Latest News
FEATURES
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global higher education network, has unveiled its World University Rankings for 2025, highlighting over 1,500 universities across 105 higher education systems worldwide.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States has been named the best university in the world.
The United States dominates the rankings with 197 institutions, followed by the United Kingdom with 90, and mainland China with 71.
In Africa, the University of Cape Town stands out as the top performer, achieving a global ranking of 171.
These rankings reflect the continued excellence and competitiveness of global higher education institutions:
Top universities in the world
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US
- Imperial College London, UK
- University of Oxford, UK
- Harvard University, US
- University of Cambridge, UK
- Stanford University, US
- ETH Zürich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland
- National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
- University College London, UK
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech), US
Multichoice Nigeria says it will appeal Friday’s ruling of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, CCPT, which slammed a N150 million fine against it for challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
The CCPT had also ordered the company to provide Nigerians with a one-month free subscription on DStv and GOtv.
The tribunal had previously stopped Multichoice from increasing subscription fees without adequate notice, following a suit by Festus Onifade who argued that the 8-day notice given by Multichoice for a price hike was insufficient.
Reacting to the development, Multichoice differed with the ruling, saying it will appeal the decision.
The statement reads: “MultiChoice Nigeria is aware of the recent ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, CCPT, regarding its jurisdiction to entertain a price regulation matter.
“We disagree with the ruling, and will therefore file an appeal against said ruling.
“As the matter is currently sub judice, we are restrained from making further comments.”
Onifade, who sued Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, accused the pay-TV of unjustly increasing subscription fees without one-month notice to customers and leveraging on it to seek interim orders against Pay TV.
A three-member tribunal chaired by Saratu Shafii had ruled in favour of Onifade by restraining Multichoice in the interim, in the suit marked CCPT/OP/2/2024.
It restrained the pay TV from going ahead with the impending price increase scheduled to take effect from 1st May 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
A former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Samson Ayokunle, has expressed his concerns regarding the issue of multiple taxations imposed on struggling Nigerians by the incumbent government.
During his appearance on the socio-political program Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, which aired on Channels Television on Friday, the former president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention appealed to President Bola Tinubu to explore other rich sides of the country instead of taxing the citizens. on every side.
In his plea, Ayokunle emphasized the importance of revitalizing the country’s economy and encouraging investments in the agriculture and mining sectors.
He highlighted the untapped potential and valuable resources within these sectors, waiting to be harnessed for the nation’s benefit.
By focusing on these areas, Ayokunle noted that President Tinubu has the opportunity to unlock the goldmines that can contribute to Nigeria’s growth and development.
“Let’s delve into other aspects of our economy. Nigeria is rich, let’s explore, not just taxing, taxing. If you tax people, people will die,” Ayokunle said on the show.
Naija News reports that Ayokunle’s response comes after Tinubu’s administration drew the ire of a large section of Nigerians by introducing new taxes as citizens continue to grapple with the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.
It could be recalled that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a memorandum last month, instructing all commercial banks to enforce a 0.5% levy on specific electronic transactions.
This levy allocates funds to the Office of the National Security Adviser, specifically to enhance cyber security measures.
It is important to note that the levy is imposed on the individual initiating the transaction, rather than the recipient.
“The levy shall be applied at the point of electronic transfer origination, then deducted and remitted by the financial institution. The deducted amount shall be reflected in the customer’s account with the narration, Cybersecurity Levy,” the memo read, adding that it was in line with the new cybercrime law signed by the president in February.
The levy was, however, later suspended after the outcry that greeted its introduction.
Nigerian ace singer, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, has declared himself ‘a new cat’ (up-and-coming artiste).
Naija News reports that the ‘Koko’ master, who will celebrate his 20th anniversary in the music industry on June 7, 2024, made the declaration in a recent interview with Hip TV.
The 43-year-old singer spoke about his role in the global acceptance of Nigerian music through international collaboration.
D’banj noted that the music industry has evolved over the years, and despite the number of years he has spent in it, he still feels like he is scratching the surface again.
The singer also disclosed that he would be working with some new-generation artistes on his upcoming album, ‘Entertainer,’ which he said was a sequel to his critically acclaimed 2008 album, ‘The Entertainer.’
He said, “I am not the first [Nigerian artist] to have done an international collaboration. We were just the first to have done it the way we did it. Usually, when you want to do a collaboration with an international artist, it seemed before ours, like they were doing you a favour. But with the kind of grace that God gave us and the kind of team that we had, we were able to deliver one of the biggest [‘Mr Endowed’].
“I think that actually gave hope and visibility to the kids [new artists] to know that they can do it. So, I feel like a very proud father if I may say. That’s why I am a cat again [up-and-coming artiste]. Now, I want to feature not even international artistes but local artists. I want to feature Ayra Starr, Rema, Ruger and Don Jazzy. Collaboration is the new competition.”
The report of an autopsy conducted on 4-year-old Miguel Ovoke, a pupil of Brickhall School, Abuja, who died on April 24, 2024, has been revealed.
The report, which was released by the management of the school on Friday, revealed that the pupil died after choking on a piece of meat in his homemade lunch.
DAILY POST recalls that the incident occurred during the school’s lunch break. The incident triggered controversy on social media.
According to the school’s statement, Miguel started choking on the meat in his lunch, which consisted of rice, stew, plantain and assorted meat.
“When the emergency manoeuvres to free his throat proved futile, he was rushed to the sick bay where our certified nurse also carried out the appropriate emergency medical responses to dislodge the piece of meat, but to no avail,” the school said.
Miguel was then rushed to Excel Specialist Hospital, where he was unfortunately confirmed dead.
Subsequently, the hospital issued a medical report saying that the cause of death was asphyxiation.
The school said it immediately notified Miguel’s parents of the incident.
The autopsy was conducted at the National Hospital, Abuja, with representatives from all interested parties, including members of the victim’s family.
“The autopsy result showed that Miguel choked on a piece of meat in his homemade lunch,” the school said in its statement.
Following the release of the autopsy report, Miguel’s parents have “accepted the incident as ‘an act of God’,” the school said.
Big Brother Naija Reality TV star and chef, Uriel Oputa, has urged critics questioning her single status to back off as marriage is not for everyone.
Uriel, who is an entrepreneur and chef, took to her Instagram to address the issue.
She said marriage is not an achievement, the reason why she does not feel any pressure from the family or the public.
Uriel maintained that she does not need validation from social media to prove that she is married or not.
She added that posting her partner or relationship status on social media was a prohibition for her.
“Marriage isn’t for everyone. If you think marriage is an achievement, that’s on you. How do you know I’m not married? Do you think everyone needs validation from social media?”, Uriel wrote.
She went ahead to reiterate that she would never post about her partner or relationship status on social media.
“I would never post my marriage or my partner’s full face here. Age-shaming and marriage-shaming is so 2018. Let’s maintain this energy and save the lives of young men and women”.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Friday approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Yahaya Sahabo Abubakar as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). Abubakar was until his appointment the AIG in charge of Zone 14 Katsina.
The police said he will represent the North East in the Police Management Team, replacing DIG Habu Sani who recently retired as DIG Force Intelligence Bureau and representing the Zone.
The Commission also approved the promotion of 122 other senior Police Officers; 10 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of AIGs; 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police to substantive Commissioners and 36 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners. Sixty-one Chief Superintendents of Police were also elevated to the next rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police.
The decisions, according to a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, Ikechukwu Ani were taken at the extraordinary Management Meeting of the Commission held on Thursday, June 6th, 2024 and presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, Solomon Arase.
The 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police; 10 Commissioners and AIG Abubakar appeared before the Commission in session for the compulsory interactive promotion interview which is one of the requirements for their promotion to the next rank.
The Commission Chairman at the interactive sessions told the Officers that in the emerging dynamic and ubiquity of crime and criminality within the revolution in Information and Communication technology, ” charting out pathways for effective policing and internal security management would have to necessarily orient from informed crafting and employment of applicable mix of strategies, standard operating procedures and tactics by the Police, other law enforcement and regulatory agencies of the state, mainstreaming a knowledge driven Police Force staffed by mentally mobile work force refined for optimum service delivery “.
Arase charged them to be genuinely committed to their sacred responsibility of securing the Nigerian nation by effectively protecting lives and property, preventing and containing crimes and criminality across the nation.
He pledged the Commission’s readiness to ensure that promotions of Officers and Men are regular and predictable.
The Commissioners of Police promoted to the new rank of AIGs are: Ahmed Ammani, former CP Enugu and currently in ICT Department, Force Headquarters; Mohammed Dankwara Adamu Deputy Commandant Police Academy, Wudil Kano; Gumel Mohammed Usaini, CP Kano State Command; Hamzat Adebola Ayinde, CP Oyo State Command; Okuoma Idegwu Basil, CP Elections, Force Headquarters Abuja; Achinyan Zachary’s Fera; CP FCID Enugu; Baba Zango Ibrahim, CP DFA, FCID, Abuja; Mohammed Isyaku, CP Admin, FCID Annex Lagos and CP Margaret Agebe Ochalla, CP Police Special Fraud Unit Annex Lagos.
DCP Bassey Samuel Ewah, DC Admin, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters; Osagie John Agans-Irabor, SCID, Benue State Command; DCP Edem Ita Selong, Admin and Finance, Zone 9 Umuahia and DCP Monday Agbonika, Interpol Annex Lagos were promoted to the substantive rank of Commissioners of Police.
Other Deputy Commissioners promoted to CPs were Michael Okoh, Department of Operations, Zone 9 Umuahia; Ayodele Oluyemi Sonubi, State CID, Oyo State Command; Iyama Daniel Edobor, Operations Department, Bayelsa State Command; Isa Danladi Nda, SWAT, FCID Abuja; Akaniyene Ifebem Ezima Zonal CID, Zone 17 Akure and Livingston Ikioye Orutugu, Commandant PMF Training School Ende Hills Jos.
Others are DCP Bello Rashid Afegbua, Admin, Department of Training, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Hycenth Azuka Edozie Force Operations FCID, FHQ Abuja; Haruna Alaba Yahaya, Interpol, FCID Abuja; Peter Ozigi Umoru, Zonal CID, Zone 8, Lokoja; Ayotunde Godwin Omodeinde, Operations Department, Cross Rivers State Command.
The 36 Assistant Commissioners of Police promoted to the next rank of Deputy Commissioners include; Obo Ukam Obo; Musibau Adeola Adedoyin; Lawal Bamidele Adeshina and Anthony Okon Placid. Others are Onyeamu Akaeme Onyeamu, AC, Ops, Enugu State Command; Suleiman K. Bayonle, Commander PMF 20, Lagos; Asuquo Effiong, Special Investigation Unit FHQ, Abuja; Mustapha A. Rufai, Area Commander Auchi; Victor Akongtendor Bepeh, DFA, BPF, Force Headquarters Abuja; Chinedu Ugwu, Area Commander, Oji River Enugu Command; Kingsley Ifeanyi Woke SCID Ebonyi State Command; Issah Onize Lawal, Zonal CID Zone 2 Lagos and Ifeanyi Aham Ohuruzo, Commander PMF 21 Abuja.
The statement said the list of the promoted officers has been conveyed to the IGP for implementation and further necessary action.
Don Jazzy, the Nigerian Music mogul, has revealed that he once made an attempt to sell his record label, Mo'hit Records, for a a paltry sum of one million naira.
In an exclusive interview with Bounce Radio, Don Jazzy revealed that the struggling period followed the release of D’banj’s single “Tongolo”, which failed to yield the expected financial success.
The music mogul confirmed that he approached Nigerian music executive Obi Asika with the proposal, but the deal ultimately fell through.
Don Jazzy’s candid admission offers a rare glimpse into the challenges he faced in the early days of his career and serves as a testament to his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
MURIC Accuses International School Ibadan Of Violating Judgment On Hijab Use During WAEC Exam, Demands Action
AFOLABI
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is condemning the actions of a West African Examinations Council (WAEC) supervisor who allegedly forced female Muslim students to remove their hijabs before entering an exam hall.
MURIC’s founder and director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, released a statement on Friday demanding sanctions against the supervisor.
“The Geography Supervisor of the WAEC examination taken on Friday, 31 May, 2024 at the International School, Ibadan, infringed on Allah-given fundamental rights of female Muslim students by forcing all of them to remove their hijabs before entering the examination hall.
“This is intimidation, coercion and harassment. The supervisor’s action is illegal, illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional. It is also in disregard of the rule of law and in contempt of the rulings of the courts of the land, including the Supreme Court,” he said.
According to MURIC, WAEC has previously issued guidelines permitting hijab use and forbidding student harassment. The organization is urging WAEC to take disciplinary action against the supervisor.
Professor Akintola expressed concern that such incidents could lead to public disorder.
“The supervisor’s action is equally provocative and capable of causing public disorder. We note with much concern that instead of confronting those who violate their rights, Muslims in the South-West have been taking legal action.
“What is most disturbing is that even though the courts have been ruling in favour of the Muslims, their oppressors have always been recalcitrant and stubbornly refusing to comply with court rulings.
“This is a sad narrative in the history of interreligious relationships in the South-West,” he added.
The statement further warned of potential consequences: “The natural concomitant followup is that very soon, Muslim leaders in the region will leave the Muslim youths and ask them to take their destiny in their hands since the law appears helpless. The Muslim youths will have no choice than to defend themselves.
“Those who refuse to respect the rule of law will have to face the rule of chaos. They will face the anger of oppressed Muslims who have been pushed to the wall.
“It is simply impossible for Muslims in the South-West to be law-abiding if the Christians are lawless. There is no other way to put it.”
MURIC threatened to blacklist exam centers and workplaces where Muslim rights are violated, suggesting picketing as a future tactic. The statement noted that this the “next stage in the struggle to liberate Muslims from oppression, downpression and repression.”
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) has ruled in favour of Nigerians in a dispute with pay-TV operator Multichoice Nigeria.
The Tribunal imposed a N150 million fine on Multichoice and ordered the company to provide a one-month free subscription to all DStv and GOtv customers.
The ruling was delivered by a three-man panel led by Justice Thomas Okosu on Friday. This decision follows a suit CCPT/OP/2/2024, filed by Barrister Festus Onifade.
In April 2024, Multichoice announced upcoming price adjustments for their DStv and GOtv packages, citing rising operational costs.
The email to subscribers read: “On Wednesday, 1 May 2024 we will adjust our prices across all our packages on DStv and GOtv. We understand the impact this change may have on you – our valued customer, but the rise in the cost of business operations, has led us to make this difficult decision. It remains our mission to provide the best entertainment and viewing experience to you and are committed to continue to deliver high-quality content and unparalleled service.”
This move resulted in a 25-26 percent increase across various subscription tiers.
Onifade challenged this action, focusing on the lack of proper notice rather than the price hike itself. He argued that the eight-day notice given by Multichoice before a price hike in May 2024 was insufficient.
The Tribunal, led by Justice Saratu Shafii, previously issued a restraining order preventing Multichoice from implementing the price increase scheduled for May 1, 2024, until the case was settled.
However, Multichoice disregarded the order and proceeded with the price adjustments.
Multichoice’s counsel, Moyosore J. Onibanjo (SAN), contested the CCPT’s authority to hear the case, citing a previous price dispute ruling in their favour.
Onibanjo tendered the previous judgement of the tribunal in suit no CCPT/OP/1/2022 (Exhibit A), alongside his application, stating that a court had ruled on the matter between the same parties, on the same subject, and that the same matter cannot be reinitiated by any tribunal or court.
He stated that the power to regulate prices is vested in the president of Nigeria, adding that the Tribunal is not the forum where the claimant can come to seek to regulate the prices and services offered by Multichoice.
Responding, Onifade said: “It is our submission that the 8-day notice issued by Multichoice Nigeria is insufficient in law. A monthly subscriber should be given at least a month.
“Dismiss this application (by Multichoice) for being a waste of time on the court.”
Onifade also prayed the court to direct Multi-choice Nigeria Limited to pay a fine of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira only) or any amount the court may deem fit for “deliberately disobeying, contravening, and failure to comply with the Interim Order of this Honourable Tribunal granted on the 29th April 2024.”
The Tribunal’s ruling on Friday condemned Multichoice’s actions. They emphasized the company’s failure to comply with the interim order and the inadequate notice period provided to customers.
“The jurisdiction of this tribunal extends to all business activities within Nigeria.
“I have come to the conclusion that this tribunal has the jurisdiction to preside over consumer rights as in the instant case and I resolve this issue against Multichoice.
“The first defendant is hereby mandated to pay N150 million penalty.
“Multichoice is hereby ordered to give Nigerians a one month free subscription.” the judge ruled.
Okosu noted that he looked at relevant provisions cited by parties and did not find where an aggrieved consumer who seeks to enforce his rights is required to file a complaint to the President of Nigeria or the Price Control Board.
More...
Airdrops are the fastest way to earn free crypto tokens in a crypto project and rewards from airdrops could range from $1 to $10,000 worth of crypto assets.
Airdrops offer investors and crypto users a chance to participate in a crypto project while standing a chance of earning free tokens for their efforts.
Airdrops are used by Crypto project owners as a marketing gimmick to onboard new members, Grow the project’s user base, and create awareness.
There are many promising Airdrop campaigns to watch out for this month of June.
We selected the 5 most promising Airdrop campaigns from Coindoo’s list happening this month to be mindful of and participate in.
Arena Games Airdrop
Arena Games is a Web 3 project that falls under the gaming category. The project combines traditional gaming with the Gamefi sector of the crypto space. The project provides game developers and players the opportunity to manage their digital assets, mint Non-fungible tokens and improve the overall user experience of gaming.
The native token of the Arena games ecosystem is called the AGP and it is an important component of the project used for various activities.
The Arena Airdrop campaign allows its participants to earn over 10 million free AGP tokens.
Participants are only expected to complete specific tasks within the Arena ecosystem to be eligible to earn airdrops.
The airdrop campaign is slated to end on the 7th of June.
Starknet Airdrop
Starknet is a secondary network on the Ethereum blockchain which is committed to massively scaling up Decentralized apps without affecting the security and compatibility of the Ethereum blockchain.
The team behind the project is preparing to launch the inaugural phase of a very important program in the Starknet ecosystem so it is launching an airdrop campaign to promote it.
The airdrop campaign will give participants the opportunity to earn from a pool of 700 million Starknet tokens. The Starknet tokens would be distributed to some 1.3 million addresses of eligible participants after the airdrop.
Nexo Airdrop campaign
Nexo is the world’s largest lending platform and a huge player in the global fintech space.
Nexo is organizing an airdrop campaign to promote its services and has set aside 10 million Nexo tokens for the campaign.
Participants must complete various tasks like funding their account, swapping or borrowing to be eligible.
Engagers of the campaign will earn according to the level of their engagement.
Ouinex
Ouinex aims to cut a niche for itself in the cryptocurrency market by blending conventional finance with cryptocurrency trading. The crypto project was designed by finance professionals to give traders an avenue to integrate their crypto assets into the traditional market.
The team behind the project has set aside 30 OUIX tokens to reward participants who complete Simple tasks in the ecosystem. The campaign is ending on June 20.
CAGA Airdrop campaign
CAGA is a stand-alone layer 1 network designed to create a trusted environment for the execution of transactions. CAGA is promoting its services and users are encouraged to explore decentralized governance with developer-friendly tools.
Caga is currently airdropping 1 billion Caga tokens to participants of its airdrop campaign.
The airdrop campaign will end on the 12th of June.
- There are two broad categories of Airdrops, and they are free airdrops and paid airdrops. Free Airdrops give participants the chance to earn free crypto tokens by completing tasks and engaging in the crypto project. Paid airdrop campaigns require users to stake some tokens to become eligible for rewards.
- Nairametrics reported earlier on the basics of Airdrops and how to make money from them.
[Nairametrics]
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has disclosed the reason he asked permanent secretaries to bow before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike explained that he asked the secretaries to bow to the president because he helped them to attain the peak in their career.
The Minister argued that it is an honour to bow before the nation’s leader and condemned those criticising his action.
He stated this on Thursday, during the commissioning of the seventh FCT project as part of activities marking Tinubu’s one year in office.
According to him, “Two days ago, when the President came, we tried to thank him for what he did in making sure that those who had already lost hope in their career progression got to the peak of their career.
“Before now, FCTA did not have permanent secretaries. But with Mr. President’s way of Renewed Hope, he said they must get to the peak of their career by getting to the position of permanent secretary and Head of the Civil Service, if possible. Mr President granted that and then I called out the permanent secretaries who are the beneficiaries to come out and take a bow and thank Mr President.
“It is an honour to be called out to take a bow but some human beings can never see anything good. Instead, they are criticising, saying, ‘How will you call people who are Permanent Secretaries and ask them to take a bow?’”
To press home his point, the minister, thereafter, called out the six area council chairmen, whom he described as change agents of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, to also take a bow before the President.
[NaijaNews]
A marketing expert, Adia Sowho, has quit her position as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for telecommunications giants – MTN Nigeria, in what sources believe was a controversial circumstance, Daily Trust can report.
Sowho became the first female CMO of MTN Nigeria in August 2021.
Her professional path began in 2001 after obtaining an engineering degree. She worked as a radio frequency engineer at US Cellular Corporation in Chicago before transitioning into management consulting at Deloitte Consulting LLP in 2007.
A source said her exit was by mutual consent, though there was no official statement from MTN Nigeria as at press time, amidst allegations of corruption.
But Public Relations Manager for MTN, Lakinbofa Goodluck, said Ms Adia Sowho’s exit “was mutual disengagement from MTN.” When told that the former CMO was alleged to have resigned because of allegations of corruption against her, the MTN spokesperson insisted, “It was a mutual disengagement.”
In a related development, Ugonwa Nwoye, a C-suite executive who leads the largest customer care operation in telecommunications in Africa and the Middle East, will take over from Sowho as acting Chief Marketing Officer, in addition to her current role as Chief Customer and Experience Officer (CCXO).
Nwoye is in charge of customer operations strategy, design and implementation of the contacting service, up-sell, and support experience for all customer segments served and targeted by MTN Nigeria.
[DailyTrust]
These are not the best of times for the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party as personal interests seem to be conflicting with the general interest of party members and this has badly affected the momentum the party gained in the state through the “Obidient Movement” in the build-up to the 2023 election.
It was so good for the LP in 2023 in the state that it was able to win the Edo Central senatorial seat with Neda Imaseun emerging as the winner. The party also won two House of Representatives seats with Esosa Iyawe and Osarodion Omoruyi, representing Oredo and Egor/Ikpoba Okha federal constituencies.
While the feat may have been unexpected at the beginning of 2023, the “Obidient Movement” which appealed to the youth, worked wonders for the party in the state. Most of the LP candidates did not have to spend much on the election as the masses, especially the youth, who felt left out by the more established political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress, pitched their tent with the LP.
Expected to build on the gains of 2023, the LP seems to be pressing the self-destruct button with one issue after another dragging the party backwards in an election year in the state. Though there have been discordant tunes within the party, the trouble became full-blown in the run-up to the primary election.
There was an agitation by some members of the party to have a candidate from Edo Central in line with the need to give Esan people the opportunity to taste power after the unceremonious exit of Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor, who was sacked by the court in 2008 after spending 18 months in the saddle, to give way for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. However, the party ticket was eventually won by a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata (from Edo South), a new entrant who just made a foray into the murky water of politics.
Akpata’s nomination may not have gone down well with some party members, but having won the ticket, the members were expected to rally behind him. Instead, he was given a full dose of political bickering as almost every issue that went wrong in the party was ascribed to him. He had to come out with a statement to warn people peddling those unpleasant tales about him to desist, promising to take such matters to the court.
Also, a seasoned campaigner, Kenneth Imasuangbon, who lost the party’s ticket to Akpata, is still in court to contest the result of the primary election, while the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the party was also on hand to rock the boat and compound the problem by producing another candidate. However, the faction’s resolve seems to have fizzled out.
As if these problems were not enough, the youth leader of the party in the state, Ken Imusi, with other youths, took over the party secretariat at Ogbelaka on May 9, announcing the dissolution of the state party exco. It was a surprise move by the youth leader, who was arrested alongside the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure and the State Chairman, Kelly Ogbaloi by the Nigeria Police, Zone 5 on February 21, over a petition in a case of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit dangerous harm.
Imusi told The PUNCH that the state exco was not interested in building the party, hence the need to dissolve it and chart a new course for the party.
He said, “I, Ken Imusi, is now the acting chairman of the Labour Party in Edo State and the exco has been dissolved. The former exco is not interested in building the party. The party is supposed to be for the masses but it is obvious that moneybags have hijacked the party.
“A certain aspirant spent thousands of dollars during the primary election. This is not the LP of our dream, so the exco has to be dissolved. We have a three-man committee from the state to the ward level that will conduct free and fair congresses. We are only waiting for ratification by the national body to announce the date for a new congress.”
Imusi has since gone under, claiming that some people in the party were after his life because of his stance to move it in a better direction.
Ogbaloi, however, said he remained the substantive chairman of the party and that the state exco remained. He stated that the grievances of the youth leader and his group would be looked into and resolved to bring unity back to the party.
He said, “The youth leader cannot take over as the chairman. I, Kelly Ogbaloi, remain the substantive chairman of the LP in Edo State, the state executive council remains intact and it has not been dissolved. The legal competence to dissolve a state exco lies in the National Working Committee of the party.
“This is a critical time in the electioneering process and that is why I said we will find a solution and not pursue issues that can disintegrate the party. This is an important time for us as a party and we must unite ahead of the election,” Ogbaloi added.
However, the mess took a new dimension as the relationship between former ally, Ogbaloi and Abure became strained. There was news that the national chairman of the party was bent on dissolving the state exco, despite a gentlemanly agreement at the re-election of Abure as national chairman in Anambra State on March 27, 2024, that Ogbaloi and his team should be allowed to stay till after the election.
In an attempt to outsmart Abure, the state exco ratified the suspension of the national chairman by his Ward 3 in Arue-Uromi, in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, for alleged high-handedness and anti-party activities.
A letter of suspension dated May 14, 2024, and another letter of ratification dated May 15, 2024, both of which were ratified at a meeting of the state executive committee on May 25, 2024, in Benin, stated that the suspension is with immediate effect and advised Abure to restrain from holding out or parading himself as a member of the Labour Party, Ward 3, Arue, Uromi in Ean North-East LGA, Edo State.
The national leadership of the party, however, rejected Abure’s suspension and wielded the big stick by dissolving the Ogbaloi-led exco on May 27. On the same day, the NWC constituted a 17-man caretaker committee to oversee the running of the party in the state.
Ogbaloi told The PUNCH that due process was not followed in the dissolution of the state exco, alleging that the suspended national chairman of the party, Abure, was behind the crises rocking the party in the state.
Ogbaloi said he was not aware that there had been a change in the leadership of the party in the state, noting that his exco remained committed to working with the party candidate, Akpata, to emerge victorious at the September 21 poll.
He said, “We have a situation in the state now as created by the former national chairman of the party, Julius Abure. You know that a member of an association can claim to be an officer of that organisation only if he is a member. As of today, Abure is no longer a member of the party, having been removed as a member from his ward in Uromi.
“Having said that, the National Working Committee, along with the national chairman, has the right to dissolve a state exco and the right to check the tenure of an exco that has expired or not. But in doing this, there must be due process, which entails that the NWC must have a meeting to discuss the issue after which a position is taken.
“I am asking the NWC and the former chairman to present the minutes of the meeting where the decision was taken that the state executive council in Edo State should be dissolved. There is nothing like that, I think.
“The understanding the previous time was that because there is an election in Edo State, the normal legal congresses should be put on hold till after the election. So, at what time did that now change to give the former chairman the power to unilaterally dissolve the state exco?”
However, the 17-man committee set up to coordinate the affairs of the party in the state and headed by Elizabeth Ativie, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, had the backing of Iyawe and Omoruyi, the federal lawmakers, who were present at the inauguration of the new exco.
Ativie, after the inauguration, promised to move the party to a higher level in the state, vowing to constitute a team to reconcile all aggrieved parties in the party.
However, her efforts at reconciliation seem to have failed as the incident at the stakeholders’ meeting hosted by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on May 28, suggested. Ogbaloi and Ativie were present at the venue and they both introduced themselves as the chairman of the party in the state, to the amazement of other people at the meeting.
Ogbaloi and his team were not done yet, as Ativie was suspended on June 1 over alleged gross misconduct and insubordination. The decision was taken at an enlarged meeting of the State Working Committee which was attended by local government chairmen and secretaries of the party.
At the meeting, the chairman of the LP in Ativie’s Uhunmwonde Local Government, Aghedo Okhiongbamwonyi, said the leadership of Ativie’s ward 4 had handed out the suspension.
He then presented a letter dated May 4, 2024, which conveyed Ativie’s suspension to the leadership of LP in the local government.
The letter was endorsed by Charles Usiesefe and Mike Ighile, the ward chairman and secretary respectively and, in the letter, the party leadership cautioned Ativie to restrain from holding out or parading herself as a member of the LP.
Responding, Ativie said she remained the authentic state chairman of the party and was not aware of any meeting suspending her.
She said, “They should know that by the constitution of the Labour Party, no ward or local government chairman has the authority to suspend anybody or the chairman. It is dead on arrival, I am the current state Labour Party chairman in Edo State.”
Speaking on the development in the state chapter of the party, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiorah Ifoh, told The PUNCH the party was aware of what is going on in Edo State and would come out with a statement soon to address the situation.
He said, “The party is already working on that and very soon, it will come out with a statement to ensure that everything is fine and the party is moving ahead towards winning the election with a united front.
“Tell me, which of the other two parties does not have their internal crises. Politics is all about contestation and the ability to resolve those crises. We are all working towards resolving the crises. I can assure you that the followership we have in Edo and every other place is organic, they have nothing to do with who is the leader of the party in the states.
“It is about the candidate who is a good choice and every Edo person is backing him to become the governor. The most important thing is that we have a candidate and we are supporting the candidate to emerge as governor in the election.”
However, with all the warring factions still unwilling to sheath their swords but continuing to engage in blame games, the next few weeks are crucial in the direction the party will move as the election draws near.
[Punch]