News
S’Court’s Judgement On Buni Throws APC In Disarray
There is fear among the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the findings by the Supreme Court that the Chairmanship of the party under Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State was unlawful and unconstitutional.
Seven Justices of the apex court had held that Buni’s position as an incumbent executive governor and also as acting caretaker chairman of APC at the same time contradicts and violates the Constitution of Nigeria and that of the party.
The revelation by the Supreme Court emanated in the judgement on the appeal marked: SC/448/21; including the cross-appeals marked: SC/501/21; SC/508/21 and SC/509/21.
Justices Emmanuel Agim, John Okoro, Lawal Garba, Tijani Abubakar, Mary Peter-Odili, Ejembi Eko and Mohammed Saulawa gave the judgement in Abuja.
They said the position of the law in the appeal filed before them by the candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ondo election, Eyitayo Jegede SAN, in which they challenged the competence of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s nomination/sponsorship for the election by the APC, claiming that the letter conveying his nomination/sponsorship to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was incompetent, having been signed by Buni and others.
Jegede and PDP contended that by the provision of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 17 (4) of the APC Constitution, Buni acted unlawfully by being the Yobe governor and also serving as APC’s chairman at the same time.
The two appellants had argued that as such, the nomination/sponsorship letter signed by Buni for APC, notifying INEC of the candidacy of Akeredolu and Lucky Aiydatiwa (as governorship and deputy governorship candidates) was void.
The apex court justices after their finding of facts agreed that the law prohibits a person from holding two executive offices as in that of a governor and chairmanship of a political party in Nigeria at the same time.
Four of the justices, however, on technical grounds, declined to remove Akeredolu as Ondo governor on the ground that Mai Mala Buni’s name was not expressly stated on the appellants’ papers for him to defend himself.
Other three justices held contrary decisions, stating that since APC’s name was on the court process and its letterhead paper used in conveying the incompetent nomination, Akeredolu ought and should be removed from office.
Justice Emmanuel Agim read the lead majority judgment of the four justices which was supported by Justices John Okoro, Lawal Garba and Tijani Abubakar.
Justice Agim held that, since Jegede and the PDP made Buni the centre of their allegation of constitutional breaches, he (Buni) ought to have been made a party in the case to enable him to defend himself in line with the doctrine of fair hearing.
“The decision to allow Buni act as its National Caretaker Committee chairman was made by the APC, despite the provision of Article 1z(4 of its Constitution, thereby making the decision internal to the party”.
The other three, Justices Mary Peter-Odili, Ejembi Eko and Mohammed Saulawa held otherwise in their dissenting minority judgment.
Justice Peter-Odili was of the view that since the APC, for which Buni acted, was a party in the case, there was no need to include him as a party.
She added that having allowed Buni to act on its behalf in signing the nomination/sponsorship letter of its candidates in Ondo despite the clear provisions of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 17(4) of the APC Constitution, the party should leave by the consequences of its lawlessness.
“I do not agree with the majority judgment”, she said, noting that the APC, by Article 17(4) of its Constitution has provided for how its affairs should be managed and what offices its membership occupies at a time.
“This Article draws strength from Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution. Therefore, when the second respondent (APC) put up a person not qualified to author its nomination by virtue of the provision of Article 1z(4) of its Constitution and Section183 of the 1999 Constitution to do so. Therefore, that document has no validity, and thereby void,”she said.
Justice Peter-Odili held that it was unlawful and a violation of Article 17(4) of the APC Constitution and Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution for Buni to be serving as the national chairman of the APC and the governor of Yobe State at the same time.
Meanwhile, following the Supreme Court findings of facts, there has been apprehension and anxiety at the APC National Secretariat and among national leaderships as to what may become the fate of the party in the build-up to the 2023 general election.
A chieftain of the party, who did not want his name in print, said that the party has got good and great hints from the Supreme Court and would do the needful in the next few days.
“No one person has the monopoly of legal knowledge. At the time of making him the APC executive chairman, we did not consider that aspect of the law. I am so sure Governor Buni will soon be here for us to decide the next line of action.
“Our governors have become aware of the new position and they will all converge here to sort out ourselves from the claws of that law before it becomes too late”, he said.
“Several state chairmen of committees inaugurated by Buni have bombarded the national secretariat to know what is going on here in respect of the matter, and we have assured them that there is no cause for alarm.
“What happened in Zamfara in 2019 will not be allowed to repeat itself. So, as I said, we will do the needful very soon”.
However, Deputy National Publicity of the party, Mr Yekini Nabena has yet to address newsmen on the issue.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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