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Benue State High Court Upholds Ayu’s PDP Suspension

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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.

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Dangote Refinery Begins Nationwide Fuel Distribution Amid Mixed Reactions

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The Dangote Refinery has officially commenced the distribution of refined petroleum products across Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in the country’s quest for energy self-sufficiency. However, the development has sparked mixed reactions from stakeholders and citizens alike.

The refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone of Lagos State, is Africa’s largest and one of the world’s biggest single-train refineries. With a capacity to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, the launch of fuel distribution is expected to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products.

While government officials and industry leaders have hailed the move as a “game changer” for the Nigerian economy, some citizens and market observers have expressed concerns over pricing, distribution efficiency, and transparency in the supply chain.

Energy analysts note that while the refinery’s operations could stabilize fuel supply and potentially lower prices in the long run, the immediate impact on pump prices remains uncertain due to global crude oil dynamics and local policy factors.

The Dangote Group, led by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, has described the development as a major step toward ending Nigeria’s fuel import dependency and boosting local employment and investment.

As fuel tankers begin to roll out from the refinery to different parts of the country, all eyes are on how this new phase will shape Nigeria’s downstream sector — and whether it will bring long-awaited relief to consumers.

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Niger State Makes Preaching An Offense Without Licences

The Director- General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, had said anyone interested in preaching in Niger must obtain a licence, emphasising that preachers had two months to obtain their licences.

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Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has said it is mandatory for preachers in the state to submit their sermons for approval.

He spoke on TVC’s Politics on Sunday: “I didn’t ban evangelism… For everyone going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done.

“We cannot say because you have been given the opportunity to be a cleric you will go out and preach the gospel that is anti-people, anti-government and you think it’s normal.”

Asked if it was out of fear of indoctrination, the governor said, “It’s in that direction. We want to be able to see what they are preaching, hear what they are saying.

We are working together with security agencies; the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military.”

The Director- General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, had said anyone interested in preaching in Niger must obtain a licence, emphasising that preachers had two months to obtain their licences

.“It is true, the State Government has banned preaching. Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months.”

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No Danger from Ikeja Gas Odour, Rescue Ongoing at Ebute-Metta Collapse – Lagos Fire Service Assures (Photos)

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The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has assured residents and commuters within the Ikeja axis that there is no cause for alarm following the detection of a passive gas odour in the area.

In a statement released on Saturday, the agency attributed the odour to a routine gas pipeline maintenance exercise being carried out by Axxela Group, the parent company of Gaslink, which operates gas pipelines supplying parts of Lagos.

According to the Fire Service, the exercise involves the controlled release of residual gaseous particles and poses no threat to public safety. Fire and Rescue teams are actively patrolling the area as a precautionary measure.

“The public is hereby assured that the situation is under control,” the statement read. “The saturated air is expected to dissipate shortly, and residents are advised to go about their normal activities without fear.”

In a separate incident, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed that a four-storey building under construction collapsed at 333 Borno Way, Alagomeji, Ebute-Metta, at approximately 7:46 p.m. on Friday.

Emergency responders, including the Fire Service, have rescued three adult male victims alive from the rubble.

However, search and rescue operations are ongoing as two construction workers are still believed to be trapped.

All relevant emergency services are currently on the scene, and further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

Residents are urged to remain calm and follow official communication channels for verified information.

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