Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, has firmly denied allegations that he has collapsed his campaign structure to support Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming November 16 election.

In a statement issued by Femi Arowolo, the Director of Media and Publicity for the Akingboye campaign, the reports were labeled as unfounded and fabricated.

Advertorial

Arowolo emphasized that neither Akingboye nor his running mate, Erelu Gbemisola Susan Alabi, have any intention of supporting candidates from other parties.

The statement condemned the rumors as desperate attempts by political opponents to undermine the growing popularity of the SDP ticket.

Arowolo pointed out that both the APC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have been spreading false claims that the SDP is working to dissolve its structure in their favor.

Advertorial

“We authoritatively state that these assertions are mere propaganda and mischief-making on their part, transparently seeking cheap popularity,” Arowolo said.

He added that the SDP is fully prepared to contest and win the upcoming election, with Akingboye and Alabi poised to bring effective leadership to Ondo State.

The campaign office called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to focus on addressing the failures of his administration instead of engaging in political theatrics.

They emphasized that the SDP ticket offers a vision for the state’s renaissance, driven by Akingboye’s business expertise and Alabi’s professional acumen.

Advertorial

Supporters were urged to disregard the false rumors and prepare for the SDP’s mega rally, which will mark the launch of their strategic campaign aimed at delivering progressive leadership for Ondo State.

Arowolo concluded by inviting all progressive-minded individuals in the state to join the SDP in their transformative journey towards development and prosperity.

“The time for real change in Ondo State is now. OBA and Erelu Alabi stand ready to deliver it,” the statement concluded.

Tony Azeigbemi, the Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), affirmed that Asue Ighodalo remains the party’s candidate for the upcoming governorship election on September 21.

Azeigbemi issued this statement in response to a Federal High Court judgment that declared the party has no candidate in the election.

Advertorial

He addressed the rumors suggesting Ighodalo’s candidacy had been nullified, attributing them to opponents intimidated by Ighodalo’s growing popularity.

“Let it be on record that the candidacy of Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the PDP’s flag bearer for the 2024 elections remains intact. The judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja does not affect the party,” Azeigbemi stated.

He urged PDP supporters to stay calm and steadfast, reassuring them that there is no cause for concern.

Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Justice Faruk Adamu and Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, both judges of the Kano State High Court, to resign from their positions as chairmen of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Misappropriated Public Properties and Assets and the Commission on Political Violence and Missing Persons, respectively.

Advertorial

The ruling came in response to a suit filed by former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Attorney General of Kano State, and Justices Faruk Adamu and Zuwaira Yusuf were named as defendants in the case.

In his judgment on Thursday, Justice Amobeda instructed the NJC to cease payment of any remuneration, allowances, and benefits to the two judges from the consolidated revenue fund if they did not comply with the resignation order.

Advertorial

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had inaugurated the two judicial commissions on April 4, tasking Justices Adamu and Yusuf with investigating misappropriation of public properties, political violence, and cases of missing persons from 2015 to 2023.

Justice Amobeda ruled that the judges must refrain from performing the executive functions assigned to them, as these roles are meant for adjudicating disputes in courtrooms, not for executing executive powers.

Citing the combined effects of sections 6, 84, 153(1), 271(2), 272, and paragraph 21(c) of part 1 of the third schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the judge stated that Justices Adamu and Yusuf are not legally permitted to hold the office of a judge while simultaneously serving as chairmen of commissions of inquiry with quasi-judicial powers equivalent to those of a Magistrate.

The court further held that the governor lacked the authority to appoint and administer the oath of office to the judges for these commissions, a role designated for commissioners exercising executive powers.

Additionally, Justice Amobeda referenced a decision by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, which held that only the EFCC and the ICPC are authorized to investigate the former governor.

Setting up a commission of inquiry to investigate Ganduje’s administration was deemed an abuse of office and an undermining of judicial sanctity.

However, the court disagreed with the plaintiff’s counsel’s argument that the judges ceased to be judicial officers by accepting appointments to the commissions of inquiry.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the primary election that declared Mr. Asuen Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.

In his ruling on Thursday, Justice Ekwo determined that the primary held on February 22, 2024, was invalid due to the unlawful exclusion of 378 delegates who were eligible to vote.

Advertorial

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, was brought to the court by Kelvin Mohammed and several aggrieved delegates from the PDP in Edo State, challenging the legitimacy of the primary election process.

Justice Ekwo found that the conduct of the February primary breached the Electoral Act 2022 and the PDP’s own guidelines for candidate selection.

The election, held at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, allegedly prevented 378 delegates from participating, leading to its annulment by the court.

Legal representatives of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, have withdrawn from the ongoing legal tussle over the Kano emirate before the State High Court.

The lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with a prior court ruling that denied their request to stay proceedings.

Advertorial

During the hearing, Abdul Muhammed, SAN, representing the first respondent, highlighted that an affidavit of fact and a motion of appeal were filed, requesting a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal.

He argued that once a higher court is notified, the lower court should pause proceedings. However, the trial court declined this request.

Frustrated by the court’s refusal to grant an adjournment, Muhammed announced his withdrawal from the case.

Following his lead, another team member, Barrister Sanusi Musa, SAN, also declared their collective withdrawal.

Meanwhile, Hassan Tanko Kyaure, representing the third, fourth, and fifth respondents, filed for an extension of time and a counter affidavit, urging the court to nullify the Kano State emirates council repealed law, citing procedural lapses.

He requested a dismissal of the application with a cost of N1 billion.

Counsel for the sixth respondent, Sunday Ekwe, chose to defer to the court’s discretion without making any submissions.

Advertorial

Eyitayo Fatogun, representing the applicants, argued against the motion for a stay, stating that the filing of a notice of appeal does not warrant halting proceedings.

He contended that the affidavit of facts was merely a tactic to delay the case and urged the court to proceed with hearing all pending applications.

Judge Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu ruled against staying the proceedings, stating that the affidavit did not meet court rules or disclose any special facts.

She adjourned the case to July 18 for further rulings on various applications, including those for extension of time, preliminary objections, setting aside an ex parte order, and others.

The applicants, represented by Ibrahim Isah Wangida Esq, are the Attorney General of Kano State, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, and the Kano State House of Assembly.

They seek to restrain Ado Bayero and other dethroned emirs from Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye from presenting themselves as emirs.

Respondents include Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and four other former emirs, along with the Inspector General of Police, Director of the State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Army.