A High Court in Makurdi has annulled the seven-member caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, reinstating the leadership of Austine Agada as the legitimate chairman of the party.

The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Justice T.A. Kume, in response to a lawsuit filed by Agada, who challenged the dissolution of the APC State Working Committee (SWC) by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

The court declared the dissolution unconstitutional, citing breaches of the APC constitution and the denial of due process for the affected members.

Justice Kume emphasized the importance of fairness and justice, drawing on biblical references to underline the principle of allowing all parties to be heard.

As a result, the actions taken by the caretaker committee appointed to replace Agada’s SWC were ruled invalid, and Agada’s leadership was reinstated.

Benue APC has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since the 2023 elections, largely driven by a divide between supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia and those backing Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

This tension led to the establishment of rival APC factions, one led by Agada and the other by Benjamin Omakolo, a faction aligned with Governor Alia.

In January 2024, the Alia-backed faction set up a parallel secretariat in Makurdi, while Agada’s faction continued to operate from the original APC secretariat.

To address the crisis, the APC NWC formed a caretaker committee to bridge the divide, but Agada’s faction contested the legitimacy of the committee, leading to the court case.

Tensions between the factions deepened in August 2024 when both sides clashed over the conduct of local government primary elections.

The Agada-led SWC claimed to have held its primaries for the elections, while the Omale-led caretaker committee contested the process, stating that they had conducted their own primaries and were satisfied with the screening exercises.

Following the October local government elections, the caretaker committee’s candidates won all the council seats, but the crisis remained unresolved.

The caretaker committee has since filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Makurdi against the ruling, with a motion for a stay of execution pending.

Despite the legal battle, Omale has called on APC members in Benue to remain calm and assured them that the situation would be resolved peacefully.

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has voiced his concerns over the swift passage of the Tax Reform Bill in the Senate, questioning the haste with which the legislation is being processed.

Ndume expressed his objections during a debate on the Senate floor, particularly over the issues of derivation and the Value Added Tax (VAT), emphasizing that these provisions are not likely to garner widespread support among his colleagues.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume pointed out the unusual speed of the tax reform process, contrasting it with the decade-long delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which he described as a critical piece of legislation.

He expressed suspicions about the rapid advancement of the tax reform bill, particularly regarding the involvement of the Executive branch in pushing the legislation through.

The senator called for a broader national consultation before the bill is debated further, urging the federal government to resolve outstanding concerns before advancing the legislation.

He also raised alarms over the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) proposal to centralize tax collection, warning that this could negatively impact the entire tax system.

Although Ndume expressed his general support for the president’s success and clarified that he is not opposed to the bill itself, he called for it to be withdrawn for further consultations to ensure broader agreement, particularly among state governors, many of whom, especially in the North, may not support the bill.

He cautioned that without proper consensus, the bill could lead to significant challenges.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, paid a private visit on Tuesday to the home of Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, a prominent Kano State-born chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The closed-door meeting, which lasted over an hour, saw both leaders refrain from making any public comments, labeling the discussion a personal matter.

Despite the lack of official statements, sources close to the two men suggest that the visit is part of Obi’s efforts to engage with influential political figures nationwide in preparation for the 2027 presidential elections.

Zaura, who was the APC’s Kano Central Senatorial candidate in the 2023 elections and serves as the president of the AA Zaura Foundation International, is a significant figure in Kano’s political scene and a respected member of the APC.

His influence in the region, along with Obi’s pursuit of broader political alliances, has fueled speculation about the possible significance of this meeting.

While the details of their conversation remain private, it has sparked curiosity about potential future collaborations.

Prior to the meeting, Obi praised Zaura’s leadership and philanthropic work, particularly through his foundation, which has contributed to alleviating poverty in northern Nigeria.

He also commended Zaura for his focus on empowering people with a production mindset, an initiative he believes will have a long-lasting positive impact on Nigeria.

In turn, Zaura expressed his admiration for Obi’s consistent stance on national issues, highlighting his dedication to creating a more self-reliant and prosperous Nigeria.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Nigerian Army and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) must pay a total of N416 million in damages to Major Akeem Oseni for wrongful conviction, denial of access to funds, and other constitutional violations.

Justice Gladys Olotu delivered the judgment on October 28, 2024, following an application filed by Oseni to enforce his fundamental rights.

The case, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1104/2021, was initiated by Oseni on September 22, 2021.

Oseni sought several declarations, including that the freezing of his bank account by FCMB, on the directive of the Nigerian Army, was unlawful as it was done without a valid court order or due process. He also argued that his prolonged detention, dehumanization, and the continued denial of access to his funds violated his constitutional rights.

The applicant contended that the actions of the Nigerian Army and FCMB infringed on sections 35, 36, 37, 41, 43, and 44 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The case stemmed from the Army’s directive to FCMB to freeze Oseni’s account in February 2020, without a court order. Oseni sought 13 reliefs, including a declaration that the bank’s actions, in obeying the Army’s orders, were illegal and violated his fundamental rights.

In her ruling, Justice Olotu found that both the Nigerian Army and FCMB acted beyond their authority in freezing Oseni’s account.

The judge noted that Oseni’s finances were unrelated to the criminal charges of manslaughter against him, and despite this, the Army’s actions led to the unlawful freezing of his account.

Justice Olotu also condemned the dehumanizing treatment Oseni endured and highlighted that the respondents acted as though they were above the law.

She awarded Oseni N100 million in general damages and N300 million in exemplary damages, totalling N416 million.

The judge emphasized that the ruling was aimed at correcting the abusive and excessive actions of the respondents, reaffirming that no one is above the law.

Yerima Shettima, the President General of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, has stated that the northern region has not yet reached a consensus on whether to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.

Shettima’s comments follow remarks by Mamman Osuman, the suspended National Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, who recently stated that the north might support a candidate from the region to challenge Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to address the nation’s economic challenges.

Speaking in an interview, Shettima emphasized that discussions about Tinubu’s second term were ongoing in the north, with the region still evaluating his performance in office.

He pointed out that the decision would ultimately depend on Tinubu’s governance record, particularly his policies and their impact on the north and the country as a whole.

Shettima also acknowledged that while some individuals in the north have expressed dissatisfaction with certain policies of the current administration, it was premature to form a collective decision on supporting or opposing Tinubu in the upcoming election.

“There has been no decision by the north to oppose Tinubu. However, those dissatisfied with his administration have the right to express their concerns. The north has not yet united on a stance regarding his re-election, and there’s no urgency for that decision.” he said

He further explained that those critical of the president’s policies are calling for adjustments, particularly in areas that directly affect the well-being of Nigerians.

Shettima added that while the north’s position on the 2027 election was still fluid, no move had been made to actively campaign against the president.

When asked about the possibility of supporting a northern candidate in 2027, Shettima said, “If Tinubu does well, I would support a northern candidate to succeed him. But if his performance does not meet expectations, then we will all collectively make a move in the next election.”

Shettima concluded, there was no reason for the north to form an opposition front against Tinubu, stressing that the situation remained open for further evaluation.

Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing his desire to focus on political reform efforts through his non-partisan organization, the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership.

Chidoka, who also served as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), made the announcement on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He explained that his decision to leave politics temporarily was driven by his commitment to working on governance reform and advocating for evidence-based leadership.

“I officially resigned from the PDP today, submitting my letter to my ward in Anambra State. I am stepping away from politics for now to devote my full attention to the Athena Centre. The Centre’s mission is to work alongside Nigerians who are dedicated to reforming the political system and supporting a more transparent and accountable government.”

In his resignation letter, Chidoka expressed gratitude to the PDP for the opportunities it provided, including his appointments as FRSC Corps Marshal and a senior minister.

He acknowledged the party’s role in his public service career but emphasized that his current focus requires him to take a neutral position free from partisan involvement.

The Athena Centre, which Chidoka founded, has been actively involved in reviewing and analyzing the state of Nigeria’s political landscape.

The Centre recently conducted an evaluation of the 2023 Edo State governorship election, which saw APC candidate Monday Okpebholo declared the winner over PDP’s Asue Ighodalo.

Chidoka’s analysis, presented by the Athena Centre, strongly criticized the election process.

He claimed there was substantial evidence of electoral malpractice, including systemic rigging, overvoting, and discrepancies in voter accreditation.

The Centre pointed to instances of manipulation at ward collation centers and alleged failures in the transmission of BVAS accreditation records to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

He further alleged that 153 polling units did not report any results, raising questions about the integrity of the election.

Chidoka argued that the Edo election could not be considered credible due to these irregularities, warning that unless such issues were addressed, future elections, including the 2027 polls, would face a crisis of legitimacy.

Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has upheld the suspension of Chief Ali Odefa as the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the South East zone.

Odefa, who was suspended on October 4, 2024, by the PDP Executive Committee at his Oguduokwor Ward in Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, faced allegations of engaging in anti-party activities.

In a ruling on Suit No. FHC/AI/CS/182/2024, Justice Hillary Oshomah affirmed the suspension, stating that it was in accordance with the PDP constitution.

The court further ordered Odefa to refrain from presenting himself as the South East National Vice Chairman of the party.

This decision is a significant step in ensuring internal discipline within the PDP, particularly in the South East, reinforcing the party’s commitment to upholding its rules and regulations.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling, which affirmed Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa as the authentic National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Gregory Ibe, the Abia State governorship candidate for the party in the 2023 elections, has extended his warm congratulations to Ezeokenwa.

In a statement, Prof. Ibe commended the judiciary for upholding the truth and validating the National Convention that saw Ezeokenwa emerge as the legitimate leader of the party.

He described the Supreme Court’s decision as a significant endorsement of the democratic process and the leadership structure within APGA.

According to Prof. Ibe, the ruling is a testament to the authenticity of the convention that elected Ezeokenwa to head the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

“I congratulate Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa on his well-deserved affirmation by the Supreme Court”

“This victory is not just for him but for the entire APGA family, and I commend the judiciary for standing firm in its role as the last hope of the common man.”

The Abia State political leader further called on Chief Edozie Njoku, whose claim to the APGA chairmanship had been contested, to accept the Supreme Court’s ruling in good faith and refrain from any actions that might cause further division within the party.

He urged Njoku to seize the moment to contribute to the party’s unity and progress, rather than pursue factionalism.

Prof. Ibe emphasized that the current period presents a crucial opportunity for APGA to rebuild and reposition itself as a strong political force in future elections.

He also urged Barr. Ezeokenwa to show magnanimity in victory by reaching out to Chief Njoku and initiating a national peace and reconciliation committee aimed at healing the party’s wounds and fostering unity.

“I call on all APGA members to rally behind Barr. Ezeokenwa and the newly constituted NWC, as we work towards building a people-centric political platform”

“Our party must now turn this page to focus on its vision of providing better political leadership for the nation, as was envisaged by our founding fathers.” he said.

Prof. Ibe also appealed to party members nationwide to remain steadfast in their support of the party’s legitimate leadership, urging them to work collectively towards strengthening APGA for the challenges ahead.

“Once again, congratulations to Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa on this well-deserved validation. May this victory herald the dawn of a new era of growth and success for APGA,” he concluded.