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Abaribe condemns Okpebholo’s threat to Obi, says democracy in danger

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Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Senator representing Abia South at the National Assembly, has condemned the recent statement by Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Edo, warning Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election not to enter the state without his permission.

In a statement Wednesday, the former senate Minority Whip, described Okpebolo’s action as a direct challenge to Nigeria’s Unity and a brazen attack on the constitution.

The lawmaker who is the Chairman of the South East Senate Caucus also noted that the Governor of Edo State lacks the constitutional powers to abridge any citizen’s right and may have by so doing, unconscionably triggered a divisive trajectory that could hurt Nigeria’s democratic advancement.

In the statement signed by Abaribe’s Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom and released in Abuja, the outspoken lawmaker called for caution and warned that Nigeria is still a constitutional democracy where the rights of everyone, particularly citizens of Nigeria are guaranteed .

“It is therefore disheartening that leaders who are supposedly the custodians of the letters and spirit of the 1999 constitution as amended, would decide to willfully be at the driving seat of its denigration at the name of politics.

“Nigeria is governed by rules and her leaders in all sub national governments subscribed to the adherence and respect to the rule of law as enshrined in the constitution.

“So one wonders where the Edo State governor derives his powers to bar a Nigerian citizen from visiting his State unless such a person obtains permission from him otherwise the person’s security will not be guaranteed.

“That is a dangerous threat to life that the authorities should not gloss over.

“It is very unfortunate that it seems our dear country is fast descending to lawlessness with this mindset and I pray that nothing happens to Mr Peter Obi.

“Governor Okpebolo who was a Senator and as such a lawmaker needs to be reminded that Nigeria belongs to all of us and that he is dead wrong to claim authority that he does not have.

“The beauty of democracy is made manifest in the expression of freedom to hold divergent views and the freedom of movement of every Nigerian in any part of the Nigerian Federation, Edo State inclusive”, Abaribe said.

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Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election

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The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.

The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.

The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.

Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.

The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.

Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.

The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.

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Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027

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The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.

He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.

Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.

 

Details later…..

 

 

 

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Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections

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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.

At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.

He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.

He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.

Details later…..

 

 

 

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