Politics
Ex-LGA Boss Condemns Reports On Alleged Corruption Against Judge
The dissolved Chairman of
Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. Sogbeye Eli, has condemned the continuous reference to a statement alleging a case of corruption against a Federal High Court Judge instead of crediting such statement to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers state.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt by his media assistant, Mr. David Amusa, the former Local Government Council Chairman, advised journalists to always cross check their facts in order not to misinform members of the public.
Hon Eli noted that the continuous reference of his name as the author of that statement instead of the association is mischievous and intended to disparage his reputation before members of the public as a lawyer and respected politician in the Degema Local Government Area and the state.
He appealed to journalists to desist from such references as it is capable of portraying them as irresponsible.
According to him, “There was never a time I made such a statement in my personal capacity rather I read out a statement/text on behalf of ALGON members in Rivers State, to newsmen at a press conference, with regard to the litigation. Suffice it to state that the text of the press conference by the Rivers ALGON on the 18th of June, 2015, which was read by the executive chairman, Degema Local Government Council, is the petition, the Association wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria/ Chairman, National Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice Lambo Akanbi in the matter of PDP v. INEC and others (FHC/PH/CS/84/2015). It is not his personal opinion”.
In another development, a member of the House of Representatives from Oyo Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, has cautioned against primordial sentiments,gang-up, and acts of brigandage capable of jeopardising the fortunes of the All Progressives Party (APC).
He also warned that any subterranean moves by stakeholders to malign the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, would be resisted.
Adeniyi gave the warning at the APC stakeholders meeting in Oyo the Constituency, comprising Afijio, Atiba Oyo-East and Oyo-West local governments.
The meeting, which took place at the Alliance Hotel in Oyo, was attended by leaders and chairmen of the party at wards and local government levels.
The federal lawmaker, who is the son of Alaafin of Oyo, berated what he called ‘’senseless persecution and unwarranted hatred against the personality of Asiwaju Tinubu by some self-seeking stakeholders in the party over the lingering leadership tussle in the Senate”.
Adeyemi said: ’’Asiwaju Tinubu remains an enigma and incontrovertible pathfinder in the nation’s political history. His stand on party’s decision concerning leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives was distinctively clear, but turned the other way by some stakeholders, who are hell- bent on reaping where they did not sow, by causing pandemonium and discord among the lawmakers.”
He said rather than being myopic, egoistic and envious, those sponsoring disunity in the party could have teamed up with the leadership to evolve vibrant legislative chambers.
Adeniyi, who said the meeting became imperative to keep his constituents abreast of the development, pledged his unalloyed loyalty and support to the party.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.
Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.
“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.
“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.
“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.
Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.
He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.
“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.
“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.
The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.
Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.
In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.
Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.
He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.
He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.
Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.
He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.
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