The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has issued a stern warning to political operatives attempting to interfere in the upcoming Rivers State local government elections, slated for October 5.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, IPAC’s National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, called for a transparent and interference-free electoral process.

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Dantalle criticized the exorbitant nomination fees, which he claimed were designed to block credible candidates from participating in the elections.

He also expressed concerns over conflicting court rulings, which he said could jeopardize the integrity of the electoral process.

Highlighting the importance of elections at the local government level, Dantalle emphasized that they are fundamental to democracy because local governments are closest to the people.

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He urged Nigerians to support democracy by ensuring that the will of the electorate is respected.

IPAC called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to investigate judicial officers involved in issuing questionable orders that compromise the electoral process.

The council reiterated its longstanding proposal for the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), calling for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to oversee all local government elections for greater transparency.

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Dantalle also urged security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police, to ensure the safety of voters and electoral officials during the polls.

He stressed that IPAC will not tolerate attempts by political actors to derail Nigeria’s democracy, urging the people of Rivers State to vote for their preferred candidates.

The council further condemned judicial interventions aimed at halting the elections, accusing desperate politicians of engaging in “forum shopping” to secure favorable rulings.

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Dantalle warned that such actions threaten the integrity of the judiciary and called on judicial authorities to restore public confidence by sanctioning errant judges.

IPAC noted that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has assured all stakeholders that the election will be free, fair, and credible, and confirmed that political parties have complied with all the necessary procedures for participation.

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IPAC further stressed the need for all political parties and candidates to respect electoral integrity, calling for a level playing field for all participants to ensure that the will of the people is upheld in the ballot box.

A Katsina State High Court has dismissed a lawsuit seeking the removal of Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The suit was filed by a party member, Ibrahim Musa, who argued that Damagum’s appointment violated the PDP’s constitutional provisions, as he replaced Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, who hails from the North-central zone.

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Musa contended that Ayu’s successor should also come from the North-central geopolitical zone.

However, in a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Abdullahi Bawa-Faskari struck out the case, citing it as an internal party matter over which the court had no jurisdiction.

He upheld the preliminary objections raised by the defense, stating that the issue was not justiciable because it fell entirely within the party’s internal affairs.

Isaac Nwachukwu, counsel for the respondent, praised the court’s decision, emphasizing that the suit lacked merit and the court had no grounds to hear it.

On the other hand, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Abdullahi Abdulkadir, expressed his intent to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal after reviewing the judgment.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a summons for former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to appear before it on October 24, 2024.

The summons is in connection with a 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), related to an alleged N110.4 billion fraud.

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Bello is being charged alongside two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, for criminal breach of trust.

The defendants were initially expected to be arraigned on Thursday, but the EFCC informed the court that despite efforts, they were unable to serve the former governor with the charges, which were filed on September 24.

In response, Justice Maryanne Anenih issued a public summons, requiring Bello to voluntarily appear in court for his arraignment on the rescheduled date.

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The court further instructed the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulated national newspaper and to post copies at Bello’s last known address and other prominent locations within the court premises.

Less than two months before the Ondo State governorship election, Mrs. Susan Gbemisola Alabi, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has stepped down from her role and resigned from the party.

Reports indicate that her decision stems from irreconcilable differences with the SDP’s governorship candidate, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye.

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In a resignation letter dated October 2, 2024, and addressed to the SDP National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, Alabi announced her resignation from both the party and the position of deputy governorship candidate.

She expressed her appreciation for her time in the SDP but stated that her decision to leave was made after careful reflection.

The letter read: “I am writing to formally resign from my membership in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) effective immediately. This decision was not made lightly as I have valued my time with the party. However, after careful consideration, I believe it is in my best interest to pursue new opportunities and directions.”

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Alabi also confirmed that she had informed Akingboye of her resignation from the race.

She expressed gratitude for the support she received during her tenure in the SDP and wished the party success in future endeavors.

Reacting to the news, Femi Ikoyi, Director General of the Otunba Bamidele Akingboye Campaign Organisation, said the candidate was unaware of Alabi’s resignation.

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He assured that the situation would be confirmed and more details would follow.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N150 million bail to Darius Ishaku, former Governor of Taraba State, in connection with an alleged N27 billion fraud case.

Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji set the bail conditions, requiring Ishaku to provide two sureties, both in the same amount.

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The court stated that the sureties must be federal government employees, with one holding a director-level position.

Additionally, they must reside within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and their residential addresses will be verified by the court’s registrar.

Ishaku, along with former Permanent Secretary for the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, faces a 15-count charge, including criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the conversion of public funds amounting to N27 billion.

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Both defendants are barred from leaving the country without court approval.

The bail decision came after defense counsel Paul Haris Ogbole (SAN) and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, representing Ishaku and Yero respectively, argued for bail, noting that the defendants were already on administrative bail.

Although Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), initially pushed for a formal bail application, he did not oppose the request.

The court has scheduled the trial for November 4, 5, and 13.

Protests erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt on Thursday, October 3, 2024, as aggrieved party members expressed frustration over issues surrounding the upcoming Local Government elections scheduled for October 5.

The protesters, in large numbers, caused significant disruption, leading security personnel to intervene to restore order and ease traffic congestion in the area.

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The protest stems from concerns about the delay in the release of the 2023 Voters’ Register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The delay follows a Federal High Court ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on September 30, 2024, which prohibited INEC from releasing the voters’ register due to ongoing legal disputes.

Despite the court’s decision, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara insisted that the elections would proceed as scheduled.

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He cited a previous Supreme Court ruling, which mandated that all states must conduct elections to ensure democratically elected local government officials, reinforcing his administration’s stance on moving forward with the polls.