Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has approached a Makurdi High Court seeking additional time to respond to a N1 billion defamation lawsuit filed by a federal lawmaker, Hon. Terseer Ugbor.

Ugbor, who represents the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, initiated the legal action against Governor Alia.

The suit, filed under reference number MHC/422/2024, also names the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, and one Isaac Uzaan described as a media aide to the governor as co-defendants.

When the matter came up for mention, Director of Civil Litigation at the Benue State Ministry of Justice, J. A. Omenka, appeared in court on behalf of Governor Alia.

Omenka appealed to the court to grant more time to allow him to respond appropriately to the court processes submitted by counsel to Ugbor, Barrister Emmanuel Agbakor.

Agbakor, while reacting, did not oppose the request. He acknowledged the application and expressed no objection to the extension being sought by the defence counsel.

Following this development, the presiding judge, Justice I.N. Igoh, adjourned the matter to September 25, 2025, for the hearing of a motion for joinder.

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party has reaffirmed the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure as the authentic National Chairman, disowning a parallel meeting held in Abuja last week which sought to rename an “illegal” caretaker committee.

The resolution came at the end of the NEC meeting held on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the party’s National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja.

The gathering was attended by top party officials including members of the National Working Committee (NWC), state chairmen, national officers, key stakeholders, and Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the party’s 2023 Vice Presidential candidate.

In a strongly worded communique, the NEC condemned the recent meeting held at the Transcorp Hotel on Friday, July 18, describing it as “illegal and unconstitutional.”

The NEC disassociated itself from the gathering and rejected its outcome, including the attempted rebranding of an “illegal” Caretaker Committee into an “Interim National Working Committee.”

“NEC notes that no matter how illegality is decorated, it cannot be legal,” the resolution stated.

Citing Article 14 (4)(B) of the Labour Party Constitution and Section 82 of the Electoral Act 2022, the NEC emphasized that only the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman has the authority to convene such meetings.

It stressed that no proper notice was given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as required by law.

The NEC reaffirmed that there is no leadership vacuum in the party, reminding members and the public that a valid National Convention was held on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The legitimacy of this convention was confirmed by the Supreme Court on April 4, 2025.

As a result, the party called on INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to comply fully with the Supreme Court’s ruling and to recognize the duly elected leadership of the party.

The NEC passed a vote of confidence in the Barr. Julius Abure-led National Working Committee and urged party members to continue respecting and obeying the party’s leadership and directives.

In a significant political move, the NEC also declared that the Labour Party will not be entering into any coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The coalition of 2023 was bigger than any other coalition. We will therefore rebuild, reconcile, and consolidate the gains of the 2023 general election,” the statement read.

The party maintained that it remains ideologically distinct from other political groups, which it accused of squandering the country’s resources and betraying public trust.

NEC gave the green light for the conduct of congresses at the state, local government, and ward levels, as scheduled by the NWC.

The council also commended Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed for identifying with the party’s leadership and for expressing interest in the 2027 presidential race.

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has vowed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will take control of Enugu State in the 2027 general elections.

Nnaji made the declaration on Sunday during a rally at Ogurute in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, where he welcomed more than 500 defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) into the APC fold.

While addressing the crowd, the minister criticised the current Enugu State administration over what he described as “indiscriminate demolitions” of markets and traders’ shops without notice or compensation, saying the action had brought immense suffering to residents.

“Enugu has never had it this bad, and as I stand today, I imagine how a people can survive without something like Ogige Nsukka market,” Nnaji lamented.

“Ogige Nsukka market has gone; they have bulldozed Ogige Nsukka to ashes, without any notice. Many of our people have died out of that singular act of government. If you come to Enugu too, Holy Ghost suffered the same fate, Garki and Abakpa suffered the same fate, and Ogurute market here in Igbo-Eze North LGA suffered the same fate, and I wonder how our people who are predominantly businessmen can survive without trading.”

The minister also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, an indigene of Igbo-Eze North as the Chief of Naval Staff, describing it as a recognition of the area’s contributions.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu knows that we are here; he knows we are doing all these things for the state and for him and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Nnaji said.

“He knows and he has our support 101 per cent and he is behind us, we are APC.”

He emphasized that the APC would use every legal means to unseat the PDP-led government under Governor Peter Mbah.

“We are going to fight, we are going to do everything humanly possible and within the ambit of law to make sure that come 2027 our people will start rejoicing again,” he declared.

Also speaking at the event, the APC State Chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah, welcomed the defectors and described the wave of defections as a “rainbow movement” set to transform the party’s fortunes.

“You know that in the last election, the Labour Party won in Igbo-Eze North, LP won the House of Assembly, won the House of Rep, won everything, but they were rigged out,” Agballah said.

“Do you know why they were rigged out? It’s because they were in a one-man show. One-man-show parties don’t go far, politics is like a market, one person does not constitute the market.” he added.

In a major political move ahead of the August 16 Anambra South Senatorial by-election, Chief Onyemelukwe Eusebius Zonyelu has emerged as the official candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP).

The respected financial expert and prominent native of Igboukwu was declared unopposed after the only other aspirant in the race stepped down voluntarily, citing Chief Zonyelu’s overwhelming popularity and growing grassroots support.

According to party sources, the withdrawn contender acknowledged that the momentum behind Chief Zonyelu’s candidacy made the outcome inevitable.

“The handwriting is clearly on the wall,” the source quoted him as saying, praising Zonyelu’s strong community ties and proven leadership qualities.

Chief Zonyelu’s emergence has energized the APP base and sparked optimism among constituents eager for a change in representation.

Many view his candidacy as a turning point, describing him as a leader with both the vision and the expertise to deliver tangible results.

The businessman-turned-politician has earned a reputation for integrity, financial acumen, and dedication to public service qualities his supporters believe will translate into effective representation in the Senate.

As the campaign gears up for the August 16 by-election, political watchers are keeping a close eye on Anambra South, where the race is expected to shape the region’s political direction for years to come.

Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the former running mate of Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, has officially declared his intention to contest for the presidency in the 2027 general elections.

Datti made the declaration during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Labour Party held on Monday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The meeting, which was attended by top party leaders, stakeholders, and members of the National Working Committee, reaffirmed the party’s internal unity and set the stage for the 2027 electoral roadmap.

Speaking at the event, Datti Baba-Ahmed expressed deep gratitude for the support he received in the 2023 election and said his decision to contest in 2027 was based on a firm commitment to national development, good governance, and the ideals of the Labour Party.

“I am stepping forward to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria, to build on the momentum we started in 2023. The mission remains the same to rescue Nigeria from corruption, injustice, and economic mismanagement,” Datti stated.

The party’s NEC, in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, welcomed Datti’s ambition and praised his unwavering loyalty to the Labour Party and its vision.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy and promised a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the party’s primaries.

The Labour Party also used the occasion to reiterate its rejection of alliances with “politically spent forces,” declaring it will go into the 2027 election independently, with a clear ideological vision and reform agenda.

Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the former vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, is present at the ongoing National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Labour Party.

He affirmed Julius Abure as the legitimate National Chairman of the party.

Detail shortly…

..Submits Memo To Senate, Reps Committee

A prominent socio-cultural organisation, Nkanu Renaissance Coalition (NRC), has formally called on the National Assembly to initiate the process for the creation of Nkanu State out of the present-day Enugu State.

During a press conference held in Enugu on Monday, the group unveiled the official logo, proposed map, capital city and list of local government areas that would make up the new state, which they say will bring long-overdue justice and balance to the Southeast geopolitical zone.

Speaking at the event, the President of the organization, Dr. Ene Nwannaji said the creation of Nkanu State was not only a constitutional matter but also a moral imperative to address years of political marginalisation.

“We call on the National Assembly and relevant constitutional bodies to give serious consideration to our proposal. The Southeast remains the only region with five states, while others have six or seven. The creation of Nkanu State will bring equity to the federation,” he said.

According to the group, the proposed capital of Nkanu State will be Akpugo, a fast-developing town known for its academic and judicial institutions.

A copy of the memorandum made available to DAILY GAZETTE indicates that the state will consist of 32 local government areas, including Isiuzo, Ndiuno Uwani, Nkanu East, Ndiagu, Enugu South, Agbani, Enugu East and others with strong historical and cultural ties to the Nkanu ethnic bloc.

NRC also presented a comprehensive map of the proposed state, highlighting its territorial boundaries, economic resources and strategic location within the Southeast.

The group emphasized that their agitation aligns with ongoing calls for constitutional amendments and federal restructuring, noting that the process would correct historic imbalances and foster national unity.

“This is a constitutional demand rooted in fairness, justice, and federal character,” Dr. Nwannaji added.

The event drew participation from traditional rulers, youth leaders, political stakeholders and members of the Nkanu diaspora community, many of whom pledged support for the cause.

Nkanu Renaissance Coalition said it would forward its official memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, House of Representatives Committee on State Creation, and other relevant authorities in the coming days.