Politics
APC asks court to stop FAAC, AGF, others from releasing funds to Rivers LGAs
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), two others, and their agents from allocating or distributing any revenue from the Federation Account to any of the Local Government Areas/Councils of Rivers State or within Rivers State until a valid local government council election has been conducted by the 6th defendant to democratically elect Local Government Councils for Rivers State.
Also sought to be restrained in that regard are the Accountant General of the Federation (AG-F), and the Minister of Finance for the Federal Government of Nigeria (who are listed as the first, second, and third) in a fresh suit filed by the APC.
The plaintiff, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CV/1556/2024 is contending that in view of the recent decisions of the Supreme Court in the suit No: SC/CV/343/2024: Attorney General of the Federation v. Attorney General of Abia State and others, and the Federal High Court, suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 funds could no longer be released to LGAs in Rivers because no valid election has been conducted in the state.
Listed as defendants in the suit are the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the Accountant General of the Federation (AG-F); the Minister of Finance for the Federal Government of Nigeria; the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF); the Attorney General of Rivers State of Nigeria; and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The party also wants an order of injunction restraining the Government of Rivers State (represented by the 5th defendant) and the 6th defendant by themselves (individually and/or jointly) by their servants, agents, hirelings, or proxies from distributing to, expending or utilizing any public fund of Rivers State for the use or benefit of any of the Local Government Councils of Rivers State until the Government of Rivers State (represented by the 5th defendant) and the 6th defendant have been able to conduct valid election to democratically elect Local Government Councils for Rivers State.
It seeks a declaration that the defendants fall within the category of ‘authorities and persons’ as provided for by Section 287 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), who are constitutionally bound to enforce and implement judgments, decisions and orders of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Federal High Court of Nigeria and are therefore constitutionally bound to enforce, implement and give effect to the judgment of the Supreme Court in Suit No: SC/CV/343/2024: Attorney General of the Federation v. Attorney General of Abia State and others to the effect that “the amount distributed to and standing to the credit of Local Government Councils in the Federation Account must be paid by the Federation to only democratically elected Local Government Councils…” and the judgment of the Federal High Court in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024: All Progressives Congress (APC) v. Independent National Electoral Commission and others, comprising of an order among others “setting aside all acts or things done or purported to have been done …in furtherance of the conduct of the purported local government elections in Rivers State slated for the 5th of October 2024…”
The APC is equally praying for a declaration that the Government of Rivers State (represented by the 5th defendant) and the 6th defendant having failed to ensure the existence of and to put in place a system of local government by democratically elected local government councils in Rivers State by conducting a valid democratic election for local government councils in Rivers State, that is, for the election of Chairmen and Councilors for the Local Government Councils of Rivers State, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants (representing the Government of the Federation) are not entitled to, and cannot allocate or distribute any revenue from the Federation Account to any of the Local Government Areas/Councils of Rivers State until a valid election to democratically elect Local Government Councils for Rivers State has been conducted by the Government of Rivers State (represented by the 5th defendant) and the 6th defendant.
In a supporting affidavit, deposed to by Tony Okocha, the plaintiff said: By the recent decision of the Supreme Court Suit No: SC/CV/343/2024 the apex court firmly held and declared in respect of distribution of revenue from the Federation Account, among others that “the amount distributed to and standing to the credit of Local Government Councils in the Federation to only democratically elected Local Government Councils.
The APC said its suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 challenged the process hurriedly being put into place by the AG of Rivers and RSIEC (5th and 6th defendants herein) for the purpose of holding Local Government Council elections for Rivers State.
It stated that “In the said suit, the plaintiff premised their challenge of the process on a number of grounds, including the ground that the processes being put into place for the holding of the proposed election which was fixed for the 5th day of October 2024 was in contravention of the provisions of items 11 and 12 of Part II of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as applicable provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 in that requisite statutory notices were not given and provisions in respect of update of voters register were not complied with.
The APC said the suit was decided in its favour, wherein, Justice Peter Lifu in the judgment delivered on September 30 held among others, that the processes put in place for the proposed LGA election in Rivers election were unconstitutional.
It added that the court restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing to the RSIEC the voters’ register for the conduct of the proposed election fixed for the 5th of October 2024.
The party stated that the court also issued an express order “setting aside all acts or things done or purported to have been done in furtherance of the conduct of the purported local government elections in Rivers State slated for the 5th of October 2024.
It stated that although the AG of Rivers and RSIEC were parties to the suit and represented by lawyers at all times, “the duo acted in contravention and absolute disregard of the decision of the court with the 6th defendant (RSIEC) therefore proceeding to conduct a purported Local Government Council election on the 5 day of October 2024, even though no voters register was released to it by INEC and notwithstanding that all processes put in place for the election including statutory notices, nominations among others had been set aside in the judgment of the Federal High Court.”
The APC insisted that the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 is still valid and subsisting before, as at, and even beyond the 5th of October, 2024 and so remains until set aside by the Court of Appeal.
It stated that the election held in contravention of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and subsisting judgment of a competent Court of law is invalid.
The party added that the Local Government Councils of Rivers State have not been “democratically elected” to qualify them to receive allocations from or distribution of revenue from the Federation Account.
Politics
We’ve reconciled warring factions in FCT – APC
The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday in Abuja reconciled the warring factions within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, chapter of the party.
To this end, the National Vice Chairman (North) of the party, Muazu Rijau, inaugurated the new State Working Committee, SWC, and charged them to commence their work immediately.
He gave the directive following the inauguration of the new SWC at the national secretariat of the party on Monday in Abuja.
Speaking with newsmen after the reconciliation meeting, the Zonal Secretary of APC North Central, Yakubu Mohamed, said there had been issues previously, but everything has now been resolved.
He said: “I’m privileged to address you here today to announce the outcome of today’s gathering at the national secretariat with the newly reconciled executive of the party in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) being inaugurated on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) by the National Vice Chairman (North), Muazu Bawa Rijau.
“He inaugurated them and asked them to go back to the FCT Secretariat and start working. They are the State Working Committee (SWC).
“There were a lot of issues, but we are now united. The party is united. They will now go back to start on a clean slate and work hard to deliver the party in the Federal Capital Territory.
“Thank God this issue has been resolved. Today, we have an authentic list of the State Executive Committee, as well as the authentic lists of the local government executive and ward excos in the FCT.”
Speaking on the 2026 FCT Council elections, Mohamed assured that they would deliver the FCT to the APC.
He added: “We are promising the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by the special grace of God, that come 2027, we are going to deliver the FCT for the APC.
“We will deliver the six area councils and the 62 wards in the FCT. We assure you, we have no doubt. We are now united, and this unity will extend down to the wards,” he declared.
Politics
Edo guber Election Tribunal to resume in Abuja today
There are indications that the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will resume proceedings today, January 28, 2025, at its new venue in Abuja.
The Tribunal could not sit today following delays caused by the unprepared state of the new site, located at the National Judicial Institute’s (NJI) Mohammed Bello Centre, Abuja.
A visit to the NJI, situated near the Dantata Flyover on the Lugbe-Airport Expressway, revealed that Monday’s session could not hold as initially scheduled. Staff at the Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad Guest Suites and Apartments, which will host the tribunal, disclosed that the venue was still being prepared. They even apologized for the inconvenience caused to lawyers, petitioners, respondents, and other interested parties, asking them to return on Tuesday.
The tribunal was moved from Benin City to Abuja following rising security concerns. Supporters of the petitioners had repeatedly attempted to disrupt proceedings in Benin, with one incident involving an armed, masked individual reportedly wearing campaign materials of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Akintunde Asuerinme Ighodalo. The individual fired sporadic shots outside the tribunal venue, creating panic, fear and chaos.
The relocation notice, signed by the tribunal’s Secretary, Mu’azu Ibrahim Bagudu, was issued on January 26. It informed all parties that the tribunal would now sit at the NJI from January 27 and directed those seeking further information to contact the secretary.
Journalists from media outlets including Independent Television and Radio, Edo Broadcasting Service, and others were turned back on Monday due to the empty venue. Efforts to reach the petitioners for comments were unsuccessful.
The tribunal proceedings are expected to intensify as petitioners and respondents resume their legal battles over the outcome of the 2024 governorship election. The serene and secure atmosphere of the NJI is anticipated to provide a conducive environment for the hearings.
Politics
Anambra 2025: APC holds primary March 29
Ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has fixed the state party primary for March 29, 2025
Already, three billionaires have indicated interest to vie for the ticket without the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died on July 27, 2024.
They are: Sir Paul Chukwuma, former national Auditor of APC; Prof Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines (UNA); and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, who once represented Abuja Municipal in the House of Representatives.
The date was revealed by the state chairman of the party, Sir Basil Ejidike to the State Working Committee (SWC), and conveyed to reporters in Awka by the state’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Valentine Oliobi
“The decision was taken after the meeting of the National Working Committee held a few days ago at the APC National Secretariat.
“The meeting was in line with the meeting held with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu with the heads of all the political parties a few days back.
“The All Progressives Congress found it imperative to meet and design a programme for the Anambra State Gubernatorial primary election and communicate to the INEC within the ambit of the Electoral Law.”
Oliobi, said the state chairman, Ejidike has assured that the state is ready and determined to conduct a free, fair and credible primary election that will be acceptable to all the aspirants.
“Under my watch, I will do everything humanly possible to continue to keep Anambra APC as one indivisible family through guaranteeing them a free, fair and credible primary election, coming March 29th.
“In achieving the above aim, the party will go for the election with an all-inclusive house and victory will be assured,” Ejidike said.
-
Metro18 hours ago
EFCC to invite Ondo Speaker over N200m for phone calls, investigates N11.5b allocation to finance ministry
-
Politics18 hours ago
Edo guber Election Tribunal to resume in Abuja today
-
Sports18 hours ago
Full List: AFCON 2025 Draw Confirmed
-
News19 hours ago
Difficult to believe: ” I now feed from rents from my house in Kaduna-Ex-President Buhari
-
News18 hours ago
Peter Obi commends Afe Babalola for dropping defamation cases against Farotimi
-
News19 hours ago
Fuel Prices Set to Drop as Global Crude Prices Fall
-
Politics17 hours ago
We’ve reconciled warring factions in FCT – APC
-
Relationship18 hours ago
Scarcity of men: Lady confesses no man has touched her for 24 months in UK (Video)