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Sylva, APC lose bid to stop Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal

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The Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed a fresh motion filed by All Progressives Congress,  (APC) and its governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva asking the panel to recuse itself from handling their petition challenging the election of Gov. Douye Diri.

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Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunle Adeleye dismissed the motion after listening to arguments from counsel.

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The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Mr Tunde Falola represented Sylva,  Mr Charles Edosanwan represented the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), and  Mr  Chris Uche, SAN was for Diri.

Mr Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume, SAN represented the Deputy Governor while Mr Tayo Oyetibo, SAN represented the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Counsel to the petitioners told the tribunal that his clients filed the fresh application because they were convinced beyond reasonable doubt that they could not get justice from members of the panel.

The two petitioners further stated that the tribunal had exhibited strange circumstances that made them believe that they would be denied a fair hearing.

Falola therefore, asked the tribunal to step aside from the petition so that a fresh panel could be constituted to hear and determine their petition.

In a brief ruling, Justice Adeleye said that the President of the Court of Appeal in a letter dated March 5 mandated the tribunal to go ahead and hear the petition irrespective of any application by the parties.

The judge said that the letter of the Appeal Court president had overtaken the request by the petitioners for the disbandment of the tribunal.

Meanwhile, all the respondents, through their respective counsel, opposed the request for members of the panel to recuse themselves.

The respondents in the suit are Diri, his deputy, INEC and the PDP.

They argued that the application was an attempt to prevent the respondents from presenting their defense against the petition.

The respondents further argued that the motion by the APC and Sylva was a calculated attempt to blackmail the tribunal members to do their bidding.

The four respondents said that the petitioners closed their case even when the time allocated to them had not expired; hence, there was no basis for the allegation of denial of fair hearing.

The respondents also held that APC and Sylva were part of the pre-hearing session and both agreed to the schedule of time as agreed upon by all the parties.

Adeleye adjourned the hearing until March 13 and 14 for INEC to open and close its defence.

(NAN) 

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Court did not lift senate probe ban on Natasha —Group Clarifies

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A pressure group, Action Collective, has urged Nigerians to disregard rumors that the Federal High Court has lifted its order restraining the Senate from probing Senator Natasha Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Goodwill Akpabio.

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In a statement signed on Thursday by Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, the Kogi-based group reaffirmed that the court order remains in effect. According to them, instead of vacating it, the court provided further clarification on the case.

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They explained that the court had not yet considered Senator Uduaghan’s request for a mandatory injunction but had instead addressed a motion filed by the Senate on March 17, 2025.

The group noted that in spite of the restraining order, the Senate proceeded with its investigation and ultimately pronounced a six-month suspension on Senator Natasha.

“They equally filed an application, which was vehemently opposed by the Plaintiff’s counsel, Michael Numa, SAN, who emphasized the Senate’s contemptuous actions in defying the Court’s orders.
“Numa argued that the Senate was not entitled to any further orders from the same court it had disrespected.

“After standing down the matter for a few hours, the Judge returned to deliver a ruling, offering clarification on the scope of Order 4. Contrary to the interpretation sought by the 2nd Defendant (the Senate), that the restraining order was meant to halt the entire legislative function of the Senate, the Court noted that the National Assembly had been carrying out its legislative functions without any hindrance.

“The Court further clarified that, owing to the varying interpretations of the order, it would set aside only the consequential aspects of Order 4, which was merely meant to give effect to the predicate orders.”

The group declared that contrary to false reports, “The Court did not set aside Orders 1, 2, or 3, which include the orders restraining the Senate’s Ethics Committee from continuing its investigation into the Plaintiff’s alleged conduct while the Motion for an Interlocutory Injunction remains pending.

“Additionally, the Court did not reverse its directive for the Defendants to show cause within 72 hours or overturn the order to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

“The Court’s decision only involved the clarification of Order 4 due to the differing interpretations presented by the Defendants.

“The matter was subsequently adjourned to March 25, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the substantive dispute.

“We use this medium to assure the general public that justice shall prevail, even as we urge everyone to disregard the misinformation in circulation,” the group clarified.

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Opposition leaders announce coalition to challenge Tinubu in 2027

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Some leaders from opposition parties in the country have announced the formation of a coalition aimed at removing President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

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Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, made the announcement while addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

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The meeting was attended by top opposition figures, including Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko; former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Peter Ameh, among others.

It was announced that some notable figures were absent but had taken permission, including former governors of Rivers and Ekiti states, Rotimi Amaechi and Kayode Fayemi, as well as the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu.

When asked if the gathering marked the beginning of a coalition of political parties for the 2027 election, Atiku responded with a clear “Yes.”

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Atiku, El-rufai, Obi condemn Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers Governor, demand reversal

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A coalition of concerned leaders and political stakeholders in Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

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The leaders made this demand during a joint press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

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Among those present at the meeting were former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko. Also in attendance was former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

Other notable figures, including former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, former Governor of Ekiti State Kayode Fayemi, and former Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, were unable to attend but had formally excused their absence.

Describing Fubara’s suspension and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as unconstitutional and illegal, the coalition urged President Tinubu to reinstate the governor and his deputy without delay.

Furthermore, they called on the judiciary to invalidate the suspension, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used arbitrarily to remove elected governors in the future.

“Mr. President’s illegal and unconstitutional proclamation was presumably driven by the protracted insidious political crisis in Rivers State, which culminated in the recent ruling of the Supreme Court. Naturally, we expected all parties to the dispute to follow laid-down procedures, and in good faith, to promptly implement the judgment of the highest court of the land. We note that despite provocative statements and the belligerent attitude of his opponents, Governor Fubara had demonstrated goodwill and appeared disposed to implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court,” the leaders said.

They accused President Tinubu of acting out of bias and neglecting his constitutional duty to be fair to all Nigerians.

“However, rather than rise above the fray, the president yielded to petty favouritism and betrayed the oath that he solemnly swore to before God and man, which was to ‘do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.’ If President Tinubu had conveniently disguised his true intentions in the past, his broadcast to the nation on 18th March 2025 betrayed his bias and fell far below the standard of comportment expected from his exalted office,” they noted.

The coalition called on Nigerians to resist what they described as an undemocratic act by the federal government.

According to them, “Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an ELECTED GOVERNOR with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR. We recall that even when a previous administration declared a state of emergency in parts of the country plagued by insurgency and terrorism, the governors of the affected states were not removed from office. This action by President Tinubu, therefore, represents a new low for our country.”

They warned against the potential consequences of political instability in the Niger Delta, reminding the government of the historical unrest in the region.

“Past administrations made great efforts and sacrifices to restore peace and stability to the Niger Delta, which is critical to Nigeria’s economic health. This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to a past that we have all prayed to leave behind for good,” they said.

The coalition insisted that the suspension must be reversed to uphold the rule of law and preserve Nigeria’s democracy.

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