Politics

APC wins Kankia supplementary election in Katsina State

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Salisu Rimaye of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s supplementary election for Kankia constituency of Katsina State.

INEC Returning Officer, Dr Kamaluddeen Kabo of the Federal University, Dutsinma declared the result in Kankia.

Mr Kabo said that Mr Rimaye scored 18, 157 votes to beat Abdullahi Ibrahim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 16, 763 votes.

He said the total number of registered voters was 78, 224, while 37, 030 were accredited and the total valid vote was 35, 037. 511 votes were rejected, while the total votes cast were 35, 548.

“I Dr Kamaladdeen Kabo, the Returning officer, Kankia, State Constituency election, held on April 15, 2023.

“Hereby satisfy that Salisu Rimaye of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” he said.

The polling units where the supplementary election was conducted included Galadima A, Galadima B, Tsa and Rimaye wards, each had one polling unit, while Tafashiya ward had two.

Politics

INEC begins collation of governorship supplementary election results in Adamawa

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced collation of the governorship supplementary election results held on Saturday.

Speaking at the commencement of the exercise in Yola, Prof. Mohammed Mele, the state Collation Officer, said the results of Demsa and Yola-South Local Government Areas were ready.

Mr Mele urged the local government returning officers and the party agents to abide by the process for successful collation.

Dr Baba Bila, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba States, announced that each political party would be represented by only one agent.

Mr Bila explained that the collation process required that the local government returning officers must first register with the secretariat, and get results verified before presenting them to state collation officer loudly.

He called on them to also be patient with the process for a successful collation of the results.

The elections were held in 69 polling units across 20 local government areas in the state.

Results from Demsa, Yola South, Yola North and Lamurde Local Government Areas have been collated as at press time.

Politics

Ex-Lagos deputy governor, Sinatu Ojikutu, vows to renounce citizenship before Tinubu’s inauguration

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A former deputy governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, says she is currently in the process of renouncing her Nigerian citizenship following the emergence of Bola Tinubu as the President-elect.

Ojikutu who was deputy governor to Michael Otedola between 1992 to 1993 disclosed this during a process conference in her Lagos residence.

According to her, she has been humiliated and ostracised because of her lingering battle with the former Lagos state governor as well as her views on the 2023 general election.

“Before the results of the presidential elections were declared, I came out to say that if Bola Tinubu won the election, I would renounce my citizenship in Nigeria and I have my reasons. When he won, people called me and said he would not do anything bad. But I am endangered by the current situation. I have been ostracised and humiliated in places where I should be honoured because of his not being at peace with me.I will not hold a Nigerian passport with Bola Tinubu as President. I am praying to God to give me the nation I can go to. I am not going to America or the United Kingdom. I want a simple place where I (can) stay and live for the rest of my life. I don’t know where I am going but I have already given it to the lawyers to please see where I can get the citizenship. I am working on it seriously before May 29.”

She said she is of the view that it was the turn of the South East to take over the presidency in 2023.

‘’I am one of those who believed that it is the turn of the South-East to get the presidency. If we say we want to remain one of Nigeria, then we have to consider equity. You can’t say there is one Nigeria while suppressing a particular zone from getting to the number one shot.

“Many people know that with the records of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in eight years and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the years before; somebody who is not compromised, who is not part of the corruption, will find it difficult to vote for both parties. That is being sincere.”

Ojikutu said all efforts to resolve the differences she had with Tinubu since she was made a Commissioner representing Lagos State at the Federal Character Commission had been unsuccessful. While lamenting over the state of the nation, she said she is no longer proud to be a former public office holder.

“The National Assembly system is too expensive for Nigeria. The natural resources of this nation are enough for every man if it is well managed. I am ashamed to call myself a public officer because I cannot see all my sacrifices. And some people will boast of their political status as excellency. Excellency over a nation like this?

People who have served this nation faithfully are unhappy at the turn up of events. There are so many people on the streets who are hungry and everything that was supposed to be put in place has not been put in place.”she said.

She stated that those who are not satisfied with the outcome of the elections have a right to challenge it in court.

She expressed disappointment at the various attempts by some individuals to label those challenging the electioneering process as people committing a treasonable offence.

Politics

APC asks tribunal to declare Kano guber poll inconclusive

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to declare the March 18 election in the state inconclusive.

The party is challenging the declaration of Abba Kabir-Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party(NNPP) as the election winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mr Kabir-Yusuf of NNPP polled 1,019,602 votes to defeat his rival, the incumbent deputy governor of the state, Nasiru Gawuna, of APC, who scored 892,705 votes.

In a five-volume petition filed on April 9, the APC alleged that Mr Kabir-Yusuf of NNPP was not qualified to contest the election because his name was not on the list of members of NNPP sent to INEC.The respondents in the petition are NNPP, Mr Kabir-Yusuf and INEC.

The APC alleged that NNPP did not win the election with the majority of lawful votes, arguing that some of the votes cast were invalid and, if removed from the scores, APC would have the highest number of votes cast.

APC alleged that the Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) was wrong for declaring Mr Kabir-Yusuf the winner, adding that the lead margin was not higher than the votes cancelled.

The party prayed the tribunal to declare that NNPP had no candidate and Mr Kabir-Yusuf ‘s name was not in the register of voters submitted to INEC at the time of the election.

The APC prayed the tribunal to declare its candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, the winner of the election.The party similarly prayed the tribunal in the alternative to declare the election as inconclusive, alleging that the margin of lead was not more than the votes cancelled.

Meanwhile, the Kano APC legal adviser, Abdul Adamu-Fagge, told journalists that the court had granted an ex-parte motion to inspect the governorship election materials in all the 44 local government areas of the state.

The APC gubernatorial candidate was not joined in the petition.

According to the rule of the tribunal, the respondents have 21 to respond to the petition after court processes are served on them.

Politics

Peter Obi is unknown, unpopular in 22 states of Nigeria- Federal Government

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Peter Obi, a former Anambra governor and the flag bearer of the Labour Party considered a “frontrunner” in the February 25 presidential election, is “unknown” and unpopular in 22 states of Nigeria, the federal government has claimed.

“For instance, not only that the candidate must have the plurality of votes, he must also have one-quarter of the total vote cast in at least 25 states of the federation,” said the federal government’s information minister Lai Mohammed.

“When you look at the results, only the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, met these requirements.”

The minister added,

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, came short of these because he came second and had 25 per cent in 21 states. Obi came far behind with 25 per cent in 15 states. This means that Obi, who was wrongly adjudged as a frontrunner in the election, was virtually unknown and unpopular in 22 states.”

Mr Mohammed, on a publicity blitz overseas to prove that the presidential poll was free, fair and credible, stated this in London during his engagements with some international media organisations and think tanks, including The Economist, The Guardian and African Confidential, and Royal African Society.

“I also explained to them that many of them were ignorant of the constitutional requirements for a presidential candidate to win an election in Nigeria,” the minister noted.

During his meetings with them, the Nigerian minister said some commentators had the wrong mindset that the Labour Party and its Mr Obi would win the election, based on the hyped activities of the party and their supporters on social media, as well as the outcomes of various opinion polls which were unrepresentative of the situation in Nigeria.

“In the course of my interactions, particularly with The Economist, I referred them to an earlier article they wrote, in which they rated the Labour Party presidential candidate as the frontrunner in the polls,”

Mr Mohammed explained. “I explained to them that there was no way a presidential candidate who has no political spread and a grassroots base could win an election in Nigeria.”

Politics

Dino Melaye replies Wike after the governor laughed off his Kogi governorship ambition

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Senator Dino Melaye has fired back at Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, who on Tuesday, April 11, laughed off his aspiration to become the next governor of Kogi state.

At a media chat earlier on Tuesday, Governor Wike ruled out Melaye ahead of the PDP primary which precedes the November 15 governorship poll.

Describing Melaye’s ambition as a joke, Governor Wike said;

“When you give Dino that ticket, you know he won’t win in Kogi State. Why would Kogi people say they would vote for a candidate like Dino? Are we joking?” the governor queried.

However, in a statement released on his social media handle, Melaye said it was surprising that Wike has suddenly become the self-appointed public office regulator, who could determine what would happen in states.

He said that the governor has by his utterances against him stepped on the tail of Tiger and will see the repercussions.

“On recovering from his inebriation, Wike should be reminded that Kogi is not Rivers, and the people of Kogi State would not worship any foreign God. Above all, Wike should also understand that power belongs to God, and he gives it to whoever he wants, even the basest of men. Today, Wike can take a swipe at me, and mark me down as unqualified to govern my state, but has he forgotten that he believed my Gubernatorial aspiration in 2019?

Can he be reminded that I have served as a member of the Federal House of Representatives and have also been elected twice into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”he wrote

Melaye said Wike is against his governorship ambition because he backed PDP flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar against the governor’s interest in the G5.

“He (Wike) needs to appreciate that now that he has touched the tiger’s tail and murdered sleep, the discomfort of a bird perched on a rope has now become his portion.”

“Wike, stay on your lane. I am Daniel Dino Melaye. My speciality is to tame lions, whether they be white or black, dwelling in rocks or floating on Rivers,” he said.

Read Dino’s full statement below

”The simultaneous appearance of Nyesom Wike on some national television in Nigeria earlier today is a sad reminder of the misfortune that the people of Rivers State have suffered in having an unstable mind and a prodigal head as the Governor of the State for the past 8 years.

In the end, all that the indecorous Wike achieved was to buy precious media time to vent his spleen on fellow Nigerians who are more qualified than him to be Governors in Nigeria.

Hallucinated by the patrimonial resources of the good, but impoverished people of Rivers State, Wike has turned himself into a depraved interloper, who probably out of schizophrenic impulse engage in pitiable melodrama whenever he steps away from the intoxication of his bottle companions.

He has suddenly become the self-appointed public office regulator, who could determine what would happen in states not in any way contiguous to his colonised State.

On recovering from his inebriation, Wike should be reminded that Kogi is not Rivers, and the people of Kogi State would not worship any foreign God. Above all, Wike should also understand that power belongs to God, and he gives it to whoever he wants, even the basest of men. And but for this absolute and indiscriminate dispensation by God, how did a conceited person like Nyesom Wike become a governor? Is it his oratory, diligence, finesse, wealth or intellectual endowment?

Today, Wike can take a swipe at me, and mark me down as unqualified to govern my state, but has he forgotten that he believed my Gubernatorial aspiration in 2019? Can he be reminded that I have served as a member of the Federal House of Representatives and have also been elected twice into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I can understand the pain of Wike. He wanted my support for his misplaced aspiration to become the Flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2023 Presidential election, but knowing his avowed credential to be eminently unworthy of the ticket I deployed support for His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, a cosmopolitan and cultured statesman who ignored all the tantrums of Wike throughout the period of the election.

Wike is probably mistaken me for His Excellency Atiku Abubakar. He needs to appreciate that now that he has touched the tiger’s tail and murdered sleep, the discomfort of a bird perched on a rope has now become his portion.If Wike were a reflective mind he should now be more concerned about his post-tenure survival, because with the recklessness he exhibited in mismanaging the resources of Rivers State, his prison uniform must have been sewn and his inmate number must be waiting for his allocation.

As for me I will not only continue to savour my freedom, I will be sending relief assistance to Wike from Government House Lokoja, by the grace of God.The indiscretion and war of attrition embarked on by Wike contributed to the public perception of our great Party.

He sees nothing good in the Leadership of the Party, yet he can not move to another Party, because which Party will accept Wike in his irredeemable state of ignominious liability.

As the good people of Kogi State prepare for the Gubernatorial election, the choice is theirs to make. All the evil machinations and self-destructive conduct of Wike will fail. I have neither sought for nor expected support from Wike. My aspiration is on course. The least I will spare time is distractions from the contentions of the untamed tongue of Wike.

As I move forward, I’m guided by the Scriptural invocation:

For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.He is near who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me.Surely the Lord God will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up

Isaiah 50:7-9

As I draw the curtain, let me also drop this last verse for Nyesom Wike: Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled- This you shall have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment

Isaiah 50:11.

Wike, stay on your lane. I am Daniel Dino Melaye. My speciality is to tame lions, whether they be white or black, dwelling in rocks or floating on Rivers.”

Politics

Peter Obi’s petition against Tinubu is incompetent, abusive and vague – INEC tells Court

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to dismiss a petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi over the outcome of the February 25th Presidential election.

Obi and his party filed a petition challenging the victory of Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the President-Elect.

Obi and his Party also challenged the eligibility of Tinubu’s running mate and Vice-President-Elect, Kashim Shettima to run in the election on grounds that he had a double nomination in contravention of the Electoral Act 2022.

The petitioners asserted that the election was marred by rigging and manipulations, adding that the INEC violated its own regulations when it announced the results, because at the time of the announcement, the total polling unit results had yet to be fully scanned, uploaded, and transmitted electronically as required by the electoral act.

Responding to the petition, the electoral commission said the reliefs sought by Obi and his party are not grantable.

The commission asked the court to either dismiss or strike out the petition for being grossly incompetent, abusive, vague, non-specific, ambiguous, and academic.

The electoral commission discredited the petitioners over the claim that Tinubu was not elected by the majority of lawful votes cast.

INEC argued that the petitioners’ prayer to declare that Obi scored the majority of lawful votes cast at the election and be declared winner was defective for failure to join necessary parties and for lack of requisite particulars and pleading to support same.

The commission said Obi cannot be returned as elected, having not polled majority of the lawful votes cast at the election and secured one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all states in the federation and the FCT.

On the issue of non-representation, INEC said the petitioners did not have polling agents in all the polling units across Nigeria as they only submitted a list of 134, 874 polling agents which are 41, 972 short of the 176, 846 polling units across Nigeria.

Lifestyle, Politics

Anti-Tinubu protester remanded in prison

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The Zuba Magistrate Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to Obiajulu Uja, a passenger debarked and handed over to the police for making a sensitive statement about President-elect Bola Tinubu onboard an Ibom Air Abuja-Lagos bound flight.

Ruling in the bail application filed by Mr Uja’s counsel, Senior Magistrate Mohammed Ismail held that the application was premature.

He held that the exhibits attached to the application did not say the defendant was unfit to face trial but indicated he was of unsound mind.

He also held that while the constitution guarantees every person’s liberty, a court can deprive a person of their liberty based on health grounds.

Citing section 35(1)(e) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and section 278 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the magistrate held that Mr Uja could not be granted bail.

He held that where a defendant’s mental capacity is an issue, the court has to ascertain the medical situation of such a defendant.

Mr Ismail added that the exhibits attached to Mr Uja’s bail application raised the issue of his medical capacity.

He subsequently turned down the bail application and ordered that Mr Uja be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre of Nigerian Correctional Service.

The senior magistrate further ordered the head of the centre to take the defendant to a government hospital to ascertain his mental capacity.

He then adjourned until April 20 for a report and hearing.Mr Uja had held up the aircraft for over an hour, and it took the efforts of six airport security officers to evacuate him after he started the protest.

The police accused Mr Uja of threatening violence and causing a breach of peace with his actions.

Politics

Leadership Crisis: Plateau Assembly will remain sealed- Commissioner of Police

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The Plateau Commissioner of Police, Batholemew Onyeka, said that the state House of Assembly would remain sealed till security threats within and around the complex were tackled.

Mr Onyeka stated this on Tuesday in Jos while addressing journalists on why security personnel had sealed it since April 5.

The commissioner said the command has an intelligence report on an impending attack on the complex that may lead to the breakdown of law and order.

He said the command, through social media, got the information that Abok Ayuba, the former speaker impeached on October 28, 2021, got judgement in his favour to be reinstated.

“I took the decision to seal the assembly complex to ensure that the State House of Assembly is safe and that neither life nor property is lost,” he said.

Mr Onyeka said that he invited assembly members with their lawyers to his office based on the intelligence at his disposal.

He said he advised the lawmakers to avoid anything that would lead to the breakdown of law and order hence, the deployment of police officers to the complex.

“The deployment of police personnel to the assembly wasn’t targeted at any group or persons but to maintain peace, protect lives and property,” stated Mr Onyeka.

The commissioner appealed to the people of Plateau to avoid being used by any person or group of persons to achieve their self-serving and selfish ambitions.

On April 3, the Plateau State High Court reinstated Mr Ayuba as the assembly’s speaker.

He resumed duty on April 4 and presided over the assembly plenary.But Mr Ayuba’s successor, Yakubu Sanda and 12 others filed an appeal and stay of execution on Tuesday.

Messrs Sanda and Ayuba are laying claims to the speakership of the assembly.

While Mr Ayuba relied on his reinstatement, Mr Sanda is holding onto the stay of execution.

Politics

Atiku mourns death of Prince Bola Ajibola

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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Sunday mourned the demise of Bola Ajibola, former International Court of Justice (ICJ) judge of The Hague.

Mr Ajibola passed on in Abeokuta on Sunday at the age of 89 years.In a statement he issued in Abuja, Mr Abubakar described the former attorney general and the minister of justice of Nigeria (1985 – 1991) as a great man of impeccable virtue.

Mr Abubakar said he was “pained but happy because, being a Muslim, I am certain that Ajibola would himself, have elected to make his passing in the glorious month of Ramadan.’’

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the March 18 election added that Mr Ajibola would be remembered as a doyen of the law profession and a jurist of note.

“He did the country proud when he served at The International Court of Justice at The Hague, as well as during his years of service as Nigeria’s envoy to the United Kingdom,” he noted.

“What was spectacular about the late eminent jurist was how his values of forthrightness and candour, which, by the way, is emblematic of his Egba heritage, reflected in all other spheres of his earthly engagements.”

Mr Atiku added;

“As a diplomat, jurist and educationist, what was consistent about his character was his overwhelming presence of rectitude and forbearance in every of his endeavour. Those qualities of his personality are the secret codes to his achievements in life. I am sure that they are qualities that his family and friends will be proud of and immortalise in his memory.”

The former vice-president also stated that Mr Ajibola was always at peace with his creator and fellow humans, stressing that “the legacies of his lifetime should be a beacon that should call younger Nigerians to an exemplary life that he lived.’’

Mr Abubakar condoled with Mr Ajibola’s family and the people and government of Ogun. He stated that Nigeria and the entire world would mourn the deceased.Mr Ajibola, the founder of Crescent University, Abeokuta, was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association from 1984 to 1985.

He was also one of five commissioners on the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, established through the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

He was the high commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2002.

Politics

Ganduje mourns Rabi Dantata, says death loss for all

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Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has condoled Aminu Dantata over the demise of his wife, Rabi Aminu Dantata.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Kano by the governor’s chief press secretary, Abba Anwar.

Mr Ganduje described the deceased as a mother of greater substance, a beacon of hope and a disciplined mother who shaped many people around her to become productive and righteous.

“Hajiya Rabi Aminu Alhassan Dantata was a loving mother to all. Whose outstanding righteousness gave direction to those in her surrounding and beyond,” he said.

The Kano governor extended heartfelt condolences to Mr Dantata over the death of his wife. He described the death as “a great loss not only to her immediate families but to the state and the entire generation of righteous people.”

Mr Ganduje said;

“As we all loved her presence in our midst, Allah Almighty loves her the most. Hence her time on this earth elapsed. May Allah Bless her reposed soul and give her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus. May He look after what she left till eternity. What remains for us is to continue praying for her till the end of our lifetime.”

Politics

Commissioner tasks NPC special teams on efficiency, teamwork

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Alhaji Chiso Dattijo, the National Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC) in Sokoto State, has urged the organisation’s Special Work Force (SWF) to ensure efficiency and teamwork during the upcoming 2023 census.

Mr Dattijo, who made the call when he inspected a personnel training programme of the SWF on Saturday in Sokoto, said it ensure that the census achieved maximum accuracy.

He described the task given to the SWF as critical as the members would be in charge of promptly addressing complaints from enumerators and supervisors.

Mr Dattijo urged the personnel to ensure maximum dedication and teamwork in order to achieve the desired results.

He said 2023 census would be conducted digitally, pointing out that the ongoing training was in line with the modalities adopted to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

According to him, SWF will be in the field in every location to coordinate the use of mobile digital gadgets.

“The vision of the 2023 census is to produce not only accurate, reliable and acceptable census data but also an inclusive and user-friendly data that will be used by all segments of the society for development planning and critical programme interventions,” Dattijo said.

Earlier, the Training Coordinator, Mallam Abubakar Maiakwai-Ladan, commended the commissioner for the visit.He said the inspection visit would serve as a morale booster to the participating workers.

Mr Maiakwai-Ladan said NPC had diligently prepared for the forthcoming exercise and urged all the engaged personnel to live up to expectations.

He also appealed to all Nigerians to support the census by ensuring that they were counted.

Lifestyle, Politics

EFCC chairman Bawa warns Nigerian students against internet fraud

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EFCC on Thursday in Abuja charged students of tertiary institutions to steer clear of internet fraud to accelerate national development.

EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren quoted the anti-graft chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa as giving the charge at the inauguration of the Zero Tolerance Club at Baze University, Abuja.

Mr Bawa warned that the penalties against internet fraud were stiff and urged students to avoid all temptations that might lead them to join fraudsters.

“Every variant of internet fraud such as romance scam, business email compromise, hacking, impersonation, Forex scam and others are corrupt practices, and you must not engage in them,” he warned.

“As undergraduates, you are expected to channel your creative energies into useful engagements and not into dishonest and dubious means of cheating others of their resources.”

EFCC’s public affairs director, Osita Nwajah, stressed the importance of joining the club and encouraged the students to acquaint themselves with the ‘Operational Manual for Integrity and Zero Tolerance Clubs’, which he presented to the school as a guide for the club’s activities.

Another EFCC official, Aisha Mohammed, heading the enlightenment and reorientation unit, told the students that the essence of the club was to teach virtues of integrity, honesty, discipline, tolerance and patriotism in them.

The university’s registrar, Ibrahim Mohammed, emphasised the essence of being upright and charged the students to avoid crimes and criminality at all costs.

“There is nothing more important than integrity. Integrity may not give you money today, but it is going to put you on the path to success. Money always comes,” stated the registrar.”

He added;

“It may not come in your early life, but if you work hard with integrity and are steadfast, you will succeed; you will make money than you ever believed in your life. You will be able to afford all the things you want and walk with your head high up as an important and respected member of society without engaging in fraud.”

Politics

I advised Tinubu, Atiku to step down for younger generation- Wole Soyinka

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Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has disclosed that he advised the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and his All Progressives Congress, APC, counterpart, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to step down for the younger generation.

Soyinka said this during an interview on Arise Television morning show on Wednesday, April 5. Soyinka said:

“When Atiku came to my office in Ikeja, he came with Gbenga Daniel, my former governor. I said to him listen is about the time you people left the stage. Why don’t you just go away? We need an infusion of fresh blood into the system.

“For some people, maybe they read it as blood-letting, no I said, an infusion of fresh blood. I said so I cannot support you. I think your generation should really quit. He was not the only one. I then sought out the current President-elect, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and I gave him exactly the same message.

“I said whatever you people are planning, I am convinced that when a younger generation, new thinking, new sensibility, new energies, so why don’t you just leave the seat.

“Let’s look for somebody who is a really brilliant individual and use your influence to catapult that person to power. And this country will see a massive transformation.

“We spoke for about one and a half hours, and then Bola Tinubu said no. He said there were still things he could contribute,” Soyinka added.

Politics

Reno Omokri urges FG to arrest Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed

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Reno Omokri has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to arrest Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed the way Nnamdi Kanu was arrested.

Reno said the Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his Vice Presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed should be locked up when next they make “treasonous comments”.

Omokri wrote:

“The next time either Peter Obi or Datti Baba Ahmed open their mouths to make treasonous comments, the Federal Government should arrest them. Nothing will happen. What happened when FG arrested Nnamdi Kanu? Did heaven fall? Arrest the wimpy simps if they blab anyhow!”

Politics

Petitions with electoral tribunal should be resolved before a President is sworn in- Olisa Agbakoba

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The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, has said that all petitions with the electoral tribunal should be resolved before the inauguration and swearing-in of a new president in Nigeria.

Agbakoba said this while speaking on Arise TV today April 5.

According to him, most of the political arguments going on in Nigeria will be solved when the petitions before the tribunal are heard and sorted out accordingly.

He further stated that it will be better if these issues are sorted out before the 29th of May, as it may cause more political arguments in the country if a president is sworn-in when there are unsolved petitions before the tribunal.

“In order to balance out justice, could we please get these petitions, if they can be resolved before that date?” as he urged the Electoral Tribunal to complete the process as soon as possible.

I can understand Peter Obi’s concern and Datti Mohammed’s outburst if Mr. Tinubu is being sworn in at Eagle’s Square and the petition is hanging in the court of appeal. Where we strike the balance is to give our best possible shots to finish the petitions,” he said.

Agbakoba opined that resolving of the petitions before the Inauguration day will take away the questions of the legitimacy of the president who will be sworn-in.

The former NBA president said that the policy that gave electoral candidates 180 days to file a petition was too long.

“The fact that the constitution prescribes a time limit doesn’t mean that time limit must actually run.” he said

Politics

Akwa Ibom assembly amends investment corporation law 2012

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The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly has ratified a bill for a law to amend the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP) Law 2012.

This was sequel to the reports presented before the House at plenary on Tuesday by KufreAbasi Edidem (PDP-Itu), and chairman of the House Committee on Industry, Commerce and Tourism.

Mr Edidem, in his report, said the amendment of the 2012 AKICORP Law would update the scope of the legal and institutional framework of the corporation in line with global best practices.

“The amendment will strengthen the corporate governance structure of AKICORP to meet the present and future corporate demands. It will entrench the governance structure of Ibom Airlines Limited to safeguard the investment against undue political interference and instil confidence in investors to invest in the state,” he said.

The parliament also ratified the report of the House Committee on Appropriation and Finance on Akwa Ibom State Bonds, Notes and Other Securities Bill 2022.

Uduak Odudoh (PDP -Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo) and chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation and Finance presented the report at plenary.

After deliberation and consideration of the bills at the Committee of the Whole, the House subsequently passed the same into law with April 4, 2023, as their commencement date.

Also at plenary, a bill for a law to provide for a map for the state and other matters connected therewith, sponsored by David Lawrence (PDP-Eket), was read the first time and committed to a joint committee on lands, housing, boundary and local government for further legislative actions.

Similarly, at plenary, a bill for a law to establish Akwa Ibom State Rural Access Roads Agency (Establishment) and Funds 2022 was read the second time and committed to the Committee on Rural Development for further legislative actions.

Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary to reconvene on April 11.

Politics

China meets President-elect Tinubu on trade, diplomatic relations with Nigeria

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The Chinese government said its delegation headed by its ambassador to Nigeria has met with President-elect Bola Tinubu to discuss diplomatic and trade relations.

China said it had identified people-to-people cooperation, which leads to cultural exchanges, as one of the main focus areas in its relationship with Nigeria and other countries.

Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, said this at a one-day seminar held at the University of Abuja on Tuesday day.He added that he was ready to work with the new administration to be sworn in on May 29.

“I have talked with the president-elect and the vice-president-elect, and I believe we shared a lot of ideas, and I have also shared my ideas and practices with the current President Buhari, and China believes that the current president has set a very solid foundation for the next government,” Mr Cui said.

“In spite of the challenges Nigeria faced, the country has smart, hardworking and talented people.”

The seminar had as its theme ‘Chinese Harmony and China-Nigeria Symphony’.Mr Cui said policy coordination, financial integration, facilities connectivity, and trade and investment were the other cooperation priorities of its government.

The ambassador explained that policy coordination included planning and supporting large-scale infrastructural development projects, and financial integration included enhancing monetary coordination and bilateral financial cooperation.

He also described trade and investment as facilitating cross-border investments and supply chain cooperation, and the facilities connectivity included building facilities to enable connectivity along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The BRI, also called the New Silk Road, is a China-led infrastructure project that aims to stretch globally.

The initiative was launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping and had a collection of development and investment initiatives originally devised to link East Asia and Europe through physical infrastructure.

The project has, however, expanded to Africa, Oceania, and Latin America.Moreover, Mr Cui said the trade value between China and the BRI countries was ¥13.8, approximately N923 trillion or $2 trillion, which Nigeria is part of.

“The BRI is an initiative proposed by the Chinese government aimed at promoting Nigeria-China, Africa-China relations. It is good to try to increase trade among the big countries, not only the individual countries. Nigeria and China have huge potentials, which both countries can work together to harness,” explained the Chinese ambassador.

Mr Cui added;

“The most important thing is how we can increase our productivity in Nigeria, and I am working hard on trying to build industries, trying to get Chinese investment. I do believe in the future that we can have products exported to Chinese markets.”

The envoy, who said BRI had achieved its objectives, urged both countries to explore the extensive consultations, enjoy the contributions, and share the benefits.

Lifestyle, Politics

NCC denies tracking and leaking phone calls of Nigerians

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The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has denied any involvement in the tracking and leaking of phone conversations between individuals, groups, or organizations.

The Commission stated this in a statement issued and signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka.

Part of the statement reads;

“The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been inundated with enquiries by the media on allegations of telephone “tracking” and “leakage” made against the Commission by some individuals and groups in the social and alternative Media.

The Commission wishes to make the following clarifications, The Commission denies the allegations in their entirety.

By the provisions of the Nigerian Communication Act (NCA) 2003 and other extant Laws of the Federation, the Commission does not and cannot “track” nor “leak” telephone conversations of anyone.

The Commission has reported the allegations, which we take seriously, to relevant security agencies for proper investigation and necessary action.

The Commission restates its commitment to discharge its responsibilities to the Nigerian people in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the NCA 2003; and other extant Laws of the Federation; and global best practices.”

Recall that last weekend, a purported telephone conversation between Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Bishop David Oyedepo, went viral.

Some Nigerians including musician Peter Okoye, questioned the safety of telephone calls in Nigeria.

Politics

Ebonyi court rejects bail application of politician over attempted murder

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A magistrate court in Abakaliki has refused to grant the bail application filed by Chukwuma John, a politician charged with alleged possession of a firearm and attempted murder.

Mr John is charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, unlawful firearm possession, and intimidation with a weapon.

The prosecuting counsel, Bassy Okon, told the court that the defendant, a native of the Okposi community, committed the offence on March 2 in Okposi-Okwu, Ohaozara council area of Ebonyi.

Magistrate Ojemba Isu held that the court did not grant the bail request for want in jurisdiction.Mr Isu adjourned the matter until May 3 for further hearing.

Justus Unigwe, the defence counsel, said he was not disturbed by the rejection of the bail.

“Based on the kind of charge brought against my client, this court lack jurisdiction to grant him bail.

You know, this is a magistrate court, though, in some circumstances, the court is empowered to grant bail, but when the charges are mixed up with more difficult charges, the best option is to seek relief in the high court, which is what we are going to do and my client will be free,” Mr Unigwe added.

Mr John pleaded not guilty, insisting that he was arrested and tortured over what he knew nothing about.

“My hands are clean. I know nothing of what I am being accused of. Please allow me to go and attend to my family because my pregnant wife’s delivery date is fast approaching,” he told the court.

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