A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, issued a restraining order on Tuesday, preventing the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, from appointing sole administrators to manage the 23 local council areas in the state.

The court order was made in a case filed under Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Nsirimovu, against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity.

The ex parte motion, filed on March 28, 2025, sought several reliefs, with the primary request being an interim injunction to restrain the respondent or his agents from appointing a sole administrator or any other title for the 23 local government areas.

The motion also included a request for any additional orders deemed appropriate in the circumstances.

Justice Adamu Turaki, the presiding judge, found sufficient grounds to grant the reliefs and set April 14, 2025, for further hearing.

The tenures of the elected local council chairmen, who served under former Governor Nyesom Wike, expired in June 2023, though they obtained term extensions through the support of 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.

After the expiration of their terms, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara dissolved the councils and appointed caretaker chairmen.

Both political factions started vying for control over the local governments, knowing their significant role in the political power structure of the state and beyond.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had scheduled local elections for October 5, 2024, but the Wike-backed faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took RSIEC to court.

Despite the lawsuit, the election proceeded as planned.

When the case concluded at the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025, in favor of the Wike-backed APC led by Tony Okocha, the governor removed the previously elected chairmen, who had been nullified, and instructed heads of local council administration to oversee affairs until a fresh election was held.

This move was opposed by Okocha and the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of defected lawmakers, who launched an effort to remove the RSIEC chairman.

It was at this juncture that a State of Emergency was declared and a sole administrator was appointed.

Fearing that the Sole Administrator might appoint caretakers to oversee the LGAs in a manner inconsistent with the constitution, the lawsuit became the most viable legal recourse.

Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has filed a N2 billion libel suit against Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Rivers State Head of Service, and Channels Incorporated Limited, the parent company of Channels Television.

The lawsuit, which was filed at the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, stems from allegations aired on Channels Television on March 29.

In the broadcast, Nwaeke accused Ehie of orchestrating the fire that destroyed the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, among other claims.

According to a report by SaharaReporters in March, Nwaeke also accused Governor Fubara of sponsoring explosions at several oil facilities in the state.

He further alleged that Fubara masterminded the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in an attempt to avoid his impeachment.

Nwaeke claimed that during the political unrest, Fubara instructed his then Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to set fire to the Assembly complex to prevent the impeachment.

He also alleged that he personally witnessed money being handed over for the operation at the Government House.

Ehie, who had vehemently denied Nwaeke’s allegations, filed the suit through his legal team, demanding N2 billion in general damages.

He argued that the televised accusations were unfounded and severely damaged his reputation, character, and public image.

Describing the broadcast as “false and most disparaging,” Ehie asserted that the statements exposed him to public scandal, ridicule, and contempt, as reported by The Nation.

In addition to seeking monetary compensation, Ehie is requesting a perpetual injunction to prevent the defendants from further broadcasting or distributing the libelous statements.

He is also demanding a public retraction and formal apology from both defendants, which should be aired on Channels TV, another national television network, and published in two widely circulated Nigerian newspapers.

Presiding over the case, Justice Jumbo Stephens granted permission for substituted service on the first defendant, Dr. Nwaeke, by pasting court documents at his residence on No. 10 Olumeni Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.

The court also ordered that the suit be served via publication in a national daily newspaper with a broad readership in Abuja and across Nigeria.

The case was adjourned to April 10 for proof of service.

Senator Nwebonyi and Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, 

The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID) has issued a stern warning to Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, over his controversial remarks and actions in the ongoing scandal involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In a strongly worded statement released in Abuja on Tuesday, the group’s President (Worldwide), Paschal Oluchukwu, condemned Nwebonyi’s behavior, calling it “un-parliamentary, unwholesome, and unbecoming of a legislator by every known standard.”

Oluchukwu criticized the Senator for his repeated media appearances and verbal attacks on individuals calling for a full investigation into the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President.

He argued that Nwebonyi’s defense of Akpabio reflected a fundamental misunderstanding of his duties as a lawmaker.

“We have watched, read, and listened with deep concern to the heedless outbursts of one of our sons, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi,” the statement read.

“It is both shocking and embarrassing that an ordinarily distinguished senator would resort to verbally attacking respected Nigerians, including Dr. Oby Ezekwesili and the character of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a desperate bid to shield the Senate President from public scrutiny.”

The group initially considered remaining silent but was prompted to speak out due to Nwebonyi’s ongoing “media umbrages,” which, they said, reflect poorly on Ebonyians as a whole.

“For whatever it is worth, Senator Nwebonyi’s outbursts in defense of the accused—almost crying more than the bereaved—leave much to be desired. He has carried himself in a manner that brings shame to his office and ridicule to Ebonyians as a whole,” the statement continued.

AEISCID further questioned Nwebonyi’s abandonment of his legislative duties, accusing him of reducing himself to a “bag-carrying thug” for a colleague who is “merely ‘first among equals.’”

“What has been promised or offered to Nwebonyi that has made him reduce himself—and by extension the image of Ebonyi—to such an undignified level? His name-calling, limitless defenses, and unprovoked attacks on those lawfully demanding accountability and condemning the suspension of Senator Natasha are disgraceful,” Oluchukwu added.

The group also raised concerns over rumors suggesting a political deal related to the 2027 governorship race in Ebonyi State.

It is believed that Nwebonyi may have been “tipped” by the ruling party to replace the incumbent governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru—a possibility the group firmly rejected.

“Ebonyi cannot continue to be governed by the worst among us, even under the guise of zoning or equity. With his conduct in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Nwebonyi has already disqualified himself from any such consideration,” AEISCID stated.

The group concluded by urging constituents in Ebonyi North to begin a recall process if the senator continues down what they described as a “disgraceful expedition.”

“Enough should be enough,” the statement declared.

Enugu State is witnessing a political earthquake as the Labour Party (LP) continues to lose key figures, further depleting its once stronghold in the state, barely a few days after the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, dumped the party and returned to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The latest blow to the party came on Tuesday, when Hon. Gabriel Lebechi Eze, member representing Isi-Uzo State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, announced his resignation from the Labour Party and his defection to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Eze, a long-time ally of Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, followed his leader’s footsteps.

This move unleashed a wave of defections, signaling the unraveling of Labour Party’s influence across the state.

Eze’s defection comes after the party had already lost several members, shrinking their presence in the State House of Assembly from 5 to just 4 members.

The political fallout has been swift.

In the 2023 general elections, the Labour Party had won 14 seats in the Enugu State House of Assembly, but the party’s numbers have steadily dwindled.

DAILY GAZETTE recalls that two seats were lost through the courts, and six more legislators earlier defected to the ruling PDP.

Eze’s exit further compounds the party’s struggles, leaving many wondering if the Labour Party will be left with any representation in the Assembly at all.

In his statement, Eze criticized the internal divisions within the Labour Party, specifically the ongoing leadership struggles between Julius Abure and Nenadi Usman at the national level, and the factions in Enugu State led by figures such as Barr. Casmir Agbo.

Eze called the situation “irreconcilable,” explaining that the party was unable to present a united front, which prompted his decision to leave.

Furthermore, Eze expressed his admiration for Enugu’s Governor, Peter Mbah, praising his transformative efforts and promising his support to the PDP.

According to Eze, his defection would help further the cause of his constituency, suggesting that his alignment with the ruling party would bring more opportunities for development.

Political analysts view the defections as a major setback for the Labour Party in Enugu State, with the possibility of a complete collapse of its legislative presence looming large.

As the dust settles, the question is whether the party can recover from the mass exodus of its members.

For now, the Enugu political arena remains in flux, with the ruling PDP seemingly gaining ground at the expense of the Labour Party.

The coming days could be crucial in determining whether the Labour Party can salvage its position or if it will be relegated to the political sidelines in Enugu State.

RESOLUTION ADOPTED AT THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) OF LABOUR PARTY HELD ON MONDAY 7TH APRIL 2025 AT THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT UTAKO, ABUJA AT 11:00 AM.

The NEC meeting was attended by members of the National Working Meeting, National officers of the party, state Chairmen and Secretaries, Stakeholders of the party, and other co-opted members of the National Executive Council provided by Article 13 (A) of the Party Constitution.

At the end of the meeting, the following resolutions were approved and adopted;
1. Labour Party expresses satisfaction with the Supreme Court decision which has returned the power, glory and supremacy of political parties to the parties.

2. The court asserted the supremacy of the party over its internal affairs and that leadership of a political party is not for any court to decide as it is a no go area for the court and so the court DID NOT sack the NWC leadership.

3. Accordingly, NEC in session reaffirmed the Nnewi National Convention held on the 27th of March 2024 that produced the current National Working Committee (NWC) members under the chairmanship of Barrister Julius Abure.

The NEC in session believes very strongly that the present National Working Committee will lead the party in subsequent elections to victory and therefore reimpose their confidence in the NWC.

4. NEC in session condem in strong terms the activities of the Caretaker Committee illegally established by Alex Otti and Peter Obi in a so-called Stakeholders meeting held on the 4th of September 2024 in Umuahia.

5. The Supreme court admonished party leaders and members of the party to always abide by the constitution of the party.

NEC noted that Article 14 (4) (B) gives power to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman. Accordingly, NEC warned all members to abide by the constitution of the party.

6. NEC in session notes the various anti-party activities of Gov. Alex Otti, including calling of unauthorized Stakeholders meeting and usurping the powers of NEC.

He also conducted LGA Election using another Political Party. The Governor has also intensified his effort to factionalize the party leadership by caliing an illegal NEC schedule to hold on Wednesday.

The leadership of the Labour Party is also aware of Governor’s plot to cripple our party before moving to another political party where he hope to contest the 2027 Governorshp Election.

His anti-party activities is unbecoming of highly respected personality and can no longer be acceptable, NEC stated that it will not hesitate to discipline him in line with Article 19 of the Party’s Constitution.

7. NEC in session noted that would not hesitate to discipline any other erring member who violates the party constitution regardless of how big or powerful such individuals may be.

8. NEC in session in exercise of its duties, hereby caution the former presidential candidate of our great party not to participate in any action capable of undermining the peace unity, and integrity of the party as the NEC will not hesitate to issue stiffer penalty if found culpable.

9. NEC in session reviewed the activities of the House of Representatives Caucus leader, Honourable Victor Adam Ogene and wishes to note as follow: That the voice of the current leadership of the party is not being heard in the hallowed lower chambers; that there is a lack of cohesion amongst our members in the House; that the leadership appears to be compromised; and that the ideology and programs of the party are not well represented.

NEC in session, as result of the aforementioned decided to relieve Honourable Ogene of that leadership role for dereliction of duty.

Consequently, Hon. Barrister Ben Etanabene has been appointed by the NEC in session as the Labour Party’s Caucus Leader in the House of Representatives.

NEC mandated the NWC to communicate the decision to relevant authorities.

He is to hand over all the party’s properties in his possession, particularly all the financial contributions made so far by other Labour Party lawmakers which are in his possession to the party, and render proper account to the party with immediate effect.

The party will go to any length to retrieve all its belongings, including monies that belong to it which Hon. Ogene is holding tight to.

10. NEC in session assured all Nigerians of a good leadership under the current leadership of the Labour Party.

Labour Party is willing to provide Nigerians good governance, security, economic growth and development, infrastructure development, robust electoral system, free and independent judiciary, if given the opportunity and mandate by Nigerians to provide leaders for the country.

We therefore assure all Nigerians of a political party that is different, and that has internal party democracy.

– Barrister Julius Abure

National Chairman

– Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim
National Secretary

The Labour Party (LP) is approaching a pivotal moment, with power blocs within the party preparing for a decisive political battle in Abuja this week, as former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti lead the charge to reclaim control of the party.

This showdown comes just days after the Supreme Court ruled on the LP’s ongoing leadership crisis, a decision that, instead of resolving the issue, has deepened the divisions within the party.

The apex court nullified the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Julius Abure, but the embattled chairman has refused to back down, holding his own National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.

The Abure-led NEC issued a warning to Otti, threatening sanctions if he proceeds with a planned stakeholders’ meeting on April 9, 2025.

The faction also cautioned Obi against actions that could exacerbate disunity within the party.

Despite rumours suggesting that Obi might defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, reassured that Obi remains a member of the Labour Party.

Abure, in a statement following the Supreme Court verdict, called it a “triumph for internal party sovereignty,” using the occasion to solidify his hold on the party.

He declared, “The court has said it loud and clear: leadership tussles are not for judicial arbitration. This is a resounding victory not for Abure, but for party democracy across Nigeria.”

Not resting on legal interpretations, Obi and Otti are jointly leading the charge to restore unity in the party, calling for a critical NEC and Stakeholders’ Townhall scheduled for April 9, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

The event is being viewed as a potential turning point for the divided party.

The duo issued a joint invitation for the meeting, which will include the 2023 vice presidential candidate, current and former lawmakers, National Assembly candidates from the last elections, members of the National Caretaker Committee, former gubernatorial aspirants, NLC/TUC Political Commission representatives, and former NWC members.

Political analysts see this wide-reaching engagement as an attempt to restore discipline, rebuild consensus, and create a unified strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.

One LP strategist said, “This is not just a power move, it is a rescue mission. What Abure is doing is political brinkmanship. What Obi and Otti are offering is party revival.”

At the parallel NEC meeting held on the same day at the party’s Utako secretariat, Abure’s supporters passed several controversial resolutions, including the reinstatement of Abure’s mandate and the affirmation of the March 27, 2024, Nnewi Convention, which was rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

They declared the convention binding, while accusing Obi and Otti of engineering an “illegal caretaker committee.”

The Abure-led NEC also condemned Obi and Otti for “divisive actions” and accused Otti of anti-party activities, warning him of the possibility of defection.

The faction removed Victor Ogene as House Caucus Leader and replaced him with Ben Etanabene, reaffirming their commitment to upholding party discipline “regardless of influence.”

Despite expectations, the Supreme Court ruling, which terminated Abure’s NWC on procedural grounds, has sparked a political battle between the Obi-Otti reformists and the Abure-led establishment.

Some legal experts argue that, while the court acknowledged the autonomy of political parties, it left enough ambiguity to fuel both camps’ claims to legitimacy.

A communiqué issued by the Abure faction’s national secretary, Umar Farouk, at the conclusion of the NEC meeting emphasized that the Supreme Court judgment did not explicitly remove Julius Abure as the National Chairman.

The outcome of the LP meeting in Abuja on April 9 could determine the party’s future—whether it will emerge stronger and more united or sink further into internal conflict, just two years before the next general elections.

Tanko also stated that LP leaders would meet later in the week to address key issues, including the Supreme Court judgment that ousted Abure.

He reaffirmed that Obi’s membership status in LP “remains unchanged,” countering claims by former SDP presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo, who suggested that Obi and Atiku Abubakar were in talks with the SDP for potential defections.