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2019: Court Gives Reasons For Sacking Rivers APC Candidates
The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State presided over by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho has given reasons for barring all APC candidates in Rivers State from participating in the forthcoming general elections in the state.
Justice Omotosho stated that All Progressives Congress failed to comply with the order of the state High Court during the recently conducted ward, LGA and state congresses, which produced the executive of the party in the state.
The trial Judge stated this in Port Harcourt Monday, while delivering his judgement on the suit brought before the court by Senator Magnus Ngei Abe and forty-three others, asking the court to declare him and all his supporters who participated in the direct primaries conducted by his APC led -faction as the authentic candidates / flag bearers of the APC in the February and March 2019 general elections in the state.
However, the trial Judge, Justice Omotosho in his ruling restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any candidate or candidates from the APC in the state, be it governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly from participating in the 2019 polls.
Justice Omotosho who hinged his judgement on the earlier ruling of the state High Court averred that the action of APC was flagrant disobedience to the orders of the court and therefore cannot benefit from such.
The trial Judge also those who vandalised court property.
He stated that the court order and ruling of the State High Court affect the entire APC, whether it is the indirect and direct primaries and added that the prayers sought by the factional leader of APC, Senator Magnus Abe could not be granted because it lacked locus.
He therefore, ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) among others not to recongnise, sponsor, nominate candidates or canvass for vote ahead of the general elections in the state.
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt presided over by Justice J.K. Omotosho has granted all the prayers sought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, against the APC in the state before the court.
Justice Omotosho in a judgement delivered in an application brought to the court by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State chapter seeking the leave of the court to order INEC not to recognise any candidate from the APC to contest the 2019 elections in the state as the party was not qualified to participate in elections following the judgement of the State High Court on the matter.
The trial Judge averred that another party could interfere in another party affairs following the newly expanded locus as amended in the Electoral Act which he said allowed other political parties to challenge the affairs of political party which were done in error.
He therefore, ruled in favour of the state chapter of the PDP and its governorship candidate, Governor Nyesom Wike.
Speaking to journalists, Counsel to APC, Emenike Ebete disclosed that his clients would challenge the ruling and added that INEC was bound to comply when the appeal processes are served on them.
On his own part, Dike Udenna, (PDP) commended the ruling of the court for representing the interest of the common man and urged INEC to comply with the court judgement in the interest of justice.
Also speaking, counsel to Senator Magnus Abe and forty-three others lauded the judgement and added that he would appeal the matter even as he condemned imposition of candidates.
Lady Ogbulu
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.