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Tag: Cross River

  • Sen. Otu wins APC guber primary in Cross River state

    Sen. Bassey Otu, a former lawmaker who represented Cross River South in the National Assembly, has emerged governorship flag bearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Newsmen reports that at the party’s governorship primary election, held at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Sen. Otu emerged winner after scoring 811 votes to defeat his opponents, Sen. John Owan-Enoh who got 84 votes and Mr Chris Agara, 63 votes.
    The exercise, which began after accreditation of voters on Thursday May 26, ended at the early hours of Friday May 27, with the result announced by the Chairman of the party’s Primary Election Committee, Mr Mohammed Kolo.

    Chairman of the APC in Cross River, Mr Alphonsus Eba, congratulated Otu on his victory which he described as ‘landslide’.

    Also, Amb. Soni Abang, the Director General of Otu’s Campaign Organisation, congratulated the former lawmaker over his emergence as the APC flag bearer in the state, and appealed to the electorates to vote massively for Otu in the 2023 general election.

    Mr Peter Odey, Leader of Cross River House of Assembly and member representing Ogoja State Constituency, expressed confidence that Otu will win the state for APC in 2023.

    He thanked Gov. Ben Ayade of the state for keeping to his words in ensuring that a candidate from the southern part of the state should emerge with a view to returning power to Cross River South

  • PDP aspirant withdraws from guber race, asks party to refund N21m used to purchase forms

    A PDP member, Amb. Wilfred Bonse, has withdrawn from contesting the 2023 governorship election in Cross River, asking the party to refund the N21 million used to purchase forms.

    Bonse in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, linked his demand to “unfair treatment” from the party to deny him participating in the forthcoming governorship primary in Cross River.

    According to an official of the party, the fee for nomination and expression of interest forms are non refundable.

    Bonse said that the party had refused to disqualify or clear him to contest in the forthcoming party’s primary election which was schedule for Wednesday.

    “I am requesting the party to refund the sum of N21 million I paid for the expression of interest and nomination forms I bought.

    “If I had, for instance, been given a fair chance to participate in the primary, and I lost, I will not have had an issue. But then, I am being stonewalled at every point.

    “A Board of Trustees (BOT) member has given letter to PDP, urging them to reconsider my issue in order not for the party to lose governorship election in the state considering my pedigree.

    “But it has fallen on deaf ears and the time is very close. As I speak, we have less than seven days to the primaries.

    “The new Electoral Act provides for clearance to be done seven days to the primary and my name to be sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “So, my understanding of what is happening is not something I probably want to say on camera, but it is obvious that certain persons are seriously intimidated by my candidacy.

    “They are playing some underhand games to try to stall me from participating in the primary.

    “But Cross River is bigger than any person. It is also bigger than any party. So we move,” he said.

    He disclosed that he would be seeking his ambition on other more “commodious political party platform”.

    Bonse added that he had also made his request known in a letter and submitted to the National Chairman, PDP, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, which was received, acknowledged at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja.

    In the letter, the aspirant said he was withdrawing to contest the election on the platform of another party, as all avenues to seek justice in PDP proved abortive in an obvious attempt to deny him participation in the primary.

    “Having exhausted all avenues of consultation and appeal within the party without success, I am withdrawing my ambition to contest for gubernatorial election for Cross River State on the platform of PDP.

    “I am hereby defecting from the PDP to another political party with my followers who are in their hundreds along with their followers by extension

    “I had hope in view of the PDP ‘New Generation Operation Rescue Nigeria, Join the PDP Mantra for a level-playing field that will see the emergence of the best man for the job.

    “An individual that will swing power from the hands of the ruling APC to PDP in Cross River State, but going by my experience. I was obviously wrong.

    “That is why I requested for a full refund of all sums paid by me in respect of my botched expression of interest and nomination forms for participating in the primaries of the party totaling N21,000,000,” the letter stated.

    The letter was titled, “Notice of Withdrawal of Interest to Participate in the Governorship Primaries of Cross River State”.

    He also copied the party’s National Organising Secretary, Financial Secretary, National Publicity Secretary and Deputy National Secretary.

    Asked if he was invited for the party’s screening, Bonse said ‘yes’.

    He added that at the point of screening, he was requested to provide his receipts of tax clearance certificate, voters card and birth certificate with court attestation, which he presented.

    He said the screening committee also requested for his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, which he explained that he had already requested for and NYSC assured him it would be processed as soon as its portal was opened.

    “But they had hung upon that particular point, just kept us down to the point where it is becoming very ridiculous to say the very least,” Bonse said.

    On his next line of action, Bonse said it would be communicated in the next 24 hours, adding that he was consulting with stakeholders.

  • Just In: APC screening Cttee disqualifies guber aspirant, Sen Otu over alleged certificate scam

    Just In: APC screening Cttee disqualifies guber aspirant, Sen Otu over alleged certificate scam

    Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant and Gov. Ayade’s concensus candidate for the number 1 position has been disqualified by the Appeal Committee of the Party.

    Otu who was initially disqualified by the Screening commitee over series of petitions will not be contesting the APC primary.

    The Appeal Committee has submitted its report which they affirmed the decision of the Screening Commitee which disqualified Sen. Otu on the grounds of various petitions bothering on criminal allegations and certificate forgery.

  • 2023: Osinbajo woos traditional rulers

    2023: Osinbajo woos traditional rulers

    The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has sought the support of the Cross River Traditional Rulers Council for his presidential ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Osinbajo, who visited the Traditional Rulers’ Council on Thursday in Calabar, said that traditional rulers, who being the closest institutions to the people play an important role in the growth of the country.

    He told them that having served as Vice-President for seven years he has garnered enough experience to lead the country as the president.

    “I am here to seek your support and prayers. The traditional institution is the closest to the people. The influence and control you exercise in your different domains is very important.

    “I have served as Vice President for seven years; within this period, it has been a great fortune having been exposed to governance.

    “My experience will be useful in governance, especially in solving our nation’s challenges,” he said.

    Responding, Etinyim Etim-Okon Edet, Chairman of Cross River Traditional Rulers Council, said that traditional rulers would be greatly involved in who becomes the next president of Nigeria.

    Edet said that they would ensure that the right persons are elected into the presidency, National Assembly, as state governors and State Houses of Assembly in 2023.

    `We want a president, governors and National Assembly members that will be responsible to Nigerians and do justice to our laws.

    “Let us assure you of our support as you move around the country. You are in our prayers.

    “We are going to use our traditional approaches to ensure that the right persons are elected into political offices; we wish you well in your aspiration,” he said.

  • 2023 election: Gov Ayade directs political appointees to resign

    2023 election: Gov Ayade directs political appointees to resign

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has directed his political appointees seeking elective positions in the 2023 elections to resign.

    The governor’s directive is contained in a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Christian Ita, on Wednesday in Calabar.

    He said any political appointee seeking any elective position should tender his/her resignation letter on or before noon on Thursday.

    Gov. Ayade also directed that any political appointee presently serving in his government but desire to seek elective position in the forthcoming 2023 election is at liberty to resign.

    “Such appointees should turn in their resignation letters on or before noon on Thursday. Such letters should be submitted to the office of the Secretary to State Government,” the governor said.

    Gov. Ayade thanked the appointees for their invaluable services to the state and prays God to bless their future endeavours.

  • Gov. Ayade presents vehicles to Judges, says they deserve a better life

    Gov. Ayade presents vehicles to Judges, says they deserve a better life

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River on Wednesday in Calabar while presenting new vehicles to newly appointed judges in the state, stated that they deserve a better life.
    The Governor handed over the keys of the vehicles, to the State Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme.
    While presenting the cars, Ayade said that the judiciary was an arm of government that gives hope to the common man.
    “I am here to make a presentation of cars to our judicial officers; the vehicles that befit their status, because I have seen that the Nigerian judiciary is a dependable arm of government,” he said.
    The governor told Justice Ikpeme that the presentation of the vehicles afforded him another opportunity to once again thank the judiciary for dispensing justice without fear or favour.
    “I am particularly happy, and also using this opportunity to express gratitude to the Nigerian judiciary generally for standing on the side of the law.
    “Against this background, the people of Cross River want to show appreciation to the judiciary. On behalf of the government and people of Cross River, I hereby present these jeeps to you,” he said.
    Responding, the Chief Judge, commended the governor for the gesture and pledged the judiciary’s commitment to justice delivery.
    “Our governor, with joy, on behalf of the judiciary, I receive the keys to these brand new vehicles. I want to say that on behalf of the judiciary, I appreciate this gesture.
    “We have new judges and you have thought and deemed it fit to give them these cars.
    “We thank you very much and on our side, we will continue to work for the betterment of the state, as far as justice delivery is concerned,” she added.
  • 2023 Election: PDP vows to reclaim Cross River from APC

    2023 Election: PDP vows to reclaim Cross River from APC

    Ex-Cross River governor, Mr Liyel Imoke, said in Calabar on Sunday that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would reclaim the state from the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2023 general election.

    He told newsmen at the end of a PDP caucus meeting that the party’s confidence stemmed from the fact that it had never lost election in the state.

    Sitting Gov. Ben Ayade won the governorship seat on the platform of the PDP, but defected to the APC on May 20, 2021.

    Imoke said the caucus meeting was summoned to strategise for the 2023 elections.

    “We have never lost election in Cross River since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy; a defection is not a loss.

    “In 2023, we do not intend to lose; that is why the caucus meeting was convened to rub minds, share opinions and strategise towards winning the 2023 general elections.

    “On the issue of zoning, just as at the national level where the issue of zoning is being discussed, we also discussed it at the caucus level.

    “It is not my responsibility to disclose what was discussed on the issue,’’ the former minister of power said.

    He maintained that the PDP in the state was organised, well managed, and had an experienced chairman with a long history of political participation.

    In his remarks, the chairman, Mr Venatius Ikem, said the caucus had robust discussions on varied issues, including zoning and that the public would be informed of decisions taken at the appropriate time.

    Ikem stressed that the party was yet to take a decision on the zoning of power or any other position in the state to the southern senatorial district.

    “On the issue of zoning power to the southern senatorial district, our party will take its decision at the appropriate time.

    “Wherever you hear about the zoning of power or particular positions to the southern senatorial district for now, I am sure the source is not the PDP.

    “All party aspirants are assured of a level playing field pending when we make decisions on all matters before us, including zoning,’’ the chairman said.

    Newsmen reports that the caucus meeting was attended by stalwarts like Mr Donald Duke, former Cross River governor, Sen. Sandy Onor, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo and Prof. Stella Atu, among others.

  • PDP to appeal High Court judgment on Ayade’s defection

    PDP to appeal High Court judgment on Ayade’s defection

    Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State has hinted that it would appeal the judgment delivered by an Abuja High court validating the defection of Governor Ayade and deputy to the ruling All People’s Congress (APC).

    The PDP has given a hint it would approach the higher court up to the level of Supreme court in the redress of the matter.

    According to a statement released by PDP and signed by state chairman Vena Ikem, proceedings of the Appeal court would remain a civilized struggle and an intellectual exploration of the limits and vastness of our jurisprudence in this untested territory.”

    The party had approached the High Court in Abuja over Ayade’s defection to the ruling APC with its Governorship mandate, describing it as a provocation by unscrupulous elements who were mistakenly given the mandate of the party in the past.

    The statement reads:“We will be studying the judgment in its entirety with the certainty of appealing to the next Court of Law until justice is manifestly done.

    “The judgment of yesterday by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja is yet another successful exploration of the dept of legal jurisprudence in uncharted territory such as we have at hand. Let me assure you that this judgment is only a step in the overall picture envisaged by our lawyers when they took steps to explore this legal option which has the potential to take both the Judiciary and indeed our entire democracy to another level entirely.

    “We will continue to support our lawyers as they lead us in this battle for the soul of our democracy and good governance of our people.”

    Ikem hailed party stakeholders and supporters for not allowing Ayade to rub the defection in their faces.

    “We will continue to keep them sleepless for the remainder of the tenure which they shamelessly flaunt at us who made it happen.”

    According to the statement, Ayade has regretted what they described as an ill-fated adventure to APC, adding that they “will continue to drive the message home that it was the PDP that was elected to govern Cross River People in 2019 because our people are PDP, body and soul, and not APC.”

    He urged party members and its supporters not to be discouraged by a temporary setback by the judgment of the Abuja high court.

    He begged them to remain focus and resolute saying that they will not rest until the apex court in the country gives its verdict on the case.

     

     

  • Defection: Court dismisses PDP’s suit against Gov. Ayade

    Defection: Court dismisses PDP’s suit against Gov. Ayade

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suit seeking the removal of Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River.

    Justice Taiwo Taiwo, in a judgment, said he was bound by the decision of a higher court which delivered a judgment on April 1 in a similar case in Enugu.

    An Appeal Court sitting in Enugu on Friday affirmed the ruling of the Ebonyi State High Court, which declared that Gov. David

    Umahi and his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, did not offend any provision of the constitution or the Electoral Act by defecting from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    Chief Mike Ozekhome, who was counsel for Ayade and his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, had written to Justice Taiwo on the Enugu judgement.

    Lawyers to all the parties were, however, directed to address the court on Wednesday and the judgement shifted to Thursday.

    Taiwo, while delivering the judgment, held that going by “the principle of stare decisis (judicial precedence),” he was bound by the earlier judgment of the appellant court.

    The judge said that though there were constitutional provisions for the removal of a governor or his deputy from office, defection was not part of the grounds.

    Taiwo said that Sections 180, 188 and 189 had already stipulated how an executive head could be removed from office.

    The judge, therefore, raised 10 questions for determination.

    “Are votes cast in election transferable to another party? Is defection tantamount to transfer of votes? Does the law permits such transfer? Can such transfer counts or be disallowed with attendant consequence?, etc,” he asked.

    According to him, it is not the function of the court to make law, but it is the duty of the legislature while the court interprets the law.

    “Therefore, defection from a political party is not one of the grounds for removing a governor or deputy from office,” he said.

    Taiwo, who said that the role of the judiciary is limited in the removal of a president or governor and their deputies, said it was the duty of the legislature to do this.

    “The 3rd and 4th defendants (Ayade and Esu) cannot be removed except by constitutional provisions.

    “Hence, this court has no power to declare their seats vacate except by constitutional provisions. I so hold,” he said.

    Speaking with newsmen shortly after the judgment, Ozekhome said Sections 180, 188 and 189 gave guidelines as to how a governor could be removed from office.

    He said: “these include when a governor dies, resigns from office, his tenure expires, by impeachment or if he is incapacitated.”

    According to him, the Supreme Court had once pronounced that though an act of defection might be painful, immoral and unquestionable, it is not illegal.

    PDP, through its counsel Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, had filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021 before Justice Taiwo to seek for an order sacking the governor and his deputy over their defection to the APC, among others.

    Taiwo had, on March 21, ordered two House of Representatives members representing Cross River and 18 lawmakers from the state’s House of Assembly to vacate their seats over their defection to APC.

    The judge gave the order following a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/971/2021 filed on Aug. 27, 2021, by the PDP to challenge the 20 lawmakers’ defection to APC, alongside the governor on May 20, 2021.

    Justice Taiwo, in the judgment, dismissed the defence argument that the PDP (plaintiff) had no locus standi (legal rights) to institute the case.

    He also dismissed other preliminary objections raised by the sacked lawmakers.

    NAN

  • BREAKING: Again, Ayade’s defection case shifted, now April 7

    BREAKING: Again, Ayade’s defection case shifted, now April 7

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted judgment delivery on the defection suit against Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State till April 7.

    Justice Taiwo Oladipupo Taiwo halted delivery of the judgment to enable him to consider the implications of a Court of Appeal fresh judgment on the defection. related matters.

    The Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, had five days ago held that defection did not constitute any known offence but constitutional rights of freedom of association as enshrined under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Ben Ayade and his deputy had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), prompting the PDP to ask the court to declare their seats vacant.

    Mike Ozekhome SAN, counsel to the governor, had in a letter drawn the attention of the court to the Court of Appeal judgment and prayed the court to bow and respect the decision of the higher Court of Appeal. Continue Reading

    Details to follow…