The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra Chapter, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and stakeholders to protect internal democracy being lured to arbitrarily dissolve its duly constituted State Executive Committee(SEC).

The PDP in a letter to INEC signed by Mr Chidi Chidebe, the chairman of the chapter said the Oct 23, 2024 Congress in the state was conducted in strict compliance with the Judgment of the Court of Appeal and fully monitored by INEC.

The party’s letter which was made available to newsmen in Awka on Sunday, was in reaction to a letter purportedly written by INEC directing a ‘repeat congress’ in the Anambra chapter

The PDP said the election which produced the current State Executive Council, was widely described as the most free and most transparent in the state’s history.

The products of the exercise were were constitutionally guaranteed a four-year tenure between 2024 and 2028.

The party warned that no individual or group should be allowed the power to arbitrarily usurp the party for illegitimate political gains, noting that such actions erode party structures and weaken public trust in Nigeria’s democratic system.

“The need for every stakeholder to join hands in deepening internal democracy within all political parties has never been more urgent,” PDP said.

It called on INEC to investigate and publicly explain why it would consider the abrupt termination of a legitimately constituted State Executive Committee of a political party that had a constitutional mandate of four years.

The party further called on the electoral body to reaffirm its independence and commitment to the Electoral Act 2022 by tracing the source of the allegedly forged document and making clarification to Nigerians

The PDP said hat the document in circulation, which was calling for a so-called repeat congress was unknown to Nigerian electoral law and therefore a nullity.

The PDP in Anambra dismissed so-called “open letter” as ‘social-media propaganda’, adding that it held no weight before a constitutionally established body like INEC.

“The legitimate letter from the State Chairman has been duly submitted, received, and acknowledged by both the INEC Headquarters in Abuja and the Anambra office,” the party said.

The PDP urged INEC not to allow itself to be used as a tool to destabilise a lawfully constituted party structure in Anambra.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, has extended his warm wishes to the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu on her 65th birthday.

This is contained in a congratulatory message signed by Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile in Lagos on Sunday.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the first lady is a pillar of support to President Bola Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Initiative, which has impacted millions of Nigerians positively.

“Lagos is proud to celebrate Senator Remi Tinubu at 65, following her dedicated service to Lagos State as First Lady and member of the Senate for 12 years,” he said.

He said the first lady’s selfless dedication to public service has continued to shine since the President assumed office on May 29, 2023, noting that she has used her office to impact the lives of many Nigerians, especially women.

The governor praised the first lady for her tireless efforts in addressing the needs of women and children through various empowerment programmes and projects.

He added that the Renewed Hope Initiative, which she championed, has provided relief and support to families across the country.

“On behalf of my adorable wife, Ibijoke, the government and the entire people of Lagos State, I heartily congratulate Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of our leader and President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on the occasion of her 65th birthday.
“Sen. Oluremi Tinubu is a great ambassador of our dear State.

“She has served the State passionately as First Lady for eight years and as a member of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly for three consecutive terms without any blemish.

“We are proud of her achievements in both private and public offices. Her contributions to the development of both Lagos and Nigeria are commendable.

“We celebrate her today and always for her kindness, advocacy for social justice, and philanthropic endeavours,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu prayed for God’s continued guidance and good health for her, saying that “God will give her more strength and grace to render more service to humanity and our dear country, Nigeria.”

Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has raided bookshops in Ibadan, Oyo State, over the sale of pirated books, arresting several suspects and sealing multiple outlets.