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Gay Right Is A Must In Your Country, Biden threatens financial, visa sanctions against Nigeria, over anti-gay laws

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President Joe Biden has rekindled the United States’ interest in promoting LGBTQ rights on the global stage, particularly in countries perceived as intolerant to sexual minorities.

Scaling up a presidential memorandum ratified by the Obama administration in 2011, which had sought to advance the rights of the queer community, Mr. Biden in a new memo last week directed all U.S. embassies and executive departments to “promote and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons everywhere.”

The newly inaugurated U.S. leader explicitly instructed the country’s foreign agencies to combat the criminalisation of LGBTQI+ status or conduct abroad.

“Specifically, I direct the following actions, consistent with applicable law:

“Section 1. Combating Criminalization of LGBTQI+ Status or Conduct Abroad. Agencies engaged abroad are directed to strengthen existing efforts to combat the criminalization by foreign governments of LGBTQI+ status or conduct and expand efforts to combat discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, and intolerance on the basis of LGBTQI+ status or conduct,” Mr. Biden’s memo seen by Peoples Gazette directed.

Nigeria’s anti-gay laws have been increasingly censured by global rights groups, which have categorised the country as overtly homophobic.

Amidst international pressure, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act in January 2014, prescribing between 10 to 14 years in prison for cohabitation between same-sex sexual partners, public show of same-sex relationship, registration, operation or participation in gay clubs, societies and organisation, amongst others.

The Biden Presidency, however, threatens “swift and meaningful” responses, including financial sanctions against countries found guilty of human rights abuses of LGBTQI+ persons.

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The memo warned: “When foreign governments move to restrict the rights of LGBTQI+ persons or fail to enforce legal protections in place, thereby contributing to a climate of intolerance, agencies engaged abroad shall consider appropriate responses, including using the full range of diplomatic and assistance tools and, as appropriate, financial sanctions, visa restrictions, and other actions.”

As a predominantly conservative country, it was unlikely that Nigeria would revisit its anti-gay marriage law to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States.

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PDP NWC Upholds Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary, Ending Months-Long Dispute

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By Suleiman Ibrahim, Abuja


Abuja, Nigeria – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has officially affirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary, bringing an end to a protracted legal and political battle. The decision, announced on Wednesday by National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, follows a Court of Appeal ruling in Ude-Okoye’s favor.
The NWC stated it is bound by the court’s judgment and has already notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies of its resolution, requesting official recognition of Ude-Okoye.
“The NWC…overwhelmingly recognizes, acknowledges and confirms Rt. Hon. S.K.E Udeh Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP in full compliance with and obedience to the judgment of the Court of Appeal,” the statement read.
This decision marks the culmination of a months-long struggle for the position. Ude-Okoye’s nomination followed the selection of the previous secretary, Anyanwu, as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Imo State. While Ude-Okoye secured a favorable ruling from the Appeal Court in December 2024, the issue remained contentious. Anyanwu rejected the ruling and pursued further legal challenges, even as PDP governors and the Board of Trustees (BoT) endorsed Ude-Okoye.
The NWC’s affirmation now appears to have settled the matter, with the party leadership calling on all members to unite and focus on the challenges ahead. The PDP has faced internal strife both before and after the 2023 elections, and this resolution is seen as a crucial step towards restoring stability. The party leadership expressed gratitude to its members for their loyalty and commitment, reiterating its dedication to the rule of law and the well-being of Nigerians.

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Go Back To Your Movie Industry, Politics Is Not for You, LP Tells Obi Former Spokesman, Okonkwo.

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The Labour Party (LP) has distanced itself from its former Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, stating that he is no longer a member of the party.

Okonkwo, in a statement on Tuesday, had announced his resignation from the LP, citing internal crises and leadership struggles as reasons for his departure.

According to him, the party was not ready for the 2027 general elections, and its leadership had failed to resolve its challenges.

“My entrance to politics is for good governance, and I will continue to work for it to ensure that Nigeria becomes a great country of incorruptible men. This aim can no longer be realised within the Labour Party as presently constituted,” Okonkwo had declared.

He had also accused LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, of prioritising personal interests over the party’s progress, while lamenting the lack of effective leadership at the national level.

However, the LP leadership dismissed his concerns, asserting that Okonkwo was only trying to gain attention.

Speaking in an interview with PUNCH, the National Secretary of LP, Umar Farouk, made it clear that Okonkwo had already left the party and accused him of seeking relevance by repeatedly announcing his resignation.

Farouk also dismissed the actor-turned-politician’s criticisms of the party’s leadership crisis, advising him to return to his Nollywood career instead of meddling in politics.

He concluded by stating that Okonkwo was not suited for politics and should focus on his acting career instead.

He said, “How many times is he going to resign from the party? Has he forgotten that he resigned about three, four or five months ago? It is only when he wants to find relevance that he opens his mouth to start talking again. I have already addressed that issue with him.

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“He just finds joy throwing Abure’s name around. That is why everytime he seeks relevance, he starts talking Labour Party and Abure. Let him go. He has been in APGA, PDP and the APC. So what is he doing in Labour Party?

“Let him carry his bag and return to Nollywood where he came from. He should leave us alone. He doesn’t deserve to be in any political party because he is not a good politician.” 

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PDP NWC Dismisses Purported Suspension of Party BoT Chairman, Senator Wabara.

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By Suleiman Ibrahim, Abuja.

The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported suspension of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of our great Party, Distinguished Senator Adolphus Wabara from the Party

The NWC categorically dismisses the purported suspension as null and void and of no effect whatsoever not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down Rules of our great Party.

For emphasis no State Working Committee has the power to suspend or take any disciplinary action against a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party without due recourse to the NWC as clearly provided under Section 57 (7) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017)

Section 57 (7) is unambiguous in providing that; “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly…”

The explicit import of Section 57 (7) is that the Abia State Chapter has no powers whatsoever to take any disciplinary action against the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, being a member of the National Executive Committee of the Party.

The PDP therefore condemns the purported suspension of Senator Wabara as reckless, unconstitutional and cautions those behind this act in defiance of the PDP Constitution to retrace their steps as the NWC will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary actions to preserve the stability of our Party and the sanctity of its Constitution.

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The NWC calls on all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our Party in Abia State, the South East Zone and indeed across the country to disregard the purported suspension.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

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Kwankwaso, Galadima,Others Remains Expelled, NNPC Insists

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By Suleiman Ibrahim

The crisis rocking the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) seemed to have deepened. In a communique issued after the 54th National Convention held in Lagos, the party insisted that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Engr Buba Galadima, and Ahmed Ajuji-led NWC remain expelled, Leadership Newspaper Report

NNPP, in a communique signed by the chairman of the Convention Committee, Engr Mohammed Babayo Abdullahi, maintained that the convention adopted the recent nationwide concluded congresses by the party in all wards, local government, states and six geopolitical zones

The communique posited that the convention reaffirmed BOT’s decision, returned Dr Agbo Gilbert Major’s led NWC, and retained the NNPP Constitution 2022 as amended.

“The Convention appealed and encouraged INEC to implement and enforce the Abia State High Court’s compelling judgment of November 1, 2024, upload the new NWC members of the latest Nigeria People’s party led by Dr Agbo Major Gilbert, and replace the Dr Ahmed Ajuji-led NWC, which has been expelled from the party before.

“The existence of Dr Ahmed Ajuji led NWC in the INEC server is complete disobedience to court orders and disrespect to rule of law in Nigeria. The convention, therefore, calls to duty the chairman of INEC, Prof Yakubu Mohammed.

“The convention reaffirmed the vote of confidence on the founder and chairman board of trustees of the new Nigeria People’s party in the person of Dr Aniebonam Boniface Okechukwu

“The convention reaffirmed the termination of the NNPP memorandum of understanding with the Kwankwasiyya and national movements after the 2023 general elections.

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The convention observed and clarified that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as a natural person, is not known to the New Nigeria People’s Party. He was merely a servant and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement. This means that with the termination of the memorandum of understanding with the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is gone with his principal.”

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