Politics
Court hears suit on Zamfara APC senatorial primary exclusion
A Federal High Court in Gusau has begun hearing a pre-election suit filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, Zamfara North Senatorial aspirant, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, challenging his exclusion from the party’s primary election.
The suit, before Justice Hassan Dikko, has the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as first to third defendants.
Shinkafi is asking the court to nullify the senatorial primary election over what he described as his unlawful exclusion from the process.
When the matter came up for mention on Tuesday, proceedings could not progress due to unresolved issues relating to INEC’s participation in the case.
The court adjourned the matter to June 25 and directed that INEC appear and that all parties exchange pleadings before the next hearing date.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, said he was confident in his client’s case, noting that the court would ensure justice is served.
Counsel to Senator Kaura, Jaysey Sharka, confirmed that the matter is still at the hearing stage.
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Actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has reacted to the N5 billion defamation suit reportedly being prepared against him by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, describing the move as unwise and challenging Obi to proceed with the court action.
Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for Obi’s presidential campaign, made his position known in a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday.
His reaction followed reports that Obi had threatened legal action against him over alleged defamatory comments, with a demand for N5 billion in damages.
Responding to the development, Okonkwo said he had been informed of a letter allegedly sent by Obi and his lawyers but had yet to read it.
“It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his Lawyers that I should pay him N5b. Hahaha!” he wrote.
“If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion, and I will help him.”
The former Labour Party chieftain claimed that he personally incurred expenses while serving as Obi’s spokesperson during the 2023 election campaign.
“I did so when I was his Spokesperson paying for my flight tickets and booking for my hotel accommodation to some of our campaigns,” he said.
Okonkwo also warned that Obi’s lawyers should take responsibility for any information that could emerge if the dispute proceeds.
“Let me sound this note of warning, the Lawyers must take responsibility for any information I may have to divulge, which I acquired as a spokesperson, but which by my conscience I have not shared with anyone,” he stated.
He added that suing a former spokesperson over defamation was a poor decision.
“Anyone who decides to sue his former Spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise,” Okonkwo said.
The former campaign spokesman maintained that he would respond formally after reviewing the letter, while urging Obi and his legal team to proceed with the case.
“It will be a shame to Peter Obi and his Lawyers if they do not take this case to court. I don’t have time or patience for scammers,” he said.
The latest exchange marks a fresh twist in the deteriorating relationship between Obi and Okonkwo, who were political allies during the 2023 presidential election but have since publicly disagreed on a range of political issues.
The post You’re looking for campaign funds — Okonkwo reacts to Obi’s N5bn defamation suit appeared first on Vanguard News.
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The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has approved the appointments of Agada Abuh Theophilus as Director of New Media and Strategic Communications and Brian Dennis as Deputy Director of New Media and Strategic Communications.
The appointments were announced in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director.
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has approved the appointments of Agada Abuh Theophilus as Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, and Brian Dennis as Deputy Director of New Media and Strategic Communications
“The party is excited to welcome both appointees and looks forward to the energy, expertise, and fresh perspective they bring to its communications efforts. The NDC is confident that their leadership will strengthen the party’s voice and deepen its engagement with Nigerians across every platform,” part of the statement read.
According to the statement, Theophilus is a strategic communications professional with experience in political campaigns, corporate brand management, institutional public relations and new media.
He is an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, holds a Master’s degree in Development Communications and is currently pursuing a PhD focused on election administration and management.
Dennis, the statement added, is a communications analyst with seven years of experience in strategic and political communications. He holds a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution.
The NDC said the appointments are expected to strengthen the party’s communications structure and enhance engagement with Nigerians across various platforms.
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Veteran Nollywood actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has continued to react to the reports that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, is demanding N5 billion in damages over alleged defamatory remarks.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Okonkwo mocked the reported legal action, suggesting that Obi was seeking funds for political campaigns.
The former Obi campaign spokesman claimed that if Obi needed funds for political activities, he should ask him privately rather than resort to what he described as extortion.
“It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his lawyers that I should pay him N5b. Hahaha!
“If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion, and I will help him. I did so when I was his spokesperson, paying for my flight tickets and booking for my hotel accommodation to some of our campaigns,” Okonkwo said.
Okonkwo further alleged that he personally covered some expenses during his time as Obi’s spokesperson, including flight tickets and hotel accommodation for campaign activities.
The actor-turned-politician said he had not yet read the letter but warned that any legal action could compel him to disclose information he obtained while serving as Obi’s spokesperson.
According to him, he had refrained from sharing confidential information out of principle but suggested that such restraint could change if the matter proceeded to court.
He also challenged Obi and his legal team to pursue the case, insisting that he was prepared to respond after reviewing the letter.
Okonkwo stated that he would formally respond to the demand letter after reading it.
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