News

Gov. Dave Umahi Blows Hot, As PDP Nominates His Replacement, Writes INEC

The party has also put forward Mr Fred Udeogu as the deputy governor’s replacement.

Published

3 years ago

March 9, 2022

Following the sack of Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has nominated Iduma Enwo Igariwey, a member of the House of Representatives, as the governor’s replacement.

The party has also put forward Mr Fred Udeogu as the deputy governor’s replacement.

Addressing a press conference at the party secretariat hours after the judgement, PDP National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu said the names of the duo have been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be issued with their certificates of return so they can be sworn in immediately.

The governor, his deputy and 17 members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly were sacked from office for defecting to the APC.

According to Ayu, Governor Umahi, his deputy and the 17 lawmakers were elected on the PDP platform in 2015 and again in 2019, but defected to APC on November 17, 2020, citing “injustice done to the South East.”

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court had on Tuesday held that the politicians’ defection from the PDP to the APC was unconstitutional.

The judge further held that the governor failed to controvert the depositions of the PDP that he was elected on its platform in the March 9, 2019 governorship election, adding that the immunity clause of Section 308 of the Nigerian Constitution did not apply to political matters.

He maintained that the option for the governor and his deputy was to vacate office and wait for the next election to contest under the platform of the new party.

“The 3rd and 4th defendants (Umahi and Igwe) cannot transfer the votes and victory of the plaintiff (PDP) on March 9, 2019, to the APC.

“Office of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State belong to the PDP,” he said.

Reacting, Umahi described the judgment as a miscarriage of justice and embarrassment to the APC.

He also said he has lost confidence in the nation’s judiciary, and insisted that he is still the governor of the state.

Addressing journalists in his office at the Centenary City, Abakaliki, Umahi dismissed Justice Ekwo’s judgement and maintained that the decision would be appealed.

Constitutional Lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay has also weighed in on the Federal High Court’s judgement sacking the Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.

Sagay said the judgement was consistent with the decision of the Supreme Court in a case between former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Celestine Omehia, who was sacked as governor.

But he noted that Umahi remains the governor since he has a window of appeal up to the Supreme Court.

Last night, APC, in a statement by its Director (Publicity), Salisu Nainna ambatta, described the judgment as case of travesty of justice and judicial recklessness, saying its effect is dead on arrival.

“The presiding judge committed a glaring judicial error by giving judgment sacking a duly elected and sworn-in governor and his deputy without relying on or citing any provision(s) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any provision of the Electoral Act that empowers the court to sack a sitting governor and or his deputy. This is purely a travesty of justice,” the party stated.

Contacted, INEC has said that it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy of the judgment.

The Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, told Daily Trust last night that the commission would meet and take a decision appropriately.

News

Wizkid, Tinubu, Baltasar Engonga, others make ‘Africa’s most talked about people of 2024’

Published

1 hour ago

December 22, 2024

Seyi Babalola

Nigerians dominated the list of Africa’s Most Talked About People of 2024 by Top Charts Africa.

Nigerians occupied 18 spots in the top 30 recently released via the chart body’s website.

Nigerian singer, Wizkid, is number one on the list. Wizkid has been on the trend table year-round following his renewed beef with Davido and the release of his new album, ‘Morayo.’

President William Ruto of Kenya took the number 2 spot.

Ruto made global headlines in June when thousands of Kenyans took to the streets in protest of legislation increasing taxes. Following the storming of the Kenyan Parliament, President William Ruto reportedly rejected the Bill on 28 June and signed into law the “Appropriations Bill 2024” to address the budget shortfall caused by the rejection.

Nigerian afrobeats singer, Davido is ranked at number 3. Davido year-long trend climaxed with his much-publicised wedding to his wife, Chioma, in June, tagged ‘Chivido 2024.’

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; former Prime minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga; controversial Nigerian crossdresser, Bobrisky; South African singer Tyla; Nigerian politician, Peter Obi, and South Adrian music star, Liema Pantsi, complete the top 10.

Baltasar Engonga, the controversial Equatoguinean former public official who became an Internet sensation after his intimate videos surfaced online also made the list.

Full list:

1. Wizkid

2. President William Ruto

3. Davido

4. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

5. Aliko Dangote

6. Raila Odinga

7. Bobrisky

8. Tyla

9. Peter Obi

10. Liema Pantsi

11. Rema

12. Rigathi Gachagua

13. Khosi Twala

14. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta

15. Ademola Lookman

16. Asake

17. Very Dark Man

18. Drill

19. Nyesom Wike

20. President Cyril Ramaphosa

21. Reno Omokri

22. Rose Owusu Konadu

23. Victor Osimhen

24. Baltasar Engonga

25. Sharon Ooja

26. Toyin Abraham

27. Babu Owino Paul

28. Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina

29. Danny Walter

30. Pastor Enoch Adeboye

News

Buhari, Northern cabal part of plot to unseat Tinubu, opposition not ready – Primate Ayodele

Published

1 hour ago

December 22, 2024

Seyi Babalola

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has alleged that former President Muhammadu Buhari is part of a plot to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027.

Primate Ayodele revealed that Buhari is being influenced by some Northern cabals who are determined to undermine Tinubu’s government.

He disclosed this during the release of his 95-page 2025 prophecies on Friday, December 20, 2024.

According to Primate Ayodele: “Former President Muhammadu Buhari is part of the plot to unseat President Tinubu in 2027. Although he is being dragged into it by Northern cabals, he will play a role. If Tinubu isn’t on alert, he will be shocked by those who would stand against him in 2027.”

Additionally, Primate Ayodele stated that opposition parties in Nigeria are not serious and have not demonstrated readiness to take the presidential seat in the country.

“Opposition parties are not yet ready to win elections in Nigeria. They are a bunch of unserious people who only want to make personal gains. If they are serious about winning in 2027, they need to form one strong coalition; otherwise, it will remain just a dream.”

Speaking further, Primate Ayodele noted that the former governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, will make a major move in the state’s politics and that his movement could evolve into a political party.

“I still maintain that Rauf Aregbesola is a significant factor in Osun State politics. His movement will transform into a kind of political party. If the APC wants to win the state, they should work with Aregbesola; otherwise, they will fail,” he added.

News

I’ll be bigger in Nigeria – Pastor Adegboyega scheduled for deportation claims

Published

1 hour ago

December 22, 2024

Seyi Babalola

The founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, SPAC Nation, Tobi Adegboyega, has claimed that he will be more influential in Nigeria than in the UK.

His remarks follow the UK immigration upper tribunal’s approval of his deportation due to an alleged £1.87 million fraud charge.

Despite the ruling, Adegboyega vehemently denied the fraud allegations, calling them baseless and unsubstantiated.

In a preview of an upcoming Off The Record podcast episode, when asked if SPAC Nation was the only church facing such accusations, he emphasized the church’s success in the UK and Europe.

“We are the largest independent church in the UK and Europe right now,” he claimed.

He added, “If I am in Nigeria, I will be bigger than this, 10x maybe. If I am in Paris, I will be happier. It’s holiday for me. London will miss me, so you better tell them, we still need this guy, nobody is close to us entertaining us.”