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Category: Politics Lite

  • Presidential Tribunal adjourns Obi, LP’s petition until Friday

    Presidential Tribunal adjourns Obi, LP’s petition until Friday

    The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), has further adjourned pre-hearing in the petitions filed by Mr. Peter Obi and his Labour Party until Friday.

    The panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, adjourned after parties submitted on their meeting promised on May 10 on exchange processes and responses and harmonization.

    After listening to the submissions, Tsammani, said the petitioners would state their position documents and tender documents.

    “The petition is further adjourned until May 19 (Friday).

    Following the agreement by all the parties in the petition on May 10, the court adjourned until today (Wednesday).

    Obi and the LP filed petitions marked CA/PEPC/03/2023.

    The respondents are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Sen.Bola Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shettima and All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Counsel for the petitioners, Dr Levi Uzoukwu, SAN drew the attention of the court that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to produce the documents asked for.

    He argued that INEC provided less than 30 percent in Rivers and Sokoto states.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) counsel, Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN pledged to hasten the proceedings.

    He claimed that the petitioners refused to attend the meeting of the parties agreed on at the last sitting on May 10.

    He said that he called the petitioners’ lead counsel to ask why their team was not at the meeting and he said they were not aware.

    Mahmoud alleged that the petitioners walked out of the meeting on Tuesday.

    Counsel to Sen. Bola Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shettima, Wole Olanipakun (SAN) similarly said that after the agreement on May 10 by all parties, the 2nd and 3rd respondents set up a team.

    He said the team was led by Ogwu Onoja, SAN and A.A. Malik, SAN, and others.

    Olanipakun said he put a call across to the petitioners’ lead counsel asking how they would proceed in court today.

    He added that the petitioners failed to respond to their documents filed, saying they needed up to Friday to respond.

    The APC counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, aligned with the accounts of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents’ counsel.

    He said there should not be a mistake of subpoena at this stage, it is whatever document produced that should be brought to the table.

    He further said that the petitioners should look at the fundamental cause which is the refusal to pay the necessary fee as required by the law

    He added that the court officials were present when the petitioners walked out, adding, Victor Umoh, SAN and others represented the team for the 4th respondent.

    He said the effect of the report was that all true certified documents will not be objected to.

    Responding, the petitioners’ counsel, Uzoukwu told the court that he was concerned over the language of his colleagues.

    The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had declared Tinubu winner of the Feb. 25 presidential election after securing majority of votes cast at the poll.

    He said Tinubu met the constitutional benchmark of scoring 25% in two-thirds of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    Disagreeing with the outcome of the result, Obi and his party, LP filed a petition challenging the victory. 

  • Lamidi Apapa’s LP faction causes pandemonium in court

    Lamidi Apapa’s LP faction causes pandemonium in court

    There was palpable tension on Wednesday at the Court of Appeal premises, venue of the Presidential Election Petition Court as two factions of the Labour Party clashed.

    NIGERIA ANCHOR had reported earlier how both factions engaged in a war of words over who was the authentic Labour Party (LP) representative in court.

    Trouble started when Lamidi Apapa, factional chairman of the party, walked into the court premises alongside some of his supporters.

    Apapa, who is locked in a battle with Julius Abure, suspended chairman of the party, had arrived the court for the case of a petition that Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the party, filed against the victory of President-elect Bola Tinubu.

    He made an attempt to sit where Labour Party officials were and a shouting match ensued.

    “Who are you?” a party official asked Apapa, who fired back saying, “You don’t know me? Look at the way you are talking, who are you too?”

    As the argument continued, Apapa raised his voice, saying, “Get up, you can not sit down here!”

    Secretary of the Presidential election court, Josephine Ekperobe, quickly moved in to ensue normalcy.

    Later when the Labour Party matter was called, Obi and the party’s Women Leader, Dudu Manoga, introduced themselves on the record of the court.

    But when Apapa stood up to introduce himself as the National Chairman, the presiding justice of the court, Justice Haruna Tsammani, requested him to stop the introduction as the court would not recognise the ‘National Chairman’ on record.

    Abure, who sat next to Obi, did not, however, attempt to introduce himself.

    Apapa had earlier vowed to take control of the party and to withdraw the petition and motions before the court ahead of the sitting following the ruling of an FCT High Court sustaining Abure’s suspension. The LP has since appealed the ruling.

    During Wednesday’s sitting, the LP’s lawyers, the lawyers to Bola Tinubu, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are expected to show the extent of their harmonisation of non-contentious issues and motions to be relied upon during the main hearing.

    Shortly after the proceedings, as journalists were about to conduct an interview with the factional Chairman of the Labour Party, Lamidi Apapa, they were met with stiff resistance from loyalists of Julius Abure, another factional leader of LP.

    The faction loyal to Abure shouted and dragged Apapa up and down, shouting “You must not talk, you are an impostor, thief, thief, thief…”.

    It took the intervention security operatives to contain the pandemonium as they battled to liberate Apapa from the irate Abure loyalists.

    At the time of this report, Apapa had been taken into protective custody by the police.

    Signs of trouble started when Apapa wanted to announce his appearance in court after the LP National Women Leader, Mrs. Dudu Maluga had announced her name.

    However, when the Chairman of the PEPC, Justice Haruna Tsammani noticed the faction in the courtroom, he refused to record their appearance again.

  • US to impose travel ban on people undermining Nigeria’s democracy

    US to impose travel ban on people undermining Nigeria’s democracy

    The United States has moved to impose visa restrictions on several individuals for allegedly undermining the democratic process in Nigeria, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.

    “Today, I am announcing that we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle,” Blinken said in a statement.

    “These actions are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the government of Nigeria as a whole,” he added.

    Blinken did not identify the individuals who were sanctioned but emphasised that they would be barred from entering the United States under a policy covering those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy.

    “These individuals have been involved in the intimidation of voters through threats and physical violence, the manipulation of vote results, and other activity that undermines Nigeria’s democratic process,” he said.

    Washington took steps to impose these visa restrictions in order to show its commitment to democracy in Nigeria, he added.

  • Court bars NYSC from further disclaiming Enugu governor-elect’s certificate

    The Federal High Court, Abuja has restrained the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from further publishing a disclaimer, denying the issuance of a certificate dated Janaury 6, 2003 to the Enugu state Governor-elect, Mr. Peter Mbah.

    Ruling on an ex-parte application moved by Mr. Emeka Ozoani (SAN), on behalf of Mbah, Justice Inyang Ekwo also barred the NYSC Director, Corps Certification, Mr Ibrahim Muhammad from continuing to issue a disclaimer to the effect that Mbah’s NYSC certificate was not issued by the NYSC.

    Ozoani brought the motion under Section 13(1) & (2) of the Federal High Court Act Cap F12, Vol. 6, Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Order 26 Rule 6(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.

     Justice Ekwo granted prayer one on the motion paper.

    The judge, however, refused to grant prayer two saying that it was far-reaching but rather ordered the plaintiff to put the defendants on notice.

    He said that the second prayer was an issue to be adjudicated upon in the substantive suit.

    Consequently, the trial judge ordered the applicant to serve the defendants with court processes within two days of the order.

    The motion ex parte was predicated on 10 grounds.

    He said that after graduating in law from the University of East London in 2000, returned to Nigeria and as a pre-requisite to practice as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, applied and was admitted into the Bar part 1 programme of the Nigerian Law School.

    Mbah said upon completing the bar part I exam, he had to wait for the bar part 2 programme, and was advised that instead of spending time idling around, he should proceed to the mandatory one year NYSC programme.

    He said he was called up for NYSC and was deployed initially to Nigerian Ports Authority Apapa for his primary assignment but was rejected by NPA, before securing the law firm of Ude & Associates.

    “The plaintiff in the course of his service year and after six months of NYSC, applied and was granted approval to defer the NYSC in order to enable him complete the bar final exam.

    “Thereafter, the plaintiff was re-mobilized to finish the NYSC programme, which he did complete.”

    Mbah averred that upon completion of the NYSC, he was issued the certificate of National Service No. A.808297 dated January 6 2003.

    Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until May 22 for a hearing of the motion on notice.

    The NYSC had on Feb. 1 written a letter signed by Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, saying that the NYSC certificate belonging to Mbah was not issued by the corps.

    Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the Enugu state governorship election held on March 18.

  • Senate Presidency:  Sanwo-Olu receives ‘Stability Group’, supports Akpabio

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday expressed support for the ambitions of Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Sen. Barau Jibrin as President and Deputy President of the 10th Senate, respectively.

    Sanwo-Olu expressed his support at a consultative visit to Lagos House, Marina, when he received members of the “Stability Group’’, consisting 69 senators-elect, who already endorsed Akpabio and Jibrin.

    He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination process to pave the way for election of senate leadership was in order.

    He noted that Akpabio’s team possessed the political credentials and leadership qualities to bring about uncommon transformation in the country.

    The governor said he aligned with APC’s zoning decision having read the legislative agenda initiated by the Akpabio-led group to raise the bar of law-making.

    He stressed that it was instructive that the group was prepared to collaborate with the incoming administration of the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

    He urged the senate leadership nominees to make purposeful legislations their priority, while maintaining harmonious working relationships with other arms of government without compromising legislative independence.

    “Having discussed plans and agenda presented by `Stability Group’ led by Sen. Akpabio extensively, I believe it is appropriate that we, in Lagos State give them our official endorsement.

    “This is a project for the stability of the country which will benefit Nigerians, especially the people who elected these distinguished lawmakers-elect.

    “They are committed to working harmoniously with the Executive arm of government and this will bring about a win-win for all our citizens and for democracy.

    “We are encouraging other lawmakers-elect who are yet to be on this group to fall in line.

    “I also appeal to the `Stability Group’ to continue its consultation and collaboration and not to take anyone for granted,’’ Sanwo-Olu said.

    He added that members of the group had assured him that they would make the senate leadership as inclusive as possible.

    “The diversity they are preaching is reflected in the number of senators-elect in the group; it is not one party. The membership cuts across all parties that are represented in the National Assembly.

    “I believe the incoming 10th National Assembly will be about great possibilities and shaping new course for the nation.

    “Given the outstanding profile and experience Sen. Akpabio and his group are bringing to the table, I believe there will be new standards and new legislative records will break.

    “I will only urge the incoming senate leadership to surpass whatever achievements recorded by the 9th Senate,’’ the governor added.

    Akpabio, a former Senate minority leader representing Akwa Ibom Northwest, described Tinubu as “God’s own choice’’ for the country’s leadership.

    He noted that the incoming Tinubu administration required the support of dynamic legislative leadership to work together to deliver promises made to Nigerians.

    The former Akwa Ibom governor said he would deploy multi-faceted, multi-dimensional and national approaches to law-making, if he became senate president.

    He said that the Senate under his leadership would have a complete control over its affairs without being confrontational with the Executive arm of government.

    Akpabio said that he and his proposed deputy would work with the Tinubu administration to make the country better and make laws that would support development.

    “The `Stability Group’ of the 10th Senate is made up of men and women of integrity. We came to present ourselves to the Lagos State governor and to solicit his support.

    “He has thrown his support behind us; he has shown so much hospitality. Today, he endorsed my humble self as President of the 10th Senate and Sen. Jibrin as Deputy Senate President-designate.

    “We are not taking this support for granted. This team has senators-elect from different political backgrounds and parties,’’ he said.

    Akpabio added that the group was determined to ensure collaboration and support for the incoming administration of Sen. Tinubu whose presidency is a nationalistic project that will bring positive development to Nigeria.

    “We want Sen. Tinubu to replicate what has happened in Lagos in the last 24 years of democracy to cover the rest of the country.

    “Particularly, we are challenged by the economy; we want to see serious improvement in Internally-Generated Revenue of the nation to enable us to repay our loans.

    “We want to see more foreign direct investments. We will support Tinubu through favourable legislations to ensure Nigeria remains investment-friendly and the business destination in Africa,’’ Akpabio stressed.

  • Fresh suit seeks to stop Tinubu’s swearing-in on May 29

    *Plaintiffs apply for restraining order against CJN

    With barely 17 days to the scheduled swearing-in of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, five residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for an order to halt the ceremony.

    The plaintiffs, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/578/2023, applied for an order, restraining the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, any other judicial officer and/or any other authority or person from swearing in any candidate in the February 25 presidential election as President or Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, until it is judicially determined with finality or in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution that such candidate has fulfilled the requirement of Section 134(2) (b) of the Constitution.

    They further want a declaration that, “the plaintiffs and other FCT residents have a legal interest and constitutional rights to be heard on the question of whether a President-elect must secure at least 25% of votes cast, on the first ballot, in the FCT, Abuja.”

    “A declaration that no state of the country is at the same time the FCT for any propose whatsoever, including, in particular, under section 134 (2) (b) of the Constitution.

    “A declaration that no candidate in the February 25 presidential election in the country may validly be declared elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without that candidate obtaining at least 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, Abuja.

    “A declaration that no candidate in the February 25 presidential election may validly be sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without such candidate having obtained 25% of the votes case in FCT, Abuja.

    “A declaration that following the February 25 presidential election and until a successor is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and sworn in, the term of office of his Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria subsists and endures in accordance with the provisions of section 135 (1) (a) of the Constitution”.

    As well as, “An order setting aside or suspending any declaration and/or issuance of a Certificate of a Return to any candidate in the February 25 presidential election in the country as having been elected, save and except it is judicially determined with finality that such candidate fulfilled the conditions stated in section 134(2) (b) of the Constitution.

    The five plaintiffs behind the suit, who identified themselves as “registered voters of the FCT, Abuja are; Anyaegbunam Okoye, David Adzer, Jeffery Uche, Osang Paul and Chibuike Nwachukwu.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and the CJN were cited in the matter as 1st and 2nd defendants, respectively.

  • Senate Presidency: Yari, Kalu, Musa petition APC over consensus candidate

    Three angry All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators have petitioned the party’s secretariat over the adoption of consensus candidates for the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly.
    The senators include Sen. Abdulaziz Yari (APC-Zamfara), Sen. Sani Musa (APC-Niger) and Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia).
    Presenting their grievances during the visit on Thursday in Abuja, Sen. Abdullazizi Yari, said that the fourth senator, Osita Izunaso couldn’t join the group on the visit due to unforeseen circumstances.
    “We are here to present our letter of grievances to you and also tell this honourable house as a leaders, that we are not satisfied with the arrangement.
    “What we are expecting from you people is to give us a fair play, at least if nothing, to mention that a particular position is zoned and anybody in that zone can’t participate,” Yari said.
    He added that the lawmakers had done their best to ensure that the party remained in power and deserved to be carried along in its decisions.
    Yari added that politics was all about dialogue and communication, saying that all sides should be given a fair hearing.
    Responding, the APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, said the zoning of the Senate Presidency was done in concert with stakeholders and some Senators.
    Adamu, the APC National Chairman while welcoming the lawmakers, expressed satisfaction on their visit and decision to come open with their grievance.
    “As chairman of the APC and members of the NWC, we take responsibility, I take responsibility for what has gone on air, and in that spirit, I welcome you to this office on behalf of my colleagues.
    “Yes there was no sufficient or adequate consultations with you who are contesting and it is simple principle of democracy that you get views and opinions.
    “But the circumstances that we found ourselves in after the elections frustrated our desire,” Adamu said, adding that the party’s leadership would revisit the issue in the interest of all.
    While appealing to the lawmakers to be calm, the APC national chairman said the contributions of Sen. Bola Tinubu was however, critical on the issue of the 10th National Assembly.
    “Hold the fire until the last word is heard from us, we are the custodians of the party as NWC, but we are not acting alone.
    “The voice of Tinubu the President-elect is an essential voice. We must accommodate him, the best we can. I will not compromise on that.
    “He is right now outside the country and by the grace of God when he comes back we will go back to the drawing board and put our heads together again and see what we will get.
    “I cannot preempt that, I will wait until we hold that meeting with the President-elect,” Adamu said.
    He assured the lawmakers that the party’s leadership would go through your memo with a view to addressing issues contained in it.

  • Atiku’s motion for live broadcast proceedings for hearing May 18

    The Presidential Election Petition Court on Thursday in Abuja fixed May 18, 2023 for hearing of a motion on notice seeking live telecast of the proceedings of the Court.

    The Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Atiku Abubakar alongside his party, filed the motion.

    At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to Atiku, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) who the Court that the motion filed since May 7 has been served on all the respondents.

    He however said that none of the respondents comprising the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress APC have not responded to the motion.

    In reaction Tinubu, represented by a legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN promised to file his response.

    Similar undertakings were made by Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud SAN who stood for INEC and Charles Edosomwen SAN who represented the All Progressives Congress APC.

    Based on the agreement of counsel, Chairman of the Court’s panel, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani fixed Thursday May 18 for hearing of the motion.

  • 2023 Presidential Petition: APP withdraws suit against Tinubu, APC

    2023 Presidential Petition: APP withdraws suit against Tinubu, APC

    President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu

    The Presidential Election Petition (PEPC) is taking shape as another party, the Action Peoples Party (APP) has withdrawn its suit challenging the emergence of Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the President-elect in the 2023 Presidential election.

    At the Monday sitting, Action Alliance Party (AA) announced its withdrawal from the legal battle and the court granted their leave and dismissed the suit.

    As the court adjourned, it directed the parties to raise and agree on issues for determination. Ideally, today’s session is aimed at setting a procedure of engagement that will save a lot of valuable time when the real hearing begins.

    Consequently, at the resumed proceeding, counsel to APP, Obed Agu, informed the court of the motion on notice dated and filed on the 9th of May, indicating the party’s intention to withdraw the suit number CA/PEPC/02/2023, pursuant to paragraph 29, subsection 1, 2, 3, 4 of the schedule election petition. 

    “We adopt the affidavit and other affidavits against terms of withdrawal of this application. 

    “We want an order of the court to grant us leave to withdraw the petition, also an order to either strike out or dismiss the petition”.

    Responding, counsel to Tinubu (1st Respondent), Chief Woke Olanipeku (SAN), informed the court that they are not opposing the application for withdrawal.

    ”We commend the petitioner for the motion to strike out the petition and hope that more will still come.

    “My lords, we are not asking for a cost”

    On their parts, Counsel to APC, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, and counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, respectively aligned with Olanipeku and asked the court to grant the leave of the petitioner without cost.

    The court on the bench ruling, granted the leave of the petitioner and dismissed the suit without cost.

    “Having considered the application, we are certified that there was no collision on the part of the respondents. 

    ‘The petition is hereby dismissed, having been withdrawn. We award no cost,” the court held.

    Recall that Allied Peoples Party, APP, and Simon Nnadi are before the tribunal against President-elect Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Counsel for the APP, Obed Agu, told the court that the tribunal may wish to concede to the claim of his petition considering the weight of evidence against Tinubu and INEC.

    The APP wants the court to nullify the election of  Tinubu on the ground that he was not qualified to run.

     INEC’s counsel, Mahmoud Yakubu SAN, said he has applications against the APP and would love the court to hear it.

    Counsels for APC and Tinubu, Wole Olanipekun and Lateef Fagbemi, said they had preliminary objections against the APP also.

    After hearing them, the panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned to May 10, advising counsels to be ready to make submissions in their respective applications.

    He disclosed that after the pre-hearing session, the panel will then come up with a report, streamlining the issues for determination when the hearing begins.

    Meanwhile, Olanipekun told the judges that “experience has shown over the years, that it is better that issues be submitted after submission of evidence.”

    Responding to Olanipekun, the panel held that in other to save time for the court, it will consider the issues raised in the pre-hearing session, come up with its report and draw up the issues that will guide the court and parties during the hearing.

  • Throw out APM’s petition for lack of merit, Tinubu prays Court

    President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu

    The President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has prayed the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), sitting in Abuja to discountenance a petition, instituted by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) that seeks to nullify his election victory.

    Counsel to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, averred that the case in the petition marked: CA/PEPC/04/2023 lack merit and substance.

    Relying on Section 131(c) and 142 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, APM maintained that the withdrawal of Mr. Ibrahim Masari who was initially nominated as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, invalidated Tinubu’s candidacy.

    The party through its counsel, Mr. M. O. Atoyebi, SAN, argued that there was a gap of about three weeks between the period that Masari, who was listed as the 5th Respondent in the petition, expressed intention to withdraw and the actual withdrawal of his purported nomination, and the time Tinubu purportedly replaced him with Senator Kashim Shettima.

    They further argued that Tinubu’s candidature had elapsed as at the time he nominated Shettima as Masari’s replacement.

    According to the petitioner, as at the time Tinubu announced Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate, “he was no longer in a position, constitutionally, to nominate a running mate since he had ceased to be a presidential candidate of the 2nd Respondent having regards to the provisions of section 142 of the 1999 Constitution”.

    The party further contended that Masari’s initial nomination activated the joint ticket principle enshrined in the Constitution, stressing that his subsequent withdrawal invalidated the said joint ticket.

    It, therefore, prayed the court to declare that Shettima was not qualified to contest as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the APC as at February 25 when the election was conducted by INEC having violated the provisions the of Section 35 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    It want an order nullifying and voiding all the votes scored by Tinubu in the presidential election in view of his non-qualification as a candidate of the APC”.

    As well as an order to set aside the Certificate of Return that was issued to the President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.