Grace Zamfara is the authentic chairman of the Plateau state Labour Party- Dr. Patrick Dakum

Grace Zamfara is the authentic chairman of the Plateau state Labour Party Dr. Patrick Dakum 

Dr Patrick Dakum has expressed his delight with the court decision to conduct a rerun for Hon Gyang Zi who is vying for the Plateau North Senatorial Seat and Asema Jos North-Bassa Federal Constituency.

The Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate in 2023 general elections Dr Patrick Dakum who spoke to press men through his Media Consultant Shabul Mazadu eulogised the leadership qualities and proficiency of the Labour Party state chairman Hon. Grace Zamfara. Noting that she have the capacity and acumen to lead the party to victory that is why some politicians are jittery and afraid, hence the blackmailed, as they are used to doing most especially during 2023 general election.

Dakum wonders why immediately the tribunal ordered for a re-run then some faceless individuals would surface and began circulating fake news claiming that they are the structure of the party.

This goes to show that the labour party is ever stronger and more acceptable by the people and it is cruising to victory hence the distraction. He added. 

He said it is not long ago when the National Chairman Julius Abure sent a representative Hon Joseph Andara who came and inaugurated the Plateau state 17 Local Government party chairmen and elders of the Labour Party.

The National Chairman confirmed the statues of Hon Grace Zamfara as the state party chairman and which he said all documents including INEC goes with her name.  

He urged the party faithful and loyalist to remain steadfast and committed to the delivering the party at the re-run elections noting that no amount of propaganda or intimidation will stop the party from wining the elections.

Shabul noted that Dr.  Patrick Dakum love for Plateau state remains very strong and unshaken. 

EFCC was unable to Charge Dr. Etukuduh and five other individuals due to noncompliance with the court's order for more than two Years

EFCC was unable to Charge Dr. Etukuduh and five other individuals due to noncompliance with the court's order for more than two years  

By:

Walbe Orgak

Dr Sunday O. is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission
(EFCC), The case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) and Dr. Sunday O. Etukuduh, Provost Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science Technology (FSMLST) Jos, and 5 others has suffered yet another adjournment.

The case for arraignment has taken almost two years and has suffered over three adjournments as a result of the prosecution counsel for the EFCC not complying with the court order to serve the defendants with all the processes, including the amendment charge.

During submission on Tuesday, the counsel for Sunday Etukuduh the 1st defendant, Barr, Uche Mgbemena explained to the court that the prosecution counsel's failure to serve the necessary processes would prevent the case from being held on July 5th, 2022 for arraignment. The matter was adjourned until February 14th, 2023 due to lack of adequate service.

The Prosecution also failed to serve the processes on the defendants and the matter again, adjourned until 25th April 2023.

Counsel said that on the adjourned date, the Prosecution Counsel still failed to file the amended charges and also failed to serve the additional proof of evidence against the defendants.

Counsel added, "I want my Lord to take judicial notice of the subsequent adjournment by the Prosecution despite the ruling of my Lord on three occasions and ordered that the prosecution serve the amended charge and proof of evidence before the adjourned date"

 

He further bemoaned that the case which is for arraignment has taken that long and suffered a series of adjournments simply because the prosecution counsel did not comply with the court order.

Counsel further told the court that three of the five defendants were not living in Jos, explaining that the 2nd defendants live in Port-Harcourt, while the 3rd and 4th defendants live in Abia state, and Lagos states respectively.

Counsel decried the rigor, the stress they went through and the risk involved under the current economic hardships leading to increases in transport fares and others.

He said the defendants have been traumatized on account of a series adjournments and urged the court to adjourn the matter for definite arraignment or the matter be dismissed as the matter has been on for eight years.

The prosecution has delayed everything that has happened since the case began in 2015, eight years ago. I urge my Lord to consider what the defendants have gone through financially, the trauma they have experienced, as well as the risks they took coming here due to the level of insecurity in the country.

 SS Obende, Counsel for the 3rd and 6th Defendants also submitted that the prosecution counsel did not comply with the order of the court even at the last adjourned date on 8th June, 2023 "because my Lord went for a national assignment which has given the prosecution counsel enough time to serve the defendants.

"My lord, this is Lukewarmness on the side of prosecution counsel. Again, today they are not in court, and only for the prosecution counsel to call the court clerk to inform him that he will not be available instead of informing the court earlier.

"My Lord, this is an abuse to this honorable court and such behaviors should not be accommodated" Counsel submitted.

The matter was adjourned until February 5th, 2023 for definite arraignment.

After the session, the Counsel for the 1st Defendant told journalists that the prosecutor was harassing the defendants instead of pursuing them.

SENATOR DIKET PLANG VICTORY AT THE TRIBUNAL IS AN AFFIRMATION-HON. BENSHAK DALOP

DIKET PLANG VICTORY AT THE TRIBUNAL IS AN AFFIRMATION-HON. BENSHAK DALOP

The Senior Legislative Aid to the Senate President Hon. Benshak Dalop has described the victory of the Senator representing Plateau Central Diket Plang at the Tribunal as an affirmation of the people’s votes.

Hon Dalop said the tribunal verdict did come to them as a surprise because they know it was an exercise in futility by the opponents who has lost the election at the polls.

He said, ‘we really work hard for the victory of Diket Plang and the people voted him massively, therefore, it was no surprised at all’ the issue of PDP having no structure was an added advantage. He added.

Benshak Dalop urged the opponent to listen to voice of reason and wisdom of those who are speaking to them, not to waste their resources going to the Court of Appeal.

He said the affirmation of Diket Plang at the tribunal is a victory to all, there is no victor and their no vanquished.  

I Have A Very Strong Ground To Appeal The Tribunal Ruling.- Amb. G.Y. Gotom

The People Democratic Party Plateau Central Senatorial Candidates at the 2023 general elections Ambassador G.Y. Gotom has expressed disaffection over the tribunal ruling on Tuesday 31st December 2023.

In an interview with Pressmen shortly after the Tribunal Ruling. Amen Gotom said he was very surprised at the ruling because of the grounds of his petition, noting that his lawyers have debriefed him and he is challenging the ruling of the tribunal at the court of appeal.

Gotom explained that the issues of PDP structure in a state which has been spelt out as a pre-election matter by the electoral act and confirmed by several recent court rulings and it have nothing to do with his election.

He said PDP have a valid structure in the Plateau state, he was there when the congress were conducted and Bitrus while congratulating Chris Hassan said ‘if you think it is easy to get 18 votes go and try it’

Secondly, the electoral act clearly said elections must be announced within seven days, in his case it was announced after two months, and this is coming after the first returning officer rejected the results because of mutilation, cancellation, over-voting and alterations. Have ever seen where election results are written on plain sheets? He added.   

‘I strongly believe we have lots of questions that need to be answered at the Appeal Courts and I believe that I will reclaim my mandate ‘ I am urging my teeming supporters most especially the youths to remain calm, I believe justice will be delivered at the Appeal’. He said.

PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER APPEAL COURT'S JUDGEMENT DISQUALIFYING PDP LAWMAKERS IN PLATEAU ON PRE-ELECTION MATTERS

PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER APPEAL COURT'S JUDGEMENT DISQUALIFYING PDP LAWMAKERS IN PLATEAU ON PRE-ELECTION MATTERS

The PDP Governors' Forum has expressed deep concern over the recent judgments of the Court of Appeal nullifying the elections of PDP lawmakers in Plateau State based on pre-election matters that have already been addressed by the Supreme Court.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Muhammad disclosed this at a press briefing with Journalists after the meeting of the Forum at Oyo State Governor's Lodge in Abuja.

He emphasized that while the Supreme Court has set precedents on pre-election issues, PDP candidates in Plateau State are being disqualified on the same grounds. 

The Forum called on the judiciary at the apex level to preserve the integrity of the legal system and prevent distortion of the country's jurisprudence. Governor Muhammad reaffirmed the Forum's confidence in the judiciary's ability to administer justice in political and other cases before the courts.

He stated that the Supreme Court's judgment on the 2023 Presidential Election marks the conclusion of the Presidential election cycle and emphasized the need for an end to litigations.

 He pledged the Forum's commitment to reposition and strengthen the PDP as a formidable opposition political party that is ready to fulfill its role as the advocate for the Nigerian people in the pursuit of democracy, good governance, and accountability.

Expressing concern over recent developments in Rivers State, Governor Muhammad welcomed President Bola Tinubu's intervention to resolve the crises. He urged all parties involved to opt for peaceful means of resolution and offered the willingness of the Governors' Forum to stand as a platform for just and swift containment of the issues.

Addressing the national economy, the PDP Governors appealed to

 the Federal Government to intervene in  stabilizing the Naira, control inflation, tackle the unemployment crisis, and provide relief to Nigerians.

Governor Muhammad expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for hosting the meeting.

Prominent personalities at the meeting included Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State (also Vice Chairman of the Forum), Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai of Enugu State, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Governor Kefas Agbe of Taraba State, and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.

Gyang Bere

Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State

 31st October, 2023.

ISAAC KWALLU Sues For Peace And Calm Amongst Supporters

Chief Honourable (Dr.) Isaac Kyale Kwallu FCIA, FCIPMA, the Dan Masanin Qua’an Pan has noted the apprehension and unease amongst the good people of Mikang/Qua’anPan/Shendam Federal Constituency following the verdict of the Court of Appeal in Abuja that truncated the historic mandate unanimously and freely given to him through the ballot on 25th February, 2023 to represent them as their member at the House of Representatives, Abuja.

Kwallu calls for peace and calm amongst supporters, urging them to remain resolute and never to loose hope in exercising their franchise in electing the leaders of their choices.

Kwallu says he is unperturbed by the decision of the Court of Appeal, for his joy is knowing that the industrious and peaceful people of Mikang/Qua’an Pan/Shendam have expressed their total confidence, trust, support and love for him by voting him to represent them. The judiciary has said otherwise but God’s will is forever above man’s will and our faith in God as well as the democratic freewill of the people remains unshakeable.

Kwallu appreciates the unprecedented expression of love, support and solidarity from his supporters and well wishers and urged them to remain resolute in their quest for a better Mikang/Qua’an Pan/Shendam Federal Constituency, Plateau State and Nigeria.

IKK MEDIA TEAM 

28th October, 2023