The number of delisted loan apps rose from nine to 37, according to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s new report.
The number of fully approved loan apps also grew to 164 from 154 as of its last updates obtained from its website on Monday. The number of loan apps with conditional approval declined to 38 from 40, and the number of apps on the commission’s watchlist grew to 56 from 20.
This followied a sustained shakeup of the digital money lending space by the FCCPC, after harassment of Nigerians by the lenders.
According to the commission, delisted loan apps were permanently deleted by Google from Play Store.
List of delisted apps included:
“Swiftkash App, Hen Credit Loan App, Cash Door App, Joy Cash-Loan Up To 1,000,000 App, Eaglecash App, Luckyloan Personal Loan App, Getloan App, Easeloan Apps, Naira Naija, Cashlawn App, Easynaira App, Crediting App, Yoyi App, Nut Loan App, Cashpal App, Nairaeasy Gist Loan App, Camelloan App, Nairaloan App, Moneytreefinance Made Easy App
“Cashme App, Secucash App, Creditbox App, Cashmama App, Crimson Credit App, Galaxy Credit App, Ease Cash App, Xcredit, Imoney, Naira Naija, Imoneyplus-Instant, Nairanaija-Instant, Nownowmoney, Naija Cash, Eagle Cash, Firstnell App, Flypay, and Spark Credit.”
Adeleke, Osun APC trade words on failure of State govt to hold exco meeting 54 days after inauguration
AdminThe All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun State chapter and the Spokesperson to the Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed have traded words on the failure of the State government to hold an exco meeting 54 days after inauguration of Commissioners and Special Advisers.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun State chapter had accused the Peoples Democratic Party’s administrations in the state of ineptitude over failure of Governor Ademola Adeleke to hold the state executive council meeting after 54 days after the inauguration.
The State chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued on Monday, by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi.
The party sensitised the stakeholders in the state project not to treat the issue at hand with levity as it is strange for a democratic state government to refuse to hold executive meetings for about two months.
Lawal observed that the laissez-faire approach of Governor Adeleke to governance is a confirmation that he is only attracted to the glamour of the office without having any tangible programme for the development of the state.
The state APC chairman wondered how Adeleke has been appropriating funds for the running of the state without holding the state executive meetings.
He also stated that it was an absurdity for the governor to have relocated the Governor’s Office and the Government House to his sister’s residence in Ede where he resides ten months after the inauguration of his administration.
Lawal explained further that the kick-and-start Governor Adeleke has proven to be a misfit in the administration of a complex state like Osun State as his government is full of failed promises since its inception.
The State APC chairman recalled how Adeleke promised to release White Papers, on some of his hasty decisions through his obnoxious Executive Orders, without anything to that effect to date.
In Lawal’s words, “What is delaying the release of the White Paper on the obaship installation in the three ancient towns in the state, among others, which the governor needlessly meddled into for personal and political reasons?
“How about the monthly feedback briefing of the Adeleke administration that the governor promised would start in June? This is the third quarter of September and nothing is in sight. Is Governor Adeleke operating a different calendar?
“The Governor should sit up and stop being a metaphorical rolling stone to enable him perform his statutory duty to the citizenry as there is no gain to accrue to the state on account of his mindless trips to Rwanda, United States and Germany where he has been frolicking with his co-travellers under the guise of shopping for foreign investors.
“A situation under the administration of Governor Adeleke where nearly all the members of his party have become Special Advisers goes a long way to show that he is clueless to the extent that he has cheapened and bastardised the position of an SA in the government because of his irredeemable ignorance.
“It would be recalled that the governor had earlier announced the appointment of 30 Special Advisers, Board Chairmen, and Vice-Chairmen for the inauguration before adding 27 more on Wednesday morning before the function.
“A fact check showed that so many other Special Advisers had been appointed by the governor under the table while all the board chairmen appointed are without members which automatically make the board members the sole administrators of their parastatals except for one or two where there are vice-chairmen.
“The earlier Governor Adeleke stops covering his inadequacies with dancing, under the guise of praising God for making him the governor of the state, the better it will be for him.
“I can’t understand why Adeleke is doing little but his employment and adoption of deceit and propaganda to run his government is giving a false impression to the people living outside the state.
“In order to show that the Adeleke is grossly lacking in the act of qualitative governance, it was funny that his commissioner for information, Barr Kolapo Alimi, last Saturday stated in his rejoinder that ‘Adeleke is carefully thinking through the utilisation of the fund’ when he was defending the delay of the PDP administration in effecting the distribution of the Federal Government N2 billion fuel subsidy removal palliative for the people of the state.
“For God’s sake, how can a serious-minded and focused government still be thinking for over one month on how to disburse the N2 billion Federal Government fuel subsidy palliative when it didn’t take the source of the money for so long?” Lawal queried.
Reacting, the Spokesperson to the State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed said that the administration under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola held his maiden state executive council almost a year after the 2018 governorship election.
He said, “Osun state All Progressive Congress is reminded that former Governor Gboyega Oyetola held his maiden state executive council meeting on November 4 , 2019, almost a year after the 2018 governorship election.
“It is therefore a probable loss of memory for the state APC to accuse the current administration of either not holding or not announcing to the public the meetings of the state executive council meeting.
“As much as we are not using the abysmal record of the previous government as a yardstick, we pointed out this obvious deceit and memory loss to further help the public to see the falsity in the badly split state APC and the incorrigibleness of the state party leadership.
“Members of the public are assured that their Governor and his cabinet are working round the clock to expand delivery of democratic dividends and correct the big mess of the recent past.
“The cabinet members are for the past three weeks deepening the state sectoral agenda through rigorous brainstorming sessions with the establishment in preparation for an elaborate and expanded state executive council meeting.
“We advise the APC to read through its years of locust in state governance before spewing further falsehood and misinformation into public space,” he said.
…12 others paraded
An individual who has been posing as a police commissioner in Lagos State has been apprehended by the Police Command.
The arrest was confirmed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, during a press briefing on Monday.
Hundeyin also highlighted the recent achievements of the command, which included the arrest of 12 other individuals for various offenses over the past two weeks.
During this period, the command recovered four firearms, two live cartridges, one expended cartridge, 11 live ammunition, and one vehicle from the culprits.
The impersonator, identified as Emmanuel, was arrested on September 2 when he visited a police formation in Ikorodu and introduced himself as a Commissioner of Police.
However, upon questioning, it was discovered that he was an impersonator.
A search of his residence led to the recovery of a Deputy Commissioner of Police warrant card, an Assistant Commissioner of Police warrant card, a Kenwood walkie-talkie, a police camouflage singlet, and a face cap.
In a separate incident, another impersonator, Ibrahim Bello, was arrested on September 4 following a complaint from the Nigeria Bar Association, Epe Area. Bello had allegedly been presenting himself as a lawyer at the Epe Magistrate Courts for several years.
He was apprehended while dressed in a lawyer’s regalia in court. After questioning, it was determined that he was an impersonator as well.
An Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, on Monday, granted an order asking the Ogun State government to maintain the status quo and stay off the property belonging to the wife of the Senator representing Ogun East, Yeye Olufunke Daniel.
Agents of the state government had, in the early hours of Sunday, destroyed some parts of the five-storey building located along Folagbade road in Ijebu Ode.
Defending its actions, the state government, on Sunday, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olayiwola Abiodun, said the structure violated the building codes of the state with numerous defects.
Meanwhile, Abiodun, on Monday, again warned that the state government will not tolerate lawlessness and the violation of the state’s building codes.
The governor also denied any political motives in the partial demolition of DATKEM Plaza, Ijebu-Ode.
Abiodun formally reacted to the demolition and the attendant accusation after inspecting the eight-kilometre Mowe-Ofada Road in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.
He said, “I’m sure that everyone would testify to the fact that since I assumed office in 2019, I have ensured equity, and fairness and upheld the rule of law. I have not in any way attempted to be vindictive or in any form or manner appear like someone who is trying to witch-hunt anyone.
“Having said that, these are some of the insinuations I have read on social media and nothing could be farther from the truth. You all have seen the position of the Ministry of Physical Planning, which is the ministry that is entrusted with ensuring that people adhere to our different building codes. Because if we don’t respect building codes, if we don’t abide by building laws, it means that we are nothing but a chaotic society.”
“Only a few weeks ago, the new minister of the FCT said any person who builds in FCT without approval no matter how highly placed they are, be it a minister or anybody, the building will come down. And recall sometime last year, when a building collapsed on Gerald in Lagos, a building that belonged to someone that I know personally, I held a press conference and said we would not allow for this to happen in Ogun State. You build without approval, you build beyond your approval, and if you don’t build in line with our regulations, that building will come down.”
However, the court, on Monday, asked the government to stay off the property pending the determination of the substantiative matter filed before it.
The matter with Suit No: HCJ212/2023 was filed by DAKTEMS Enterprises Limited as plaintiff and joined the Governor of Ogun State, Attorney General of Ogun State, Ogun State Planning & Development Permit Authority and Urban Development as well as Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning, as defendants.
It prayed the court for “an ex parte order restraining the defendants/respondents and their agents, allies, proxies, assigns, cronies, servants and any other person(s), however described, either claiming through them or acting on their behalf, in whatsoever manner, upon their authority/instruction, from demolishing the property known, being or lying at No. 62, ljebu Ode/lbadan Road, ljebu Ode, Iiebu Ode Local Government Area, Ogun State,” pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice herein filed.
“An order of the court mandating and/or otherwise directing parties to maintain status quo, i.e. the position of things, as it were, as of the time of filing, hearing and determination of this application.”
Giving his ruling, Justice N. O. Durojaiye directed that all parties in the case maintain the status quo on the property as of today September 11, 2023.
“The applicant shall file an affidavit of status quo, showing the state of the disputed property as of today within 72 hours from today.
“The originating processes and all other processes shall be served on the respondents within 24 hours from today.
“The motion for Interlocutory Injunction is adjourned for hearing on September 27, 2023.”
Counsel for Yeye Olufunke Daniel, Mr Adeyinka Kotoye, had in a statement on Sunday accused the Ogun State government of ignoring the relevant court papers served on them on September 7, 2023, to go ahead with the vandalisation and demolition of the complex and said to be scheduled for commissioning by month end, vowing that his client will use the instrument of the law to seek justice and challenge what it termed the executive recklessness of Abiodun.
The statement said, “We want to believe that the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was not informed of this acts of illegality but if he was informed and decided to use the instrument of the state against our clients, it is nothing but executive recklessness, but we shall continue to fight for justice.”
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted the visa ban imposed on Nigerian travellers.
The ban, which was imposed 10 months ago had affected activities of Nigerians who were regular visitors to the Middle East country for businesses, tourism and leisure.
But President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rekindled the hope of many recently when he vowed to do everything within his power to resolve the diplomatic row between the two countries.
Tinubu had directed the immediate resolutions of the issue when Ambassador Designate, Amb Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi presented his Letter of Credence,” to him at Aso Rock.
Recall how Tinubu proceeded to Abu Dahbi, UAE capital, from India, where he attended the G-20 Summit.
In a statement on Monday, Presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, announced that the meeting with the UAE authorities was fruitful.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalized a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.”
“Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.
“As negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.
“In recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals today presented by President Tinubu to his counterpart, an agreed framework has been established, which will involve several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defense, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.
“Additionally, President Tinubu is pleased to have successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments, which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks.
“In conclusion, the President wishes to commend the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to join hands with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two important countries.”
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Secures Landmark Deal With United Arab Emirates Across Sectors; Visa Ban On Nigerian Travelers Is Lifted Immediately
AdminPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalized a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.
Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.
As negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.
In recognition of President Tinubu's economic development diplomacy drive and proposals today presented by President Tinubu to his counterpart, an agreed framework has been established, which will involve several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defense, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.
Additionally, President Tinubu is pleased to have successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments, which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks.
In conclusion, the President wishes to commend the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to join hands with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two important countries.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
In line with the Firearms Act and other extant laws, in the interest of public safety and general security, the acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has announced the establishment of an ad hoc committee tasked with the comprehensive review of firearms licensing and regulations by the Nigeria Police Force.
Egbetokun, on Monday, revealed that the committee’s mandate will encompass a thorough assessment of current firearms licensing procedures and regulations, with the aim of enhancing their effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.
The Force Headquarters also said the police will engage with relevant stakeholders, including legal experts, civil society organisations, and experts in the field, to ensure a holistic and well-informed review.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed in an official correspondence on Monday.
Adejobi said, “Similarly, in furtherance of his zeal to tackle all forms of insecurity in the country, the IG has issued a stern warning to all individuals involved in the wrongful possession of arms and light weapons, reiterated that illegal proliferation of firearms and light weapons poses a significant threat to the peace and stability of our nation.
“In light of this, the Nigeria Police Force is resolutely determined to combat the illegal fabrication, sales, possession and use of arms emphasising that possessing firearms without the appropriate licenses and permits is not only a violation of the law but also a grave danger to society. He assured that the Nigeria Police Force will spare no effort in pursuing and prosecuting those engaged in these illegal activities to the full extent of the law.
“The Inspector General of Police has charged all State Commissioners of Police and supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands, and tactical squads to commence a total clampdown on the illegal fabrication, sale, possession, and use of prohibited firearms in the country. He equally urged all Nigerians to report suspicious activities related to firearms to their local police divisions or via the various NPF social media platforms for prompt response.”
Earlier, The PUNCH reported the IG, noting that gun licencing may aggravate insecurity in the country, reiterated the police’ ban on gun license issuance, while adding that the police might review or revert the ban in the future.
The Force Headquarters announced that the NPF had stopped the issuance of licenses for small arms due to the high rate of illegal arms proliferation in the country.
Egbetokun disclosed while responding to a question by our correspondent during his (IG’s) meeting with members of the Police Management Team including Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, and Commissioners of Police at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“We are mopping up arms in circulation. There are too many arms in circulation and if we continue to issue licenses on arms, we may continue to aggravate the problems we are trying to solve,” Egbetokun said.
However, he further noted that the police might review the ban in the future.
“For now, there is a temporary ban on the issuance of firearms. We May review it later, but we are not issuing firearms licenses nationwide now.”
The PUNCH reports that the Firearm Act has been responsible for the control of firearms in Nigeria for the past years.
The Act provides that no person shall have in his possession or under his control, any firearm or ammunition except such person has a license from the President or the Inspector General of Police.
[Punch]
A former Minister of Aviation and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Osita Chidoka has slammed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its failure to electronically transmit election results in real-time during the 2023 general elections.
Chidoka, while appearing on Channels TV Politics Today on Sunday, stated that despite promises made with the Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun gubernatorial elections, the commission failed ‘on a large scale.’
He said, “INEC is a monumental disgrace; it is an organization that I am ashamed to associate with as a Nigerian. They made promises with the Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun elections.
“Before the elections, i called for third-party verification of the INEC system so that we are sure that on election day, what is going to happen that day would not lead to a glitch. On election day, INEC said there was a glitch.
“Despite not testing the system, it is a shame that INEC went to court to argue that not complying with its regulations does not make it a ground to cancel an election.”
He also stated that if INEC had transmitted the results in real life, there would be no reason for the parties to go to court.
“If the results we saw from the polling unit were the same as what we saw at the collation centres, there would be no reason to be in court.
Chidoka said there’s a possibility President Tinubu would have won the election if ‘the right thing was done.’
[Vanguard]
Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has said there are no plans to tax the poor and that Nigerians will begin to make input in the reform process by September ending.
President Bola Tinubu named Oyedele to head the committee mandated to review and redesign Nigeria’s fiscal system with respect to revenue mobilisation, both tax and non-tax; quality of government spending and sustainable debt management.
The work of the committee is expected to be completed within one year, at which point they would bridge the tax bracket estimated at N20trn.
But Oyedele, said in a tweet seen by THE WHISTLER said, “We do not intend to introduce new taxes or impose higher tax rates. Rather, our mandate is to reduce the number of taxes and levies while harmonising revenue collection to reduce the burden on the people and businesses.
“The objective is to avoid taxing investment, capital, production or poverty. We plan to review and re-enact the major tax laws in a holistic manner thereby limiting the necessity for frequent changes through annual finance acts.
He said Nigerians from all works of life would be given the opportunity to make their inputs on how best to achieve an inclusive tax reform.
Oyedele said, “The committee will open channels of communication and platforms for submission of inputs by the end of September 2023.
“In addition, we have outline various stakeholder engagement sessions with Nigerians from all walks of life including people living with disabilities, artisans, Nigerians in the diaspora, multinational companies, international investment community and so on. Everyone who has something to say will be heard.”
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticized Mr. Phrank Shuaibu, an aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, for accusing Vice-President Kashim Shettima of aiding and abetting Boko Haram insurgents during his tenure as governor of Borno.
Shuaibu had accused Shettima of aiding and abetting the insurgents during his tenure as governor of Borno, specifically implicating him in the abduction of the Chibok girls.
However, Professor Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director of MURIC, stated in a Monday statement in Abuja that the allegations were false and malicious.
“We are confounded by the weight and intensity of these allegations, especially against a sitting vice president. They are false, malicious, odious, and insidious. They are simply lies from the pit of Jahannam.
“Somebody must have locked Mr. Shuaibu’s medulla oblongata and thrown away the key, otherwise he would not turn the pages of history upside down the way he has just done. How could any rational being accuse VP Shettima of aiding Boko Haram?
“It is on record that former President Goodluck Jonathan threatened to withdraw federal troops from Borno when Shettima, as the state governor, complained of a glaring lackadaisical approach from the federal government to the Boko Haram saga.
He asked if Shettima would be able to stay in the government house if he withdrew federal troops,” he said.
Akintola added, “Jonathan’s exact words were, ‘I will pull them out for one month, whether he (Shettima) will stay in that Government House. But if he thinks what he said is correct, then I will pull out the armed forces for one month.
“Shettima had complained to the visiting president that Boko Haram was gaining the upper hand in the region because Nigerian soldiers were not well-armed. But an angry Jonathan gave him the cold response above.
“It was more than a response. It was a threat. It was like, ‘Behave, or I will unleash them on you.’
“We affirm that Shettima’s complaint was meant to attract better equipment for Nigerian soldiers so that they would be able to confront Boko Haram fighters more effectively.”
“We are of the humble opinion that a governor who is aiding the insurgents would not make such a request; instead, he would have joined the indifferent camp of looters of funds meant for the purchase of weapons for Nigerian soldiers. Mr. Shuaibu’s allegation against VP Shettima is therefore frivolous, mischievous, and lactiferous.
“Of course, events later proved Shettima right as reports of the $2.1 million arms fund investigation later revealed that indeed Nigerian soldiers were deprived of weapons and money meant to buy them was shared among Jonathan’s party men.
“We are equally miffed by Shuaibu’s allegation that Shettima aided the kidnapping of the Chibok girls. It is on record that former President Jonathan refused to act for nineteen (19) days after the abduction of the poor girls.
It is, therefore, the zenith of mischief for Atiku’s aide to accuse Shettima of involvement in the ugly incident.
“Official duplicity cannot be totally ignored. For example, in the case of Dapchi where 110 girls were abducted, the governor of Yobe at the time alleged that soldiers were withdrawn a week before the attack.
“MURIC admonishes Mr. Shuaibu to look elsewhere for those responsible for lapses in the attack on the Chibok girls. We have no doubt that he does not have to look far, perhaps behind his shoulders.”
More...
Why We Dismissed Petition Against Tinubu’s Guinean Citizenship, Perjury – Presdential Tribunal
AdminThe Court of Appeal said the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) has the right to dismiss the petition of dual citizenship and perjury against President Bola Tinubu.
Naija News reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had petitioned the tribunal that Tinubu was unqualified to contest the presidency because he has dual citizenship.
He claimed that the passport of the president surfaced after he had already said under oath that he had never obtained foreign citizenship while submitting his application to run for president.
But in a post via his official X handle on Sunday, the Court of Appeal said it had uploaded the full judgement of the PEPT on the 2023 presidential election.
According to the judgement, the appellate court said it dismissed the petition against Tinubu because Atiku introduced the matter at a time when the president’s lawyers could no longer respond.
The court held that it was deemed to be an “unfair tactic” that would not be tolerated.
It held: “It is now through their Reply that Petitioners, who themselves seemed to have had no clear idea of what they meant by 2nd Respondent’s non-qualification for the election or simply deliberately kept it back when filing their petition, want to now introduce through their Reply at a time when respondents have no further right of responding to them,” the court held in the September 6 decision. “Such unfair tactics cannot, and is not, allowed by our law.”
The five-member panel said that the matter of Guinean citizenship was a fact that should have been presented as a separate petition rather than as a response to Tinubu’s defence.
The judges berated the former vice president’s lawyers as being “clever by half” when they introduced the passport that Tinubu obtained from a foreign country.
“The petitioners were only being clever by half when they claimed in paragraph 2.1 (b) of their Reply that they were simply giving, as they put it, ‘further details’ of the non-qualification of 2nd respondent by averring to the conviction, fine, certificate forgery and dual citizenship of 2nd Respondent that they raised in their Replies,” the judges said.
“They had never given any details of 2nd Respondent’s non-qualification and so cannot talk about ‘further details’ let alone hide under such ‘further’ details to smuggle in the new facts they averred in paragraph 1.2 (i) (ii), (iii), (iv) (v) and 2. l (b) of their Reply.”
The panel of five justices led by Haruna Tsammani said that to adjudge Tinubu was ineligible to run for office based on a nebulous “reason of non-qualification” contained in Atiku and PDP’s initial petition, left all parties involved, including the court and electoral commission completely at sea.
“Therefore, an assertion that merely says that a person is not qualified to contest the election by reason of non-qualification will leave not just the person so assailed but every other person involved, including the court, at a loss as to what the pleader has in mind,” they said.
The judges, however, failed to disclose how Tinubu’s apparent perjury should be addressed, especially since the Nigerian Constitution specifically prohibits making false submissions to the electoral office.
The National Assembly Election petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia the Abia State capital on Monday sacked a Labour Party Member Representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Hon Emeka Nnamani, over falsification of academic certificate.
According to reports, Nnamani was disqualified by the Tribunal based on an existing appeal court judgement against him over forged documents.
The Tribunal, following the disqualification of Nnamani, subsequently declared Chief Mascot Ikwechege as the authentic winner of the February 25th National Assembly Election in Aba North/South Federal constituency.
A few days ago, President Bola Tinubu crossed the symbolic 100 days in office but there was no fanfare because the day coincided with the delivery of judgement on the petition against his victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
After 13 hours of judgement, the court ruled that Mr Tinubu, who is in far-away India, remains the president. The panel dismissed all the petitions against him and his vice, Kashim Shettima.
With the tribunal judgement settled and all ministers fully in place, DAILY POST reviews some of the promises contained in the Renewed Hope Manifesto. The attention will be on low-hanging fruit promises.
However, President Tinubu did not put a specific timeline to achieve some of the promises.
The President already removed the fuel subsidy regime which Nigerians are still waiting for measures that would cushion the effect of its removal. He has equally signed into law the student loan bill but students are yet to get the loans while some schools are increasing fees.
Ending Almajiri and out of school
Across some of the major cities in the North, children with bowls in their hands roam the street, begging for food and money. They are called Almajiri- students sent to live with Islamic teachers.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan tried to reform the Almajiri system by building schools for them, however, the schools have been abandoned due to the inaction of the Buhari administration. In all, there are over 13.5 million out-of-school children in Nigeria according to several reports.
In his manifesto, President Tinubu promised to set up a task force, to be headed by a special czar to address the problem of out-of-school children.
“A task force headed by a special czar will be created to address this problem,” the portion of his manifesto reads.
Schools are resuming in September, and Nigerians are still waiting for the special czar to address the problem of out-of-school children.
Setting up special anti-terror battalion
According to data from SBM Intelligence, over 600 persons have been killed within the first 45 days under Tinubu. Most were killed by bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, ethnic militias, armed robbers and other non-state actors.
President Tinubu had promised to set up an anti-terror special battalion to deal with terrorists. In the manifesto, the battalion will have special forces units.
“Highly trained and disciplined anti-terrorist battalions (ABATTS) with special forces units will be created,” the portion reads.
While Nigerians are waiting, different groups continue to kill across the country.
Freeing police from VIP services
Nigerians have experienced different Inspector Generals of Police making pronouncements of withdrawal of police as escorts to VIPs. All the pronouncements have failed to yield the desired outcome.
Again, in the manifesto, Tinubu promised that police will be freed from such duties, while such responsibilities will be for the men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Surprisingly in July, the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun ordered the withdrawal of the Police Mobile Force, popularly known as MOPOL from VIP guard duties.
The directive of the IGP seems not to tally with the promise of President Tinubu, who promised the withdrawal of all police personnel.
Nigerians are still waiting for the fulfilment of that promise by President Tinubu.
Ending oil theft
In the past couple of weeks, Nigerians have witnessed accusations and counter-accusations between the military and the men of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a company owned by ex-militant, Government Tompolo.
It would be recalled that the Federal government contracted the firm for oil pipeline surveillance.
However, President Tinubu had promised Nigerians that he would “establish a Special Enforcement and Monitoring Unit.”
Nigerians are yet to see that special monitoring unit; they are left with Tompolo and the Navy making accusations and counter-accusations.
[DailyPost]
Popular Nollywood actress, Moyo Lawal has reacted to the leaked tape involving her and an undisclosed lover that went viral on Saturday.
Taking to her Instagram page on Sunday, Lawal stated that the video released was done without her consent, thereby violating her privacy and trust.
She disclosed that the video was recorded with her ex-lover, who she had planned to marry, and was never meant for public consumption.
The beautiful actress, however, threatened to take legal action for authorized distribution of the video.
Despite the unfortunate incident, Lawal stated that she would not allow it to break her spirit as she noted how she stayed celibate for years.
“A private video of mine from a while ago has been inappropriately shared without my consent, violating my privacy and trust,” Moyo Lawal said.
“I want to emphasize that this video done with my ex I was to marry at that time was never intended for public consumption and its unauthorized distribution is a branch of my personal boundaries. However, this criminal breach of privacy will be treated with legal action.
“It really hits me funny because I have always maintained a strict approach to my s3xuality, even going as far as being celibate for a few years, refusing to date often, and choosing to be alone most times.
However, I am determined to not let this unfortunate incident break my spirit.
“I appreciate the support and understanding of those who have reached out to me during this challenging time. Please know that your kindness and goodwill means the world to me”.