Opinion

Margif faults court judgement upholding Dakum as Plateau LP gubernatorial candidate

Published

4 years ago

December 14, 2022

vicky

Ambassador Yohanna Yilpwan Margif has picked holes in the recent judgment of the Federal High Court (FHC), Jos, which declared Dr. Patrick Dakum as the Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State, saying that it did not reflect the spirit and letters of the Electoral Act 2022.

He expressed optimism that the Court of Appeal would not hesitate to upturn the hasty and technical verdict, stressing that Justice Dorcas Agishi relied on the purported repeat governorship primary and endorsement of the LP national chairman without addressing the crucial issue stipulated by the Electoral Act.

In a chat with The Guardian, the embattled governorship candidate declared his determination to press on with the appeal to reclaim his mandate, stressing that the case of illegality was clear because he (Margif) did not withdraw his nomination as governorship candidate.

“I am thoroughly dissatisfied with the judgment delivered last Friday by Justice Agishi of the FHC Jos because her Lordship placed heavy reliance on issues that are entirely strange to my case.”

“The court talked about my expulsion from the party and failure to oppose the repeat governorship primary election that was allegedly held on August 5, 2022, and relied on a dubious withdrawal letter dated August 5, 2022.

“However, it is incontrovertible that I did not submit any letter of voluntary withdrawal from the governorship race to the national chairman and secretary of the party as the respondents claimed,” Margif declared.

Margif, while restating that he emerged from a valid governorship primary after being screened and cleared by the party, said that when he heard the rumor about plots to substitute his name, he caused his lawyer to write a letter to the LP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said that his lawyer, Barau Abdullahi, informed LP and INEC that I had not and did not intend to withdraw from the governorship race as such any letter of withdrawal should be treated as a forgery.

Margif disclosed that even though the purported letter of withdrawal, which was said to have been endorsed by the two principal officers of LP, the national chairman, and secretary did not bear his name and LP membership card number.

He expressed optimism to receive redress at the Court of Appeal, even as he urged his supporters and party faithful to remain calm, law-abiding, and prayerful that justice would be done at the end of the day.

News

Atiku, Obi: Rufai Oseni urges Tinubu to be cautious with Wike

Published

8 hours ago

September 3, 2026

Preport

Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu to be wary of his political relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Oseni spoke while reacting to Wike’s recent claim that he would become a major target of opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, if President Tinubu fails to secure re-election in 2027.

Wike made the remark during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, where he defended his continued support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Reacting during Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Thursday, Oseni questioned why Wike was allegedly concerned about being witch-hunted by Atiku or Obi.

According to him, Wike should have nothing to fear if he was confident that his actions had been justified.

“So why is Mr Wike afraid today? Why is he afraid that if Atiku Abubakar gets in, he’s going to be witch-hunted?

“Is it because he prevented Atiku from campaigning in Rivers State?” Oseni said.

“I don’t have problems with him not accepting to support Atiku, but what I have problems with is that he used his high-handedness as governor to ensure that Atiku did not campaign in Rivers State.

“Why is he thinking Peter Obi will witch-hunt him? Oh, is it because, like the BBC revealed, what Obi got on the IReV was more than any person in that election, and we saw what was declared because he has his hand over it.

“Mr Wike, why are you scared? Why do you think they will witch-hunt you? Is there anything you want to tell us? Because if you are proud of your actions, you should not fear a witch hunt.”

Oseni also warned Tinubu to be cautious in his dealings with Wike, arguing that the former Rivers State governor could publicly disclose details of their political relationship if they eventually fall out.

He said Wike had a history of falling out with former political allies and associates.

“You see, for all of those that do things with him, in all of this, the person I pity the most, and I have a very great pity for, is President Tinubu, because you see how Wike is revealing everything now.

“The day he quickly falls out with President Tinubu, this Wike will talk, and he will talk very well.

“So, Babami, President Tinubu, I hope whatever you are doing with Wike are things that we can say in public. I’m just begging for posterity’s sake, because it is the height of delusion for President Tinubu to think that whatever ‘padi padi’ he is doing with Wike, if they are no longer together, Wike will not talk,” he said.

Oseni further referenced Wike’s past political comments against godfatherism, including his criticism of Tinubu during the political crisis involving former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

“This was the same Wike, if you remember, when Ambode was going back and forth with President Tinubu, he told him that we don’t allow godfathers in Rivers.

“You were talking to President Tinubu then, now you people are aligning. Congratulations to you, because I’m saying this from experience,” he added.

Oseni said he knew some people who were once close to Wike but were no longer on speaking terms with him, warning the President to be careful in his relationship with the FCT minister.

Wike has been locked in a prolonged political battle with Atiku since the 2022 PDP presidential primary, which the former vice president won ahead of the then Rivers State governor.

News

Gagdi Mourns Former Plateau Speaker Peter Azi, Describes Him as a Man of Humility and Kindness

Published

2 weeks ago

August 17, 2026

Preport

Member of the House of Representatives representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Ajang Azi.

Azi reportedly passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

In a tribute issued following his death, Gagdi described the late former Speaker as his “brother, colleague and friend,” saying his death was a painful loss to his immediate family, Plateau State, the legislative community, particularly members of the 8th Assembly, and everyone who knew him.

Gagdi, who served alongside Azi in the 8th Plateau State House of Assembly as Deputy Speaker, said their time together in the legislature remained a memorable chapter of his public service.

According to him, Azi demonstrated that effective leadership did not have to be loud, noting that he carried himself with “remarkable simplicity, humility and dignity.”

“Azi was a man of kindness, honesty and sincerity of purpose. He had a gentle disposition and a way of making people feel valued,” Gagdi said.

The federal lawmaker also recalled the personal bond he shared with the former Speaker, particularly the familiar moments when he would jokingly tell him, “Take this and take that,” describing the expression as a reflection of the friendship, trust and camaraderie between them.

Gagdi said Azi’s contributions to Plateau State and its democratic development would not be forgotten, stressing that his life of service, humility and commitment to his people had left behind a lasting legacy.

He extended his condolences to Azi’s wife, children, siblings, relatives, friends and other members of the family, as well as the people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency.

Gagdi prayed that Almighty God would comfort the bereaved family and grant them the strength to bear the loss.

“May God grant Peter Ajang Azi eternal rest, receive him into His everlasting Kingdom, and grant the family the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

He concluded by bidding his former colleague and friend farewell, saying: “Rest well, my brother Peter. Your journey on earth is over, but your memories, your kindness and your service will remain with us.”