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Category: North East

  • Supreme Court Reserves Judgment On Binani’s Suit Challenging Fintiri’s Victory

    Supreme Court Reserves Judgment On Binani’s Suit Challenging Fintiri’s Victory

    The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Aisha Dahiru, popularly called Binani, against the governor of Adamawa state, Ahmadu Fintiri.

    The tribunal and Court of Appeal had dismissed Binani’s petition challenging the victory of Finitiri in the governorship election held last year.

    The five-member panel led by John Okoro adjourned the matter for judgment after listening to the arguments of the parties involved in the matter.

    The main contention of Binani, through her counsel, Akin Olujimi, at the day’s proceeding, is that the controversial declaration by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari, was lawful.

    Monday’s decision came months after the Court of Appeal affirmed the victory of Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as Governor of Adamawa State and dismissed Binani’s challenge as lacking in merit.

    It also awarded the cost of N500,000 in favour of Fintiri and the PDP against Binani.

    That judgment aligned with the verdict of the tribunal on October 28, which dismissed Binani’s petition for failing to prove her allegations of over-voting by not tendering documents to prove her case faulting the outcome of the election.

    Before the legal tussle, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Fintiri as the winner of a dramatic governorship poll.

    Fintiri polled 9,337 votes besting Senator ‘Binani’ who scored 6,513 votes.

    But in a controversial move, Ari, while collation was going on, prematurely declared Binani as the winner of the election. This was contrary to the provisions of Section 25 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which gives only the returning officer the right to declare election results for governorship polls.

    Immediately after the announcement, INEC declared the pronouncement as of no effect. It thereafter suspended the collation of results of the supplementary election in Adamawa and invited the REC, Returning Officer, and all officials involved to report to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.

    Later on, police authorities arrested Ari, confirming that the INEC REC was in their custody. He is still in court facing charges.

  • Gombe Guber: Gov Yahaya election affirmed a S’Court

    Gombe Guber: Gov Yahaya election affirmed a S’Court

    The Supreme Court on Friday, dismissed an appeal by Jibrin Barde of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)challenging the election of Governor Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe state.

    The Apex court lead judgment read
    by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, unanimously dismissed an appeal by Barde for want of merit, incompetent and liable to be dismissed.

    Consequently, the apex court has affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, which had in November, 2023, upheld the election of Yahaya as Governor of Gombe State.

    The appellate court had upheld Yahaya’s election after dismissing two separate appeals challenging his declaration as winner of the March 18, governorship election in the state.

  • Adamawa Guber: S/Court affirms Gov Fintiri’s election

    Adamawa Guber: S/Court affirms Gov Fintiri’s election

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Governor Ahmed Fintiri as the authentic governor of Adamawa State.

    This is following the withdrawal of an appeal brought before it by the Social Democratic Party(SDP) and its governorship candidate, Dr Umar Ardo, challenging Fintiri’s victory for want of merit.

    SDP and its candidate had scored 6,000 votes and challenged the declaration of Fintiri and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who polled over 430,000 votes at the March 18, 2023 election.

    Specifically, Ardo and his party argued that the election was not conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

    The appellants in their submissions through Sylvester Imhanobe, upon discovering the hint of the apex court, the appellants withdrew their appeal, having been found unmeritorious.

    Justice John Inyang Okoro, who led a 5-man panel of Justices of the Court, dismissed the appeal without any cost against the appellants, thereby, affirmed the election of Fintiri as being validly elected and lawfully declared as the Governor of Adamawa State.

    Ardo and his party had filed a petition at the Adamawa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal after Fintiri, the candidate of PDP, was declared the winner of the poll.

    The petitioners had sought the nullification of Fintiri’s election on the grounds that there was substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act, corrupt practices, threats, and violence during the voting exercise.

    However, the tribunal, led by Theodora Uloho, dismissed the petition for being incompetent and not properly filed.

    They, however, headed to the Supreme Court for further interpretation.

  • New Year: Gombe Governor Pardons 39 Prisoners

    New Year: Gombe Governor Pardons 39 Prisoners

    In a move marking the New Year, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has extended clemency to 39 inmates serving sentences across correctional facilities within the state. 

    In a statewide broadcast on Monday, the governor emphasized the significance of this gesture in providing these individuals with an opportunity to reform and re-enter society as better citizens.

    Highlighting the decision’s basis on the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Governor Yahaya revealed that 26 inmates would receive unconditional pardons, while the sentences of the remaining 13 have been commuted to shorter durations.

    Governor Yahaya expressed hope that those benefiting from this clemency would seize the chance to start anew and contribute positively to society. 

    This initiative aligns with the administration’s commitment to rehabilitation and offering a second chance to individuals seeking to turn their lives around.

  • Gunmen Kill 2 Policemen In Anambra

    Tragedy struck in the Uga Community of Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, as gunmen unleashed terror, resulting in the deaths of at least two policemen and several others on Thursday, December 29, 2023.

    Residents urgently called upon security agencies and State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for intervention as armed assailants wielding AK-47 rifles conducted kidnappings and gunfire with impunity at the Uga junction. 

    Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and violent.

    The incident occurred at a junction leading to the homes of prominent political figures, including APC chieftain, Andy Uba, and PDP leader, Chris Uba. Reportedly, the gunmen abducted individuals from luxury cars, engaging in an intense exchange of gunfire when confronted by police officers.

    Disturbing video clips circulating on social media depict the aftermath, showing slain officers and abandoned SUVs with signs of forced abduction. Police confirmed the attack, revealing the assailants were disguised in military gear and likely crossed over from a neighboring state.

    Despite the brave efforts of officers from Enugu State attempting to thwart the attackers and ensure the safety of motorists, the gunmen managed to escape, leaving a trail of tragic fatalities and uncertainty in their wake.

  • Sultan, Kukah seek community involvement in tackling security challenges

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called for increased community representatives’ involvement in solving the lingering security challenges facing the nation.

    Abubakar, who was represented by Dr Jabbi Kilgore, the District Head of Kingori made the call during a town hall  organised by the Kukah Centre for Peace in collaboration with Global Right, an NGO on Tuesday in Sokoto.

    The Sultan said that bad governance, injustice and inequality were some factors contributing to insecurity.

    He enjoined leaders at all levels to be fair in dealing with their subjects and know that they would give an account of their stewardship after leaving this world.

    In his keynote address, Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah also identified religious intolerance, fanaticism and injustice as some of the factors responsible for insecurity in the country.

    Kukah also said  that sectionalism, fanaticism, injustice and religious intolerance were responsible for insecurity in the country.

    He urged stakeholders at the meeting to come together to form common front in curbing the menace saying insecurity know no religion.

    Earlier,  Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto state, represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Torankawa rreiterated the commitment of the government to partner with groups and association in promoting peaceful coexistence in the state.

    The Sokoto state commissioner of police,  Ali Kaigama, also emphasised on the need for public support to community policing drives initiated by the Nigerian Police.

    Kaigama said the police will continue to partner with the Nigerian army and other sister security agencies in tackling insecurity in the country.

    In his presentation, Prof. Tukur Baba, the Dean Faculty of Social Sciences in Federal University Birnin Kebbi dwelled on factors that promoted insecurity from pre-independece.

    Baba advised authorities to change the land use act, taxations and consider global, regional, national and community approaches to holistically deal with the problems of insecurity.

    He described the assessment by the National Bureau of Statics revealing the poverty index as glaring.

    ”This is the effect of insecurity, maladministration and poor people attitude in the northwest,” he said.

  • Police confirm one killed, 2 community leaders abducted in Bauchi 

    The Police Command in Bauch State has confirmed that gunmen killed one person and abducted three others, including two community leaders in the Ningi Local Government Area of the state. 

    The Spokesman of the command, SP. Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the development on Monday in Bauchi.

    He said that the gunmen attacked a community known as Balma, killing one person and abducting three others, including two community leaders late on Saturday.

    Wakil said the two community leaders were a village head in Balma community and a ward head in Bakutunbe community as well as one other person who was also abducted.

    The spokesman said that the command had on Sunday received a report from its Balma outpost that gunmen had attacked the village.

    “They shot sporadically and took away the village head, Alhaji Hussaini Saleh, who is 48 years old.

    Wakil said that the village head was abducted alongside one Idris Mai Unguwa and another man named Ya’u Gandu Maliya, who is 45 years old.

    “One Haruna Jibrin was however, shot in the head by the gunmen.

    “When the police received a distress call, a team was drafted to the scene, they rescued the victim and rushed him to General Hospital, Ningi where he was receiving treatment but he was later confirmed dead.

    “At present, the police in Ningi Division are combing the bush, trying to see how they can rescue the two abducted community leaders alive.”

    The spokesman appealed to citizens to always provide information on suspicious movements of people to security agencies for immediate action. 

  • Residents lament as water scarcity hits Bauchi

    Residents of Bauchi have decried lack of water supply within the metropolis, saying it has caused them untold hardship.

    Some of the residents said on Tuesday in Bauchi, that there had not been water supply within the metropolis in the last two weeks.

    A resident, Mr Emma Alex, expressed concern about the water scarcity, saying the situation could result in outbreak of epidemics, if something was not done urgently by the state.

    According to him, lack of potable water can also have a telling effect on the health of the children.

    Mrs Aisha Mohammmed, a resident of Wuntin Dada on the outskirts of Bauchi metropolis, said that the situation had forced people to depend mostly on those selling water through tankers, popularly called ‘mai ruwa’.

    This, she said, had resulted in increase in the price of water by the ‘mai ruwa’.

    According to her, a 20-litre keg of water now costs N400 as against N200 they used to buy it.

    “We are finding it difficult to have access to good water. We are experiencing serious water shortage,” she said, pleading with pleading with government to intervene and salvage the situation.

    Mustapha Isa, a resident of Dutsen Tanshi, said those living in the area had been experiencing water shortage since May without prior notice from the authority.

    Another resident, Rayyanu Wahu, of Durumi Biyu, Nassarawa Jahun, said that for ten days running, there had not been water supply, saying that the situation required urgent government’s attention.

    The situation was the same in Tashar Gulmammu Jahun, as a resident, Lukman Adamu, said that water supply to the area had ceased for the past nine days.

    A resident of  Zannuwa Primary School in Yakubu Wanka area of the metropolis, Malam Ahmad Musa, described the situation as ‘horrible’, calling on the state government to come to their aid.

    In his reaction, Managing Director of the State Urban Water and Sewerage Corporation (BSUWSC), Mr Aminu Gital, attributed the situation to lack of power supply from the electricity distribution company serving the state.

    Gital said that the corporation was currently finding ways of resolving the water scarcity with relevant authorities, calling on the citizens to be patient, as water would soon be available within the metropolis.

    He, however, urged the residents to always pay their water bills directly to the corporation or its accredited agents in their respective areas to enable it serve them better.

  • Buni sworn-in as Yobe Gov, pledges to serve with dignity, honour

    Alhaji Mai Mala Buni was, on Monday, inaugurated as the fourth democratically-elected governor of Yobe, with a pledge that he would serve the state with dignity and honour.

    Speaking at the inauguration in Damaturu on Monday, Buni thanked the people of the state for finding him worthy of being re-elected for a second term in office.

    “We are indeed very grateful. I extend hands of fellowship to all and sundry to join us in the task of building our dear state.

    “It is a duty we must discharge with dignity and honour. We are first and foremost collective stakeholders, dedicated to making Yobe State peaceful and prosperous, irrespective of any differences,” he said.

    The governor noted that his first tenure had recorded tremendous success in security, health care, agriculture, commerce, infrastructure, mass housing, water resources, environment, governance, mineral resources, law and order, public service reform and ease of doing business.

    He listed some of the achievements to include: resettling of persons displaced by Boko Haram, rehabilitation of all schools destroyed by the insurgents and rehabilitation and upgrade of 138 primary health care centres.

    Others, he said, were the establishment of livestock development centres in three senatorial districts, completion of three modern markets, construction of 2,500 housing units and enactment of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, among others.

    The governor paid special tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari for his ‘enormous support’ to the state and wished him well in his future endeavours.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Jagoran Talakawa, occupies a special place in my heart and the hearts of all Yobeans. We thank Allah the Almighty for enabling him to complete his eight-year tenure peacefully and strongly.

    “Allah endowed him with excellent health to the pleasure of his teeming well-wishers. Alhamdulillah. His administration had invested in the largest infrastructural development and had restored the integrity and dignity of all Nigerians.

    “I enjoyed a special relationship with President Buhari. I consulted him regularly for fatherly advice and will continue to do so.

    “As the president retires to Daura and into the hall of elder statesmen, I wish him Allah’s blessings, excellent health and happy retirement,” he said.

    Buni congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Vice- President Kashim Shettima for their election and inauguration, assuring them of his maximum cooperation.

    “President Tinubu deserved to be elected, more than any of the presidential candidates, given that he was at the forefront of restoring democracy in Nigeria.

    “On behalf of the good people of Yobe State, I assure him and the vice-president of our commitment and support in the onerous task ahead,” he said. 

  • Fintiri sworn-in for 2nd term in office

    Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa has been sworn-in for a second term of office in Yola.

    The Oath of office was administered to the governor by the state Chief judge, Justice Hapsat Abdurrahaman in Yola on Monday.

    Abdurrahaman also administered the oath of office to the deputy governor, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta.

    In his address, the governor thanked the people for their resilience, commitment, and dedication to the democratic idles.

    He said the 2023 governorship election witnessed an unprecedented drama, especially during the supplementary election.

    Fintiri said that his administration recorded tremendous achievements in infrastructure, education, agriculture transparency, and accountability.
    He added that other areas were environment and climate change, food security, civil service reforms, youth development, commerce and industry, and security.

    The governor promised to consolidate the gains recorded in his administration.
    “The oath we just took is a sacred act not just a constitutional duty,” he said.
    Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, thanked the electorate for voting for the party to ensure Fintiri’s second term in office.

    The ceremony was attended by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, traditional rulers politicians, members of the diplomatic corps, and former governors of Adamawa, Boni Haruna, and Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankombo.