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Fubara Confronts Police At RIEC, Dubs IGP Egbetokun ‘Fraudulent’ During LG Polls
Fubara Confronts Police At RIEC, Dubs IGP Egbetokun ‘Fraudulent’ During LG Polls. Governor Siminilayi Fubara and his loyalists have chased away police officers deployed to provide security at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in Port Harcourt. Mr Fubara accused Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector general of police, of being “very wicked” and “fraudulent.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
“I’ll be here. In fact, if I go back and I here anybody, I’ll come here. This is my property, and you don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it,” Mr Fubara told journalists in a video circulating online on Friday. “Just try it, then that your history as a very wicked and fraudulent inspector general of police will include shooting Fubara. I think I’ve given him enough respect.”
The team of officers said to have been sent to enforce the July 19, 2024, order of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court against the October 5, 2024, council elections allegedly invaded the RSIEC office at midnight, attempting to get access to the premises.
On hearing the report, the governor and his supporters stormed the scene, forced the invading officers back to the vehicles and chased them away before barricading the premises against any further invasion.
“I had to come myself to find out why would such a thing happen. From what I heard, that one, is it DC Operation, brought them here to withdraw policemen that are already here protecting this place, so that new officers will take over the place.
“We’ve been taking enough nonsense from this institution. Everybody is aware of the court judgment, and even the ruling specify anywhere that election should not hold? It said, don’t give voters register. What are we doing with it? Okay, police, don’t provide security, is it the same thing as blocking the election?” Mr Fubara explained.
Questioning the relationship between Mr Egbetokun and an unnamed powerful politician (likely former Governor Nyesom Wike) in Rivers, Mr Fubara stated, “I don’t know what the relationship between the inspector general of police and one person who claims he has so much power in this state, because it’s beginning to go beyond the normal professional relationship. The government wrote a letter with the judgment that we gave to him. But what he’s acting on is what he called the judgement they got from the Federal High Court.
“Even if we should go by that, did the judgment by the Federal High Court, say election should be barred? That justice that gave that fraudulent judgment, did he say no election? Rather, he tactically said “don’t provide.” We don’t need your security. We will provide our own security. After all, it happened in Anambra. Where was security?”
Mr Fubara insisted that the council elections must hold in Rivers without the security cover of the police which he described as compromised.
“This election must hold. If you like, whatever it is you want to do, do it. The election will hold, results will be declared, people will be sworn in. I say it here,” said the Rivers governor. “What kind of a country is it? And when it comes to the issue of Rivers state, it becomes different. You’re not ashamed of yourselves, and you call yourselves the Nigerian police. Enough is enough.”
The invasion came despite a statement by the force’s spokeswoman in Rivers, Grace Iringe-Koko, acknowledging the court’s restraining order preventing the police and other security agencies from providing security during the polls.
“On September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that again prohibited the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the local government election. Given these circumstances, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence.
The National Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has maintained that there is no constitutional provision preventing Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, from contesting the Imo West senatorial seat in the 2027 elections while still serving as governor.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that Arodiogbu, who also serves as the South-East Co-Zonal Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the clarification while responding to arguments questioning the governor’s eligibility.
He cited Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the Governor shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.”
According to him, the provision only prohibits a sitting governor from occupying two offices simultaneously and does not prevent the person from seeking a party nomination, contesting or winning another election.
Arodiogbu also referenced Section 68(1)(f) of the Constitution, which requires a lawmaker to vacate his legislative seat upon assuming an executive position.
He argued that the provision recognises the possibility of moving between executive and legislative offices, provided the two positions are not held at the same time.
He said, “There is no constitutional impediment against Senator Hope Uzodinma’s aspiration. The Constitution does not require a sitting governor to resign merely because he desires to contest another election. What it forbids is dual occupancy of offices.
“Should he win the senatorial election, he would resign as Governor before taking the oath of office as a Senator. That is the clear position of the law.”
The APC chieftain further stated that appellate courts, in interpreting Sections 66, 107, 137, 182 and 183 of the Constitution, had held that resignation was only necessary when a candidate was about to assume a new office.
He added that no provision of the Electoral Act imposes a general restriction on a sitting governor seeking election into the Senate.
Arodiogbu also argued that Uzodimma’s tenure, which is expected to end in January 2028, does not constitute a legal obstacle, insisting that any transition would be carried out in accordance with the Constitution after the inauguration of the new National Assembly.
He said, “The law is clear, the Constitution is clear, and the judicial authorities support this position.
“Those peddling the contrary view are either deliberately misinterpreting the Constitution or attempting to create political distraction. Senator Hope Uzodinma remains free to pursue his legitimate political aspiration without any constitutional disability.”
He reaffirmed the APC’s support for Uzodimma as its candidate for the Imo West senatorial seat and urged party members to disregard what he described as speculative legal arguments.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja had, on October 29, ruled that former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, won the APC senatorial primary for the district.
The Imo State Government has indicated that it would appeal the judgment.
Human rights activist and chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has vowed that the party will adopt a tougher approach ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Yesufu declared that the NDC would be both refined and rugged, insisting that no group or individual had a “monopoly of madness.”
She warned that the party would not tolerate intimidation or attacks against its members, adding that supporters would stand their ground whenever they were threatened.
Naija News reports that she made the declaration on Thursday following an attack on NDC supporters ahead of the party’s town hall meeting at the Classic Event Centre in the Oregun area of Lagos State.
According to Yesufu, the political campaign was not solely about the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, but belonged to everyone supporting the movement.
She said, “In 2023 we were refined, in 2027 we will be refined and rugged. Nobody has monopoly of madness and anybody wey say him dey crase we go send am go psychiatric hospital. We are not slaves, we are citizens. This campaign is not Peter Gregory Obi campaign, it is our campaign.”
Recall that the NDC town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos State, turned violent after suspected political thugs invaded the venue and attacked party supporters.
According to The Cable, the attackers, who were armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones, disrupted the event and forced participants to flee for safety.
Chairs and other items at the venue were reportedly scattered during the attack.
The incident allegedly left some supporters injured and several vehicles damaged. A journalist covering the event was also reportedly assaulted, while his recording equipment was taken.
The confrontation later spread to Kudirat Abiola Way, disrupting traffic before police operatives arrived and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The Zamfara State Commissioner for Commerce, Tasiu Musa Shinkafi, has died at the age of 50.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Shinkafi reportedly passed away on Wednesday in Kaduna State following a brief illness.
News reports that Governor Dauda Lawal announced the commissioner’s death in a statement issued through his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris.
Reacting to the development, Lawal expressed sadness over the loss, describing Shinkafi’s death as an irreparable loss to the state government and the people of Zamfara.
The governor noted that the late commissioner’s contributions to governance, politics and public service would remain memorable.
He said, “With heavy hearts and in total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (T), we received the shocking news of the passing of the Commissioner for Commerce, Tasiu Musa Shinkafi.
“Tasiu’s death is a great loss not only to his family and the state government, but also to the people of Zamfara.
“He will be remembered for his dedication, honesty, and commitment to Zamfara State.
“He served diligently as Commissioner for Youth and Sport before being redeployed to the Ministry of Commerce.
“As a valued member of my administration and a brother in service, his contributions to governance, politics, and public service will be remembered.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and give his family the strength to bear this great loss.”
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