Politics
Appeal Court affirms Abure as Labour Party’s National Chairman
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The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, affirmed Mr. Julius Abure as the authentic National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, vacated an order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, which barred the Abure-led Executives from piloting the affirms of the political party.
The high court order was a fallout of a suit that was filed by the Chief Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the party.
In the ruling he delivered on April 5, 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu restrained Mr. Abure from parading himself as the National Chairman of the LP.
He equally barred Umar Farouk Ibrahim, Oluchi Opara and Clement Ojukwu, from further functioning as National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the party, restrictively, pending the determination of a suit before it.
The restraining order followed an ex-parte application that was brought before the court by eight aggrieved members of the party loyal to the Apapa faction.
Those behind the suit marked: CV/2930/2023, which has the LP as the 5th Defendant, were: Mr. Martins Esikpali John O., Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, Job Elomah and Dr. Abayomi Arabambi.
Specifically, the plaintiffs had through their team of lawyers led by Chief James Ogwu Onoja, SAN, prayed the court to among other things, declare that, “the 1st Defendant (Abure) cannot continue to function in office as the National Chairman of the 5th Defendant as a result of his suspension by the Ward 03 Executive, Arue, Esan North East Local Government Area dated 31st March, 2023”.
They further prayed the court for; “A declaration that the 1st — 4th Defendants cannot continue to remain in office as National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the 5th Defendant consequent on the prima facie case of forgery, perjury and conspiracy established against them by the Commissioner of Police F.C.T and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory pending their prosecution in court.
“A declaration that the 1st — 4th Defendants lack the moral and legal standing to continue to function in office as the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the 5th Defendant having been indicted upon established prima facie case by the Commissioner of Police, F.C.T and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
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“An order directing the 1st Defendant to vacate office as the National Chairman of the 5th Defendants based on the communique issued by the Ward 03 Executive, Arue, Esan North East Local Government Area of the 5th Defendant, Edo State Chapter dated 31 st March, 2023.
“An order directing the 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th Defendants to vacate office as the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the 5th Defendant having been indicted upon established prima facie case by the Commissioner of Police, F.C.T and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“An order directing the National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee of the 5th Defendant to appoint interim National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary for the 5th Defendant pending the convention of the 5th Defendant for such purpose”.
As well as, “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants from henceforth parading themselves as the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary respectively of the 5th Defendant”.
However, following the dismissal of a preliminary objection he filed to challenge the competence of the suit as well as the ex-parte orders, Abure took the case before the Court of Appeal.
Delivering judgement in the matter on Wednesday, the appellate court, in its lead decision that was read by Justice Hamma Barka, faulted the lower court which it said wrongly assumed jurisdiction in the matter.
The appellate court held that the case of the Plaintiffs was incompetent, noting that since they raised issues that bordered on fraud and criminality, they ought to have commenced the action through a Writ of Summon which would allow the parties to call witnesses and tender relevant evidence before the court.
It maintained that Justice Muazu was wrong when he held that the case could be effectively determined through an Originating Summon.
“Unless an action is initiated by a proper process of law, the action becomes a waste of time despite how competent it may be.
“The aim of an Originating Summon is to speed up the process. But where there are serious issues of fact, it should not begin with an Originating Summon,” the appellate court held.
It further queried the statutory powers of Ward Executives of a political party to suspend National Officers of the party.
More so, the appellate court held that issues the Plaintiffs raised before the high court, bordered on the domestic affair of a political party which no court was permitted to delve into.
Aside from upholding Abure’s appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/559/2023, the appellate court awarded a cost of N1million against the Respondents.
Politics
Gov Oborevwori Emerged Unopposed as 2027 Delta APC Guber Candidate with 345,375 Affirmation Votes
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has emerged unopposed as governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) following 345,375 affirmation votes from members of the party across all the wards in the state during the party’s direct primary election.
Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer, Engr. Victor Abba, declared the Governor as sole candidate after announcing the result of the affirmative primary at the collation centre in the party secretariat, Asaba, the state capital.
He said: “I, Engineer Sir Victor Abba, Chairman of the Delta Governorship Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer for the Delta State Governorship Primary Election held on the 21st day of May, 2026, hereby certify that the aspirant, Rt Hon (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, scored 345,375 votes,” he declared.
Abba said Oborevwori,Gov Oborevwori declared unopposed with 345,375 affirmation votes as 2027 guber candidate having satisfied the party’s constitutional requirements and secured the highest number of valid votes cast, was duly returned elected as APC governorship candidate for Delta State.
He praised party members for their unity, maturity and peaceful conduct during the exercise, saying; “we have seen what has happened in Delta State and we are satisfied. The maturity of politics in this state is second to none.
He also commended Governor Oborevwori for infrastructural development, people-oriented programmes and governance initiatives, saying the administration had strengthened the APC’s acceptance across Delta State.
Speaking after voting in his Ward in Okpe Local Government Area, Oborevwori commended the APC leadership for conducting what he described as a transparent, peaceful and exemplary primary election.
The Governor said the large turnout across the state’s 270 wards demonstrated grassroots participation and reflected the confidence party members had in his leadership.
“I must sincerely appreciate our great party, the APC, for the transparent and exemplary model adopted for this primary election. It is a model worthy of emulation by other political parties,” he said.
Oborevwori said the peaceful conduct of the exercise marked a departure from previous political traditions, stressing that adherence to due process eliminated tensions often associated with party contests.
“For the first time in Delta State, our primaries were conducted peacefully without violence, crisis or loss of lives. Nobody imposed candidates on the people. The people freely chose those they wanted,” he stated.
Former Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa said the turnout reflected support for Governor Oborevwori’s administration, while Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the Governor’s emergence reflected confidence in his leadership.
Other party leaders, including Dr Hilary Ibegbulem, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Hon. Francis Waive and Chief Solomon Areyenka, also commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and expressed confidence in the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.
The declaration of Oborevwori as APC governorship candidate was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and other party leaders.
The outcome further consolidates Oborevwori’s hold on the APC structure in Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with party leaders expressing confidence that his performance and growing support base would strengthen the party’s chances at the polls.
A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Alabo George-Kelly, has withdrawn from the party’s forthcoming governorship primaries, pledging support for whoever emerges as the party’s candidate.
His withdrawal comes hours after Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, also announced his decision to step down from the APC governorship primary race in what observers see as part of ongoing political realignments within the party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, George-Kelly said his decision followed a crucial stakeholders’ meeting convened by the national leadership of the APC, where deliberations focused on the future of the party in Rivers State and the need for unity and strategic alignment.
The aspirant, who described himself as a committed member of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition for President Bola Tinubu under the leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, said extensive consultations with members of his political team and other stakeholders informed his decision.
“Following that meeting, and after wide consultations with members of my political team and other critical stakeholders, I have taken the decision, in the overriding interest of party unity and in deference to the supremacy of the party, to withdraw from the forthcoming primaries,” he stated.
“Accordingly, I hereby formally announce my withdrawal from the race and pledge my unwavering support, loyalty, and cooperation to whoever emerges as the party’s candidate at the conclusion of the primaries,” he added.
The withdrawal further signals intensifying political consultations and strategic recalibrations within the Rivers APC as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.
George-Kelly said his political journey has always been guided by leadership, loyalty, and respect for constituted authority, stressing his continued commitment to the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s political project in the state.
“The 2027 General Elections present us with a defining opportunity, and I remain fully committed to playing my part in securing victory for our President, our party, and the good people of Rivers State,” the statement said.
He also urged his supporters and members of the coalition to remain united and continue working together for the progress of Rivers State and the APC.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has constituted a 17-member Screening Committee for its presidential, governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the committee was inaugurated on Tuesday.
Former two-term Governor of Ebonyi State and ex-Senator, Sam Egwu, was named chairman of the panel, while the party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, will serve as secretary.
According to the statement, the committee comprises party leaders, professionals and members of the party’s National Working Committee.
Other members of the panel include Comrade Babatunde Ali as deputy chairman, Buba Galadima, Hon. Mohammed Sani Takori, Daniel Onifade, Ikeddy Isiguzo, Wole Adedayo, Dr. Osusu Osusu, Chief Asukewe Ikoawaji, Prof. Udenta Udenta, Barr. Frederick Owotorufa, Hannatu Tanko, Dogo Shammar, Sir Henry Obaze, Clement Agiagie and Barr. Fatima Musa Abba.
The party said the committee would oversee the screening of aspirants seeking to contest elective offices on the platform of the NDC, including the presidency, governorships and seats in the National Assembly.
The development is part of the party’s ongoing preparations for the next electoral cycle as it intensifies internal processes aimed at strengthening its structures nationwide.
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