Politics
Confusion as court injunctions disrupt Imo LG polls
The Imo State Local Government elections on Saturday were thrown into chaos when two court summons were issued, leaving voters bewildered.
A Magistrate Court in Owerri in suit number CR/OMC/635/2024, disqualified the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the September 21 elections due to non-compliance with the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) guidelines.
“The All Progressive Congress ought not to be in the Local Government election because it failed to conduct Chairmanship and Councillorship primaries in line with ISIEC guidelines,” ruled the Chief Magistrate, Ifunanya Ekwerike.
The Forum of APC Chairmanship and Councillorship Aspirants in Imo State had previously approached the Chief Magistrate’s Court, citing discrepancies in the APC primaries. The court’s decision was based on reports of irregularities in the conduct of primaries across the 305 wards in Imo State.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that APC does not participate in the LGA Election,” vowed Barr Lucky Ikwubuo, spokesperson for the Forum, citing the party’s refusal to conduct transparent and credible primaries.
Additionally, Action Alliance (AA) Chairmanship Candidate for Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Nze Greg Anyanwu, filed a suit HOW/1051/2024 seeking a declaration that the 2024 local government council elections, scheduled without a Local Government Election Tribunal, are unlawful and invalid.
The APC in Imo State dismissed the court suits filed against it, claiming that the party did not receive such notices.
APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Duke Cajetan said, “We have not received any court notice or process. As I speak to you, we also don’t have aggrieved aspirants as we all agreed on consensus candidates. More so, you cannot stop a football match in the middle of the competition. So, the court notice or process does not exist.”
Cajetan further stated that the leadership of the party had commenced refunding money to aspirants who were not picked as candidates for the election.
“This move aims to demonstrate the party’s transparency and fairness in the selection process,” he said.
“The APC’s stance on consensus candidates and refunding unused nomination fees suggests an effort to promote unity and inclusivity within the party.”
The elections were however marred by voter apathy, with the late arrival of election materials in some areas. A voter noted, “There was no trust that there would be an election…that’s why a lot of people boycotted it.”
Despite the challenges, the election remained peaceful, thanks to the synergy between security agencies, including the Commissioner of Police, Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, and Commander Federal Road Safety Corps.
The Labour Party (LP) has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against interfering in its affairs, insisting that the union has no authority to dictate the party’s direction or leadership.
The opposition party also dismissed the possibility of a merger with any political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
“While the party is not considering a merger, it remains open to collaborations aimed at strengthening its position ahead of future elections,” Ifoh stated.
The statement was in response to the NLC’s call for a rebranding of the Labour Party, which included the possibility of a merger or coalition with like-minded parties.
Following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, the NLC, in a communique signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, insisted that urgent steps must be taken to reclaim the party and restore its ideological foundation.
The NLC directed its National Administrative Council to initiate processes for a restructuring, coalition, or merger that would strengthen the interests of workers within the LP.
The Labour Party and the NLC remain at odds over the union’s refusal to recognize Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman, despite his re-election at the LP convention in Anambra
The lingering dispute underscores ongoing power struggles within the party as it seeks to position itself ahead of the next election cycle.
A fresh crisis has engulfed the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with the suspension of its governorship candidate in the November 16 off-cycle governorship election in Ondo state, Olugbenga Edema.
Mr Edema was suspended on Monday along with his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, and another party chieftain, Israel Ayeni, over alleged anti-party activities.
The three men were suspended from the party at a meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) held in Akure, the state capital.
Announcing their suspension during a press conference, the state chairman of the NNPP, Peter Olagookun, said Mr Edema and the other party chieftains were sanctioned for alleged anti-party activities.
Flanked by 12 other members of the SWC, Mr Olagookun said the men were also suspended for violating the party’s constitution.
“We, the State Working Committee of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Ondo State Chapter, hereby announce the indefinite suspension of the following party members: Hon. Olugbenga Edema, the governorship candidate in the just concluded Ondo State governorship election; Barrister Rotimi Adeyemi, the deputy governorship candidate; and Mr. Isreal Oluwatosin Ayeni,” he said.
The chairman added that the trio were suspended on two other grounds: “suing in the name of the party without recourse to the appropriate stakeholders at both the state and national levels, according to our party constitution.
“Suing the party without exhausting internal resolution mechanisms as provided by the party’s constitution, and involving in anti-party activities.”
Peoples Gazette could not immediately get Mr Edema’s reaction as of the time of this report.
However, one of his aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak, said his principal would respond appropriately to the suspension.
“We have read the suspension letter, but Oga (Edema) will react to it when he’s ready. I’m sure those who claimed they suspended him are just jesters. He gave NNPP a name in the state. How many people knew the party in the state before the election?” he told the Gazette.
Mr Edema lost the governorship election to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly known as JANDOR, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The 2023 Lagos governorship candidate made the announcement on Monday during a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos.
While he did not disclose his next political move, JANDOR assured that he would make his intentions known in the coming months.
His departure from the PDP comes with the backing of his supporters across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State.
Details to follow…
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