As Nigerians mark the country’s 63rd anniversary of independence on October 1, 2023, the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has promised good governance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a goodwill message signed by his Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje urged Nigerians not to despair, noting that the APC-led administration had already taken steps to reposition the country for growth and development.
The APC chairman urged Nigerians of all ethnic and religious backgrounds to maintain a culture of peaceful coexistence in order to ensure the country’s unity and cohesion.
He restated that APC will remain true to its promises and pledges to the people, stressing that none of them will escape the party’s attention and won’t be treated lightly.
Ganduje said the present administration of President Tinubu was ready to live up to the Renewed Hope manifesto of the APC – to reposition Nigeria towards sustainable growth, development and economic prosperity.
Today is indeed an auspicious day as it marks an epoch in the life of our dear nation. Sixty-three years ago, on this very day, our beloved country was granted independence to chart its destiny and build a new nation!
Without a doubt, you will agree with me that the journey has not been without obstacles. It has been characterized by opportunities, prospects and challenges including a three-year civil war which has brought out the resilient Nigerian spirit of perseverance, industry and abiding faith in the country.
Under this administration, Nigerians can rest assured that it will be fine again, that their worries will be made a thing of the past, that both the youth and age will be well secured.
There will be sufficient jobs with decent wages, medicare, housing and other basic infrastructure that can guarantee the citizenry a better life.
At this juncture, let me recognise and appreciate the immeasurable contributions, efforts, sacrifices and patriotism of our founding fathers, their vision, courage and perseverance laid the foundation for the emergence of this great and inspiring nation called Nigeria, he added.
The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday nullified the election of Miss Rukayat Shittu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The 26-year-old Miss Shittu was declared winner of the Owode-Onire constituency of Asa Local Government Area in the March 18, 2023 state House of Assembly election.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Abdullahi Yinusa Magaji, had filed a petition over the victory.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC were respondents in the case.
In the lead judgement delivered by Justice Ademola Enikuomehin, a member of the three-man tribunal, a rerun was ordered in five polling units.
“The petitioners failed in 12 among the contested polling units while five have been proved. The results so far released are hereby cancelled and the election inconclusive.
“It is my belief that the election of the five units is not substantial enough to void the election of 66 other polling units.
“In sum, the petition succeeded in parts and in consequence. I hereby order a rerun of the election in the above polling units to be conducted within 90 days,” the judge submitted.
After the victory in March, Miss Shittu made headlines as arguably the youngest lawmaker in the country.
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Celebrates House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, At 60
AdminPresident Bola Tinubu warmly felicitates with the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, as the reputable public servant attains his new age of 60 on Nigeria's Independence Day.
The President shares in the joy of Nigerians and well-wishers from around the world as they celebrate the humble Prince of Zazzau Emirate on his special day, particularly in view of his landmark contributions to the nation's House of Representatives as the legislator who sponsored the highest number of bills in the 8th Assembly between 2015 and 2019, before sponsoring a record-breaking 74 bills, out of which 21 were signed into law, in the 9th Assembly between 2019 and 2023.
The President notes that the Iyan Zazzau had equally served in numerous Committees in the House, such as Commerce, Finance, Special Duties, Defence, Public Procurement, amongst others, before emerging as the House Speaker through an election which recorded the greatest winning coalition vote in Nigerian Speakership election history with an overwhelming majority of 353 votes out of 359 votes cast.
President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will continue to grant the respected academician greater wisdom and strength as the Speaker successfully sustains the worthy legacy of stable and productive leadership in the House of Representatives from the hallowed seat in determined pursuit of the actualization of the Renewed Hope agenda of the governing All Progressives' Congress-led administration of the President.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
The FCT Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has impounded no fewer than 221 vehicles used by ‘one-chance’ robbers in Abuja.
The commandant of the FCT command, Olusola Odumosu, revealed this in an exclusive interview with THE WHISTLER at the weekend.
One chance robberies are perpetrated by criminal elements who disguise as commercial drivers to rob unsuspecting commuters of their valuables.
The criminals usually leave one seat unoccupied for a commuter and would rob their victim as the journey progresses.
Attacks on commuters by one-chance syndicates have continued in the federal capital, raising fears and concerns across the Federal Capital Territory.
Odumosu told THE WHISTLER that the NSCDC uncovered how the one-chance drivers use double plate numbers to avoid being detected by security agents.
“One of the major things we were able to achieve in the last operation which involved every agency, including civil defense, was this menace of one chance, where people are robbed while in motion. And it happens with all these useless drivers who claim to be commercial drivers, but in real sense, they are criminals.
“We discovered that a lot of vehicles that were used for such illicit operation carry a local plate number, meanwhile, they have foreign plate number underneath.
“And whenever their unsuspecting victims enter the vehicles, you see, even if you have written down the plate number, by the time they are in motion, they change the plate number to a foreign number, and they are untraceable.
“So, we’re able to clamp down on a lot of them. And a number of vehicles have been seized in this operation. About 221 vehicles were actually seized, impounded and arrested.
“How do you explain having two plate numbers, you know, for one vehicle, two different plate numbers, if you are not a criminal?
“So, we were able to launch out, and we raided the parks, we conducted stop and search on the highways, and we ensured that anyone with questionable vehicle particulars, even, aside from those with two plate numbers and different plate numbers were arrested,” he said.
Odumosu urged FCT residents to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence that will lead to the arrest of criminals perpetrating evil in the federal capital.
“I reactivated my critical national asset and infrastructure unit and my operations unit and since I’ve come on board, we have been conducting 24 hours patrol, day and night patrol, which of course have been giving us results,” he added.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to resume the legal dispute between Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the Federal Government on Thursday.
Currently held at the Department of State Services (DSS) detention facility, Kanu faces charges of treason and terrorism brought forth by the federal government.
This court battle has persisted since 2015.
On October 13, 2022, the Court of Appeal justices dismissed all charges against Kanu, aligning with the arguments presented by Mike Ozekhome SAN, the lead counsel for the IPOB leader.
The Court of Appeal not only absolved Kanu of the 15 Counts charge but also prohibited the FG from prosecuting Kanu for the charges he faced prior to being forcefully brought from Kenya to Nigeria on June 27, 2021, by agents of the Nigerian government, citing that it violated international laws and extradition treaties.
However, the appellate court later suspended its judgment at the government’s request through the Attorney-General of the Federation, who urged the Supreme Court to overturn the lower court’s decision. Simultaneously, Kanu’s lawyer implored the apex court to affirm the Court of Appeal’s verdict and order his client’s release.
The apex court was scheduled to have continued hearing on the respective cases within September but it could not because of its vacation.
On Saturday, Ozekhome in a short WhatsApp message to THE WHISTLER disclosed that the apex court will resume hearing on October 5, Thursday.
“The following appeal has been slated for HEARING at the Supreme Court of Nigeria Abuja, on THURSDAY the 5TH, OCTOBER,2023 ( SC/CR/1394/2022, NNAMDI KANU V.FED.REP OF NIGERIA V; and SC/CR/1391/2023, FED. REP OF NIG VS NNAMDI KANU,” Ozekhome stated.
The Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has upheld the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Hamidu Kunaza-led three-man tribunal struck out the petition filed by Ladi Adebutu for being “incompetent”.
In a judgement read for 11 hours, the tribunal upheld Abiodun’s election while dismissing Adebutu’s petition.
In a unanimous judgement, the tribunal said “the petition lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed.”
He also described the testimonies of the witnesses brought by the petitioners as “industrially manufactured, mechanically produced and adopted” by them, thereby “proven to similar, too coincidental and unbelievable.”
In the court to witness the tribunal verdict proceeding include Ogun Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedel; Senator Solomon Adeola; his counterpart for Ogun Central, Senator Salisu Shuaib, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Minister of State for Environment and Ecological Management, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako.
Others were the former Speaker of Ogun State Assembly, Hon. Titi Oseni-Gomez, House of Reps member, Hon. Tunji Akinosi, Hon. Motunrayo Adeleye–Oladapo and former Woman Affairs Commissioner, Funmilayo Efuwape.
Also in court on the side of the petitioners are Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu’s running mate, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, and the Ogun PDP chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele, among others.
In its bid to rid Poliomyelitis infection and secure a bright future for children, the Ogun State Government in collaboration with development partners flagged off the National Immunisation Plus Days NIPDs for children aged between 0-5 years.
Flagging off the ceremony at Idofoyi Health Center, Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kayode Oladehinde, represented by the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola stressed the importance of the NIPDs in the fight against polio, reiterating that the intention of immunization is to promote the growth of children and urged mothers to take their children to the nearest primary healthcare centres for vaccination and advocated that schools and markets across the State should be sensitized.
The PS, according to Mrs. Fatimah Alatishe, the Press Officer, PHCDB, noted that the present administration is committed to the health needs of its citizenry especially the children, adding that the administration since inception has recorded no outbreak of poliomyelitis as it has put necessary measures in place to avert child mortality and deformity.
In his welcome address, Yewa North Local Government Area, Hon. Gabriel Ogunyomi, represented by the Vice chairman, Hon. Bukola Omoyayi, thanked the state government for considering the council for the flag-off of the National Immunization Plus Days campaign, assuring full implementation of the vaccination exercise in the local government.
In their goodwill messages, state Coordinators, World Health Organization WHO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency NPHCDA, United Nations for Children Fund UNICEF, representatives of traditional rulers and community leaders lauded the efforts of the state government for supporting all healthcare initiatives by the Federal government and development partners.
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[PRESS RELEASE] Upate On The Hearing of Appeals On Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's Case Before The Supreme Court of Nigeria
AdminThe Supreme Court of Nigeria has slated for HEARING all Appeals on Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's case before the Apex Court on Thursday, 5TH OCTOBER, 2023.
Recall that on the 13th day of October 2022, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division, delivered a Landmark Judgment in an appeal filed by Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN,CON, OFR, Ph.D, on behalf of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, challenging part of the Federal High Court ruling, which had retained 7 counts out of the original 15 counts against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, after striking out eight out of the 15 count charge.
The learned Justices of the Court of Appeal, in allowing the appeal filed by our erudite Lead Counsel-Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN, directed the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally.The intermediate court in the Landmark decision, proceeded in the aforesaid judgement to prohibit the Federal Government of Nigeria from further detaining Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, or prosecuting him on any indictment or charge before any court in Nigeria.
On the 5th day of October, 2023, Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN, leading Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor Esq., and others, will be exchanging the legal fireworks on behalf of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in urging the Supreme Court to dismiss in its entirety the frivolous appeal filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria against this landmark judgement of the Court of Appeal; and to further set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal staying the execution of its earlier judgment.
We are very firm, and committed to our solemn belief that the wheels of justice,though grinds slowly, but grinds exceedingly fine and towards the attainment of justice at the end of the day.
Justice shall prevail,by the grace of God. And the hour is here .
We move.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Signed
Sir ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC)
IPOB’S Lead Counsel.
30th September, 2023.
ORGANISED labour insisted on Friday that it would shut down Nigeria on Tuesday because of government’s refusal to do something positive about the pains inflicted on Nigerians by fuel subsidy removal.
Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) across the states of the federation told Saturday Tribune on Friday that the directive of their national headquarters for an indefinite strike starting from Tuesday would be firmly carried out.
They advised Nigerians to stock their homes with food and other essential items so as to minimise the effects of the shut down.
National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has said that its members who are mainly commercial drivers will not be participating in the organised Labour planned strike, stating that the plan was “ill-timed and in bad faith”.
The leader of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Badiru Agbede stated the union’s position after an emergency meeting with all the state chairmen, secretaries and treasurers in Abuja.
He said his members after reviewing the situation, decided to back out of the proposed NLC strike the timing of the planned strike “is not in tandem with the current economic reality”.
“Our members are going through a lot of hardship, so participating in any strike will create more harm for our members.
“We felt the strike will not serve any purpose to our members who are mostly commercial drivers who are operating in an informal sector of the economy. We are not salary earners. Ours is work and eat. Our members depend mainly on what they make from their daily operations. So, to embark on any strike action will have serious negative impacts on our members’ daily earnings
“Again, there are some members who purchase their vehicles through hire purchase options, and these category of people are mandated to make repayment either on daily or weekly basis, so any strike action will affect the repayment agreement and the company or dealer or banks that gave out vehicles will not take any excuse”.
Agbede appealed to NLC to give the government enough time to work out modalities on the best way out, stating that going on strike now will only compound the problems.
He urged commercial drivers to disregard the planned industrial strike by going about their daily operations and to report anybody who tries to force them to join the strike to law enforcement agencies.
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The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero has reacted to a restraining order from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN)
The Order cited by Fagbemi dated June 5, 2023, through an exparte motion restricted the union from embarking on a nationwide protest over the removal of fuel subsidy.
However, Fagbemi said that the proposed strike action slated for October 3rd “is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted on June 5, 2023, restraining both Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria from embarking on any industrial action or strike pending the hearing and determination of the pending motion on notice”.
Reacting to Fagbemi’s claim on Saturday, the NLC in a communique signed by Ajaero and made available to THE WHISTLER said it was shocked that Fagbemi is referring to a restraining order issued on June 5 through motion exparte which the Ministry of Justice in a formal statement had said lapsed due to non-diligent prosecution.
“We find it pathetic that Mr. Fagbemi strives to operate from the high moral ground by advising Labour Unions on the need to protect the integrity of courts and observe the sanctity of court orders.
“Who is causing more injury to the sanctity of the courts? Those seeking to convert a restraining order obtained under the cover of the night to a perpetual injunction or the victims of this terrorism?
“For once, we find it appropriate to reveal to the world that the court refused to sit during the pendency of the order to take our response to that order.
“To gag us, to bind us, to tie us to the pole for life without a chance to hear us out will constitute not just malicious conduct but grievous injury to our fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.
“We refuse to be gagged. We also want to remind those in power of their history when they were out of power, we similarly, find it necessary to remind Fagbemi that equating a restraining order to a perpetual injuction will do no small damage to our legal and judicial system” NLC said.
According to Ajaero, there are two ministerial portfolios whose offices constitutionally do not admit partisanship in the discharge of their duties. These are the Minister of Labour and Employment and the Minister of Justice. In addition to their regular duties, they are expected to play the umpire role.
“Also, the Attorney General is advised to note that the letter, spirit, principles, and intendment of the National Industrial Court are quite different from those of the regular court to which he is accustomed.
“We are the foremost pan-Nigerian organization with an unrivaled patriotism and an illustrious history of popular struggle pre-dating our national independence.
” Accordingly, we do not need a lecture from anyone on national interest, national security, or the preservation of our sovereignty, ” it added.
The Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, has called on its members to cooperate with the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, on the proposed October 3 industrial action.
NUAHP called on pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists, imaging scientists/radiographers, medical social workers, optometrists, clinical phycologists, orthotics/prosthetics, speech therapists, medical physicists, ECG/EEG specialists, dental technologists, occupational therapists, health information management practitioners, dental therapists, dieticians and other related health professionals to join the indefinite strike.
The letter, dated September 28, 2023, was directed to its NEC members, NAC members, zonal coordinators, chairmen and secretaries of unit branches, presidents and general secretaries of professional associations and signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Martin A. Egbanubi.
“I have the directive of the President, Comrade (Pharm.) Kamal Alhassan Ibrahim to inform you that the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) at an emergency National Executive Council virtual meeting held on Tuesday, 26h September, 2023 passed a resolution to join the Nigeria Labour Congress to declare an indefinite strike action commencing from 00 hours on Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023,” the letter reads.
“The joint press conference addressed by the National Leadership of both the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria on the same day made public the two centres NEC resolution on the indefinite strike action.
“Thus, the action is inevitable if the Federal Government fails upon the expiration of the notice of strike ultimatum by mid-night Monday, 2nd October, 2023 to make a pronouncement on palliatives and other policy actions to ameliorate the economic hardship imposed on the workers and masses by the removal of fuel subsidy.”
Similarly, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, has announced its readiness to be part of the proposed October 3 nationwide industrial action called by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC.
This was contained in a letter dated 27th September, 2023, and sent out by its chapter chairmen.
The notice of indefinite nationwide strike from the National Secretariat, was signed by Dr. Ahmed Bazza Lawan, General Secretary.
“The leadership of the union was in attendance at the emergency NLC NEC meeting of Tuesday, 26th September 2023,” it said.
“The meeting which was attended by NLC affiliates discussed the failure of governnent to meet the demands of the labour union in the face of current economic reality.
“It is in the light of the foregoing that all affiliates in attendance unanimously agreed to commence an indefinite strike action on the 3rd October, 2023.
“All chapters are hereby directed by this notice to comply accordingly.”
Justice Nancy Maldonado of the District of Northern Illinois District has reserved a ruling in the case of Atiku Abubakar against the Chicago State University (CSU), seeking the records of President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had filed a fresh motion to challenge Tinubu’s plea for CSU not to release privileged documents in his academic records.
The president, through his lawyers, had asked Maldonado to delay the order of Judge Jeffrey Gilbert, a magistrate, that ordered the university to release his academic records to Atiku.
In their full briefing to the court seeking a review of Judge Jeffrey Gilbert’s order, Tinubu’s lawyers asked the judge to save him from suffering severe and irreparable damage by placing an emergency hold on a recent order for his university records to be released.
According to the President, the damage he would suffer would be impossible to mitigate if the order directing the release of his academic records to Atiku is not delayed for possible vacation.
Tinubu’s prayer was, therefore, granted by Judge Maldonado and a stay on the ruling of Magistrate Judge Gilbert was ordered, and the Judge decided to hear the application afresh.
Judge Maldonado then directed Tinubu’s lawyers to file papers on their client’s behalf not later than Monday, September, 25th, on why a subpoena should not be issued against CSU to release the documents.
Ruling on the case on Saturday, Judge Nancy Maldonado said she reserved the ruling following the deluge of emotional emails by interlopers, mounting pressure on the court.
The judge said, “Separately, the Court notes that Court staff has received extensive email communications from members of the public related to this case.
“The Court understands the significant public interest in this dispute, but the Court will not consider any third−party or ex parte submissions.
“Rather, the Court’s review will be limited to the parties’ briefing and the official record on the docket.”
The judge ruled that with all the submissions made, the date for the ruling will be communicated to all the parties.
Eight of the twenty-five kidnapped choir members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Igan, Akure, the state capital, have escaped from their abductors.
Recall that the choir members were abducted on Friday afternoon while travelling for a brutal ceremony in the Ifon community in the Ose Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking on the incident to Vanguard, the Commander of the state security outfit codenamed Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the escape of eight of the abducted victims.
Adeleye said that personnel of Police Anti Kidnapping, Amotekun Corps, in conjunction with the Nigeria Army, are on the kidnapper’s trail in Owo/Ose axis to ensure that the remaining victims are released.
Also speaking, the spokesman of the State Police Command, Funmi Odunlami, confirmed the abduction of the victims.
Odunlami said the vehicle conveying the victims, with the inscription of the church, was abandoned around the Elegbeka area, in lfon.
He added that the anti-kidnapping squad and other tactical teams have been deployed to the area to rescue the victims and arrest all involved in the crime.