In a startling disclosure, Barrister Bright Emeka Ngene, the Labour Party House of Assembly candidate for the Enugu South Urban Constituency in the 2023 general election, has raised concerns over what he perceived as a coordinated efforts to ensure he is put out of circulation in case of any rerun election.

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In an exclusive interview with Daily Gazette on Wednesday, Barr. Ngene unveiled a clandestine plot aimed at truncating his certain electoral victory through covert tactics, including potential arrest, court proceedings, blackmail, and unjust detention, with the ultimate goal of orchestrating another rerun election in his absence.

This purported scheme, he alleges, exploits the lapse in INEC’s 90-day period for conducting bye-elections.

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Barr. Ngene’s resounding victory in the 2023 election saw him clinch 118 out of 126 polling booths, securing an impressive tally of over 3,765 votes.

However, there were doubts regarding the integrity of the electoral process, particularly concerning eight polling booths in Ward 5.

It was alleged that rogue elements preemptively tampered with result sheets, leading to the cancellation of the initially scheduled rerun on February 3rd.

Subsequent attempts on February 14th to conduct the rerun were reportedly disrupted by similar incidents.

In light of these developments, Barr. Ngene has issued a heartfelt plea to the residents of Enugu South, human rights activists, and the Nigerian Bar Association for urgent intervention.

He underscored the critical importance of upholding fundamental principles of inclusive governance, conscience, fairness, and justice in the face of alleged electoral manipulation.

As the situation unfolds in Enugu South Urban, all eyes are on the authorities to ensure transparency, accountability, and the preservation of the electorate’s will.

Amidst a heavy security crackdown on the Abuja home of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, the incumbent Governor, Usman Ododo, paid a visit to Bello on Wednesday afternoon.

Accompanied by a contingent of security operatives and youth supporters protesting the siege on Bello’s residence, Governor Ododo arrived at Bello’s home around 2:30 pm.

Picture from the scene

The scene at Bello’s residence was marked by a significant presence of armed personnel from various security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the police, the Department of State Security (DSS), the Counter Terrorism Unit, and Bello’s private security team.

Earlier in the day, EFCC operatives had stormed Bello’s Abuja residence in Wuse Zone 4, but the reason behind the siege remains unconfirmed, as EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale did not respond to inquiries.

In March 2024, the EFCC had filed an amended charge against Yahaya Bello, his nephew Ali, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu over an alleged N84 billion money laundering scheme, adding to the ongoing legal challenges faced by Bello.

Responding to the siege, Bello’s media office condemned the EFCC’s actions, citing an injunction granted by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, restraining the commission from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello pending the determination of his fundamental rights enforcement action.

They called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution the EFCC.

Former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, issued a caution to the National Executive Committee (NEC) as they convened in Abuja on Wednesday.

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Secondus warned against falling for what he termed as Minister Nyesom Wike’s manipulative tactics.

In a preemptive statement ahead of Thursday’s committee meeting, Secondus alleged that Wike, a minister in the APC government, is using the PDP to bolster his standing with President Bola Tinubu.

Despite his APC affiliation, Wike claims membership in the opposition party.

Secondus emphasized the importance for the PDP to prioritize the restoration of the party’s stature and urged against being swayed by Wike’s maneuvers.

He accused Wike of attempting to fabricate crises within the party to assert his relevance, particularly in the eyes of President Tinubu.

Citing Wike’s purported efforts to portray himself in a power struggle with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Secondus cautioned against granting Wike undue significance.

He urged party leaders to unite in thwarting Wike’s meddling and to steer the party forward.

Secondus urged the party’s foundational figures and dedicated members to uphold the party’s integrity and restore its former glory by resisting external influences and prioritizing the collective interest of the PDP.

Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) convened on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the party’s National Secretariat.

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During the meeting, the NWC unanimously passed a Vote of Confidence on the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, ahead of the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, emphasized the NWC’s commendation of Amb. Damagum’s efforts to stabilize and reposition the party as Nigeria’s primary opposition party.

Presided over by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, the motion for the Vote of Confidence was initiated by the National Vice Chairman (South East), Chief Ali Odefa, and seconded by the National Treasurer, Hon. Yayari Mohammed.

Despite facing internal challenges, including calls for leadership change and the suspension of Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over alleged anti-party activities, the PDP remains resolute in its commitment to emerge stronger and more united following the NEC meeting.

In a significant development, the Kano State High Court has upheld the suspension of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The court issued an ex parte order, prohibiting Ganduje from representing himself as a member of the party.

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Justice Usman Malam Na’abba granted the order on Tuesday in response to an ex parte motion filed by Haladu Gwanjo and Laminu Sani, representing the executive members of APC Ganduje ward.

Gwanjo, who serves as the party’s ward Legal Adviser, had previously announced Ganduje’s suspension.

The court directive mandates Ganduje to refrain from overseeing any activities of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.

This legal move follows Ganduje’s suspension by the State Working Committee of the APC in Kano, which rebuked the ward party leaders responsible for the initial suspension announcement.

The internal strife within the party escalated as the APC in Dawakin Tofa Local Government dismissed the individuals behind Ganduje’s suspension, alleging their involvement in anti-party activities.

The party’s leadership imposed a six-month sanction on them and initiated a panel to investigate various allegations against them.

In response to these developments, the APC has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, urging an investigation into the individuals responsible for Ganduje’s purported suspension.

The party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, emphasized that the perpetrators were not legitimate APC members or officials in Ganduje’s ward.

As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, a pressure group within the party, “PDP100% Loyalty,” has appealed to the NEC to urge former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to put aside his presidential ambition for 2027 in the interest of the party’s progress.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the National Chairman of the group, Mr. Dennis Shima (JP), also called for the suspension of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister due to his affiliation with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Highlighting the challenges faced by the party, Shima emphasized the need to address Atiku’s presidential ambition and the party’s failure to take disciplinary action against former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who publicly supported the APC during the last election.

The group stressed that these issues have contributed to the party’s current predicament and called on the NEC to intervene for the party’s greater good.

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They urged Atiku, a former Vice President and two-time PDP presidential candidate, to refrain from contesting for the PDP presidential ticket in 2027 and instead support one of his mentees for the position.

“We call on Atiku Abubakar to heed this call to become a statesman and political kingmaker moving forward. We believe that the former Vice President will appreciate the platform provided by the PDP to serve Nigerians,” Shima stated.

The group urged the upcoming PDP NEC meeting to exercise its authority in accordance with the party’s constitution by suspending Nyesom Wike from participating in party activities at all levels due to his current role as a Federal Minister in the APC-led government.

They emphasized that Wike’s association with the APC contradicts the values and principles of the PDP and called for his suspension until he officially disengages from the APC-led government.

Shima underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law and maintaining discipline within the party, stating that these decisions would serve as a deterrent to individuals seeking political relevance at the expense of the party’s integrity and legitimacy.