Politics
Edo Guber: Court Ruling Just ‘Little Setback’ – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship Election says the party would win the governorship poll despite the recent court judgment against its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
The council’s chairman, Governor Amadu Fintiri of Adamawa, stated this during the council’s inaugural meeting on Saturday in Abuja.
Governor Fintiri said the party would appeal last Thursday’s judgment of Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, which he described as a temporary setback.
Justice Ekwo voided the February 22 primary election that produced Mr Ighodalo as its candidate. The court voided the exercise on grounds that 378 delegates were unlawfully excluded from voting.
“Yes, there is a little setback, temporarily. God will see us through it, Anybody who peruse and look through the entire process will know it’s a child’s play.
“We are all politicians and the only thing we understand in politics is to win elections. That is why there is no second position in any election. You either win, or you are lost. In this outing, we are out to win.
“We will put more commitment and more work than we have not intended to do earlier so that we will put our detractors to shame. And this is what we know best,” Governor Fintiri said.
The PDP Campaign Council Chairman advised the members of the PDP not to be deterred but to put in their commitment and sacrifice for the party’s victory in the election.
“The candidate has a lot of credibility with him. We can make him win if we are serious,” Governor Fintiri said.
PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamarudeen Adebayo, also advised the council not to be distracted by the court ruling.
He noted that the Certified True Copy (CTC) on the ruling did not nullify the PDP primary election as Nigerians were made to believe.
Mr Adebayo said the party in Edo State had eight suits out of which the court had addressed seven in favour of the party, adding that the eighth case will also go in the same direction.
He said the Supreme Court had already ruled that issues related to delegates were purely internal affairs of political parties.
Mr Adebayo said the National Assembly had also introduced the provisions of section 84 (14) to say that only an aspirant who participates in an election or primary election can challenge the outcome.
“We had three cases before Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo on the same subject matter that has to do with the issue of delegates.
“He gave us judgments based on primary objections to say that they don’t have locus standi to even approach his court in two of the cases.
“We were taken aback and surprised that in the last case pending before him, he made a somersault. But just like I said, in the wisdom of the judge, he saw that, maybe from a different angle, he said.
“We should know that by the time we get to the Appeal Court, we’ll be able to put our records in proper perspectives. It’s not the first time we are handling this kind of matter,” Mr Adebayo said.
A former Edo State governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, expressed confidence that the PDP would win the governorship election, noting that Mr Ighodalo had already visited 192 wards to solicit support and votes.
In his remarks, Mr Ighodalo said he knew the election would be difficult due to distractions, but that victory for PDP was certain with the support of the council members and all.
He pledged that he and his running mate would work to make Edo remain a great state.
Politics
Why I Won’t Help Tinubu’s Govt Overcome Economic Challenges – Sanusi
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).
The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.
He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.
His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.
Politics
Reps Loses Deputy Chief Whip
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.
Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.
This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday night.
Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.
She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Politics
Aiyedatiwa Dissolves Cabinet, Retains Finance Commissioner, Attorney-General
Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.
The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.
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