A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to show cause why the mandate of the Chief Dan Orbih led South-South zonal executive should not be upheld.

Justice I Ekwo gave the order upon a motion ex-parte filed by Chief Orbih and his 22-member zonal executive against the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and members of the caretaker zonal executive as announced by the PDP national publicity secretary, Hon Debo Ologundagba.

Justice Ekwo in the 5-point order also gave an instruction for substituted service on the PDP through a national newspaper and on the national secretariat.

Recall that the order follows the decision of a section of the national leadership to appoint a caretaker executive for the zonal chapter of the party following the zonal congress that produced Chief Orbih.

In their prayers, the plaintiffs are asking among others an order to restrain the 2nd to the 11th defendants or their privies or agents from “invading, breaking into or taking over the offices of the plaintiffs at the South South Zonal Secretariat,” or “howsoever taking any steps to oust the Plaintiffs from their offices, pending the hearing and determination of the Plaintiffs Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

The plaintiffs are also asking the court for an “order of Injunction directing the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum and not to take any steps to prejudice the hearing and determination of the substantive originating summons before this Honourable Court.”

The court action follows the decision of a section of the National Working Committee, NWC to appoint Chief Emma Ogidi as chairman of a caretaker committee for the South-South Zone of the party despite the zonal congress in Calabar that produced Chief Dan Orbih as zonal chairman.

Orbih and the 21 other members of his zonal committee are plaintiffs while the INEC, PDP are the first and second defendants. Emma Ogidi and other members of the caretaker committee as appointed by the NPS are the 3rd to 9th defendants, the PDP acting national chairman, Amb Iliya Damagun is the 10th defendant while Hon Ologunagba is the 11th defendant.

By Francesca Hangeior

The presidential compressed natural gas initiative (PCNGi) says a “thorough investigation” will determine the cause of a tanker explosion on the Abuja-Keffi expressway.

The tanker exploded  on Wednesday evening near the Karu bridge in the federal capital territory (FCT).

While several cars have been reportedly burnt in the explosion, it was unclear if there were casualties.

PCNGi in a statement expressed grief over the “tragic accident”, saying it may have been caused by possible brake failure. 

“Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this devastating incident,” the statement reads.

“While initial reports suggest the involvement of a Bi-Fueled Petrol Tanker, we urge the public to await the outcome of a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

“Preliminary accounts indicate a possible brake system failure leading to the explosion of the petrol storage tank, but it is crucial to avoid speculation until all facts are established.

“The PCNG Initiative remains committed to promoting the safe and sustainable use of CNG as a cleaner energy alternative.

“We will continue to work closely with relevant authorities, including the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Fire Service, and other stakeholders, to ensure that safety standards are upheld and incidents like this are prevented in the future.

“We commend the swift response of the emergency responders, including FEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who are on the ground working tirelessly to rescue victims and manage the situation.”

By Francesca Hangeior

The South-South Governors’ Forum has called for the reversal of the state of emergency in Rivers State that was declared by President Bola Tinubu.

The statement issued on Thursday was signed by the Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State in Yenagoa, the state capital.

It reads , “To reduce tensions and establish a foundation for enduring peace, we propose the Rescission of the State of Emergency.”

The forum also called for dialogue as a path forward and encouraged all parties to remain calm, uphold peace and the constitution of the country.

“In the meantime, we encourage all parties to remain calm, uphold peace and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The time for dialogue is now,” the statement read.

The forum noted the six-month state of emergency and suspension of two democratic institutions as recognised the president’s constitutional duty to maintain law and order in the country as well as their mandate to secure peace and stability in their states.

The governors, however, pointed out that the situation in Rivers State does not satisfy the criteria for the declaration of a state of emergency as outlined in Section 305(3) of the constitution, as amended.

The forum also pointed out that the constitution detailed procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor and similarly for the members of the state House of Assembly.

According to the forum, the political crisis in Rivers State ought to be ideally resolved through legal and constitutional means rather than by executive fiat.

The statement read in part, “The South-South Governors’ Forum notes the six-month declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, a constituent part of our Forum, and the suspension of two democratic institutions.

“We recognise the President’s constitutional duty to maintain law and order throughout Nigeria, just as we are equally mandated to securing peace and stability in our states.

“However, the South-South Governors’ Forum expresses concern that the current political situation in Rivers State does not satisfy the criteria for declaring a state of emergency as outlined in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended). This section suggests that such a declaration should be considered under specific conditions like war, external aggression, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, existential threats to Nigeria, natural disasters, or other significant public dangers.

“It is also worth noting that the Constitution outlines specific procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as detailed in Section 188, and similar provisions exist for the removal of members of the House of Assembly and the dissolution of parliament. In the current situation, it appears that these guidelines might not have been fully considered.

“We believe that the political disputes in Rivers State between the Governor and the House of Assembly should, ideally, be resolved through legal and constitutional means, rather than by executive fiat.”