A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make arrangements for a ex-governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, to contest its chairmanship position in its scheduled national convention.

Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment on Friday, ordered the party to provide an opportunity for Lamido to obtain the nomination form for the position and prepare for the election.

Justice Lifu restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of any convention the party would hold without the inclusion of a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, as a contestant.

The judge said evidence before his court showed that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest for the National Chairmanship position of the party, contrary to both the Constitution and Regulations of the PDP.

He declared that the PDP was under an obligation to create opportunities for its members to serve by putting deliberate measures in place to enable them to realise their aspirations.

Justice Lifu ordered that the planned convention must be put on hold to allow the plaintiff (Lamido) to obtain the nomination form, mobilise his supporters, and conduct his campaign.

The judgment was on a suit by Lamido, in which he complained, among others, of being denied the opportunity to contest the party’s chairmanship position.

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The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended its former Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, and former Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Michael Audu, over alleged gross misconduct deemed capable of undermining the unity and integrity of the House.

The decision was taken during plenary on Friday, presided over by Speaker Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga.

The two former principal officers were accused of abusing their positions for personal gain, in violation of the House’s Standing Orders.

Moving the motion, the current Majority Leader, Hon. Thomas Dugeri, said the conduct of the former leaders had brought the House into disrepute.

He explained that an ad-hoc committee investigating their activities found them guilty of misusing their offices in ways incompatible with their oaths of office and membership.

Following the committee’s indictment, the House suspended Hon. Saater Tiseer for six months and Hon. Michael Audu for three months to serve as a deterrent to others.

In a related development, the Assembly also removed Miss Dorcas Faeren Mbatiav as a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission for gross misconduct and misuse of office.

According to the motion moved by Hon. Shimawua Terna of Kyan Constituency, Mbatiav was found to be leaking confidential information of the Commission, an act which violates Section 6(2) of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission (Establishment) Law, 2018.

Members also noted that she lacked the required public service background stipulated in Section 5(2)(c) of the law.

Lawmakers argued that her continued stay on the Commission posed a threat to its credibility and set a dangerous precedent.

The House consequently voted unanimously to relieve her of the appointment to safeguard the integrity of the Commission.

Ex- Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, is alive and in good health, contrary to widespread rumours circulating on social media suggesting that he had passed away.

Adinuba said he had personally spoken with Obiano and confirmed that the former governor is not only alive but “hale and hearty” and residing in the United States, not the United Kingdom as claimed by an online report.

“Obiano has never lived in the United Kingdom. He lives in the United States of America. I just spoke with him now,” Adinuba stated.

He urged the public to disregard the rumours, noting that such unfounded claims were capable of causing unnecessary distress to the former governor’s family, associates, and the people of Anambra State.