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Conflicting Judgements On Umahi’s Sack Confusing Us, Says INEC

By
Alex Enemanna
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0

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it cannot yet take a stance on the controversy surrounding the court order which sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Chief Kelechi Igwe.

The commission disclosed this in a statement issued by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education in Abuja on Thursday.

An Abuja court had ordered Umahi and Igwe’s removal over his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All progressives Congress (APC).

The court held that votes cast in the 2019 election were for the PDP and Umahi could no longer hold office after leaving the party.

“It will be recalled that the commission met on Thursday 17th March on the matter, decided to defer its deliberation on the Ebonyi cases and stepped down the listed memorandum to enable its Legal Services and Clearance Committee to study the new processes served on it in the light of the previously served ones and advise the commission comprehensively.

“Since then, the commission has been served yet more court processes on the same matter, bringing the total to 12.

“The commission deliberated extensively on these cases and decided to further suspend action on the defection of the governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi State and 16 members of the state house of assembly from the PDP to the APC in the light of the conflicting judgements and orders served on it from courts of coordinate jurisdiction,” he said.

He said that INEC also considers it prudent to stay action on the conflicting judgements and orders being aware of the pendency of appeals and motions for stay of execution of some of the judgements before various divisions of the Court of Appeal.

On Osun State governorship election, Okoye said that the commission would today publish in its state and local government offices in Osun State the list and personal particulars of candidates of 15 political parties who emerged from valid primaries.

Daily Trust

After Widespread Criticism, Prisons Service Redeploys Comptroller, Ekpendu Over Chidinma’s Beauty Pageant

By
Alex Enemanna
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0

Following the uproar generated over the beauty pageant conducted in the female section of Nigerian Prisons Kirikiri, Lagos, where murder suspect, Chidinma Ojukwu, emerged as Miss Cell 2022, the Comptroller of the facility, Mrs Lizzie Ekpendu has been redeployed.

Ojukwu, the alleged murder suspect of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, was crowned ‘Miss Cell 2022’, on March 8, at a beauty contest organised by the prison authorities to commemorate the International Women’s Day.

The contest generated mixed reactions across the country with some people arguing that the pageant was inappropriate for a suspect facing a murder trial while others argued that the prison authority reserved the right to conduct the pageant of all inmates.

Although the prison authorities defended the action, Vanguard exclusively gathered that the comptroller of the female prisons, Mrs Ekpendu, was redeployed last week as a result of the matter.

A source, who did not want his name mentioned because he was not officially permitted to speak on the matter, told Vanguard that Mrs Ekpendu was redeployed to the Lagos Command Headquarters, Alagbon, Ikoyi.

“I can confirm to you that Mrs Ekpendu, the Comptroller of Kirikiri Female Prison has been redeployed to the Lagos Command Headquarters, Ikoyi. She has been replaced by another senior female officer.”

2023: Hon Samson Orji Obtains PDP’s Governorship Nomination Form, Assures Abians Effective Service Delivery (Photos)

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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A former member of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Samson Orji on Thursday picked the nomination and expression of interest forms which cost N21m at the party secretariat in Umuahia where he pledged that he will serve Abians effectively.

2023: Hon Samson Orji Obtains PDP's Governorship Nomination Form, Assures Abians Effective Service Delivery (Photos)

Speaking with journalists shortly after picking the forms, Hon. Orji said his desire to join the governorship race in the state is borne out of genuine concern, patriotism and sense of duty to contribute his quota in the development of the state.

He said he understands the dearth of infrastructure across the state, particularly his Abia North Senatorial district, noting that if elected as the next Governor of the state, he will ensure that infrastructure is totally revamped.

According to the governorship hopeful the state of educational institutions in the state, particularly primary and secondary schools has remained a source of concern to him, assuring that there will be a turnaround if elected as governor in 2023.

He said as someone who has been a member of the state House of Assembly and took part in a series of oversight functions, he understands how much of the infrastructural need the state is facing.

He assured that he will make the office of the governor accessible to citizens and have a regular interface with them where he will regularly give an account of his leadership to enhance open-door policy.

He went further to say he will tackle social insecurity and make civil servants live up to their expectations through a process of reward and sanction system.

He reiterated his resolve to have all past major officeholders from the state on board to serve as advisory council whose counsel will be needed before key decisions are taken.

APC Convention: Buhari Hosts Tinubu, Akande, Onu, Other Founding Fathers To Dinner [PHOTOS]

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night continued his consultations with critical stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

APC Convention: Buhari Hosts Tinubu, Akande, Onu, Other Founding Fathers To Dinner [PHOTOS]

He hosted founding fathers of the party to a dinner.

In attendance were the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the first Interim Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbomnaya Onu; former Imo Governor Senator Rochas Okorocha; former Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau; and former Sokoto Governor Aliyu Wamako.

Others were: Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

Also in attendance were Chairman, Caretaker, and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the party Mai Mala Buni and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha.

The get-together, it was gathered, was hosted by the President to show appreciation to the critical stakeholders for their continued support, understanding, and cooperation to his administration.

The engagement was also in furtherance of efforts by Buhari at ensuring a rancuor- free and successful National Convention of the party on Saturday.

Details of the interactive dinner held behind closed doors were not disclosed.

APC Convention, A Jamboree, Don’t Monitor It – PDP Tells INEC

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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0

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to attend or monitor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) convention slated for Saturday, describing it as a “jamboree”.

APC Disqualifies Political Appointees From Voting At National Convention

The party in a statement by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the party said, INEC would be going outside its statutory mandate under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022 by “attending or monitoring the purported APC National Convention.”

According to the PDP, “APC, having been defunct on December 8, 2020 when it dissolved its National, States as well as Local Government structures ceases, in the eyes of the law, to be a political party and as such cannot be subject of INEC’s regulations with particular reference to its supposed National Convention.

“For emphasis, the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) was established for the singular purpose of organizing the APC National Convention in 2020. The Committee violated the Constitution and the Electoral Act by engaging in party administration, conducting congresses to produce officers at the various state Chapters as well as delegates for APC National Convention.”

The party also said, “the CECPC by its composition with a state governor, H.E Mai Mala Buni as Chairman is illegal and unconstitutional by reason of Section 183 of the Nigerian Constitution which bars a sitting governor from holding “any other executive office in any capacity whatsoever”.

“Article 14 (i) of the APC Constitution, clearly states that the Chairman of the APC “shall be the “Chief Executive…” of the party. In going beyond its mandate, the CECPC acted ultra vires and all administrative acts purportedly done or deemed to have been done by this Committee are null and void and void ab-initio.”

To this effect, “delegates to the APC purported National Convention produced by congresses conducted by the CECPC are at best-handicapped delegates with leprous fingers who cannot deliver any vote to produce a valid and legal political leadership for the APC. INEC should therefore not waste public resources to monitor a jamboree that would be of no legal or electoral effect under our laws.

“If the APC had listened to one its members, the Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, SAN, who had cautioned that the “competence of Governor Mai Mala Buni to organise the congresses has been called to question by the Supreme Court”, it would not have been in this quagmire.”

APC Disqualifies Political Appointees From Voting At National Convention

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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0

The All Progressives Congress, APC has barred political appointees from voting at its convention holding on Saturday.

APC Disqualifies Political Appointees From Voting At National Convention

The party made this known in a press statement on Thursday.

The statement was titled, ‘Attention to political office holders who were elected as delegates’.

It read, “The National Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of APC has declared that all political appointees who were elected as delegates to the National Convention slated for 26/3/2022 SHALL NOT VOTE in view of the controversy surrounding Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act,2022.

“However, political appointees can still attend as observers.”

The Senate had earlier unanimously rejected Electoral Act Amendment Bill sent by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

In the rejected amendment bill, the president asked the National Assembly to amend Section 84(10) of the Act to allow political appointees to contest and participate in the primaries without resigning.

Section 84(10) of the Act specifically reads, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

Unknown to many members of the public, a lawyer and chieftain of the Action Alliance party, Mr Nduka Edede, approached a Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia on the matter – in a suit that had the Attorney General of the Federation as the Defendant.

The plaintiff asked the court to determine whether Section 84(12), when read together with Sections 66(1)(f) 107(1)(f)(137(1)(f) and 182(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution, was not inconsistent.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Evelyn Anyadike, nullified Section 84(12) of the newly amended Electoral Act, saying it violated the provisions of the Constitution.

Anyadike held that the section was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever, saying it ought to have been struck out.

A few hours after the judgement, the Office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice announced Federal Government’s plans to implement the court judgement allowing political appointees to run for office without resigning.

Some of the President’s ministers who are said to be planning to run for different offices include the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who is said to be eyeing the Kebbi State governorship seat; the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who is believed to be planning to contest the governorship of Katsina State; the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who is rumoured to be eyeing the Presidency.

Others who are said to have political ambitions include the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; and a few others.

Humanitarian Situation In Ukraine Is Serious, But Countries Shouldn’t Be Forced To “Choose Sides” – Zhang Jun

By
ABN Editor 2
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Zhang Jun

China’s United Nations Ambassador Zhang Jun told UN General Assembly member countries that the humanitarian situation in Ukraine is becoming increasingly serious, but that countries should not force others to “choose a side” in the conflict. 

China’s United Nations Ambassador Zhang Jun

“The development of the situation in Ukraine to the present stage has triggered broad international concerns, and it is also something China does not want to see. On Ukraine, China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected,” Zhang said in translated remarks on Thursday.

“Developing countries, which make up the majority of the world, are not parties to this conflict. They should not be drawn into the issue and forced to suffer the consequences of geopolitical conflicts and major power rivalry…Relevant countries should not adopt a simplistic approach of either friend or foe, black or white, and should not force any country to pick a side,” he added.

Zhang added that China will play “a constructive role in facilitating peace talks.”

The General Assembly is hearing speeches on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. Ukraine’s resolution in the General Assembly condemns Russia for not allowing access for humanitarian aid is backed by more than 20 countries, including the United States. On Wednesday, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told UN General Assembly member countries that by voting in favor of the resolution which calls in part for an immediate cessation of hostilities by the Russian Federation in Ukraine, they are “voting for an end to the war.”

Zhang said Thursday China recognizes the purpose of the draft resolution. “At the same time, it is clear that some elements of the draft resolution go beyond the humanitarian context,” he said.

General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, but they carry political weight.

On Wednesday, China and Russia were the only countries to vote in favor of a UN Security Council draft resolution proposed by Russia on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, which failed to pass in the United Nations Security Council. Thomas-Greenfield spoke ahead of that vote, stating that Russia was once again trying to use the Security Council to “provide cover for its brutal actions.”

Speaking ahead of the UNGA vote Thursday, Zhang said, “Legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis should be supported.”

“It is heart-wrenching to see the continued deterioration of humanitarian situation in Ukraine, as well as the civilian casualties and massive displacement of people caused by the conflict. The top priority now is for the parties concerned to maintain maximum restraints, avoid more civilian casualties, and reach a negotiated ceasefire as soon as possible, especially to prevent a larger-scale humanitarian crisis,” he added.

2023: Obi Joins Presidential Race

By
Alex Enemanna
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Peter Obi

Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi on Thursday declared his intention to run for President in 2023.

He made the declaration in Awka at a gathering of traditional rulers in Anambra State.

Mr Obi was running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 presidential election.

On Wednesday, Mr Obi attended an event where Mr Atiku declared his intention to run again for President.

When asked why he was attending the declaration event of a potential rival, Mr Obi said Atiku Abubakar “is my leader” and that “politics is not war.”

FG Says Second Niger Bridge Now 91 Percent Complete

By
Alex Enemanna
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0

The Federal Government has disclosed that the Second Niger Bridge linking Anambra and Delta states, scheduled for completion in February 2022, is now 91 per cent completed.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, made this announcement on Thursday during the Special Weekly ministerial briefing at the State House in Abuja.

According to him, the 206 billion naira project has directly employed 1,486 people, while 8,110 indirect jobs have equally been created.

The Works and Housing Minister pegged major projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development fund including the 375km Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway estimated at 797 billion naira; the 11.59km Second Niger Bridge at 206 billion naira and the 127km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at 310 billion naira, at 1.3 trillion naira.

He noted that the Lagos Ibadan Express Way and Second Niger Bridge will be completed by the end of the year while the main Carriageway of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano expressway is scheduled for completion by the second quarter of 2023.

The Second Niger Bridge was first proposed during the 1978/79 political campaign by then-candidate Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

However, in August 2012, the Federal Executive Council under then-President Jonathan’s approved a contract worth ₦325 million for the final planning and design of the bridge.

A somewhat complicated procedure continued under President Muhammad Buhari, who first cancelled the earlier contract in August 2015.

Increasing Military Budgets And Imposing Sanctions Is Not A Solution To War – Pope Francis

By
ABN Editor 2
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0
Pope Francis

Pope Francis has issued strong criticism against countries for increasing military spending as Russia’s onslaught of Ukraine continues, branding it “madness.” 

Pope Francis

Speaking on Thursday to an audience with the Italian Women’s Center in Rome, the Pope blamed the “shameful” war in Ukraine on the “old logic of power that still dominates the so-called geopolitics.”

He dismissed sanctions and weapons as a solution to the conflict and said the world should redesign its way of governing so that it is not subject to “economic-technocratic-military power.”

“It is now clear that good politics cannot come from the culture of power understood as domination and oppression, but only from a culture of care, care for the person and their dignity and care for our common home,” he said.

“The real answer … is not other weapons, other sanctions, other political-military alliances, but another approach, a different way of governing the now globalized world — not showing the teeth, as now — one way different than set international relations. The model of treatment is already in place, thank God, but unfortunately it is still subject to that of the economic-technocratic-military power,” the Pope said.

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