News
Benue State High Court Upholds Ayu’s PDP Suspension
A Benue State High Court in Makurdi, Friday, ruled that Iyorchia Ayu can no longer hold office as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of the state.
A member of the PDP in Benue State, Conrad Terhide Utaan, dragged Ayu to court following his suspension by his Igyorov ward executive committee after passing a vote of no confidence on him.
In suit No: MHC/85/2023, Utaan sought among other reliefs a declaration that, Ayu is no longer fit and qualified to hold office as the national chairman of the PDP, having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov council ward of Gboko, where he first registered as a member of the party.
He also sought a declaration of court that Ayu cannot hold himself out, function and preside over the affairs of the PDP as its national chairman having seized to enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership by virtue of his suspension by the ward executive committee of the party in his Igyorov council ward.
The plaintiff further sought an order restraining Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of the PDP having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward, among other reliefs.
Ayu through his counsel J.J Usman, SAN, filed preliminary objections to the suit bothering on the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, saying it was an internal affair of a political party.
He also challenged the locus standi of the plaintiff, Utaan to institute the action, adding that the plaintiff had not exhausted the internal dispute resolution mechanism of the party, among other objections.
Utaan through his counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, argued against the preliminary objections and urged the court to discountenance the preliminary objections and grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.
Delivering his judgement that lasted for 2-hours, the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, resolved all the issues raised in the preliminary objections in favour of the plaintiff and accordingly dismissed same.
Justice Ikpambese held that By virtue of Article 8(9)of the constitution of the PDP, Ayu seized to be a member of the PDP with his failure to pay his subscription and membership fee.
He ruled that Ayu’s membership of the PDP elapsed with his failure to pay his membership subscription fee.
On the claim that the ward executive committee of the party cannot discipline a member of the National Executive Committee, Justice Ikpambese held that going by the provisions of Article 46(1)of the PDP Constitution, the ward executive of the PDP have the powers to discipline a member of the NEC of the party.
The Judge pointed out that Ayu did not show proof that he has paid his membership subscription fee, neither did he challenge his suspension before any organ of the party or before any court, thereby leaving the court with the impression that he has consented to his suspension by his ward executive committee.
He said Ayu had lost his membership of the party even before he was suspended by his ward executive committee.
Justice Ikpambese accordingly resolved all the issues in favour of the plaintiff.
“The plaintiff has proven his case, all the questions for determination have been resolved in favour of the plaintiff, he is entitled to all the reliefs sought. I so order”
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Utaan, Mike Assoh described the judgement as sound, adding that the court has validated the action of the Igyorov ward executive committee of the party against Ayu, for his (Ayu) failure to pay his membership subscription fee.
The ward exco had also accused Ayu of anti-party activities after which they passed a vote of no confidence on him.
While reading their resolution at the time, the secretary of the party in Igyorov ward, Vanger Dooyum, said Ayu’s anti-party activities – alongside his allies – contributed to PDP’s loss in his ward and local government in the governorship election.
They also alleged that the PDP chieftain did not vote during the governorship and state assembly elections held on the 18th of March, 2023.
According to them, most of Ayu’s closest allies worked for the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) which resulted in the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.
Twelve out of the seventeen exco members signed the documents endorsing his suspension.
News
Obidient Movement congratulates Amupitan on appointment as INEC chairman
In a statement jointly signed by Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator, and Nana Kazaure, Director of Strategic Communications and Media, the movement commended President Bola Tinubu for the appointment and extended its warm felicitations to the new INEC chairman.
Supporters of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, have congratulated Professor Joash Amupitan on his appointment as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group, under the aegis of the Obidient Movement, expressed optimism that Amupitan’s leadership would usher in a new era of credibility and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement jointly signed by Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator, and Nana Kazaure, Director of Strategic Communications and Media, the movement commended President Bola Tinubu for the appointment and extended its warm felicitations to the new INEC chairman.
“As we reflect on the experiences of past INEC chairmen, we are hopeful that your tenure will mark a significant milestone in the electoral history of Nigeria,” the statement read.
“We look forward to reforms that will enhance the credibility, freedom, and fairness of our elections, particularly as we approach the 2027 General Elections.
(The Nation)
News
Jubilations in Kogi Over Tinubu’s Appointment of Amupitan as INEC Chairman
On behalf of the Government and the good people of Kogi State, we assure Mr. President and the entire nation that Prof. Amupitan will uphold the confidence reposed in him and continue to bring honour to the state and to Nigeria through his dedication to credible and transparent elections.
•Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan
- The Government and people of Kogi State express profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the appointment of Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, a distinguished son of Kogi State, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
- In a statement on behalf of the state government, Kingsley Femi Fanwo Commissioner for Information and Communications, said :
- ” This appointment is a strong validation of President Tinubu’s commitment to excellence, merit, and national inclusiveness in the leadership of our democratic institutions.”
- The statement reads:” Prof. Amupitan’s illustrious career as a renowned legal scholar, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and respected administrator stands as a testament to his capacity for impartiality, integrity, and intellectual depth, qualities that are vital to the advancement of our electoral system.
- On behalf of the Government and the good people of Kogi State, we assure Mr. President and the entire nation that Prof. Amupitan will uphold the confidence reposed in him and continue to bring honour to the state and to Nigeria through his dedication to credible and transparent elections.
- We heartily congratulate Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, on this well-deserved national assignment and pray for divine wisdom, strength, and success as he assumes this critical responsibility.”
News
Former diplomat Christopher Kolade dies at 92
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr Kolade led a life marked by integrity, leadership, and service across multiple spheres — from broadcasting and diplomacy to corporate governance and academia.
•Dr Christopher Kolade
Dr Christopher Kolade, a renowned former diplomat and one of Nigeria’s most respected elder statesmen, is dead, aged 92.
“We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service; and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings,” his family announced his death in a statement on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr Kolade led a life marked by integrity, leadership, and service across multiple spheres — from broadcasting and diplomacy to corporate governance and academia.
A son of an Anglican missionary, Kolade attended Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
His academic excellence earned him honorary doctorate degrees from institutions such as the University of Sierra Leone (1976) and McPherson University (2016).
Dr Kolade began his professional journey in broadcasting, where he rose to become Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).
His career later expanded into the corporate world, where he served as Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc.
His leadership and reputation for ethical conduct earned him an appointment as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, a role he performed with distinction.
After his diplomatic service, Dr Kolade continued shaping minds and institutions as a lecturer in Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management at the Lagos Business School (LBS), and in Leadership and Conflict Management at the School of Media and Communication (SMC), both under Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.
He also served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university.
Beyond academia, Dr Kolade held key leadership roles in several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the International Institute for Communications, and the World Association for Christian Communication.
Recognised for his outstanding service to humanity, he received numerous honours, including the Order of St. Augustine medal from the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 2012, he was appointed by then-President Goodluck Jonathan as Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Board.
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