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APC To Fubara: You Can’t Abrogate Constitution Of Federal Republic Nigeria

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has told Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers State not to abrogate the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pointing out that it’s an affront of the constitution for the Governor to declare that Rivers State House of Assembly doesn’t exist.

The APC in a press conference on Friday addressed by Felix Morka, Esq., National Publicity Secretary of the party, noted that it was confounded by the disturbing missteps of the Governor in Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which staged a press briefing on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, where it dismissed the APC, Rivers state chapter’s call on the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He said, “The PDP tendered a hogwash argument that by Section 109 of the Constitution, the 27 House of Assembly members who defected from PDP to APC have forfeited their seats, and echoed the Governor’s declaration that the Rivers State House of Assembly is non-existent.

“Contrary to PDP’s assertions, it’s not APC that is calling for the impeachment of Governor Fubara. Rather, by his egregious actions, conduct and infantile comments, Fubara is actively and vehemently precipitating his own impeachment.

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“Governor Fubara’s declaration that the Rivers State House of Assembly doesn’t exist is not only reckless, it is a direct affront to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The House of Assembly is a creation of the Constitution, and vested with the legislative authority of the state. The members of the Assembly were elected by the good people of Rivers State in the same manner that Fubara was elected Governor.

“The Assembly doesn’t exist at the Governor’s pleasure or fanciful whims. The legislature is at the core of the idea of democracy. It is co-equal with the executive and judicial arms of government.

“The constitutionally entrenched principle of separation of powers among the three arms of government guarantees essential checks and balances required to ensure observance of the rule of law. The rule of law is indispensable to democracy and constitutional order.

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“If his declaration that the House of Assembly is nonexistent is based on the fact that the 27 members who decamped from PDP to APC have lost their seats, then Governor Fubara is sorely misled.

“To be clear, the 27 Assembly members didn’t lose their membership of the Assembly by virtue of their decampment. There is nothing homeostatic about Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution. It’s not self-executing. The Proviso to the said Section 109(1) (g) established exceptional grounds to the applicability of Section 109(1)(g) Section 109(1) states: A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if – (S.109(1)(g) – being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before expiration of the period for which that House was elected:

“Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.” he added.

“Therefore, only a properly constituted court of law can make a determination as to whether a member of the House of Assembly has vacated his seat in accordance with that provision of the Constitution. As no such judicial determination has been made, the 27 APC members of the House of Assembly remain the constitutionally recognized and authorized members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

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“The Governor’s declaration flies in the face of a matter pending in court as instituted by some elders of the state on the very question of the legal status of the 27 members that decamped from PDP to APC. The court ruled that the plaintiffs in the matter lacked necessary _locus standi_ to bring the action.

“An appeal against that ruling remains pending in the Court of Appeal. Governor Fubara is a party to that suit. And there is the subsisting order of injunction issued by a Federal High Court restraining the Governor and his agents from impeding or frustrating the House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule.

“The Governor’s attack on the House of Assembly and its leadership is in flagrant disrespect of the order of a court of law and a violent violation of the express provisions of the Constitution. His demolition of the Rivers state House of Assembly complex remains one of the most brazen attacks on democratic institutions in our nation’s history.

And there is now grave apprehension that he may be spoiling to demolish the House of Assembly residential quarters in Port Harcourt, built only two years ago, following his recent gestapo-like invasion of the Assembly quarters. Governor Fubara’s weaponization of demolition of public assets as a strategy to dislodge and punish legitimate members of the legislature is nothing short of petty despotism and must be roundly condemned.

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“Governor Fubara continues to conduct the business of government unhinged, and in total contempt of the state legislature. The Governor expends the state’s resources without regard to appropriation and public procurement laws. The Governor has unlawfully withheld local governments’ funds as a punitive measure against perceived opponents, and only recently, directed that all heads and officials of the 23 Local Government Areas should ignore the summons of the State Assembly as he threatened to sack officials who flouted his directive.

“The power of the purse resides in the legislature. If, indeed, the House of Assembly does not exist, as Governor Fubara has declared, then the Governor must necessarily shut down the entire government of Rivers state, especially the office of the Governor, as he lacks the authority to expend public resources without valid appropriations by the legislature.

“Governor Fubara cannot abrogate the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He cannot be governor and be despot-in-chief of the Rivers state House of Assembly, at the same time. Attempting to impose an illegal 3-man House of Assembly is executive lawlessness in the extreme. Governor Fubara’s quest to repudiate the Constitution and govern in denial of the existence of the state legislature is, in and of itself, among other grounds, an impeachable offense.

“We strongly counsel Governor Fubara to submit himself to the dictates of the Constitution and the rule of law.

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“In any and all contests between Governor Fubara and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Constitution shall prevail, always. The good people of Rivers state deserve so much more than the seemingly unending chicanery of Governor Fubara,” APC added.

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Politics

Ondo poll: Sensitive materials to arrive Tuesday – INEC

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BY Francesca Hangeior

Ahead of the November 16 Ondo governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission confirmed on Thursday that sensitive election materials will arrive in Akure by Tuesday, November 12.

Addressing stakeholders at a pre-election meeting held in Akure, INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu announced that all sensitive materials, including ballots and result sheets, would be delivered to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Akure branch by early next week.

According to Yakubu, the election materials will be inspected by political party representatives and other stakeholders to ensure transparency before being distributed to local governments and wards across the state.

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Yakubu stressed that INEC is committed to a well-organised and credible election process, noting that all logistical arrangements for the safe delivery and distribution of materials have been completed.

“We have arranged for the delivery of sensitive materials for the election to arrive as early as Tuesday next week.

“We will invite political parties and other stakeholders for the usual inspection of the materials at the Central Bank here in Akure, and throughout the movement of sensitive materials to the local governments and the ward centres,” he stated.

To support the timely deployment of these materials, Yakubu highlighted that INEC has arranged for both land and maritime transportation to reach all areas of Ondo State, ensuring access to polling units across the region.

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“We have made arrangements for land and maritime transportation of personnel and materials,” he noted.

INEC has also engaged security agencies to protect the sensitive materials and personnel involved in the election process.

With the countdown to election day in full swing, INEC has been conducting final preparations, including a mock accreditation of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System in select locations across Ondo State.

Yakubu assured the public that INEC is ready to conduct a fair, secure, and transparent election.

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Obi To Speak At Atiku’s AUN

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The American University of Nigeria (AUN) has announced former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, as keynote speaker at its forthcoming Founder’s Day ceremony on November 30, 2024.

The annual Founder’s Day honors the Founder of the University and former Nigeria’s Vice President, His Excellency AtikuAbubakar, GCON, Wazirin Adamawa, for his numerous contributions to society and especially his advancement of education and human development.

a statement by Interim Registrar/VP, Admin, Daniel Okereke, the 16th Founders Day lecture will be the highlight of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the founding of the American-style Development University where students are educated to direct their learning and research outcomes towards addressing the socioeconomic challenges of the African Continent.

In the 20 years since its establishment, the numerous community service and outreach projects executed by students, alums, faculty and staff have earned the Development University a spot among the top three Nigerian universities in Times Higher Education (THE’s) 2024 global impact ranking.

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Since its establishment in 2003, AUN has significantly expanded its academic programs and affiliations with foreign institutions. AUN presently hosts the American Window in the northeast region where students and members of the public can access relevant information about scholarship and research opportunities in the United States.

President of AUN, Professor DeWayne Preston Frazier, heartily welcomes Mr. Peter Obi as Keynote Speaker and conveys to him the appreciation of the AUN Community for his acceptance of the invitation.

“I am highly pleased and honored to announce that the former Executive Governor of Anambra state, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, CON, will be our Keynote Speaker. Mr. Obi is an accomplished public servant and politician who has spent most of his life providing quality leadership and service to Nigerians. He is a champion of education and will be an excellent speaker to celebrate our 20 years”, Dr. Frazier said in a message to the Community.

Other activities lined up for the special event commemorating the birthday of His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, WazirinAdamawa, include a Special 20th Anniversary Community Service/Outreach, a leadership mentoring session for students by the Founder and inspection of AUNs renewable energy projects in the library, students’ residences and data center.

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Mr. Peter Obi joins an elite cast of global personalities who have delivered the AUN Founders Day lecture, which includes Dr. Paul Vita (2019), Professor Ibrahim Gambari (2009), Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah (2011), former Ugandan Vice President Dr. Gilbert Bukenya (2013), Professor Charles Soludo (2012), Tulane University Professor Dr. William Bertrand (2014), and President Emeritus of Iowa Wesleyan University, Professor Steven Titus (2023).

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Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ignores Kwankwaso’s Calls 34 Times

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, reportedly snubbed 34 phone calls from his political godfather, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The development has sparked speculation about a growing rift between the two, despite their longstanding political ties.

Sources suggest that the governor’s decision to ignore Kwankwaso’s calls may signal tensions within their political alliance.

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