Politics
APGA Reps Ticket: Nwobashi Petitions INEC, Security Agencies
A former majority leader in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Nwobashi said he has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the national leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on the grand plot by certain individuals to deny him the party’s House of Representatives ticket for Ezza North/Ishielu Federal constituency which he duly won during primaries.
Nwobashi who briefed Journalists in Abakaliki on Monday alleged that the members representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal constituency, Hon Anayo Edwin Nwonu were hellbent on snatching the ticket from him.
He alleged that Hon. Nwonu was scheming to take away his ticket from him, so he would recontest for House of Representatives on the platform of APGA, having failed his governorship bid in the PDP.
He vowed to challenge the matter in court if his name is substituted with any other person’s name, ahead of the election.
Nwobashi said: “The primary election for House of Representatives in APGA was conducted on 27th May 2022 in Ebonyi State and I won the ticket to represent Ezza North/Ishielu federal constituency.
“Our names were sent to the national secretariat of our party after the primaries and certificates of returns have been issued to all of us that won in Ebonyi State.
“Recently, I have been receiving a lot of pressure from someone who wants me to step down for him. I have also been receiving some pressure from his supporters. But I want to make it public that I have not stepped down for anyone and have no intention to step down for anyone.
“I want to assure my supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, that my ticket is intact and I’m fully in the race. So, I have notified the INEC and other relevant agencies to take note, that should there be any notice to them that I have withdrawn, they should disregard it.”
Reacting in a telephone interview, the Member representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal constituency, Hon Edwin Nwonu, debunked the allegations and cautioned Mr Nwobashi to stop maligning his name.
Nwonu popularly known as Anatex urged Mr Nwobashi to desist from linking him with whatever problem he has with his party.
He said the allegation by Mr Nwobashi that he was plotting to snatch his ticket was baseless as neither the constitution nor the Electoral Act gave him such powers.
Asked about his membership status in APGA, Nwonu simply said alot of parties had been lobbying him to join them due to his goodwill but was yet to make his mind on any.
Nwonu said: “The point here is that I don’t know why someone will derive joy in maligning my name. If Nwobashi has a problem with his party, he should go and sort it out himself and stop mentioning my name.
“Other political parties not only APGA are approaching me to join them. But it’s for me to decide what I want to do? Not people talking about what they do not know. Like I said before, no person can take a ticket to a political party on his own.
“The ticket of a political party is a decision of the party. Like this one, Mr Nwobashi is saying that Anatex wants to collect his ticket, but I don’t have the power to do so.
The Constitution and the Electoral Act do not allow me to do that, but he is just making noise, talking about what he does not know. He is talking like an illiterate. Electoral Act doesn’t allow me to do that. Every party process depends on the political party, not me. I don’t know why he should he mentioning my name. And like what he said that I have been threatening him, I have not seen Nwobashi for the past two years.
“I have not called him on phone. Let him show you, people, the evidence that I called him on phone. I have not discussed anything with Nwobashi about any ticket or no ticket. So, he should leave me alone.
“Finally, I know their problem, their problem is my popularity. Their problem is why must Anatex be rising this way. But it’s not my fault, it’s my goodwill and God. They are afraid of Anatex coming on board, not only he is doing that. The summary is that I’m a good market that every political party wants to buy.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour expressed concern over the development, saying a dangerous precedent was being set.
He said: “What we witnessed at the House of Assembly represents a troubling pattern where might is increasingly valued over right. This forceful seizure of the legislative chambers undermines the very foundations of our democracy and sends a disturbing message about how power is wielded in our state.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour criticised the ruling party in Lagos, accusing it of systematically promoting thuggery and violence over ideas.
He argued that such actions have eroded public trust in governance and weakened democratic values that should preserve the rule of law.
He said: “For too long, Lagos politics has been defined by intimidation rather than inspiration, by coercion rather than conviction. The ruling party has consistently demonstrated a willingness to use force to have its way notwithstanding the popular will of the people.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour urged Lagosians to take the current crisis as a wake-up call ahead of future elections, saying voters should prioritise candidates who demonstrate character, competence and compassion regardless of party affiliation.
“The quality of our democracy depends entirely on the quality of individuals we elect to represent us. Lagosians deserve leaders who view public office as a sacred trust rather than a platform for personal aggrandizement”, he said.
In a statement, signed by its spokesman, Mr Chika Adiele, the group warned that the judiciary would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
They expressed shock over the verdict, warning that it could disrupt the peace and development efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the pan-Niger Delta Youths Empowerment Forum, under the leadership of Comrade Maobu Nangi Obu, has been drawn to the shocking verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ordering seizure of Rivers State’s allocation. This is nothing short of economic sabotage against Rivers people.
“The apex Niger Delta youths body is dismayed by the infantile antics of anti-democratic forces whose stock in trade is brewing crisis in a bid to topple the people’s Governor. We firmly condemn this judgement as it is against the tenet of the constitution of Nigeria.
“It is an invitation to war and against equity, justice, and fair play. We equally condemn the order nullifying the local government election as reckless and vindictive.
“Unfortunately, the justices of the Supreme Court positioned themselves as a party to the suit rather than impartial arbiters of justice.”
They urged Nigerians to note that the principle of democracy is rooted in sound constitutional pronouncements with a view to establishing justice. “Therefore, any attempt by the enemies of Rivers people to seize power by judicial fiat will be resisted by the Niger Delta youths.
“We cannot be cowed, neither shall we lay in surrender at the altar of political manipulations of rascals. We reiterate boldly, once again, that anyone, no matter how highly placed, will face fierce resistance by the majority of Rivers people,” they said.
Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, to withdraw her suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking during a live television interview on Saturday, Senator Olujimi said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable”.
On February 20, Senator Akpabio, the senate president, and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate during plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
However, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Senator Akpabio over an alleged defamatory statement reportedly made by the senate president’s legislative aide.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Senator Akpabio.
Reacting to the development, Senator Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
The former lawmaker said the request of the Kogi senator that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live was a “little overboard.”
She added that the clash between the senate president and Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have been escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
The former senate minority leader expressed support for the probe of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “weighty” allegations against Senator Akpabio.
She said Senator Akpabio is someone who jokes a lot, adding that the senate president usually made fun of everything.
“I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us.
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible”, Senator Olujimi said.