Politics
Lagos Crisis: Chaos as DSS Officers Invade Assembly, CP Replaced
There was chaos at the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, as the Department of State Service invaded the assembly, allegedly on the orders of the clerk.
In the ensuing melee, the lawmakers forcefully gained entry into the hallowed chamber and declared their support for the Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
The Governance Advisory Council, the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, has, however, reaffirmed its plans to meet with President Bola Tinubu over the ongoing crisis in the state House of Assembly.
The fresh crisis followed the militarisation of the assembly complex by officials of the DSS on Monday.
The crisis deepened following moves by ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to return to the House.
Obasa, who was removed by the majority of the lawmakers on January 13, 2025, approached the court last week to seek redress.
The lawmaker dragged the Assembly and the new Speaker, Meranda, before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, claiming that the lawmakers were wrong to have removed him when the Assembly was in recess.
In a motion dated February 12, 2025, Obasa, through his counsel led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), sought an order from the court for an accelerated hearing of the suit.
Mudashiru Obasa
The embattled former speaker was in Atlanta, United States of America, for his holiday when the House convened and moved a motion for his removal.
There were speculations that Obasa may likely return to the House on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. However, the House, at its plenary on Monday, adjourned the sitting indefinitely, leaving no room for a possible sitting.
The Monday plenary earlier scheduled for 11 am was delayed till around 12:51 pm, as the DSS operatives sealed the offices of the Speaker and other principal officers of the House.
The assembly chamber was also under restriction, with the lawmakers forcing their way into the chamber after about two hours of being stranded outside the building.
While attempting to enter the chamber, Meranda, who was surrounded by security details and assembly workers, burst into tears amid hailing and a show of solidarity from about 36 lawmakers and the assembly staff.
‘Assembly invited DSS’
Amid allegations of invasion, a top official of the DSS told one of our correspondents that the clerk of the assembly wrote to the service to increase the number of operatives deployed in the complex.
The source, who spoke in confidence because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, said, “Contrary to reports by a section of the media that DSS officers stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, sealing offices of the Speaker and his deputy, it was the Assembly that invited security agents to maintain order.
“The clerk of the assembly wrote to us that there was a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members and requested to increase the number of operatives there and ensure strict access within and outside the assembly.”
It is not clear what line of action was given to the DSS operatives or who gave them, but the actions of the officers prevented the sitting from holding at the scheduled time.
A letter from the Clerk of the House revealed that the assembly indeed invited the operatives to maintain order at the House, following speculations of Obasa’s return.
The letter dated February 14, 2025, showed that the acting clerk of the assembly, A. T. B. Ottun, wrote to the DSS, requesting more presence of operatives at the complex.
According to the letter with reference no: LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, the DSS was instructed to ensure strict access to the facility from February 15 till further notice.
The letter, titled, “URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES,” read: “I wish to bring to your attention a pressing matter that requires immediate action.
“The impeached Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly plans to resume office on the 18th of February, 2025, as the Speaker, posing a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members.
“In light of this situation, we kindly request that you take necessary measures to fortify the security of the Assembly premises with effect from Sunday, 16 February 2025, by increasing the presence of your men and as well observe strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises till further notice. We look forward to your prompt attention Sir. Thank you.”
Workers, DSS clash
Following the entry of the lawmakers into the House, DSS officers engaged in a physical confrontation with some assembly workers who were shocked to meet the operatives in the chamber.
The DSS officers, cladded in black jackets, helmets and face masks and armed to the teeth, were resisted by the assembly workers after several minutes of tussle.
New Lagos Assembly speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Shortly after the incident which created tension in the House, Meranda presided over the sitting which began around 12:51 pm. It was the seventh plenary presided over by Meranda since Obasa’s removal, and the latter had been absent from all.
Lawmakers condemn invasion
During the plenary, lawmakers condemned the invasion of the chamber by the DSS after Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 1) raised a motion under Personal Explanation.
The assembly also noted that Kazeem Osho (Mushin 2) was rushed to the hospital for emergency care due to the heightened tension in the chamber.
Joseph called on the President to intervene and ensure that those responsible for the invasion were brought to justice. He also demanded that the Director-General of the DSS be summoned to explain the agency’s actions.
Another lawmaker, Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi/Isolo 1), decried the incident, describing it as a “rape of democracy.”
Sabur Oluwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 2) also condemned the invasion, describing the DSS’ conduct as unnecessary and unprofessional.
He said, “This harassment is completely unwarranted. I’m still shivering. We were elected by the people to protect their interests. If we feel the Speaker is not representing us or the people well, we have the right to elect a new leader. That is democracy. This does not justify harassment or an assault on our legislative process.”
Gbolahan Ogunleye (Ikorodu 1) called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“I am deeply saddened. I never imagined a day when armed men would storm the Lagos Assembly. I urge the DSS DG to investigate this attack, and I call on President Tinubu to ensure that justice is served. This is a blatant violation of democratic principles.”
Similarly, Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2) described the invasion as a violation of legislative procedures.
“What we witnessed today is an aberration. The Assembly is meant for debates that advance society, not for forceful interventions.
“We must call on the government to clarify whether it has the right to dictate our leadership choices. Today’s incident is a disgrace,” he said.
Despite the chaos, both lawmakers and staff reaffirmed their support for the first female Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in Meranda’s leadership after which the Speaker adjourned the plenary indefinitely.
DSS invite explained
In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Lagos assembly, Kayode Ogundipe, late Monday, the assembly clarified why it invited the DSS to the House.
It argued that though it invited the security agency, it did not ask the operatives to seal the offices of the principal officers of the House.
DSS officers
Ogundipe stated, “Earlier today (Monday), lawmakers and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly arrived at the Assembly complex to find the offices of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and the Acting Clerk of the House locked and access restricted by operatives of the DSS. Furthermore, the legislative chamber itself was sealed off.
“In an apparent effort to justify their actions, the DSS released to the public a letter written by the Acting Clerk of the House, requesting security presence at the Assembly complex.
“We wish to categorically state that this is not the first time the House has sought security support from the DSS.
“However, it is important to emphasise that in all previous instances, the DSS operatives have been stationed at the main gate of the Assembly complex, ensuring that unauthorised persons do not gain entry.
“For the avoidance of doubt, at no point did the letter requesting security assistance instruct the DSS to invade the legislative chamber, lock and restrict access to the Speaker’s office, lock the office of the Acting Clerk and lock the Deputy Speaker’s office.
“The events of today raise serious concerns about undue interference in legislative affairs. The sanctity of the Lagos State House of Assembly was undermined by armed DSS operatives who actively obstructed lawmakers from performing their constitutional duties.”
GAC distances self
The Chairman of GAC, Chief Tajudeen Olusi, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday, said what happened at the House was not a party or GAC affair.
“Why don’t you talk to those who are involved, those who are there, members of the House of Assembly, the police, the DSS? I have not gotten sufficient information. What’s happening today is not from the party, it’s not from the GAC,” he said.
When quizzed on the speculation that the President was not able to handle the political crisis in Lagos, Olusi said, “Currently, the President is out of the country. Is that not correct? Has he returned? You’re aware that some time ago, the GAC, we were in Abuja to see the President but unfortunately, he has to travel out for an urgent state matter, you’re aware of this? So what happened at the House today is not the affair of the party.
“We as a party or as GAC shall speak at the appropriate time. It’s not that we don’t want to address the press or the public, but we will do that at the appropriate time. What’s happening, we were not part of it. I was not there, representatives of the party were not there, we have not been properly briefed.”
A GAC member, Chief Muraina Taiwo, said the assembly crisis had gone beyond what the council could handle “until Tinubu intervenes.”
He said, “The situation is not yet clear. The DSS said the acting Clerk invited them to guard the house against invasion and the members are saying they were there to prevent them from entering.
“The GAC’s power can no longer contain the crisis because if it does, the directive of the GAC would have been carried out (by the lawmakers).”
He also said he did not believe Obasa was behind the crisis.
“If he (Obasa) was behind the invasion, he would not have gone to court. The matter is already in court, he would allow the court to do its work.
Muraina said he also did not believe Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was having a hand in the crisis.
“In politics, the more you look, the less you see. What are they going to say the governor did wrong? I don’t see anything wrong in the actions of the governor.
“But they’re saying those things so that they will not say the governor is behind them or funding them (the lawmakers).
“There’s no evidence to show he’s supporting them, all is politics.”
An aide to the governor, who asked not to be named, did not respond to inquiries from our correspondent.
‘Obasa not involved’
A source in the Obasa camp who spoke with The PUNCH on Monday evening said Obasa was not behind the DSS invasion of the assembly.
“They (the lawmakers) were the ones who invited the DSS, so how will they link it to Obasa?
“I believe they invited the DSS following reports that Obasa was to return to the House on February 18,” the source simply said.
Meranda denies resignation
The speaker of the House, Meranda, on Monday, denied that she was stepping down as the leader of the assembly.
Rumours on social media had it earlier on Monday that Meranda was due to resign over pressure amid the crisis rocking the assembly.
But in an interview, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Segun Ajiboye, described the rumour as “a lie from the pit of hell.”
Ajiboye said, “It is a lie from the pit of hell. If she had resigned, would she come back to sit at the plenary today?”
Lagos CP replaced
Amid the ongoing crisis, the Police Service Commission replaced the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Lanre Ishola, and appointed Moshood Jimoh as the new CP.
Jimoh was the Force spokesman between January 2017 and January 2019. He was later Deputy Commissioner, Airport Police; Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration; Deputy Commissioner of General Investigation, and Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority, Eastern Ports.
A statement on Monday by the PSC’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, read, “The Police Service Commission today, Monday, February 17, 2025, approved the appointment of Moshood Jimoh as the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
“Jimoh, who hails from Kwara State, was a former Force Public Relations Officer and later Deputy Commissioner, Airport Police; Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration and Deputy Commissioner General Investigation.
“CP Jimoh, before his appointment, was Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority, Eastern Ports.
“CP Olohundare Moshod Jimoh is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Public Relations Personality of the Year, in recognition of his sterling qualities and outstanding contribution to the development and use of Public Relations by the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.”
Sanwo-Olu’s details redeployed
It was learnt on Monday that the DSS operatives attached to Sanwo-Olu were replaced by new ones.
A source close to the governor and privy to the development revealed that the security operatives were said to have overstayed in their capacity as security aides to the governor.
The change was linked to the political crisis rocking the state.
It was also gathered that the Director of the DSS in Lagos may be replaced anytime soon.
A source in the DSS, however, said only those who had overstayed in the governor’s security details were redeployed.
As of the press time, The PUNCH could not independently verify if the redeployment had to do with the crisis in the state Assembly.
Atiku, Rhode-Vivour kick
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly as “utterly reprehensible and stands condemned.”
He also blamed the President for interfering in state matters, while calling for a full and thorough investigation.
In a post on his verified X handle, Atiku said the invasion was an attack on the sanctity of democracy and a landmark of indignity to the Nigerian electorate, especially the people of Lagos.
“Whatever may have caused the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly is an undercurrent that is not abnormal in a system of democracy.
“The purported invitation of armed security operatives for a conflict resolution in a parliament is an anathema that should be frowned upon and interrogated with all sense of urgency.
“Tinubu should focus on bringing Nigeria out of the mess he plunged the country into, rather than interfering in the state matters,” Atiku said.
A former Lagos State governorship candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, in an interview on Channels, decried the assembly invasion by the DSS.
“Whoever is behind this should solve this problem in a civilised fashion, because the state Assembly must owe its loyalty to its constituents and not any godfather,” he said.
In a post on his X handle, he wrote, “As far back as 1861, the Lagos elites put everything on the line to fight and agitate for an independent legislative body, because our people have always understood the importance of representative democracy.
“Sadly, not even the military attempted the brazen desecration we witnessed today in our hallowed chamber.
“An open inquiry must be held to establish and bring to justice those behind this attempted coup.
“Lagos cannot be reduced to a Hobbesian state just to appease the narrow, primitive and self-serving interest of an individual, however highly placed,” he added.
PUNCH
Politics
Enugu NDC Passes Vote Of Confidence On Dr. Johnpaul Anih-Led State Exco, Warns Against Destabilisation
The Enugu State chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee (SWC), reaffirming its confidence in the current leadership and warning individuals allegedly plotting to destabilise the party to desist.
The resolution was reached on Saturday during an expanded meeting of the state working committee, party stakeholders, candidates and members, who commended the state executive for its leadership, commitment and efforts at repositioning the NDC in Enugu State.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of the party in Isiuzo Local Government Area, Hon. Jonathan Ogbu, said the current state leadership had transformed the fortunes of the party in Enugu.
“This is the only leadership of the party that emerged through a valid congress monitored by INEC, and any attempt by Enugu politicians spending dollars in Abuja to destabilise the party will be firmly resisted”.
“Without the current leadership, nobody would be hearing about the NDC in Enugu State today. The Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive has given the party life and made it attractive through its programmes and grassroots mobilisation,” he said.
Corroborating his position, the Igboeze North Local Government Chairman of the party, Hon. Kingsley Ape and his Aninri counterpart, Hon. Stephen Ajah, stated that the achievements of the present leadership had positioned the party to participate effectively in the forthcoming local government elections.
According to them, without the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive, the NDC would not have been on the ballot for the forthcoming local government chairmanship and councillorship elections in Enugu State.
The party leaders declared that they remain firmly behind Dr. Anih and his executive, insisting that the State Working Committee enjoys the overwhelming confidence and support of the party’s grassroots structure across the 17 local government areas of the state.
They further warned that any attempt to tamper with the existing leadership could trigger a mass exodus of members from the party in Enugu State.
The stakeholders also cautioned individuals allegedly fomenting crisis within the party, urging them to steer clear of activities capable of undermining the unity, stability and progress of the NDC.
According to them, any attempt to create parallel party structures or sow discord among members would be firmly resisted in the interest of preserving the party’s cohesion ahead of future political engagements.
The members equally expressed concern over what they described as the actions of the party’s national leadership, alleging that recent developments could further deepen internal disagreements if not handled with fairness and respect for due process.
They urged the national leadership to refrain from actions capable of escalating tensions within the party, stressing that internal disputes should be resolved in line with the party’s constitution and democratic principles.
Reaffirming their loyalty to the NDC, the stakeholders called on members across the state to remain united, focused and committed to building a stronger political platform.
They pledged their continued support for the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee and maintained that the Enugu chapter would continue to protect the integrity of the party while working tirelessly to advance its political objectives in the state.
Kwankwaso disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, saying the agreement was aimed at ensuring power returns to the North after a single four-year tenure in line with the party’s power-sharing arrangement.
The former Kano State governor said he had no reason to doubt Obi’s commitment to honouring the agreement.
“Oh yes, I personally believe him. I don’t think, based on what I now know about him, that he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen,” he said.
Asked whether the understanding had been documented, Kwankwaso replied that both the party and the two candidates signed separate agreements.
“We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,” he said.
Explaining the substance of the agreement, Kwankwaso said it provides for a single four-year tenure for Obi before the presidency returns to the North.
“The agreement is what you said, that for four years, we will work together, team together as a group, party, friends and brothers so that after his term of four years (2027-2031), it comes back to the North. That is the general agreement.”
“Together we felt that the presidency should go to the South for four years; thereafter it will come back to the North.
“We believe that should be the consensus of everybody in this country so that we can move together as a family, both North and South,” he said.
On whether he intends to contest the presidency in 2031, Kwankwaso said the party remained focused on winning the 2027 election while keeping its long-term political plans in view.
“We have a short-term plan which we are executing now and, of course, we also have our medium and long-term plans for the country, and that is what we are working on now,” he said.
Obi had in May announced that he would serve only one term if elected president, saying the decision was intended to promote political stability and strengthen national unity.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day, with a gun to my head, longer than four years,” Obi had said.
The NDC has consistently defended its power-sharing arrangement, presenting the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a consensus aimed at balancing the country’s regional interests ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The leadership crisis rocking the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took a fresh turn on Monday after the Federal High Court in Abuja granted a stay of execution on its earlier judgment that removed Sen. Emma Anosike as the party’s state chairman.
The order effectively restores Anosike to office pending the determination of the legal proceedings.
The dispute began after a faction of the party led by Ifeanyi Osegbo approached the court, seeking recognition as the duly constituted State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC. The application was opposed by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Following the initial judgment, the Anambra APC dismissed the ruling as a “kangaroo judgment,” alleging that the plaintiffs misrepresented facts before the court. The party further claimed that some individuals listed as plaintiffs were unaware of the suit and that their names had been inserted without their knowledge.
The party also argued that Anosike and the state secretary, Mr. Obi Okpala, were not joined as parties in the suit, making the judgment unenforceable against them.
Relying on the earlier judgment, members of the Osegbo faction reportedly took over the party secretariat in Awka, gaining access to the offices and holding a meeting there.
In response, Anosike, Okpala, acting on behalf of themselves and other elected executive members, filed an application challenging the judgment. They asked the court to set aside the ruling delivered on June 24, 2026, by Justice M.G. Umar, describing it as a nullity.
The applicants also sought an order staying the execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of their application.
Among the grounds for the application were alleged non-service of originating processes and hearing notices, denial of fair hearing, misrepresentation of facts, forum shopping by the plaintiffs, estoppel, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction to set aside a judgment obtained through procedural defects.
Speaking after Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the APC, Douglas Najime, alleged that the earlier judgment was secured through misrepresentation and without proper service on the affected parties.
According to him, the court’s decision to grant a stay of execution means that Sen. Emma Anosike remains the substantive chairman of the Anambra APC, alongside the existing executive committee, pending the outcome of the appeal.
He maintained that the stay of execution effectively suspends the enforcement of the earlier judgment and preserves the status quo until the legal dispute is finally resolved.
THE adage that pride goes before a fall may have caught up with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded Party Primaries in Abia state as the party displays arrogance, impunity and sense of unguarded pride which according to the adage ( …goes before a fall) Hiding under the cloak of a ruling party at the national level, the APC merchants may have actually dug a pit of hell for the party in Abia state where they aught to have deployed their first eleven.
Undoubtedly, APC story in Abia state as to the recent primaries could be likened to the arithmetic presentation known as ” improper fraction” where the smaller number carries the bigger number on its head thereby carrying unbearable load that is capable of breaking it’s spine. One wonders whether any sane person can prefer the least to the highest.
THE CAUSE OF THE MATTER
The APC in Abia state conducted their primaries in the Month of May 2026.The party at the National Level sent their representatives to the State to conduct the exercise. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also present, monitored and authenticated the exercise.
Few weeks after the exercise, it was later learned that the APC had set up a kangaroo Primaries Election Appeal Committee at Abuja and upturned the entire exercise and substituted genuinely elected candidates of the party from the Abia South Senatorial Zone of the state with names that came distance last according the results produced by the Primaries.
The Abia South Senatorial Primaries Election was won by Hon. Erondu Junior Erondu while that of Ukwa Federal Constituency was duly won by Hon. Chris Nkwonta, the incumbent member representing the constituency. The APC brazenly substituted the duo with Prince Paul Ikonne and Sam Nwogu. What a daylight goof by the leaders of the APC.
What could have caused this. The Primaries Appeal Committee of the APC conducted their mockery exercise without even hearing from the duo that were said to have been substituted. This was the beginning of the suspicions that there must be an unseen hand remotely involved.
Up till now, no known reason has been offered for the substitution of Hon Erondu and Hon Nkwonta. It is on record that the duo of Ikonne and Nwogu never featured in any of the congresses of the party in the state from the ward to the State level only to emerge from the blues to become candidates of the Party. What an impending disaster if the party allows this rubbish to fly . Of course that would be the party’s end as it has never been known to have won any election in that zone but had always ended distance 4th.
The life APC is enjoying in the Abia South Senatorial Zone today is the cross- carpeting of Hon. Chris Nkwonta who joined the party from the PDP after some months in the Green Chambers and the latest entrant ,Hon. Erondu also from the PDP. There is no APC in Abia South Senatorial Zone without Nkwonta and Erondu and other political parties have been in early jubilations praying that the duo are denied the Party’s ticket as it is already uhuru for them.
Hon. Nkwonta, since he joined the APC has single handedly bankrolled the party at the zone building structures and welcoming multitudes into the party and many have believed and followed him into the party because of the enormous love, support , good will he enjoys amongst his people. There is no doubt that Hon Chris Nkwonta is the most cherished and loved politician in Ukwa land because of his generosity, kindness, open door policy which has impacted immensely on his people even before his foray into politics.
Hardly will one go into any community in Ukwa land that you will not hear his positive testimonies from widows, Youths, adults and that has made him a household name in Ukwa land and as such has also caught the eyes of his envious negligible political opponents scared of his prominence and rising profile. A successful business man who has ever said it that he was in politics to make a difference and serve his people. And within the past three years in the Green Chambers, the difference is clear and shows in all corners of Ukwa land.
BUT WHO ARE THESE MISCHIEVMAKERS IN APC?
Certainly, there are top ranking individuals within and outside the party in the state alleged to be behind this plot to deny elected party candidates their tickets and thereby drag the party into colossal failure, doom and darkness in the state.
Chief Paul Ikonne and Sam Nwogu are said to be members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a pro President Tinubu group with the lmo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma as their leader. The group had been in rival conflict with the APC leadership in the state headed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu. The cold war between the two APC Leaders in the South East is so conspicuous and is entrenched strongly in Abia APC. Both Camps produced candidates for all the elective positions in Abia state ,State House of Assembly, the National Assembly and the Governorship position. It has remained strong rumours in the state that followers of the lmo state Governor had in different fora boasted that Governor Hope Uzodinma will install the next Government in Abia state.
But this is exactly what is playing out in Abia South Senatorial Zone of the APC as candidates of the Imo state Governor continue to lay claim to a candidacy they lost at the Primaries insisting that the matter has been settled at the National Headquarters of the party at Abuja. There is obvious truth in their claim and glaring collaboration with leaders of the APC at the National Level.
If not, one continues to wonder the rush by the leaders of the APC at the National Level to conduct a kangaroo Appeal Panel Committee and quick substitutions and submission of lists to the INEC.
So ridiculous that an Appeal committee was set up simultaneously as the primary election committee was being set up. The appeal committee sat and cleared Hon Erondu and Hon Nkwonta but the NWC decided to go contrary to the report of the appeal committee. Obvious Confusions and suspicious of a hidden motive.
The APC at the state level had through the state Chairman, Hon Chijioke Chukwu recently in a press conference confirmed and affirmed the candidacy of Hon Erondu and Hon. Nkwonta assuring that they remain the party’s authentic candidates for 2027 Elections.
The people of Ukwa Federal Constituency of the APC also recently held a press conference aligning with the decision of the party at the state level.
In a communique recently released after an enlarged stakeholders of the APC in Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ukwa East and Ukwa West LGAs indisputably reaffirmed the candidacy of Hon. Chris Nkwonta.
The party leaders said “As the countdown to the 2027 general elections commences, the party has firmly established that Hon. Nkwonta stands as the rightful and duly nominated flagbearer for the Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, a fact borne out of a resolute commitment to democratic integrity and transparency”
“The meeting was held at the Ukwa-East Party Secretariat in Akwete. The meeting veritably saw the convergence of vital constituents: the executives of APC at the LGA level, ward chairmen, youth leaders, women leaders, ward secretaries and influential senior stakeholders hailing from both Ukwa East and Ukwa West LGAs. Together, a collective voice was forged which resonated with clarity and purpose.
The communiqué bore the signatures of figures including Hon. Chiwuike Ekeke – Chairman of the APC in Ukwa East LGA, Hon. Success Enyinnaya – Chairman of the APC in Ukwa West LGA, Mr. Darlington Iwor – Secretary Ukwa East and Sir Joe Onyedi-Magnus – Secretary Ukwa West. Each signature, remains a will to the unity and steadfast support for Hon. Nkwonta’s candidacy”
“The purpose of this significant gathering was to confront what the party leadership deemed as a plethora of misleading narratives circulating within the vast realms of social media, casting shadows of doubt upon the party’s chosen candidate for the seat of the House of Representatives. In a robust defense of party’s integrity, the leaders articulated their full participation in a transparent primary election, executed in strict accordance with the sanctity of the Electoral Act and the party’s own guiding constitution. The party proudly asserts that on the defining day of May 16, 2026, Hon. Nkwonta emerged victorious, celebrated across the expansive canvas of 20 electoral wards of Ukwa East and Ukwa West LGAs.
With untiring conviction, the party leadership emphasized that the announcement of Nkwonta’s victory was officially heralded by none other than Barr. Erasmus Cishak, the Chairman of the Abia State National Assembly Primary Elections Committee, as constituted by the National Working Committee. The party’s assertions remained fortified with an insistence that Hon. Nkwonta’s candidacy had neither been substituted nor withdrawn at any juncture in this honorable journey.
Delving deeper into the tenets of democratic processes, the stakeholders articulated that the provisions of the Electoral Act delineate precise procedures for candidate nomination and submission, rendering any attempts at undermining this process through social media propaganda or political maneuvering utterly futile.
The sanctity of the APC primary election was further validated by the vigilant oversight of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ensuring that Nkwonta’s position as the party’s standard-bearer for the impending 2027 general elections stands robust and unassailable”
The party leaders appealed to both party members and the broader public, the Ukwa East and Ukwa West APC to disregard what they characterized as the insidious fabrications of pranksters and scamps. Reaffirming their steadfast dedication to upholding the rule of law, due process and the pillars of internal democracy.
However, the APC leadership of Ukwa East and West extends heartfelt congratulations to Hon. Nkwonta for his significant achievement and pledged a united front to secure his triumph at the poll in 2027.
The party leaders equally expressed their deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the National Executive Committee of the APC, the revered Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and APC luminary in Abia State, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, along with Hon. Chijioke Chukwu—the Abia State APC Chairman and other party leaders for their abiding commitment to principles of justice, due process and democratic integrity.
They reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and articulated an unshakable support for President Tinubu’s administration, exuding confidence that the party would emerge resoundingly victorious in the upcoming elections.
It is expected that the APC leadership in Abia under Rt Ben Kalu, the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives in his usual characteristics should demonstrate political will and insist that the choice of Abians in his party’s are affirmed and not thwarted. He is the leader of the party in the state and witnessed the entire process during the Primaries so cannot allow an intruder assume leadership position or upturn the wishes of his party members in the state.
It is also very important to let the APC at the National Level know that those masquerading as Ambassadors of the party in Abia are non-performers who wear a robe of discipleship but carry the mark of Judas Iscariot as their actions are totally in variance with the name they profess and their plot will spell doom to APC in Abia state. The authentic list of the party’s candidates as uploaded from INEC should be made public as secrecy surrounding the release does not portray the party in good light.
Members of the party in Abia South Senatorial Zone are watching and waiting. The APC should put its house in order and chart the right course, or risk facing serious political consequences and the looming catastrophe that lies ahead.
Maduforo Ekeke. Writes from Aba. Abia state.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a split decision of two to one, the three-member panel affirmed the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, holding that the congresses organised under the caretaker committee violated an existing court order.
Justice Okon Abang, who delivered the lead judgment, ruled that there was no basis to set aside the restraining order issued by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on April 29.
The appellate court also upheld the lower court’s decision barring the caretaker leadership from interfering with the functions and tenure of the party’s duly elected state executive committees.
According to the court, the ADC Constitution vests the responsibility for conducting state congresses in the elected state executive committees, not the national caretaker leadership.
Justice Donatus Okorowo concurred with the lead judgment, while Justice Abba Mohammed dissented, arguing that the matter was an internal affair of the political party and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the courts.
The suit was filed by aggrieved members of the ADC, who challenged the legality of committees established by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership to conduct state congresses. They argued that the appointments breached the party’s constitution, insisting that only duly elected party organs had the authority to organise state congresses.
In its earlier ruling, the Federal High Court held that the four-year tenure of the ADC’s State Working Committees and State Executive Committees remained valid until fresh congresses and a national convention were properly conducted.
Justice Abdulmalik further ruled that neither the 1999 Constitution nor the ADC Constitution empowered the caretaker committee to appoint committees to conduct state congresses.
While noting that courts generally refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of political parties, the judge held that judicial intervention is justified where constitutional or statutory provisions are alleged to have been breached.
Affirming the lower court’s decision, the Court of Appeal declared the state congresses and national convention conducted by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership null and void for being carried out in defiance of an existing court order.
The appellate court stressed that once a dispute raises constitutional issues, it ceases to be merely an internal party matter and becomes subject to judicial review.
Consequently, the court dismissed the ADC’s appeal, upheld all the orders of the Federal High Court, and awarded ₦10 million in costs against the party.
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