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Pro-Wike lawmakers write Fubara over ‘Constitutional Breaches,’ give 7-days to represent budget

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A faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has written Governor Siminialayi Fubara, highlighting his actions that allegedly breached the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

They also give the Governor 7-Days in which to represent the state’s 2024 budget which the only three lawmakers loyal to Fubara claimed to have passed into law.

The faction comprising about 27 members and led by the purportedly impeached Speaker, were rendered redundant by a Rivers State High Court which ruled that they had lost their seats in the House of Assembly for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in violation of extant law.

However, the Appeal Court, in a ruling last week, nullified the High Court ruling, thereby restoring the 27 pro-Wike Assembly members back to their positions.

Consequently, the 27-member factional House led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, sent the letter dated July 8, 2024 and signed by its Speaker, Amaewhule, to Governor Fubara shortly after rising from its plenary on Monday.

In the document titled: “Resolutions reached at the first legislative day of the second session of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly”, the House drew the Governor’s attention to the 2024 Appropriation Bill, saying he was yet to present it before them as lawmakers.

Addressing the governor, the House said: “You are yet to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, 2024 in line with Section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution as altered and in compliance with the judgement delivered on the 22nd day of January 2024 by Honourable Justice J.K Omotosho of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.”

The factional House insisted that the governor had yet to present the bill to a duly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly under the speakership of Amaewhule in line with Section 122 of the Constitution.

“The Rivers State Government under your watch is now barred from spending funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state. The House hereby gives you the opportunity to present same within seven days from the date of this resolution,” the House said.

The Rivers Assembly also drew the governor’s attention to his breach of 192(2) of the Constitution, accusing him of inaugurating members of the Rivers State Executive Council as commissioners without confirmation of the House.

The lawmakers told the governor that he also breached Section 7(1) of the Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government (amendment) Law 2023 for swearing-in certain unelected individuals to manage the affairs of the 23 local government area councils in the state in flagrant disobedience to the judgement delivered by Justice Omotosho.

“The learned Judge restrained you from dealing with the three suspended members, who with your connivance are parading themselves as Rivers House of Assembly in total disobedience to the order of the learned Judge,” the House told the governor.

The lawmakers said the governor in total disregard to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and the judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal, continued to transact with the three suspended members of the House in contempt of the orders of the court.

The House said the governor refused to direct all impostors in his government to stop parading in their purported positions.

The House said: “These infractions by you on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered, other extant laws and judicial pronouncements constitute gross misconduct and abuse of office on your part.

“We call on you to do the needful and act lawfully without further delay and please accept the assurances of our high regards,” the letter stated.

 

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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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