Politics
PDP Candidate Asks Court To Commit Ayu, INEC Chairman To Jail
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Ogun State, Solomon Enilolobo, has filed a committal proceeding against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakub, for his alleged disobedience to a court order.
Enilolobo also urged the Federal High Court, Abeokuta to jail the national chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, and four others for contempt on the judgement by Justice J.O Abdulmalik.
The candidate said he decided to drag Yakub to court over alleged disobedience to the court judgment delivered by Justice J.O Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta on September 26, 2022.
He said others including Ayu were charged along with the INEC boss due to the roles they played in the process which he described as contempt of court.
Prior to the Judgment, Enilolobo had taken part in the primary of the PDP into the Abeokuta South State Constituency 1 and won among other contenders.
The court had ruled that Enilolobo was the duly elected House of Assembly candidate of the PDP for the Abeokuta South Constituency 1 when his name was replaced with another person.
Almost a month after the judgement, the candidate said his name was still missing from the INEC list.
He lamented that he noticed that his name was not forwarded to the INEC in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, rather, it was the name of one Lukman Atobatele who just dumped the Allied Peoples Movement for the PDP.
According to him, these infractions gave rise to the suit he filed against the PDP, Dr Iyiorchia Ayu, Mr Sunday Sodipe, INEC and others in suit number FHC/AB/CS/80/22.
“At the end of the case, I defeated all the defendants and they were all mandated to comply with the dictates of the Electoral Act by reinstating me to represent the good people of the Abeokuta South State Constituency 1 in the 2023 general elections.
“The Judgment, which remained unappealed as at the time of compiling this report, and the three months window to Appeal being closed, I have approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta to commit the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu; PDP Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu; Sunday Sodipe and others to prison for their failure to comply with the Judgement of September 26, 2022.
“ Baring any last minutes change, the respondents might have their days in prison if the committal orders are granted by the court.”
I am asking the court to forthwith commit Ayu, the INEC boss and other respondents to jail term for refusing to implement the September 26 judgement of Justice J O Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court which declared that I as the duly elected PDP House of Assembly candidate for Abeokuta South constituency 1.”
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
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