Labour Party hails Edo High Court ruling restraining Abure’s suspension

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

TheNational Leadership of the Labour Party has commended the Order of the Edo State High Court restraining the Labour Party Executive of Ward 3, Arue Uromi, Edo state from suspending Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of Labour Party.

A statement issued yesterday by Umar Farouk, who is the National Secretary of Labour Party, said in the case filed before His Lordship, Justice E.O Ahamioje, with case NO. HCU/21/2023, Julius Abure on behalf of other claimants including Chief Friday Ibadin, Patrick ONOGBENI and Barr Dom Orukpe Okojie filed the Motion-Exparte against the defendants including Thompson Ehiguese who is the Ward 3 Chairman, Lucky Shaibu and Labour Party.

The enrolment orders are as follows: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants/respondents from submitting and/or transmitting the purported notice of suspension signed by ward 3 executive of the Labour Party to the 3rd defendant for deliberation and/or approval in respect of the subject matter of this suit, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 3rd defendant/ respondent from acting on, executing and/or implementing the purported notice of suspension issued by the 1st and 2nd defendants/respondents over the subject matter of this suit, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“And for such order or further orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.”

The case came up for hearing before his Lordship the Honourable Justice E.O. Ahamioje (Judge) sitting in High Court 4, Benin City on Wednesday the 5 day of April, 2023.

The claimants were represented by a team of lawyers led by G.C. Igbokwe (SAN), Dr. P.E. Ayewoh Odiase, S.O. Igberease Esq., M.O. Ofondu Esq., and Mayor lyoha Esq.

Justice Ahamioje ordered as follow;

“I have carefully considered the motion exparte, the supporting affidavit, the affidavit of urgency, the Exhibits annexed thereto and the written argument of learned senior counsel. After a calm consideration, I am of the view that the applicants have made out a case for the grant of the order sought.

“Accordingly, I hereby make an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants from submitting and/or transmitting the purported notice of suspension signed by ward 3 executive of the Labour Party to the 3rd defendant for deliberation and or approval in respect of the subject matter of this suit pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“I further decree an order of interim injunction restraining the 3rd defendant from acting on, executing and/or implementing the purported notice of suspension issued by the 1st and 2nd defendants over the subject matter of this suit pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“The enrolled order of this honourable court and the motion on notice shall be served on the defendants. Case is adjourned till 25/4/23 for the hearing of the motion on motion on notice.”

R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari, The Emir of Dutse, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sanusi, Waziri Bashir Dalhatu, Madaki Tijjani Inuwa Dutse during an audience at the State House yesterday in Abuja.

10th Senate: APC diaspora endorses Orji Kalu for Senate President

By Musa Baba Adamu

As conversations over leadership of the 10th National Assembly heats up, the aspiration of the Senate Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to become the President of the Senate has received a further boost as the Dispapora chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) (South Korea) has thrown their weight behind the former Abia Governor.

According to a Press release made available to newsmen on Thursday signed by the Party’s South Korea chairman, Hon. Yuccee Uwah and it’s, Chief Charles Mokwe, disclosed that the Dispapora chapter of the party arrived at the decision to support the former Abia State Governor after its members undertook a thorough profile assessment of all Senators-elect that has so far indicated interests to contest for the post of Senate President for the next dispensation from June 2023.

Arising from it’s general meeting held in Seoul, South Korea the party identified Kalu’s parliamentary experience including his detribalised leadership qualities as major factors which they said is most needed to Govern the affairs of the Red Chambers.

The former Governor’s Loyalty to the progess of the party and his national spread in terms of business, political and educational alliances were also cited as reasons for their endorsement.

The Party urged the it’s Leadership and the President elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu rally behind Kalu;

“Members of our great party, APC Korea, we conducted thorough appraisal of aspirants vying for the office of Senate President and lead the 10th National Assembly in next dispensation.

“As APC faithful, using verifiable indicators including but not limited to leadership trait, political exposure, governance experience, competence, cosmopolitan, and democratic credentials. The Senate Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu came tops across these indicators. He stood head and shoulders higher than the others.”

“In our considered view, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has demonstrable competency, capability and capacity to steer the ship of the 10th National Assembly towards cordial Executive-Legislature relationship that will consolidate our democracy.”

“Senator Kalu fits the bill to lead the Senate as its presiding officer in the next dispensation from all material particular. We believe that he has the competence, capability and capacity to mobilise, coordinate and provide the much needed leadership that delivers results for effective legislative governance and oversight for the country.”

The party also said that Kalu understands the needs and aspirations of all regions of the country saying that the Senate Chief Whip hails from the South-East, Educated in Northern Nigeria city of Maiduguri, Borno state and built his businesses in South West city of Lagos.

To further actualise their goal, Yuccee disclosed that they have activated contact mobilisation of its members in other countries , members of the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and other key stakeholders to support their cause.

“As Governor of Abia state from 1999 to 2007, he had aides from across Nigeria’s ethnic groups. Currently as Senate Whip and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Abia state, his aides cuts across all ethnic groups and religious divides.

“Senator Kalu is cosmopolitan in outlook; adept at managing Nigeria’s creative diversity as well as strategic leadership traits that deliver results. He is the committed patriot that we need at this point of our nation’s history. We urge Senators-elect across the party lines to support, vote and elect Senate President, the Party expressed.