I won’t appeal judgement that removed me as Yobe North senatorial candidate – Senate President Ahmad Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said that he won’t be appealing the court judgement that recognized Bashir Machina as the All Progressives Congress senatorial candidate for Yobe North.

In a statement released on Thursday September 29, Lawan said he has accepted the judgment of the court which disqualified his candidature and participation in the election.

According to him, he reached the decision after due consultations with his political associates, supporters and well-wishers.

The statement read;

“Yesterday, Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the Federal High Court in Damaturu delivered judgment on the rightful candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District for the 2023 National Assembly elections.

“The said judgement disqualifies my candidature and therefore my participation in the elections.

“After due consultations with my political associates, supporters and well-wishers, I have decided not to appeal against the judgement. I accept the judgement.

“I deem it appropriate to thank His Excellency, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam for the leadership role in the APC political family in Yobe State. I also thank His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni for the support and brotherhood.

“To my constituents, I thank you all for your unflinching support, loyalty and unreserved commitment to the course of building our people and Yobe North Senatorial District and indeed Yobe State.

“I want to assure you that I will continue to serve you in my personal and any other capacity at all times.

“We journeyed together for a long time, and this journey will remain a life long journey. It has been a wonderful relationship and it can only get stronger. I am indebted to you all. Alhamdulillah.”

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state described bandits as animals

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state has described bandits as animals that kill people who pose no harm to them.

Matawalle who justified the death penalty approved for anyone convicted of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, or cultism in the state when interviewed on Journalists’ Hangout, a TVC programme, said the state government has tried several approaches towards curbing banditry in the state, but such measures were not 100 percent successful.

He said;

“God knows I have adopted so many options for this crisis to leave the state, but unfortunately, there are good and bad people in any society.

“We’ve tried all we can. I’ve adopted so many options in the state and most of the options have yielded a lot of results.“I’ve done dialogue. I shut down the network.

We cut the food supply and we saw successes, but it’s not 100 percent. The bandits fear the Yansakai vigilante group because they use a fabricated weapon. They put motorcycle plugs into it.

Bandits fear that weapon; the weapon cuts the bandits into two.“They see Yansakai as the most devilish people. I know why I gave that directive and I’ve succeeded with that directive I’ve given.”

On if the death penalty is working and why he asked residents of the state to arm themselves, he said;

“Death penalty will work. I have signed it. Anyone found guilty will face the law. The death penalty might not be popular, but those killing people, is it popular?

“Why I said everyone should get a weapon is because these bandits are like animals. How can you see someone farming, and then go and kill him?”

“If we say our people should not carry arms, who will go and confront the bandits if not the people? Those who are saying the directive is bad, why can’t they go and save our people?

“As a governor, I can’t fold my arms and see my people being killed every day. It’s not possible. It’s one of the primary responsibilities of the governor to protect the lives and property of his people.”

Activist Aisha Yesufu replies troll who attacked her two years ago

Activist Aisha Yesufu found time this morning, to reply to a troll who attacked her on Twitter two years ago.

The troll had shared Yesufu’s family photo and stated that her two children did not participate in the EndSARS protest that rocked the country in October 2020.

Aisha spotted the Tweet this morning and sent a savage response.

She wrote;”Good morning @osquare78 Sorry I missed your tweet. Was your mother also at the protest? Did she stand in for you as I did for my children or she didn’t find you worth the effort?”

Presidential candidate Peter Obi, Yusuf Datti Arrive Jos

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, have arrived in Jos, Plateau State.

Obi revealed that they will be meeting with the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba and the Middle Belt Forum.Obi shared pictures of his arrival on his Twitter handle on Wednesday saying;

“Arriving Jos with Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, to meet with Gbong Gwom Jos, HRM Jacob Gyang Buba and also honour the invitation of the Middle Belt Forum to a solidarity rally”.

“We continue to call on the FGN to end the ASUU strike and allow our children to go back to school”.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan loses out as court declares Machina APC Yobe north senatorial candidate

Bashir Machina has been recognized as the candidate of Yobe North senatorial candidate following a judgement given by a Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe state’s capital.

The All Progressives Congress was ordered by Justice Fadima Murtala Aminu to forward the name of Machina to the Independent and National Electoral Commission as the authentic winner of the primary held on 28/05/2022.

The Nation reported that the high court judge described the primary election where Senate President Ahmad Lawan emerged as the party’s senatorial candidate as a “phantom”.

Court stops Peter Obi’s supporters from converging at Lekki toll gate

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the Labour Party and its supporters not to converge at the Lekki toll gate for the rally it plans to hold in the state on October 1st, 2022.

The court also directed the Inspector General of Police and the Lagos State Police Commissioner to ensure compliance with the order.

The judge issued the orders today while ruling on a motion for injunction brought by 10 plaintiffs, who are asking the court to, among others, restrain the LP, its presidential candidate Peter Obi, his vice Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, one Julius Abure, and their loyalists from holding the rally.

The court also held that while the rally cannot stop at the Lekki toll gate, it can pass through the venue to access Falomo Bridge and other venues at which the rally plans to meet.

A preliminary objection filed by the defendants seeking to stop the court from hearing the motion on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction could however not be entertained as all parties to the suit had not been served.

The court adjourned the hearing of the substantive suit to November 4th.

In the suit, 10 plaintiffs through their Romeo Ese Michael, Esq. asked the court to, among others, restrain the LP, its presidential candidate Peter Obi, his vice Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, one Julius Abure, and their loyalists from holding their rally, until the hearing and determination of their Motion-On-Notice of September 12, 2022.

The plaintiffs include Adedotun Ajulo Esq., Salamatu Suleiman Lewi Esq., Hakeem Ijaduola, Esq., Ogunbona Akinpelu Esq., Owolabi K. Oluwasegun, Esq., Mogbojuri Kayode Esq., Wuyep Mantim Nadom Esq., Dimimu Mabel, Esq., Kolawole Salami, Esq. and Mr. Wale Abe Lawrence.

The 1st to 10th defendants are Obi, LP, Baba-Ahmed, Abure, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police (Lagos State Command), Director-General (Department of State Services), Lekki Concession Company (LCC) Limited, Attorney-General of Lagos State and The Governor of Lagos State.

In the substantive suit, the plaintiffs argued among other things that a repeat or celebration of the “infamous” EndSARS protest of 2020 under the political guise of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” will cause a breakdown of peace and will result in post-traumatic stress disorder for them and the public.

Kidnappers kill Bauchi lawmaker’s son

The eldest son of a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Dass Constituency, Bala Ali, has been killed by suspected kidnappers.

The lawmaker representing Burra Constituency, Ado Wakili, disclosed this during the House’s sitting on Tuesday, September 27, presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Danlami Ahmed Kawule.

Abdul Burra, the Spokesperson for the Speaker of the House, Abubakar Suleiman, said the lawmaker who extended his condolences to the Members on the murder of his colleague’s son described the incident as “tragic,” and prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.

Punch reported that the speaker also announced that the lawmakers would pay a condolence visit to the member and his family immediately after the plenary.

Senate debates bill on rotation of power

Debate has commenced at the Nigerian senate over a bill that seeks an act to provide for the rotation of power between the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The bill sponsored by Senator Abba Moro from Benue South, passed its first reading earlier this year.

While some Senators argued that it will bring about unity and a sense of belonging for all especially ethnic minorities, others claimed it goes against the Constitution of Nigeria.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan however advised the sponsor of the Bill to stand the Bill down and rework it for representation with specific prayers.

Atiku In Enugu, To Meet South-East PDP Stakeholders

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, on Tuesday, arrived Enugu State for a meeting with South-East stakeholders.

This was revealed via Atiku’s Twitter handle.He said,

“It feels great landing in Enugu for my meeting with PDP stakeholders in the South-East.”

Moment Peter Obi Arrived Ooni Of Ife Palace

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Tuesday in Ile Ife, Osun State. Obi was cheered as he entered the palace with the Ooni in the video.

Obi has been meeting with political figures and monarchs across Nigeria ahead of next year’s election.

Gunmen attack Enugu Labour Party meeting

Gunmen suspected to be political thugs have again disrupted a meeting of the Labour Party in Enugu State.

The attack, it was gathered, took place on Saturday at Nomeh Primary School in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state.

That was the third time in less than two months that gunmen would be attacking supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the state.

The state chairman of the party, Mr Casmir Agbo, who confirmed the attack to our correspondent on the telephone on Monday, said the party had reported the incident to the appropriate quarters.

“Our members were attacked by gunmen wielding AK-47 rifles in Nomeh Primary School on Saturday,”

he simply said without giving further details.Efforts to get the reaction of the state police command were unsuccessful as the command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, did not take his calls.

A political analyst and social commentator, Charles Ogbu, called on the Nigerian Police Force to live up to the expectations and protect the people.

Tinubu condoles with Wase over brother’s death

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has sent his condolence to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, over the deathof his elder brother and Emir of Bashar, Alhaji Adamu Idris.

The late Emir died on Sunday aged 96.Tinubu expressed this on Monday in a statement by his media office and signed by Mr Tunde Rahman.

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has sent messages of sympathy and condolence to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, over the passing of his elder brother and Emir of Bashar, Alhaji Adamu Idris.

“While praying for the repose of the soul of the late traditional ruler, the APC presidential standard-bearer also prayed that Almighty Allah comfort the deputy speaker and the family left behind by the deceased.”

Strike hindered disbursement of bursary to education undergraduates – FG

Strike hindered disbursement of bursary to education undergraduates ? FG The Federal Ministry of Education has said that the disbursement of bursary to students of education in universities in the country, was hindered by the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

This was disclosed by the Permanent secretary of the ministry, Andrew Adejo, during the 2022 World Teachers Day press briefing held in Abuja. Adejo said;

“The implementation of the payment of stipends has commenced.”However, due to the strike, we have not been able to get the data of all the students in universities. We only have 7 per cent of the required data to be processed for payment.

“I must state here that the national implementation of the New National Teaching Policy has commenced.

It is a holistic package that will ultimately address the career path, remuneration, professional teaching standards, qualification, deployment and management of teachers.

“The theme for the year 2022 WTD which is ‘the transformation of education begins with teachers’ strongly stresses the importance of empowering teachers for the effective transformation of education to ensure quality teaching and learning as well as galvanize technological advancements to meet the ever-changing needs for national growth and development.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had through the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu announced that undergraduates of B.Ed/B.A. Ed/BSc.

Ed in Public institutions are to receive stipends of N75,000.00 per semester while NCE students will get N50,000.00 as stipends per semester.

Police confirm assassination attempt on former Nasarawa commissioner

The police has confirmed an assassination attempt on the immediate past commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources in Nasarawa state, Hon Musa Ibrahim.

Ibrahim, who is a House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) for Doma South constituency, survived a gunmen attack after donating relief materials to victims of floods in his constituency.

The Nation reported that Nasarawa Police spokesmamn, DSP Ramhan Nansel who confirmed the incident said;

“I can confirm this incident happened on 21 September 2022.Investigation has commenced as effort is ongoing to arrest the perpetrators of the act.”

Recounting how the incident occurred, Ibrahim told the publication; ”I am in pains but I want to disclose to the world on the 21st of this month, I went to Rukubi Town and donated relief materials including cash and other items to victims of flood disaster in my Local Government of Doma.

“After the donation, I was going back from the town to Doma when about nine gunmen opened fire on me from different directions, the bullets hit me on the front which was blocked by my GSM handset, but they shit and hit me on my elbow and back. 46 bullet shots hit and penetrated my car.

The incident occurred at about 5:30pm close to Igbabo Village about 20 kilometres to Doma Local Government Headquarters.“I allege that the perpetrators are high profile politicians outside my party.”

Keyamo launches Tinubu-Shettima podcast four days to campaign

Spokesperson of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, has unveiled the first edition of his much-publicised podcast.

A podcast is a recording of audio discussion on any issue ranging from inspiration talks, business, travel or politics that can be downloaded or listened to on the internet.

Keyamo shared a clip of his first podcast on social media and Whatsapp platform on Saturday evening.

In the recording, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria was heard explaining that the digital file would catalogue the achievements of the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

This is even as the Minister of State for Labour and Employment argued that it would also be deployed as a tool to debunk fallacies and set the tone as the September 28 campaign season beckons.

He stated,

“I welcome you to the first edition of a weekly podcast I will bring to you as the chief image maker of this campaign, highlighting the issues, debunking the fallacies and setting the tone for this campaign on weekly basis.

“Remember, our candidate is an easy one to sell. All you need to do is to look at his record and the records are there for everyone to see.

Next week, we shall look at some of them and the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

FG to inaugurate climate change council, targets zero-emission

The Federal Government has concluded plans to formally inaugurate the National Climate Change Council and its Secretariat, pursuant to the Climate Change Act 2021.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had in November 2021, signed the Climate Change Bill into law. This was the basis for the establishment of the climate change council.

A statement released by the presidency revealed the government’s approach to mobilising Nigerians to transition the country to a low-carbon economy and society in line with global best practices.

It read, “The Climate Change Act 2021, signed into law by President Buhari on November 2021, provides an overarching legal framework to achieve Nigeria’s long-term climate goals.

These goals include meeting Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions; among which is President Buhari’s pledge, at the COP 26, for Nigeria to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

“In addition to making provision for National Climate resilience, the Act institutionalises climate reporting, auditing, finance and funding through fiscal and other mechanisms and incentives, while also mainstreaming climate change actions into national development priorities, and imposing climate obligations, including reporting, on both public and private sector institutions.

“The act thus requires a whole-of-government approach to mobilise all Nigerians to transition our country to a low-carbon economy and society.

The NCCC is the implementing body charged with superintending the CCA and coordinating government and society in transitioning to a low carbon economy.

“Given the existential import if its mandate, it necessarily transcends any single government ministry, department or agency.

The council is thus a reflection of this. It comprises broad membership from government, organised labour, the private sector and civil society.

The NCCC is supported by a secretariat that is headed by a Director General.

“As part of the process of putting this implementing mechanism in to effect the government is aware of the need to promptly appoint a director general to lead the secretariat upon inauguration.

Hence the president’s directive to screen the recommended candidates, from whom the pioneer director general will be unveiled and announced.” The statement concluded

APC chieftains abducted as bandits attack Kaduna governorship candidate’s entourage

Some chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State have been reportedly abducted in an attack along Kaduna-Kachia highway in Kaduna State.

According to Daily Trust, the attack happened on Thursday, September 22, at Tashar Icce, which is some meters from Kujama community in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

The team was on its way back from Kafanchan after a political meeting with Christian leaders in Southern Senatorial District.

On the entourage were; the DG Campaign Uba Sani Campaign Organization, Prof Sani Bello, Mainan Zazau, Director of Organization , Engr Namadi, Special Adviser to the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, Engr Jamilu, Personal Assistant to Senator Uba Sani, other aides and security operatives.

A politician who escaped the attack, described the incident as terrible, saying about five vehicles were affected.

He said the bandits opened fire sporadically. He also said some of thee people in the entourage sustained gun injuries while two persons were abducted.

It was gathered the governorship candidate, Senator Uba Sani, was not part of the team that was attacked as he had travelled to Abuja from Kafanchan.

His Campaign DG, Sani Maina, Ahmed Maiyaki, a Chieftain of the party, and a few others escaped unhurt.

Among those abducted are the APC House of Assembly candidate in Kajuru simply identified as Mr Madaki and the Vice chairman of APC in Kajuru Local Government Area, Ruben Waziri. Ben Maigari, a relative of the Vice Chairman, confirmed the incident and said they were yet to be contacted by the bandits.

“They were attacked; the bandits blocked the road and opened fire on the entourage and other moving vehicles.

My brother, Ruben, was abducted alongside Madaki because they were in the same vehicle,” he said.

The publication also gathered that two other buses were attacked around the same time, with two people feared killed while others were taken into the forest.

I won’t leave PDP, I will stay and fight – Governor Nyesom Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has vowed to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party PDP despite his disagreement with the leadership of the party.

The governor stated this during a meeting with PDP stakeholders in Rivers state on Thursday night, September 22.

Governor Wike and his supporters have been calling for the resignation of the national chairman of the party, Iyiorcha Ayu.

They argue that since the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar, is from the North, Ayu who is also from the North cannot remain the party chairman, They insist that Ayu vacates his office for a Southerner.

On Tuesday, September 20, Governor Wike’s supporters withdrew their support for the presidential campaign of Atiku Abubakar.

In response, Atiku Abubakar said he cannot force the national chairman to resign. I won’t leave PDP. I will stay and fight – Gov Wike Speaking on Thursday, Wike said that the recent developments would not make him leave the party.

He added that it is wrong for the party’s presidential candidate, national chairman, and presidential campaign DG to be from the same region.

“One thing I have always told people is if anybody is thinking, doing anything to think that we will leave PDP, foul.

We will do the fight in the party. We are not like them, when in 2014 they walked out from Eagle Square. They’ve forgotten. They walked out and joined APC. Is it not correct?.

Wike said Did they remain to fight inside the party? But we remained; they ran away. Now, there is a fight in the party, we will not run. We will fight it in this party.

Those who run away from fights are weak people. We will not. So, everybody should know this is the state where we are, so that nobody tells you all kind of stories.

You have taken presidential candidate; you have taken party chairman; you have also taken the DG (director-general) of the campaign.

We are talking about party politics. Decisions are made by the presidential candidate , chairman of the party, and the DG of the campaign.

They are telling you they told the chairman of the BoT to resign. So, you know there is a problem. You said he should go and resign.

You can put pressure on him to resign when his tenure hasn’t come to an end, but you cannot put pressure on the chairman to resign. You think at our level you will deceive us; you’ll tell us stories.”he said

Atiku, Tinubu, Obi to sign peace pact Thursday

A former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has stated that those contesting the 2023 general elections have to sign a peace pact.

Abubakar, who made this known in Minna on Thursday after a meeting of the committee members, stated that during electioneering, politicians and their supporters create incitements which could endanger the nation’s peace.

“The pattern of public communication among political actors, their publicity agents, spokespersons, and media consultants have amplified the potential for personal attacks, insults, and incitement,” he said.

He added that the attacks by politicians and their supporters on their opponents had moved from issue-based campaigns, thereby relegating civility to the background.

“This has relegated to the background, the civility and decency in public discourse and debate. Additionally, it has shifted focus away from issue-based campaigns to consolidating identity politics and the politics of thuggery,” Abubakar said.

The peace committee chairman added that to promote peaceful electioneering, the committee had organised the signing of a peace pact.

“Because of this, there is a need to promote a culture of healthy issue-based campaigns and political communication. Consequently, the National Peace Committee has organised the signing of two peace accords for the 2023 general elections, ‘’ he said.

Abubakar stated that the first Peace Accord would hold on Thursday, September 29, 2022, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, to commit all political parties, presidential candidates and their spokespersons to peaceful political campaigns and rallies devoid of violence, incitement and personal insults, but defined by issues at the heart of national development and progress.

“The second Peace Accord will come up shortly before the elections, and it is intended to commit candidates to accept the outcome of the votes as long as it is adjudged to be free, fair and credible,” Abubakar noted.

He further called on stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria is placed above regional and sectional interests.

“Therefore, the NPC calls on all Nigerians, politicians, political parties, security agencies, the election management body, Independent National Electoral Commission and all stakeholders to ensure that the country is placed above regional and sectional claims.

“The committee reminds all Nigerians the 2023 general elections will be an opportunity to serve and defend Nigeria, and to uphold her unity and progress. Nigerians should avoid the spread of fake news, and uphold the principles of tolerance, respect, civility and decency in all public and private conversations and engagements about the elections and the progress of Nigeria,” he said.

245 killed in Kaduna community attacks

The paramount ruler of the Atyap Chiefdom, Agwatyap, Dominic Yahaya, has raised the alarm that 245 locals have been killed while 623 houses were burnt in attacks within his domain in Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The monarch stated this on Wednesday at the Kaduna Catholic Social Centre during the commemoration of the International 2022 Peace Day organised by the Liturgy and Social Justice in Kaduna.

The ruler said, “The recurring attacks, which have become most distressful and disturbing as the alleged killers who are known to have lived among the communities, will often call names of their victims to notify them of their mission to kill before committing dastardly acts on the innocent and harmless farmers.

“The genesis, which many considered premeditated, started in early 2019 when isolated individual killings of farmers became rampant, and before we knew what was happening, about 14 of such incidents had occurred.

“This snowballed into a major crisis on June 16, 2020. Thereafter, massive attacks occurred in villages whereby people were killed and houses and property were burnt by herdsmen, which some uninformed people termed as farmer/herders clashes, whereas this narrative has been most painful as the attacks which occurred in the dead of the night left many communities desolate.”

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Kaduna State Peace Commission, Dr Saleh Mamale, while commenting on the International Peace Day, maintained that the socio-economic pursuit of individuals, communities and nations significantly varies over time and space, and the ability and/or inability to manage these diversities is the major driver of peace or violence.