Politics

Court dismisses PDP’s suit seeking disqualification of Tinubu and Peter Obi

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The opposition party which claimed that the Electoral Act 2022 did not make provision for a “place holder” or temporary running mate, asked the court to declare that Tinubu and Obi be disqualified unless they contest alongside their previous running mates; Kabiru Masari and Doyin Okupe respectively.

In the lawsuit which has INEC, APC, Tinubu, Masari, Labour Party, Obi and Okupe as defendants, the PDP also asked the court to determine if “by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sections 29(1), 31, 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, the first defendant (INEC) can validly accept any change or substitution of the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Okupe) defendants as running mates of the 3rd (APC) and 6th (Labour Party) defendants”.

Ruling on the case after respondents in the suit challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter, Justice Donatus Okorowo stated that the lawsuit is not within the court’s jurisdiction.

He went on to dismiss the case he said lacks merit and an abuse of court process.

Politics

Since 1999 Governors have been the problem of the country – Former Speaker, Ghali Na’abba

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Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba, has said that Governors have been the country’s issue since 1999.

Na’abba made the claim while hosting a delegation of the Na’abba Youth Organization.

He claimed that Nigerians are now running from politics because Governors have pocketed political parties and now decide who would contest for positions in elections.

The former speaker also said that the action of these Governors is crippling the country’s democracy as what they are doing is rotating power among themselves without considering competency.

Na’abba said;

“Since 1999 governors have been the problem of the country. They contributed to the death of democracy within the political parties.

And when there are no elections within the parties, then incompetent leaders will emerge and that will affect the whole political system and the country’s development too.

The governors have caused all these. They will hardly hold primaries. Rather they will ask you to go for consensus; which is wrong.“If we really want to see changes in the country, we must change our democracy and give equal chances to all.

Give chances for elections within parties so that the masses and the rich will have roles to play. Only that can bring changes. Not what they (governors) are doing. That will not lead us anywhere.

Rather it will deteriorate the situation of the country.” Also acknowledging that youths have lost confidence in politicians, he added that he returned to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC) after realizing the ruling party is not doing the right thing.

He said;

“When I realised that APC is not doing the right thing, I stepped aside.

Later I was contacted by some of my associates to go back to where I belong; that was why I returned to PDP.”

Politics

70% of voters in 2019 presidential poll were illiterates – Muiz Banire

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Former chairman of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Muiz Banire has explained how the Nigerian government can curbll ethno-religious tension.

Speaking at the 11th annual zonal symposium organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) B-Zone on Sunday September 18, Banire who revealed that 70% of voters in 2019 presidential poll were illiterates, averred that there is need to address the widespread illiteracy in the country.

In his presentation titled ‘Ethno-Religious agitation and imperative inclusiveness’, the former AMCON Chairman said mass illiteracy is why the electorates are unable to choose the right leaders.

He also said that getting the census right will ensure equity since “everybody knows that most of the entitlements in Nigeria are based on the census figure”.

Banire said;

“There are some prerequisites that must be addressed. As of today, Nigeria has no reliable census. We don’t even know how many we are; the same manner we don’t know how much oil we produce.

‘So, we need certainly to get our census right, but I’m not too sure that that can ever be gotten right, because except there is a nationalistic conviction in all of us, we can’t get it.

“Everybody knows that most of the entitlements in Nigeria are based on the census figure — revenue, location of infrastructure, employment.

So, everybody strives to manipulate it from one to the other and without it, no progress for the nation. We must get our census right.

“We must get the election right. Of course, we are making progress but we are not yet there. When INEC improved in technology and everything, now it’s vote buying. We have to tame that. We have to tame illiteracy.

“The last election, only 35 percent of Nigeria’s eligible voters voted Nigeria’s president, and out of this 35 percent, 70 percent of them are illiterates — those who do not know why they are voting;

‘they said we should go and vote’; ‘they said that man is in our area’; ‘he’s our town man’; ‘we attend the same mosque’; ‘he’s our pastor’ — and all manners of primordial considerations.

“So, at the end of the day, those who do not know are the ones showing us the road in Nigeria.”

Politics

All gunmen caught over attacks in Anambra are Igbo – Soludo

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Governor Chukwuma Soludo has given an update on the security situation in Anambra state which he governs.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Sunday September 18, the professor of economics and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said his administration has reduced insecurity in the state.

Soludo said;

“Giving where things were when we came, we are not saying that Anambra is 100% secured … but everybody in Anambra – the 8.5 million residents of Anambra can testify to you that insecurity in Anambra has come down to the barest minimum.

“Fifteen camps (run by gunmen) here (have been) decimated. Even yesterday (Saturday), some other places (where) they were gathering were decimated; we have degraded their infrastructure and I don’t think they have the capacity again to come with the kind of ferocity they had in the past.

“Anambra has been relatively quiet and peaceful, and we are pursuing this agenda.“I would dare to say that if we were to have the statistics over the last three months, I think Anambra will compare favourably as one of the safest comparatively.”

On the identities of those arrested in connection with some of the attacks in the state, Soludo said;

“Let me be clear about it; 100% of the people we have caught are Igbos. It is not about some people invading from somewhere; it is 100% Igbos on Igbos, that is the fact.”

Politics

Governor Umahi denies ordering the disruption of Peter Obi’s supporters’ rally in Ebonyi

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Governor David Umahi has denied ordering the disruption of Peter Obi’s supporters’ rally in Ebonyi.

It was reported earlier today that the rally organized by the Labour Party presidential candidate’s supporters, was disrupted by policemen who stopped them from moving through the streets.

In a statement released by Umahi’s Special Assistant on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Chooks Oko, it was stated that “relevant government agencies had approved the use of Abakaliki township stadium for a rally by the Labour party subject to the payment of some specified fees, but the organizers chose to empty into the streets causing some untold hardships on the hapless citizens going about their daily pursuits.”

Oko added that the police stepped in to restore law and order.

The statement read;

THE GOVERNOR ORDERED NO DISRUPTION

The attention of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State have been drawn to some online publications and rumours making the rounds that he ordered the disruption of a gathering in support of one of the presidential candidates in the 2023 elections. This is not true.

The Executive Governor of Ebonyi state is certainly not aware of any disruption of any gathering as he didn’t order any. He is a democrat who believes firmly in the rule of law.

He wishes every contending politician the very best and will insist on a level playing ground for all. If it is true that the police dispersed people, the answer will surely rest with the police.

For record purposes, the relevant government agencies had approved the use of Abakaliki township stadium for a rally by the Labour party subject to the payment of some specified fees.

Rather than pay the fees, it was gathered, the organizers chose to empty into the streets causing some untold hardships on the hapless citizens going about their daily pursuits.

The police, we are informed, had to step in to restore law and order.The Governor appeals to all citizens to always abide by the dictates of the law and decent living so that law and order will always reign supreme.

He wishes all political parties and their candidates well and enjoins all to play the game by the rules.

Chooks Oko Special Assistant to the Governor(Media & Strategy)

Politics

Peter Obi’s Supporters Hold Rally In Plateau

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Supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, turned out in great numbers on Saturday for a march in Plateau State ahead of the 2023 election.

Rallies for Obi have been holding at different locations in Nigeria in recent weeks.

Lifestyle, Politics

FCT rural schools is not safe for resumption of academic activities – PTA Chairman

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Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) has said that primary and secondary schools in rural communities in the capital territory are not safe for resumption of academic activities.

Speaking to Daily Trust on Friday September 16, Abubakar said activities of bandits and kidnappers in some rural communities especially at Abaji rural communities, which share boundaries with neighbouring villages in Niger State, are quite worrisome.

He said;

“In fact, schools within Yaba axis and some other communities that share boundaries with neighboring villages in Niger State are still shut because report coming from those axis over security threat as a result of activities of bandits and kidnappers is quite worrisome.”

Abubakar also told the publication that even before the resumption of academic activities, some of the rural schools across the axis had been facing security threat.

He added

“we expected that before resumption, government should be able to put in place security measures in these schools.”

The PTA Chairman who disclosed that they are happy with FCT administration’s directive for schools to resume, further stated that the administration ought to have put in place security measures in such rural schools.

He called on the FCT administration to liaise with community leaders in mobilizing local vigilantes to safeguard the affected rural schools to facilitate resumption of academic activities.

Politics

Zamfara court nullifies primary election that produced Alhaji Dauda Lawal Dare as the state’s PDP governorship candidate

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A Federal High Court in Zamfara State has nullified the primary election that produced Alhaji Dauda Lawal Dare as the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the forthcoming general elections.

Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, a former federal lawmaker who also contested for the election, had approached the court seeking the nullification of the PDP primary election won by Dare, citing gross irregularities.

Delivering the judgment on Friday, September 16, Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu said all the prayers of the plaintiff had been granted by the court.

The judgment was contained in a 109-page document. Justice Aminu ordered that fresh primary election must be conducted to ensure justice and fairness to all parties. Speaking shortly after the judgment, counsel for the plaintiff, Barrister Ibrahim Ali, said,

“The court looked at the merit of the matter and decided the case in favour of the plaintiffs.”

He added: “Our prayers were that the primary elections conducted by a committee led by Adamu Maina Waziri be nullified by the court and order be given by the court for the conduct of a fresh election in line with the PDP’s constitution and guidelines. All our prayers have been granted.

“The judgment was well evaluated because we proved our case beyond reasonable doubts and we are happy with the decision of the court.”

The state legal adviser of the PDP in the state, Barrister Bashir Abubakar Masama, said the party would study the judgment and take the next line of action, adding that the ruling would be appealed.

Politics

Abiodun pledges to address LG workers’ challenges

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The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has assured local government employees across the state of speedy consideration of their request for the recruitment of new staff members into the local government system.

Abiodun said he would do that to address the lacuna that had been in place for many years following the retirement of some local government staff members.

The governor made the promise during an interaction with members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Thursday.

He said despite the challenges facing his administration due to the paucity of funds, he would continue to do his best to ensure that every section of the state and every local government had real development.

He said,

“We will look into the issue of consolidation and parity advocated for by some heads of local government agencies who want parity between them and permanent secretaries in state ministries.

“I promise to address the issue of leave bonuses, beginning from January 2023, and increase the allocations meant for the payment of pensions to local government workers.”

Politics

Peter Obi visits ex-president Goodluck Jonathan

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The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, visited former president, Goodluck Jonathan, today September 15.

Obi who shared photos from the visit on his official page, said he had a meeting with Jonathan on ”serious national interest questions.”

“I recently visited my senior brother, H.E. @GEJonathan to exchange views on an array of serious national interest questions,” he wrote

Politics

Court orders INEC to accept Akpabio as APC senatorial

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Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and publish the name of Godswill Akpabio as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Akwa Ibom North/West senatorial district in 2023.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed in the court, the presiding judge held that INEC acted illegally for refusing to accept and publish Akpabio’s name even when it was sent to it by the APC as its candidate.

In August, INEC refused to acknowledge Akpabio and Senate President Ahmad Lawan as APC Senatorial candidates.

Both Lawan and Akpabio had contested the APC Presidential primaries. However, after losing, both of them were listed as senatorial candidates by the APC, but INEC refused to recognize them.

Akpabio approached the court to compel INEC to recognize him as the legitimate Senatorial candidate.

Politics

Governor Makinde demands PDP Chairman’s resignation

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Governor Seyi Makinde has demanded the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Punch reported that he made the demand on Wednesday September 14, during PDP south-west stakeholders meeting in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state.

Makinde said;

“Our party wants to rescue Nigeria and our candidate is a unifier. He wants to restructure Nigeria.

“Eight years of the All Progressives Congress have left us sharply divided. The issue is we must practice what we preach. If we want to unify Nigeria, we must unify the PDP first.

“If we want to restructure Nigeria, we must have the willingness to bring inclusivity to the PDP. Do we have the capacity? The answer is a resounding yes.

“The message from the south-west PDP is that the south-west is asking that the national working committee (NWC) of the PDP should be restructured.

“We are asking the national chairman to step down so that the south will be fully included. That is the message.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Governor Ayade Locks Out Civil Servants Over Lateness

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The Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade, on Wednesday, locked out some civil servants working in the governor’s office for coming late to the office.

The action of the governor followed his return from a long trip out of the state and on resumption of work on Wednesday, workers who were not on duty at that time were barred from entering their offices.

Lifestyle, Politics

Elumelu Meets Ex-US Secretary Of State, John Kerry

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Businessman, Tony Elumelu, has met the former United States of America Secretary of State and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Senator John Kerry.

He shared pictures from the meeting on his Instagram page on Wednesday.

Elumelu captioned the photos,

“Late night catchup with my good friend, Senator John Kerry, former Secretary of the State and Current US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.”

Politics

I’m expecting further detail on response to the worrisome situation by the police, the military and other security agencies – Buhari speaks on attack on Ubah

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President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the attack on the convoy of the Senator representing Anambra South District, Ifeanyi Ubah.

In a statement released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said he’s “closely monitoring the situation and waiting for further detail on the response to the situation by the police, the military and other security agencies.”

The President stated that he is deeply concerned about the activities of armed groups in the region and in other parts of the country.

Buhari who prayed for the quick recovery of the senator and all those that were injured, also prayed for the early return of peace and security in Anambra State and all other areas.

The statement added;

“We are closely monitoring the situation and waiting for further detail on the response to the worrisome situation by the police, the military and other security agencies.

“The nation has lost four brave policemen and other aides of the senator. On behalf of the government and the people, I pay homage to these security men and the aides who were brutally murdered.

Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this difficult time.”

Politics

Nigeria to phase out kerosene usage by 2030 – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the federal government’s plan to jettison kerosene consumption by 2030 when gas supply would have been total.

Buhari made the pronouncement in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 15th Annual Banking and Finance Conference organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Represented by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs Zainab Ahmed, President Buhari emphasised that long-term greenhouse emissions have resulted in hotter temperatures, more severe rainstorms, increased drought and food security issues.

“To tackle this issue, the government has set plans in motion to significantly reduce greenhouse emissions from Nigeria. More specifically, by 2030, we aim to eliminate kerosene lighting as well as short-lived pollutants in the oil and gas sector,” he said.

On the raging inflation across the globe, he attributed the scary inflation figures across the world to fast-rising consumer demand in a world that was yet to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now facing the Russia-Ukraine war.

Politics

Sowore In Court For Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal

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The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday, showed up at the Court of Appeal to witness the case of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja.

Sowore shared pictures from the court via his Twitter handle.

He wrote,

“At the Court of Appeal in Abuja today with #FreeNnamdiKanuNow lawyers #EjioforBar as they argue to have all charges against #MaziNnamdiKanu dropped.

There can’t be peace in a society where there is no justice! #WeCantContinueLikeThis.”

Politics

President Buhari visits Imo state amid IPOB sit-at-home order

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President Buhari is currently on a state visit to Imo state.

The President was received by the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, and other members of his cabinet at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport.

The President is in the state to commission some projects. His visit is coming amid a sit-at-home order in the south-east issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Politics

William Ruto sworn in as Kenya’s President

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William Ruto was on Tuesday September 13, sworn in as Kenya’s fifth president following his narrow victory over Raila Odinga in a bitterly fought but largely peaceful election.

Tens of thousands of spectators turned up at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi to witness the event which Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is representing President Muhammadu Buhari at.

The Vice President was accompanied on the trip by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, and the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu. With his hand on a Bible, the 55-year-old swore to preserve and protect the country’s constitution.

Defeated candidate Raila Odinga did not attend, saying as he had “serious concerns” about his opponent’s victory.

Mr Ruto won the election with 50.5% of the vote, to Mr Odinga’s 48.8%. Mr Odinga has alleged that the result was rigged, but the Supreme Court has ruled the election was free and fair. Ruto’s campaign had portrayed him as a “hustler” with a humble background of going barefoot and selling chickens by the roadside, a counterpoint to the political dynasties represented by Kenyatta and Odinga.

But Ruto received powerful political mentoring as a young man from former President Daniel arap Moi, who oversaw a one-party state for years before Kenyans successfully pushed for multiparty elections.

Ruto now speaks of democracy and has vowed there will be no retaliation against dissenting voices.

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