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Category: Politics Lite

  • Appeal Court Upholds Isah’s Election As Kogi East Senator

    The Abuja division of the Appeal Court has affirmed the election of Jibrin Isah, of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, was declared the winner of the said election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Not satisfied with the outcome of the election, Victor Adoji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went to the Tribunal, citing cancellation of election results in some polling units where the PVCs collected were more than the margin of win.

    Specifically, he Prayed the court to nullify the victory of Isah and ordered a supplementary election in the affected 94 polling units in the senatorial district.

    In a unanimous Judgement, the tribunal led by Justice K.A. Orjiako ordered a rerun in 94 polling units where there were irregularities in the last general election.

    Not pleased with the judgment, Isah filed an appeal against the decision of the lower court.  

    The appeal court in its judgment on Thursday, held that the witness on which the tribunal relied its judgment on was incompetent. 

    The court subsequently expunged the exhibits presented by the witness from the records. 

    “The appeal succeeds. The judgment of the tribunal is hereby set aside and the appellant’s victory is sustained and affirmed, ” the appellate court held.

  • Bayelsa Guber: Appeal Court Upholds Sylva’s APC Candidature

    Bayelsa Guber: Appeal Court Upholds Sylva’s APC Candidature

    The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, Tuesday, cleared the immediate pass Minister of Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, for the November 11, governorship election in Bayelsa State, under the umbrella of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Appellate Court awarded the sum of N1million in favour of the appallate.

    The three-member panel, in a unanimous judgement held that the federal high court which nullified Sylva’s candidature lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by an APC member, Demesuoyefa Kolomo.

    The court held that Kolomo was not an aspirant in the primary election that produced the ex-minister of petroleum.

    Kolomo, who described himself as a registered voter, had, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 filed on June 3, prayed the court to delete Sylva’s name from the list of candidates vying for the election, having taken an oath of office twice as governor of the state.

    Justice Donatus Okorowo, of the federal high court, Abuja, had on October, 9, disqualified Sylva as candidate in the November 11 governorship election.

  • Supreme Court Has Legalized Forgery In Nigeria -Atiku

    The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the February 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has described the recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld President Bola Tinubu’s election as a legitimate endorsement of forgery.

    Speaking in a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, Atiku Abubakar expressed his disappointment with the Supreme Court’s verdict of October 26, 2023. 

    Atiku claimed that the apex court had effectively legalized forgery and illegality by affirming Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as Nigeria’s President.

    Atiku argued that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the 2023 presidential poll and criticised the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that it left much to be desired.

    The PDP had also expressed its dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s judgment, claiming that the court had failed Nigerians by upholding Tinubu’s victory.

    Atiku and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, had previously challenged Tinubu’s victory, citing various issues, including double nomination, alleged certificate forgery, non-transmission of election results electronically, and concerns about the vote percentage in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

    However, the Justice John Okoro-led panel of the Supreme Court dismissed all their appeals, upholding Tinubu’s electoral victory.

  • Tribunal Affirms Fintiri As Adamawa Governor

    *It’s A Victory For Democracy, Rule Of Law, Says Fintiri

    The Adamawa Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Saturday affirmed
    the election Gov Ahmadu Fintiri in the March 18 poll, dismissing the petition by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Aishatu Binani.
    Delivering the judgement, Justice Theodora Uloho, the Chairman of the tribunal said the petition failed to established the allegation of non adherence with the Electoral Act during the election.

    “The petitioner failed to establish the allegation of non- compliance with the electoral act and prove the case with cogent, credible and satisfactory evidence.

    “All documents tendered by the petitioner were dumped on the tribunal and that the star witness did not demonstrate any of the documents to link it with any of their material allegation in the petition,” she said.
    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Fintiri as the winner after he scored
    430,861 votes to defeat Binani who scored 398,788 votes.
    However, Binani filed a petition challenging the declaration, alleging that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the electoral act.
    Reacting, Mr Sani Garba, the Counsel to Binani said he would study the judgment and intimate the petitioners on the next line of action. 

    Meanwhile, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has described his victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as “victory to democracy and the rule of law”.

    Fintiri stated this shortly after the tribunal dismissed APC’s Aishatu Binani petition against his re-election for the second term in Yola on Saturday.

    Reacting, Fintiri assured the people of good governance. According to him, this victory is also a victory for doing more to ensure massive development in the state.

    He called on the litigants to step aside in order to move ahead for the development of the state and county at large.

    He appreciated the tribunal judges for the role played in ensuring fairness and justice.

    Fintiri also commended his legal team, journalists and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for their roles from the time of the election up to the tribunal judgment.

  • Supreme Court Judgment: Atiku Holds World Press Conference On Monday

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, is scheduled to address the press on Monday, October 30, 2023.

    This announcement comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent dismissal of Atiku’s appeal and the affirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February presidential election.

    A statement from the PDP Publicity Office released on Saturday outlined the purpose of Atiku’s press conference.

    According to the statement, Atiku Abubakar will focus on addressing crucial national issues of serious importance.

    The press conference is set to take place at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, with the event commencing at 11 am. The significance of this address and its potential implications for the nation are eagerly anticipated by the public.

  • APC Debunks LP’s Accusation That Tinubu Will Witch-Hunt Peter Obi

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted allegations by the Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure that President Tinubu will harass Labour Party presidential candidate in the February 25 election, Mr. Peter Obi.

    Abure made the allegations while reacting to the Supreme Court’s judgement that upheld Tinubu’s election.

    The apex court had dismissed Peter Obi’s appeal against the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) that initially affirmed the former Lagos State Governor as the rightful winner of the presidential election.

    The court threw out Obi’s petition over failure to prove their allegations of electoral irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

    While rejecting the Court’s ruling, Abure said Tinubu is planning to use security agencies to persecute and intimidate Peter Obi.

    However, the APC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, called Abure’s claim untrue.

    He stated that President Tinubu is not the type to target his rivals, while describing the allegation as satanic and mischievous.

    Meseko pointed out that Tinubu has a history of including critics in his government, promoting unity, and even invited the Labour Party to join.

    “Even this so-called Labour Party was invited on board. But most of their people were busy criticising him, saying he wanted to put their people in government so the party wouldn’t pursue their case in court again and all that. I am saying this confidently that there is no iota of truth in what the LP chairman is saying.”

  • Supreme Court Victory: Senate President Congratulates Tinubu

    Supreme Court Victory: Senate President Congratulates Tinubu

    President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the reaffirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court describing the decision as reflective of the will of the people.

    Akpabio in a congratulatory message to Tinubu by Eseme Eyiboh, his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, said the decision of the apex court was a welcome relief.

    He said the victory finally unfastens the last bolts to the path for social-political engineering that President Tinubu promised the nation.

    “Mr President, I am personally elated that the jurists of the Supreme Court saw through the arguments and even without much technicalities easily confirmed your victory in the poll.

    “There is no doubt that victory came at a cost, but Mr President, that makes it even sweeter.

    “I know you have in your years of public service yielded your personal and other comforts for the collective good and what it cost to confirm the victory in the courts should be seen with a similar vista,” he said.

    Akpabio also urged the president not to relent in being a father figure to his former rivals, saying that it is superfluous to remind the president of his well-known big heart.

    He also called on the major rivals of the president to sheath their swords of political combat and join hands with his administration in the collective goal of making the nation great again.

    “The elections have been announced by the electoral authorities and confirmed by the courts, and I call on all former political rivals of the president to show good faith by joining hands with the Bola Tinubu’s administration in its ongoing efforts to take the nation to a higher level,” he said.

    He said that the National Assembly would continue to support the Tinubu Administration by leveraging its legislative tentacles to raise the level of governance to a higher pedestal.

  • Tinubu Celebrates Supreme Court Verdict, Vows To Rebuild Greater Nigeria

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his gratitude over the Supreme Court ruling that reaffirmed his election on February 25, whilst reiterating his commitment to building a stronger, united, and more prosperous Nigeria.

    Tinubu welcomed the verdict of the Justice John I. Okoro-led Panel of the Supreme Court on Thursday, which upheld the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. The candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party had filed petitions challenging the tribunal’s decision.

    “The court has done justice to all issues put up for consideration in the petitions on the merits of the law, without fear or favor,” President Tinubu stated.

    The President praised the diligence and professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter, affirming that the verdict solidified Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy.

    The President’s faith in Nigeria’s judiciary remained unwavering, despite pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors. He lauded the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and defending humanity.

    The ruling affirmed that President Tinubu’s party, the All Progressives’ Congress, had secured the popular mandate of Nigerians, paving the way for his leadership during a transformative period in the nation’s history.

    Tinubu further underscored his commitment to serving all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations, tribes, or faiths.

    The President’s renewed his Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria, saying that it has gained momentum, and pledged to work tirelessly to meet the collective aspirations of the citizens.

    “We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together,” he affirmed.

    President Tinubu urged Nigerians to unite in their diversity and direct their energy toward building a stronger and more prosperous nation. He expressed his hope that the spirit of patriotism would inspire support for his administration’s efforts to improve the living conditions of the people.

    Tinubu concluded by extending his gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve the country, promising to exceed their expectations in service delivery and good governance. He concluded with a prayer for the continued blessings of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The President’s statement reflects his determination to lead Nigeria into a future marked by unity, progress, and prosperity, as the country continues on its path of transformation and growth.

    SEE FULL STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR

    IT IS TIME FOR US TO BUILD OUR GREAT NATION TOGETHER

    I welcome the verdict of the Justice John I. Okoro-led Panel of the Supreme Court on the Presidential Election petitions filed by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, challenging the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

    The court has done justice to all issues put up for consideration in the petitions on the merits of the law, without fear or favour.

    There is no doubt, with the profound judgment of today, that our electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in our national identity because of the diligence and undaunted professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter.

    While the verdict of today has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 Presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, I want to reiterate that my faith in our nation’s judiciary has never been shaken, not even for a moment, because I know that our hallowed courts of law will not fail to administer justice to all Nigerians in all matters and at all times. Despite the fusillade of pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors, the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defense of humanity.

    It was affirmed once more today, that my party, the governing All Progressives’ Congress, had freely and fairly won the popular mandate of Nigerians, which has since given rise to my leadership of this great nation at a tumultuous period of unprecedented reforms in our history as a nation.

    With deep gratitude to God Almighty, I solemnly and humbly accept today’s judicial victory with an intense sense of responsibility and a burning desire to meet the great challenges confronting our people.

    The victory of today has further energised and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths, with honour and total respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of our citizens.

    Our Renewed Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria has further gained momentum and I will continue to work from morning to night, every single day, to build a country that meets our collective yearnings and aspirations.

    We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together. The strength of our diversity and the great citizenship that binds us must now compel us forward in directing the energy of our people towards building a virile, stronger, united, and more prosperous country.

    In the days and months ahead, I trust that the spirit of patriotism will be elevated into supporting our administration to improve the living conditions of Nigerians. I am prepared to welcome the contributions of all Nigerians to foster and strengthen our collective progress.

    I send my immense gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve our country. I promise again to meet and exceed your expectations in service delivery and good governance, working with my team and trusting in the grace of God.

    May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Senate Swears In Amos Yohanna To Replace Sacked Abbo

    Amos Yohanna, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was officially sworn in as the senator for the Adamawa senatorial north district. 

    The oath of office was administered by Jibrin Barau, the deputy president of the senate, during a ceremony held on Wednesday.

    This development follows the recent court of appeal decision that led to the removal of Elisha Abbo, the former senator representing Adamawa north.

     Abbo had made accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio in connection to his removal, but he later retracted the allegations.

    Yohanna’s path to the senate was paved with legal action. 

    He filed a petition (marked EPT/AD/SEN/02/2023) challenging the outcome of the senatorial election, contesting that Abbo’s election should be invalidated due to corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. 

    Yohanna specifically cited over-voting at various polling units, false entries, alteration, and cancellation of votes at several polling stations. 

    He also pointed out that some of these alterations and cancellations were not properly signed by the presiding officers of the polling units.

    While the tribunal initially dismissed Yohanna’s appeal, the court of appeal ultimately upheld it, solidifying his position as the senator for Adamawa north district.

  • I Believe In Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Says Tonto Dike

    *Actress/Politician Explains Why She Joined APC

    Nollywood actress turned-politician, Tonto Dikeh, has shed light on her decision to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led by President Bola Tinubu.

    In an official statement posted on her Instagram page, the 37-year-old emphasized that “facts accompanied with evidence” were the driving forces behind her decision.

    During her unveiling at the APC headquarters in Abuja, Tonto Dikeh expressed her commitment to working for the greater good of Nigerian youth, women, and the country as a whole. 

    She pointed to the importance of impactful leadership, which she believes comes from visionary leaders dedicated to selfless service to humanity.

    Dikeh, known for her advocacy work through the Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS) in partnership with the Federal Government, underlined her strong belief in Nigeria’s prosperity under the “RENEWED HOPE AGENDA” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    She concluded by saying, “This is not a win for me alone but a win for our dreams, hope, and struggles to ensure we make our unborn generation proud with good legacies. I am headstrong for you Nigerians, and in due time, you will surely feel the positive impacts of my decision as it will be evident through us all.”