Politics
Nasarawa APC cheiftain dares party says he can not be suspended
From Daniel Abel, Lafia
A cheiftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, Hon Samuel Akala on Sunday challenged his party that he remained a bonafide member of the APC at all levels of the party despite his suspension.
Hon. Akala, who is the immediate past Karu local government chairman spoke while reacting to his purported suspension from the party by the ward chairman of the party.
Akala said his party the APC lack the right to suspend him without due process.
It would be recalled that the APC at the Panda/Kare Electoral ward of Karu LGA had on Saturday 7th July suspended the former LG Chairman on issues bordering on anti-party activities, disloyalty to the governor of the state, Abdullahi Sule and the leadership of the party in the state.
“I was greeted with the news of my suspension from my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Panda/Kare Electoral Ward, Karu local council on the 7th July, 2023, on issues bothering on anti-party activities, disloyalty to Governor Abdullahi Sule and the leadership of the party in the State, a suspension that is totally strange to me and every sane mind.
“The suspension does not meet the minimum requirements for suspending erring members of the party, as clearly stipulated by the APC’s constitution and our extant laws which gives room for fair hearing,” Akala declared
“While I was hoping to get commendations from the leadership of the party in the State, Local Government and Ward Executives for my successful outing in delivering the APC and its candidates in my polling unit in the last general elections, a daring electoral success which even the state APC Chairman and some self acclaimed stakeholders of the party in the area could not boast of given a full glare of working for the opposition SDP and its candidates which led to the defeat of the APC candidates, my reward is suspension?”
According to Akala in a statement issued on Sunday he accused the state party Chairman, John Mamman, Karu Council Chair and a host of others of full glare anti party punishable by the party’s constitution.
He challenge all to present their polling units results of the last General Elections and let us see who is clearly involved in anti-party.”
“I am also aware that the new mandate assigned to Karu LG Chairman and the APC in the Local Government, is to ensure that I’m suspended and intimidated not to speak the truth.
“That’s why the Council Chairman has since abandoned the job of rescuing his failed government to mobilizing and spending millions of government resources to ensure that Akala is suspended from the Party.
“This is a lost battle and waste of public resources, as the Council Chairman has no capacity to carry out such heinous task. “Na Riga Su Cewa Allah “.
“On my purported suspension, I have since drafted my team of lawyers to institute a legal action as regards the suspension. However, I wish to state that this suspension can be likened to the case of giving a dog a bad name just to hang it. They want me to pay for the sins they committed in the last General Elections” Akala insisted.
According to the former Aide to governor Sule, “there is no where in this part of the country where I, Akala was seen engaging in any anti-party activity, name calling of the Governor or acted in a manner that depicts disloyalty to my Party.
“The desperation and inordinate ambition of some individuals in the state is gradually institutionalizing illegality and abuse of office.
“Very unlike the requirements of our party constitution, I was never invited by the Ward Executives of the party or any known committee constituted by the party to defend any allegation of disloyalty and anti-party leveled against me.
“Moreso, no evidence of my disloyalty and anti-party activities was tendered anywhere before any party member or any committee for investigation.
“A committee was simply constituted with the mandate to indict me of anti-party and disloyalty, and a written script for my suspension was drafted and transmitted to my ward Party Chairman for his endorsement which he acted blindly”, Akala alleges.
“This is simply an extension of illegality driven by the Party in the Leadership crisis rocking the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, so I’m not surprised.
“My opinion and position on some issues bothering on democracy, governance and Rule of Law in the state most recently, are entirely my personal position and opinions, as it satisfies my God’s given conscience and meets normal societal standards”.
“In a society governed by laws, I am not duty bound to abide and go with some decisions of the party or government even if it goes contrary to what the law stipulates.
“Moreso, being a member of APC does not in anyway take away my fundamental rights to speak on matters of governance and justice in the state, even when the Party has fully taken a wrong decision and direction.
“Let me categorically state that, the APC as a political party does not belong to any individual, no matter how highly placed. It is not a creation of any individual or family, our party is a national party by Nigerians and for Nigerians.
“Therefore, I remain a bona-fide member of the APC and my suspension remains null and void” he stated
“I call on the general public to disregard in its entirety the news of my suspension from the APC as it remains a news and an extension of the illegality already carried out in the State Assembly leadership crisis.
“The public should be assured that, I’ll continue to speak truth to power, as no amount of blackmail, intimidation and witch-hunt will deter me”, the former Chairman boasted..
Politics
NASS caucus assures PDP Will Bounce Back, insists Party is greater than Wike, Damagun
Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.
Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”
Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”
Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.
“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”
He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.
“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.
“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”
When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:
“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.
Politics
Prince Adewole Adebayo Condemns Ondo Election, Calls It an “Ondo Auction”
***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.
Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.
Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.
Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.
In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.
“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”
Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.
Politics
Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus Reinstated as LP’s Candidate for Ondo Governorship Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the reinstatement of Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, replacing Olusola Ebiseni just hours before the vote.
The decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling which overturned an earlier Federal High Court judgment that had named Ebiseni as the party’s candidate.
In an official statement shared on its X handle, INEC confirmed receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the appellate court’s judgment.
INEC’s statement explained that the Federal High Court in Abuja had initially directed the Commission on September 27, 2024, to recognize Ebiseni as LP’s candidate, but the Court of Appeal nullified this decision, citing jurisdictional issues.
In compliance with the appellate court’s ruling, INEC restored Festus’s candidacy, adding his name to their website as the official Labour Party nominee for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
This unexpected development introduces a last-minute shift for the Labour Party, which has been actively preparing for a competitive election.
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