Barely two days to the Enugu state local government elections slated for September 21, 2024, the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu East Local Government Area has officially announced its withdrawal from the election.

The decision was made following a stakeholders’ meeting held on September 17, 2024, where party officials and representatives expressed concerns over the integrity of the election process.

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In a press release signed by Chief Sunday O. Nome (JP), the Labour Party Chairman in Enugu East LGA, the party accused the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) and the ruling party of undermining the credibility of the election.

The statement raised alarms over the apparent disregard for Labour Party’s primary election results, claiming that ENSIEC replaced its legitimate candidates with names not approved by the party.

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“Our party held ward congresses across the 12 wards of the local government to elect councillorship candidates and a chairmanship candidate, Ibezim Denis Ekete. Despite submitting these names to ENSIEC on August 6, 2024, the electoral umpire chose to publish other names, which were not approved by the party,” the statement read.

The Labour Party also highlighted a legal challenge it had filed at the Enugu State High Court, contesting the actions of ENSIEC.

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However, according to the statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE, the court failed to assign the case to a vacation court, meaning it would not be heard until after the election, preventing the party from seeking timely justice.

The party leadership, while urging its members to boycott the election, expressed dismay at what it described as a deliberate attempt to frustrate the Labour Party’s efforts to participate in a fair election.

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They reassured supporters of their commitment to building a society based on fairness and transparency, despite current setbacks.

The statement also addressed the party’s internal challenges, noting that infiltrators with differing agendas were trying to disrupt the Labour Party’s vision.

The leadership pledged to root out such individuals and emphasized the importance of remaining united.

“We remain committed to picking out all the bad eggs that have infiltrated the party through the back door,” the statement continued. “We also wish to highlight the resolutions from the Labour Party’s expanded stakeholders’ meeting held in Abia State, where a caretaker committee was appointed to organize ward and state congresses, as well as the National Convention to birth new leadership capable of guiding the party to greater heights.”

The statement called on party members to stay peaceful, resilient, and focused on the future, despite the current political climate in Enugu State.

The decision to withdraw was endorsed by key stakeholders, including Hon. Prof. Paul Nnamchi, member representing Enugu East and Isi Uzo federal constituency, Hon. Osita Hyginus Okoh and Hon. Raymond Ugwu, both representing Enugu East constituencies in the Enugu State House of Assembly.

The opposition Action Alliance, AA, has approached the Federal High Court in Enugu through an Originating Summons, requesting that the local government council election in Enugu State, scheduled for September 21, 2024, be halted until certain constitutional prerequisites have been met by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), DAILY GAZETTE reports.

In the suit Action Alliance v. Independent National Electoral Commission & Anor, FHC/EN/CS/157/2024, the opposition party contends that ENSIEC failed to meet its constitutional duty by not notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the upcoming local government elections.

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This failure, according to the party, has prevented INEC from displaying or publishing the updated Voters’ Register for the 17 local government areas of Enugu State—compiled after the 2023 general elections—as required by the Electoral Act of 2022.

The Act mandates that this register be made available no later than 90 days before the election.

Action Alliance also argues that ENSIEC cannot conduct the election without INEC first reconfiguring the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) machines.

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These machines, according to the party, must be used concurrently by both INEC and ENSIEC to ensure accurate voter accreditation in the 2024 local government council election, as stipulated by the Electoral Act.

The party is seeking a court declaration that ENSIEC cannot lawfully conduct the elections without first complying with the constitutionally mandated requirements.

It also prays for an injunction to stop the elections from taking place until these requirements, as laid out in Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022, are met.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has handed over a truckload of palliatives, which he impounded, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) for further investigation.

This was revealed in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, and made available to the media in Makurdi on Wednesday.

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The truck, which was meant to deliver palliatives to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, was caught offloading its contents at a private residence along Kilometre 2 in Makurdi.

Upon learning of this, Governor Alia ordered the truck to be confiscated and moved to the Government House for clarification on why the relief items were being diverted.

According to the statement, the palliatives, loaded from a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warehouse in Jos, were intended for distribution to IDPs in the Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency.

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However, it was discovered that the truck had been directed to the private residence under the instruction of Mr. Terseer Ugbor, the federal representative for the constituency.

Governor Alia expressed his displeasure after preliminary investigations revealed that the palliatives, sponsored by NEMA and the state government, were not being delivered to their intended destination.

The governor stated that the materials were supposed to be handed over to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for proper distribution to the affected individuals.

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In a letter from NEMA, the agency confirmed that the Benue State government was responsible for the transportation costs and that the relief items were to be delivered directly to SEMA.

However, discrepancies emerged regarding the handling of the palliatives.

Governor Alia also disclosed that other trucks carrying essential materials like mattresses had gone missing and urged anti-corruption agencies to conduct a thorough investigation.

He tasked the EFCC and ICPC, along with a state-appointed three-man committee, to uncover any hidden facts and ensure accountability in the distribution process.

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Meanwhile, the federal lawmaker, Mr. Terseer Ugbor, who had facilitated the release of the palliatives, defended his actions, stating that he had transported the items in collaboration with NEMA.

He explained that the materials were temporarily offloaded in Makurdi for storage until a distribution date was agreed upon.

Ugbor expressed regret that the situation had been politicized and revealed that he had spent over N5 million to transport the palliatives from Jos to Benue State.

He criticized the governor’s decision to seize the truck and divert it to the Government House, calling the move unjust.

The seized items include 578 bags of rice, 578 bags of garri, 578 mosquito nets, 578 mattresses, 578 pieces of wax print, 58 cartons of vegetable oil, 58 cartons of seasoning cubes, and 58 cartons of tomato paste.

Governor Alia has called on the relevant authorities to ensure the palliatives reach the intended beneficiaries and to maintain transparency throughout the investigation process.

The Enugu State chapter of the Action Alliance (AA) has affirmed its commitment to participating in and emerging victorious in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for September 21, 2024.

In a statement released to DAILY GAZETTE on Wednesday, the party’s leader in Enugu State, Barr. Daniel Ogbe, reiterated the party’s readiness to provide credible leadership at the grassroots level, emphasizing that its candidates are well-prepared to address the pressing needs of the people.

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Barr. Ogbe highlighted that the party has fielded strong candidates for all available positions across the 17 local government areas, aiming to bring transformative leadership to Enugu State.

“Our candidates are individuals who understand the needs of their communities. They are committed to implementing policies that will foster development, improve local governance, and elevate the standard of living for the people of Enugu State,” he said.

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He called on the electorate to turn out in large numbers on election day to support the party’s candidates, assuring them that the Action Alliance is focused on delivering transparent and accountable governance.

Ogbe added that the party has established the necessary campaign structures and is working closely with its grassroots supporters to secure victory at the polls.

In addition to promising good governance, the party emphasized its commitment to ensuring a peaceful and credible election process.

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The party leader urged the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) to ensure that the elections are free, fair, and free of any form of malpractice or violence.

“Our message to the people of Enugu is clear: Action Alliance is here to serve you. We urge all eligible voters to come out and cast their votes for credible leadership that will bring the desired change to our local councils,” he concluded.

With just a few days remaining before the local government elections, the Action Alliance is confident that its message of grassroots empowerment and development will resonate with voters across Enugu State.

The Abia State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dismissed reports that it has merged with the ruling Labour Party (LP). Chief Ogaranya Ifemeje, the state chairman of the NNPP, categorically refuted these claims, emphasizing that the party remains independent and strong.

The confusion arose after Chief Ukpa Iro Ukpai, the NNPP’s governorship candidate in the 2023 election, led a group of people on a courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, during which he allegedly announced that the NNPP had collapsed into the LP.

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During the visit, Ukpai praised the governor’s achievements and offered support to his administration.

However, Chief Ifemeje firmly rejected this assertion, clarifying that no legitimate members of the NNPP were involved in the visit.

He described Ukpai and those accompanying him as non-members of the party, stating that the NNPP remains intact and has no plans to merge with any political party.

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“No member of the NNPP has defected to any political party in Abia,” Ifemeje declared. He further challenged Ukpai’s claims, questioning his position in the party.

“If he were truly a candidate of the NNPP, you would have seen him with his supporters and party officials. No NNPP members were present at that visit,” he said.

The state chairman also cast doubt on Ukpai’s credibility, citing the absence of his campaign activities during the last election.

“Did you see his campaign posters anywhere in the state during the election? The NNPP has no reason to be concerned with such individuals,” Ifemeje added.

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In his remarks, Ifemeje advised the Labour Party to focus on resolving its internal issues rather than making false claims about other parties.

He mentioned ongoing divisions within the Labour Party, referencing figures such as Lamidi Apapa, Julius Abure, and Nenadi Usman.

He reiterated that the NNPP remains a strong political force in Abia, asserting, “Abia NNPP is intact, and no member has defected to the Labour Party. The reports of a collapse are entirely false.”

Hon. Charles Idahosa, a former Board of Trustees (BoT) member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and now a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of causing his own electoral troubles.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Idahosa criticized Obaseki for claiming intimidation, arguing that the governor is facing election challenges alone because he has alienated the political leaders who supported him since 2016.

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Idahosa, who joined the PDP with Obaseki in 2020 after being denied a second-term ticket by the APC, stated, “Obaseki is experiencing these difficulties because he is now running the election without the support of the political leaders who helped him rise to power. Most of the leaders who left APC with him to PDP have now distanced themselves from him. This is the consequence of his betrayal.”

He further accused Obaseki of fighting against the system, traditional institutions, and his own deputy governor.

Idahosa dismissed the governor’s claims of federal interference, labeling them as baseless and asserting that Obaseki’s problems are self-generated.

Idahosa, who previously served as Commissioner for Information under Governor Lucky Igbinedion and as Special Adviser to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, assured that despite Obaseki’s concerns, the upcoming election would be conducted fairly and without intimidation.

He also pointed out that during Obaseki’s reelection campaign in 2020, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo State was from Bayelsa, a state with its own political connections.

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Idahosa questioned why Obaseki is now raising concerns about the REC’s relation to Governor Nyesom Wike.

Idahosa urged Obaseki to allow the police to investigate and address the recent killing of Inspector Akor Anuh, which occurred on July 18, 2024.

Court Sets Date For Judgment On Suit Challenging Ganduje’s APC Chairmanship

A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed its ruling on the suit seeking the removal of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to September 23. The judgment, initially scheduled for today, was not delivered as planned.

The court registrar informed the parties involved that the judgment was not yet prepared, and a new date had been set. “We have notified the parties by phone of the rescheduled date. The new date is September 23,” a reliable source disclosed.

Justice Inyang Ekwo had originally set today, September 18, for the judgment following the completion of submissions from both the plaintiff’s counsel, Benjamin Davou, and the defense attorneys.

The plaintiff, the North Central APC Forum led by Saleh Zazzaga, filed the suit challenging Ganduje’s appointment as APC Chairman, arguing that he should not hold the position as he is from Kano State in the North West, not from the North Central zone. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, names Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

The forum seeks a court order to prevent Ganduje from acting as APC Chairman and demands that INEC not recognize any APC activities, including congresses and nominations, conducted since Ganduje’s appointment on August 3, 2023. They argue that his appointment violates the APC constitution, specifically Article 31.5(1) f, and was beyond the powers of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

On Wednesday, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) initiated the airlift of election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Benin City, Edo State, in preparation for the governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, confirmed the operation in a statement.

He highlighted that the airlift is part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure the prompt and secure delivery of crucial materials needed for a successful election.

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“This operation underscores the ongoing collaboration between the NAF and INEC, focused on streamlining logistics and promoting a peaceful electoral process in Edo State,” Ali stated.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, had previously assured INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu of the NAF’s dedication to facilitating the efficient transport of electoral materials.

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has announced an investigation into the conduct of certain suspended party officials from five state executive committees.

The decision follows the recent dissolution of party executives in Taraba, Benue, Oyo, Bauchi, and Gombe States, aimed at restructuring the party.

The National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Chief Ladipo Johnson, released a statement on Tuesday explaining that the changes were made to realign the party’s structure and enhance its effectiveness.

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The affected state chapters were dissolved in early September as part of this realignment effort.

Johnson stated that the decision was reached during an emergency National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja.

He described the move as a routine measure necessary for a dynamic political organization seeking to make adjustments for better performance.

The suspended chieftains, who will be sidelined for three months, include Mrs. Ayobami Idowu Adekunle, Alhaji Rasheed Adebisi Olopoeniyan, Mr. Demola Oke, Mr. Kilamuwaiye Badmus, Mr. Oyesola Ololade, Mr. Olayiwola Musibau, Mr. Tunde Adedapo, and Ms. Riike Olanira.

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Johnson emphasized that the suspensions were due to violations of the party’s constitution and involvement in activities contrary to party interests.

He assured that all suspended members have been notified and are required to appear before the party’s National Disciplinary Committee to address the allegations.

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberately punishing the party for its role in supporting its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, during the 2023 general elections.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, alleged that both Peter Obi and Alex Otti have since betrayed the Labour Party, siding with INEC despite the agency’s controversial role in the 2023 elections.

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Ifoh pointed out that Obi and Otti had recently participated in an “illegal stakeholders’ meeting” where they allegedly attempted to take control of the party by appointing a caretaker committee.

Ifoh stated, “The Labour Party finds it necessary to inform the public about recent developments, particularly the efforts of leaders like Peter Obi and Alex Otti to seize the leadership of the party, using INEC to advance their agenda.”

He explained that this move came after INEC argued that the current leadership, led by Julius Abure, had an expired tenure and that the March 2024 National Convention, which re-elected Abure, was not recognized by the commission.

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Ifoh criticized the former presidential candidate and governor for turning their backs on the Labour Party, despite the support they received during the elections, stating that the party “bent over backward” to accommodate them when they were seeking political positions.

He expressed disappointment that the leaders were now aligned with INEC, the same institution that, according to him, mismanaged the electoral process in 2023.

The faction remains defiant, asserting that the current leadership will only be replaced through a valid convention in 2028 and accusing those seeking to remove Abure of betraying the party’s core values.

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Ifoh urged Obi and Otti to reconsider their actions, reminding them of the challenges the party faced while defending their candidacies and warning that INEC remains untrustworthy for future elections.