Politics

NISAYA Tasks Buhari on Edo APC Crisis

Published

5 years ago

January 23, 2020

From Elvis Omoregie, Benin

Nigeria Students and Youths Association, (NISAYA), Edo State chapter, yesterday, called on President Mohammadu Buhari to wade into the crisis of Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress for rapid economic development of the state.

The acting vice president and state chairman of the group, Comrade Osamudiamwen Elvis Ogbidi made the call while conferring the award of the Nigerian Most Outstanding Youth of the year 2019 and award of life patron on Ambassador Dion Osagie in Benin City.

Ogbidi said President Mohammadu Buhari being the number one cititizen of the country, has the ability to call the governor of the state and the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole to a round table with the view of resolving their differences amicably for the overall interest of the state and the party.

“You will agree with me that for a society to strive, there must be peaceful coexistence and today in our dear state, we have only one party creating problem for us and that is the All Progressives Congress. It is now a challenge of APC versus APC. The Adams Oshiomhole’s camp and the Obaseki camp.

“We are young people, no society can strive without peace, so we are calling on the state governor and he can call on the president to wade into the crisis. He can call on the national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole and the state governor, Obaseki in order to solve the problem once and for all.

“The president is the number one person in this country because the more the crisis persist, the more they will be spending money without making any effort. This money can be used to develop the state because the state needs more development especially in this era where development is the order of the day but if this crisis to loom, I can tell you categorically that we are in a great problem”, he said.

He said it is a shame that the crisis rocking the party is within the party adding if the leaders of the party who should have shown a good leadership role for the youths are unable to resolve their differences amicably within themselves, wondered what messages they are passing to the youths who are the future leaders of the country.

“Another thing this crisis is creating for us is that, it is sending a very wrong message to the youths who are the future of this country. And if we continue to see our fathers like the persons of governor Godwin Obaseki Adams Oshiomhole always having war of words every now and then, what are they telling us? That tomorrow when we become the leaders of this country, we should do the same thing or do worse? It is not so. If we are preaching that there should be peace, there should be peace.

“There should be peaceful, a relative peace, a peaceful coexistence between the party members, between the opposition and between every other parties that exist in the state. Now it is not even between APC and the PDP but it is APC versus APC, it is shameful”, he said.

Politics

Banwo & Ighodalo Threaten Legal Action Against APC Chairman Over Defamatory Allegations

Published

5 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Banwo & Ighodalo Threaten Legal Action Against APC Chairman Over Defamatory Allegations

Renowned Nigerian law firm Banwo & Ighodalo is preparing to take legal action against Jarrett Tenebe, Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, over allegations described as defamatory and unfounded.

In a formal letter dated December 18, 2024, senior advocate Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN) accused Tenebe of making libelous claims against the firm’s founding partner, Mr. Asue Ighodalo. The allegations stem from a December 17 interview on TMC TV/Radio, during which Tenebe alleged that Mr. Ighodalo “stole 21 government vehicles” from the Edo State Government.

Despite a prior demand for an apology and retraction in a December 11 letter, Tenebe has reportedly failed to comply. Banwo & Ighodalo has now issued a three-day ultimatum for him to withdraw the statements or face formal legal proceedings.

In a related statement, the Team Asue Media Organisation (TAMO) categorically denied the accusations, labeling them a calculated smear campaign intended to discredit Mr. Ighodalo. The statement, signed by TAMO spokesperson Erhabor Emokpae, emphasized that Mr. Ighodalo has an unblemished record of public service. It further clarified that Alaghodaro, a private-sector-driven initiative chaired by Mr. Ighodalo, is committed to driving economic growth and investment in Edo State.

TAMO underscored Mr. Ighodalo’s integrity, noting that he has personally funded his expenses throughout his 16 years of public service, including his tenure as Chairman of Alaghodaro. The allegations of vehicle theft were described as baseless and absurd, with no evidence to substantiate them.

Banwo & Ighodalo has reiterated its commitment to pursuing all legal remedies should the defamatory statements not be retracted. The firm condemned the misuse of misinformation for political gain, warning that such actions undermine public trust and damage democratic institutions.

“We call on all parties to adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and decency in public discourse,” the firm stated.

Should Tenebe fail to meet the ultimatum, the case is expected to proceed to court, with further developments anticipated in the coming days.

Politics

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

Published

15 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

1 day 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.