By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The recent defection of lawmakers from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC)he member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/ Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha has declared that as it stands Julius Abure is the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP

Obi, an ally to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, stated this while speaking on the recent defection of lawmakers from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the lawmaker, there is no leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party that warrants the defection of the party’s lawmakers.

In an interview with the New Telegraph, Aguocha noted that there is no political party that doesn’t have crisis but the leadership has remained steadfast in finding solutions.

Speaking on the defection, he said: “We have a governor but some people are only fixated on the five decampees.

“They’re my colleagues, and I would not say ill of my colleagues because it was a personal decision they took.

“Some of them have explained their actions in the public domain, and part of what they said was that there is a perceived division in the Labour Party.

There’s no political party, especially the top three in Nigeria, that doesn’t have any issues. APC has their problems. PDP has their problems. The Labour Party, of course, has its problems.

“But the most important thing is that the leadership of Labour Party has remained steadfast in finding solutions to the problems that we have in the Labour Party.

“Yes, our matter has gone through the High Court and is on appeal. I would believe that by the time the court decides as to the direction of the party, then all of us will now know the direction to move.

“But by way of the determination of the court, Julius Abure by determination of the court, whether right or wrong, is the chairman of the party. So, there’s no division in the Labour Party.”

2027 election
Obi Aguocha pointed out that most of these lawmakers who defected come from states that do not have a Labour Party government, so, it’s also an issue of their self-survival.

“They probably maybe under pressure that the election for 2027 is going to be very difficult for them without a helping hand from the state government,” he said.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The United States Supreme Court on Thursday denied a last-minute bid by President-elect Donald Trump to halt sentencing in his hush money case.

The top court, which includes three justices appointed by Trump, rejected his emergency application seeking to block Friday’s sentencing by a 5-4 vote.

The court, in a brief unsigned order, said the “burden that sentencing will impose on the President-Elect’s responsibilities is relatively insubstantial” and noted that Trump will be allowed to attend virtually.

The court also noted that the judge who presided over the hush money case has already said he plans to impose a sentence of “unconditional discharge,” which does not carry any jail time, fine or probation.

Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in Manhattan at 9:30 am (1430 GMT) on Friday after being convicted by a New York jury in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Trump, 78, who is to be sworn in as president on January 20, filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking to halt his sentencing.

Four justices — Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, all conservatives — were in favor of granting Trump’s request to halt his sentencing.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, also conservatives, joined the three liberal justices in rejecting the president-elect’s bid.

Barrett, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh were appointed by Trump.

Trump’s lawyers made several legal maneuvers in an effort to fend off sentencing arguing that it would be a “grave injustice” and harm “the institution of the presidency and the operations of the federal government.”

Trump’s attorneys also claimed that the immunity from prosecution granted to a sitting president should be extended to a president-elect.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg rejected their arguments in his response on Thursday, saying Trump was a private citizen when he was “charged, tried, and convicted.”

– Convicted felon –

Bragg also said the Supreme Court “lacks jurisdiction over a state court’s management of an ongoing criminal trial” and preventing sentencing would be an “extraordinary step” by the top court.

“There is no basis for such intervention,” Bragg said.

In the order, the Supreme Court said Trump can still appeal his conviction through the New York state courts.

Judge Juan Merchan said last week he was leaning towards giving Trump an unconditional discharge that would not carry jail time, a fine or probation. He also agreed to allow Trump to attend Friday’s Manhattan sentencing virtually instead of in person.

Trump is the first former US president to be convicted of a crime and will be the first convicted felon to serve in the White House.

Trump potentially faced up to four years in prison, but legal experts — even before he won the November presidential election — did not expect Merchan to incarcerate him.

Trump was certified as the winner of the 2024 presidential election on Monday, four years after his supporters rioted at the US Capitol as he sought to overturn his 2020 defeat.

AFP

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Amad Diallo set his sights on making “history” with Manchester United after the Ivory Coast winger signed a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2030.

Diallo has been in impressive form since Ruben Amorim took over as United manager in November, scoring three times in his last six games.

The 22-year-old, whose previous deal had been due to expire at the end of this season, has made 50 appearances and netted nine times since arriving from Atalanta in 2021.

‘We aren’t just a band of blind musicians; we have journalists, teachers and computer…0:00 / 0:00

After loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland raised questions about his future with United, Diallo is finally emerging as one of the club’s brightest young stars.

“I’m really proud to have signed this new contract. I have had some incredible moments with this club already but there is so much more to come,” Amad Diallo said.

“I have huge ambitions in the game and I want to achieve history at Manchester United.

“I have learnt so much since arriving here four years ago. I am very grateful to the coaches and staff who have helped me to develop and to the fans for driving me forward every day.

“It has been a difficult season for everyone, but I fully believe that we are on the right path and the future is going to be really special.

“I am ready to give everything to help the team and make our supporters proud again.”

Diallo scored United’s stoppage-time winner at Manchester City in December and netted their equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday.

Having made just nine appearances in his first three seasons with United, Diallo first earned cult hero status with a late winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup last year.

United’s technical director Jason Wilcox believes Diallo will be a great asset to the club’s long-term future.

“Everyone is delighted with Amad’s development – his quality on the ball, versatility and determination makes him a key part of the future of Manchester United,” Wilcox said.

“The best years of his career are ahead of him and we all look forward to helping Amad to reach his immense potential and achieve success at the club in the coming seasons.”

Despite Diallo’s fine performances, United are languishing in 13th place in the Premier League table with just six wins from 20 top-flight games.

Amorim’s side travel to Arsenal for their FA Cup third round tie on Sunday.

Vanguard News