Metro

I’ll Sue INEC If Tonye Cole’s Name Is Put On Ballot -Sen. Abe

Published

6 years ago

February 6, 2019

Eniola Olayemi

Senator Magnus Abe, one of the gubernatorial aspirants in the Rivers chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has vowed to challenge the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Court if it dares to put Tonye Dele Cole as the Governorship candidate on the ballot because of the recent ruling of the Appeal Court.

Abe, who was on a live radio programme in Port Harcourt declared that APC secured a temporary reprieve at the Appeal Court to ensure that as a party it is the party contests election.

He argued that the stay of execution the Appeal Court granted APC is on score that it is the party that statutorily contests an election and that did not translate to mean that Tonye Cole and those produced through the Direct Primaries already voided by the state High Court should be fielded by the party.

“The Court Appeal to grant a stay which was clear was in favour of APC. Mr Cole has his own application for a stay for himself. That order has not been granted. This is declaratory order not an executive order.People should not stretch the interpretation beyond what it is presupposes that the court does not speak English. If the Court wanted to put people’s name on the list the court would have said so. And that order would have been served on INEC.

“As it stands, the only order that be granted on INEC is that of All Progressives Congress to contest election. The substantive case of who should be the candidates that arose from either Direct or Indirect primaries of the party is yet to determined,”Senator Abe said.

On whether he was opened for discussion and negotiations on the way forward for the party he said, “I am always ready for discussion, but it should be based on mutual respect and not from preconceived position.The party needs to talk because there is a lot of bad blood within the factions of the party.”

He said that as it were, the only option left for the party is to adopt the candidates who emerged from the direct primaries where he claimed over 150,000 members participated and the result is available to the party and all the constituted authorities like the INEC and the courts.

Senator Abe traced the genesis of his problem to the Minister of Transportation and Director-General of the Presidential Campaign, Rt.Hon.Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s decision that he should not be allowed to participate in Gubernatorial primaries, which is his right as a foundation member of the party for which he nearly lost his life.

When Abe was asked if he will he forced to dump the party for another if the problems lingered and things don’t work the way he feel, he said, “I think the question is insulting because APC promised change in the way of doing things. Mr President even said those who do not agree with the way decisions in the party are made are free to go to court. This is the only party that offers you that freedom and that is why I am in it to fight that the right thing be done. No other party can offer me that freedom, except APC “.

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FIVE KIDNAPPERS FATALLY INJURED IN POLICE OPERATION ON LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY

Published

4 months ago

January 29, 2025

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…As Commissioner of Police reiterates commitment to ensure safety of lives and property

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SPONSORED: H&H

On January 25, 2025, at about 1900hrs, the Area Commander, Sagamu received a distress call from commuters travelling along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway of an ongoing armed robbery near Ilishan, Ogun State. Acting swiftly, the Area Commander mobilized a crack team of officers to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that a group of unidentified gunmen had set up a roadblock using an articulated truck, indiscriminately opening fire on unarmed passengers, causing widespread panic. In the ensuing chaos, three commuters – Bolaji Bilesanmi ‘m’, 65yrs Olasunkanmi Idowu ‘m’ 50yrs, and Mohammed Salisu ‘m’ (age unknown) were abducted into the forest from two vehicles (1) Honda Pilot (Registration No. Lagos EKY113GZ) and (2) Honda Accord Car (Registration No. Lagos KJA13QFA).

SWIFT POLICE INTERVENTION

The Commissioner of Police, CP. Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD. directed a covert operation led by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit. On January 29, 2025, at about 0400hrs, operatives located the kidnappers’ hideout, and upon sighting the police squad, the gang engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle. In the exchange, five (5) kidnappers were fatally injured while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

RECOVERED ITEMS

The following items were recovered from the scene:
• One AK-47 rifle
• Ten rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition
• ₦5.2 million (suspected to be proceeds of crime)
• Three mobile phones

The three (3) kidnapped victims regained their freedom unhurt. Efforts are ongoing to arrest injured members of the syndicate. The Commissioner of Police strongly warns against criminal activities, particularly among young individuals seeking financial gain through high-profile crimes.

He reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to an aggressive crackdown on criminals preying on innocent citizens in Ogun state.