Politics

THE MANY LIES OF KINGSLEY MOGHALU: A REJOINDER FROM PACT

Published

6 years ago

January 18, 2019

Sahara Weekly

Our attention has been drawn to the recent release made by the Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressive Party, Kingsley Moghalu, as it affects his role in the Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT) and the 2019 presidential election.

It has thus become expedient for us to put the record straight for the sake of posterity.

PACT was formed with just one aim; to get all New Breed Presidential Aspirants to come together and present one Consensus Candidate, while others queue behind the fellow so that we can collectively wrestle power from the Old Brigades and restore our nation to a path of progress.

The story of PACT is in public domain, so we shall not bother to go over it all over.

We shall however restrict ourselves to addressing the issues raised by Kingsley Moghalu in his release and several pronouncements.

1. THAT HE IS NOT AWARE OF HOW DR OBY EZEKWESILI CAME INTO THE PICTURE.

PACT had a WhatsApp platform on which we discussed issues relating to the emergence of a Consensus Candidate, which was our primary objective.

Right from the inception of PACT, all our meetings were moderated by Dr Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, who was also a Presidential Aspirant and a member of PACT.

However, after the meeting before the last, some members suggested on the platform, that we should get a neutral person, possibly a respectable national figure, who will preside over the meeting and serve as the umpire during the electioneering process.

The media sub-committee contacted Dr Oby Ezekwesili, who had to cancel some of her itineraries to honour our invitation.

None of the PACT members including Prof Kingsley Moghalu raised objection to Dr Ezekwesili serving as the umpire on our WhatsApp platform and none raised objection when she was physically present, before the commencement of the election, during or immediately after the election.

Dr Oby Ezekwesili was never a member of PACT. We the members of PACT collectively invited her formally as an umpire, based on her track record as an uncompromising nation builder and she obliged us as part of her sacrifice to seeing the birth of a New Nigeria. She proved her worth again, by supervising the PACT election in a very transparent manner. Why Kingsley Moghalu seeks to paint her black, has orchestrated attacks and spreading of falsehoods against her, simply because he narrowly lost an election which he had so much confidence that he would win, amazes us!

2. THAT HE WAS SHOCKED AT THE PROCESS

Kingsley Moghalu was in deed a part of the process and raised no objection at any time.

In fact, Kingsley Moghalu, as a lawyer himself, played a major role in amending the Memorandum of Understanding, adding and removing clauses from the original document that was prepared by our lawyer, after which he certified the document as okay.

During the first round, Fela Durotoye, Kingsley Moghalu and Mathias Tsado scored 2 votes each, Dr Elishama Ideh scored 1 vote, Godstime Iroabuchi scored 1 vote, Dr Thomas-Wilson Ikubese scored 1 vote, Favour Oluwamuyiwa scored 1 vote and Dare Fagbemi scored 1 vote.

The three topmost aspirants then proceeded to the next round, as agreed in the MOU, after which Durotoye scored 4 votes and Moghalu scored 3 votes.

Kingsley Moghalu then walked up to Durotoye and congratulated him in the presence of other members of PACT.

If he had reservations about the process, why did he not complain on the WhatsApp platform? Why did he not complain when he sighted Dr Oby Ezekwesili in the room? Why did he subject himself to the process? Why did he congratulate Durotoye at the end of the process?

3. THAT CLAUSE 13 OF THE MOU STATES THAT HE IS AT LIBERTY TO WALK AWAY AND PURSUE HIS PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION.

We shall reproduce verbatim, the content of the 13th clause herein;

“It is also agreed by the Aspirants, that nothing in this document herein shall infringe on the legal right of any Aspirants, including but not limited to his constitutional freedom of association, freedom of expression and other rights as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other relevant laws”.

This 13th clause did not state that an aspirant who fails to be elected as the Consensus Candidate can yet proceed to pursue his Presidential ambition. It only serves to protect the right of aspirants against any statute that contravenes the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is expedient to highlight the provision of clause 10 which states thus:

“The Aspirants therefore agree not to further contest against the preferred Consensus Candidate”.

NB: The copy of the MOU is herein attached.

4. THAT PACT WAS A DELIBERATE PLOY TO AMBUSH HIS PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION AND EXTERMINATE HIS POLITICAL PURSUIT

Our noble intention was to bring all New Breed Presidential hopefuls to the table, get them to vote amongst themselves and pick the aspirant with the highest vote, as the Consensus Candidate. Moghalu was very close to becoming that Candidate. He lost to Durotoye by just one vote in a very transparent election. How could he suddenly turn around and claim that the process was designed to ambush his ambition?

Moghalu owes Dr Oby Ezekwesili and members of PACT an apology for this deliberate misinformation.

SUMMARY

It’s on record, that Moghalu called members of PACT individually ahead of the election, and even sent lobysts across to others, soliciting for their votes, on the grounds that he’s the “most qualified” of all the New Breed Presidential hopefuls in Nigeria.

Yet in a recent interview, he said he does not consider the PACT’s process as credible!

When asked by the interviewer what his position would have been if he had won, he said; “if I had won, it would have been credible”!

So, the process is “not credible”, simply because he lost.

Kingsley Moghalu has shown that he’s not worthy of public trust, as his utterances since he did not emerge as the Consensus Candidate of PACT have been heavily laden with lies and deliberate mis-information.

It is therefore time and imperative for us to publish this rebuttal statement.

We hope that this statement shall set straight all public information and records related to PACT and at the same time, factually defend Oby Ezekwesili from any further unwarranted attacks for the patriotic role she played as our umpire.

Signed on behalf of PACT:

*Dr Thomas-Wilson Ikubese

*Mathias Tsado

*Fela Durotoye

*Dr Favour Oluwamuyiwa

*Dr Elishama Ideh

* Dare Fagbemi

*Victor Ani-Laju

*Godstime Iroabuchi

*Clement Jimbo

Dated 17th January, 2019

Politics

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

Published

21 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

1 day 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

2 days 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