Politics

I remain Accord party leader in South West -Okupe

Published

6 years ago

August 28, 2018

Former Presidential Adviser and Chieftain of the Accord Party, Dr Doyin Okupe has said he remains the leader of the party in the southwest.

Okupe was reacting to a statement credited to some leaders of the party in the Southwest denouncing his leadership of the party in the zone.

He said: “I remain the authentic leader of Accord Party in Southwest. There’s a letter from the National secretariat of the party authenticating this.”

He described, as a charade, the meeting of some chieftains of the party led by the party’s National Secretary, Dr (Mrs) Adebukola Ajaja, in Ibadan.

Okupe said “Those present at the Ibadan meeting were APC moles working for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari. They are lightweight politicians whose presence in the Accord Party over the years has not added any substantial value to improve the fortune of the party.

“Whereas, the Iperu meeting where a vote of confidence was passed on my leadership, had in attendance all notable leaders of the party in the Southwest, except the Oyo and Ogun states Chairmen.

“The Ogun State chairman however sent his deputy to represent him and also apologised for his absence.”

The former presidential adviser also said “what is happening in the party presently is a desperate attempt by the National Chairman to use the party to promote the re-election bid of President Buhari.

“That is why the National Chairman is using the Secretary of the party as a stooge to destabilise the southwest zone of the party. It is on record that every notable personality in the party in Oyo state, including former Governor Rasheed Ladoja, all left the party over the way the party is being run by Ajaja doing the bidding of the National Chairman.

“The National Chairman, who is from Daura, the hometown of President Buhari dragged the National Assembly to court over election timetable, he claimed to have done that on behalf of Accord Party without the approval of the National Executive Committee of the party.

“He went further to employ the service of Senior Advocates of Nigeria for the case, paying them millions of naira when the party has no money in its coffers. When confronted on where he got the money, he confessed to have gotten the funding from the government,” he added.

“These are the characters presently parading themselves as leaders of the Accord Party, it is clear that they are more of political merchants who have nothing good to offer to position the party as a credible alternative and we are ready to restrict their plans to annex the party as a support group for President Buhari’s re-election.”

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.