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Suit Seeking Dissolution of Buni-led APC Caretaker Committee Comes Up Dec 17
Justice Babangida Hassan of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi, Abuja on Tuesday fixed December 17 to commence hearing in a suit filed by an aggrieved member of the All Progressives Congress, Okosisi Emeka Ngwu, seeking an order setting aside all actions and decisions taken by the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the party.
In the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/1824/2021, and filed by his lawyer, Chief Oba Maduabuchi (SAN), the plaintiff is further seeking an order of court dissolving the committee known as and called the Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.
He listed other defendants to include the APC, Isiaka Oyebola, Ken Nnamani, Stella Okorete, Governor Sani Bello, Dr. James Lalu, Senator Abubakar Yusuf, Hon Akenyemi Olaiade, David Leon, Abba Ali, Prof. Tahir Mammam, Ismail Ahmed and Senator James Akpan Udoedehe.
Ngwu stated that he wanted to contest the position of the National Chairman of the APC in 2018, when the term of the national chairman of the party expired but was prevailed upon to allow Adams Oshiomhole to be returned unopposed.
He said that after two years, he was surprised to hear that the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee had been dissolved and the CECPC contraption had been created by an unknown person and Mai Mala Buni asked unilaterally to head the committee.
According to him, he was surprised because by the constitution of the party, the NEC should be in office for four years until June 22, 2022.
He is therefore seeking a declaration that unless an election is conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act and by an organ known to and created by the constitution of the APC, no valid candidates can emerge from such a primary.
The plaintiff queries whether there was any organ of the APC known as Caretaker/Extra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee created in or by the constitution of the party and whether the organisation known as and called Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee was one of the organs created by Article 11 of the constitution of the political party known as and called the APC.
Meanwhile, the court has granted an order for extension of time for the APC to enter its appearance in the suit and to file other processes as were prayed by its counsel, Daniel Akinwale.
The Punch
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again condemned the local government crisis that erupted in Osun State on Monday, resulting in the loss of six lives.
In a statement issued via his verified X handle on Tuesday, the former VP described the chaos as a brutal display of lawlessness, political brigandage, and subversion of democracy.
“Nigerians bore witness to a chilling display of lawlessness yesterday, as the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress exposed the depths of its desperation to retain power at all costs — through sheer political brigandage and the subversion of democracy,” Atiku wrote.
He stated that the APC’s actions in Osun State were an assault on Nigeria’s democracy and must be condemned.
“In Osun State, the APC orchestrated a full-scale assault on the democratic process, attempting to hijack the local government elections through brute force.
“Armed thugs and mercenaries, operating under the party’s protection, launched an audacious bid to seize control of all 30 local government area council secretariats. And yet, the so-called national leadership of the APC and the presidency watched in complicit silence,” Atiku stated.
He argued that had it not been for the fearless resistance of the Osun people — who stood their ground against the APC’s rampaging foot soldiers — democracy in the state would have been trampled under the boots of political marauders acting at the behest of their party’s overlords.
He said Osun State would never bow to anti-democratic forces, as the people have shown beyond doubt that they will not allow their electoral rights to be stolen, no matter the level of intimidation.
Atiku further urged the security agencies deployed for Saturday’s elections to uphold their constitutional duty with professionalism by “refusing to be used as enforcers of the APC’s criminal agenda” because the world is watching.
He warned that these are dangerous times and that the APC has “abandoned any pretence of democratic legitimacy, resorting instead to brute force in its bid to cling to power,” despite resistance from the people.
“We commend the brave citizens of Osun for standing up to the tyranny that sought to break them. Their resilience is a beacon of hope in the face of unrelenting oppression,” Atiku stated.
He added, “Tinubu’s APC has left no doubt — it will stop at nothing to subvert democracy and impose itself against the will of the people. But Nigerians must resist. The time-honoured warning remains true: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
He further warned, “President Bola A. Tinubu and his dwindling band of enablers must cease their reckless acts of political sabotage — not just in Osun or Lagos, but across Nigeria.
“The people demand governance, not chaos. Nigerians will not sit idly while their democracy is hijacked by a power-drunk regime intent on setting the country on fire.”
The 2025 edition of the annual 42km 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has been once again dominated by East African runners from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Kenya’s Edwin Kibet on Saturday emerged winner in the men category, clocking a time of 2:14:06 to win the $50,000 price money.
Kibet came third last year behind his compatriot Bernard Sang who won it with a time of 02:16:49 and another Kenyan Cheprot who came second.
It is Kibet’s second win in the competition following his first victory in the 2023 edition.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa emerged victorious clocking a time of 2:37:04 for her first win in the competition.
First Nigerian to finish the race, Nyango Gyang Boyi, made history by finishing in the to 10 positions.
He finished the race in 8th place, clocking a time 2:25:41.58 which will earn him a prize award of $4,000. As the first Nigerian to finish the race, Boyi also won the N2million top prize in the Nigerian category.
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was also one of the participants in this year’s Lagos City Marathon.
The 42km race commenced at Western Avenue, in front of the National Stadium Surulere, and finished in front of Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island.
This year’s edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon had thousands of runners competing for the top prize.
The annual event was to a gold label by the World Athletics in 2023 less than eight years after its first edition.
The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has refused to make further comments on circumstances surrounding the denial of visas to some senior Nigerian military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, citing privacy policies.
The Authorities however, acknowledged social media reports of the situation.
Musa and some military officials were denied visas to attend an event in Canada honouring war veterans, a situation the CDS revealed during an event in Abuja on Thursday.
Responding on Friday, via its social media handle, the Canadian High Commission stated, “The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel by senior officials. However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals.”
