Politics
BREAKING NEWS : APPEAL COURT QUASHES DISQUALIFICATION OF IKENGA IMO UGOCHINYERE AS IDEATO REPS, UNANIMOUSLY AFFIRMS HIS ELECTION AS MEMBER OF HOUSE OF REPS

Published
1 year agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
Recall that on Sept 10,2023 The Imo Sate National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sacked Ikenga Ugochinyere, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
In a unanimous decision on Sunday, a three-member panel of the tribunal which conducted its proceedings in Nasarawa State, held that Ugochinyere was not validly nominated by the PDP to contest the Ideato North/South Federal Constituency election that held on February 25.
Consequently, it ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to within 90 days, conduct a supplementary election in the constituency.
The tribunal, in its lead judgement that was delivered by its Chairman, Justice Anthony Olotu Akpovi, specifically directed the electoral body to conduct the supplementary poll in 55 polling units where elections did not hold on February 25.
It held that the PDP and its candidate should be excluded from the supplementary election.
The judgement followed a petition that was lodged before the tribunal by candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Abazu Chika Benson.
Cited as 1st to 5th respondents in the petition marked: EPT/IM/HR/10/2023, were; INEC, Ugochinyere, PDP, candidate of the Labour Party, Obi Paschal Chigozie and his party, the LP.
It will be recalled that INEC had declared the PDP candidate, Ugochinyere, as winner of the election with a total of 13, 026 votes.
Whereas the candidate of the LP, Chigozie, came second with 5,696 votes, the petitioner who was sponsored by the APC, came third with a total of 2, 368 votes.
However, dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, the APC candidate filed a petition wherein he contended that Ugochinyere was not qualified to participate in the House of Reps contest.
The petitioner, among other things, argued that all the votes that were credited to the PDP candidate, amounted to wasted votes.
He told the tribunal that contrary to the express provision of the Electoral Act, the PDP, conducted its primary election in a venue that was outside the constituency.
In its judgement, the tribunal stressed that documentary and oral evidence that was laid before it, established that the primary election the PDP conducted on May 25, 2022, which produced Ugochinyere as its candidate, was held at Aladinma Shopping Mall, a location that was outside Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.
Relying on the provision of section 84 (5) (c)of the Electoral Act 2022, the tribunal held that PDP’s primary election was invalid.
It held that a valid candidate could not have emerged from an invalid primary election.
“Failure of the 3rd respondent (PDP) to abide by the sacrosanct provision of the Electoral Act invalidated its sponsorship of the 2nd respondent,” Justice Akpovi held.
The tribunal maintained that for a primary election to be valid, it must be done in compliance with section 29 (1) of the Electoral Act.
It held that in view of the fact that Ugochinyere was not validly nominated, he was, therefore, not qualified as at the time the House of Reps election held.
More so, the tribunal held that owing to the principle of margin of lead, candidate of the LP, Chigozie, could but be declared the winner of the seat, since INEC admitted that it could not hold election in 55 polling units in the constituency, owing to activities of unknown gunmen.
It, therefore, directed INEC to conduct supplementary poll in the remaining polling units with a the parties participating, except the PDP.
Other members of the panel that concurred with the lead judgement, were; Justices Usman Kudu and Ibrahim Mohammed.
But on November 8 The judicial triumph was brought to an end
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Politics
Nothing new to reveal – Presidency reacts to US court order on Tinubu’s records

Published
6 hours agoon
April 13, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Presidency on Sunday, reacted to the United States, US, District Court of Columbia ordering the Federal Bureau of Intelligence, FBI, to reveal President Bola Tinubu’s information.
Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga said there was nothing new to reveal about the case.
Onanuga said reports by Agent Moss of the FBI and the DEA have been in the public space for more than 30 years.
Reacting to questions from journalists, Onanuga said the reports did not indict the Nigerian leader.
Ekwutosblog had reported that Judge Beryl Howell gave the order on Tuesday.
The development followed a motion by Aaron Greenspan, an American who is seeking a reconsideration of an earlier ruling.
Howell said protecting the information from public disclosure is “neither logical nor plausible.”
Greenspan had accused the FBI of violating the Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, by failing to release within the statutory time “documents relating to purported federal investigations into” Tinubu and one Abiodun Agbele.
Tinubu was claimed to have forfeited $460,000 to the American government in 1993 after authorities linked the funds to proceeds of narcotics trafficking.
Reacting, Onanuga posted on X: “Journalists have sought the Presidency’s reaction to the ruling last Tuesday by a Washington DC judge ordering the US FBI and DEA to release reports connected with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Our response is as follows:
“There is nothing new to be revealed. The report by Agent Moss of the FBI and the DEA report have been in the public space for more than 30 years.
“The reports did not indict the Nigerian leader. The lawyers are examining the ruling.”
Politics
Gov Nwifuru didn’t sign any agreement to relinquish power in 2027- Ebonyi APC

Published
7 hours agoon
April 13, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress,APC, has said that there was no agreement reached at any point that the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru would relinquish his position in 2027 after serving a single term of four years.
In a statement issued on Sunday, by the state Publicity Secretary of APC, Ogbuatu Chidi Simbad, the Party made it clear that such a claim was false and misleading.
According to Ogbuatu: “Let this be clear: Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is not leaving after four years. There was no agreement to the contrary, and any such claim is false and misleading”.
POLITICS
Gov Nwifuru didn’t sign any agreement to relinquish power in 2027- Ebonyi APC
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The Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress,APC, has said that there was no agreement reached at any point that the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru would relinquish his position in 2027 after serving a single term of four years.
In a statement issued on Sunday, by the state Publicity Secretary of APC, Ogbuatu Chidi Simbad, the Party made it clear that such a claim was false and misleading.
According to Ogbuatu: “Let this be clear: Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is not leaving after four years. There was no agreement to the contrary, and any such claim is false and misleading”.
“There was never any agreement to stop a man who is fulfilling destiny. Let this be clear: Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is not leaving after four years. There was no agreement to the contrary, and any such claim is false and misleading”.
“It is a fact that since the creation of Ebonyi State, no governor has ever ruled for just one term. History supports continuity, and today is no different”.
“Now, a few individuals who once watched from the sidelines are trying to distract and confuse the people. But their imagination only reveals the content of their own minds. Ebonyians know better”.
He stressed that the party would not succumb to any intimidation or force from any individual or group.
The APC spokesman said: “the strength of the APC in Ebonyi was not built through intimidation or force. It was built on unity, humility, peace, and most important “Good governance”. The government’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its promises has earned her the trust and love of the people”.
The Party further commended Governor Nwifuru for his visionary leadership and commitment to good governance in the state.
“It is no longer news that Ebonyi State, under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is on the right path to greatness. Governor Nwifuru’s led administration is focused on building a stronger, better state, one that is greater than it was met. Governance is a continuum, and this present government is committed to sustaining progressive policies for lasting economic and infrastructural growth, Ogbuatu added.
He noted that the State APC under the chairmanship of Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha has met will aggrieved members during his tour across the 13 Council areas and 171 wards, and assured them of reconciliation, peace and inclusiveness.
Politics
House of Representatives Forms 19-Member Ad-Hoc Committee to Oversee Rivers State Amid Political Crisis

Published
7 hours agoon
April 13, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Nigerian House of Representatives has established a 19-member ad-hoc committee to oversee the administration of Rivers State following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency.
This decision comes amid a political crisis in the state, primarily driven by a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The committee’s formation aligns with the Senate’s resolution to invoke Section 11, Subsection 4 of the Nigerian Constitution, granting the National Assembly authority to set up an oversight body for Rivers State’s governance during the emergency period. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas was sworn in as the sole administrator of the state, effectively sidelining local governance structures.
The House’s action has sparked debate, with some questioning the constitutional process, including claims of insufficient votes and lack of communication with Speaker Tajudeen Abass.

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