Politics
Councillor Loses To Stop Ahoada-East In Court
A High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed claims by a member of the Ahoada-East Local Government Legislative Assembly to stop the local authorities from passing the 2008 budget of the council.
The councillor Hon Bright Nelson in suit PHC/1964/2009 also sought the Ahoada-East Legislative Council from passing the 2009 budget or any budget of the local government until 2/3 majority votes of members were gotten.
Also joined in the suit was the Commissioner of Local Government/Chieftaincy Affairs, who the councillor sought an order restraining him from releasing funds standing in the credit of the local government pending when the budget was duly passed.
But Justice Boma Diepiri held that the 2008 budget of the council was duly and properly passed by the legislative council, even by simple majority of five councillors.
Justice declared that the case lacks merit adding that “all the issues canvassed by the claimant and reliefs claimed by him all gravitate and rotate around this issue.
“The said issue having been resolved against the claimant, his case thereby collapsed’.
Hon. Bright Nelson had claimed that only five members of the legislative assembly witnessed and passed the 2008 budget of the council.
Hon. Nelson asserted that the members do not constitute two-third majority of the assembly expected by law to pass the budget into law.
However, the judge said the claim of the councillor has been overshadow by the Local Government Law No 3 of 1999, which requires only a simple majority of members.
He supported the claim by the defendants that the 2008 budget was duly passed by seven members who sat and voted on 21/11/2008 to pass the appropriation bill.
Justice Diepiri stated, “I believe the assertion of the defendants. This is because whereas the claimant did not attach exhibit or anything in proof of his assertion that only five members passed the said bill, the defendant have exhibited the proceedings and minutes of the said meeting of 21-11-08.
The Judge continued, “A look at the said exhibit revealed that seven members were present on the said date and voted in favour of the budget. Even if we believe the claimants assertion that only five members voted and passed the said bill, five is still a simple majority of the seven members present and voting as required by Section 25 of the Local Government Law”.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.