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Guber aspirant accuses Oyegun, NWC of manipulating ward congress

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A governorship aspirant in Ebonyi state under the All Progressive Congress, APC, Dr Adol Awam Chris on Wednesday said no ward Congress have so far been held in his Ebonyi Local Government Area.

Mr Awam also raised alarm of plans by some members of the state Working Committee of the party of trying to stage a kangaroo congress in his local government.

He accused some SWC members of working in conjunction with the John Oyegun led National Working Committee to write fake results and submit same to the National office so as fix delegates who will vote for them at the party’s state and national conventions in a desperate bid to retain their positions.

This is even as a member of the party Achi Simeon was attacked by some members of another faction of the party on his way to Mr Awam’s meeting.

Last Saturday’s local government ward congress in Ebonyi was marred with irregularities as two separate factions allegedly held parallel congress in the state.

The  Eze Nwachukwu led faction which enjoys the support of Oyegun and the NWC had opted for harmonisation among party stakeholders so as to remove rancour and controver.

However, Mr Nwachukwu on Saturday night confirmed that four local governments including Ebonyi could not harmonise adding that a new date will be fixed for the conduct of the congress for them.

Also, the Congress committee Chairman had said any local government that fails to harmonise, a new date will be announced for the conduct of their own ward congress.

“But, yesterday without announcing it or informing us, some members of the party came and said they were coming to conduct congress”, Mr Awam told reporters at the Ugwuachara Primary School.

He was there to brief his constituents on the latest situation in the party with regards to the ward congress.

“There was nothing like congress in Ebonyi local government area whether on Saturday, Sunday or even today.  If anybody presents any result at the party secretariat whether in the state or at the national headquarters then it is a doctored result”.

“On Saturday, the Committee sent to conduct congress said we should harmonise but we were not able to harmonise till now. But we got information from someone that our congress will hold today. But the Chairman did not inform me of this. I called INEC and they said they are not aware”.

“They said they got later from the party today notifying them of the inability of pour local government to conduct the election. They further told me that we have to give them at least 7 days in line with the electoral law to come and conduct the election”.

“So how will they conduct the congress for our local government without INEC or Police presence?”, Awa said.

While calling on the state chapter of the party to allow internal democracy in the party if the party must defeat the ruling People’s Democratic Party(PDP), Mr Awam accused the National Working Committee of the party of orchestrating the crisis, violence and irregularities that characterized the exercises in many states of the federation to remain in power.

According to him, declaring harmonization in the congresses of the party without going to the field to enable members of the party to freely elect their leaders was undemocratic and unconstitutional

“We came from the ACN that formed this our great party, APC but the manipulation in the congress shows that they want to completely remove the ACN family from the APC  in the scheme of things as far as Ebonyi state is concerned and we will not agree, I will take it up with to any level they want it”, he said.

Awam who was a former Chairman of the local government accused a faction of the party in the state of imposing harmonization in the congresses to sideline some leaders of the party and called for what he  described as ‘real congress’ in Ebonyi local government area.

“As far as Ebonyi local government is concerned, there was no ward congress. A faction of the party cooked result and said congress has been conducted. I have already written to appeal panel and I will follow my petition to ensure that justice is done.

“I also wrote to the state Chairman of the party and he acknowledged the petition. I drew his mind to the electoral act which states that since the congress did not hold on the announced date, they have to give at least seven days before another one can hold and up till now, he has not told me there would be congress in my local government”, he stated.

Mr Nwachukwu did not take numerous calls placed to his phone. He also did not reply messages sent to him at press time.

Also Mr Bolaji Abdulahi, National Publicity Secretary of the party could equally not be reached for comments.

Meanwhile, Mr Simeon Achi narrated how he was attacked at Udensi roundabout for no other reason than he was supporting Mr Awam.

Mr Achi who said he was attacked near Udensi roundabout by three men sustained injuries on his face and hand from the attack.

“I was in a bus coming to this place from town. As we got to Udensi roundabout, someone wanted to drop so I came down to enable the person to alight from the bus. Then these three young men who were in the bus came down and started beating. They told me that they are attacking me because I was supporting Adol Awam. I don’t know their names but I know them by face, they are members of another faction of our party”, the victim said.

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CCT Chairmanship : Embattled Danladi Umar Withdraws Suit Challenges his Successor Mainasara Kogo’s Appointment by Tinubu

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Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar, the embattled Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has quietly withdrawn his lawsuit challenging the controversial appointment of Dr. Mainasara Umar Kogo as his successor—an appointment made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in alleged violation of constitutional procedures.

Newsthumb report that in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1796/2024, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Umar—alongside civil society groups—had sought to nullify the appointment of Dr. Kogo.

The respondents listed in the suit included President Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the National Assembly, the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), among others.

However, in a surprising development, a “Notice of Discontinuance” dated March 20, 2025, and signed by Umar’s legal representatives—M.M. Maidoki, A.G. Salisu, and Jibrin S. Jibrin—was filed in court, effectively ending the legal challenge.

Justice Umar decided to withdraw the suit following intense pressure from family members and respected elders from Toro, Bauchi State—his hometown—who urged him to prioritize family honor and avoid escalating political tensions.

A member of Umar’s legal team disclosed that, despite their firm belief that the President, National Assembly, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, had acted illegally against Umar, they advised him to withdraw the case for the sake of his safety and the integrity of his family.

The removal attempts against Justice Umar ignited serious legal and constitutional controversy involving the Presidency, the National Assembly, and the SGF. President

President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Dr. Kogo was first announced in July 2024 by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale—despite the fact that Justice Umar’s tenure had not expired.

Compounding the controversy, the official appointment letter, signed by SGF George Akume, was dated January 20, 2025, but backdated to November 27, 2024—an action that raised further suspicion among legal scholars and political observers.

The National Assembly also contributed to the confusion by initially citing an incorrect constitutional provision and even misstating the name of the intended appointee—errors they later retracted—raising concerns that Umar’s removal was politically motivated rather than based on proven misconduct.

The move was widely condemned by legal experts, who described it as unconstitutional. Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) including Prof. Mamman Lawan Yusufari, Dr. Wahab Shittu, and Prof. Yemi Akinseye George pointed out that, under the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, it is the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) that are empowered to nominate and recommend candidates for appointment to the CCT—not the President acting unilaterally.
There is no public evidence that the NJC, chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, recommended any successor. Similarly, there is no proof that the National Assembly met the two-thirds majority threshold required to lawfully remove Justice Umar.

The National Assembly’s move to oust Umar was reportedly initiated at the behest of the Presidency, leading to the litigation that has now been withdrawn. Notably, President Tinubu, Attorney-General Fagbemi, and other officials had already filed their statements of defense prior to the discontinuance.

Justice Umar has previously presided over several politically sensitive cases, including the 2012 trial of then-Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu over alleged false asset declarations. Although he discharged Tinubu, he did not acquit him—an outcome some believe might have posed constitutional hurdles during Tinubu’s political ascendancy.

With the withdrawal of the case, it remains uncertain whether Justice Umar will formally vacate his position or seek other avenues to contest Dr. Kogo’s appointment.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is a specialized court tasked with upholding ethical standards among Nigerian public officers. It is empowered to try politicians, civil servants, judges, and others accused of breaching the Code of Conduct, including false asset declarations, foreign account ownership, conflicts of interest, and corruption-related misconduct.

Upon conviction, the Tribunal can impose penalties such as removal from office, disqualification from holding public office for up to ten years, and forfeiture of assets improperly acquired.

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Akpabio: The Misconcepted Man Of Purpose, Says Niyi Babade

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“Just let him know that you are passionate like him and fellow human being’s happiness is paramount to you and that you hold the ideals of man in high esteem, let him know you can contribute positively to the reason why humanity must not suffer, let him know that you are full of ideas that can bring joy and happiness to humanity, let him know that the comfortabilities of the people, the equal rights of the people in a world where no man feels he/she is more superior to the other is your perogative, let him know you can offer positive solutions to difficult situations instantly,let him know that you are super ready to bring people out of the quagmire they might found themselves at any point in time, then he will bring you closer to himself so you will have unlimited access to him and become his friend. He will make sure you are encouraged and generously rewarded for your contribution.His love and concern for humanity is unprecedented no matter your gender or status in the society. This is why people often times take undue advantage of his large heartedness for granted especially the female folks”

This was how Gbenga a former staffer of the Directorate of the State Security Services described Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio the Senate President of Nigeria,when he worked with him as security personnel when he was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.while speaking with our reporter.

The senate president still remain steadfast and resolute to the course of humanity especially Nigerians wherever they are within the globe.

The ongoing encounter with Senator Natasha is one of the misconceptions that we speak about which has often times trailed the senate president’s path.Because of his love for people,humanitarian and philanthropy heart for every one

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JUST IN: Terrorism trial, Court admits video recording of Kanu’s interrogation, other items

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A video recording of Nnamdi Kanu’s interrogation by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been played in court in his ongoing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The statement Kanu made on October 15, 2015 has also been read.

In the video, he admitted establishment of Radio Biafra and registration in London.

Kanu also admitted not registering the radio station with NBC because there was no need for it.

In his statement, he admitted fighting for emancipation of the people of South East, South South and parts of Benue and Kogi.

He made it abundantly clear that freedom fighting is not a crime in any part of the world including Nigeria because it is a fundamental right.

Kanu claimed not to be involved in any violence because he has not been linked with any one.

Items in four suitcases recovered from him in his hotel room in 2015 were also brought to the court room full display.

Defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) did not object when prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) applied to tender all the items in evidence.

Justice James Omotosho has admitted the items in evidence.

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