Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu has upheld the judgment of the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which nullified the victory of Hon. Simon Atigwe, member representing Udenu/Igboeze North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

DAILY GAZETTE recall that after the 2023 general election, Labour Party candidate, Hon. Dennis Agbo, was declared winner and returned elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, APC candidate, Dr. Oby Ajih, approached the tribunal seeking the nullification of Agbo’s victory on the grounds that her party’s logo did not appear on Form EC8A.

The tribunal dismissed her petition for being vague, generic, nebulous, and lacking in merit.

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At the Appeal Court, her petition was sustained, and the victory of Hon. Dennis Agbo of the Labour Party nullified. The court ordered a fresh election within 90 days.

On February 3rd, the court-ordered fresh election was held, and Hon. Simon Atigwe of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner by INEC.

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Not satisfied with the outcome, Hon. Dennis Agbo and the Labour Party went to the tribunal with allegations of rigging, falsification of figures, wrong computation, multiple thumb printing, substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act, among others.

The three-man trial tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, nullified the victory of the PDP candidate, Simon Atigwe, and declared Dennis Agbo of the Labour Party the winner of the polls.

However, Simon Atigwe of the People’s Democratic Party appealed the judgment.

DAILY GAZETTE correspondence, who was in court today, reports that the Appeal Court agreed with the judgment of the trial court.

It declared the 2,000 votes added to the PDP candidate invalid, null, and void, and restored the original votes of February 25, 2023.

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“That Atigwe Simon Chukwuemeka was not duly elected by the valid votes cast.”

“That the first petitioner won with 23,221 votes, and the PDP came second with 21,863 votes,” the court held.

“That the tribunal judgment is hereby upheld,” the Court ruled.

The court ordered that the certificate of return issued to Atigwe be withdrawn and issued to Hon. Dennis Agbo.

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The Labour Party Caretaker Committee has announced its intention to appeal the court ruling delivered on Tuesday, which recognized Barrister Julius Abure as the party’s legitimate chairman.

Senator Nenadi Usman, Ph.D., Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, made this known following a meeting with former Presidential candidate Peter Obi, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Secretary of the Caretaker Committee.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, Usman clarified that while the legal case predates the formation of the Caretaker Committee, they decided to get involved after being fully briefed. Following their discussions, the committee resolved to appeal the judgment.

“I urge all party members to remain calm and maintain peace as we continue our efforts toward reconciliation,” Usman stated, reaffirming the party’s dedication to peacefully resolving internal conflicts.

Barrister Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party has announced a renewed commitment to unity and forgiveness following a landmark ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, upheld the legitimacy of the party’s leadership and recognized the outcome of the Labour Party convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, effectively validating Abure’s position.

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In a heartfelt statement, Abure expressed gratitude for the ruling, which he described as a victory not only for the party but also for justice and democracy in Nigeria.

He emphasized that the ruling confirms the prevailing rule of law and restores legitimacy to the party’s leadership.

“I must first and foremost thank Almighty God for guiding us through this challenging period,” Abure said, acknowledging the judiciary’s role in the proceedings.

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He praised Justice Nwite for his courage and integrity in delivering a judgment that resisted external pressures, asserting that this ruling has renewed faith in Nigeria’s judicial system.

Abure also extended his appreciation to Justice Omotosho, who previously validated the Labour Party’s convention, and Justice C. K. Nwankwo of the Abia High Court, who resisted attempts to issue restrictive orders against the party.

He highlighted the efforts of these judges in upholding justice amid significant pressure.

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With the court’s ruling now established, Abure expressed a spirit of forgiveness towards those who had previously undermined the party and engaged in character assassination.

He referenced the teachings of Jesus Christ, stating, “I forgive them for they do not know what they are doing,” but emphasized that true reconciliation must involve reflection, repentance, and restitution.

Abure called on Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to help unite the party as they move forward into a new era.

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He acknowledged the need for restructuring and healing within the party but assured members that they would work together to reconnect with grassroots supporters and strengthen their organizational structures.

“This judgment marks the beginning of a new era for the Labour Party in Nigeria,” Abure stated.

“With the collective efforts of all members, we will continue to fight for the interests of the common man and the betterment of Nigeria.”

Abure reaffirmed his appreciation for the judiciary’s commitment to justice and the steadfastness of Labour Party members and supporters during a tumultuous period.

He expressed hope that the recent victory would serve as a foundation for building a stronger, more united Labour Party dedicated to serving the Nigerian populace.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stated on Tuesday that he has no regrets about his decision to work against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 presidential election.

In an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today,” Wike denied accusations of engaging in anti-party activities by choosing not to support the then PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

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He justified his actions, claiming they were motivated by a commitment to justice and fairness.

“For the presidential election, I decided to advocate for equity, fairness, and justice. In other instances, I supported my party, which is why we succeeded in the gubernatorial and National Assembly elections,” Wike explained.

“I stand by my decision regarding the presidential election; I owe no apologies because I oppose injustice. People are calling for my discipline for supposedly acting against the party, but I did not engage in anti-party behavior,” he asserted.

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Leading up to the 2023 elections, Wike, then the governor of Rivers State, collaborated with four other dissatisfied PDP governors: Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

Together, they opposed Atiku’s presidential ambitions, insisting that Senator Iyorchia Ayu resign as the PDP national chairman as a condition for their support.

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Ultimately, Atiku lost the presidential election to Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under whose administration Wike is currently serving as a minister.

Salihu Lukman, a former national vice chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the North-West, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu will be difficult to defeat in the 2027 elections unless the opposition establishes a strong rapport with the Nigerian populace.

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In a recent statement, Lukman acknowledged the considerable challenge facing the opposition, noting that many Nigerians may struggle to trust politicians who promise a brighter future after experiencing disappointment under the APC, which had initially campaigned for change in 2015.

He emphasized that the movement to “rescue Nigeria” must transcend mere sentiment aimed at defeating the APC and President Tinubu.

Instead, it should focus on developing a well-defined vision for the country’s progress.

Lukman questioned the nature of the opposition political platform, suggesting that if it is merely designed to nominate candidates for elections, it will ultimately mirror the weaknesses of existing parties, including the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

He stressed the importance of encouraging opposition leaders to break away from practices that reduce political parties to mere election platforms, which he believes underlies the challenges faced by Nigerian democracy.

He called for leading opposition figures, such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to take on key roles in a new political party, serving as National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman, and National Secretary.

Lukman also urged the inclusion of disaffected APC leaders committed to forming a new opposition party, including prominent figures like Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Amaechi, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

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“To genuinely rescue Nigeria, opposition leaders must prioritize addressing party funding challenges,” Lukman noted.

He emphasized the need for adequate budgeting to cover remuneration and conditions of service for party leaders at all levels.

He advocated for the new opposition platform to adopt an inclusive and citizen-friendly approach to encourage wider electoral participation across the country.

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Lukman also called for opposition leaders to develop a comprehensive national strategy that could increase Nigeria’s annual budget from less than N40 trillion to at least N150 trillion.

Furthermore, he stressed the importance of state governments committing to raising their annual budgets to a minimum of N1 trillion, similar to Lagos State, which is currently the only state operating at that level.

Lukman questioned whether the proposed opposition party would merely serve as an election vehicle or evolve into a broader political organization capable of attracting competent leaders.

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He posed critical inquiries about whether opposition leaders like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would prioritize the collective progress of Nigeria over their individual ambitions for the 2027 elections.

He concluded by highlighting the need for negotiations among opposition leaders to extend participation to a broader segment of Nigerians, which could compel politicians to prioritize taking on leadership roles within their parties.

He cautioned against a scenario where these initiatives devolve into self-serving campaigns for election candidacy, potentially resulting in leaders who may prove less effective than those currently in power.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, warning that it poses a serious threat to national security and stability.

In a statement released on Tuesday by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel, the senator urged Nyesom Wike, the current FCT Minister and former Rivers State Governor, to allow his successor, Governor Sim Fubara, to govern the state without interference, as stipulated by the constitution.

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The growing tension between Wike and Fubara over control of the state’s politics and governance has fueled a political crisis that has seen violence, the destruction of government institutions, defections of political figures, and a general breakdown of law and order.

Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed the need for President Tinubu’s immediate intervention to protect citizens, ensure the neutrality of state institutions, and promote peace and justice.

She warned that failing to address the situation could lead to further instability.

“The situation in Rivers demands urgent attention, and I implore Mr. President to take decisive action to prevent further escalation. We cannot afford to watch as the crisis deepens, threatening the stability of the region. President Tinubu’s leadership is crucial in resolving this impasse,” the senator said.

She added, “If left unchecked, the crisis may undermine Nigeria’s democratic progress, embolden perpetrators of violence and electoral malpractices, and threaten national security and stability.”

Prince Diran Odeyemi, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has attributed the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State to the ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is eyeing the 2027 presidential election.

During an interactive session organized by the League of Veteran Journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday, Odeyemi asserted that the strife between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike is directly connected to Atiku’s presidential aspirations.

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He urged Atiku to withdraw from the race for the PDP’s presidential ticket to foster peace within the party.

Additionally, Odeyemi called on Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to work towards restoring unity within the PDP.

“For peace to return to the PDP, Atiku should publicly announce his decision to refrain from contesting the 2027 presidential election. Similarly, Wike should demonstrate his commitment to fostering peace within the party,” Odeyemi stated.

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He warned that without these commitments from both leaders, the internal conflict within the PDP is likely to continue. “They must recognize their responsibilities as leaders and elders in Nigeria. To ensure the party’s advancement and the country’s stability, they need to agree that peace is essential. As long as members remain divided between the two factions, the crisis will persist.”

Odeyemi characterized the situation in Rivers State as reflective of the broader crisis facing the PDP nationally, explaining that factions supporting Fubara align with Atiku, while those loyal to Wike oppose him.

In his remarks on the administration of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Odeyemi, who also chairs the Governing Council of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, commended Adeleke for his notable achievements in office, citing significant progress across various sectors in less than two years.

He praised the governor for effectively managing the state’s resources and minimizing waste, anticipating further infrastructure improvements in the future.