News
Rivers APC Crisis: Law Prof Makes Case For Abe
A university teacher Prof. Ned Nwokocha has called on the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to forward the names of candidates that emerged from the direct primary of the party held in Rivers State to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Nwokocha, who is a Constitutional Lawyer and senior lecturer at the Rivers State University made the call during a Radio programme in Port Harcourt, the state capital, weekend.
He explained that the judgment of the Supreme Court, delivered on October 22, had laid to rest the argument that the candidates that emerged from the indirect primary were not affected by the defective ward, local government and state congresses, held on October 19, 20 and 21, respectively.
He said, “The Supreme Court judgement of Thursday, October 22, has laid to rest issues emanating from the congresses which provoked the crisis currently rocking the Rivers State chapter of the APC.
“Those who are still pursuing the matter, hoping that the apex court will change its judicial reasoning when the case finally terminates at the Supreme Court should put their house in order.
The decision of the Supreme Court was on an interlocutory application challenging the stay of execution of an interlocutory injunction granted by a Rivers State High Court.
“The truth is that the matter has gone beyond that because the matter was not in favour of those who violated the restraining order of the high court.
“But the matter has gone beyond violating the restraining order of the high court. There is a conclusive position now. What is important about the Supreme Court judgement is that it settled the question of the interlocutory application.
“And it is also a judgment that sounded a clear warning as to what the future position of the Supreme Court will be in the event that this matter eventually comes to the apex court.
“One of the justices clearly stated that the contemptnous cannot be allowed to benefit from their stupidity. If the Supreme Court tells you that, then, you must know what you are looking for to still go back to them on the same matter,” Nwokocha stated.
Prof. Nwokocha stressed that the leadership of the APC should be more bothered about the subsisting judgement of the Rivers State High Court rather than worry about the interpretation of the Supreme Court judgement on the matter.
“What the Supreme Court has done, really, is to revalidate the position of the high court. It simply affirmed the judgment of the high court on the matter. What the Supreme Court has done is to say that the judgment of the high court is sound and valid.”
Pro Nwokocha further warned the leadership of the APC thus: “The situation in Rivers State is slightly different from that of Zamfara State. Two Rivers State parallel primary were conducted by the APC in Rivers State. What The party can do is to submit the names of candidates that emerged through direct primary. But if the party does otherwise, it fall into the same situation with Zamfara State.
“On the premise of the Supreme Court judgement, the candidates that emerged through indirect primary are defective because the delegates that emerged from the congresses that elected candidates through indirect primary are unknown to the law.”
“In the eyes of the law, APC currently has no existing candidates for elective positions in 2019 because those elected through indirect primary were elected in breach and violation of the court order. “The party will be deceiving itself if it forwards the list of candidates that emerged through indirect primary and thinks it has eligible candidates for the 2019 general elections in Rivers State,” the Law professor stated.
By: Dennis Naku
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.
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