PDP labels Dino Melaye a liability, plotting for his suspension
The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has labeled Senator Dino Melaye as a significant liability to the party.
Led by Ibrahim Dansofo, PDP elders in the state have called on the local executive committee in Ijumu to promptly initiate suspension proceedings against Melaye. They argue that such action is necessary to restore the party’s integrity and refocus its leadership.
On Saturday, Melaye accused the acting national chairman of the PDP, Iliya Damagum, along with Samuel Anyanwu and Umar Bature, of having severely damaged the party.
He asserted that these leaders had irreparably harmed the PDP.
In response, the party elders have criticized Melaye’s remarks, suggesting that his political aspirations have deteriorated to the point where he cannot even secure a position as a local councillor.
The Dansofo-led elders have condemned Melaye’s continued involvement with the PDP, alleging that his presence now primarily serves to further his own interests rather than contribute constructively to the party.
“Senator Melaye has become a burden to the party.
“His accusations against the current leadership are hypocritical, as he himself was granted a governorship ticket despite the party’s awareness of his inability to win even a primary election,” Dansofo said.
The Kogi PDP has attributed the party’s current difficulties directly to Senator Dino Melaye, asserting that his nomination was a major mistake that has contributed to their present issues.
The party has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to reassess their support for Melaye, advising them to distance themselves from someone they view as a “burden” and a “serious liability” to the party.
Additionally, they have asked the Nigerian public to dismiss Melaye’s statements as the desperate utterances of a politician whose influence has significantly waned.
They added, “The Kogi PDP is determined to move forward, reclaim its strength and rebuild its reputation as a formidable political force in the state, the stakeholders ask Dino Melaye to account for billions he collected in the name of governorship election.”
The ruling marks a key development in the ongoing political turbulence within the state.
In an official statement issued by Joe Johnson, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Governor Fubara acknowledged the Supreme Court’s judgment, which also covers the management of state funds and local government administration in Rivers.
“We are currently awaiting a detailed briefing on the full implications of the judgment. We will carefully assess the situation and decide on the appropriate steps to safeguard the interests of Rivers State and its people,” the statement read.
While admitting that the ruling reinstates the 27 lawmakers, Fubara pointed out that the critical issue of their defection, which initially led to their disputed status, was not addressed by the Court. He explained that this matter remains unresolved, as it is still pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.
“Since the issue of defection was not part of the case before the Justices, they consider Amaewhule and the 26 others as duly serving lawmakers until the matter is brought before them,” the statement added.
Governor Fubara reassured Rivers State residents that his administration is committed to upholding the rule of law and working in the best interest of the state. He urged the public to remain calm and law-abiding as the government seeks clarity on the ruling and its broader consequences.
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JUST IN: Akpabio’s Wife drags Natasha to court, demands N250 billion over allegations against Husband
JUST IN: Akpabio’s Wife drags Natasha to court, demands N250 billion over allegations against Husband
Wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs. Unoma Godswill Akpabio, has instituted multiple lawsuits against Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her sexual harassment allegations against her husband.
She filed a fundamental rights and defamation suits against Natasha-Akpoti at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, following sexual harassment claims against her husband.
In the suits, Anoma sought N250 billion as general damages.
Natasha-Akpoti had claimed that Akpabio was victimizing her in the Senate because she refused to sleep with him.
She recounted how the Senate President made several sexual overtures at her, even in the presence of her husband.
But, Anioma had dismissed her claims, saying she was lying and creating contents for her personal gains.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, Anioma threatened legal actions against Natasha.
The fundamental rights suit (Suit No: CV/814/25), was brought under Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 4 & 5 of The African Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement Act) Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Mrs. Akpabio sought the following, “A DECLARATION that the allegations made by the Respondent on the floor of the Senate on the 20th of February 2025 and subsequent scandalous and salacious allegations on Arise News TV by the Respondent, constitute a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of the Applicant guaranteed under Section 34(1) (A) of The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), Article 4 & 5 of The African Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement Act) Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Section 14 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Respondent from making further inciteful, scandalous, and spiteful statements that have caused the Applicant and her children emotional and psychological abuse and living under constant threat and fear of their lives.
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Respondent, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, or whosoever from further inciteful, scandalous, and spiteful statements that have caused the Applicant and her children emotional and psychological abuse and living under constant threat and fear of their lives or in any other manner infringing on their fundamental rights.
“AN ORDER awarding the sum of N250,000,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Billion Naira only) as exemplary, punitive, aggravated and general damages against the Respondent for her infringement of the fundamental rights of the Applicant alongside such further or other Orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”
Additionally, in a separate defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25), Mrs. Akpabio seeks: “A DECLARATION that the Defendant’s act of claiming on national television, that the Claimant’s husband, who is the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made sexual advances at her, without any proof of same, has damaged the reputation of the Claimant and indeed her entire family, bringing them into disrepute and opprobrium.
“AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT mandating the Defendant to issue a formal written retraction of the defamatory words and tender an unconditional apology to the Claimant and her family, to be published in 2 (two) nationally-read newspapers to wit: The Guardian and This Day Newspapers.
“AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT compelling the Defendant to pay to the Claimant the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira only) as punitive and exemplary damages for the ruinous effect of the Defendant’s defamatory words on the Claimant’s family’s reputation.
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Defendant from further uttering any defamatory words or causing to be uttered or spread, any defamatory words against the reputation of the Claimant’s family.”
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Fasting commences as Sultan of Sokoto declares Saturday as 1st Ramadan 1446 AH
Fasting commences as Sultan of Sokoto declares Saturday as 1st Ramadan 1446 AH
Dr Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has declared Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH in Nigeria.
The Sultan made the announcement in a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Friday, confirming the sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan in various parts of the country.
He stated that reports of the moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across Nigeria.
“After due verification and authentication by the National Moon Sighting Committee, as well as confirmations from state committees, the new moon of Ramadan was officially recognised, marking the end of Sha’aban 1446 AH.
“In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims are to commence fasting on Saturday, March 1,” the Sultan declared.
He urged Muslim faithful to dedicate themselves to the worship of Allah (SWT) throughout the holy month and to use this period to pray for prevailing peace across the country and also pray for the leaders.
Additionally, the Sultan encouraged wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged, emphasising the importance of religious tolerance and unity among Nigerians.
He prayed to the Almighty to strengthen the leaders in their commitment to leading the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, refers to abstinent from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset with the intention of worshiping Almighty Allah.
NAN also reports that Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period during which adult Muslims observe compulsory fasting from dawn to sunset for a complete month. (NAN)