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PDP Is Dead In Enugu – APC …As PDP NWC Dissolves Ebonyi, Adamawa Excos
L-R: Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr Seun Abimbola, Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Badejoko Adeniji and Justice Mukthar Abimbola during the lecture on the ‘’future of Law and Legal Practice in Nigeria’’ in Ibadan, recently.
The All Progressives Congress on Tuesday said the protracted crisis in the Enugu State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party means that the ruling party will not be able to present a candidate in the state in 2015.
The chairman of the APC in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, said this at a news conference where he rejoiced over what he described as the “death of the PDP” in the state.
A bitter struggle between two factions, loyal to Governor Sullivan Chime and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, respectively, over the control of the party structure, has grounded the PDP in Enugu State, a few months to the polls.
The Chime camp, which insists that Chief Ikeje Asogwa is the chairman of the party, and the Ekweremadu faction, led by Elder David Aja, who was endorsed by the National Working Committee as acting chairman, have both gone to court to obtain court orders restraining each other from acting as the leadership of the PDP in the state.
Currently, there are strong indications that the Chime faction, which also obtained a court order that stopped the national secretariat of the party from acting on the delegates list presented by the Ekweremadu group, is shopping for an alternative political party platform to realise their aspirations in 2015.
There were unconfirmed reports that the Chime camp met on Tuesday to deliberate over a possible move to the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Addressing journalists against the backdrop of the unfolding developments, as well as the controversy over the N11bn loan approved for Chime by the state house of assembly, Nwoye declared that the Enugu State PDP would not recover from the crisis.
The Enugu APC chairman noted that a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was endorsed by Chime as the PDP consensus candidate, is making moves to join another political party in order to realise his gubernatorial hopes.
It is believed that the Ekweremadu faction, which is currently in charge of the party machinery, was not favorably disposed to Ugwuanyi’s ambition.
“APC is mourning the PDP in Enugu State, PDP as a political party in Enugu State is gone. “Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi) is looking for another platform.
“The Ekweremadu group has used their legal prowess in Abuja to tie down PDP while the Chime group has tied down PDP in Enugu State.
“So it means that PDP will not be able to present a candidate in Enugu State in 2015.
“We are now mourning the demise of the PDP – the prayers of the people have finally worked,” Nwoye said.
The APC chieftain noted that the opposition party was not responsible for the misfortune of the PDP in Enugu State.
Rather, he blamed the development on the PDP ruling class, who he said have failed Nigerians while enriching themselves.
He alleged that the N11bn loan approved for the Chime administration was fraught with irregularities and must be stopped by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Accusing the banks involved in the loan – UBA and GTB – of conniving with the administration to “wipe away” and “siphon the future revenue of Enugu State.”
Nwoye urged Enugu State indigenes to stop banking with the two financial institutions.
In the same vein, an APC gubernatorial aspirant, Barr. Okey Ezea, faulted the state assembly for approving the loan.
Ezea, who said he would not honour the loan if elected in 2015, said the facility did not comply with provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
“That approval is null and void and of no effect and if the banks go ahead to advance that money, they will be doing so at their own risk because the court of law may declare it null and void, and the incoming government may not be bound to repay that loan,” Ezea said.
Ezea added that the 2013 report of Debt Management Office indicated that Enugu State has a debt profile of over N12bn as of December 31, 2013, and warned that if the governor obtains the fresh N11bn loan, he would bequeath a N23bn debt on the incoming administration.
Meanwhile, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has dissolved the party’s executives in Ebonyi and Adamawa States.
The decision to sack the executives was taken at the meeting of the National Working Committee of the party, which was held in Abuja on Tuesday.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of the meeting.
He said, “In order to maintain discipline and to show the supremacy of the party and in furtherance of running a lawful, orderly and responsible state organs of our party, the NWC has decided to dissolve the state executive committees of Adamawa and Ebonyi States for grave and inimical conduct and act capable of disorganising and undermining good conduct of the party in the states.
“We urge members in those states to disregard the publications of the result of the Ward congresses made by those two state executives. Our members should disregard them as not being authorised and not coming from a proper custody. ” he said.
A bill to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which mandates compulsory counselling and training for individuals convicted of corruption-related offences, was sponsored by Kayode Akiolu (APC-Lagos) during plenary on Wednesday.
Leading the debate, Mr Akiolu explained that the bill sought to amend Section 67 of the principal act, introducing new provisions that were not part of the original section.
“These additional provisions, found in subsections 2, 3, and 4 of the amendment bill, require judges and magistrates to not only impose imprisonment and/or fines on those convicted of corruption but also mandate a minimum four-week anti-corruption counselling and training.
“The counselling and training will be designed and delivered by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) and aims to address the psychological factors related to corrupt behaviour,” Mr Akiolu said.
Mr Akiolu emphasised that the training would help reform convicts by addressing their corrupt tendencies and could even transform them into advocates for anti-corruption efforts.
He added that this approach aligned with the reformative aspect of the criminal justice system, which focused on punishment and rehabilitation.
“As per subsection 4, the bill allows magistrates and judges to order convicts to cover the cost of their counselling and training, preventing additional financial burdens on the government,” the lawmaker noted.
Mr Akiolu further argued that if the bill is passed into law, it would strengthen the country’s fight against corruption.
Given the widespread negative impact of corruption, he urged the House to support the bill for the country’s benefit.
Following the debate, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas referred the bill to the relevant committee for further legislative consideration.
The Judiciary and the Media are key pillars of democracy, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said.
Kekere-Ekun made this statement in her address at the 2024 National Conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC).
The CJN was represented by Mr Abdulaziz Olumo, the Secretary of the National Judicial Institute (NJI).
“ The judiciary and the media occupy unique and complementary roles in any democratic society.
“ The judiciary serves as the guardian of justice, equity, and the rule of law, the media acts as the conscience of society, disseminating information, shaping public opinion, and ensuring accountability.
“ Together, these institutions provide checks and balances that strengthen the fabric of democracy,” she said.
Quoting Felix Frankfurter, a former U.S. Supreme Court Justice, she said: free press is not to be preferred to an independent judiciary, nor an independent judiciary to a free press. Neither has primacy over the other; both are indispensable to a free society.”
The CJN said this dynamic interdependence between the judiciary and the media presents opportunities and challenges alike.
“ The media is entrusted with the responsibility of informing the public about judicial activities, the judiciary relies on accurate and ethical reportage to enhance public confidence in its work.
“ However, the inherent power of the media to influence public opinion requires careful management, especially when its focus turns to judicial proceedings.
“ The question posed by Robert J.Cordy, a former Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, is pertinent here: “What happens when the free press turns its sights on the courts-scrutinizing, sensationalizing, and exposing the frailties of the judiciary while questioning its ethical standards and performance?”
“The media’s capacity to shape narratives and perceptions is undeniable” she said.
Quoting Jim Morrison , she said “Whoever controls the media controls the mind.”
According to her, this underscores the immense responsibility placed on journalists to report truthfully, fairly, and objectively.
“ Unfortunately, the commercialisation of news and external influences have led to the rise of sensationalism-a practice that distorts facts, erodes trust, and undermines the very essence of journalism.
“ Sensationalised headlines, such as the infamous 2016 headline “We raided the houses of ‘corrupt, unholy’ judges, says DSS,” can paint a skewed picture of the judiciary and its officers. Such reporting, often devoid of context, compromises the integrity of the justice system and misleads the public.
“ Closely tied to this is the issue of “trial by media,” where premature and often biased media narratives prejudge cases and infringe on the constitutional rights of individuals” she said.
She added that as Mahatma Gandhi rightly observed, “The sole aim of journalism should be service.” It is imperative for media practitioners to remain steadfast in their commitment to truth and objectivity.
To this end, she advised, the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents to take proactive steps to regulate the activities of its members.
“ This is not merely about enforcing rules but about fostering professionalism and safeguarding the credibility of the media.
“ The judiciary and the media must work as partners in progress.
“ To bridge the gap between these institutions, there is a pressing need for constructive engagement and mutual understanding.
“ Courts can provide the media with guidelines on judicial processes, courtroom decorum, and the nuances of court proceedings.
She noted that globally, courts have adopted initiatives to support the media’s role in reporting judicial matters.
For instance, she said the Supreme Court of Dakota’s media guide outlines protocols for courtroom reporting, while the UK ‘s Media Guidance document provides clarity on access and etiquette for journalists.
“ These examples demonstrate how structured collaboration can enhance the quality of judicial reportage.
“ In Nigeria, we can take a cue from these models by developing a comprehensive media guide tailored to our judicial landscape.
“ This initiative, which would involve inputs from NAJUC and judicial stakeholders, would not only enhance media access to courtrooms but also ensure that judicial activities are accurately and responsibly reported” she said.
She advocated that judiciary correspondents must make deliberate efforts to familiarise themselves with the rules and procedures of the courts.
She added that understanding these frameworks will enable journalists to navigate the complexities of judicial proceedings effectively and responsibly.
“ Training programs such as this conference play a crucial role in equipping judiciary correspondents with the knowledge and skills needed to report judicial matters accurately.
“ The theme of this year’s conference, “The Role of Courts in Enforcement of Judgments,” is both timely and significant, as it addresses an aspect of judicial work that is critical to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice.
“ I commend NAJUC for its commitment to promoting accountability and transparency through its engagements with the judiciary.
“ As I conclude, I must emphasize the importance of credible journalism in strengthening public trust in the judiciary” she said.
She urged judiciary correspondents to prioritise the pursuit of truth and objectivity, resist undue influences, and remain steadfast in their commitment to ethical standards.
She commended the leadership of NAJUC, under the chairmanship of Mr Kayode Lawal, for its efforts in promoting professionalism among judiciary correspondents.
The Senate has issued an arrest warrant for the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr Peer Lubasch, to appear before its Committee on Works.
The Tide’s source reports that the warrant was for Lubasch to explain the utilisation of funds appropriated for the reconstruction work on Calabar-Odukpani-Itu highway.
The warrant followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sen. Osita Ngwu (PDP- Enugu) and co-sponsored by Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC-Cross River) and Sen. Mpigi Barinada (PDP- Rivers) at plenary in Abuja, yesterday.
Ngwu, in the motion said, that the senate had mandated the committee on works to conduct investigation into the state of road infrastructure across the country.
He said that in furtherance to the investigative hearings, Julius Berger refused to honour invitations to provide details of its role in the Calabar-Odukpani-Itu highway project, in spite of receiving substantial public funds.
He said that this was worrisome, given the alarming discrepancies in performance among contractors on the project, with specific reference to Julius Berger for failing to meet delivery timelines.
Ngwu said it was the constitutional powers of the National Assembly under Sections 8 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to conduct investigations on any person or organisation responsible for administering public funds.
He said that the powers set out in section 6 of the legislative powers and privileges act empowered the Senate to issue warrants of arrest on persons in contempt of its proceedings.
The Tide source reports that the senate further ruled that President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, should sign the warrant, mandating the Julius Berger managing director to appear on a date to be communicated.
Akpabio said that the senate’s decision was in line with its constitutional powers under Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“This senate will not tolerate the continued disregard of its authority.
“The managing director of Julius Berger must appear before the relevant committee, failing which further actions will be taken as prescribed by the constitution.
“The point of order, which was supported by the majority of the senators, highlighted the importance of upholding the integrity of the legislature.
“The senate committee will submit its findings to the National Assembly after the MD’s appearance.
“If there is any further failure to comply, we shall take the necessary steps to ensure respect for the constitution and the rule of law,” Akpabio said.