Politics

2019: General Elections We Cannot Continue To Lament Our Lamentations – Comrade Maxist

Published

6 years ago

September 26, 2018

Story By, Elvis Omoregie Benin

As the race for Political relevance gradually sweeps across the country and Edo State in particular, a Front-runner Rights Activist and a Civil Society member in Edo State, Maxist kola Edokpayi, has charged the people of Oredo West Constituency in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state to look beyond the era of lamenting their lamentations of bad governance on daily basis on the streets without taking action.

He urged them to join him to change the wrong narratives that has taken the people backward in many years come 2019 general elections.

He made the charge at the secretariat of Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), in Benin City the Edo State capital, when he led his teeming supporters to pick his Expression of interest/ Nomination Form to contest for the House of Assembly seat representing the people of Oredo West Constituency in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state.

Comrade Maxist Edokpayi, popularly known as the TALAKAWA’S leader by the people of Edo State was received by the leaders of the party across Wards.

Addressing the gathering, he lamented how successive representation across political divides have ditched development for privates gains.

Edokpayi expressed confidence in his background of long time activism to attract and move motions that will emancipate, develop and liberate the people from the iron grip of inhumanity of man to man.

He said, “We cannot continue to be lamenting our lamentations on daily basis on the streets as non state actors for the voice of justice in the society putting into perspective our agitations against bad governance for donkey years. That is why I told my people we must peregrinate to the parliament to change the negative narrative; imagine a situation where Edo State House of Assembly members voted against their independence and autonomy simply because of their selfish interest”.

“When we are there a situation like that will not happen we must move motions that we uplift the life of the people. We want to use legislation to champion activism for the common people in the streets and the last man on the street can shout uhuru at last.

He however, enjoined members of the party to continue to embrace peace and sort for those who truly represents the interest of the people and party.

Responding, the Party State Chairman, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, commended comrade Maxist kola Edokpayi for his sagacious and long fight for the people of Edo State, and sue for the support of all across the nook and cranny of Oredo West for the aspiration to come to reality.

Politics

Edo LG Chairmen Reject Suspension, Urge Adherence to Court Judgments By Ifeoma Ikem

Published

8 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Edo LG Chairmen Reject Suspension, Urge Adherence to Court Judgments

By Ifeoma Ikem

Edo State local government chairmen have denounced their alleged suspension by the State House of Assembly as illegal, urging the governor and lawmakers to respect court rulings affirming their tenure and authority.

On December 17, reports emerged that the Assembly suspended all 18 council chairmen and their deputies following Governor Monday Okpebholo’s petition alleging gross misconduct and insubordination. The petition cited Section 10(1) of the Edo State Local Government Law (2000) as its basis.

However, the chairmen, through their legal counsel, Ogaga Ovrawah (SAN), contend that this provision had been declared unconstitutional in a judgment by the Edo State High Court in Suit No. B/257OS/2024. The court established the chairmen’s tenure as a three-year term commencing September 4, 2023.

The council leaders also referenced a Supreme Court judgment voiding state governors’ and assemblies’ authority to interfere with local government administration. They emphasized that their suspension contradicts existing judicial rulings and remains a legal nullity.

A recent interim order from the Edo High Court further restrained the government from obstructing the councils’ operations, assets, and funds. Despite being served notices of these judgments, the chairmen argue that the governor and assembly acted in defiance of the judiciary.

The embattled chairmen called for the governor to withdraw his request to the Assembly and for the lawmakers to rescind their resolution, warning of potential constitutional crises if the orders are ignored.

They urged security agencies to enforce court rulings, safeguard local government properties, and ensure the continuity of governance.

“The rule of law must prevail,” they stated, pledging to remain committed to their constitutional duties.

Politics

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani Restores Abacha Family Lands Revoked by El-Rufai

Published

23 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani Restores Abacha Family Lands Revoked by El-Rufai

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has reinstated two parcels of land in Kaduna city to the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha. The lands had been revoked two years earlier by former governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The reinstated properties include one at No. 9 Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, measuring 2,284 square meters (Certificate of Occupancy No. 30575), and another at No. 1 Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi GRA, Kaduna, measuring 3,705 square meters (Certificate of Occupancy No. 11458).

Reuben Atabo (SAN), the Abacha family’s lawyer, disclosed that the lands were initially revoked in 2022 under Governor El-Rufai’s administration, citing contraventions of terms under the Land Use Act of 1978. The state government had published a notice on April 28, 2022, announcing the revocation of various plots, with Sani Abacha’s name listed as No. 34 among affected title holders.

In response, Atabo filed lawsuits at the Kaduna State High Court, seeking to address the embarrassment caused to the Abacha family name and pursue other claims.

Governor Uba Sani, in two letters dated December 10, 2024, reinstated the titles to the Abacha family through Mustapha Haruna, Deed Registrar, on behalf of the Director General of Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS). The letters, addressed to Mohammed Sani Abacha via the family’s legal counsel, required the title holders to pay outstanding ground rent fees.

The move marks a reversal of El-Rufai’s decision and restores ownership of the disputed lands to the Abacha family.

Politics

Kano Governor’s Aide Claims Fortification Against Arrest

Published

4 days ago

December 15, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Kano Governor’s Aide Claims Fortification Against Arrest

Sanusi Bature, the Director General of Media and Communication to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, has claimed he is fortified to resist police arrest. Bature made this declaration on Saturday while addressing attendees at the PR Nigeria Young Communication Fellowship in Kano.

The governor’s aide revealed that he spent five days taking refuge at the Kano State Government House to evade arrest by the police. He alleged that at least 40 officers from the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Team were deployed to Kano with the specific mandate of apprehending him.

Bature stated that he remained within the Government House due to the constitutional immunity it provides, which prevents law enforcement from effecting arrests within its premises without the governor’s permission.

“I obtained a court order restraining the police from arresting me,” he explained, adding that the document, though not yet served to the police, had circulated widely. “I’m confident they must have seen it,” he said.

Despite the looming threat of arrest, Bature insisted on attending the event, citing three key reasons.

“Firstly, I felt it was important to be part of this event, even if it meant being arrested,” he said.
“Secondly, the court order gives me some legal cover, and lastly, I ventured out with confidence because I am well fortified to resist arrest if it happens.”

According to Bature, the arrest attempt stemmed from a petition that he claimed was being handled directly by the Inspector General of Police. He, however, did not disclose the nature of the allegations against him.

While addressing the gathering, Bature reiterated his belief in his legal protections and expressed confidence in his ability to navigate the situation.

The episode highlights the ongoing tensions between political figures and law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. It also raises questions about the use of immunity provisions and court orders to counteract police actions.