Finally, INEC Registers APC, Withdraws ACN, CPC, ANPP Certificates

INEC's press release announcing registration of APC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday confirmed it has registered the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A statement signed by the Secretary to the commission, Abdullahi A. Kaugama, said the applicant-parties: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), had met all statutory requirements for their merger application.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the application by three political parties –– to merge into one, to be known as the All Progressives Congress,” the statement said.

The individual certificates of the applicant parties were therefore withdrawn, and a single certificate issued in the name of the All Progressives Congress.

TEXT OF THE PPRESS STATEMENT:

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the application by three political parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) – to merge into one, to be known as the All Progressives Congress.

On considering the application, the Commission found that the applicant-parties have met all statutory requirements for the merger, and has accordingly granted their request.

Consequently, the Commission has approved the withdrawal of the individual certificates of the applicant-parties, and the issuance of a single certificate to the All Progressives Congress.
 

Abdullahi A. Kaugama
Secretary to the Commission

Boko Haram: We don’t need GSM network yet – Borno

The Borno state Government has declared that it is not interested in the restoration of GSM network services in as much as it will distablize the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.

It would be recalled that since the declaration for the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, the government and the Joint Task Force (JTF) has cut off telecommunication services and cellular phones (Turaya) in the three states in their offensive raid on Boko Haram sects, only a couple of weeks ago when GSM network was restored in Adamawa and Yobe, except Borno.

The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha made the declaration while receiving members of the Senate Committee on Defence, Police, Army and National Security (SCDPANS) in a courtesy call yesterday.

Mustapha commended the Committee led by its  Chairman, Senator George Sekibo for their concern on how to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the north, adding that, the committee has demonstrated a sense of nationalism for revisiting the state to assess the security situation.

The Deputy Governor said, “We as Government and the people of Borno state want to use this opportunity to thank the SCDPANS, JTF and the vigilante youths a.k.a Civilian JTF in the fight against terrorism, all your efforts are highly commendable as we are witnessing tremendous improvement on the security challenges, the 6am to 9pm curfew has been relaxed to 11pm, and if restoration of GSM network will affect the relative peace we now enjoyed, it is better we went to Adamawa or Yobe to make calls and come back to Maiduguri”.  He stated.

Mustapha said, although recently there were some pockets of killings by suspected Boko Haram sect in Mainok village, Biu and Kukawa council areas, but government is optimistic that total peace will be restored across the state in no distant time, and therefore called on all and sundry to use the period of Ramadan Kareem to pray for peace and unity in the state.

Earlier, the Chairman and Leader of the delegation, Senator George Sekibo told Deputy Governor that they were in the state for the second time to assess the security situation, meet with security agencies and stakeholders with a view to collectively review the security challenges in the state.

He said, with what they saw on ground so far, the declaration for the state of emergency in the three states have started yielding positive result, as live is gradually picking up, and the rate of killings have drastically reduced in the state

Show respect, Tukur tells 5 Northern govs; You don’t deserve respect, says Nyako

NATIONAL Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday took a swipe at five governors from the North elected on the platform of the party, warning them to show decorum, humility and respect him.

One of the governors, Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, however, fired back, saying Alhaji Tukur does not deserve his respect because he lacks capacity and competence to handle PDP.

The other governors are Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Mu’Azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State.

The PDP chairman in a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Prince Oliver Okpala bluntly told the governors that they must embrace peace and stop dramatizing the country’s few problems, saying it could send wrong signals to Nigerians and the international community.

Wammako, Aliyu, Lamido, Kwankwaso and Nyako

According to him, unguarded utterances and calls by the governors were causing unnecessary political tension and overheating the polity. He added that as leaders, they were expected to show respect to him as an elder. Tukur also warned that as governors and leaders, they must desist from any action that could truncate the nation’s democracy.

It will be recalled that  a week after a meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo; ex-Military President Ibrahim Babangida and former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, the governors had visited President Goodluck Jonathan last Saturday at State House, Abuja.

Tukur’s reply to the governors came on the heels of Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson’s reconciliation committee that was last week inaugurated when all the problems confronting the party were expected to be resolved.

Tukur said: “The recent visit by some governors from the North to the President has raised furore, although the discussions between the President and the governors was held behind closed doors, the media has been awash with news of the meeting and the issues discussed.

“Media reports have it that the four governors who had earlier visited former president, Chief Obasanjo and two former military Heads of State demanded the removal of Dr. Bamanga Tukur as National Chairman of the PDP.”

Tukur’s caution

Lampooning the governors for the visit to the former leaders without using the available internal mechanism of the party to air their views , Tukur said:  “We do not know the veracity of this claim. Suffice it to say, however, that the governors have the fundamental right to meet and discuss with each other and whomsoever they like and may also have the fundamental right to freedom of speech and to air their views on any issue of national importance.

“However, in so doing, one would expect them to make comments with decorum, humility and caution. As leaders who the general public looks upon as role models, they are expected to show respect to constituted authority and the elders, which include Dr. Bamanga Tukur, who have contributed immensely to the peace, progress, development and advancement of this country.

“Much as the constitution guarantees certain fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of speech and assembly, there are constitutional limitations to this freedom and the leaders should show wisdom, caution, prudence and good counsel in their comments on national issues as their unguarded utterances and calls can cause unnecessary political tension.

“It is also important to emphasize that the PDP, as a political platform upon which the governors were elected, have avenues and internal mechanisms for resolution of conflicts and grievances. The governors are, therefore, advised as party men to avail themselves of these avenues before seeking audience or making public utterances capable of overheating the polity.

“More importantly, the PDP has a reconciliation committee entrusted with the task of conflict resolution in the party.  The governors, by their action and utterances, have shown contempt to this committee by not deeming it necessary or worthy to take their grievances to the reconciliation committee.

“One would have expected the governors to express their grievances privately to the party leadership or the reconciliation committee instead of going public with their grievances before seeking audience with other Nigerian leaders.

“There is no doubt that the governors’ peripatetic vision has contributed in no small measure to overheating the polity. The National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, has tried all in his powers to bring peace, tranquility and love to the PDP. His three cardinal policies of reconciliation, reformation and rebuilding are aimed at giving all members of the party a sense of belonging.

“The National Chairman also has an open door policy and accommodation for all shades of opinion within the party. It is unfortunate that these governors are demanding Tukur’s removal when Tukur has made immense sacrifices for the peace and progress of the PDP and had extended his peculiar kind of brotherly love to all party men and women.

“The governors are hereby advised to embrace peace and desist from dramatizing the few problems within our democracy as these can send a wrong signal to Nigerians and the international community.

“The governors, as party faithfuls and responsible citizens of this country holding exalted positions, should desist from any action that tend to overheat the polity and truncate our nascent democratic structure.

“Be it known that Bamanga Tukur is a true and committed democratic, patriotic Nigerian, a first-class nationalist and an elder statesman of international repute, whose cardinal aim is to protect our nascent democracy, protect the indivisibility of our country and ensure the progress of our great party, the PDP.”

Tukur does not deserve respect; he lacks capacity and competence to handle PDP— Nyako

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, however, dismissed the assertion of Tukur, insisting that Tukur by his comportment and conduct does not deserve respect.

Besides, he accused Tukur of diverting attention from the core issues of his lack of competence and capacity which he said were at the root of the problems in the party. Nyako was one of the first PDP governors to oppose Tukur’s nomination for the position of PDP National Chairman and grudgingly gave in only after he was personally persuaded by the President few days to the convention last year.

“Bamanga Tukur is trying to divert attention from the core issues. It is not the issue of respect for each other, it is not the issue of age or status or international standing. The matter in question is his competence and ability to run the party, his ability to provide fairness and justice to everybody,” Nyako said in a reaction signed by his Director of Press, Sajoh Ahmad.

“He cannot come here to sponsor a group of impostors and call them executives who will disenfranchise us, disrespect us, kick us aside and he turns around and tells us about respect and status. In actual fact, if he thinks his status is not respected, Murtala Nyako has had higher attainments nationally than him,” he said in reference to Nyako who had been the country’s Chief of Naval Staff in the mid-eighties.

Continuing, he said: “If he can bring in impostors and impose them on the state PDP and cause them to disrespect Nyako, he should not be talking about respect, but that is not the issue at stake.

“The issue at stake is his competence, capacity, ability as the National Chairman of the PDP. Is he running the PDP competently enough? Is he providing level playing field? Is he fair and just to everybody concerned? That his media office will continue to remind people that he is running the PDP with peace, concord, and understanding when he knows that in the last four months now, they have had four reconciliation committees?

“A group that has peace and concord cannot definitely have four reconciliation committees in four months. I don’t think that the two tally.

“We are not arguing about respect, about age, about status or whatever, we are talking about competence to run the PDP as an inclusive party that accommodates everybody’s interests.”

Jigawa PDP defends govs

The Jigawa State PDP chairman, Alhaji Salisu Mamuda also defended the governors, saying that “it is not out of place for the PDP governors to seek advice from other party elders because of the present crisis within the party,” adding that the party chairman’s wisdom was not enough to solve the problems rocking the party.

According to him, Alhaji Tukur should remember that most of the party governors were elected during the tenure of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and they still have good rapport with him. “Personally, I don’t think that the governors’ decision to meet with him for elderly advice as party stalwart is wrong. Why should our national party chairman take offence?

“Nobody is disrespecting the National Chairman, every action of some of our patriotic governors is in the interest of the party. My governor has been very loyal to the party, that is why I respect all his political moves.”

2015: Northern governors report Jonathan to Shagari

….We discussed state of the nation— Nyako

Meanwhile four of the Northern governors, who are still aggrieved over certain political developments in the PDP, on Tuesday, took their grievances to the doorsteps of former President Shehu Shagari, pleading with him to intervene.

The governors, who began their meeting with Shagari at about 11:45 am, were led by Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko. The others were Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State.

Vanguard learnt that the fifth governor, Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, who would have been part of the delegation, had travelled to Saudi Arabia.

The governors were said to have pleaded with Shagari to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to take urgent steps to salvage the party and the nation from certain perilous individuals and agencies bent on derailing the democratic gains already attained by the nation.

The governors, who were summoned for crucial talks with President Jonathan at the weekend, appeared to still be upset by the rumoured ambition of Jonathan to run for a second term in 2015.

The northern governors are said to be angry that Jonathan is trying to repudiate a gentleman’s agreement he had with them in 2010 to serve only one term after completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua.

But addressing journalists after the meeting, Adamawa Governor, Murtala Nyako, explained that they were in Sokoto to brief the former President on the state of affairs in the country and to seek his advice on how to move the nation forward.

US-based Nigerian jailed 90 years for raping daughters

Aswad Ayinde

An award-winning Nigerian music director, Aswad Ayinde, found guilty of fathering children with his daughters, will spend the rest of his life in jail.

According to the Mail Online, Ayinde, 55, of Paterson, New Jersey, United States, was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Friday after being found guilty in the second of five expected trials, in which he is accused of repeatedly raping his six daughters, resulting in six children which he fathered.

Ayinde was found guilty in his latest trial of having intercourse with a daughter, when she was as young as eight years old. According to the Mail Online report, the second sentence adds to the 40 years sentence Ayinde received in a 2011 trial for sexually assaulting a separate daughter.

Ayinde is known for directing the music video for the Fugees 1996 smash hit, Killing Me Softly.

Fugees had international recording artistes like Wyclef Sean and Lauryn Hill.

In a disturbing disclosure during his first trial, Ayinde’s former wife said he was trying to create a “pure family bloodline” by impregnating his daughters.

He even claimed during a pre-trial hearing before the first trial that “the world was going to end, and it was just going to be him and his offspring and that he was chosen.”

In this latest trial, it was revealed that  Ayinde began having intercourse with his second daughter from the time she was eight years old, impregnating her four times.

The sexual assaults happened for almost 30 years until Ayinde and his wife separated, officials said.

They occurred in numerous homes across northern New Jersey, even while the family was under watch of state child welfare officials, according to NBC New York. Some of the rape episodes even took place in an abandoned funeral home.

The family, moving as far away as Florida to avoid investigation after case workers removed multiple children from Ayinde’s household in 2000, resulting in Ayinde being arrested for kidnapping for trying to take them from state custody in a medical center, NBC New York reported.

He pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received a year’s probation – as he continued raping one daughter for at least another two years, according to officials.

The depraved father also beat and starved the girls, using wooden boards and steel-toed boots for even “minor transgressions,” Ayinde’s wife was said to have testified at the first trial.

Some of the children Ayinde fathered with his daughters were born in the home, with at least two babies, who died in the home  having been buried without notifying authorities or obtaining birth certificates, NBC New Yorkreported.

Ayinde’s tortured daughters were home-schooled and isolated from other children, so as to keep the family secrets hidden, the station added.

With his wife too afraid to confront him, Ayinde carried out his evil plan without hindrance, even while directing the music video for the Fugees 1996 breakout hit, ‘Killing Me Softly, for which he won  ‘Best R&B Video’ at the 1996 MTV Music Video Awards. The Fugees are also originally from Northern New Jersey.

Akwa Ibom crisis: Akpabio, Umana in secret meeting

The political crisis in Akwa Ibom may be on the verge of being resolved as Governor Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday held a secret meeting with the embattled Secretary to the State Government, Umana Umana.

Mr. Umana’s office was sealed on Monday by armed security operatives from the Government House, Uyo, reportedly on the orders of Mr. Akpabio. The office remained sealed by the security officials as at Tuesday.

Armed security men led by one A. Akiola, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said to head the police security unit in the Government House, Uyo, reportedly stormed the government secretary’s office block located within the government house, at about 10 a.m. on Monday and took over, after sacking civil servants working there.

The armed mobile policemen and plain clothe operatives from the State Security Service who mounted security at the entrance of Mr. Umana’s office, were on Tuesday still busy checking every person and vehicle going in or out of the premises, even as movement remains restricted.

Though the official reason for the unexpected siege remains unknown, as no government official was ready to talk on the issue, sources confirmed that the crisis is caused by the 2015 governorship election in the state.

Mr. Umana had last Thursday made public his intention to contest for governor in 2015, a decision that many say did not go down well with Mr. Akpabio, who cannot re-contest as this is second term in office.

It was gathered that Mr. Akpabio, who had sent Mr. Umana on an official assignment in Abuja, was himself out of town when the take-over by the security details occurred on Monday.

Since his return to Uyo late on Monday, Mr. Umana has reportedly been operating from his private residence even as his aides maintained that he has not been sacked or asked to resign.

Sources close to the Government House, Uyo, told our reporter that after the governor returned to the state late on Monday, he summoned a meeting with his close aides to get the full briefing of what transpired in his absence.

Later on Tuesday afternoon, the governor, accompanied by his close aides, reportedly drove in his official convoy to pay an unscheduled visit to Mr. Umana in the latter’s private residence at Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo. The two men had a closed-door meeting that lasted for over an hour.

Details of the meeting were not made public, but indications are that it may have bordered on how to find a way to calm frayed political nerves and douse the palpable tension that has since engulfed the state.

The Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Information has declined comment on the crisis saying he is currently in Abuja on an assignment and not in Akwa Ibom.

Mr. Akpabio and Mr. Umana have remained political allies dating back more than a decade to when they both served as members of the State Executive Council under the Victor Attah administration. Mr. Attah was Akwa Ibom governor between 1999 and 2007, and was succeeded by Mr. Akpabio.

The political bond between Messrs Akpabio and Umana was so strong that many believed there was an existing agreement that suggested Mr. Umana would succeed Mr. Akpabio in 2015.

Current happenings in the state, however, indicate that is not the situation.

2015: Tension in Akwa Ibom as missing SSG, Umana, reportedly gets 48 hours order to resign

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, reputed for being profligate, lectures about governance and corruption

Barely five days after he made public his intention to run for the office of the governor in 2015, the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Umana Umana, has been reportedly given 48 hours to resign from office or be booted out.

Mr. Umana had last Thursday made public his desire to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio in 2015.

The declaration followed weeks of speculations that he was under intense pressure to vacate office and withdraw from the race, reports that his associates dismissed as blatant lies and fabricated rumour.

His spokesman, Iboro Otongaran, had said the reports were baseless and unfounded, claiming that it followed a similar one that he was rejected and barred him from running for the office after he was presented to President Goodluck Jonathan as the state’s PDP gubernatorial candidate for 2015.

The intrigues heightened last week when reports said he was one of three nominees, whose names were submitted to the presidency for consideration and appointment as the next Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Although the latest report that he has been asked to resign is yet to be confirmed officially, PREMIUM TIMES’ visit to the Government House, Uyo, revealed there was palpable tension around the premises with an unusually high presence of armed security operatives at the main entrance to the SSG’s office.

The fierce-looking mobile policemen and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), mounting security at the gate, were busy frisking every person and vehicle going in or out of the premises.

Our sources said a police team, led by one A. Akiola, a deputy superintendent of police, said to head the police security unit in the Government House, Uyo, sealed up Mr. Umana’s office around 10 a.m Monday, denying entry to even civil servants working in the complex, which is a stone throw from Governor Akpabio’s office.

Officials were evasive when asked about the whereabouts of the embattled SSG, whose decision to declare his interest in the governorship race has been described by Governor Akpabio’s loyalists and associates as an affront and the height of disloyalty to his boss.

When contacted, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umana, said he could not comment on the recent happenings as he was out of the state.

Mr. Umana, the SSG, was, until this incident, considered Mr. Akpabio’s Man Friday, and his anointed successor. Political pundits in the state now consider the latest development as an indication that the two men might have parted ways politically.

Police charge pro-Amaechi lawmaker to court for conspiracy, attempted murder

The Nigerian Police has formally charged the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, before a Rivers Court.

The police filed a six-count charge of conspiracy and attempted murder against Mr. Lloyd before a Rivers State High Court.

Mr. Lloyd is believed to still be in police custody six days after he reported himself to the Nigeria Police headquarters in Abuja as demanded by the Inspector General of Police.

Mr. Lloyd was among the Rivers lawmakers who engaged in violence on the assembly floor when five lawmakers tried to impeach the Speaker of the Rivers Assembly. Mr. Lloyd and 25 of the lawmakers are loyal to the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, while the other five, led by Evans Bipi, are loyal to the presidency.

Mr. Lloyd was captured hitting a fellow lawmaker with the assembly mace in the head in a video clip that went viral on social media. His backers said he acted in self defense after he was attacked.

The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, confirmed that Mr. Lloyd has been charged to court and that the police was waiting for the court to give a date for his arraignment.

“I’m sure you should know that we have already filed a case at the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt that is the current situation now and we are also waiting for the court to give us a date for his arraignment.” Mr. Mba said.

Mr. Mba would not confirm whether or not Mr. Lloyd was still being detained by the police.

Also, the spokesperson of the Rivers Police Command, Angela Agabe, could not confirm the whereabouts and the trial of Mr. Lloyd.

“Please I don’t know ooh! But I will find out from the Force CID call me back tomorrow details.” Ms. Agabe said in a text message response to enquiries.

Kano Bombings An Attack Against Nigeria, Says Gov. Kwankwaso/PHOTOS

Kano State Governor, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, this morning visited the scene of last night’s Boko Haram bombings in Sabon Gari area.

The governor described the bombings as an "attack against Nigeria," and called on the people of the state to continue to be vigilant and to avail the government and security agencies of valuable information in the fight against terrorism.

Kwankwaso, who was on his way to Sokoto, arrived at the scene during heavy rain.  He also visited hospitals where those injured in the blasts are recuperating.

Bradley Manning Acquitted On Charge On Aiding the Enemy, Found Guilty On Others

Bradley Manning

In a verdict released today, Bradley Manning was acquitted on the charge against him of "aiding the enemy", however he was found guilty of numerous other charges.

US Army Private Bradley Manning has been on trial for his release of documents on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and US State Department diplomatic cables to Wikileaks.

INEC loses power to de-register parties

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, held that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has no powers to de-register any political party in the country without recourse to the 1999 Constitution as amended.

In a five-hour judgment he delivered in a suit filed before the high court by the Fresh Democratic Party, FDP, Justice Gabriel Kolawole nullified a directive the electoral commission issued on December 6, 2012, wherein it de-registered 28 political parties including the plaintiff.

Besides, the court, yesterday, declared Section 78(7) (ii) of the Electoral Act as unconstitutional, invalid, null and void, saying it is offensive to the provisions of Section 40 and Sections 221-229 of the constitution.

The court stressed that even though Section 228 of the Constitution vested the National Assembly with the powers to enact the Electoral Act, it said the legislature has no power to direct INEC to de-register any political party that failed to win a seat in either the state or National Assembly elections.

Strange concept

According to the judge, “the concept of de-registering a political party is strange and alien to the Constitution. When Section 78(7) (ii) of the Electoral Act, 2011, is construed together with Section 222 of the Constitution, it will appear that the legislative decision of the National Assembly to limit political parties to only those that won state and national elections is nothing but an arbitrary rule of the tongue.

“I am worried that Section 78(7) (ii) of the Electoral Act, 2011, does not appear from my understanding to have any constitutional precedence. It was a product of legislative despotism which will only encourage political parties to become desperate to win election at all cost.

“The section is from all intent and purposes inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution. To that extent of inconsistency and in line with Section 1(3) of the constitution, it is hereby declared unconstitutional and shall cease forthwith to be part of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2011, as amended.”

The court, which faulted INEC for not according the political parties fair hearing before de-registering them, maintained that the electoral body, failed to prove through preponderance of evidence that the plaintiff failed to live up to expectation or acted in breach of Section 223 of the Constitution.

“The 1st defendant has not by any scintilla of admissible evidence been able to justify its decision. The preponderance of evidence and burden of proof tilts in favour of the plaintiffs.

“I ask myself whether the 1st defendant, INEC, would have lost anything if it had issued a query to the plaintiff, asking it to adduce reason why it should not be sanctioned in line with Section 78(7) (ii) of the Electoral Act, 2011. Wouldn’t that have enhanced the validity of the decision it took on December 6, 2012?

“The action the 1st defendant took against the plaintiffs was quasi-judicial in nature. It was not an administrative decision as it claimed before this court. It clearly sought to divest the plaintiff of its vested legal right.

“It is my considered view that it was an adverse decision that affects the 1st plaintiff’s civil rights and obligation. Moreso, the right to fair hearing has universal application. The plaintiff was entitled to be heard before the 1st defendant took the decision.

“Consequently, I am of the view that the plaintiffs are entitled to all the reliefs they sought before this court except relief nine which is asking for a cost of N10 million to be awarded against the 1st defendant.

“Our democracy is still at its nascent stage, there is bound to be mistakes. Moreover, should this court order the defendant to pay the cost, it will still be paid with the tax payers money. Therefore I make no order as to cost,” the Judge added.

Meantime, the high court has also reserved judgment in a similar suit that was filed before it by 52 political parties also fighting for survival.

We will appeal the judgement—INEC

In response to the judgement by the court which declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission lacked the power to de-register political parties, the commission has indicated its readiness to appeal the verdict.

This was disclosed by Mr Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the commission, Professor Attahiru Jega.

In a telephone interview with Vanguard, yesterday, he said there had been three previous judgments affirming the correctness of INEC’s action with regard to the decision to de-register the affected parties.

He said: “This is the fourth judgment on this matter and it is different. So we would file an appeal against it.”

Okotie’s FDP’s  demands

Specifically, FDP had alongside its presidential candidate and founder of the Household of God Church, Reverend Chris Okotie, dragged INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation before the court, contending that de-registration of the party was unconstitutional.

Okotie, who equally cited the National General Secretary of the party, Mr Adefela Binutu, as the 3rd plaintiff, also joined the National Assembly and the Inspector-General of Police as co-defendants in the suit.

In their originating summons, the plaintiffs, urged the court to determine “whether the purported de-regulation is not wholly violative of the very underlying constitutional philosophy as loudly proclaimed in the preamble of the 1999 Constitution as it relates to good governance, welfare of all persons, freedom, equality, justice and above all, the principles of democracy/ franchise and social justice as envisaged in Section 14, 15 and 17(10) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Whether the 1st defendant (INEC) established under Section 153 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 is bound to observe the conditions stipulated under section 221-229 of the Constitution relating to restriction on formation of political parties.

“Whether INEC’s letter dated December 6, 2012, addressed to the Chairman of the 1st plaintiff, purportedly de-registering the 1st plaintiff is valid and legitimate in view of the provisions of section 221-229 of the constitution.”

As well as, “whether the 3rd defendant (National Assembly) is competent to enact section 78 (7) (ii) of the Electoral Act, 2010 in relation to de-registration of political parties when the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has made provisions covering the field in the area.”

Arguing through their counsel, Mr. Fred Agbaje, the plaintiffs, urged the court to declare that “the plaintiff has satisfied all the conditions and requirement of a political party as stipulated under the constitution and under the Electoral Act 2010 and therefore is an extant political party in Nigeria.

“That INEC cannot de-register the plaintiffs’ party except in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. A declaration that section 78(7) (ii) of the Electoral Act is unconstitutional, invalid, null and void to the extent that it offends the provisions of section 40 and sections 221-229 of the constitution.

“An order nullifying the so-called re-registration as announced by the 1st defendant on Thursday, December 5, 2012 and conveyed in the 1st defendant’s letter dated December 6, 2012 purportedly de-registering the 1st plaintiff as same is illegal, unconstitutional and wholly violative of democratic tenets and the principle of electoral/ political franchise.

“An order directing the 1st defendant to restore the 1st plaintiff as a political party in Nigeria as well as directing the 1st defendant, its agents, officers, assigns and or privies to continue to recognize the 1st plaintiff as a political party in Nigeria.

“An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from attempting to implement or implementing and enforcing the so-called de-registration pronouncement of the defendants against the 1st plaintiff”. They also asked for “general damages in the sum of N10million only.”

The court granted all their prayers yesterday except the issue of cost.

Rivers crisis: House leader, LIoyd charged with attempted murder

The Police authorities have filed a six-count charge of conspiracy and murder against the Majority Leader of Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Chidi Lloyd before a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

A source at Police headquarters, Abuja, told Vanguard that the Police after a careful and thorough examination of both oral and video evidences as well as the contributions of parties involved, came to the conclusion, adding  “we have done our part, it is now left to the court to assign the case and fix hearing date.”

Similarly, Nobel Laureate,   Professor Wole Soyinka and Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, will join in the civil society protest, slated for Port Harcourt, today, over the crisis rocking the state People’s Democratic Party, PDP, which snowballed into the state House Assembly recently, leading to a free for all. Despite opposition to the rally by former militants and some civil society groups in the state, organisers of the protest, yesterday, insisted on going ahead with today’s protest.

Senator Abe
Also, the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial district, Senator Magnus Abe, has renewed his call for the immediate redeployment of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, over what he described as “his questionable involvement in the Rivers crisis.”

Senator Abe, who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, expressed sadness that the police hierarchy had not done anything on the matter even though the National Assembly had passed a resolution asking for Mbu’s redeployment.

The filing of charges against Lloyd, came as the Police authorities in Abuja, denied allegations by Rivers State lawmakers that the Majority Leader, was tortured and maltreated while in Abuja for interrogation.

The state lawmakers, who raised alarm over the deteriorating health of Lloyd, had alleged that he was going blind because of the tear gas spread into his eyes, adding that he was badly manhandled while in Police custody, in addition to being handcuffed.

Force spokesman
But Force Spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, who spoke to  Vanguard, said  “As far as we are concerned, detectives from the Police headquarters were very professional and very civil in handling Llyod’s case. As a matter of fact, throughout his stay in Abuja, he was given very polite but professionally firm treatment.”

It will be recalled that shortly before Lloyd was flown back to Port Harcourt, after his interrogation, his case-file on the fracas that took place at the Rivers Assembly, was forwarded to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, for legal advice.

Meanwhile, Senator Abe, insisting on Mbu being transferred out of the state, said: “I think that it is actually an embarrassment to the police for them to wait this long.  “If you look at the report of the Senate Committee, it is clear that crime has gone up in Port Harcourt while this man has been here.  It is clear that normal policing is not going on in the state.  It is clear that the citizens of the state are at risk, so moving somebody who is not contributing in any positive manner to what the constitution expects us to be doing here is not something that the police need to wait for National Assembly to pass resolution. It is clear that the man cannot function as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.”

Insisting on Mbu’s redeployment to ensure peace and stability in the state, Abe said:  “he (Mbu) will go. There is no doubt about it.  The National Assembly has called for it and I don’t think that it is something we need to debate. Rivers people know that his presence here has not contributed to the peace and stability of the state. If both Houses of the National Assembly make a clear and categorical demand, if the facts on ground make a clear and categorical demand, if the people of the state themselves have made a clear and categorical demand, Mbu should by himself carry his bags and go.”

He noted that the National Assembly had put into consideration the wishes of Rivers people and of other Nigerians in passing its resolution, which called for Mbu’s redeployment.

He appealed to political stakeholders to work for the peace and stability of the state, just as he enjoined them to resolve their political differences in the spirit of give and take.

Meanwhile,  Concerned indigenes of Rivers State have rallied round HRM, Queen Akasoba Duke-Abiola, the Akasoba of Kalabari and Chairperson, Akasoba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, ACPCR, to find a lasting peace to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

Court declines to vacate order stopping PDP convention

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, failed to persuade Justice Suleiman Belgore of an Abuja High Court at Apo to vacate the order restraining it from conducting its special convention on August 31.

This was even as National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the substantive suit seeking to sack him from office.

The suit was filed by three aggrieved members of the party, Abba Yale, Yahaya Sule and Bashir Maidugu.

Despite efforts by the party to make the court grant it the go- ahead with its original plan to organise its South-West Congress and mini-convention on August 24 and 31, respectively, Justice Belgore declined to accede to the request, even as he adjourned further hearing on the case till September 23.

Lawyers fight

Meantime, a mild drama ensued immediately the matter was called up yesterday, as two lawyers argued over who was duly briefed by the plaintiffs to represent them.

File Photo: A cross section of PDP supporters at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

Whereas Mr. Jubril Okutekpa (SAN), told the court that he was the person that not only filed the suit but had been representing the plaintiffs in the matter, another lawyer, Mr. F. N. Nwosu, told the court that the plaintiffs had, Friday, instructed him to take over the matter on their behalf.

Following a heated argument that ensued between the two lawyers, who called each other names, among which included “Jankara legal practitioner,” the court was forced to stand down the matter for 30 minutes.

Later, one of the plaintiffs, Mr. Maidugu, appeared in court and told the judge that they no longer had confidence in their former lawyer.

He said they had unanimously resolved to change their lawyer, a submission that did not go down well with Okutekpa, who insisted that they must pay for all the legal services he had offered them before he would hands off the case.

Okutekpa said: “My Lord, my investigations revealed that I have not been de-briefed. In view of Order 10 rule 40(2) of the rules of this court, read together with Rule 29(2) of Rules of Professional conduct, Mr. Nwosu cannot be allowed to appear in this matter and he should not.

“This morning, I spoke to the 3rd plaintiff and I filed a process in their name this morning.

“Though I have not spoken to the other plaintiffs, however, if they want to de-brief me, they ought to have done so in writing and I will give them my terms and condition.”

On his part, Nwosu urged the court to allow him to take over the case since one of the plaintiffs already identified him as their new counsel.

He further told the court that the plaintiffs had agreed to withdraw the suit to allow PDP’s National Reconciliation Committee to resolve their grievance.

Ruling

In his short ruling, Justice Belgore described the drama as “an embarrassment to the legal profession.”

He said: “This is an embarrassment. It is an impunity that should not be tolerated at all in the judiciary. We as lawyers should allow politicians to do their politicking.

“The action two of you showcased in this court today will reverberate beyond this room. This is a trying moment for our profession, which is indeed at a cross-roads.”

On application by counsel to PDP, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), for the interim order against the party to be lifted, Justice Belgore said it will be unjust and inequitable for him to grant the prayer in view of the quagmire in the camp of the plaintiffs.

He said: “I am not prepared to consider the oral application to discharge my earlier order. As it stands now, I do not know who will speak for the plaintiffs.

“Moreover, there is an application by the 2nd defendant challenging the jurisdiction of this court to hear the substantive suit. I don’t have any choice than to adjourn this matter to September 23.”

Plaintiffs’ case

The plaintiffs had sought for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain Tukur and other officers of the party from holding the scheduled “special convention,” which date they said was announced by a committee led by former Minister of Information, Prof. Gana.

They urged the court to set aside or nullify all steps and processes that led to the appointment of all the national officers of the party.

Besides, they asked the court to restrain Tukur “from performing any function or duty assigned to the National Working Committee of the defendant.”

Security agencies on red alert over possible terror attacks

With just nine days to the end of the Ramadan fasting period, all security agencies in the country, especially the Federal Capital Territory, have been put on red alert, following credible intelligence reports of plans to carry out bombings within the country.

The intelligence report from the Directorate of State Security, which is corroborated by other intelligence organs of government, has been sent to all heads of security agencies in the country as Vanguard gathered and it directly said there will be “A possible terror attack, on or before the end of the Ramadan fasting”.

Vanguard was told that the Boko Haram terrorist group who are pained and recalcitrant over the dislodgement of the camps from the North East following the declaration of a State of Emergency by the federal government, is keen on hitting back at the federal government and Nigerians as a mark of revenge for the government military action against them.

Security sources told Vanguard that the intelligence report, disclosed that the target areas are churches, mosques, police stations and security agency buildings, places of recreation, government and national assets.

Other targets include key and vulnerable points, and structures which if they succeed will elicit great outrage and sorrow.

The source further disclosed that the directive specifically requested all security agencies to beef up security in their areas of jurisdiction and surroundings.

It advised that there should be serious stop and check operations, while motorcycle operators should not be left out in the search.

Consequently Vanguard gathered that heads of security organizations in the country who are not taking the threat lightly, have directed all their operatives to be vigilant and work round the clock to forestall any terror attack.