Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, says the judgements of the appellate court sacking Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State should be reviewed because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed in its duty to conduct proper elections in the country.
Falana, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, said the votes of Nigerians should not be nullified by the courts because of the supposed negligence of the electoral umpire that shouldn’t have cleared candidates put forward by parties without primaries conducted.
He also said thousands of votes should not be invalidated by the court because INEC officials failed to stamp ballot sheets.
According to the senior lawyer, election matters should be concluded before the inauguration of any administrations.
In the last one week, the appellate court sacked three governors that INEC declared as winners in the March 2023 poll. All the three governors sacked by the appellate court are in opposition parties.
The court sacked Yusuf of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and declared his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Nasir Gawuna, as the winner of the poll.
In Zamfara, the appellate court sacked Governor Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when it declared the poll inconclusive about eight months after. The court ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in three local government areas of the state. PDP’s Lawal and APC’s Bello Matawalle are the major contenders in the race.
On Sunday, the appellate court sacked PDP’s Mutfwang and ordered INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to APC’s Nentawe Goshwe. The court held that the party violated the court order that a valid congress be conducted in the 17 local government areas of that state.
However, the appellate court affirmed the election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC in Lagos State.
Speaking on the judgements of the appellate court, Falana said INEC failed to perform due diligence before and during the elections.
He said all those dissatisfied with the appeal court verdicts can go to the Supreme Court.
“If you look at what happened in Lagos is different from what happened in Plateau. You are being told in Plateau that there was a judgement of the high court to the effect that primaries have to be conducted. The judgement, as usual, was dishonoured and disobeyed and the election went on,” the senior lawyer said.
He said the political class must learn to comply with the decision of the court.
“It is different from Kano where you are being told that voters can be punished. It is a very dangerous judicial policy to sanction voters for the mistake of electoral officers. We are being told that 165,000 votes are wasted, they are invalid because some electoral officers committed an error by not stamping them. How does that affect the validity of election?
“I do hope that this time around the Supreme Court will resolve these needless controversies surrounding the non-stamping of ballot papers by INEC officials who have not been recommended for any sanction.
“This is why these judgements will have to be reviewed.”
For the past couple of weeks, the call for the resignation of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has been growing louder as the governor continues to govern Ondo State from far away Ibadan in Oyo State.
DAILY POST reports that the governor has been in Ibadan since he returned from a medical trip in Germany and many in the state believe that governance in the Sunshine State has been on auto-pilot.
Akeredolu left Nigeria on June 13, 2023, for medical treatment in Germany and spent about three months before he returned to Nigeria on September 9. He had earlier notified the Ondo State House of Assembly that he would be taking a 21-day leave and transmitted power to his deputy to govern in an acting capacity.
Upon his return, the governor is yet to set foot in Akure, the state capital, instead, he is staying at his personal residence in Ibadan.
The First Lady, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has been accused of pulling the strings to allow the husband to continue the stay in power despite the reported ill health.
Ondo State has been in political turmoil since the governor returned from his medical trip as his loyalists are making frantic efforts to remove the deputy governor of the state for actions taken during the absence of Mr Akeredolu.
Move to impeach Deputy Governor
Lucky Aiyedatiwa is currently fighting to survive the ongoing political battle as loyalists of Mr Akeredolu are making moves to remove him.
The travails of the deputy governor commenced when Mr Akeredolu returned to the country, and all media aides in the office of the deputy governor were sacked.
The loyalists of the governor in the State Assembly listed 14 offences committed by Mr Aiyedatiwa, including “gross misconduct, abuse of office with actions likely to bring down Ondo State Government, financial recklessness, publication in print media by your media aides maligning the credibility of the Governor, etc”.
The impeachment move has sidelined the deputy governor, who has been fighting in the courts.
The intervention by the National Working Committee of the APC appears to have slowed down the move but the deputy governor seems to have been relegated completely.
However, in the past couple of weeks, the attention has shifted away from the deputy governor to Mr Akeredolu. Ironically, the governor, who was the President of the Nigerian Bar Association during the sickness of Umar Musa Yar’Adua, was very vocal in the call for the resignation of the then-president over his health.
“No matter how much you love your country, it should not be at the detriment of your health. It is not your party or your wife that will decide whether you are capable of handling state matters; it is only your doctors that can decide that. The bar is not asking the president not to come back and take his seat, but the right thing must be done,” Akeredolu had said in 2010.
Steps to declare Akeredolu incapacitated
Kennedy Peretei, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ondo State PDP, had called for the impeachment of the governor for violating the constitution.
“The time has come for the Ondo State House of Assembly to immediately begin the impeachment process of Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“It is no longer news that Ondo State has been on auto-pilot for nearly six months, grounding all activities of the government due to the ill health of the Governor,” he said in a statement.
However, the Assembly has consistently defended Mr Akeredolu and ignored any call for action.
According to legal experts, in the case of health challenges, the first move to remove the governor must start from the commissioners, who have the power to declare that the governor is incapacitated.
Rasheed Bakare, a legal practitioner in Abuja, explained to DAILY POST that Section 189 of the 1999 constitution provides the steps to be taken before a governor or deputy governor can be declared incapacitated to continue in that office.
According to section 189 of the Nigerian Constitution, only the commissioners of Ondo State can trigger the process of declaring Mr Akeredolu incapacitated.
The first step is that 2/3 of the state executive council must resolve that the Governor is incapacitated to continue in office.
“189. (1) The Governor or Deputy Governor of a State shall cease to hold office if, by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of all members of the executive council of the State, it is declared that the Governor or Deputy Governor is incapable of discharging the functions of his office,” the constitution reads in part.
After the resolution by the body of commissioners, the constitution provides that the speaker must set up a panel to examine the health status of the governor.
The medical panel must comprise five medical practitioners, including the physician of the governor. The panel must determine that the “Governor or Deputy Governor is suffering from such infirmity of body or mind as renders him permanently incapable of discharging the functions of his office, a notice thereof signed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly shall be published in the Official.”
Once the report has been submitted to the speaker, it must be published and the governor is officially removed.
Mr Bakare told DAILY POST that as the law stands, it is going to be difficult to remove Mr Akeredolu or any other governor in Nigeria on the basis of section 189.
According to the legal practitioner, since the Governor appointed the commissioners, it will be hard for them to recommend the removal of their boss.
“The challenge with section 189 is that it is hard to see a commissioner that will say ‘My boss, the governor is sick and unable to perform, so let us pass a vote to that effect’. It is hardly done. In fact, that provision needs amendment.
“Who appoints the commissioners? The governor. For them to pass a vote against the governor, owing to the infirmity of the mind or body— they won’t. It hardly occurs,” he said during a phone interview.
Last week, 33 out of the 35 State Executive Council members passed a vote of confidence on the ailing governor and declared their loyalty to him.
Only the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Razak Obe, and the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, and Cooperative Services, Akin Sowore did not sign the document.
There are indications that politicians in the state prefer to wait for the next election which is in November 2024. The primary election is scheduled for April next year.
Popular Nigerian musician, Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, a.k.a Mayorkun has disclosed why he decided not to reveal his mother’s identity for years.
Mayorkun, who stated this during a chat with Taymesan on Saturday, explained that the reason was because he didn’t want to be treated with favouritism anywhere.
Speaking in a viral clip on the internet, the singer noted that when he was at the university, he never made it known that his mother, actress Toyin Adewale was a popular movie star.
“Growing up, my brother and I didn’t like the fact that our mom was a popular actress because we wanted freedom, but with her fame came fake attention and all.
“I hated being treated differently, not because you like me but because I am Toyin Adewale’s son.
“Even in my university, people didn’t know she was my mother for four years. I was intentional about this.
“My mum brought food to me at school once, and a girl saw her. I quickly ran to her to get what she came with just so no one else saw her.”
The crisis rocking the oil and gas transport industry members has taken another dimension as the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, an arm of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, on Sunday, threatened to pull out of NUPENG.
PTD declared it would pull out of the oil union if NUPENG’s National President, Williams Akporeha, and its General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, failed to resign.
The tanker drivers disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja and jointly signed by Gbenga Olawale and Adekunle Rufai of PTD, Ibadan Depot.
They alleged that the NUPENG president lacked the required competence to lead the union because he was not a member of the oil union.
According to them, Williams was a cook in an oil company from the formal sector and was sacked from the company while holding the office of the national treasurer of NUPENG.
They further alleged that he was later drafted into the Petrol Station Workers Union of NUPENG to enable him to contest the election as NUPENG President.
“NUPENG president lacked the competence to lead the union because he was not a member of the oil union,” they claimed.
The development comes as DAILY POST reported that drivers had protested against NUPENG on November 1 over the imposition of leadership.
The Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress clashed on Sunday following the sacking of Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja.
In a judgment on Sunday, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Elphreda Williams-Dawodu ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Mutfwang and issue a fresh one to Nentawe Goshwe of the APC whom the court declared as the valid winner of the March 18 governorship election.
Mutfwang was the third opposition governor to be sacked by the Court of Appeal within three days.
Last Thursday, the appellate court nullified the election of another PDP Governor, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, declaring that the governorship election in the state was inconclusive.
The following day, the same court invalidated the election of the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, of the New Nigeria Peoples Party
Worried by the serial losses suffered by their governors and lawmakers at the courts, the PDP Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, declared that the recent court judgments were not in tandem with the law.
But the Director of Publicity for the APC, Bala Ibrahim, riposted that it was people who did not understand how the judicial process works that were accusing both the APC and the Presidency of trying to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
Mutfwang of the PDP had scored 525,299 votes while the candidate of the APC, Goshwe polled 481,370 votes in the March 18 governorship election in the state.
Goshwe challenged the victory of Mutfwang at the tribunal claiming that the governor was not validly nominated and sponsored by his party.
He also said there was non-compliance with the Electoral Act in the election.
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had dismissed his petition for lacking in merit, but Goshwe headed to the appellate court.
However, Justice Williams-Dawodu, in the lead judgment, set aside the decision of the tribunal.
The judge held that Mutfwang was not validly sponsored by the PDP and that he was not qualified to have contested the election because the PDP did not conduct valid state, local government, and ward congresses ordered by a High Court of Plateau State and it had no structure as at the time of the election.
Citing section 177 of the Constitution, she held that the governor was not validly sponsored by the PDP during the election.
She held that the party violated a court order, directing it to conduct a valid congress in the 17 Local Government Areas of that state.
Williams-Dawodu said there was no evidence that the PDP complied with a subsisting High Court order which had directed it to conduct the party congress prior to its sponsorship of the governorship and other candidates.
The court held that the issue of qualification is both a pre-election and a post-election matter contrary to the findings of the tribunal which held that the appellant lacked the locus to contest the validity of the respondent.
The court also noted that under section 134 of the Electoral Act, it is the sole right of a political party to sponsor its candidate having met the necessary requirements to do so.
She then ordered INEC to retrieve the certificate of return issued to the governor and issue a fresh certificate of return to the Goshwe.
Williams-Dawodu said,” The judgment of the Tribunal affirming the election of Governor Caleb stands to be set aside. The appeal is hereby allowed. The issue is resolved in favour of the appellants.”
PDP kicks
Speaking on the verdict, the Deputy PDP legal adviser, Osuoha, who said he did not have a copy of the judgment yet explained that there were three grounds for the election petition matter.
He said, “One is that when somebody is claiming that he won an election with the most number of valid votes, the person will have to prove it. The second is malpractice; the person who alleged would have to prove it.
“Then qualification; whether the person was qualified or not. So these are the grounds. It is in the public domain that Nigerians and PDP are not too comfortable with judgment from the courts.
“In the ruling party, APC, impunity is so much. They try to influence some of these institutions to force their party on Nigerians. That is the ugly side of it.”
Osuoha stressed that “Most of the recent judgments are not really in tandem with the law. Most times the justices come up with technicalities.
“The court now portrays itself as a court of technicalities and not a court of justice and it is not too palatable for our system, our country, and democracy.”
The lawyer noted there is still a window for the party and Mutfwang to appeal the judgment.
“The people hold the judiciary in high esteem so that confidence should not be eroded.”
“Nigeria is suffering today because most of our institutions are not strong. I believe that our legal system, our Court should stand out. The court should be impartial in their decisions,” he admonished.
Also, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor alleged that “the highest bidders were getting favourable rulings.’’
Osadolor warned “The clock is ticking and the thin patience of our people is running out. Our judges should remember the heroes past or become today’s heroes by excusing themselves from money-tainted judgments and pronouncements.
“Some people want to force APC on Nigerians, but we will resist it.”
Judicial rascality
Meanwhile, the New Nigerian People’s Party’s National Auditor, Ladipo Johnson described the judgment as part of the “judicial rascality that is unfolding.’’
Johnson in an interview with our correspondent declared that APC has a long way to go to foist itself on Nigerians.
He said “The bottom line is that the judiciary have put themselves on trial because of some inconsistent principle that we are seeing. Most recent judgments by the judiciary are very troubling to a lot of us in the Country.”
On whether this is a deliberate effort to foist APC on Nigerians, he said “Even if this is not an attempt to foist APC on Nigerians, it will have the effect. It is a long way for them to force APC on Nigerians because PDP has many states. So, it is far away from it.’’
The NNPP National Auditor declared “So there is judicial rascality going on. Yes, I haven’t read the judgment, but from the extract have seen, there is a sort of rascality going on. We no longer have confidence in the judiciary.
“But we are hoping that the Supreme Court will put some clarity on these issues and follow their precedent as it were.”
The leadership of the Labour Party also expressed concern that the administration of President Bola Tinubu might have been “using the judiciary to hound opposition parties and steal the mandate of the people.’’
Reacting to the sacking of three opposition governors by the court, the chief spokesman for the LP Campaign Organisation, Yunusa Tanko, concluded that the judgments might have been spurred by some ‘vicious’ persons in the executive arm of government who were using the judiciary as a tool to capture the states.
He said, “As I said earlier, these particular set of people in power are vicious politicians. I repeat the word vicious again for emphasis.
“Gradually, we are beginning to witness completely captured states where all the institutions have already been bought, intimidated or blackmailed to do the bidding of the present political party and the government in power.
“There is no hanky-panky about it. They are clear on what they want to do and they are putting our democracy in power.
“It is now left for us to really challenge these particular people otherwise they are going to take us completely to the cleaners. And they don’t care how, when, and where they do it as long as it favours them. This is the danger.’’
“Now the electorates are being discouraged from going out to vote for candidates of their choice knowing that the mandate can be snatched. They are already in control of the state apparatus.
“We had a similar situation at a point when the PDP was in power. These particular people in power will be referencing how virtually everybody was joining the PDP (during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration) then.
“There was no clear ideology and that was what gave birth to the APC conglomerate. But in this case, it is a different matter entirely. These people in power are just too vicious,” he stated.
But the APC Director of Publicity, Ibrahim, dismissed the allegations that the judiciary was induced by his party.
He said, “Nobody is turning Nigeria into a one-party state. These are some of the baseless allegations coming from people who don’t know how the system works. The judiciary is independent.
“There is just no way any arm or the executive can intimidate or make the judiciary act against its own wish. People are not applying their logic sensibly.
“There are areas where the ruling party has lost and we have castigated, lambasted or cast aspersion on the judiciary. We know the judiciary may have their reason to take the decision against us.
“That is not to say people should think it is the executive that is manipulating the judiciary every time we win.
“People should learn to be good sportsmen. Where you lose today, you may win tomorrow. We should have confidence in the system, ourselves and democracy.
“As long as we continue to be selective in our assessment of the system, we will always get it wrong. We should allow the judiciary to work with the psyche of independence and continue to encourage the system to strengthen democracy. Let us not be judgmentally selective.”
Temporary setback
In his reaction to the court judgment, Mutfwang described the loss as a temporary setback that will not deter him from repositioning the state on the path of unity, peace, and progress.
He expressed strong optimism that the mandate ‘’overwhelmingly given to him by the people of Plateau State would be restored,’’ as he had instructed his legal team to file an appeal at the Supreme Court.
The governor in a statement on Sunday, admonished citizens of the state and supporters of the PDP to remain calm, assuring them that “as long as God remains on the throne, the mandate of the people will be preserved and protected.’’
He reiterated his commitment to the rule of law and assured the people that there is light at the end of the tunnel, as he has unwavering faith in the judiciary and the constitution of Nigeria.
Mutfwang concluded with a strong appeal to supporters, as well as citizens of the state to maintain law and order.
He affirmed that Plateau will be victorious to the glory of God and reassured of his commitment to continually serve the state with dedication and integrity.
Meanwhile, former governor of Plateau State and Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has described the judgment as an affirmation of the mandate unanimously given to Nentawe and his running mate, Pam Bot-Mang, by the people of the state.
In a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Macham Makut, the minister said the development is a good omen for Plateau State ‘’as the Governor-elect, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda and his running mate will now have the opportunity to implement the Generation Next mantra and the ACEES agenda to take Plateau State to the next level.’’
The minister said though the PDP and its ousted candidate have the constitutional right to exhaust all the legal opportunities available to them, he is confident that Nentawe’s victory would endure.
Lalong appealed to the members of the APC and the governor-elect to be magnanimous in victory “and consider this joyous moment as a celebration for the entire people of Plateau State who are yearning for good governance, security and development.’’
He further called on the citizens of Plateau State to continue to be law-abiding and shun any attempt to incite them to take any unlawful action that is capable of threatening the peace and security of the state.
Reacting to the judgment in a statement on Sunday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Yusf Gagdi, described the development as the dawn of a new era.
Gagdi, who represents Pankshin/ Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Plateau State, said, “The triumph of lies over truth is indeed fleeting. It is the dawn of a new era in Plateau State with the victory of our Governor-elect, Nentawe Goshwe at the Court of Appeal today ( Sunday) where his victory was affirmed as the legally recognized winner of the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial elections in Plateau State, following the nullification of PDP’s pyrrhic victory.
“We have always indulged our teaming supporters to exercise restraint in their conducts, despite unwarranted provocation by our political opponents who unleashed all weapons of propaganda and emotional blackmail in their arsenals to sway the pendulum of justice and curry public sympathy in their desperation to hold unto power.
“Our belief in the judiciary as the bastion of justice and the last hope of the common man has always been unwavering, and we hold the same in the highest esteem as we look forward to approaching the final phase of the legal tussle.
“While I call on all APC supporters to be magnanimous in victory and celebrate this milestone with all sense of modesty, it is my fervent prayer that our joy shall never be cut short by the evil machinations of our adversaries.’’
[Punch]
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he does not miss his time as president.
Buhari made the disclosure in an interview with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).
Daily Trust reports that this is his first interview since leaving office on May 29, 2023.
The former president, when asked about what he misses from his time in office, responded saying: “Miss. I don’t think I miss much.”
The teaser of the interview was released by NTA on its X handle. The full version of the interview will be aired on Monday by 10:30 pm.
Buhari had previously said he would not miss his time in office because he was being “harassed”.
In December 2022, the former president said he was doing his best for Nigerians, but it was not good enough.
“I believe I’m trying my best, but still my best is not good enough. I wonder if I am going to miss much. I think I’m being harassed,” Buhari had said.
Between 2015 and 2021, Buhari spent 171 days on medical vacation in the United Kingdom.
2017 alone accounted for 152 days away.
“I think only my doctor can honestly answer this question,” he had said while speaking on the nature of his illness when he was president.
[DailyTrust]
Rosalynn Carter, wife of former United States of America President, Jimmy Carter is dead.
Carter died at the age of 96.
The news of her death was officially announced by the couple’s non-profit organization, the Carter Center, in a statement released on Sunday at 2:10 pm.
Rosalynn Carter, recognized as a passionate advocate for mental health, caregiving, and women’s rights, breathed her last at her residence in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by her family.
“Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a passionate champion of mental health, caregiving, and women’s rights, passed away Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2:10 p.m. at her home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 96. She died peacefully, with family by her side,” the Carter Center stated.
[DailyPost]
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Celebrates Icon of Democracy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, At 66
AdminOn behalf of the people and government of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu celebrates former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on his 66th birthday, for his unique demonstration of statesmanship and for his distinguishing achievement as a leader, who gave Nigeria and Africa, a pride of place in democratic lore by upending the vitiating paradigm of those who seek to hold onto power by all means.
President Tinubu shares the joyous occasion with one of our icons of democracy, whose humility continues to inspire hope for good governance in the country and on the continent.
The President believes the former President possesses a distinguished profile on leadership, rising up the ladder as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice-President and President, and now championing the cause of peace in Africa by bringing together and counselling leaders on harmonious co-existence for the benefit of the people they serve.
The President commends former President Jonathan for committing himself to the service of humanity and to strengthening democratic institutions, exemplified by his relentless peace missions and advocacy of non-violence in the peaceful transition of power across the African continent.
As the former President clocks 66, President Tinubu affirms that his wisdom, foresight, and patriotism will continue to set an example for leaders aspiring to make a difference in Nigeria and beyond.
The President prays that God Almighty will continually sustain the former President and his wife, Patience, in good health and strength.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 19, 2023
A total of 84,606 applications have been rejected by the Police Service Commission during the ongoing recruitment exercise into the Constable Cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Spokesman for the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday said that so far, a total of 547,774 applications had been received in the Police Recruitment portal which closes next Sunday, November 26, 2023, after it was opened on the 15th of October 2023.
Ani noted that Kaduna State maintained its first position as the state with the highest number of applicants with 40,272 while Anambra had the lowest number with 1,664.
The statement read in part “Out of the 547,774 applicants, 358,900 were successful and have qualified for the next round of the recruitment process which includes the physical, credentials, medicals and strict background checks of the applicants.
“A total of 84,606 applicants were rejected for overage. Applicants are expected to be between the ages of 18 and 25.
“Kaduna State maintained its first position as the state with the highest number of applicants with 40,272 with Anambra Still stuck in the last position with 1,664. Adamawa State is second with 36,398 applications, and Bornu State is third with 32,048. Benue State with 31,122 is fourth, Katsina State with 30,202 is 5th, Bauchi State with 30,604 is 6th while Kano with 30,004 is 7th.
“Ebonyi State with 2132 applications is next to Anambra from the rear, followed by Lagos State with 2324 applicants. Bayelsa state is 4th from the rear with 2651 while Abia has 2796 and 5th from the rear”
The statement quoted the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, as expressing his satisfaction with the number of applications already received.
It added “He (Arase) observed that it is obvious that Nigerian youths have decided to show incredible interest in pursuing a career in the Nigeria Police, a development he said augurs well for the “new Police we are building”.
“He appealed once again to the youths of the South-East to change their indifference to Police work, insisting that embracing anti-government criminal gangs will not lead them anywhere.
“He advised that they should be concerned about what becomes of the region in the future as no development can thrive in terror-ravaged communities.
“He noted that the commission will do its best to ensure that the recruitment is strictly based on defined criteria with merit and justice prevalent throughout the processes”.
President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, felicitated with former President Goodluck Jonathan, on his 66th birthday, saying his wisdom, foresight and patriotism continue to inspire leaders aiming to make a difference in Nigeria and beyond.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, conveyed Tinubu’s birthday message to Jonathan in a statement he signed on Sunday titled ‘President Tinubu celebrates icon of democracy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, at 66.’
The President celebrates Jonathan, “for his unique demonstration of statesmanship and distinguishing achievement as a leader, who gave Nigeria and Africa a pride of place in democratic lore by upending the vitiating paradigm of those who seek to hold onto power by all means,” Ngelale revealed.
He stated: “President Tinubu shares the joyous occasion with one of our icons of democracy, whose humility continues to inspire hope for good governance in the country and on the continent.”
Tinubu believes the former President possesses a distinguished profile on leadership, rising up the ladder as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice-President and President, and now championing the cause of peace in Africa by bringing together and counselling leaders on harmonious co-existence for the benefit of the people they serve.
Therefore, he commended former President Jonathan for committing himself to the service of humanity and to strengthening democratic institutions, exemplified by his relentless peace missions and advocacy of non-violence in the peaceful transition of power across the African continent.
As the former President clocks 66, President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will continually sustain the former President and his wife, Patience, in good health and strength.
More...
Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has finally openly declared to run for the post of governor months after the governor, Godwin Obaseki, took exception to his ambition and ostracized him.
The deputy governor declared that he’s the right man for the job and that the state which is bleeding and is in need of recaue does not need another experiment, in an indirect attack on the governor.
Shaibu who began to make the move months ago to contest the election came under attack from the governor who ensured he renounced his ambition.
He apologised to the governor on several occasions and various interventions from stakeholders and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, eventually calmed the situation.
But as the election draws closer, Shaibu, who restarted his desire for the governorship position met with the Edo State Journalists Forum in Abuja over the weekend where he said, “Those who know me know that I am not a friend to bankers,” in another shot at the governor.
“I have sunk boreholes, renovated many schools with private monies as Deputy Governor. I have built churches and mosques. I am not an advocate of keeping money in the banks. I have conscience, I am a Catholic,” Shaibu declared.
Speaking on Sunday, Shaibu said, “With the 2024 Edo Governorship Election fast approaching, the state could not afford to experiment again with someone who does not understand the politics of the state or the needs of the people.
“Edo people need practical governance and you cannot experiment again with somebody that does not understand the politics of a good state and the needs of the people.”
The News Agency of Nigeria quoted the governor as saying, “Everything we have to do should be assessed.
“You cannot know the needs of the people when you don’t live with them. So for me, competence and experience should be the watchwords as we go into the election in 2024.
“Who is competent? Who is more experienced? Who will hit the ground running from day one?
“Are we going to experiment with a new person again? And the person will spend the first four years learning on the job and he will spend another four years trying to embezzle, set up his businesses in the name of consolidating on the gains of the first term.
“Or we need a governor that from the day one will hit the ground running?”
He further explained that, “From my own experience, I have seen that for me to succeed as a Governor, there must be collaboration
“I understand the debt profile of the state and where I feel I can get funding to put up structure in the state. So, I won’t be coming to learn on the job, but to hit the ground running.”
Identifying what the problems are, Shaibu said, “You see, the problem, what we have in the system is that we have too many seminars, too many workshops, too many programs and you don’t have time to implement their outcomes.”
On the argument for or against rotational governorship, he said,
He challenged the argument that is being advanced for rotational governorship, noting, “There was not and had never been any convention in the state, either through political or traditional conferences where such position was zoned.
“Whoever talks about equity, must come with clean hands.
“Whereas other senatorial districts have had more than one turn in the governorship position in the state, Edo North had only one turn.
“We have had four governors from South, two from Central and only one from North.
“Just like my ambition to be the deputy governor was not mine, but I made myself available, so also the ambition to be governor is still not mine. I’m only making myself available.”
The Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the Labour Party, on Sunday charged its presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his counterpart from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Atiku Abubakar to emulate the President of Liberia, George Weah and congratulate President Bola Tinubu.
The Liberian President, Weah lost his re-election bid to opposition leader, Joseph Boakai.
Following his defeat, the former Ballon d’Or winner conceded defeat to Boakai.
However, the LP’s factional spokesman, Abayomi Arabambi, urged Obi and Atiku to team up with Tinubu in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.
A statement by Arabambi reads partly: “The Liberian Presidential Election, though still on as the electoral umpire is yet to declare the winner of the election, the results so far have compelled the incumbent President George Weah to congratulate the opposition candidate, Boakai, who is obviously the winner.
“The Labour Party believed that it’s instructive that elections like any competition would produce the winner and loser. This is why the behaviour and reaction of President George Weah even before the official announcement of the results of the presidential election in Liberia to his loss should be commended and African leaders should emulate.
“Nigerian leaders should emulate this spirit of sportsmanship.
“President George Weah of Liberia again has shown like Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari that incumbency is not a tool to be used to rig election and opposition should not be intimidated by incumbency.
“The time is ripe for former Vice-president and PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of LP, Mr Peter Obi to congratulate the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the former had explored all the opportunities availed by the Constitution and the Electoral Law.
“As a responsible leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan also did the same as George Weah, and today he is being reckoned with as a great pillar of democracy.
“The Labour Party therefore appealed to Obi’ and Atiku to support the administration and have faith in ongoing reforms.
“We had expected the duo to have buried the hatchet and join hands with the president in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Peter Obi and Atiku should exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship and congratulate the president and join hands with him to revamp the economy and deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians.”
‘There’s No Party Named PDP’ — LP Wins As Appeal Court Affirms Sacking Of Another Plateau Lawmaker
AdminThe Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Sunday affirmed the sacking of Hon. Rimvjat Nanbol of the People’s Democratic Party as the lawmaker representing Langtang Central State Constituency.
Nanbol had been sacked from the position by the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in September.
The tribunal declared Hon. Daniel Ninbol Listic of the Labour Party (LP) as winner of the state constituency election.
But the PDP Lawmaker approached the appeal court for final redress.
In a unanimous Judgment of a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal read out by Justice Okong Abang, they agreed that the Tribunal was right when it held it had jurisdiction to seat over internal affairs of a political party with regards to non-qualification and issue of sponsorship.
Abang upheld the Tribunal’s finding that the structure of PDP had collapsed after the Plateau State High Court declared in a judgment that the party failed to conduct a valid primary/Congress involving delegates from the 17 LGAs of the state.
“It is my view that without complying with court, there was no party by the name PDP in the election.
“It is a joke taken too far” for a political party to disobey an order of court, Abang held.
The judge explained further that a court of law has jurisdiction to entertain a matter bordering on a political party especially if that party disobeys a subsisting order of a court.
“The appeal lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed. The judgment of the Tribunal is hereby affirmed,” Abang held, adding that the LP candidate remains the lawmaker representing the said Constituency at the Plateau House of Assembly.
THE WHISTLER reports that with the latest judgment, about 5 PDP lawmakers have been sacked in relation to the invalidated primaries of the party.
Blue Line Rail: ADC’s Funso Doherty Queries Sanwo-Olu’s N2.1bn Contract Award To Consultant For Loan Facilitation
AdminThe Lagos State 2023 governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Funso Doherty, has queried alleged award of N2.1 billion to a consultant for engagement of loan facilitator and adviser on LRMT Blue Line project.
Doherty, who called for scrutiny of the contract award, said the state should not be engaging consultants for this purpose at a high fixed cost.
He stated this in an open letter dated November 17, 2023, to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu titled “Open Letter on Selected Public Procurement by LASG in the Period April – September 2023”.
“This award should be scrutinized for Value-for-Money. LASG should not be engaging consultants for this purpose at a high fixed cost. If deemed necessary, a modest engagement retainer (a fraction of this amount) combined with a more substantive fee that is contingent and payable upon successful fundraising, commercial and financial close should be negotiated through a competitive selection process,” Doherty stated.
The Blue Line commenced commercial operations in September. Doherty said the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure was planned to be on a public private partnership (PPP) and asked who is performing that function currently.
According to him, N70 billion was approved for the project in 2008 and it was expected to be completed by 2011, but added that only about half of it was recently completed.
“The Blue Line was planned to be operated and maintained by a qualified and competent operator on a PPP basis. This arrangement is not in place, but train operations have started Who is performing that function presently and who will manage, operate and maintain this Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Infrastructure that is now being procured by LASG from the main contractor (CCECC) at a cost of N40bn? Is it LAMATA? If so, does it have the capacity? How are safety, efficiency, accountability and financial results being assured, monitored and reported”?
“In 2008, N70bn was approved for the Blue line and it was expected to be completed by 2011. Phase 1 of the project, Marina to Mile 2, which is approximately half of the total proposed length, has just recently commenced limited operations in 2023. The overall cost incurred so far has not been disclosed. With this award of Phase 2 by LASG to the same contractor, at a cost of N218bn, what safeguards are in place to prevent a repeat occurence?” he queried.
Doherty pointed out that Advanced Engineering Consultants (AEC) and ROM Transportation have been engaged to update the Strategic Transport and Mobility Master Plan (STMP) for Lagos Mega City Area at a cost of approximately N5.5 billion, adding that AEC is implementing multiple aspects of the project as well as designing fourth Mainland Bridge.
“However the same company, AEC is also engaged by LASG in implementing multiple aspects of the STMP They have been awarded contracts for the Bus Corridors (see below), as well as the design of the fourth Mainland Bridge. It is not good practice and is a conflict of interest to engage a participating contractor with a vested interest in specific design or implementation contracts to develop or update the master plan,” he noted.
He also alleged in the letter that N18,468,000 was awarded to the office of the chief of staff for the supply and distribution of 2,000 Noiler chicken across the local government areas and wards in the state.
The politician further alleged that another sum of N440,750,000 was awarded to the office of the Chief of Staff for the procurement of a brand new Lexus LX 600 bullet proof Sport Utility Vehicle for use in the pool of the office of chief of staff.
“It is not clear why the Office of the Chief of Staff should be engaged in supplying and distributing Chickens across the state,” he said.
“This appears excessive and is out-of-tune with both the prevailing economic circumstances and mood of the people. It should be srutinized as to the need and justification for such a vehicle purchase and also value-for-money.”
Doherty also highlighted awards to the office of the governor also deputy governor. He said: “The sum of N7,475,000 also awarded for the “replacement of the liquid fragrance in the Office of Mr Governor, Lagos house, Ikeja.
“The office of deputy governor was awarded the sum of N30,000,000 for “monthly outreach of indigent citizens by wife of the deputy governor.
“Another N30,000,000 was awarded for monthly empowerment programmes of the wife of the deputy governor.
“The sum of N2,017,840,000 was awarded for the “provision of supply items (rechargeable fans, rechargeable lights and fridge in the office of the deputy governor.”