News
Politics of bitterness plays out at late Ohinoyi’s palace as senator Natasha is denied access
The Senator representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has reacted to an unexpected denial of access to the Palace of late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM, Dr. Ado Ibrahim during her condolence visit to families of the late Monarch on Saturday.
The Senator and her entourage were denied access to the popular Azad palace of the late paramount ruler and prevented from paying her last respects to the late Monarch.
This is coming barely a week after Natasha reclaimed her mandate at the Court of Appeal having been declared as the authentic winner of the February 25th National Assembly poll.
She was subsequently sworn in as Senator representing Kogi Central on Thursday by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Governor Yahaya Bello of the state in an uncommon display of sportsmanship had joined her well wishers to Congratulate her
saying he had accepted the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, affirming Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the duly elected candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial Election held in February, this year.
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday upheld the ruling of the election petition tribunal which removed Abubakar Ohere of APC, and declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the PDP as the legitimately elected Senator for the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The Appeal Court gave the judgment on Tuesday while ruling on an Appeal case filed before it by Abubakar Ohere.
The court further dismissed the appeal filed by Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for lacking in merit.
The election petition tribunal, had on September 6, affirmed Natasha as the duly elected Senator as it nullified Ohere’s victory citing inflated polling results in favour of Ohere in some units and deliberate undercounting against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako delivered the unanimous judgment of the three-man panel, revealing that Ohere’s results were inflated in nine polling units in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area.
He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission reduced Natasha’s results in those areas and omitted the results of three other polling units meant for Natasha in the same LGA.
The Tribunal judgment led Ohere to seek redress. However, the Appeal Court further maintained that Akpoti-Uduagan won the election.
Speaking to State House Correspondents, Governor Bello congratulated Natasha, saying that this was the essence of democracy.
He added that both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Abubakar Ohere were his “siblings” from the same senatorial zone. Bello was known to have bitterly fought a political war of attrition against Natasha.
He called on the people of Kogi Central to embrace the court’s decision.
Natasha however addressed the crowd outside the palace, saying she came to show her appreciation to the late Monarch for the love and support shown to her when he was alive.
“Our father was a pillar to our senatorial victory and I enjoyed this privilege support from the time of the Ajaokuta steel advocacy because the development of Ebiraland was all his concern.
“He was a peaceful man, may the peace he preached reign in Ebiraland. Even though he’s not with us today physically, he’s still with us in spirit, he would have been happy to receive us. With the legacies he left behind, surely he died an accomplished man “, she said.
While praying for the soul of the late King to rest in peace, Senator Natasha promised to live up to what the King stood for in the Senate.
Sources close to the palace while the situation played out indicated that the obstruction at the palace is linked to actions stemming from the state government, suggesting a fightback in response to the defeat of the Governor’s anointed candidate in the recent Appeal Court ruling which affirmed Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the duly elected Senator of Kogi Central senatorial district.
This development further lends credence to the belief that the Governor’s earlier congratulatory message to Senator Natasha may have been a calculated move to create a facade of peace, concealing an underlying effort to garner support for his anointed candidate in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.
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**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.
The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..
Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.
But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit
However, the chairman,
Media Committee of the
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate.
“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.
“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively.
“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public.
the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024
The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.
2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.
SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.
As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.
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