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Falana Advises Tinubu to withdraw ‘Baseless’ Treason Charges Against #EndBadGovernance Protesters

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By Mario Deepromoter

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has advised President Bola Tinubu to direct the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to withdraw treason charges against EndBadGovernance protesters.

While faulting the increasing use of treason charges against protesters in the country, the renowned legal practitioner warned that the misuse of treason charges could backfire on the government as it has in the past.

Falana made the call on Tuesday at a two-day international anti-corruption and climate change conference organised by Human and Environmental Agenda (HEDA) in partnership with Hawkmoth and in support of the MacArthur, in Abuja on Tuesday.

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The Federal Government on Monday filed treason charges against 10 protesters, including a British citizen, Andrew Martin Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich), in connection with the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.

The 10 protesters charged were: Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (also known as Lenin), 28; Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (also known as Yomi), 34; Suleiman Yakubu, 28; Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, 50; Angel Love Innocent, 51; Buhari Lawal, 21; Mosiu Sadiq, 28; Bashir Bello (also known as Murtala), 51; Nuradeen Khamis, 47; and Abdulsalam Zubairu, 37.

The charges also include others at large, such as Lucky Ehis Obiyan and Comrade Musa Abdullahi.

The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, include felony and treason, contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

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The protesters are accused of conspiring to destabilize Nigeria, inciting mutiny, and levying war against the state.

But Falana questioned the rationale behind charging citizens with treason simply for exercising their right to protest, assuring the public that there is no cause for alarm.

“I have been under pressure in the last 24 hours from Nigeria and abroad. People are wondering why the charge of treason is being tribalised in our country. How can you say that because people protested, they are being charged with treason?

“All those who have expressed concern, do not be bothered; there is no cause for alarm.

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“We are taking up the case, and we are going to advise the government, particularly the President, to direct the police to withdraw the charge. And that advice is also in the interest of the government because a treason charge is not like a charge of stealing.

“This will be the fifth treason charge I am going to defend in our country,” Falana noted. “In the four previous cases, the government was compelled to withdraw the charges because we turned the case into the trial of the government.”

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Politics

Ihedioha’s Ex-CoS, Others Dump PDP For APC

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A former Chief of Staff to ex-governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, Chris Okewulonu, alongside Ihedioha’s former deputy governorship candidate, Chuma Nnaji, have defected to the All Progressives Congress.

The duo, alongside their supporters, defected on Friday.

At the APC secretariat in Owerri, the state capital, Okewulonu addressed party members.

He said “You will recall that a few months ago, I tendered my resignations, both as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, and as a member of its Board of Trustees,” Okewulonu stated.

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“My decision to leave that party was taken after deep introspection, coupled with lengthy consultations with members of my family, my political colleagues, and my well-wishers.

“My decision was equally rooted in my conviction that the qualities which formed the essence of the PDP as a political party, and which ab initio informed my attraction to it, had been continuously eroded, totally degraded, and finally and irretrievably lost,” he said.

Okewulonu explained that his break from political activity allowed him to observe Imo’s political landscape critically.

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“In the light of the protracted disagreements and schisms in both of the parties which should, and were actually looked upon to constitute the frontline opposition parties in Nigeria, I found myself questioning whether, as a veritable statesman in the polity of Imo State and even Nigeria at large, I could afford to continue paying lip service to being a member of an ineffective, nearly non-existent opposition, whereas I could position myself to actively contribute towards improving the lives of my people,” he added.

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He acknowledged Governor Hope Uzodimma’s leadership and his achievements.

“Five years down the road, I have come to the inescapable conviction that the 3R administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma has meant well for the people of Imo State, and has been doing its utmost to effectively and efficiently deliver the dividends of good governance to them.

“The humongous roads and other infrastructural interventions, and the human capacity building initiatives undertaken by the Senator Hope Uzodimma administration are eloquent testimonials to my belief and assertion,” Okewulonu said.

Uzodimma welcomed the defectors, emphasising the significance of their decision.

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“APC was seen as a foreign party because of the unfortunate outing in the past. We became victims of mistaken identity. Today, the only party that meant well for Imo citizens is APC,” Uzodimma said.

He described the defection as a testament to APC’s growing influence in the state.

“Genuine members of the political class who want Imo to move forward are joining the winning party. The real state owners are coming back to the party. If we don’t solve the problem of our people, history will not forgive us,” the governor added.

Uzodimma praised Okewulonu and Nnaji’s decision to join APC, likening the development to recruiting elite players in sports.

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“Conscience is an open wound that only truth can heal. I thank Okewulonu and Chuma Nnaji for joining our party. We have the Ronaldos and Lionel Messis in our party now,” he remarked.

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Ganduje declares Tony Okocha APC leader in Rivers

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, has affirmed that Chief Tony Okocha is the leader of the party in Rivers State.

According to Ganduje, the executive committee headed by Okocha, an ally of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister, Nyesom Wike, is the Rivers State APC leadership structure recognized by the national secretariat of the party.

Ganduje made this declaration on Saturday in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the newly elected state executive committee of the party.

The APC national chairman congratulated the newly elected members and explained the party’s decision to hold the inauguration in Rivers State instead of at the APC National Headquarters in Abuja.

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Ganduje said, “I’d like to congratulate the newly elected members of our state executive.

“Traditionally in APC the inauguration of a state chapter is usually done at the state headquarters of the APC in Abuja.

“But as part of the change that we are introducing, we decided to inaugurate these elected executive members here in Rivers so that our party is rooted to the grassroots; so that there is no dichotomy between the national executive and the state exco.

“We are all working together and we don’t feel reluctant even to go to the ward level and undertake our function that is for APC.

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He emphasized that the move signifies the party’s effort to strengthen ties between the national and state leadership, ensuring there is no division between the two structures.

Ganduje charged the state executive committee to prioritize internal democracy, highlighting it as a cornerstone of their responsibilities.

He also underscored the importance of fostering unity and inclusiveness within the party at the state level.

Ganduje added, “Therefore the state is our constituency. We need to embrace the state. We need to be in contact with the state. We need to be in harmony with the state.

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“We need to synergise with the state and we need to be in love with the state. That is why we are here.

“As members and leaders of our party in the state, you know your basic responsibilities, your functions as spelt out by the constitution of our great party.

“You have to ensure that there is internal democracy. You’re to ensure that you look for new entrants into the party and look for members into the party.

“Use your political dexterity to ensure that our party moves forward. Strengthen the party in your constituencies. It is absolutely necessary. It is your responsibility to ensure that there is peace and you must ensure an effective conflict resolution mechanism. As leaders of the party, I believe you are equal to the task.”

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Commenting on APC’s performance in the South-South geopolitical zone, traditionally dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ganduje noted that the APC has made significant progress, citing its control of Cross River and Edo states.

He further stated that Rivers State is the party’s next strategic target as it continues its expansion efforts in the region.

“You are from the South-South geo-political zone where the zone was dominated by the PDP.

“But you are fully aware that during the Buhari administration, we were able to take one state, Cross River, from the PDP.

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“And in present President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration, we were able to win squarely in Edo State. Out of six states in the zone, we have recovered two.

“Rivers State is our target. Rivers, we are here for you. Rivers, you are on the way.”

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Ganduje boasts, says we’re ready to capture Rivers State in 2027

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has boasted that the party’s target is to wrestle Rivers state from the grip of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come 2027.

Ganduje made this known in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the state working committee on Saturday. He was accompanied by top officials of the party who expressed their support for the new Exco in the state.

In his address, the party’s national South-South vice chairman, Victor Giadom, said the party is gearing up to take over the state.

This inauguration was held despite question marks around the legality of the process.

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The national legal adviser administers the oath of office to the Exco.

In his vote of thanks, the leader of the Exco praises his team, saying they’ve done well,

For the national chairman, however, the aim is to bring Rivers into the fold and increase APC’s states in the zone to three.

Though the party’s NWC recognizes the Tony Okocha-led Exco, there is a court judgement recognizing Emeka Beke as the party’s chairman in the state which is yet to be vacated and it’s still unclear how that will affect the party going into 2025.

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