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Kogi Guber: Group Charges Appeal Court President On Transparency, Fairness

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As reactions continue to trail the recent judgment by the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, a group known as Nigeria Integrity Movement (NIM), has appealed the leadership of the Court of Appeal to exercise due diligence, transparency and sense of justice in constituting members of the Appeal Panel that will adjudicate in the Kogi Gubernatorial Election case.

It would be recalled that the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered it’s split judgement on Saturday, May 23 2020 with two members of the Panel, Justices Kashim G. Kaigama from Yobe State and Baraka Wali from Katsina State ruled in favour of Alhaji Yahaya Bello of All Progressives Congress (APC) while Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele from Edo State stood against the above. The details of the judgement is in the public domain.

As a result of the above, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election, Engr. Musa Wada have vowed to approach the Court of Appeal for enduring justice to be served.

In the light of this, the group in its letter dated May 26 2020, called the attention of the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem to the alleged travesty of justice in the Kogi State election petitions, adding the recent judgement of the tribunal did not go down well with many keen observer of Nigeria’s Justice System.

Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem
President, Court of Appeal

“The Acting President, Court of Appeal, Honourable Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, is known for her unquestionable integrity and as we have always told Nigerians, the world is waiting to see the constitution and decisions of the Appeal Panel as the aggrieved parties seek judicial redress,” Mr. Kayode Esan who signed the letter on behalf of the group said.

“We wish to reiterate that it is privy to the surreptitious moves by some persons to undermine and subvert justice in favour of certain party to the case. In this wise, we express our disappointment in strongest terms against the decisions of Justice Kashim Kaigama and his colleague that sacrificed justice on the alter of personal interests at the Kogi State election tribunal.”

The non partisan group also called the attention of the President, Court of Appeal to the subversive activities of Presiding Justice Abdul Aboki of Abuja Divison of the Appeal Court that acted and may still act as a hatchet man for purchase of justice for a certain candidate in the Kogi State Election Petition and who is one of the judicial officers in Nigeria polluting the stream of justice.

“We are aware that his (Justice Aboki) interest in the Kogi State affair stems from his alleged indigenship of Koton-Karfe in Kogi State, even though officially, he claims to hail from Kano State.

“He has enjoyed unmerited largesse from Kogi State Government with the most recent being the rehabilitation of road leading to his personal mosque located between Internal Revenue Road and Lapo Microfinance Bank office in Lokoja,” the group alleged.

The NIM further demanded the extra-judicial murder of innocent citizens during the November 2019 gubernatorial election in the State should not be ignored, more importantly as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had openly admitted that fake policemen recruited by the APC candidate outnumbered and out-gunned his men.

“An election conducted under such unprecedented violence cannot be said to be free and fair. Allowing such a dangerous precedent to survive through judicial abracadabra portends doom for our tenuous democracy,” the group added.

“We wish to extend her highest level of respect and confidence in the ability of the leadership of the Court of Appeal to countenance the observations of NIM as presented above as it sets out to hear the appeal of the aggrieved party in the Kogi State Election Petition. We are watching!” The group concluded.

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Politics

Anambra Guber: Soludo Clinches APGA Ticket, Picks Ibezim as Running Mate

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Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has emerged as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the upcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

The APGA primary election was held on Saturday at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, where Soludo stood as the sole contestant.

Announcing the results, the Chief Returning Officer, Uche Nwegbo, declared:

“Out of 3,260 delegates, 3,175 were accredited. A total of 3,172 votes were cast, with four votes declared invalid. Governor Soludo polled 3,168 ‘yes’ votes and no ‘no’ votes.”

“In line with INEC guidelines, I hereby declare Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as the duly elected candidate of APGA for the 2025 governorship election.”

In his acceptance speech, Soludo expressed gratitude and confidence in the party’s support, saying:

“I am humbled by this historic show of solidarity. Anambra is APGA, and APGA is Anambra. We are just getting started—Anambra has not seen anything yet.”

Highlighting his administration’s achievements, the governor noted that his government has been delivering results without borrowing funds and promised even more development in the next term.

Soludo also used the occasion to announce his running mate, re-nominating Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, his current deputy.

“If it’s not broken, why mend it?” Soludo said, reinforcing confidence in their current partnership.

He concluded by thanking supporters, party members, INEC observers, and donors—especially market women and grassroots groups—who continue to back his second-term bid.ren, Ughelli South LGA, Delta State.

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Politics

Soludo Appoints Law Mefor as Anambra Commissioner for Information

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By Elizabeth Okwe

The governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed renowned media consultant and Forensic Psychologist Dr Law Mefor as the state’s commissioner for information.

In a statement on Tuesday by Christian Aburime, the chief press secretary (CPS) to the governor, Soludo expressed confidence in Mefor’s ability to foster a robust information environment in the state.

The governor also commended Nwosu for his contributions as commissioner for information during his time and wished him the best in his future endeavours.

“The governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has approved the appointment of Dr. Law Mefor, who has been sworn in as the new commissioner for information in Anambra state,” the statement reads.

“Dr. Mefor replaces Sir Paul Nwosu, who has moved on after over ten years of meritorious service to the Anambra state government.

“Dr. Law Mefor, a distinguished academic and public intellectual, brings a wealth of experience to his new position.

“With an impressive academic portfolio, he holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, alongside degrees in General and Applied Psychology from the University of Jos, Forensic Psychology from Nasarawa State University, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar, and a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja.

“Over the years, Dr. Mefor has established himself as an educator and media consultant, lecturing for over a decade at the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja.

“He has also made significant contributions as a syndicated columnist, publishing thought-provoking articles in TheCable and various online and mainstream newspapers.

“Wishing him success as he assumes his new role, Governor Soludo expressed confidence in Dr. Mefor’s ability and extensive experience to strengthen the communication machinery of the state and foster a more vibrant information environment for the government’s developmental strides.

“Also, the governor commended Sir Paul Nwosu for his dedication and contributions during his tenure as Commissioner for Information, wishing him the very best in his future endeavours.”

A perfect choice 

Meanwhile,  the choice of Dr Law Mefor as the state’s commissioner for information by Governor Soludo has been described as a fit-to-type one which will raise the bar in the state’s information management.

According to Public Affairs Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Media Limited, publishers of SunriseNigeria magazine and sunrisengr.com, Dr James Odaudu, Dr Mefor is not only a consumate academician but also a thoroughbred media professional with a wide reach who will definitely deploy his wealth of experience and professional expertise to make a difference.

In a congratulatory message to the new commissioner, Odaudu expressed the hope that he will continue in his well-documented trajectory of devoted service to his people which has been his hallmark even as a private practitioner.

The SunriseNigeria publisher assured the Commissioner of his organisation’s readiness to partner with the Anambra state government to achieve its desired goals in information dissemination and public engagement.

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International

Some Top Republicans Secretly Pray for Kamala Harris Massive Win

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By Dan Ladden-Hall

It seems it’s not just Democrats who are hoping that Donald Trump will be dealt a devastating defeat in November.

Several notable Republican figures also want the former president to lose to Kamala Harris but aren’t saying so publicly, according to Politico. Some GOP lawmakers see the possibility of a new Trump term as bad news for the party, the outlet reports.

Among those concerned are proponents of free market economic policies who are concerned by Trump’s proposed import tariffs, while abortion rights opponents are also skeptical of his inconsistent messaging on that issue, according to Politico.

They’re also reportedly concerned that Trump winning in 2024 could hurt the GOP’s electoral chances in the future.

“There’s a lot of anxiety about what Trump does to Republican ability to win in 2028—and what he also may do to the party in terms of policy long term,” one anonymous conservative leader told Politico. “There is just this concern that like, ‘OK, if the party just goes in that direction, then what kind of party is it going forward? And can conservatives, then, have a home going forward?’”

The outlet also claims concerned Republicans hope Trump’s loss is by a wide margin in order to help stifle any attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of his hypothetical defeat.

In a separate column, Politico’s columnist Jonathan Martin claimed the best outcome for the future of the Republican Party is for Trump to “lose soundly” in November.

“For most Republicans who’ve not converted to the Church of MAGA, this scenario is barely even provocative,” Martin writes. “In fact, asking around with Republicans last week, the most fervent private debate I came across in the party was how best to accelerate Trump’s exit to the 19th Hole.”

In a statement, Trump spokesperson Brian Hughes told the outlet that Trump has “unified the GOP like never before” and “expanded his coalition of support across partisan lines to Democrats and Independents.”

“Our campaign and down-ballot Republicans are poised for a great result in November, despite a few hand-wringing, anonymous sources who are not bold enough to attach their names to this drivel,” Hughes added.

* Reuters

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