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‘LP’ Rejects Supreme Court Judgement, Insists Abure Remains Chairman

April 4, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Nenadi Usman hails Abure’s sack as rule of law

The ‘Labour Party’ has insisted that Julius Abure is still its National Chairman, despite a Supreme Court ruling on Friday that addressed the party’s leadership issue.

Earlier, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court Justices gave a unanimous judgment, ruling that the Court of Appeal did not have the authority to declare Abure as the party’s Chairman.

The Justices explained that leadership matters within a political party are internal issues, and courts should not interfere.

However, shortly after the judgment, the LP responded in a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the court did not remove Abure as chairman.

The short statement reads “The Supreme Court strikes out Nenadi, Abure suits, says only Political Parties can determine who their leaders are. It also said that the courts shouldn’t dabble into the affairs of the political parties.

“Dr Barr Julius Abure is still the National Chairman of the Labour Party.”

But a statement signed by Senator Nenadi Usman, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee, LP, hailed the Supreme Court judgment as the rule of law.

The Statement reads in full:

Labour Party Press Statement

The recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which allowed the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman—declaring it meritorious—while dismissing the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the Labour Party as unmeritorious, is a victory for the rule of law and a significant milestone for our democracy.

It is important to emphasize that this is not a time for triumphalism—there is no victor and no vanquished. What matters most is our shared commitment to the ideals and aspirations of the Labour Party and the Nigerian people. We must now come together, united in purpose and vision, to move the party forward.

The Labour Party remains one indivisible family, steadfast in its mission to create a New Nigeria founded on justice, equity, and people-centred governance.

We call on all party members, supporters, and stakeholders to remain calm, focused, and committed to the democratic ideals that bind us.

A New Nigeria is POssible!

-Senator Nenadi E. Usman, PhD

Chairman, Labour Party Caretaker Committee

LP Reps Hail Abure’s Sack by Supreme Court; Decision Tonic For Party’s Stability

Tosin Olatokunbo

April 4, 2025

The Labour Party House of Representatives caucus has welcomed today’s Supreme Court’s judgment, which removed Julius Abure from his position as national chairman of the party, contending that it is an elixir for LP’s stability and reinvention.

According to the caucus, this ruling serves as a warning to leaders who play ‘god’ in a democracy, where the people ought to hold the ultimate authority.

The leader of the caucus, Afam Victor Ogene, in a statement shortly after the Supreme Court pronouncement, described the development as a “veritable tonic for the revitalization of the party” that has been engulfed by leadership tussle in recent times. He thanked the apex court for the decisive judgment that has offered the party a new lease of life.

The apex court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which recognized Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

In a unanimous judgment on Friday, April 4, 2025 a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to pronounce Abure as the National Chairman of the LP, having earlier determined that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.

Ogene stated that, following this clear-cut judgment, the Labour Party will hasten to implement necessary mechanisms to restore internal peace and get the party back on track, in order to reassure its teeming members of the party’s viability for future elections and its commitment to leadership that prioritizes the interests and welfare of the people. In fact, by next week, we expect the National Caretaker Committee, NCC led by respected former Minister of Finance, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, to convene an all-inclusive stakeholders meeting to chart the way forward.

The lawmaker emphasized that the party’s leadership crisis could have been prevented if the ousted chairman and his team heeded the Caucus’ advice, or addressed the concerns of other stakeholders. These stakeholders, Ogene stated, had urged caution and greater sensitivity in managing the party’s affairs. But in a brazen display of arrogance and naked power-mongering, Abure had ignored these warnings, thus creating an environment for crisis to fester.

For instance, in March 2024, LP Reps called for the postponement of the National Convention of the party scheduled to take place by the end of that month, in order to allow for further consultations in the light of the party’s lingering leadership skirmishes.

The Caucus had emphasized at the time that the party’s health and sustainability were paramount, given its internal conflicts. And as direct representatives of the people, they felt the party needed time to resolve its leadership issues and operational problems before holding a potentially divisive convention.

But rather than heed that patriotic call, according to Ogene, the party leadership proceeded to unleash tirades against them, abusing them in the media and threatening that they would be denied the party tickets for re-election in 2027. That was not only insensitive but undemocratic and disrespectful to the caucus, whose only concern was the peace, unity, sustainability and progress of the party.

“It is this uncertainty of not being sure of getting party ticket in the next general elections that has made the Caucus to lose as much as six members,” Ogene said.

Supreme Court Sacks Abure As LP Chairman

Adesina Soyooye

April 4, 2025

By Adesina Soyooye

Finally, the Supreme Court has sacked Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

On Friday, April 4, 2024, a Five-man Panel of the Apex Court, unanimously ruled that the Court of Appeal which upheld him as the Chairman was wrong in its ruling as it had no jurisdiction over the case.

The Honourable Justices stated that the issue of Political Party leadership is the internal affair of the Party which no Court has any jurisdiction over.

The Court, therefore, allowed the appeal filed by the Chairman of the Committee put together by Party Stakeholders, Senator Nenadi Usman. It also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Abure.

For almost a year, Abure has lost the confidence of, almost, all the critical Stakeholders of the LP. Under his leadership, the Party has lost a number of its members, especially, elected members – Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and State Assemblies.

His sack is likely offer the LP, which showed strength in the 2023 General elections, a chance to straighten itself, rebuild confidence, and begin preparations against 2027.

Pro-Wike Rally in Bayelsa Stopped By Court

Adesina Soyooye

April 4, 2025

By Adesina Soyooye

The pro-Wike Rally By his associates, planned to hold in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital, on April 12, 2025, has run into a stormy weather.

A High Court in the State sitting in Yenagoa, has issued an order which restrained associates of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, from holding the mega rally pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

The proposed rally, according to the organisers, is to show solidarity with, and support for President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister.

But it is a rally the State Government is strongly against, submitting that given the political crisis in Wike’s Rivers State, his plan is to import same to Bayelsa. The once cordial relationship between Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri and Wike has since gone very sour.

The Honourable. Justice I.A Uzakah granted the Motion Ex-Parte in Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025 filed by Bayelsa State’s Attorney General, Mr. Biriyai Dambo, SAN.

Named as first and second defendants/respondents in the suit are the lead convener of the NEW Associates, organisers of the rally, Mr. George Turnah, and Wike.

Named, too, are the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Police Command.

The enrolled court order states that: “An order of the interim injunction is hereby made or granted restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, associates, privies, representatives (or any person whatsoever acting at their behest), from conducting, convening, coordinating, engaging in, organizing, participating in, holding, hosting, or facilitating any political assembly, rally meeting, or gathering within Bayelsa State, for the purpose of solidarity, hosting, and celebrating the 2nd Defendant in Bayelsa State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

The Court adjourned the matter to April 11, 2025, for hearing.

Adeleke’s N159 Billion Infra Plan: APC in Denial of Past Failures – Spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed

The Source

April 4, 2025

The Osun State Government has fired back at the All Progressives Congress (APC) for criticizing Governor Ademola Adeleke’s newly launched N159 billion infrastructure development plan, stating that the opposition party is merely embarrassed by its “sordid records” while in power.

Speaking through his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke maintained that his administration’s delivery of tangible democratic dividends has rendered the opposition’s criticisms hollow and hypocritical.

“The recent remarks from the APC only confirm their shame over their infrastructural failures when they held power,” Rasheed said. “The Adeleke administration has done in two years what the APC failed to do in four.”

According to the Governor’s office, the first phase of the infrastructure plan launched in 2023 is already between 70 and 80 percent completed. Major projects such as the Oke Fia and Lameco flyovers in Osogbo are reportedly progressing steadily, while the Ile Ife flyover continues to see active work. Rasheed also highlighted the near-completion of the Oke Gada bridge, full completion of the dualised Old Garage-Oke Fia-Lameco road, and commissioning of several other projects.

In addition, over 200 primary health centers have been upgraded, more than 100 schools rehabilitated, and approximately 150 kilometers of roads in local and urban areas have been completed. He noted that changes to initial plans, such as the Abere and Ikirun flyovers, were made based on community feedback—a mark of Adeleke’s “people-first governance.”

“The Governor listens. Communities asked for specific alternative projects, and the government adjusted accordingly,” Rasheed said.

He further claimed that Governor Adeleke has reduced the state’s infrastructure deficit by over 45 percent, down from the staggering 90 percent left behind by the APC administration.

The newly announced N159 billion second phase of the infrastructure agenda will cover further projects in transportation, education, healthcare, and other critical sectors. Rasheed assured the public that Adeleke’s “Talk and Do” leadership style guarantees the full implementation of this ambitious plan.

“As was the case with the first phase, Governor Adeleke is determined to deliver on every promise made. Osun people are witnessing a government that works,” Rasheed concluded.

Original Statement:

N159 Billion Infra Plan – Osun APC is Ashamed of its Sordid Records – Spokesperson

OSOGBO – 03/04/2025 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The recent criticism of Governor Adeleke’s infra agenda is a strong sign that the opposition is ashamed of its failure to bridge Osun infra deficit while in office, as well as its hypocritical blindness to delivery of democratic dividends by the current administration.

Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed made the assertion in response to the statement from the All Progressive Congress in which the opposition disputed the recently unveiled N159 billion infrastructure plan of the state government as unworkable

The allegations from the opposition is false. The first phase of the infrastructure plan is between 70 to 80 percent completed across the sectors The second phase of N159 billion is achievable as a product of aspirations of communities listed in the various projects.

“It is only haters of the people that will deny the huge Infra development ongoing across various parts of the state. Within the state capital alone, work has never stopped on Oke Fia and Lameco flyovers as can be attested to by the public. In fact, the phase of work is accelerating.

“The flyover at Ile Ife is progressing. The video and picture evidence are everywhere. The Governor just inspected the Ilesa dualisation with contractors working day and night to deliver. The Oke Gada bridge is almost 90 percent completed while the dualisation of Old Garage-Oke Fia-Lameco road is completed.

“The Ilesa Garage to Stadium roundabout is completed and commissioned while the Akoda-Oke gada dualisation is equally fully done. 200 Health centers were upgraded; over 100 schools were rehabilitated; and about 150 kilometers of local and urban center roads were completed.

“The above shows that the first phase of the infrastructure plan announced in 2023 is being faithfully executed. The Abere flyover was put on hold because the community selected a preferred road project as a replacement, ditto for Ikirun Junction flyover where the community opted for extension of the road dualisation from Ikirun Junction to Kwara state border.

“Governor Adeleke as a pro-people leader has remained faithful to all his pledges as widely acknowledged by local and national observers. What the APC failed to achieve in four years, Governor Adeleke has delivered in two years.

“Experts actually noted that Governor Adeleke has reduced the Osun Infra deficit by more than 45 percent from about 90 percent inherited from the previous government in 2022. APC administration bequeathed huge Infra challenges on the state as at the time it was voted out of office.

“To further bridge the Infra deficit to attract investment and boost business operations, Governor Adeleke unveiled the second phase with total cost of N159 billion. The selected projects spread across infrastructure, education, health among others.

“As the first phase was successfully implemented, Governor Adeleke has restated his commitment to completing all the new projects. The Governor has a track record of being a talk and do leader”.

Signed:

Mallam Olawale Rasheed

Spokesperson to the State Governor

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan: Constituents Begin Fresh Recall Mobilization

Ayodele Oni

April 4, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The last may not have been heard about the move to recall Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti- uduaghan as ‘voters’ from her constituency insist that there is no going back on the process.

Some residents of Kogi Central Senatorial District vowed never to back down on the process to recall their Senator from the National Assembly. Rather, they insisted that they would fine-tune the process.

INEC had, in a statement on Thursday, said the petition failed to meet the minimum requirement prescribed by the Constitution.

The statement read “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hereby notifies the public that the petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, which was submitted to the Commission on Monday 24h March 2025 by representatives of the petitioners who are registered voters in the constituency, has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“Consequently, no further action shall be taken on the petition,”

However, the petitioners, who said they are registered voters of Kogi Central, said that they had mobilised more than the 50 per cent plus one threshold of registered voters and submitted their petition with full documentation.

The petitioners, in a statement on their behalf by Salihu Habib, said there was no going back on their resolve to recall the senator who is believed by many to enjoy the support of the majority of the members of her constituency.

The petitioners, however, thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission for allegedly validating 208,132 (43.86 per cent) signatures in the petition earlier submitted to it for Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall even though INEC has not said it validated the signatures.

The renewed determination by the concerned constituents is sequel to INEC’s declaration of some defects in the recall petition they had hitherto presented to it. Speculations are strong that allegedly backed by the Kogi State Government, there is a desperation to recall her in order to give the position to the immediate past Governor of the State, Yahaya Bello.

It is to be seen if INEC will fall for this fresh move which has been dismissed by many as a desperate political persecution being sponsored from within and outside Kogi State. Given the crowd that defied all obstacles to receive her on Tuesday, not a few people insist her Constuency think she is doing a good job for them and not eager to recall her. Instead, they say, voters are eager to vote her back to the Senate in 2027.

Presidential Adviser Resigns From Tinubu’s Govt

Tosin Olatokunbo

April 4, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Political Adviser, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed , has resigned from his position. His resignation, sources in the Presidency said has yet to be approved by the president.

Baba Ahmed, a former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, was, before his appointment last year, as Political Adviser to the President in the Office of the Vice President Kassim Shetima, was a strong critic of the Tinubu administration.

Critics of the administration said his appointment was meant to shut him up, as the administration continued to face backlash from not a few Nigerians, particularly from the northern part of the country, for the bad economy and hardship.

Prominent northern leaders including political and traditional leaders have trenchantly criticised President Tinubu, accusing him of ruining the country’s economy, political instability and insecurity.

The former NEF spokesman was said to have resigned from his position because he was fed up with the criticism against him from some Presidency officials who accused him of not defending the administration.

They accused him of not working soul and spirits for the Tinubu’s administration to justify his appointment.

Recall that the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle had last year attacked Baba-Ahmed for remaining silent in the face of the attack on President Tinubu by northerner during the endbadgovernance protest.

Matawalle’s attack came after the NEF criticised the President for not doing enough for the region, and eventual rebuff by the minister that northern appointees, including Baba-Ahmed failed to defend the administration against the allegation.

The former NEF spokesman had responded, saying what the administration should have done is to showcase its achievements rather than going after critics.

Born on September 11, 1955, in Kaduna State, Baba-Ahmed has had a distinguished career in public service. A retired senior civil servant, he previously served as Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before retirement. He also served as Chief of Staff to former Senate President Bukola Saraki in the 8th Senate.

He studied at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, as well as the London School of Economics and the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.

Baba-Ahmed began his career as a lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, before transitioning into the Kaduna State Civil Service. He later moved to the Federal Civil Service, where he rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary, serving in various ministries, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He’s a senior brother to the 2023 Labour Party Vice Presidential Candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Akpabio Directs Police To Arrest Organisers Of Satanic Rally In Akwa Ibom

Tosin Olatokunbo

April 4, 2025

Godswill Akpabio - Senate President — Godswill Akpabio, Senate President.

Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio has challegned the Nigeria Police force and other security agencies to arrest organisers of a rally in his name in the state, saying he had nothing to do with the proposed political event.

Akpabio made the rebuttal in a statement issued by Jackson Udom, his special assistant on media, on Friday morning, saying he has no link with the organisers led by one Ubong Idemudo.

According to him, the planned rally purportedly expected to take place on Friday, Aprip 5, 2025 is being organised by a group known as the Progressive Peoples’ Resolution, PPR.

The Senate President hinted that the organisers are ‘firth columnists’ according to security reports made available to him, adding that they are trying to expolit his good name for ulterior motives, his supporters and other residents in the state, he said must shun the rally and go about their legitimate duties.

Part of the statement: “The planned rally, from information pieced together, is the handiwork of fifth columnists trying to use the name of the Senate President to achieve their devilish goal.

“The police and other security agencies in the state are by this statement directed to ensure that such satanic rally is not allowed to hold, as such has no approval of the Senate President.”

FCMB PBT Hits N112bn

Tosin Olatokunbo

April 4, 2025

First City Monument Bank recorded a Profit Before Tax of N111.9 billion for the December 31, 2024 financial year.

This was contained in a statement released through the Nigerian Exchange Ltd, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports.

According to the Group, PBT grew by 71 per cent, impacted by a 56.6 per cent decline in revaluation income and a 1.9 per cent fall in net interest margin.

The bank’s gross revenue stood at N794.4 billion for the period ending December 2023, marking a 53.9 per cent increase from N516.4 billion in the previous year.

This growth was driven by a 75.2 per cent rise in interest income and an 8.7 per cent increase in non-interest income.

Non-interest income growth was constrained by a 55.7 per cent year-on-year drop in other gains, from N89.3 billion to N39.6 billion. Net interest income rose by 27.6 per cent, from N176.6 billion in the prior year to N225.3 billion by December 2024.

Yield on earning assets improved to 16.2 per cent. However, net interest margin declined by 1.9 per cent due to a 122 per cent rise in funding costs.

Operating expenses increased by 45.7 per cent year-on-year to N229.1 billion, driven by higher personnel costs, regulatory costs, foreign currency-linked expenses, and inflationary pressures.

The cost-to-income ratio closed at 59.9 per cent for the period ending December 2024.

Net impairment loss on financial assets declined by 30.7 per cent year-on-year to N41.2 billion, down from N59.5 billion, lowering the cost of risk to 1.8 per cent from 3 per cent.

The bank’s divisions recorded year-on-year growth, with consumer finance rising by 83.5 per cent and investment management by 27.9 per cent, while the banking group declined by 7.7 per cent.

The bank’s earnings remained diversified, with non-bank subsidiaries accounting for over 30 per cent of profits, while Loans and Advances increased by 28 per cent year-on-year from N1.84 trillion to N2.36 trillion at the end of December 2024.

Total assets grew by 59.5 per cent year-on-year, from N4.42 trillion to N7.05 trillion at the end of December 2024.

Customer deposits rose by 39.4 per cent year-on-year, reaching N4.30 trillion from N3.08 trillion by December 2024.

“We completed the first phase of our capital-raising programme, securing N144.6 billion through a public offer. This doubled issued shares from 19.8 billion in 2023 to 39.6 billion in 2024, impacting EPS,” the bank stated.

Adding that, “Subsequent phases of FCMB Group’s capital programme are in progress to ensure First City Monument Bank Limited meets the minimum capital requirement to retain its International Banking Licence.

“The capital injection has enabled First City Monument Bank Ltd. to secure its National Banking License and raise its capital adequacy ratio to 18 per cent. This has created essential buffers to support asset creation in select segments.”

Natasha Hails INEC For Ending ‘Undemocratic Forces’ Plan To Recall Her From Senate

James Orji

April 4, 2025

Embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has hailed the independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for preventing her recall for the Nigerian Senate by ‘undemocratic forces’ from Kogi and outside the state.

She described the development as a victory for constitutionality and rule of law, expressing her gratitude to the electoral body for ensuring tnat the plot against her failed.

The senator representing Kogi Central in the Senate made the remark on Thursday after INEC disclosed that it has ended the recall process due to lack of sufficient evidence to prove that her constituency wanted her recalled from the Red Chamber.

The magazine reported that INEC had on Thursday, April 4, 2025 disclosed that the signatories forwarded to the commission for the recall process fell short of the 50 percent of the over 450,000 registered voters from the Senatorial district.

INEC also stated in a statement that the controversial recall issue has come to an end , as the commission will no longer take further action on the matter.

Reacting, Natasha commended INEC for resisting the plan to end her career in the senate by some forces from and outside the state, including former Governor Yahaya Bello, who are working against the interest of the people of the state by trying to recall her, asserting that the “voice of the people is the voice of God”.

“The rejection of the recall petition is a victory for justice and constitutionality,” the senator said.

“I commend INEC for refusing to bow to pressures from anti-democratic elements, including former Governor Yahaya Bello, one of the most wanted individuals by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The voice of the people is the voice of God. No one—be it Yahaya Bello, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, or their associates—can undermine the mandate freely given to me by the resolute people of Kogi Central.”

Natasha pointed out that she had no problem with the process from the beginning because she had the confidence that INEC will do the right thing, describing INEC’s verdict on the issue as a warning to some agents of darkness that corruption, violence and election rigging is no longer acceptable under the nation’s democracy, adding that she remained unbowed in her quest to make Kogi and Nigeria a better place.

She said, “This is a historic win over those who prefer to operate in the shadows—manipulators, election riggers, and their violent allies in Kogi Central and beyond.

“For me, this is about bringing justice to the oppressed and freedom to the captives. I remain committed to making my modest contribution to ensuring that Nigeria becomes great again.”

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