News
LP defends N30m nomination fee for Edo Guber
**Abure insists his life had been under threats
The Labour Party on Tuesday defended the N30m fee it is charging for nomination and expression of interest form for the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election
The leadership of the party had pegged its Governorship nomination form at N30m as fee for aspirants interested in the party’s ticket for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.
However, criticisms have continue to trail the action of the Party’s leadership which some members have described as insensitive, they insisted that fixing such a high amount is ill-advised of the party.
Reacting to the critics on Tuesday during a press conference at the Secretariat of the Party, the National chairman of the party said, “The National working Committee sat extensively considered all the variables put all the factors together before Arriving at that amount.
“We must say that the party needs a lot of funds in order to drive the process of electioneering. Today, no matter how you conduct primary election funds are required, even after elections litigations are going to arise from whatever you do.
“Litigation cost a lot of money., even organising the primary itself is expensive. When the party was not as big as this you could explain to people that you have no money to give but today people believe that the party has money and when you send anybody for any assignment you must pay them adequately
“Today in this part of Nigeria majority of members of political parties don’t pay dues, people hardly support political parties and the only source of funding for the party as it stands today is through the sale of nomination forms.
“Therefore funding the party, responding to challenges in the party and so on and so forth makes it imperative for us to arrive at that amount.
“I want to say it is about the cheapest within the political parties. We believe that we ought to draw attention to our philosophy of being a party for the downtrodden. With the reality on the ground we have looked at it and come to that conclusion.
“Again, the truth is election is expensive in Nigeria. We believe that candidates who are not able to afford our nomination fee may not be able to conclude the process of election. Therefore all of these factors put together is what resulted in the fee.
“Ours is still the cheapest among the commity of political parties.
As for the question whether I am running for the Edo State governorship election.
On whether he is nursing any ambition to run in the Edo, he responded in the negative saying,
“I have said it categorically that I am not running for Edo Stste governorship, I am not interested, I will conduct a free fair and credible primaries in Edo for the party to get the best.
On issue of threats to his live, we have made several reports. This has to do with my personal security and the Police have grasciously reinforced my security.
He pointed out that though his life has been under threat since the 2023 election, no amount of threat will deter party members from rescuing Nigeria from the hands of dangerous individuals.
He said, “We have been faced with many challenges since the end of the 2023 election. They have threatened my life. As a matter of fact, my life has been under threat since the 2023 elections, and that of other members of our party.
“But we will not be deterred because we know that the struggle to free Nigeria from the grips of some dangerous individuals isn’t going to be an easy task.”
He admonished the party members to remain committed and steadfast by having more confidence in the party’s leadership
“We have taken the party from nothing to something and we ever remain committed to the ideals of Labour Party
On the matter of placeholder, “I believe that with the strength of the party today, with the membership strength of the party at the moment, the issue of placeholder in the party will now become a thing of past.
Abure also debunked allegations that the party would field a weak candidate in the gubernatorial election in Edo State to make it easy for the ruling party to have a lead in the elections.
He said there is no truth in that allegation because the failures experienced by Nigerians have been from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the (All Progressive Congress).
He said that the Labour Party under his leadership was not in any pact with the ruling party in the state to bungle a competitive candidate to square up with the ruling party come September 2024.
According to him, updates in the police investigations over the various allegations have exposed the lies and empty orchestration against his person and the dream to better Nigeria through the Labour Party.
He pointed out that all the persons who alleged that they were wrongly changed from being the party flag bearers for the various positions as governor or for legislative seats in Ebonyi, Imo, Edo, etc., were mere placeholders, a scheme adopted by the party at the time to secure the seats for the party to be able to field candidates in the elections.
**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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