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Category: Breaking News

  • Appeal Court Dismisses PDP’s Appeal Against Sanwo-Olu’s Victory

    In a significant development, the appeal court in Lagos has upheld the tribunal’s ruling, validating Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat’s positions as Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, respectively.

    The court’s justices, comprising Justice Yargata Nimpa, Justice Samuel Bola, and Justice Paul Bassey, reached a unanimous decision to dismiss the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) appeal on grounds of lacking merit.

    The affirmation of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat’s victory by the appeal court solidifies their mandate following the tribunal’s initial judgment.

    Justice Yargata Nimpa led the delivery of this pivotal verdict, cementing the continuation of the duo in their respective roles within the Lagos State government.

  • CBN Extends Use Of Old Naira Notes Indefinitely

    CBN Extends Use Of Old Naira Notes Indefinitely

    The Central Bank of Nigeria has said that old design naira banknotes will continue to be legal tender beyond December 31, 2023.

    In a statement signed by Director, Corporate Communication Dr. Isa AbdulMumin on Tuesday, all banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in accordance with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act 2007, will continue to remain legal tender, ad infinitum, even beyond the initial December 31, 2023, deadline.

    According to the Apex Bank, it is not only in line with international best practices, it would also forestall a repeat of earlier experiences.

    “Please recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced the redesign of N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations in October 2022 and certain deadlines were set for the old design of these denominations to cease as legal tenders.

    “Without prejudice, the Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public of its desire to extend the legal tender status deadline of the old design of N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations, ad infinitum.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria is working with the relevant authorities to vacate the subsisting court ruling on the same subject. Accordingly, all CBN branches across the country will continue to issue and accept all denominations of Nigerian banknotes, old and redesigned, to and from deposit money banks (DMBs),” the statement read.

    The regulator enjoined Nigerians to continue to accept all Naira banknotes (old or redesigned) for day-to-day transactions and “handle these banknotes with utmost care, to safeguard and protect the lifecycle of the banknotes. Also, the general public is encouraged to embrace alternative modes of payment, e-channels, for day-to-day transactions.”

  • JUST IN: WAEC Adopts CBT for SSCE

    JUST IN: WAEC Adopts CBT for SSCE

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially announced the transition from the traditional paper and pencil test to the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

    This transformative move was disclosed in a statement released on Monday by Moyosola Adesina, the acting head of the Public Affairs Unit of WAEC.

    The transition to the CBT mode is a significant shift in the examination system, marking a departure from the conventional testing method.

    The statement emphasized that this innovative approach aligns with global best practices and aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the examination process.

    The commencement of this new examination format is set to take effect with the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for private candidates scheduled for February 2024.

    According to WAEC, it aims to leverage technology to provide a more secure, streamlined, and accessible examination experience for candidates.

    Candidates, educational institutions, and other stakeholders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the upcoming changes and prepare for a smoother transition to the Computer-Based Test mode.

    More details later…

  • Bayelsa Election: PDP Leads Early Results As INEC Suspends Collation Till 12pm Monday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adjourned the collation of results for the Bayelsa State Governorship Election until Monday noon.

    As of Sunday night, results from six out of eight local government areas, including Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ogbia, Yenegoa, Sagbama, Nembe, and Ekeremor, have been collated, leaving Brass and Southern Ijaw pending.

    Prof Faruq Kuta, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and the state Returning Officer, adjourned the exercise for further review on Monday.

     Sixteen political parties participated in the Bayelsa election, where Governor Duoye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in a contest against Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and former Bayelsa governor.

    Meanwhile, in Imo State, INEC has declared Governor Hope Uzodimma of the APC as the winner, defeating Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP and Nneji Achonu of the Labour Party (LP), along with 15 other opponents.

    Uzodimma secured 540,308 votes, outpacing Anyanwu with 71,503 votes and Achonu with 64,081 votes.

    Stay tuned for the final Bayelsa results and updates on the gubernatorial polls held in Imo and Kogi states.

    Bayelsa Results So Far:

    Sagbama LGA

    APC – 6608

    LP – 217

    PDP – 35504

    Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA

    APC – 5349

    LP – 22

    PDP – 18465

    Ogbia LGA

    APC – 16319

    LP – 57

    PDP – 18435

    Yenegoa LGA

    APC – 14534

    LP – 244

    PDP – 37777

    Nembe LGA

    APC – 22248

    LP – 113

    PDP – 4556

    Ekeremor LGA

    APC – 8445

    LP – 50

    PDP – 23172

     

  • Just In: Our Officials Have Been Abducted In Bayelsa LGA, Says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday said that some of its officials on election duty were held hostage in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    Expressing concern over the situation, INEC stated that the actions of holding officials hostage were detrimental to the credibility of the electoral process.

    In a statement on its verified X platform, the commission urged security agencies, particularly the police, to take immediate action to rescue the electoral officers and ensure their safety.

    INEC condemned the action as “detrimental to credible elections” and called on security agencies including the police to swing to action and rescue the electoral officers.

    “We call on the security agencies to immediately facilitate their release,” the commission said.

    The incident unfolded amid protests in the oil-rich South-South state over alleged result manipulation as the collation of the November 11, 2023, election results commenced.

    Protesters, including state commissioners and lawmakers, asserted that elections did not take place in the Nembe area of the state. The tense situation escalated further as Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, accused Timipre Sylva, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), of orchestrating electoral violence in the Nembe-Bassambiri area.

    Governor Diri, who is seeking re-election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed concern about the violent tendencies associated with Timipre Sylva’s involvement in elections over the years.

    The governor linked Sylva to incidents of violence and lawlessness, particularly in Nembe-Bassambiri. Timipre Sylva, a former Bayelsa governor and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources from 2019 to 2023, has been a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape.

    The unfolding events underscore the challenges facing the electoral process and the need for swift intervention by security agencies to ensure the safety of INEC officials and uphold the integrity of the democratic process.

  • INEC Suspends Voting Activities In 9 Wards Of Ogori/Magongo LGA, Kogi

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended elections in nine wards of Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State. 

    INEC’s National Commissioner & Member Information and Voter Education Committee Mohammed Kudu Haruna confirmed the suspension in a Saturday statement.

    According to him, the move is due to reported cases “of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting”.

    “This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted,” INEC’s statement read.

    “The Commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine Wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended.

    “The incidences in the other Local Government Areas are being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, will be announced in the next 24 hours.”

    The electoral umpire said in the wake of the reported malpractice said it would probe the incidences and fish out those “who may have been complicit in undermining the process”.

    “We have a record of all officials deployed at various levels as supervisors, monitors, technical staff, or polling unit officials and all election materials issued to them. Appropriate sanctions will be applied where necessary,” it assured.

    “The Commission assures voters in Kogi State that their votes are protected, and their wishes will be respected,” the statement concluded.

  • Just In: Court Stops NLC, TUC From Embarking On Nationwide Strike

    Just In: Court Stops NLC, TUC From Embarking On Nationwide Strike

    The National Industrial Court, on Friday, restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, as well as their affiliates from embarking on any form of strike or industrial action.

    The two labour unions were ordered to stop their planned nationwide strike scheduled to commence on November 14.

    President of the Court, Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip issued the restraining order following an ex-parte application to that effect brought before the Court by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice.

    Justice Kanyip invoked sections 17 and 19 of the National Industrial Court Act to issue the restraining order against the organised labour.

    The Federal Government and the AGF through their lawyer, Tijani Gazali had in the ex-parte application prayed the court to stop the planned strike.

    They said this was to avert untold hardships that would be inflicted on innocent law abiding citizens and their businesses.

    Gazali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Director of Civil Appeals in the Federal Ministry of Justice, while arguing the ex-parte application, drew the attention of Justice Kanyip to series of hardships suffered by Nigerians on Thursday alone when the labour unions blocked entrances to the main Airports in the country.

    He pleaded that unless the planned strike is stopped, there may be a likelihood of breach of peace in the country.

    The Judge, who was persuaded by the government’s arguments, said that it is within the power of the court to intervene by way of a restraining order to ensure peace and tranquility.

    He proceeded to grant all the requests of the federal government as contained on the motion paper.

    Besides, Justice Kanyip directed that the restraining order be pasted on the wall of the building at the last known address of the two defendants to draw their attention to the Court’s position.

    The Judge also directed that the order along with the originating and other processes be served by publication in two major national dailies.

    Meanwhile, the case file has been transferred to Justice Olufunke Anuwe who is said to be handling similar labour dispute related matters.

  • BREAKING! NLC Protests, Blocks Abuja Airport

    BREAKING! NLC Protests, Blocks Abuja Airport

    Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday initiated a protest in Abuja.

    The group seized control of entry and exit points at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    This has led to flight disruptions and chaotic scenes around the airport area. 

    The demonstration comes in response to the recent assault on Joe Ajaero, NLC’s president in Imo state. 

    Aviation unions, aligning with NLC, have instructed their workers to halt services for both public and private Owerri flights, intensifying the impact of the protest. 

    More details later…

  • Just In: NLC, TUC Declare Nationwide Strike November 14

    Just In: NLC, TUC Declare Nationwide Strike November 14

    Just In: NLC, TUC Declare Nationwide Strike November 14

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly announced a nationwide strike, scheduled to commence on November 14, 2023.

    This decision emerged following an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The two prominent labour unions have also initiated nationwide mobilization efforts to rally their members and allies in preparation for the impending strike.

    The call for this industrial action is rooted in the recent assault on NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State, which sparked widespread outrage within the Organized Labour community.

    The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mohammed Barde, has been accused of complicity in the attack on Ajaero in Owerri, the state’s capital.

    Last Friday, Organized Labour issued a five-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the replacement of the police commissioner and seeking accountability for the attack on Ajaero.

    While Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is seeking re-election, denied involvement in the assault on the labour leader, Organized Labour also demanded the arrest and prosecution of some of the governor’s aides and thereafter threatened a nationwide industrial strike if their demands were not met.

    In response to mounting pressure, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, redeployed Commissioner Barde, citing the need for neutrality in the lead-up to the Imo State governorship election scheduled for November 11, 2023.

  • Appeal Court sacks Suswam from Semate

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Wednesday, nullified the election of former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, as senator representing North East Senatorial District of the state.

    The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, said it was satisfied that Suswam was not the valid winner of the senatorial election that held on February 25.

    It faulted the judgement of the Benue State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal which returned Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Senate, after it nullified the election victory of Emmanuel Udende of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to the appellate court, the tribunal wrongly evaluated the evidence that was presented before it by the parties in the matter and thereby arrived at an erroneous conclusion that upheld the petition Suswam filed to challenge Udende’s election victory.

    Consequently, the court voided the judgement of the tribunal, saying it found merit in the appeal that was lodged before it by the APC candidate.

    “The judgement of the tribunal delivered on 8th of September, 2023 is hereby set aside.

    “The return of the appellant as the winner of the Benue North East senatorial election that was held on February 25 is hereby affirmed.

    “Parties are to bear their respective cost,” the court held in its lead verdict that was delivered by Justice Abimbola Adejumo, who led the panel.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Udende as winner of the senatorial election after he polled a total of 135,573 votes to defeat Suswam who garnered 112,231 votes.

    Not satisfied with the outcome of the election, Suswam approached the tribunal on the ground that it was marred by over-voting, irregularities, alterations and falsification of results.

    In its judgement, the tribunal held that Suswam successfully established his case that irregularities took place in five out of seven LGAs in the senatorial district.

    The tribunal cancelled 51,895 votes entered for Udende and also cancelled 21,229 votes entered for Suswam.

    After subtracting the padded votes, Suswam was left with 90,590 while Udende scored 82,699 votes.

    The tribunal, headed by Justice Ori Zik-Ikeoha, entered judgment in Suswam’s favour, a decision that was vacated by the appellate court on Wednesday.