Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday dismissed a suit brought by the Labour Party (LP) seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in the Rivers House of Assembly.

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The LP had initiated legal action to fill the seats left vacant by lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice James Omotosho ruled to strike out the suit after counsel for the LP, F. I. Adariku, requested its withdrawal.

INEC, represented by lawyer Victor Giwa, opposed the suit, labeling it as frivolous and incompetent, urging the court to dismiss it on these grounds.

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Giwa argued that the LP lacked the standing and territorial jurisdiction to bring the case forward, citing a similar ongoing case in a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

After INEC filed its objection, the LP opted to withdraw the suit.

Adariku, acting on behalf of the LP’s national legal adviser, Kehinde Edun, applied for withdrawal and requested the court to strike out the suit.

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A. S. Adisa, representing Giwa, did not oppose the withdrawal application.

Subsequently, Justice Omotosho, in a ruling delivered on May 3 but sighted on Monday, ordered the LP to pay a cost of N50,000.

The judge declared the matter struck out and awarded the cost of N50,000 against LP in favor of INEC.

The suit involved multiple defendants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and others.

In a significant development, Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has declared his intention to conduct a thorough investigation into the operations of the state government over the past eight years.

Governor Fubara made this announcement during the swearing-in ceremony of Dagogo Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State.

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Earlier in the day, Iboroma had been screened and confirmed as the Commissioner designate.

Governor Fubara, in his address, directed Iboroma to promptly establish a panel of inquiry to scrutinize the activities of the state government during the preceding eight years.

In a session led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, the Rivers State House of Assembly has successfully screened and confirmed Dagogo Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the commissioner-designate.

The screening occurred at the Press Unit of the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

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This confirmation follows the resignation of former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Zaccheaus Adangor, more than two weeks ago.

Oko-Jumbo extended an invitation to Iboroma for screening and confirmation as a member of the state executive.

Iboroma, SAN, is expected to assume the position vacated by Adangor, SAN, who resigned after being redeployed.

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Adangor rejected his redeployment to the State Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office) by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The nominee’s invitation was conveyed through a letter signed by the factional Clerk, Dr. G.M. Gillis-West, requesting Iboroma’s appearance before the House at 10 am on Monday.

The factional Clerk directed Iboroma, SAN, to appear at the Hallowed Chamber, Rivers State House of Assembly, Auditorium, Admin Block, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who contested as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, met with Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) on Monday. Advertorial

Atiku shared images of their closed-door discussion, captioning it, “It was my privilege to host @PeterObi today.”

In an interview, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, revealed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, played a role in Peter Obi’s departure from the party.

Ibe also mentioned Atiku’s readiness to allocate the PDP presidential ticket to the Southeast.

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During a segment of Seun Okinbaloye’s Mic On podcast, Ibe stated, “Atiku did not push Peter Obi out of the party; Wike was influential in Obi’s exit due to his advocacy for zoning the presidency to the south.”

Ibe further explained Atiku’s stance, noting, “Atiku Abubakar expressed his willingness to step aside if the party decides to zone the ticket to the Southeast.

“However, Wike hindered this effort, believing that a southern zone other than the southeast would favor his chances of securing the ticket.”

In a bold display of dissent, prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State staged a protest at the House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt, condemning rumored plans by the state government to demolish the complex.

Led by notable figures including Desmond Akawor, Kingsley Chindah, Olaka Nwogu, and Chief Tony Okocha, the demonstrators voiced their opposition to any attempts to dismantle the infrastructure.  Footage from the protest

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Martins Amaehwule, Speaker of the Assembly faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), received the protesters and underscored the importance of preserving the structures, highlighting their significance to the state’s democratic institutions.

Amaewhule vehemently refuted claims of structural deficiencies, asserting that the buildings were in excellent condition and fully operational. He emphasized that any move to interfere with the complex would constitute an affront to democracy and the authority of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

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Accompanied by Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, the protesters inspected the premises and affirmed the integrity of the structures, dismissing allegations of imminent demolition.

Chinda commended the quality of the assembly complex, comparing it favorably to national legislative quarters and urging restraint from any actions that could undermine its integrity.

Another footage from the protest

Former House of Representatives member, Igo Aguma, condemned past instances of destruction and urged the governor to uphold democratic principles by safeguarding the assembly complex.

Echoing similar sentiments, former Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Ikuinyi Ibani, cautioned against actions that could incite violence and called for respect for the rule of law.

Senator Olaka Nwogu emphasized the importance of upholding democratic institutions, warning against any attempts to subvert their integrity.

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Rivers Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC, Chief Tony Okocha, lauded the unity displayed by leaders and elders across party lines in defense of democracy, reaffirming support for the 27 lawmakers aligned with the APC.

By Osita Chidoka, 

We met in 1999; you came to pick me up in your Peugeot 505 Salon car. At that time, you were a Local Government Chairman, and I was Personal Assistant to Chief Okete, Minister of State Works and Housing.

Our friendship was on and off as you climbed the ladder of leadership. I saw you as Chief of Staff to the Governor, Secretary to the State Government, and Senator.

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In 2008, our friendship was renewed, made possible by Olisa Metuh, your classmate. The friendship, this time, blossomed.

You were there when my mother came back from her first cancer surgery.

You were there when I turned 40. You were there in Obosi when my father turned 90.

You were there by 7 am for the surprise praise and worship session when my wife turned 40.

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You came to Obosi to see the Thomas Chidoka ICT Centre before its launch in 2016.

Your wife Nwanneka was always by your side and heartily entertained us with that Abacha that I insist she must get a patent for. I particularly respect Anukata Etinye’s ego (as Olisa and I fondly call her) for focusing on her job as a civil servant while you held sway in the Senate—a remarkable woman.

I was there at your birthday events. The picture of you, your wife, and myself was your 2019 birthday.

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I witnessed your intellectual curiosity never wane, even as you dedicated yourself to public service. Your pursuit of knowledge and your passion for debate, all while maintaining your duties, are traits to be emulated. I escorted you to receive your PhD certificate from the University of Abuja.

You are a loyal friend, a good husband, and a great father. I am proud of you, grateful to know you, and happy that you prioritised fatherhood.

You live your love of family and pay the price for love.

Today, you mark 62 years. We would have been at your house eating and laughing. We will eat today, but we will not laugh. We will drink, but we will not be raucous because…

To all friends and admirers: Ike and Nwanneka are in good spirits. They know thar this, too, shall come to pass. Their back may be bent, but their spirits are not broken.

Your legacies are etched in our hearts – those you’ve touched. Though the burdens may weigh heavy, your spirit remains unyielding.

In the face of adversity, you stand tall, a living testament of hope and inspiration to all who know you. Your commitment to family, community, and service is a soulful reminder of and tribute to the power of love and sacrifice.

Your resilience and calm confidence whenever I see you are an enduring testament to your character and doggedness.

Next year in Enugu, with God keeping us, we shall sing the Lord’s song not in a strange land but on the soil ordained by God.

We will celebrate again a friend, a leader, a father, and a man whose community and friends acknowledge with one voice as a global leader.

Happy birthday, Ikeoha, okala madu, and husband of Nwanneka.

Ostia Chidoka is a former Minister of Aviation.