HammerTimes News Online

Tag: #Labour Party

  • Imo election: Result unacceptable- LP lament

    The Labour Party in Imo has dissociated itself from the result of the Nov 11 Governorship Election in Imo, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    The Party’s Chairman, Mr Callistus Ihejiagwa, said this while reacting to the outcome of the election in an interaction with newsmen in Owerri, on Sunday.
    Ihejiagwa said the election was  characterized by “attacks, intimidation and stiff opposition to the will of the masses”, describing the announced result as unacceptable.
    Citing paragraph 48, sub paragraphs A and B of the electoral guideline, Ihejiagwa said that before the commencement of final collation, he petitioned INEC over the manner of accreditation of voters but his petition fell on deaf ears as the commission proceeded to collate.
    He alleged that when he insisted that collation be halted for his party’s petition to be heard, he was accused of disrupting the process and beaten up by thugs of the All Progressives Congress in the presence of security agents.
     “Paragraph 48, sub paragraphs A and B of the electoral guideline says that collation shall not be done until the Returning Officer confirms that accreditation has been done in line with the provisions of the law.
     “This section of the law was contravened and we were denied the inalienable right to fair hearing despite several calls for our petition to be heard almost two hours before the start of collation.
    ”But the Returning Officer, Prof. Abayomi Fasina insisted that he could not entertain the petition.
     “With the RO’s insistence, thugs of the APC beat me up, threw me out of the hall and robbed me of 1,000 dollars and another N50,000 which I had on me.
     “Police officers, one of whom I identified as SP Amaechi Kennedy, rather than arrest those who assaulted me, took me to the police station where I was eventually detained in a cell and only released by 11.00am on Sunday after the announcement of result, for a crime I was never told,” he said.
    Ihejiagwa said the LP had all evidence of the assault which happened on live TV during collation and would take appropriate measures to seek justice for all the matters raised.
    He expressed dismay over what he described as the inability of security personnel to protect him in the collation centre and INEC’s failure to hear his petition, insisting that the LP’s candidate, Sen. Athan Achonu won the election and would prove it in court.
     “We took our time to document the anomalies and prepare a strong worded petition that was never heard and for this reason, we will be seeking judicial redress.
     “LP completely dissociated itself from the purported result and will challenge it in court, with all our evidence.
     “Our candidate, Sen. Athan Achonu won this election and we’ll retrieve the mandate in court “, he said.

  • Judge denies nullifying Abia Governorship election

    A Federal High Court denied nullifying the candidature of the Abia  Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti.

    The court, however, said it nullified the election of  the candidates for  Kano Labour Party(LP) that  contested during the 2023 General Election and.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a  plaintiff, Mr Ibrahim Haruna-Ibrahim, had  filed an application seeking the court to revoke and set aside the certificate of return issued to all LP candidates declared winner in Kano and the 35 states of the Federation including the FCT Abuja.

    NAN reports that the respondents in the suit are: Labour Party and Independent National Electoral Commission.

    Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa, said the candidates who participated in the 2023 general election in Abia were not parties before his court.

    “This court lacks jurisdiction to make an order for the issuance of certificate of return.

    “They are at liberty to seek redress in the appropriate Division of the court” he said

    He said INEC was bound to insist receiving the registered members of the first respondent and that of other political parties 30 days before primary election in compliance with section 77(3) of the electoral act 2022.

    The section states that a party that has not complied with the section 77(2)(3) of the electoral act 2022 cannot be declared winner of the election.

    The court declared the primary election of LP in Kano as null and void” Nasir-Yunusa said.(NAN)

  • Judge denies nullifying Abia Governorship election

    A Federal High Court denied nullifying the candidature of the Abia  Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti.

    The court, however, said it nullified the election of  the candidates for  Kano Labour Party(LP) that  contested during the 2023 General Election and.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a  plaintiff, Mr Ibrahim Haruna-Ibrahim, had  filed an application seeking the court to revoke and set aside the certificate of return issued to all LP candidates declared winner in Kano and the 35 states of the Federation including the FCT Abuja.

    NAN reports that the respondents in the suit are: Labour Party and Independent National Electoral Commission.

    Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa, said the candidates who participated in the 2023 general election in Abia were not parties before his court.

    “This court lacks jurisdiction to make an order for the issuance of certificate of return.

    “They are at liberty to seek redress in the appropriate Division of the court” he said

    He said INEC was bound to insist receiving the registered members of the first respondent and that of other political parties 30 days before primary election in compliance with section 77(3) of the electoral act 2022.

    The section states that a party that has not complied with the section 77(2)(3) of the electoral act 2022 cannot be declared winner of the election.

    The court declared the primary election of LP in Kano as null and void” Nasir-Yunusa said.(NAN)

  • Labour Party factions clash at Presidential Election Petition Court

    There was mild drama at the Presidential Election Petitions Court, (PEPC) sitting in Abuja on Wednesday when  two factions of the Labour Party clashed.

    According to reports, trouble started as early as about 7:45a.m. when both factions, comprising members loyal to factional Chairman, Mr Lamidi Apapa and those loyal to the suspended Julius Abure arrived the court.

    There was exchange of words between both factions spear headed by Apapa and Mr Jude Umeokeke over which faction had the legal right to be present in court.

    Eventually, the Apapa-led faction moved away from the corner designed for petitioners and sat in the main hall of the court room leaving the Abure-led faction at the corner.

    When the matter was called, the presiding judge, Justice Haruna Tsammani refused to recognise any representative for the LP since Apapa and Mrs Dudu Malunga had introduced themselves as representatives of the party.

    Shortly after proceedings, as news men  were set to conduct an interview with the  Apapa-led faction, supporters loyal to Abure mounted guard and blocked Apapa from approaching the cameras.

    In spite of pleas from the news men that both sides would be heard, the supporters maintained their grounds and resisted saying that Apapa was not the LP chairman and would not speak on its behalf.

    The  Abure loyalists shouted and  dragged Apapa all over the place shouting “You must not talk, you are an impostor, thief, thief.

    It  took the intervention of a laefe number of security personnel to contain the pandemonium as they battled to free Apapa from the irate youth.

    The security personnel succeeded in wrestling Apapa from the youths and taking him back into the court room to avoid him been lynched by the youths

  • Labour Party factions clash at Presidential Election Petition Court

    There was mild drama at the Presidential Election Petitions Court, (PEPC) sitting in Abuja on Wednesday when  two factions of the Labour Party clashed.

    According to reports, trouble started as early as about 7:45a.m. when both factions, comprising members loyal to factional Chairman, Mr Lamidi Apapa and those loyal to the suspended Julius Abure arrived the court.

    There was exchange of words between both factions spear headed by Apapa and Mr Jude Umeokeke over which faction had the legal right to be present in court.

    Eventually, the Apapa-led faction moved away from the corner designed for petitioners and sat in the main hall of the court room leaving the Abure-led faction at the corner.

    When the matter was called, the presiding judge, Justice Haruna Tsammani refused to recognise any representative for the LP since Apapa and Mrs Dudu Malunga had introduced themselves as representatives of the party.

    Shortly after proceedings, as news men  were set to conduct an interview with the  Apapa-led faction, supporters loyal to Abure mounted guard and blocked Apapa from approaching the cameras.

    In spite of pleas from the news men that both sides would be heard, the supporters maintained their grounds and resisted saying that Apapa was not the LP chairman and would not speak on its behalf.

    The  Abure loyalists shouted and  dragged Apapa all over the place shouting “You must not talk, you are an impostor, thief, thief.

    It  took the intervention of a laefe number of security personnel to contain the pandemonium as they battled to free Apapa from the irate youth.

    The security personnel succeeded in wrestling Apapa from the youths and taking him back into the court room to avoid him been lynched by the youths

  • NYMPODA urges electorates to vote LP Guber candidates

    By Gami Tadanyigbe

    Nigeria Youth Movement for Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed (NYMPODA) has called on electorates and Nigerian Youth nationwide to come out en-masse and vote Labour Party candidates in the Saturday Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Convener, NYMPODA, comrade Agbowo Emmanuel, made the call during During the Obidient Joint Committee virtual meeting held yesterday, Thursday, 16th March 2023.

    Comrade Emmanuel, maintained that Nigeria can work only when we put the right people of competence, character, capacity and patriotism in power and positions of authorities.

    According to him, the call had become necessary, in pursuit of New Nigeria of peace, security, respect, truth, unity, justice and sustainable economic development.

    “The soul of Nigeria is bleeding and yearning for survival, and it is only Nigerian youth and women constituencies have the biggest population to restore this country via credible electoral processes,” he said.

    He maintained that voting Labour Party top to bottom will go a long way in building a Strong political base for Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed who have shown great leadership direction and hope for the destiny of above 200 million Nigerians and her environment in their past public engagements especially before, during and after the 2023 Presidential General election.

    However, the group pleaded with INEC officials to operate both on collective and individual conscience, and provide credible, free and fair elections come Saturday.

    “Nigerian youth and women are kindly requested to go out, vote and protect their votes as duty to our dear country and humanity,” he said. (NAN)

  • NYMPODA condemns attack on Labour Party supporters in Lagos.

    The Nigeria youth’s movement for Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed (NYMPODA) has condemned in totality the attack on two NYMPODA members and otherLabour party supporters during OBIDATTI campaign rally over the weekend in Lagos.

    Hon. Godwin Onmonya, the National Coordinator of the group, who condemned the attack in a press statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Abuja, called on the security agencies to fish out the attackers.

    Onmonya said that some supporters were attacked on Saturday along Jakande Ajah with several people injured while several vehicles were vandalised.

    The National Coordinator said that “We cannot continue to tolerate attacks on members of the political opposition, often fuelled by the incendiary rhetorics of political leaders.

    “The Labour Party and Peter Obi’s Campaign Organisation are a democratic movement and no member should be molested.

    “The new Nigeria that we seek is one founded on peace and justice, and respect for the rule of law, the incident, premeditated or not, is deeply troubling.

    “Such an act stands vehemently condemned and we call on the security agencies to fish out those responsible for the attacks.

    “We are getting death threats, almost daily attacks from thugs warning us to desist from holding walks or rallies for the Labour Party.

    “But Nigerians are fed up with the continuous suffering and we want change, we are not going to stop until we get change,” he said.

  • NYMPODA condemns attack on Labour Party supporters in Lagos.

    The Nigeria youth’s movement for Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed (NYMPODA) has condemned in totality the attack on two NYMPODA members and otherLabour party supporters during OBIDATTI campaign rally over the weekend in Lagos.

    Hon. Godwin Onmonya, the National Coordinator of the group, who condemned the attack in a press statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Abuja, called on the security agencies to fish out the attackers.

    Onmonya said that some supporters were attacked on Saturday along Jakande Ajah with several people injured while several vehicles were vandalised.

    The National Coordinator said that “We cannot continue to tolerate attacks on members of the political opposition, often fuelled by the incendiary rhetorics of political leaders.

    “The Labour Party and Peter Obi’s Campaign Organisation are a democratic movement and no member should be molested.

    “The new Nigeria that we seek is one founded on peace and justice, and respect for the rule of law, the incident, premeditated or not, is deeply troubling.

    “Such an act stands vehemently condemned and we call on the security agencies to fish out those responsible for the attacks.

    “We are getting death threats, almost daily attacks from thugs warning us to desist from holding walks or rallies for the Labour Party.

    “But Nigerians are fed up with the continuous suffering and we want change, we are not going to stop until we get change,” he said.

  • Debate group decries refusal of major presidential candidates to participate in debate

    The Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG), on Sunday in Abuja, said one of its biggest challenges is the refusal of major presidential candidates to participate in the debates.

    Mr John Ugbe, NEDG Chairman, said this at the opening of the national presidential debate, organised by the group in collaboration with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), some media organisations, the Transition Monitoring Group and some Civil Society Organisations as well as some foreign partners.

    Ugbe added that in spite of the development, NEDG would continue to work tirelessly to promote transparency and accountability, to help the public make informed electoral decisions to grow the country’s democracy.

    “For many years, our organisation has been dedicated to providing a platform for the candidates to express their views and answer questions from the public.

    “Our goal has always been to promote transparency and accountability, and to help the public make informed decisions.

    “However, as we all know, hosting a debate is not an easy task, there are many challenges and obstacles that we must overcome.

    One of the biggest challenges the organisation faced is when a presidential candidate refuses to participate in the debate,” he said.

    Ugbe said such behaviour not only undermined the democratic process, but also denied the public the opportunity to hear from the candidate and make an informed electoral decision.

    He added that the development sends a message that such candidates are not willing to engage with the public, to listen to their concerns, or to be held accountable for their actions.

    “It is a great disappointment that this has happened in this particular debate, but we must remember that the show must go on.

    “We must continue to provide a platform for the remaining candidates to share their visions for the future and to answer the questions of the public,” he said.

    He assured that the NEDG would continue to be a voice for the people, and would not let anyone, not even a presidential candidate stand on its way.

    He prayed that the best presidential candidate would win the coming elections, and that the people would always come first.

    Also speaking at the event, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), thanked NEDG for the initiative, saying that debates were a form of political accountability all over the world.

    He said debates are necessary because they give citizens the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates what they intend to do if elected into office.

    “Therefore, all over the world, civil society and media and other non state actors are pushing to ensure that we have political debates as a form of accountability.

    “Anybody running away from having political debate is running from accountability and it is not good.

    “So, it is absolutely necessary as citizens, as patriotic Nigerians, that those who seek to govern us, should be able to tell us how they will run the country,” he said.

    Rafsanjani said without such commitments from candidates, they would do otherwise when they get into office.

    He added that transparency is guaranteed through debates because it would be difficult for anybody to deny what they are committed to during debates.

    “So, transition monitoring group will continue to push and ensure that not only presidential debates are happening, but also gubernatorial debates.

    “For those who have decided to come, it is a measurement of the fact that they are ready to account and we wish them all the best,” he said.

    According to reports that out of the four presidential candidates that indicated interest to feature at the debate, according to the organisers, only Rabiu Kwankwoso, presidential candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), attended.

    The presidential candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party, Peter Obi, did not make it to the debate. 

  • Debate group decries refusal of major presidential candidates to participate in debate

    The Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG), on Sunday in Abuja, said one of its biggest challenges is the refusal of major presidential candidates to participate in the debates.

    Mr John Ugbe, NEDG Chairman, said this at the opening of the national presidential debate, organised by the group in collaboration with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), some media organisations, the Transition Monitoring Group and some Civil Society Organisations as well as some foreign partners.

    Ugbe added that in spite of the development, NEDG would continue to work tirelessly to promote transparency and accountability, to help the public make informed electoral decisions to grow the country’s democracy.

    “For many years, our organisation has been dedicated to providing a platform for the candidates to express their views and answer questions from the public.

    “Our goal has always been to promote transparency and accountability, and to help the public make informed decisions.

    “However, as we all know, hosting a debate is not an easy task, there are many challenges and obstacles that we must overcome.

    One of the biggest challenges the organisation faced is when a presidential candidate refuses to participate in the debate,” he said.

    Ugbe said such behaviour not only undermined the democratic process, but also denied the public the opportunity to hear from the candidate and make an informed electoral decision.

    He added that the development sends a message that such candidates are not willing to engage with the public, to listen to their concerns, or to be held accountable for their actions.

    “It is a great disappointment that this has happened in this particular debate, but we must remember that the show must go on.

    “We must continue to provide a platform for the remaining candidates to share their visions for the future and to answer the questions of the public,” he said.

    He assured that the NEDG would continue to be a voice for the people, and would not let anyone, not even a presidential candidate stand on its way.

    He prayed that the best presidential candidate would win the coming elections, and that the people would always come first.

    Also speaking at the event, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), thanked NEDG for the initiative, saying that debates were a form of political accountability all over the world.

    He said debates are necessary because they give citizens the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates what they intend to do if elected into office.

    “Therefore, all over the world, civil society and media and other non state actors are pushing to ensure that we have political debates as a form of accountability.

    “Anybody running away from having political debate is running from accountability and it is not good.

    “So, it is absolutely necessary as citizens, as patriotic Nigerians, that those who seek to govern us, should be able to tell us how they will run the country,” he said.

    Rafsanjani said without such commitments from candidates, they would do otherwise when they get into office.

    He added that transparency is guaranteed through debates because it would be difficult for anybody to deny what they are committed to during debates.

    “So, transition monitoring group will continue to push and ensure that not only presidential debates are happening, but also gubernatorial debates.

    “For those who have decided to come, it is a measurement of the fact that they are ready to account and we wish them all the best,” he said.

    According to reports that out of the four presidential candidates that indicated interest to feature at the debate, according to the organisers, only Rabiu Kwankwoso, presidential candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), attended.

    The presidential candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party, Peter Obi, did not make it to the debate.