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Clark Slams Wike Lawmakers Over Misuse Of Oaths, Knocks Appeal Court Judgements

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Clark Slams Wike Lawmakers Over Misuse Of Oaths, Knocks Appeal Court Judgements
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Chief Edwin Clark, a respected Niger Delta elder, has demanded an investigation into the alleged misuse of oaths by lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to former State Governor Nyesom Wike.

The lawmakers are led by Martins Amawhule.

Clark has accused them of contradicting themselves about their party loyalties while under oath.

Clark, a chieftain in the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), released a statement on Wednesday.

He stated that Amawhule and his associates had given statements under oath, sometimes claiming they were members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and at other times aligning with different political affiliations. This, Clark said, is a serious matter that requires police investigation.

Clark’s statement also criticized recent court rulings on the Rivers State House of Assembly situation, calling the judgments “obtained by fraud.” He claimed that Amawhule and other lawmakers withheld essential information, which he argued influenced the decisions by Justice James Omotoso and the Court of Appeal.

The issue traces back to December 11, 2023, when Amawhule and 26 other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly left the PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Clark emphasized that this act violated Section 109(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which says that any lawmaker who switches parties without just cause should lose their seat. He argued that by leaving the PDP, these lawmakers effectively gave up their positions in the Assembly.

After the defection, Amawhule and his colleagues reportedly filed legal documents that contained contradictory statements about their party affiliations. Clark believes that this deception invalidates a January 22, 2024, ruling by Justice Omotoso. In Clark’s view, the court did not consider that the lawmakers should have lost their seats due to their defection.

Additionally, Clark voiced concerns over actions taken by Justice Okorowo, who halted efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace the lawmakers after they defected. Clark pointed out that this decision came just before Justice Okorowo’s promotion to the Court of Appeal, raising questions about the judgment’s timing.

In the statement, Clark also expressed disappointment with the Court of Appeal’s recent comments directed at the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

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Obaseki out as Okpebholo is sworn-in as governor of Edo state

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Obaseki out as Okpebholo is sworn-in as governor of Edo state
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Senator Monday Okpebholo has been sworn in as the sixth civilian governor of Edo State since the creation of the state on August 27, 1991. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Tuesday, November 12, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital, two months after the All Progressives Congress (APC) clinched the ticket to the Dennis Osadebay House in a keenly contested election.

Okpebholo took his oath of office alongside his running mate Dennis Idahosa.

Present at the swearing-in ceremony were VP Kashim Shettima, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Governor Dapo Abiodun, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and others.

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“No Valid Reason For Sacking Me As Minister”– Gwarzo Reveals What Tinubu Told Him

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“No Valid Reason For Sacking Me As Minister”– Gwarzo Reveals What Tinubu Told Him
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Ekwutosblog has gathered that the immediate former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo, has revealed that his dismissal by President Bola Tinubu was politically motivated rather than due to any shortcomings in his ministerial performance.

The former minister added that the President should have chosen the 2023 All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna, as his replacement.

This follows the appointment of Yusuf Ata as the new minister.

In a State House release on October 23, 2024, Tinubu dismissed Gwarzo along with four others, including the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Ken Ohanenye; Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John; Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman; and the Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim.

However, in an interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday, November 9, 2024, Gwarzo stated, “I was surprised because I wasn’t found guilty of any wrongdoing or poor performance. And I was minister of state, with the senior minister overseeing a large portion of the ministry’s activities.

“Before the announcement, the President had informed me of his decision.

“He said Kano North was overloaded with political officers, hence the need to strike a balance. We gave our advice, but it was ignored. From there, I began to suspect that certain individuals were behind this because, to me, that wasn’t a valid reason.”

The former minister remarked that Gawuna, as the party’s leader in Kano Central, should be considered for the ministerial position.

“If the ministerial slot is indeed meant for Kano Central, we have our 2023 governorship candidate, who is also our leader in Kano Central. Why not consider giving him the position?

“Gawuna should be offered the role first, unless he declines, in which case it could be given to someone else.

“All other candidates from Plateau and Zamfara states who contested for the governorships were appointed to positions,” Gwarzo added.

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Slovakia deals fatal blow to Zelenskyy

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Slovakia deals fatal blow to Zelenskyy © Pixabay
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Slovakia has suggested that reducing aid to Ukraine could be a pathway to resolving the conflict, which is soon to enter its third year.

 

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico argued that U.S. military assistance should be scaled back to encourage both sides to negotiate at the table.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Washington has provided over 200 billion dollars in military aid and recently committed an additional 90 billion dollars to Kyiv.

In a local television interview, Robert Fico expressed skepticism about this ongoing assistance, stating that it has not led to any concrete results. Previously, the Slovak leader asserted that Ukraine would not be able to join NATO as long as he is in office.

However, Robert Fico has voiced no objections to Ukraine’s potential membership in the European Union.

Slovakia joined NATO in 2004, alongside Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

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