining-pre-election-matters.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, 12th March 2020 | 6 Political Parties to contest Kwara Assembly bye-election | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that only six political parties will take part in the Patigi State Constituency House of Assembly bye-election slated for Saturday, March 14 in Kwara State. The parties are the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), NNPP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Action Congress (AAC) and Allied Peoples Movement. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Garba Attahiru Madami, stated that 451 personnel would be deployed for the Patigi Constituency House of Assembly bye-election. Addressing newsmen, he stated that the Commission has received sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the election. According to Madami, “Arrangement is in top gear concerning Saturday, March 14 bye-election in Patigi State Constituency, with six political parties participating in the election that will take place in 105 polling units, with a total of 52,233 registered voters”. Madami also confirmed that a total of 43,695 permanent voters’ cards, (PVCs) have been collected and the remaining 7,781 uncollected PVC were kept in the Central Bank custody for safety and transparency. The bye-election followed the death of Saidu Ahmed Rufai of APC who was occupying the seat in December last year. | INEC, Bye-election | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/6-political-parties-to-contest-kwara-assembly-by-election.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, 12th March 2020 | Uzodinma nominates 5 Women, 17 others as Imo Commissioners | Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has sent the names of five women and 17 others as commissioner-designates to the Imo State House of Assembly. The names were announced by the Speaker of the House, Chiji Collins at plenary on Wednesday, March 11. The women include Dr. (Mrs) Osunkwo, Obiageri Ajoku, Doris Akubuo, Nkechi Ugwu, and Mrs. Love Ineh. Other 17 commissioner-designates are Simeon Ibegbulem, Kingsley Ononuju, Declan Emelumba, Enyinnaya Onuegbu, Rex Anunobi, Raph Nwosu and Fabian Ihekwueme, Iyke Njoku, Prof. V.E.O. Ikegwuoha, Barr. Francis Dibiagwu, Dan Oguh, Noble Atulegwu, C. C. Osuala, Lambert Orisakwe, Tony Umezuruike, Iyke Umeh, and Mathias Emejuonu. Following the announcement of the names, the Speaker set up a five-member ad-hoc committee for screening of the Commissioner-nominees, stating that the committee would be headed by Hon. Obinna Okwara. The Speaker, however, asked the nominees to submit all necessary documents that would enable the committee carry out its duty speedily. | Imo State, Commissioner-designates | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/uzodinma-nominates-5-women-17-others-as-imo-commissioners.html | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 12th March 2020 | Court restrains APC Officials from interfering with NEC Meeting | The crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) took a new dimension as a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) restrained the party’s National Legal Adviser, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, and two other executive members of the APC from interfering with the scheduled meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party slated for March 17, 2020. Also restrained alongside Ogala are the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, and the party's National Secretary, Mr. Waziri Bulama. Justice S. U. Bature restrained the trio while ruling on an ex-parte application filed by the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-east), Mr. Mustapha Salihu, who also prayed the court to compel the APC to give effect to the resolution of the National Working Committee (NWO) of the party, which convened the NEC meeting scheduled for March 17, 2020. In his ruling, Justice Bature granted the application as prayed and adjourned till March 20, 2020, for the hearing of the motion on notice. | APC, NEC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/03/12/court-restrains-apc-officials-from-interfering-with-nec-meeting/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 12th March 2020 | Disquiet in Lagos Assembly over suspension of Principal Officers | There is disquiet and division in the Lagos State House of Assembly over the suspension of two principal officers and two other members. They were suspended indefinitely through voice votes on Monday, March 9, for what the House called “gross misconduct and other infractions that were against the rules guiding the House and its operations”. The suspension was allegedly based on the suspicion that the members leaked some information on the planned vehicle purchase for the members and principal officers of the House, to the press. The development has caused sharp division in the House with 27 lawmakers signing the letter of suspension read on the floor of the House by the Speaker. Eight members did not sign the letter, it was learnt. It was gathered that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has intervened to resolve the matter. Speaking with journalists on the matter, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Tunde Buraimoh, confirmed that the matter was being resolved at the party level using its internal conflict resolution mechanism. | APC, Godwin Obaseki | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/03/12/obaseki-convenes-apc-south-south-meeting/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 11th March 2020 | Court dismisses suit seeking to sack Bayelsa Governor | A Federal High Court sitting in Owerri on Tuesday, March 10 dismissed the suit filed by Timi Alaibe seeking to upturn the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which produced Governor Duoye Diri as the party’s flagbearer in the State. Alaibe had sought, among other reliefs, to set aside the governorship primary election on the ground that the Local Government chairmen that participated in the election were not qualified. In his ruling, Justice Tijjani Ringim stated that the plaintiff had failed to prove that the gubernatorial primary conducted on September 3, 2019 failed to comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP and the 1999 Constitution as amended. He dismissed the suit in its entirety. Meanwhile, Diri has described the judgement as an affirmation of God’s will for the people of the State. He however asked Alaibe, who challenged his candidature to join hands him to develop and move the State forward. Meanwhile, protesters stormed the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanding the Prince Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee (NWC) to expel Alaibe. | Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri, Timi Alaibe | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-dismisses-suit-seeking-to-sack-bayelsa-gov.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 11th March 2020 | 16 suspended Kwara PDP Local Government Chairmen join APC | Ahead of the Kwara State House of Assembly bye-election for Patigi Federal Constituency, 16 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Local Government party Chairmen earlier suspended have decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC). They officially decamped from PDP to the ruling APC at Patigi on Tuesday, March 10. Chairman of the State’s chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Joshua Omokanye, announced this at the APC bye-election campaign rally in Patigi. Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led the APC campaign for the March 14 bye-election in Patigi Constituency where the PDP chieftains decamped to APC. The seat of the Patigi State Constituency in the State House of Assembly became vacant following the death of the former occupant, Hon. Saidu Rufai, in December 2019. | Kwara State, Bye-election, APC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/16-suspended-kwara-pdp-lg-chairmen-join-apc.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 11th March 2020 | Senate tasks Political Parties on Equal Opportunities for Women | The Senate has urged registered political parties to make it a policy to give women equal opportunities in all elective and appointive positions. The Red Chamber also advocated gender parity as a priority for women in the amendment of the Nigerian Constitution. This followed a motion on the 2020 International Women’s Day titled ‘I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights’. The motion, which was sponsored by Senator Betty Apiafi (PDP – Rivers West) was co-sponsored by eight other female senators in the Ninth Assembly. | Senate, Women representation | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-tasks-political-parties-on-equal-opportunities-for-women.html | ||||||
| Punch Newspaper | Wednesday, 11th March 2020 | Anyanwu’s expulsion, sets up for Imo, Anambra | The South-East wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has nullified the expulsion of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who represented the Imo East (Owerri) Senatorial District between 2015 and 2019. The nullification came up on Tuesday, March 10 after the South-East zonal meeting of PDP governors, senators and House of Representatives members, and other top members of the party. In a short statement, the party stated that due process was not followed in the expulsion of the former senator. Recall that Anyanwu was expelled from the party on Thursday, March 5 by the Imo State chapter of the party. But the South-East zone of the party noted that as a national officer and member of the National Executive Committee of the PDP, the State chapter could not expel Anyanwu. The statement read thus: “No member of the party should be expelled from the party no matter the season, so that the party can excel in the forthcoming election in 2023”. A committee was also set up to look into political cases in Imo and Anambra States, with a view to reporting to the National Executive Council of the party before any action is taken by the State chapters of the party. | PDP, Samuel Anywanwu | https://punchng.com/pdp-nullifies-anyanwus-expulsion-sets-up-imo-anambra-committees/ | ||||||
| Punch Newspaper | Wednesday, 11th March 2020 | Stop giving Obiano Local Government funds, IPAC tells Buhari | The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Anambra State has urged the President Muhammadu Buhari, to suspend Local Government allocations to Anambra State pending when Governor Willie Obiano will conduct council elections. Briefing journalists in Awka, the State capital on Tuesday, March 10 the IPAC Media Director in the State, Mr. Peter Okala, described non-conduct of council elections in the State as undemocratic and illegal. Okala requested the President Buhari should intervene by stopping the Anambra State Local Government allocations until democratically elected governments were put in place in the 21 council areas of the State. He added, “These years have accounted for redundancy in the workforce of the 21 Local Government Areas, hence the Anambra State Government has taken over the duties of workers and given it to their cronies to ensure that those funds from the internally generated revenue were coming directly to the State government”. The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, stated that IPAC members were acting in ignorance. He explained that the issue of conduct of council poll in the State was pending at the Supreme Court, stating that it would amount to contempt of court for the State to conduct Local Government polls. | Willie Obiano, IPAC | https://punchng.com/stop-giving-obiano-lg-funds-ipac-tells-buhari/ | ||||||
| Punch Newspaper | Monday, 2nd March 2020 | I need three months to appoint Commissioners – Diri | Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State stated that it will take him about three months to appoint people into the State Executive Council. He appealed to the people of Bayelsa State to be patient with him to “assemble a crack team that would drive the three-point agenda of the Consolidation Government”. Diri was inaugurated on February 14 following the apex court’s judgment which voided the election of the former Governor-elect, David Lyon and his deputy Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo of the All Progressives Congress. He assured the people that those to be appointed as Commissioners would enjoy autonomy in awarding of contracts while he and his deputy would perform supervisory roles. Diri, who was full of gratitude to God and Bayelsans for their support and prayers, described the Supreme Court's review verdict as “an act of God that became a reality through the wisdom and courage of the apex court”. | Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri | https://punchng.com/i-need-three-months-to-appoint-commissioners-diri/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, 10th March 2020 | BOSIEC set for June 13 Local Government Polls in Borno, says Chair | (BOSIEC) has expressed its readiness to conduct elections into all the 27 local governments and 312 Wards of the State on Saturday, June 13, 2020. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, March 10, the Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Abdu Usman, stated that all that is needed to conduct the elections have been made available by the State government. He also stated that ad hoc polling officials including 312 supervisors and 424 presiding officers would be deployed across the State to conduct the elections. He promised that the electoral body would ensure that the elections are held in all the polling points unless where the safety of staff and materials cannot be guaranteed. He explained that in such situations like it was done during the last general election, the exercise would be conducted at the internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) camps. The Commission has released a timetable for the election, which kicks off on March 12 with a meeting of the Commission with all registered political parties and stakeholders to fine-tune the process. Political parties are expected to hold their primaries between 16 and 18 April and campaigns are to commence on May 15 through June 11. Usman, while appealing for the support of all stakeholders including the electorate, commended the governor of the State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, for his commitment and support. | Local Government Elections, Borno State, BOISEC | |||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 10th March 2020 | Lagos Assembly sacks 2 principal officers, suspends 2 others | The Lagos State House of Assembly has sacked two of its principal officers over what it described as gross misconduct, insubordination and actions capable of destabilizing the Assembly. The affected principal officers include the Chief Whip, Hon. Rotimi Abiru and the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh. Two members of the House - Hon. Moshood Oshun representing Lagos Mainland Constituency 2 and Hon. Kazeem Raheem Adewale representing Ibeju Lekki Constituency 2 were also suspended indefinitely during the plenary. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa announced the punitive measures following voice votes by members who were present at the plenary on Monday, March 9. He stated that the House is the hope of the people and the heartbeat of democracy, adding that as such, it should be well guided. The removal notice of the principal officers and change in leadership was contained in a letter read at the plenary by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni who explained that the letter signed by 26 members notified the House to change the leadership of the House including Mr. Abiru and Mr. Jimoh. | Lagos State House of Assembly | |||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, 10th March 2020 | PDP abandons N11.5bn secretariat project, 62 sacked workers unpaid | ash crunch has hit the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), forcing it to abandon its N11.5bn secretariat project. According to news reports, the financial situation has also forced the party to sack 62 workers at its national secretariat. A breakdown indicatess that four directors, two deputy directors, six assistant directors, 17 supervisors, 14 intermediate staff and 19 junior staff lost their jobs. The party, due to cash crunch, also shortly after the 2015 general elections where it lost the presidency, abandoned its 12-storey national secretariat project located in the Central Business District, Abuja, estimated at N11.5 billion. A party official who cspoke with journalists on Monday, March 9, stated that the National Working Committee (NWC) was planning to set up a committee that would design a template on how the party would raise funds for the running of its activities and to sustain the payment of the remaining secretariat staff. Some of the sacked staff were also reported to have stated that the party was yet to pay their entitlements. | PDP | ttps://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-abandons-n11-5bn-secretariat-project-62-sacked-workers-unpaid.html | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, 10th March 2020 | Reprieve for Oshiomhole as he gets State APC Chairmen’s Confidence Vote | The statement, signed by the forum’s chairman, Ali Bukar Dolari, and secretary, Dr. Ben Nwoye, who are State chairmen of the party in Borno and Enugu, respectively, resolved to wade off all threats to the implementation of ‘democratic ethos’ being championed in the party by Oshiomhole. Furthermore, the Lagos State chapter of the party also solidarised with the former labour leader. In a statement signed on March 9 by its Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, the ruling party stated that it appreciates the leadership of the National Chairman, which according to it, was responsible for the party’s victories in the national elections. Meanwhile, chieftains of the party in the South-South geopolitical zone are divided over the ongoing moves to unseat Oshiomhole as National Chairman of party. On Monday, March 9, the APC South South Stakeholders’ Forum backed the suspension, noting that the measure would “create the enabling environment to reposition the party.” Its spokesperson, Dr. Ray Murphy, who blamed Oshiomhole for the ‘setbacks’ suffered by the party since the 2015 general elections, stressed the need for his replacement with a “well-qualified person from the South South geopolitical zone.” The group disowned the remarks of the party’s National Vice Chairman, South -South, Prince Hilliard Eta. Also on the same day, the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena sought the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari in the crisis. Nabena, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja, also enjoined Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other party leaders to wade into the matter. | APC, Oshiomhole | |||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 6th March 2020 | Electoral Act amendment to end manual elections — INEC | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared that the 2019 elections may be the last manual election in Nigeria. Chairman of INEC Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated that the proposed amendment to the 2010 Electoral Act involved deepening the deployment of technology in future elections. He stated this in Lagos during the opening of a two-day retreat with the National Assembly Committees on Electoral Matters. Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who represented the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, stated that the National Assembly is working towards a comprehensive amendment of the electoral process by way of repeal and re-enactment in response to recent Supreme Court verdicts. The various apex court verdicts bordering on pre-election matters, according to Omo-Agege, were “directly tasking the National Assembly to make vital electoral reforms in this country by amending or even overhauling the extant Electoral Act”. The INEC Chairman stated that the deployment of electronic voting is achievable with the support of the National Assembly. According to him, “It is time for a new legislation to remove all encumbrances to further deployment of technology in the electoral process, especially in the accreditation of voters and transmission of election results". Prof. Yakubu added that the expeditious passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bil is critical to the preparations for the next general elections. | INEC, National Assembly, Electoral amendment | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/electoral-act-amendment-to-end-manual-elections-inec.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, 6th March 2020 | Ekiti APC rejects Ajimobi’s appointment | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has rejected the nomination of Sen. Abiola Ajimobi as Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party. According to the Publicity Secretary of the party in the State, Ade Ajayi, “The Deputy National Chairman (South) from Ekiti State, is Senator Gbenga Aluko and we have not ceded our right to the position”. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu had in a statement on Wednesday, March 4 stated that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) approved Ajimobi’s appointment and two others at its January 14 meeting in Abuja. Ajayi however, stated that the NWC wrote to the leadership of the South West Caucus sometime in February 2020 to forward the name of their nominee to fill the vacant position and therefore wondered how the decision for the ratification was taken on January 14. According to Ajayi, "One should ask, whose prerogative is it to ratify the nomination, is it that of NWC or that of the National Executive Council (NEC)? From the provisions of the articles of the APC Constitution, it is clear that only NEC can ratify such nomination. It therefore suffices to say the purported ratification by NWC of Ajimobi’s nomination is an effort in futility.” | APC, Ajimobi, Ekiti | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ekiti-apc-rejects-ajimobis-appointment.html | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 6th March 2020 | Kano Court sets aside Abuja Court Order suspending Oshiomhole as APC Chair | The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja had on Wednesday, March 4 ordered the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole to stop parading himself as APC National Chairman, pending the determination of a suit against him. But on Thursday, March 5, Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Kano ordered the police and Department of State Service (DSS) to provide security for Oshiomhole to resume duties in his office at the APC Headquarters in Abuja. | Adams Oshiomhole, APC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/03/05/kano-court-upturns-abuja-court-order-suspending-oshiomhole-as-apc-chair/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 6th March 2020 | Uproar as Senate approves Buhari’s $22.7b loan request | It was a rancorous session in the Senate on Thursday, March 5 as lawmakers engaged in heated arguments on the $29.96 billion loan request made by President Muhammadu Buhari for infrastructural development. Although approval of $22.7billion was eventually given to the request, the unity among the senators seemed weakened. It was a straight disagreement between those opposed to automatic approval of the loan and those who wanted a thorough debate on every item of the request. President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, the Minority Leader, Eyinaya Abaribe, and the Majority Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya were locked in altercations regarding the procedure to be adopted in approving the loan. The uproar degenerated into a stalemate that forced the Senate into a closed-door session that lasted for about 30 minutes. The contention was that while Lawan preferred that the matter be treated by voting according to the recommendations in the report by the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, many senators wanted all issues raised in the loan request considered and debated in detail to allow Nigerians the opportunity to know why the loan was being approved. | Senate, Loan, Foreign Debts | https://guardian.ng/news/uproar-as-senate-approves-buharis-22-7b-loan-request/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, 6th March 2020 | South-South Governors set for regional security outfit | The South-South Governors Forum on Thursday, March 5 resolved to set up a regional security outfit and revive the BRACED Commission to tackle developmental issues. Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who is the Forum’s Chairman stated that he and his colleagues who met in Asaba agreed that there was a need for a regional security outfit. The governors of Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States were present at the meeting. They mandated the BRACED Commission to work out details of the security outfit. While addressing journalists after the meeting, Okowa stated that they had also resolved to engage the Presidency on the issue of the abandoned 13 per cent derivation formular for oil producing States, adding that the percentage will, henceforth, be set aside for the relevant States as enshrined in the Constitution, before allocations to all the States by the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). Speaking on the BRACED Commission, Okowa stated that the Commission was established to help look into the issues of regional economy and the need for collective development of the region, instead of working as individual States. he added that, "We have agreed we have to restart it with headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with our next meeting coming up in May, in Port Harcourt. We have also looked at the issues of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the need to urge Mr. President to constitute the governing board by the advisory board of the NDDC, which has a major role to play in advisory capacity, because we believe there is a lot for NDDC to do in terms of regional projects, rather than taking on small projects. This, we have to work on as quickly as possible”. | South-South Governors | https://guardian.ng/news/south-south-governors-set-for-regional-security-outfit/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, 5th March 2020 | APC crisis deepens as court suspends Oshiomhole | The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened following the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by High Court of the Federal capital Territory (F.C.T.). The court presided over by Justice Danlami Senchi also ordered the party to stop recognising Oshiomhole as its National Chairman, pending the determination of a substantive suit, which is seeking his removal as chairman of the party. The court order followed a motion on notice filed on January 16, 2020 by Comrade Mustapha Salihu, the APC National Vice Chairman for North East; Anselm Ojezua, the party’s Edo State Chairman; and four others. The motion had Oshiomhole, APC, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and State Security Service (SSS) as respondents. They had asked the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Oshiomhole “from continuing to parade himself or performing any function as the National Chairman of the 2nd respondent (APC) or representing the 2nd respondent in any capacity, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit”. Delivering a ruling on Wednesday, March 4, Justice Senchi granted all reliefs sought by the applicants. Subsequently, counsel for Oshiomhole and APC, Damian Dodo (SAN) asked the court for an order of accelerated hearing for the substantive suit. Granting the application, the judge adjourned the matter to April 7 and 8 for the hearing of the substantive suit. | APC, Oshiomhole | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-crisis-deepens-as-court-suspends-oshiomhole.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, 5th March 2020 | Senate proposes 20-yr jail term for electoral offenders | A Bill for the establishment of a National Electoral Offences Commission passed second reading on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, March 4. The Bill, sponsored by Senator Abubakar Kyari (APC, Borno), proposes a jail term of 20 years or fine of N40m for any candidate, person or agent who destroys electoral materials during election. It also seeks to prohibit hate speech or words that incite violence during elections and proposes 10 years or a fine of at least N40m or both for offenders. The new Bill is also proposing a term of 15 years on anyone found guilty of destroying, snatching or opening a ballot box when he/she is unauthorised to do so. It also seeks an imprisonment of 20 years without an option of fine for a judicial officer or officer of a court or tribunal who is found guilty of corruptly preventing electoral justice, before, during and after election, among other provisions. The lawmakers, in their contributions, stated that the Commission should exist along with a special tribunal to prosecute electoral offences. According to them, establishing a tribunal would sanitise the electoral process, deepen Nigeria’s democracy and bring an end to impunity associated with elections. | National Electoral Offences Commission Bill, Senate | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-proposes-20-yr-jail-term-for-electoral-offenders.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, 5th March 2020 | Kaduna Assembly amends Pension Law for Governor, deputy | Kaduna State House of Assembly has approved death benefits for the family of any serving governor or deputy governor of the State in the event of death while in office. The family of a governor or his deputy will receive a gross annual salary of the incumbent governor or deputy governor as death benefit. This followed the passage of a Bill for a law to amend the Pension and Gratuity (Governor and Deputy Governor) Law 2006. Addressing newsmen shortly after the passage of the bill, Chairman of the Committee that deliberated over the Bill, Suleiman Ibrahim Dabo, who is the member representing Zaria City State Constituency, stated that the key point of the Bill was that the death benefit of the governor or his deputy respectively should be approved. According to him, “Looking at the critical role and responsibilities carried out by these two individuals, it would be unfair to say that in the event of death which can happen to either of the two while in office, they will just go like that without anything”. | Kaduna State House of Assembly, Pension and Gratuity (Governor and Deputy Governor) Law | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kaduna-assembly-amends-pension-law-for-gov-deputy.html | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 5th March 2020 | I am not nursing 2023 Presidential Ambition, says Fayemi | Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has stated that his efforts to build bridges across party lines and geopolitical zones have nothing to do with any presidential ambition in 2023. Fayemi, in a statement released on Wednesday, March 4 in Ado Ekiti by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Mr. Segun Dipe, cautioned against alleged misrepresentation of his efforts. He explained that he was not working clandestinely towards building structures to pursue his rumoured presidential ambition in 2023. The statement described such insinuation as a fallacy and a misrepresentation of Fayemi’s personality and conduct. Part of the Statement read thus: “Fayemi is a sitting governor and he chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. He enjoys these roles and he is playing them to the best of his ability. His objective is that of engaging in processes such as negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration in order to move a seemingly violent conflict into non-violent dialogue, where differences are settled through conflict transformation processes or through the work of representative political institutions”. | Fayemi, 2023 Presidency | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/03/05/im-not-nursing-2023-presidential-ambition-says-fayemi/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, 5th March 2020 | Oshiomhole’s suspension: APC will abide by court order – Acting National Secretary | The Acting National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Victor Giadom, on Wednesday, March 4 stated that the party would abide by the court order which suspended the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. The positions of the Deputy National Chairmen (both South and North) became vacant following the appointment of Niyi Adebayo as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the suspension of Lawal Shuaibu respectively. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, March 4, Giadom stated, “As a party we are aware of the injunction. As a law-abiding party, we will respect all lawful court orders. Very soon, the National Working Committee will meet and you will hear further from the party. I am trying to say that the All Progressives Congress will respect all lawful court orders". | APC, Oshiomhole | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/oshiomholes-suspension-apc-will-abide-by-court-order-acting-national-secretary.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 4th March 2020 | Sokoto Assembly re-run: APC candidate withdraws, backs PDP | The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Abubakar Bello Umar, has withdrawn from the March 14 re-run election into the Kebbe State Constituency of Sokoto State House of Assembly. Speaking on the issues, Bello stated that, “Based on consultations with my parents, elders, colleagues, friends and well-wishers, I hereby voluntarily withdraw from the race”. He called on all his supporters to vote for Abubakar Adamu Kebbe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). | APC, Sokoto State, Re-run election | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sokoto-assembly-re-run-apc-candidate-withdraws-backs-pdp.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 4th March 2020 | PDP seeks to join Edo House of Assembly legal proceedings | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, March 3 sought an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja to join the party as a defendant in a suit filed by some aggrieved 14 Edo State House of Assembly members. PDP, told Justice Ahmed Mohammed that as a registered political party, it was entitled to field candidates in the seats declared vacant by the Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Frank Okiye. The party argued that the Assembly was duly constituted on June 17, 2019, following the proclamation letter to that effect by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo. The PDP, which stated that it became aware of the suit recently, said its rights and interests might be adversely affected by the court’s decision. TThe judge therefore adjourned till April 21 for hearing of the filed motions. | Edo State House of Assembly, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-seeks-to-join-edo-house-of-assembly-legal-tussle.html | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 4th March 2020 | Governor Ayade shuns NJC, appoints new acting Chief Judge | Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade has sworn in Justice Maurice Eneji as Acting Chief Judge of the State without the endorsement of the National Judicial Council (NJC). Eneji's swearing-in followed a controversial session at the State House of Assembly on Monday, March 2 having declined to confirm Justice Akon Ikpeme as substantive Chief Judge because she hails from Akwa Ibom State and fears that making her substantive Chief Judge constituted a security risk. Ayade stated that Eneji’s swearing in was imperative, as law and nature abhor vacuum and congratulated the new Acting Chief Judge on his appointment, urging him to dispense justice without fear or favour. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Ayade stated thus: “We ask that the judiciary under your watch should be very exemplary and should be such that every other State would like to emulate. We know your background and believe that you are competent and capable and worthy of this office. Ayade, who preferred Eneji to Ikpeme at the onset because she (Ikpeme) was from Akwa Ibom State but married to a Cross Riverian for over 40 years, used the occasion to clarify on how receptive the State was to everyone, irrespective of where they came from. | Cross River State, Ben Ayade | https://guardian.ng/news/governor-ayade-shuns-njc-appoints-new-acting-cj/ | ||||||
| Punch Newspaper | Wednesday, 4th March 2020 | Ogun PDP crisis deepens as court suspends Congresses | The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, March 3 suspended the proposed Ward, Local Government and State congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, pending the hearing of an application. The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, ordered that all parties in the should maintain status quo, pending the hearing of all applications in the suit. Two PDP factions exist in the State, one led by Sikirulahi Ogundele and another led by Bayo Dayo, who were loyal to Oladipupo Adebutu and Buruji Kashamu, respectively. The National Working Committee of the PDP had filed an originating summon challenging the power of the Dayo-led executive to organise the 2020 State party congresses scheduled to start on March 7. The party also filed a motion on notice seeking for an injunction to stop the said congresses. After due consideration of the applications and documents filed by both the NWC of the PDP and Dayo-led State executives, the presiding judge ordered that all parties should maintain status quo till the hearing of all applications on the adjourned date, April 2. | Ogun State, PDP | https://punchng.com/ogun-pdp-crisis-deepens-as-court-suspends-congresses/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, 4th March 2020 | Coronavirus: House of Representatives considers suspending Plenary | The Coronavirus outbreak has led the House of Representatives to resolve to suspend plenary for 14 days.The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on “The need for emergency response and tackling of deadly coronavirus (COVlD-19) in Nigeria” moved by Idem Unyime, and granting of the prayer by Ndudi Elumelu. While contributing to the motion, Elumelu proposed an amendment to the prayers of Unyime, calling on the National Assembly to suspend plenary for two weeks to also enable the lawmakers to sensitise their constituents on the outbreak of the disease. Presenting the motion, Unyime noted that the Federal Government needed to move swiftly and intensify collaborations with health agencies to tackle the challenge at this early stage of the outbreak. He stated that with the situation of health facilities in Nigeria, the virus, if not properly checked, would easily be transmitted within the larger population and might lead to a wider catastrophe. Adopting the motion, the House directed the leadership of the National Assembly to set up an ad-hoc committee to interface with the executive arm of government and health agencies with a view to checking the disease.The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to release more emergency funds and create an enabling environment and support to the Federal Ministry of Health, agencies and other relevant institutions. They also called for an immediate activation of all centres established and designated for the treatment and management of Ebola cases in the country for the management of suspected cases and victims of COVID-19. However, the house is yet to announce the date the suspension of plenary will commence. | House of Representatives, Coronavirus | https://guardian.ng/news/coronavirus-forces-reps-to-consider-vacation/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 2nd March 2020 | PDP petitions NJC over judgment nullifying its Kogi guber primary | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has written to the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what it described as “display of unethical conduct by the Kogi State High Court in declaring our state primary election invalid". The party also vowed to restore the validity of the exercise through an appeal. Justice John Olorunfemi had on Thursday, February 27 declared as invalid the party’s governorship primary which held on September 3 and 4, 2019. However, PDP contended that “the pre-election suit filed in the Kogi High Court by only one of our many aspirants in the primary, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed Ibrahim, only sought the court to declare him the winner of the primary election. All the parties agreed that the primary was valid and concluded. The only contention between Engineer Musa Wada and Abubakar Mohammed Ibrahim was to determine who the actual winner was and nothing more”. Briefing journalists on Aunday, March 1 in Abuja, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, also refuted claims that his party had backpedalled on its appeal seeking a review of the Supreme Court ruling on the Imo governorship election, clarifying that they were not challenging the authority of the apex court as the final arbiter in judicial matters. | PDP, NJC | https://guardian.ng/news/pdp-petitions-njc-over-judgment-nullifying-its-kogi-guber-primary/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 2nd March 2020 | Why we cannot declare Degi-Eremienyo’s seat vacant — Senate | The Senate has stated that it cannot declare vacant the seat occupied by ex-Bayelsa State Deputy Governor-elect, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, in the Red Chamber in the absence of a court pronouncement sacking him as a senator. The Supreme Court had declared that Degi-Eremienyo submitted a forged certificate to INEC, thereby sacking David Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo as Governor-elect and Deputy Governor-elect respectively, on the eve of their inauguration. Based on the Supreme Court’s verdict, PDP’s candidate, Senator Duoye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhruojakpo, were sworn in. However, the embattled Degi-Eremienyo has stated that all educational qualifications he presented to the electoral body were genuinely obtained from Nigerian institutions. Senate President Ahmad Lawan had, in a letter to INEC Chairman Mahmoud Yakubu, declared the seats occupied by both Diri and Ewhruojakpo in the upper legislative chamber vacant. Senate spokesman, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, maintained that Degi-Eremienyo remains a member of the Senate despite his certificate forgery saga. Akwashiki stated that the court pronouncement only sacked him as Deputy-Governor elect but not as a Senator. He clarified that a lawmaker’s seat could only be declared vacant either by death, recall demand by constituents or court pronouncement ordering INEC to withdraw the lawmaker's certificate of return. | Senate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-we-cant-declare-degi-eremienyos-seat-vacant-senate.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 2nd March 2020 | PDP wins Enugu Council election | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship candidates who contested the February 29 Local Government election in Enugu State defeated candidates from 35 other political parties. Chairman of Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Dr. Mike Ajogwu declared the PDP Chairmanship candidates winners on March 1 after announcing the results from each of the 17 Local Government Areas in the State. According to him, “In what could be adjudged the freest and fairest election, the PDP chairmanship candidates that contested the 2020 Local Council Election in Enugu State on Saturday won their counterparts from 35 other political parties that vied in the election”. A Chairmen-elect, Solomon Onah, who won the Udenu Council Area chairmanship seat, stated that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s leadership style had made Enugu State a one party State. According to political analysts in the State, PDP winning the polls did not come as a surprise because since the return to democracy in 1999, virtually all the council elections conducted in the State had been won by PDP. | Enugu State, Council Elections, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-wins-enugu-council-election.html | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 2nd March 2020 | March 14 bye-elections: INEC urges voters to sue candidates with false certificates | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged voters in the forthcoming March 14 by-elections to file lawsuits against candidates who they knew submitted false certificates to the Commission. The Commission said this following publication of the affidavit containing the personal particulars of the candidates contesting for the vacant seats in the state and federal constituencies by-elections in Sokoto, Kwara, Jigawa and Niger states. INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, gave the advice yesterday in a statement in Abuja. He said: “In line with the provisions of Section 31(3) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the Commission has published the affidavit containing the personal particulars (Form EC9E, formerly Form CF001) of and documents submitted by all candidates nominated by political parties to participate in the respective constituencies. “The Commission has, in addition, uploaded the said Form EC9E (CF001) and the attached documents on its website…”“The Commission is determined to conduct free and fair elections in accordance with extant laws, while working with critical stakeholders to ensure peaceful conduct of the exercise." | INEC, Bye Elections | https://guardian.ng/news/march-14-by-elections-inec-urges-voters-to-sue-candidates-with-false-certificates/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 2nd March 2020 | Imo Election: Supreme Court adjourns hearing of Ihedioha’s application until March 3 | The Supreme Court adjourned until Tuesday, March 3 for hearing in an application filed by Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking a review of the Court's judgment on Imo governorship that declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 9, 2019, election. Ihedioha and the PDP had approached the Supreme Court after it nullified his victory on January 14. The Court had earlier resumed hearing on the matter. However, after announcing appearances, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, counsel to Ihedioha asked for an adjournment. The seven-man panel of justices led by Justice Tanko Mohammed adjourned the case until March 2. | Imo state Governorship Election, Supreme Court | https://guardian.ng/politics/imo-election-supreme-court-adjourns-until-tuesday-hearing-in-ihediohas-application/ | ||||||
| Punch Newspaper | Monday, 2nd March 2020 | Governor Akeredolu set to seek second term in office | The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, has announced his preparedness to contest the forthcoming State governorship election slated for October 2020. Akerodolu stated that he had accepted the calls from the people of the State to seek a second term in office on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He made this known at a dinner organised by the State government as part of the activities marking the third-year anniversary of his administration, held at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure, the State capital, on Saturday, February 29. Akeredolu expressed gratitude to members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, religious bodies, party members and supporters, family members, civil servants and labour leaders, friends and well-wishers and others for their support over the last three years. Meanwhile, the immediate former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Mr Isaac Kekemeke while speaking to journalists in Akure on Sunday, March 1 declared that no party could defeat the ruling party in the October governorship election in the State. Kekemeke, who expressed displeasure over the yet-to-be resolved internal crisis in the party, however, warned the party leadership against going into the election as a divided house. | Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu | https://punchng.com/ill-contest-again-akeredolu/ |