Senator Athan Achonu, the Labour Party candidate in Imo’s last gubernatorial election, has expressed optimism that the judiciary will invalidate Governor Hope Uzodinma’s re-election and order a rerun.

Achonu cited substantial evidence of electoral irregularities as the basis for his confidence in the judicial process.

Speaking during a special thanksgiving service at the Holy Trinity Parish in Maitama, Abuja, Achonu recounted instances of violence he endured during the election, including an assassination attempt on his life and the abduction of his cousin, John Chima.

He praised the dedication of his legal team in presenting a strong case before the election petitions tribunal.

Additionally, Achonu commended the bravery of women like Prof. Nnenna Oti, an INEC returning officer in Abia State, who resisted pressure to manipulate election results.

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Achonu expressed trust in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a democrat who would not interfere with the election petition courts, despite speculation to the contrary.

Asserting his confidence in the judiciary, Achonu stated, “I am very confident that the judiciary will cancel the election. The whole world knows what happened, and what we have tendered in court is very straightforward. There’s no kind of technicality that can upturn it.”

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He highlighted the pivotal role of women in upholding democratic principles and expressed faith that female tribunal judges would uphold justice.

As the election petitions tribunal prepares to deliver its verdict, Achonu and the people of Imo State await the outcome with anticipation, hopeful for a fair and just resolution to the electoral dispute.

Celestine Ogba, a lawmaker representing Onicha East in the Ebonyi House of Assembly, has left the Labour Party (LP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made during a ceremony held at the state APC secretariat in Abakaliki on Saturday, attended by party leaders.

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Expressing his satisfaction, Ogba stated that returning to the APC felt like coming back to his roots, as he had previously been a member.

He praised the APC as the largest political party in Nigeria and Africa, boasting influential members committed to delivering democratic dividends.

“I am delighted to join forces with the APC in building initiatives that will benefit the people. Ideologies that transform lives are what matter, not mere opinions. The state governor has demonstrated a people-oriented administration aligned with the people’s needs,” Ogba said.

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He emphasized that his defection was in the best interest of his constituency, aiming to avoid hindering progress and to ensure his community’s development. developmental

He highlighted the political volatility of his local government area and the need to avoid violence while advocating for rightful claims.

Ogba also mentioned that he defected along with all Labour Party stakeholders in his constituency, marking a merger of political forces from the east and west constituencies.

The Chairman of APC in Ebonyi state, Stanley Okoro-Emegha, welcomed Ogba to the party and described him as a significant acquisition.

“Catching a big fish when you go fishing is a cause for celebration, and that’s what we have achieved with Ogba’s defection.
We seek the best minds to elevate our state’s profile and improve our people’s well-being,” Okoro-Emegha said.

He noted that the party is strengthening its ranks and anticipates showcasing its efforts in future state elections. “We aim to have our candidates win unopposed in elections, and this starts now,” he added.

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The defection of Ogba is part of a broader trend of opposition members joining the APC in Ebonyi State, steadily depleting the ranks of the opposition.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of meddling and taking sides in the party’s internal leadership conflict.

The NNPP claims that INEC staff attended a convention organized by a splinter group despite being served with court notices challenging the legality of the gathering.

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In a statement released on Sunday and signed by the National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, the NNPP demanded that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, investigate the involvement of its staff in the convention and take appropriate disciplinary action.

The party emphasized the need for INEC to remain impartial in accordance with the law, stressing that political parties have the autonomy to manage their internal affairs.

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The NNPP highlighted that both the Federal High Courts in Awka, Anambra State, and Abuja had ruled that the party’s leadership crisis should be resolved internally by its members.

They expressed disappointment that expelled members, including Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, have misrepresented court rulings to the public.

The statement outlined the NNPP’s constitutional mandate for resolving internal disputes, urging INEC to support alternative dispute resolution methods rather than attending events organized by splinter groups.

While acknowledging that the INEC chairman may not always be fully briefed on internal matters, the NNPP urged him to enhance his supervisory role to ensure the commission’s proper management.

The party appealed to Yakubu to address letters from the NNPP’s Board of Trustees, requesting preservation of the party’s integrity while legal proceedings are ongoing.

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has terminated the appointments of all transition committee chairmen across the state’s 21 local government areas.

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This decision was communicated in a letter titled “Expiration of Tenure and Handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),” dated May 17, 2024.

The letter was signed by Collins Nwabunwanne, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs.

The directive is set to take effect on Monday, May 20, 2024.

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The letter reads; “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to hand over the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) in your respective Local Government Councils. This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state. All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has addressed reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso are considering forming an alternative political platform for the 2027 elections.

Recent indications suggest that Atiku, who ran as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, may step aside in favor of Obi for the next presidential election.

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Atiku confirmed ongoing merger discussions with the Labour Party and other opposition groups in an interview with BBC Hausa Service.

He stated, “I have said repeatedly, even before the 2023 general elections, that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party. If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him.”

In response, APC’s Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, expressed that the ruling party remains unperturbed by these developments.

Duru emphasized the importance of a robust opposition for the health of democracy.

“It will be helpful if we have an effective and efficient opposition in the country to help provide an alternative view. APC and Nigeria would be better for it,” he said.

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Duru added, “We continue to hope that opposition parties will rise to the occasion to provide a formidable and constructive engagement with our political party. It is their responsibility to provide such opposition, and it is for us in the APC to continue to take the lead. We wish the opposition well. We will continue to work harder to address the needs of the Nigerian people.”

He also noted past statements from the Labour Party denying any intention to form such alliances, dismissing them as “unholy engagements.”