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Labour Party NEC Suspends Acting Chairman Apapa, Five Others Over Anti-Party Activities

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The crisis rocking the Labour Party got worsened yesterday by the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa and five other national officers.

Others suspended are Alhaji Saleh Lawal (Deputy Secretary); Rawland Daramola (Financial Secretary); Prince Reuben Favour (Vice Chairman, Southsouth); Samuel Akingbade (Legal Adviser) and Mohammed Akali (Vice Chairman, Northeast).

They were sanctioned by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) for alleged anti-party activities.

The NEC also upheld the decision of the Akure convention, which expelled the National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi.

On April 6, Apapa and five others took over the affairs of the party following the ruling of a Federal High Court, which barred Julius Abure from parading himself as chairman of the party. The court also restrained three others from functioning.

Acting on the order, Apapa, who doubles as the Vice Chairman (South), took over the party, pending the vacation of the court order.

But the NEC, during a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, announced the suspension of Apapa and his acting executive council.

It passed a vote of confidence on the Abure-led NWC at the meeting.

At yesterday’s NEC meeting were state chairmen; state secretaries; presidential candidate of the party Peter Obi; National Assembly members-elect, In+dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

It was gathered that the meeting was called by Abure and the former National Secretary of the party, Umar Farouk.

The NWC has the power to summon a NEC meeting. Abure and Farouk are members of the NWC.

The NEC also extended the tenure of the present NWC of the party by one year.

In a joint statement by the Deputy National Chairman, Ladi lliya, and Deputy National Secretary, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, the LP said: “NEC in session examined the anti-party activities of some of its members and resolved as follows:

  • Reaffirm and uphold the decision of the Akure convention which expelled Comrade Arabambi Abayomi.
  • NEC considered the disciplinary committee report which recommended the suspension of Anslem Eragbe and recommended the same to the next convention for expulsion. Pending the next convention, NEC suspends him indefinitely.
  • NEC suspended the following NWC members: Lamidi Apapa; Alhaji Salem Lawal; Prince Favour Reuben; Gbenga Daramola; Samuel Akingbade and Mohammed Akali
  • NEC in session constituted a disciplinary Committee as follows: Ladi Illiya; Rotimi Adekunle; Prince Kennedy Ahanotu; Yunusa Tanko; Chief Tony Ezeagwu.”

The NEC also appointed Prince Kennedy Ahanotu as the National Youth Leader; Obiora Ifoh, acting national publicity secretary; Edun Kehinde, acting national Legal adviser; Rotimi Kehinde, deputy national secretary and Chief Anthony Ezeagwu, Acting national vice -chairman (Southsouth).

It added that after considering that the tenure of the current NWC would end in June, the numerous court cases and the outcomes of the general elections, it would be “most malapropos to convene a national convention.

Consequently, the NEC resolved to extended the tenure of the current NWC by one year in line with “our party’s constitution in article 13 (2) (B) IX.”

The NEC also restated its ”implicit confidence in the Abure – led NWC.”

Obi sues for calm

But in a statement, Obi said he never expected the journey to a New Nigeria to be an easy one.

He, therefore, called on supporters to be steadfast and calm.

According to the statement by the Obi – Datti Media Office, the former governor assured Nigerians, particularly Obidients, that he would not give up on the journey until victory was achieved.

Obi said: “If they come at us through land, air, and sea, we will respond to them through land, air, and sea, but we will remain law abiding and will never give up on the nation.

“We are on the right path, and we will remain committed to the course.”

He revealed that there might be more mudslinging on him from those who are against the emergence of a new Nigeria.

His words: “I have always lived my life in the most law-abiding manner possible. Sometimes, as humans, we make mistakes, but I will never knowingly break any law. I am, therefore, not afraid of the lies and propaganda against my person. They are part of the journey to a New Nigeria.”

 

Credit: The Nation

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Protesters Besiege Villa, National Assembly Over Reinstatement Of Sanusi As Emir [PHOTOS]

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In opposition to Muhammadu Sanusi II’s reappointment as Kano’s emir, some demonstrators marched to the presidential mansion and the nation’s assembly gates.

Sanusi’s reinstatement as emir was declared on Thursday by Kano Governor Abba Yusuf, who also signed the new Kano Emirate Council Law.

The law that was used to overthrow Sanusi and divide the Kano emirate into five regions was revoked by the state assembly.

Sanusi has subsequently been turbaned as the 16th Emir, despite a federal high court in Kano ordering the state government not to apply the new law.

Speaking with reporters during the demonstration on Friday, Abdullahi Saleh, coordinator of the Northern Nigeria Peace and Development Foundation, said Yusuf is taking these actions to “rubbish” his predecessor.

Saleh said President Bola Tinubu should intervene to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

“A lot had been going wrong in the state but the Concerned Patriots of Nigeria had thought it best to allow Kano state to sort out its thorny issues,” Saleh said.

“However, Thursday’s brash actions of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, who sacked five Emirs to reappoint Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano has awoken us to the urgency of raising the alarm about the destructive excesses of the state governor.

“Since being sworn into office, Governor Abba Yusuf has had a string of loutish acts that run like a hardened criminal’s rap sheet.

“This latest stunt of sacking five Emirs to install his acolyte was achieved by manipulating the Kano state house of assembly, which he had successfully turned into a rubber stamp for endorsing his illegal acts.

“They, alongside Governor Yusuf, have taken their desperation to an extent that could set the ancient city on fire and cause breaches in the land.

“We are here today to appeal to President Tinubu to intervene in the Kano Emirate crisis.”

See some pictures from the protest below.

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Court Seizes $4.7m, N830m, Multibillion Naira Assets Linked To Emefiele

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An interim order for the forfeiture of $4,719,054 million USD, N830,875,611 million, and different properties connected to the troubled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been issued by a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, Justice Yellim Bogoro issued the ruling after an ex-parte argument by the attorneys for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), C.C. Chineye and Bilkisu Buhari.

“I find merit in the application and same hereby granted as prayed.

“The applicant should publish this order in any daily newspapers circulating all over the federation for anybody who is interested to show cause why the final order final order of forfeiture should not be made,” Justice Bogoro held.

The monies forfeited to the Federal Government in the interim, were said to be warehoused in some banks operated by Omoile Anita Joy; Deep Blue Energy Service Limited; Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd; Lipam Investment Services Limited; Tatler Services Limited; Rosajul Global Resources Ltd and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.

Emefiele’s properties forfeited to the federal government include; 94 Units of 11 Storey building under Construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, iKoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11 Story Office Space, Situate on 1E,Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos and 2 properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot.Twin Completed property Lakes Estate. Lekki, Lagos.

Others include; One plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm, at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; Estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, Owned by Lipam investment Services; a Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street, (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and a Property Situate on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi Lagos.

The EFCC had approached the court for an interim forfeiture of the monies and properties, pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offence Act. 14 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

Specifically, the anti-graft asked the court for the followings; “an Interim Order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the funds warehoused in the accounts particularized in Schedule ‘A’ which funds are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

“An Interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria Properties provided in 2nd Schedule ‘B’ which are proceeds of unlawful activities.

“An Order directing the publication In any National Newspaper, the interim order under reliefs 1-2 above, for anyone who Is interested in the properties and funds sought to be forfeited to appear before this Honourable Court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the sald properties and funds should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

In granting the ex-parte motion Justice Bogoro after he had taken submission of the EFCC’s counsel held; “I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support.”

The case was adjourned to July 2, 2024 for motion for final forfeiture.

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I hope Obi Doesn’t Vie For Presidency In 2027, He’s Unfit To Lead Nigeria — Prof. Wole Soyinka [VIDEO]

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  • Says Obidients Can’t Stop Me From Saying The Truth

 

Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has declared that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party in 2023, is unsuitable to govern the nation.

He said that this was made clear by the way his followers, dubbed “Obidients,” behaved during the general election campaign of 2023.

He claimed that Obi’s inability to stop his fans from harassing those who hold different opinions on the internet is evidence that he is unfit to be the leader of a nation the size of Nigeria.

The famous author further charged that Obi, a former governor of Anambra, was inciting “Obidients” to criticise him and other people who have different opinions on the internet.

The Nobel laureate, speaking in a recent interview with Noble Nigeria, said he hoped the former governor won’t contest the 2027 presidential election.

“I hope for the sake of the nation that he doesn’t express interest in the next election because for me as a leader if there was any proof that he was unfit to lead that country, it’s in the conduct which he encouraged among his followers. I know for a fact, and I can give you an instance that proves that he was in control of those forces.

“But it is for me a sad phenomenon, especially for those who want to lead a multi-texture society, different religions, different ethnic groups, different world views and who actually want to preside over sub-groups as one, it means that have already declared themselves incompetent to lead such entity and that’s it.”

Backing his claim that Obi was in control of the trolls, Soyinka said, “It’s simply because when he first came to visit me, you know, he did come at one time. And I watched him. I watched his actions and body language. It seemed to be very conciliatory.

“I remember the moment when he took out his (mobile device) after he made a statement like ‘Oh don’t worry. You don’t have anything to worry about these people. He was talking about ‘Obidients’. I remember he took out his phone, and he typed a message there. I was watching him very closely, I didn’t say a thing. And after that, everything seemed to be nice and cosy.

“And I saw and I read his statement about that meeting afterwards. The statement was a contrast to what actually happened, what we discussed, and I mentioned it in my response. It was a misrepresentation of what happened, and I made sure that I put a statement out saying ‘No, I’m sorry, this is not what was said. This language never came into it”.

The literary icon explained that it was surprising that Obi would, after the meeting, put out a different narrative of what really transpired.

“On the contrary. This is what happened, and so when I meet somebody who is incapable, even at a meeting which is supposed to be reconciliatory, of being completely honest. I look at that person and smile to myself. Of course, when I got to Stellenbosch and I was asked a question about this, I repeated exactly what had given ‘offence,’ only this time I made it even stronger. I said Peter did not win this thing (election). So I led them again to go on the rampage, and I went on about my own business.

“Don’t take my word for it. There were witnesses at the meeting. He came with two people and one person was from my side. Ask them! The statement he put out was not a reflection of what went on at that meeting, which I very reluctantly considered,” he added.

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