Headlines

PDP Crisis: CJ Auta Stops Further Court Orders To Parties

Published

9 years ago

July 11, 2016

As INEC Rejects Makarfi’s Nominee For Edo Elections
Sheriff Seeks To Compel INEC Via Contempt Charges
Warns PDP Govs On Consequences Of Insisting On His Ouster

Apparently embarrassed by conflicting court orders emanating from Federal High Courts, which are of coordinate jurisdiction, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Justice
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Ibrahim Auta has ordered immediate stoppage of granting further orders by judges nationwide on the PDP leadership crisis the chief judge via a circular to all federal High Court Judges expressed fears of the possible embarrassment such orders may cause the judiciary, hence the need to review all existing orders with a view to consolidating the issues and harmonizing judicial views. He directed all judges under his purview to comply until further directives on the matter, even as the courts adjourn for the annual judicial vacation, where in only vacation judges will be on stand by for any possible urgent matters that may arise within the course of the vacation. This is even as nominations for the Governorship race in the September elections in Edi state come to a close, with strong indications that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may not have a candidate following the refusal by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to accept the nominees from the two factions of the party. nationalTRAIL gathered that throughout last week, the Ahmed Makarfi led caretaker Committee made futile attempts to convince the electoral umpire to accept their nominee, Pastor Ize Iyamu; no thanks to the plethora of conflicting court pronouncements on the leadership crisis. Checks at the INEC headquarters in Abuja reveal that, lawyers to the Caretaker Committee had gone to submit the name of Pastor Ize Iyamu as its candidate for the Edo race, only to be reminded of an enrollment order of an Abuja High Court, presided over by Justice Okon Abang, to the effect that INEC should not accept nominations for the said race from any other person but from the Ali Modu Sheriff leadership. The judge had while directing INEC to accept Sheriff’s nominees for the Edo and Ondo Governorship races, remarked that the emergence of the Caretaker committee, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi was both strange and suspicious, and a negation of an earlier court order from Lagos to the effect that Sheriff remains the National Chairman of the PDP until otherwise pronounced by a court of higher jurisdiction. Some leaders of the party who have been pushing for the Caretaker Committee, including three amongst the PDP Governors tried in vain to cajole INEC into accepting Makarfi’s nominee, but had to give up when INEC stuck to its guns.
Our correspondent reports that, Makarfi’s foot soldiers had approached a former vice President for possible intervention with INEC, but attempts by the elder statesman did not yield results either, prompting to a press briefing later by the group, accusing INEC of bias. In the meantime, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s lawyers had gone to the Federal High to obtain form 48, as a prelude to enforcing the court order directing INEC to deal with Sheriff, even as they begin contempt proceedings against INEC for failing to accepts their own nominee for the same race. A source at INEC told our correspondent that PDP may loose out of the Edo race until a definite pronouncement is made by the Appeal Court in any of the numerous court rulings on the leadership tussle in the PDP. In another development, national deputy Chairman of the party, Dr Cairo Ojugbo has warned PDP Governors to stop playing with the fortunes of the party for their selfish gains, saying they may be the ultimate losers in the political debacle.
Dr Cairo told nationalTRAIL in an exclusive interview that, anything short of the recognition and acceptance of Senator sheriff as the authentic National Chairman of the PDP by the Governors and other stakeholders, could only prolong the woes of the party, and may cost her the Edo and Ondo elections. According to him, a political solution may be the best way out of the logjam, which starts with the party’s resort to the status quo ante, with sheriff as its national chairman, which will pave way for a convention at which a new set of leaders could emerge. He describes as a disservice to the PDP attempts by the governors to muzzle sheriff out an install a surrogate in form of caretaker Committee, just to facilitate the hijack of the PDP by the few; Cairo argued that, the bone of contention between Sheriff and the Governors was the formers desire to ensure internal democracy by returning the party to the grassroots owners, which the Governors are not amenable to, as they insist on having their stooges as leaders at all levels.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

1 month ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

1 month ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

2 months ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.