Politics

Hunger protest, attempted regime change — Council of State

Published

3 months ago

August 14, 2024

Hunger protest, attempted regime change — Council of State

The council, comprising former Presidents and Heads of State, the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, the serving and retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, as well as state governors, also passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The former leaders that passed the confidence vote on President Tinubu included Generals Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari and Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Both former Presidents Buhari and Jonathan attended the meeting physically, while Generals Gowon and Abubakar joined virtually.

However, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, were absent and there was no reason given for their absence.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting holding for the first time under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr. Dele Alake, said the council praised Tinubu for resisting a forcible takeover of government.
Alake said the National Security Adviser, NSA Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, briefed the council on the security situation in the country, especially on issues before, during and after the nationwide protests.

He said the #EndBadGovernance protest was not a protest but a movement, adding that the Council of State thought that nobody should be allowed to truncate the hard-earned democracy and that any change would be through the ballot box and not by insurrection.

He revealed that seven ministers made presentations to the council on the progress being made on economic diversification and economy.

“The last count, I think most of them were physically attending. The former heads of state, General Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan were there physically, and the rest were there virtually, via Zoom.

“So in essence, in principle, all of them were in attendance. And that’s a very eloquent testimony to the kind of support they are giving to our current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“A lot of issues were exhaustively discussed at the meeting. And, of course, you know that apart from the former heads of state, the constitutional composition of the council of state includes all governors, security adviser, Attorney General and the rest. So the governors were all in attendance as well.

“Seven of us ministers made individual presentations to the council of state meeting, and our presentations were well received from the feedback we got immediately after individual presentations.

“Of course, at the end of it, matters of state of the nation were discussed, in a robust and frank manner. And the National Security Adviser also was on hand to present the security situation of the country.

“He did inform the Council of State about the pre-, during and post-event of the last protests, which I do not call a protest, I call it a movement to effect a change of regime by force, which was also resisted.

“The council thanked Nigerians at large for resisting any unconstitutional move to change the government, that if anybody is not satisfied with the government, any current administration, there is always an election coming, so you wait for the election and cast your vote.

“So the NSA briefed the council on the security situations and allayed fears all around.
After the NSA’s briefing, generally, he allayed everybody’s fears and spoke on the tightness of the security around the country, and also reassured all and sundry that nobody will be allowed to truncate our hard-earned democracy.

“Any change of government has to be through the ballots and not through the barrel of the gun or insurrection or any other unconstitutional means, only through the ballot box can any government be changed.

He reassured on the readiness of all security agencies in the country, to secure our territorial integrity and protect Nigeria’s democracy.”

On the vote of confidence passed on Tinubu’s administration, the governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, said the council unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Tinubu in the way he had governed the country.

He said: “We, indeed, had a very robust meeting. The high note of the meeting was a unanimous passage of a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian armed forces.

“Members, especially those of the Nigerian Governors Forum, were satisfied with the presentations by members of the Federal Executive Council, and after that meeting, there was an executive session between members of the Nigerian Governors Forum and the President.

“Frank and fruitful discussions were held between both parties, and I’m glad to say we’re on the right track. And to say in the same vein, members of the NGF also, like the members of the Council of State, passed a vote of confidence on the President.”

Politics

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

Published

9 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

Politics

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.

Politics

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent