News
Again, Minister, Taraba Govt Bicker
By Ben Adaji, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government has described as uncharitable comments credited to Minister of Women Affairs and Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state in the last election, Senator Aisha Alhassan, to the effect that she has reopened hostility against the government. Sylvanus Giwa, Special Assistant Media and Publicity to Governor Darius Ishaku, told nationalTRAIL while reacting to the ministers diatribes that the allegations to the effect that some Civil Servants perceived to have sympathy for the opposition APC in the state are being victimized, with the salaries of some of them withheld, were baseless and mischievous. Alhassan has accused the Peoples Democratic Party Government led by Architect Darius Ishaku of singling out rival APC supporters for discriminatory policies, expressing dismay over what she termed harassment and intimidation against supporters of APC by the government. She said that she would not identify with the state government until it reverses these tendencies, alleging further that a number of civil servants and local government workers identified to be supporters of All Peoples Congress were intimidated and victimized while others were being denied their salaries. The minister lamented that she would not identify with the government of Taraba State until they change their hostile attitude against APC supporters, ‘’ As you can see I deliberately refused to inform the government officially of my coming’’, she said. She disclosed that under the Nigerian constitution all citizens
Including civil servants have the right to belong to a political party of their choice and wondered why in the state such right was being threatened by the officials of the government. The minister advised the state Governor to see himself as the Governor the state and not Governor of only PDP supporters, adding that the collective unity of the state is more paramount than the interest of a few who practice politics of ‘’a winner takes all.’’ She fumed. But in a swift reaction, the Special Assistant to the Governor, Sylvanus Giwa denied the allegations, saying, the minister seems to still be suffering from the hangover of her defeat at the polls and the courts, and is looking for anything derogatory to associate with Governor Ishaku’s policies. While challenging Alhassan to provide a single proof of her claims, the Governor’s spokesman said, instead of taking her job seriously by looking at issues affecting Nigerian women, Alhassan has been busy trying to conceal her inadequacies. According to him; “Nigerian women are daily being abused with about two women recently butchered, and the minister did not say or do anything. This is in addition to the fact that the Chibok girls are still missing, but she does not seem to know that she needed to do something, rather she goes to Taraba to try distracting the government.” Giwa said, “we may have issues with her, but she should not hide behind baseless insinuations to try to cause disaffection in Taraba state because the Governor embraces everybody, irrespective of political alignment. We would rather she comes and join hands with Governor Darius Ishaku to move the state forward”. “I challenge the minister to come forward with the list of such APC members victimized. I am sure it
of some members of her party who were bent on running down the PDP government. But we will not join issues with her. The Governor respects her, and would have wished she engages in more beneficial ventures than try to heat up the polity unnecessarily”, Giwa added. Mr. Giwa stated that it was time for people to put behind them the past electoral rivalry and rally round governor Ishaku, who has showed willingness to partner with the minister wondering why she was making sweeping statements. According to him the President had sent in two ministers to the state before the coming of the Women Affairs Minister, which shows that the president was more concerned with the needs of the people than party politics. Senator Alhassan told journalist that the state government must change its attitude and regard every citizen as its children. “I don’t tell lies or hide my feelings. I am not happy with ways and manner the Taraba government is treating APC supporters and that was why l did not inform the government of my coming”, she said. “Taraba is my state and nobody can stop me from coming but however the government must be fair and just to every citizen”, she further stated.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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