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Ondo Guber: Court Dismisses Ajayi’s Forgery Case Against Dep Gov-elect

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The Akure Division of the Federal High Court in Ondo State yesterday struck out the suit seeking disqualification of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 16, 2024 governorship election.

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the off-cycle governorship election, Mr Agboola Ajayi, had approached the court to challenge the qualification of Olayide Adelami, the deputy governor-elect.

Mr Ajayi, the first runner-up in the governorship election, cited inconsistency in the names Mr Adelami submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prior to the poll.

The PDP governorship candidate had, through his counsel, M. Ndoka (SAN), challenged the eligibility of Mr Adelami to contest as the deputy governorship candidate on the platform of APC and consequently sought the disqualification of APC from the ballot.

In the originating summons through his counsel, Mr Ajayi said the first defendant (Mr Adelami) is known by multiple conflicting and irreconcilable names, such as Adelami Owolabi Jackson and Olaide Owolabi Adelami.

In his submission, the PDP candidate prayed the court, “That the first defendant, (Adelami) is constitutionally disqualified from contesting the election as Deputy Governorship candidate of APC.”

Also, he sought “A declaration that the APC has no validly nominated governorship and deputy governorship candidate for the 2024 election.”

He further sought an order disqualifying the defendants from participating in the election and restraining INEC from publishing their names or allowing them to participate.

However, the defence counsel, Remi Olatubora (SAN), said Mr Adelami’s West African Examination Council (WAEC) result had the name Adelami Owolabi Jackson in 1974 and that a degree certificate from Ambrose Alli University issued in 1982 has the name Adelami Olaide Owolabi.

He said the grievance of the plaintiffs is not about discrepancies in the name but the order or arrangements of the names.

Mr Olatubora said the plaintiffs have no right to file the suit following section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022 because they are not members of the APC and did not participate in the primary that produced Messrs Adelami and Aiyedatiwa as candidates.

“The plaintiffs lack the locus standi to file the suit or seek the reliefs set out in the originating summons. That the suit as a matter of law does not qualify as a pre-election matter, and this court lacks jurisdiction,” he said.

In her judgment, Justice Toyin Adegoke dismissed all the charges preferred against the APC candidates.

Justice Adegoke, in suit No. FHC/AK/CS/99/2024, held that the PDP candidate who challenged the qualification of the APC lacked locus standi to file the case.

She held that the case filed by Mr Ajayi and the PDP is barred by statute, having filed it outside the 14 days required by the Electoral Act.

Justice Adegoke further held that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit, having filed it through originating summons instead of a Writ of Summons.

The judge said the issue involving certificate forgery and perjury is criminal, which required the calling of evidence from the authorities that issued the certificates in question.

The court further held that section 29 of the Electoral Act made provisions for who could challenge the candidate of political parties.

She said the fact that PDP and Ajayi are not aspirants in the APC primary that produced Messrs Aiyedatiwa and Adelami as candidates had rubbed them off any legal right to challenge their qualifications.

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Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings

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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.

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PDP Crisis Deepens As Orbih Appoints CTC Excos For Bayelsa, Edo

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The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new phase as the the Chief Dan Orbih-led South-South Zonal Working Committee appointed its zonal Secretary, George Turnah and Hon. Nosa Ogieva as caretaker committee Chairmen for the Bayelsa and Edo States chapters of the party.
In a statement by the zonal spokesman of the party, Prince Etim Isong, the party noted that the decision to appoint caretakers for the two States was taken during a meeting held at the Zonal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Prince Isong noted that the interim committees will function for three (3) months, beginning from Tuesday, 22nd April, 2025.
The statement reads in part, “The decision to set up Caretaker Committees for both States follows the dissolution of the State Working Committee of Bayelsa State and the Caretaker Committee in Edo State on account of various acts of gross misconduct by the dissolved executives which are in clear breach of the party’s Constitution.
“Another reason was the poor performance and woeful outing by the party in Edo State at the last governorship election, and the poor handling of internal crisis rocking the party in both States.
“The Zonal Working Committee took these decisions in the best interest of the party after a careful review of the activities of the party in both States in line with the Constitution of the party as amended in 2017, particularly Articles 10(1),(f),(g),(k), and (4) as well as Articles 26(2),(a), 27(2)(a&b), 58(1),(a),(c),(i),(j), and 59(1)(f)”.
The party’s image maker stated that the Zonal Working Committee believes that the move will strengthen the party’s foundation and ensure effective leadership in the two States.
Others appointed as caretaker committee members for both states include Bayelsa: Tony Gabriel, Deputy Chairman; Ebilade Ekerefe, Secretary; Didi Ebiekake Werilaghebofa, Vice Chairman, Central.
Also appointed were Andy Majors, Vice Chairman, East; Evelyn Bolouebi Odi, Vice Chairman, West; Biobelemoye Igoniwari, Treasurer; and Barrister Awudumapu Agorodi, Esq, Legal Adviser.
They also include, Erepagamo Eke-Spiff, Financial Secretary; Amain Oyeintariperedei, Auditor; Derri Alasuote Wright, Publicity Secretary; Christian Koffah Akuraku, Organizing Secretary; Ato Alfreda, Woman Leader as well as Nicholas Eferebo as Youth Leader.
In Edo State those appointed alongside Nosa Ogieva as Chairman included Chief Sunny Okomayin, Deputy Chairman; Hillary Otsu, Secretary; Nosa Iseleomon, Vice Chairman, South; Ehisota Oriakhi, Vice Chairman, Central; Richard Ehimigbai, Vice Chairman, North and Mrs. Tes Sorae, Woman Leader.
Others were Benjamin Ehinlebodiaye, Treasurer; Emma Akhaba, Auditor; Daniel Okojie, Organising Secretary; Bob-Manuel Umoru, Publicity Secretary; and Barrister William Umoru – Legal Adviser.
They also included Moses Izobo, Financial Secretary; and Destiny Oreye as Youth Leader.
In the same vein, the statement from the zonal secretariat of the party quoted the National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Orbih, as having stressed the need for unity and discipline within the party.
He tasked the newly appointed party leaders to pursue genuine reconciliation among members in order to foster the cohesion necessary for repositioning the party for future political success in both States.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

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Nasarawa PDP Sets Up Reconciliation Committee

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The Nasarawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a 13-member reconciliation committee to address internal grievances in the party.
The new PDP Chairman in the State, Mr Adamu Ninga, stated this in an interview with journalists on Wednesday in Lafia, the state capital.
He said that the committee is chaired by Sule Nasidi, Chairman of the Elders Forum of the party in the State.
The chairman of the opposition party in the State emphasised that the aim of setting up the committee is to have a united, all-inclusive and formidable party in the State.
Mr Ninga explained that the PDP under his watch would ensure that the party remains the only hope and best alternative that will enthrone good governance in the State by bringing it back to the people.
He further maintained that the reconciliation move championed by the committee will water the ground which will prepare the party to take over the governance of the State in 2027.
The State chairman of the party urged the reconciliation committee to ensure that every aggrieved member of the party is pacified and reintroduced into the mainstream to ensure a formidable PDP.
The PDP Chairman also used the medium to apologise to members who may have been wronged knowingly or unknowingly and urged them to place the interest of the party above other interests.
He added that the party would soon embark on a thank you visit to all the 13 local government areas of the State to appreciate the people for supporting them in the 2023 general elections.
Mr Ninga also commended the members of the state House of Assembly as well as National Assembly members representing the state under PDP for their performances so far and urged them to do more to better the lives of their constituents.

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