Category: Politics

On Tuesday, the Ogun Assembly officially swore in Olakunle Sobukanla, a member of the All Progressives Congress representing Ikenne Constituency, as part of the 10th Assembly. This development transpired after the Court of Appeal annulled the election victory of Babajide Owoduni from the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Court of Appeal, based in Lagos, nullified Owoduni’s election in November, subsequently declaring Olakunle Sobukanla, a former member of the 9th legislature, as the rightful elected representative. Sobukanla, now affirmed by the court, took the oath of office and allegiance during a plenary session at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Speaker Olakunle Oluomo, speaking on behalf of fellow lawmakers, congratulated Sobukanla on his return to the House of Assembly. After the swearing-in, Sobukanla expressed his happiness and assured his constituents of continued quality representation, thanking Governor Dapo Abiodun for the support.

In a related development, the appeal court in Abuja upheld the victory of Oluomo, representing Ifo 1 State Constituency, over his opponent Okikiola Ogundele of the PDP in the last general election. The court affirmed Oluomo’s win and imposed a N500,000 fine against the appellant.

Responding to the victory, Oluomo considered the judgment a reaffirmation of his consistent success from the ballot box to the appellate court. He expressed gratitude to his constituents for their trust and praised the judiciary for consistently upholding justice in the service of democracy. Oluomo pledged that the judgment would motivate him to further serve his constituents and the state.

By Daniel Edu

In a significant development, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State signed a crucial peace accord with his predecessor and current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, aiming to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the state. The accord, brokered by President Bola Tinubu and various stakeholders, was finalized during a key meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The eight-point peace deal outlines several resolutions to ease tensions and pave the way for political stability in Rivers State. Notable points include the cessation of impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, the reinstatement of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, leader of the G27 lawmakers who switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the withdrawal of all legal matters related to the political crisis. Additionally, Governor Fubara will re-submit his N800.3 billion 2024 budget to the House for approval.

The closed-door meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, included key figures such as Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Governor of Rivers State Ngozi Odu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila.

Prior to this resolution, an Abuja court decision on the political crisis had heightened tensions in Rivers State, leading elders from the region to urge President Tinubu to intervene. The court order, leaked on social media, allegedly sought to nullify the declaration of the seats of 27 lawmakers who defected to the APC as vacant.

The Rivers State Elders and Leaders Forum expressed concern over the attempt to impeach Governor Fubara and called for a thorough investigation into the crisis. The forum also condemned violence and lawlessness in the state.

Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stated that it had not received any court order regarding the declaration of the seats of the 27 lawmakers as vacant. The Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) emphasized the need for INEC to schedule bye-elections to fill the vacant seats.

In response to these developments, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola asserted that President Tinubu’s intervention was not required in the political crises in Ondo and Rivers states. Fashola urged adherence to the constitution and the roles assigned to individuals in resolving such matters.

President Bola Tinubu engages in closed-door discussions at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former Governor Peter Odili, and other stakeholders. The meeting follows weeks of tension between Fubara and his predecessor, now Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. While the agenda remains undisclosed, it may be linked to the recent political crisis, particularly the mass defection of State House of Assembly members from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. The crisis has escalated to the demolition of the Assembly complex and security measures at the entrance. The Federal Government distances itself from the turmoil, emphasizing it as a state-level political issue.

….Leaders help fix Democracy, children are watching

Amidst the ongoing political turmoil in Nasarawa State, a fervent and unique protest unfolded on Monday as women took to the streets in a ‘protest of silence’ demanding justice for what they claim to be a stolen mandate since March, 18, 2023.

Led by Jamilatu Yakubu Huseini, Sarah Osakeli, and Mrs. Lydia Cletus Auta, these women vocalized their demands in a symbolic manner, with Huseini stating, “Today’s protest is a different one; it is a protest of silence. Our men are tied, there is confusion, and hence, we, the women, are speaking out.”

The protest, laden with emotional pleas, aimed to draw attention to the alleged injustice of uncounted votes and the call for the rightful winner, Ombugadu, to be announced as the governor of the state. Osakeli urged, “We want the Supreme Court to count our votes. We are suffering in Nasarawa state. We beg the President to intervene.”

Highlighting the harsh realities faced, Auta expressed the anguish of a stolen mandate, pointing fingers at security forces for allegedly suppressing the male protesters. “Our men are incapacitated; they’ve shut them down, hence the visual representation of them in chains. We are bleeding, calling on the President to help Nasarawa from sinking.”

The elderly Auta emphasized the urgency for justice: “We desire better. We have been protesting for a long time now, pained that our mandate was stolen. Let us do the right thing.”

Echoing these sentiments, Huseini emphasized the importance of this fight for the sake of future generations. “Our children are watching, and they are seeing what is happening. It is time to change the narrative and give the right verdict.”

The women collectively conveyed their determination to see justice prevail. With inscriptions on placards and their powerful silence, they sought attention not just for themselves but for the entire community, urging leaders to prioritize the needs of the citizens.

Daily Sun reports that as Nasarawa awaits the final resolution from the Supreme Court, the echoes of these women’s silence resonate as a call for justice, transparency, and a better future for their state.

The political turmoil in Rivers State intensified as six commissioners, aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike, resigned from Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s cabinet. The resignations included the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), Commissioner for Works Dr. Des George-Kelly, Commissioner for Special Duties Emeka Woke, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Mrs. Inime Aguma, Commissioner for Finance Isaac Kamalu, and Commissioner for Education Prof. Chinedu Mmom.

The commissioners cited personal principles and other commitments as reasons for their resignations. This development follows the recent demolition of the state Assembly complex and a split in the House of Assembly, with factions led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule and Edison Ehie.

In parallel sittings, the pro-Wike faction held a session at the Assembly quarters, while the Ehie-led faction met at the Government House. Fubara had presented the state’s 2024 budget to the Ehie faction, signing the N800 billion budget into law and expressing commitment to key projects, including the Trans-Kalabari road project and Elele-Omoku road project.

Amidst these political maneuvers, the pro-Wike faction condemned the demolition of the House of Assembly complex by Fubara, describing it as “heartless and brazen.” They resolved to use the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters as their meeting venue.

Additionally, constituents from Ogoni land initiated a recall process against four lawmakers representing the area in the state Assembly. They accused the lawmakers of abandoning their responsibilities and engaging in political activities with Minister Nyesom Wike.

The situation remains fluid, with political tensions affecting governance and legislative proceedings in Rivers State.