The Appeal Court in Abuja has upheld the candidacy of Asue Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nominee for the upcoming Governorship Election in Edo State.

This decision came after the court dismissed an appeal by Philip Shaibu, the state’s Deputy Governor, who sought to nullify the primary election results.

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In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel led by Justice A. M. Lamido rejected Shaibu’s appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/642/2024, for lack of merit.

The court affirmed the 27 May ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had also dismissed Shaibu’s suit.

The appellate court ruled that the trial court was correct in refusing to invalidate the PDP primary election outcome.

It imposed a N1 million cost on the appellant. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had previously determined that Shaibu did not have the legal standing to challenge the primary election’s results.

Justice Omotosho emphasized that Shaibu did not participate in the primary election, a necessary condition to contest its outcome legally.

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Evidence showed that Shaibu was not present at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City during the 22 February primary election.

Shaibu had requested the court to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing Ighodalo as the PDP candidate.

He argued that the primary election violated the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution, seeking an order for a new primary election.

However, the court found no basis for his claims and dismissed the appeal.

The leadership of the organized labour has advised President Bola Tinubu to address the imminent nationwide protest by engaging in dialogue with its conveners.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, made this call on Monday, emphasizing the need for the President to listen to the grievances of the people.

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The nationwide protest, set to take place across all 36 states, has seen significant mobilization efforts from hundreds of Nigerians.

Ajaero urged Tinubu to identify and engage with the protest leaders, highlighting the widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians due to the prevailing economic hardships.

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Ajaero stated, “As the date for the widely reported national protest looms, the Nigeria Labour Congress urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leadership of the protest movement for discussions on their grievances.”

He pointed out the severe economic struggles faced by many families, noting that the inability to afford even one meal a day has become a harsh reality.

“The truth is that millions of Nigerians are angry about the state of the national economy. A situation where most Nigerian families are forced to eat one miserable meal a day and eating from the dustbin is now seen as luxury beckons for serious intervention by the government,” he said.

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Ajaero referenced a recent assessment by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which indicated that about 133 million Nigerians live below the extreme poverty line.

He also cited the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which reported that in the first three quarters of 2024, approximately 32 million Nigerians faced acute hunger.

“When these statistics are added to the millions being recruited into the armies of the unemployed and under-employed, one can easily understand the hardship, pain, frustration, and despair that many Nigerians are experiencing right now,” Ajaero concluded.

Former Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to heed the concerns of Nigerians driving the planned protest.

Ndume made this appeal during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.

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Responding to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero’s plea for the president to address the nation, Ndume expressed his support.

“I second his motion. The NLC president moved that motion. Tell him I support his motion that the president should listen to Nigerians,” Ndume stated.

He highlighted the ongoing struggles in his constituency, particularly in Gworza, where recent attacks have left people fighting to return to their farms and survive.

“We are 26 days away from the attack in Gworza. My people are struggling to go back to the farm; we are struggling to survive. We can see that the state government and other agencies are working to help us. We are dealing with this situation; we don’t have time to protest. To protest to who? I doubt if the protest will be held in Maiduguri. This is not to say people should not show their grievances.”

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Ndume expressed concern about the potential escalation of protests, referencing the EndSARS movement.

“My fear is looking at what happened during the EndSARS protest. I hope it doesn’t get out of hand and more especially when you can’t identify the leadership. That makes it more difficult. Even the labour union that went on strike several times, now we only see them struggle to go on protest. But I don’t know who the faces are.”

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Despite his concerns, Ndume conveyed his belief in President Tinubu’s ability to resolve Nigeria’s issues, given sufficient time.

He acknowledged the global nature of economic challenges and urged the president to remain attentive to the people’s voices.

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has criticized the decision to nominate former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as their presidential candidate for the 2023 election, calling it a significant setback for the party.

During the party’s mid-term convention held in Abuja over the weekend, National Chairman Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major highlighted that Kwankwaso’s involvement with the NNPP caused significant distractions and hampered the party’s progress.

Dr. Major lamented that the opportunity extended to Kwankwaso, which also led to Abba Yusuf becoming the current Kano State governor, was the party’s greatest regret.

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Echoing Dr. Major’s sentiments, the Party’s National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, accused Kwankwaso of attempting to exploit the NNPP for his presidential ambitions without understanding the complexities of party formation and operations.

“If Kwankwaso thought it was easy, why didn’t he form his own political party and run for the presidency?” Oginni questioned, criticizing Kwankwaso’s attempt to alter the party’s logo with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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At the convention, several resolutions from the National Executive Council Committee’s meeting on May 27, 2024, were adopted.

These included the retention of the party’s founder, Boniface Aniebonam, as the board chairman and the affirmation of the continuation of the six-month suspension of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf.

Additionally, the expulsion of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the NNPP was unanimously confirmed.

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The convention also called on INEC to update its records to reflect the leadership changes in the NNPP, recognizing Dr. Agbo Gilbert Major as the National Chairman and Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday as the National Secretary.

It was further affirmed that the NNPP’s 2022 Constitution, along with the party’s flag and logo, remains unchanged.

The party’s mid-term convention emphasized that the NNPP is committed to moving forward and addressing internal conflicts to strengthen its position in the political landscape.

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North Central region have begun efforts to woo Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to party members, this move is crucial for the APC’s strategy to reclaim Plateau State.

This initiative was detailed in a letter addressed to APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, on Monday.

The letter, signed by the Chairman of the North Central APC Forum, Salleh Zazzaga, was delivered to the national secretariat by Sani Jigas, the Nasarawa State Chairman.

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The letter stated, “We formally notify you of our invitation to Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join the APC. A formal letter to this effect will also be delivered to him, Plateau State APC, and his ward in Mangu local government area. We have consulted extensively with party leaders from Plateau State and the North Central region to strategize on reaching out to the governor. Mutfwang is the only governor from the North Central who is not with the APC, and it is essential to bring him on board to align with his counterparts in the region.”

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Zazzaga emphasized the importance of reclaiming Plateau State for the APC.

“Mr. Secretary, it is necessary for Mutfwang to join the APC after assessing the state of our party in the North Central region and the significance of the Plateau State governorship in the political landscape of both the region and the nation. This will also help the APC reclaim Plateau State, which we lost to the PDP in the 2023 election after holding it since 2015. The PDP’s success could potentially spread to other states if left unchecked. Additionally, Mutfwang has a strong working relationship with our leader, President Bola Tinubu, which we should leverage to bring him into the party.”

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Zazzaga also raised concerns about the current state of the APC in Plateau.

“It is concerning that APC leaders from Plateau had to meet in Lafia, Nasarawa State, for a reconciliatory engagement and planning session for the 2027 general election. This indicates that the party is not well-grounded in Plateau.”

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The move to attract Mutfwang from the PDP follows three months after North Central APC chieftains supported the suspension of the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and demanded the return of the leadership seat to their zone.

This demand arose after a faction in Ganduje Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, imposed a fresh suspension on the national chairman.

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Zazzaga concluded, “Our efforts to ensure the success of our party in the North Central region and nationwide cannot be overstated. We remain committed to our mission and tireless in our efforts. Please accept the assurances of our highest esteemed regards.”