Politics
Appeal Court judgement on Imo LP Guber candidacy: Apapa led faction claims victory
The Appeal Court judgement last Thursday on the Labour Party (LP) Imo State gubernatorial candidacy tussle has again ignited the factional leadership crises in the Party as the Lamidi Apapa led faction has claimed the judgement is in its favor.
A statement by the former Publicity Secretary of the Party, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi said the Appeal Court dismissed Julius Abure and Sen Achonu’s Appeal against Chief Ukaegbu Ikenga (LP Imo State guber Candidate) From Alhaji Lamidi Bashiru Apapa Led National Working Committee, NWC.
He said the court of Appeal, sitting in Owerri division, Thursday 20th July, 2023 rejected the candidate of the Abure-led faction in Imo state for the 11th November, 2023 Governorship Election and upheld that of the Apapa led faction.
According to the statement that it all started when Apapa, the then Deputy National Chairman of Labour Party LP assumed the position of Acting National Chairman of the party on 6th April, 2023 as a result of the FCT High Court Restraining Order of 5th April, 2023 that removed Julius Abure, the then National Chairman from office and three (3) others from Parading themselves as National Officers of the Labour Party LP.
“The situation was that of a double Jeopardy for Abure and his co-travellers which resulted from Abure’s suspension as a member of the party from his Ward in Esan, Edo State and the subsequent restraining Order by the FCT High Court on the other hand that stopped him from Parading himself as National Officer and Chairman of the party and the other three were also suspended as NWC members.
He also claimed that the Nigeria Police Investigation and Forensic Audit Report indicted Julius Abure, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, Ojukwu Clement and Mrs Oluchi Okpara for: Forgery, Perjury and criminal conspiracy over unlawful substitution of party candidates in the INEC portal.
“The resultant effects of the double Jeopardy actions on Abure and others culminated in an emergency National Working Committee NWC meeting where Apapa was nominated and ratified to resume office in the capacity of the Acting National Chairman on 6th April, 2023
“The above NWC action conferred Apapa with the valid mandate for the conduct of all the primary elections for the party in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States for the 11th November, 2023 Gubernatorial Election on 16th April, 2023.
“Surprisingly, Julius Abure whom the court restrained, and in disobedience to the Court Order, went ahead and conduct parallel primaries in those three states on 15th April, 2023, while the Apapa led Labour Party LP National Working Committee conducted their valid primaries on 16th April, 2023.
“To our greatest dismay, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC colluded with Abure and accepted Abure’s candidates earlier with the baseless excuse that Abure had the INEC portal codes with which Abure and Farouk illegally uploaded their illegal and unlawful candidates.
“Dissatisfied with Abure’s submission of Sen. Athan Achonu’s name, one of the aspirants, Sir Basil Maduka who featured in Abure’s illegal primary on 15th April, 2023 approached the Federal High Court sitting in Owerri in a suit challenging the primaries and joined Chief Ukaegbu Ikechukwu Joseph Ikenga who did not participate in their illegal Primary along with INEC and Labour Party LP as first, second and third defendants.
10: The court, on the 23rd of June, 2023, in a considered judgment, upheld the candidates that emerged from the Lamidi Apapa-led NWC primary in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States respectively.
“Dissatisfied with the judgment, Abure and his co-travelers approached the court of Appeal, an In a unanimous decision today, Thursday 20th July, 2023, the court dismissed the Appeal and upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court of 23rd June, 2023.
“Delivering judgement after hearing the submissions of counsels to both parties on Thursday, 20th July, 2023, the three (3) man panel of Judges in a unanimous decision, nullified the Appeal for lacking competence.
“The implication of the judgment today is that, it is only the candidates that emerged from Apapa led NWC that are validly nominated for the Labour Party LP in the 11th November, 2023 governorship Election in IMO, BAYELSA AND KOGI states election 2023.
“This is victory for the Alhaji Lamidi Bashiru Apapa led Labour Party LP National Working Committee (NWC) and Democracy.”
Politics
Labour Party Denies Alliance with Tinubu, Challenges Defamation Claims
The Labour Party has dismissed allegations of a partnership with President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The accusations were made by lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who claimed that the party’s leadership, including its National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, is collaborating with the ruling party.
In a statement issued by the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party described Adeyanju’s remarks as defamatory, baseless, and harmful to its reputation.
The party affirmed its commitment to its role as the leading opposition, citing its continuous critique of government policies and its push for reforms in Nigeria’s political system.
“The Labour Party has remained visible and vocal in interrogating system failures and proposing solutions. Our National Chairman, Barrister Abure, has been at the forefront of this effort,” the statement read.
The Labour Party highlighted key initiatives, including the formation of an Electoral Reform Committee to advocate for transparent elections and the introduction of e-membership registration to promote participatory democracy.
The party called on Adeyanju to provide evidence to substantiate his claims or withdraw his statement and issue a public apology.
It also warned against actions that could harm the party’s reputation and undermine its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
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.
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