Seek Implementation Of Uwais Committee Report
The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition of 70 organizations working to ensure credible elections in the country, on Thursday, asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu to apologise to Nigerians over what they described as poor conduct of the 2023 general elections.
The Situation Room, in its final statement on the elections, which it made available to newsmen in Abuja, maintained that the electoral body failed to live up to expectations, despite several assurances from its Chairman.
“Contrary to expectations, the 2023 general election was marred by very poor organization, severe logistical and operational failure, lack of essential electoral transparency, substantial disruption of voting, and several incidents of violence.
“As a result, the process cannot be considered to have been credible. Given the lack of transparency, particularly in the result collation process, there can be no confidence in the results of the election. In addition, there was very poor communication from INEC on challenges with its processes on election day.
“In the light of these shortcomings, the Situation Room believes that additional reforms and improvements are required to ensure that the quality of future elections in Nigeria does not further decline, and that public confidence in the capacity of INEC to conduct elections is restored, while trust in the credibility is re-established.
“As a body, the Situation Room demands that the INEC Chairman should apologize to Nigerians for his failure.”
As part of its recommendations, the CSOs called for an amendment of the Constitution to eliminate the position of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) under the control and direction of the Commission through the appointments of State Directors of Elections to replace RECs.
“The suggestion by the Justice Uwais Committee for the unbundling of INEC should be considered and implemented without delay. An effective legal framework should be formulated for the establishment of Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal, Political Parties Registration and Regulation Commission, and an agency to handle constituency delimitation.
“Proposed amendments to the Constitution should include issues critical to the inclusiveness of the electoral process, such as endorsement of early voting for election day workers, independent candidacy and voting by Nigerians in Diaspora, in conformity with international principles for democratic elections,” the Situation Room added in the joint statement that was signed by its Convener, Ene Obi and Co-Conveners, Asma’u Joda and James Ugochukwu.
No fewer than 20 school officials, allegedly aiding and abetting examination malpractice, have been arrested by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in its ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.
The Council said that the arrests were made in various parts of the country.
The Head, National Office (HNO) of council, Mr Patrick Areghan, disclosed this on the sidelines of a monitoring exercise he carried out in some schools on Thursday in Lagos.
According to him, the WAEC has since handed over all the culprits to the police for prosecution.
Areghan vowed that the council would do everything possible to ensure that their prosecution was followed to logical conclusion.
“The issue of examination malpractice can no longer be treated with kid gloves.
“It is no longer business as usual, as it has completely eroded morals and values in our society. It is taking a dangerous dimension, of which, if not tackled will bring our country to its knees.
“Now, since the commencement of this examination, we have deployed our technology, designed to catch examination cheats and we are happy at the results we have gotten so far.
“For instance, in Ibadan, Oyo, where we have our zonal office, which takes care of Osun, Kwara and Oyo itself, we made three arrests in a school and for the purpose of confidentiality, I will not mention the name.
“There, a supervisor at a centre, principal and invigilator were all arrested.They were arrested for allegedly snapping and posting the questions to some platforms, thereby, aiding and abetting examination malpractices.’’
He said: “Then, in Maiduguri, a supervisor and principal of a school, were both arrested and handed over to the police too.
“In Umuahia, a teacher and a supervisor were arrested in a particular school and they have been handed over to the police.
“In Abeokuta, a school proprietor was the first to be caught at the beginning of this examination on May 8, snapping and posting question papers,” he said.
Areghan described the act as a monumental disgrace.
The WAEC official, said that the proprietor and a supervisor had since been arrested and also handed over to the police.
He further disclosed that the same situation was also recorded at
Osogbo, where a principal, invigilator and chief supervisor were arrested for the same offence.
According to him, in Kaduna too, a supervisor and an examination official in a school who were caught in the act, were arrested and handed over to the police.
He explained that the school, which was ceded to Kaduna was supposed to be Kano, but was ceded because it was closer to Kaduna.
Areghan said that the arrests would continue until the end of the examination.
He urged candidates not allow their future to be compromised by persons who did not wish them well, by promising to assist them pass their examination through illegal means, stressing that WAEC’s examinations could never be accessed illegally.
According to him, all of the culprits caught in the act may have been paid by the unsuspecting candidates and their parents, promising to assist them pass the examination.
“I want to counter this statement that some people are fond of making, which is that our examination questions always leak.
“That does not exist. Our examination is always safe and secured until they get to the candidates in the hall.”
He asserted that WAEC examination questions don’t ever leak and cautioned the media to stop using the word “leak”.
“What actually happens is that, once the examination is about to start, we give the question papers to the supervisors, one hour before commencement, so that they can travel from the collection point, to the various schools, where they will administer the examination.
“What happens?
“Immediately they get to the exam hall, they will open the pack in the name of distributing to candidates and they will snap and post to various designated platforms- WhatsApp, Instagram and others.
“Such persons are members of a syndicate group who collect money,’’ he said.
According to him, once the examination is already in progress, anyone that takes pictures of the papers and posts will be detected.
Areghan noted that the council had a method of detecting who snapped, who posted, who it was posted to and which candidate’s question booklet was posted.
According to him, that is when the council swings to action by rounding all of them up and subsequently handing them over to the police.
“You have been following me around for this monitoring
“You saw me telling these children that they will hardly have time to access any materials snapped and posted on any platforms because they are already in the hall writing the examination.
“From what we have seen so far today at the schools we visited, I will say that the examination has been going on smoothly. There has not been any challenge beyond our control.
“Of course you will come across persons who will want to prove smart by cutting corners and trying to get things done unethically, but we have been able to beat them to it.
“There are though, some that we do not bother ourselves with, as we will deal with such administratively.’’
He noted that only hard work was the way out to a stable and progressive country, adding that schools should continue to stick to academic excellence and nothing less, in order to sustain quality education.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that schools visited for the monitoring on Thursday included ST and T in Ikeja, Ikeja Senior High School as well as State Senior High School among others.
The Plateau state Governor Caleb Mutfwang Thursday reversed some appointments, and recruitment made by the immediate past Governor of the state, Simon Lalong.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, Governor Caleb stated that “All appointments into the State Civil Service made from 1st October 2022 to date are hereby suspended with effect from the same date subject to review in line with due process.”
The statement noted that, “In light of the apparent flagrant abuse of Public Service Rules, non-adherence to due process, indiscriminate and irregular employment in the State and Local Governments by the immediate past administration, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has directed as follows:
“All appointments into the State Civil Service made from 1st October 2022 to date are hereby suspended with effect from the same date subject to review in line with due process.
” All those who have retired but are yet to vacate their offices or duty posts either because of extension or contract appointment are to hand over any Government property in their possession and vacate office immediately.
“All Civil Servants due for retirement but are yet to tender their letters of retirement or notice of retirement should do so forthwith and proceed on retirement immediately.
” All Civil Servants and or persons appointed Permanent Secretaries from January 2023 to date should revert to their previous positions forthwith.
The statement added that other measures and steps towards strengthening and building a result-oriented Civil Service will be taken in due course by the administration.
Months after the conclusion of the 2023 presidential election won by President Bola Tinubu, the spiritual director of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka, said his prophecy and vision shown him by God was so clear.
Naija News reports that Fr Mbaka said this in reaction to those criticising him on social media after the outcome of the 2023 general election.
Delivering a sermon at his Church branch, the renowned Christian cleric warned those attacking him, especially on social media, insisting that he would keep talking.
According to Mbaka, social media cannot control the voice of prophecy. The cleric asserted that God reveals the future through vision, and people will see it.
“Please, if the gift you have is not genuine, ask God for the real one; stop fabricating things. When there is a lot of noise on social media, then somebody begins to speak because you think that if millions of people are speaking of somebody, that means the majority will win the vote. No, it is a different thing from prophecy and vision.
”In a vision, God will reveal to you the future. You will see it. It was so clear. Even in the time of Jonathan, I told him, look at what the Holy Spirit says you should do, ‘remove this person if you want to win the election. If you don’t remove him, you will lose, and Buhari will take over,” Fr Mbaka said.
”People will never understand Father Mbaka, and they will begin to talk rubbish on social media. Whether you understand me or not, I will keep talking.
”Social media cannot control the voice of prophecy because, in the end, it will happen the way God said it must happen,” he said.
[NaijaNews]
The Lagos State government has dragged popular Interior designer, Ehizogie Ogbebor before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square for allegedly failing to file her tax returns.
Ogbebor, who is also a social media celebrity, is facing a 12-count charge before Justice Yetunde Adesanya.
The state accused her of allegedly refusing to pay personal income tax to the state internal revenue service within the time stipulated by law since 2014 till date.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendant being a taxable personality in Nigeria failed to pay her tax, which contravened Sections 41 and 94 (1) of the Personal Income Tax Act, Cap. P8, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
It also stated that the offences contravened Sections 56(a) (b) of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law, No.8, 2006.
When the matter came up on Monday, the state prosecution counsel, Ade Alli, told Justice Adesanya that the case was a matter of tax and he had a motion for substituted service.
While moving the motion of notice dated May 10, 2023, Alli told the court that the prosecution was seeking an order from the court to effect substituted service on the defendant.
He said, “we seek the leave of this court for substituted service to paste the notice on the last known address of the defendant at plot 59, Fola Osibo Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.”
After listening to the lawyer, Justice Adesanya granted the prayer as prayed and added that the substituted service should be served on the defendant.
The judge then adjourned the case to October 26 for trial.
[Leadership]
President Bola Tinubu has signed into law the bill on uniform retirement age for judicial officers.
Tinubu signed the bill on Thursday.
The bill was passed by the outgoing Ninth National Assembly.
In a statement by Abiodun Oladunjoye, state house director of information, the president pledged that his administration would strengthen the judiciary and empower judicial officers.
The bill, titled: “Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (fifth altercation) (No.37) bill, 2023”, was the first to be signed by President Tinubu since taking the oath of office on May 29.
The law extends the retirement age of high court judges — and others — from 65 to 70 years.
The retirement age of justices of the appeal and supreme courts is already pegged at 70.
The legislation also ensured uniformity in the pension rights of judicial officers of “superior courts of record” specified in section 6(5) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
With the signing of the Constitutional amendment Bill, retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers have been effectively brought into uniformity and other related matters.
While signing the amendment Bill, Tinubu pledged his administration’s dedication to strengthening the judiciary, ensuring the rule of law, and empowering judicial officers to execute their responsibilities effectively.
On May 2, the national assembly directed Amos Ojo, its clerk, to transmit the bill to former President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.
Recall that Abubakar Malami, the immediate past attorney-general of the federation, advised Buhari to decline assent to the bill.
In a memo dated May 23 and addressed to the office of the chief of staff to the president, Malami said the bill appeared to be “far-reaching, unduly wide, ambiguous”, adding that it made no “justification” for the extension of retirement age and benefits for judges.
The former AGF said the bill if approved, may lead to further agitation for the extension of the retirement age of justices of the supreme court and court of appeal.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has once more arraigned another Accountant General for allegedly committing fraud to the tune of N289m.
Saadu Maiwada and Sani Lawal BK, both officials of the office of the Accountant General of Katsina State, were arraigned on Thursday before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court on a five count charge of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.
Recall a similar case where operatives of the Commission arrested Ahmed Idris, the Accountant General of the Federation for alleged stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109, 485,572,691.9
The former AGF was first arrested on May 16, 2022 and remained in EFCC custody until his bail on 2nd June 2022.
However, during the sitting today, EFCC narrated in court that Maiwada and BK committed the fraud during their tenures as Sub Treasurer and Deputy Sub Treasurer in the office of the Accountant General of Katsina State,
They allegedly conspired and converted the sum of N289,000,000 (Two Hundred and Eighty Nine Million Naira) from the coffers of Katsina State.
Investigation by the Commission revealed that the defendants laundered the stolen funds through the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited.
Further investigations showed that in the company, the first defendant (Maiwada) is a Director.
EFCC said the sum of N49, 000,000 was also allegedly transferred from the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited to the personal account of the second defendant (Lawal BK), who is now the Deputy Accountant General of the state.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
One of the charges reads, “That you, Saadu Miawada and Sani Lawal BK sometime in 2017 at Katsina within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Katsina State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N120,790,942.86 (One Hundred and Twenty Million, Seven Hundred Ninety Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-two Naira, Eighty-six Kobo) which was transferred from Katsina State Government Sub -Treasury Expenditure Account number 1012424374 domiciled in United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC to Integrated Gas Services Company Limited’s Fidelity Bank account no 4010693761 (CO1717299) and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 297 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State 2021”.
In view of their pleas, counsel for the prosecution, Aisha Tahar Habib, prayed the court for a trial date.
However, Counsel for the defendants, J B Israel made an oral bail application on behalf of his clients but the prosecution objected, demanding for a formal application as the court is a court of record.
The judge admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N5, 000,000 (Five Million Naira) each.
They were also ordered each to provide a surety with a landed property within Katsina and present letters of introduction from a traditional ruler as the matter was adjourned till July 24, 2023 for trial.
•President called for zoning, failed to name anointed aspirants – Sources
•Opposition parties claim majority, plot to use number against APC candidates
Five days to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, President Bola Tinubu’s meetings with lawmakers-elect failed to resolve the crisis over the All Progressives Congress zoning arrangement.
The APC National Working Committee had micro-zoned the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President seats to Senator Godswill Akpabio from South-South and Senator Jibrin Barau from North-West, respectively.
But other aspirants like Senators Abdulaziz Yari, (Zamfara West); Osita Izunaso (Imo West) and Orji Kalu (Abia North) have insisted that they would not step down for the party’s consensus candidate.
In the House, the APC leadership had also endorsed the member-elect representing Kaduna (North-West), Tajudeen Abbas, as speakership candidate, while the member-elect from Abia State (South-East), Benjamin Kalu, clinched the Deputy Speaker slot.
The aspirants, who were among the lawmakers who held a meeting with the President at the Aso Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday night, were still lobbying their colleagues and strategising to upturn the APC’s zoning arrangement for the NASSS principal positions as of Thursday.
This is happening as the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party have concluded plans to frustrate the APC’s plan for the NASS leadership offices.
The PDP confirmed on Thursday it had entered an agreement with other opposition parties to leverage on their numbers in influencing the election of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Findings by The PUNCH indicated that at least two members of the G-7, a group of anti-zoning aspirants for the speaker position, might contest against Abbas.
Consensus candidacy
The group has, however, not officially declared its consensus candidate to run against Abbas.
While Abbas is from Kaduna State in the North-West, members of the G-7 who are from the same geopolitical zone with the APC candidate are Sani Jaji from Zamfara State and Sada Soli from Katsina State.
The PUNCH learnt on Thursday that despite his interventions, aspirants were capitalising on the fact that the President during his meetings with the aspirants and the members-elect did not directly ask for support for Abbas and Kalu.
Member-elect for the Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency in Bauchi State, Adamu Ranga, told one of our correspondents that the President did not voice support for any of the candidates vying for the senate or House leadership, but he simply called for a united front.
Ranga said, “Mr President spoke to the general assembly, both Senate and the House of Representatives, in order to ensure that we have a solid government. Secondly, he emphasised that he will perform an open-door policy for everybody.
“Whoever wants to see him can see him without any hindrance. And whatever you want to discuss with him, he will give you that privilege to discuss. Thirdly, he said we should put our constituency first since we are here to represent them. He mentioned that he wants the Senate and the House to cooperate to elect good leaders.”
Tinubu pleads
A member-elect for Enugu East/Isiuzo Federal Constituency, Prof Paul Nnamchi, told The PUNCH that Tinubu appealed to lawmakers to uphold national interest.
“He appealed that we should forget about party politics and face national interest. That was the major part of his speech. He didn’t mention anybody’s name to be voted for. Maybe he is appealing, but I didn’t hear anybody’s name,” Nnamchi said.
Sources in the G-7 also confirmed that Tinubu asked members-elect to work with the zoning plan of the APC, clearing the way for aspirants for a position allocated to a particular zone to contest against themselves.
A source close to Jaji and Wase said, “Prior to yesterday (Wednesday meeting), there was a meeting of the aspirants with Tinubu at the State House. He was not categorical. What he told them there and then was that the zoning stands.
‘’But he did not say ‘support Abbas’ but he said ‘zoning of the party stands.’ So, invariably, what he was trying to tell them, based on our interpretation, is that those aspirants from that zone can go ahead and contest.”
When asked about Wase who has said he would be the next Speaker of the House despite being from Plateau State in the North-Central, where no leadership position was zoned to, the source admitted that “it does not favour him.”
However, the source stated, “That is what Tinubu told members-elect on that day. I can confirm that one,” adding that, “It leaves Jaji, Soli and Abbas – the three of them – to slug it out.”
When asked to be categorical if Jaji was going ahead to contest against Abbas, the source said, ‘Yes, he is.” The source, however, could not say the same about Wase.
The source further disclosed that Jaji held a meeting with some members-elect at his Abuja office on Thursday afternoon, as part of his continued lobbying for votes.
While the source faulted the reports that Wase and Jaji shunned the Wednesday night meeting with Tinubu, he could not confirm if they were at the general meeting which was held on Thursday.
The source also confirmed the meeting between the G-7 and members-elect scheduled for Saturday.
The PUNCH had reported on Thursday that the group of aggrieved aspirants might declare its consensus candidate at the meeting, ahead of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly.
A member-elect also confirmed that the President urged the incoming lawmakers across party lines to work with the APC.
The opposition PDP member said, “He (Tinubu) spoke very well, frankly. He stressed on the importance of nation-building and working together. He said politics is over, it is time now to focus on governance, in building confidence and ensuring that we focus on delivering service to the people.’’
When asked if the issue of zoning Tinubu mentioned was in the context of the 10th Assembly leadership, the lawmaker said, “Yes, he enjoined everybody to support the choice they have made and work together.”
The member-elect added, “Before then, the Vice-President (Kashim Shettima) had stressed the need not to push too far the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket by allowing a third person – the Senate President – to also have an Islamic background. You know that Yari is contesting for President of the Senate.”
According to him, the senators-elect will decide Akpabio’s fate.
“Let me tell you: many people don’t understand how the parliament works. There is a role for the party. Immediately a party has won the election and it is the majority in the parliament, the party has a decision to make and who to support. And if they zone their way to the leadership position, that is their prerogative. It is not really about zoning, it is about nomination and a party has the duty to nominate and support someone. And they have done that,’’ the lawmaker declared.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, outgoing Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, were present at the meeting.
Others were former Governor of Akwa Ibom and Senate Presidency aspirant, Godswill Akpabio, former governors of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi and Edo, Adams Oshiomhole.
Osita Izunaso, Sani Bello, Aliyu Wammako and speakership contender Abbas also attended the parley.
However, former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, were not spotted at the meeting.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Kehinde Olaosebikan, the media consultant speaking for the senator-elect representing Imo West, senator Osita Izunaso stated that his principal was not stepping down for anyone.
He noted that the president never told anyone to step down for anyone, rather, he demanded a Christian as the Senate President.
He said, “ The President never told anyone to step down for anyone. He only made a case for a Christian as the Senate President, and this makes my boss more qualified.”
Olaosebikan further noted that the boss would be Senate President.
He said, “ Senator Izunazo would be Senate President by God’s grace and he isn’t stepping down for anyone. “
Similarly, Emeka Nwala, the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate Whip, Orji Kalu, stated that nothing had changed as his boss was still in the race.
He said, “It’s too early to determine a thong. Senator Kalu is still in the race.”
Efforts to get the Director-General of Wase Campaign and DG of Jaji Campaign, Messrs Olufemi Bamisile and Olaide Akinremi, respectively, proved abortive on Thursday.
A text message was sent to them asking them to confirm if their candidates would go ahead to contest against Abbas or if they are under pressure to back out of the race. They had yet to reply to it as of press time on Thursday night.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, said the opposition party had entered into a working agreement with other opposition parties ahead of the inauguration of the parliament.
Although the publicity scribe did not disclose if the PDP would field candidates for both positions, he noted that the situation would be clearer on Tuesday when the 10th Assembly would be inaugurated.
According to him, lawmakers elected on the platform of the PDP are united, stressing that opposition parties are ready to leverage on their numbers to have a say on who becomes the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
At the conclusion of the February 25 parliamentary elections, the APC produced 59 Senators leaving the opposition parties with 50. In the House of Representatives, the ruling party boasts of 177 members while opposition parties have 182.
But Ologunagba said the parliament, being the symbol of democracy, must be protected from anti-democratic forces, adding that the party is working in collaboration with its members-elect in both houses to forge a common front ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration.
“With regard to the current race for the Presiding Officers of the National Assembly, it is instructive to note that the opposition parties put together form a strong majority in the National Assembly and we are very mindful of that. The PDP leadership is working together with our members-elect and opposition parties in the two chambers.
Meanwhile, the Abbas/Kalu Campaign secretariat has said the President is firm on the zoning plan of the APC for the coming 10th National Assembly during his meeting with Senators-elect.
According to the campaign in a statement issued on Thursday, the President did not have plans to dump the candidates adopted by the APC for 10th Assembly leadership.
The statement was titled, ‘10th Assembly: Tinubu remains firm on APC’s endorsed candidates…Appeals to governors, lawmakers-elect to work for party’s candidates…as Wase, Jaji boycott meeting with President.’
However, the Abbas/Kalu campaign claimed that most of the G-7 members stepped down after Tinubu’s intervention in the matter.
The statement read, “Tinubu spoke firmly on the need to work for the victory of the APC’s candidates for the 10th NASS leadership. He begged them to work for Akpabio, Abbas, Barau and Kalu.
“He said the success of his administration largely depends on whether or not he gets it right with the leadership of the National Assembly. He urged them to see reason with him. He said the candidates were chosen for the stability of the nation.”
“Wase had said during the House valedictory session on Wednesday that he would go ahead to contest for the Speaker’s seat because it has been prophesied that he would become Speaker. There is a likelihood that only Wase would go to the floor to contest, while others may step down after the President’s appeal.”
LP unfolds plan
Speaking on the election, a member-elect, Victor Ogene, said the Labour Party lawmakers had yet to decide on the aspirant to support, noting however, that once a decision was made on that, it would be a bloc vote.
“The LP has yet to decide on a particular candidate, but I can assure you that we are going to vote en bloc, the consultation is on. I do not know those we will vote for yet, but I know those we will not vote for. I just want to tell you that we will not be railroad in choosing anybody; it will be a conscious decision,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.
The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, on Thursday, met members-elect of the coming 10th National Assembly on the platform of the Labour Party over the leadership aspirants to adopt as candidates of the opposition party.
Otti, in his brief comment at the meeting, said he chose to meet with the lawmakers-elect after meeting with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Ahead of the inauguration, 35 members-elect from the South-East geopolitical zone have endorsed Abbas and Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the coming 10th House of Representatives, respectively.
After a meeting of the caucus in Abuja on Thursday, 35 of the 43 members-elect from the South-East across party lines, signed for the APC’s consensus candidates.
The outgoing Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Iduma Igariwey, made the announcement during the meeting with Abbas, Kalu and their campaign team, noting that more endorsements were still coming.
Igariwey said other members of the caucus who were not in Abuja would sign when they return.
In a related development, a pro-democracy group under the aegis of The Natives on Thursday pleaded with the former governor of Zamfara State, Yari, to step down for the joint ticket of Akpabio and Barau.
Addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Convener of The Natives, Smart Edward, argued that for the sake of equity and fairness, only a Christian and a unifier like Akpabio should be allowed to lead the 10th Senate.
While noting that Nigeria is a secular state, Edward further urged other lawmakers to respect the choice of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC on the need to balance the religious representation in the new government.
He said, “We say ‘No’ to Senator Yari’s ambition and in the name of the country, we appeal to him in the name of our dear country to please shelve this ambition for all and become the hero. What the average Nigerian is looking for now is strong institutions not strong individuals, sustainable development in all facets of our nation, and policies that uplift the poor and promote economic prosperity.
“We cannot toy with the expensive portrayal of acts that can widen the divide of the people post elections, while it is politically permissible, we persuade the 10th Assembly to dissociate themselves from any political, financial and insensitive approach or act that will promote a Muslim for the office of the Senate President for this is a display of national sabotage.
“While the ruling party may have presented these candidates, we appreciate its efforts to assuage other regions and make sacrifices to see a pan-Nigerian, nationalistic, equitable and fair balance of the spirit and letters of our constitution.’’
[Punch]
•Tinubu meets with members, and keeps mum on the preferred choice
•North insists on producing a Senate president
AHEAD of the June 13 inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the fate of those aspiring to become presiding officers seems hanging in the balance as President Bola Tinubu is yet to make a formal pronouncement on it.
Vanguard was reliably informed that though the president met with lawmakers-elect at Aso Rock Villa Wednesday night, some of the contenders, including former governors of Zamfara and Abia states, Abdulaziz Yari and Orji Kalu, among others, were absent at the meeting.
A source privy to the meeting, also disclosed that some northern leaders are insisting that the north produced both Senate President and speaker of the House of Representatives.
Speaking on the development, a lawmaker-elect, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “At the time you called, I was about entering the Villa. For now, nothing has changed. The president didn’t mention any name while meeting with us, all he said was that we should work and be united. That was all he said.”
On whether the president will support Senator Godswill Akpabio and Mr Tajudeen Abass for the Senate presidency and speakership, the source said: “I am just leaving the meeting and the president didn’t say he has preferred candidates.”
On the North’s position on the 10th NASS leadership, he said: “This is a northern agenda, they don’t want Tinubu to control the Senate but as for the G-6, they are still intact, although Betara has withdrawn from the race his supporters have shifted base to Idris Wase.
“The president’s claim of religious balancing is what is most vexatious. How can he say so because his chief of staff is not just from Lagos, the same state? Is Gbajabiamila, not a Muslim? We shall meet on the floor on Tuesday.”
Recall that the All Progressives Congress, APC, chose Godswill Akpabio from the South-South zone and Senator Jubrin Barau from the North West zone as Senate president and deputy president respectively.
It also anointed Tajudeen Abass from the North West and Benjamin Kalu from the South East as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The party’s choice has, however, drawn criticisms and condemnation from other contestants for the principal positions of the National Assembly.
[Vanguard]
Rauf Aregbesola, immediate past minister of interior, says he does not hold any grudge against anyone in Osun state.
Aregbesola spoke on Wednesday at the palace of Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, Ataoja of Osogbo.
The event was to celebrate his return to the state after spending four years as a minister in the cabinet of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In the build-up to the 2023 elections, Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun, fell out.
In July 2022, the former minister described the primary election that gave Oyetola the guber ticket as a “sham”. Moshood Adeoti, his choice of candidate, lost to Oyetola.
Speaking at the palace, Aregbesola asked the monarch to plead with all the people he might have had issues with in the past.
“I hold no grudge against anyone in Osogbo or Osun. My hands are wide open to work and receive anyone,” the former minister said.
“Anyone who has issues with me has their reasons, but I hold no grudge against anyone.
“It is never my desire to leave any of them, but now that they have gone the way they did, I beseech you, our royal father, to plead with them. I would always wish them well and always desire to work with them.
“I have come here today to beg for forgiveness from anybody who is offended towards me.
“The reason why people are applauding me over my successes in Osun today was because of the great work I did when I was in government and those who turned themselves into enemies today, we worked together in government.
“Anywhere I am, please be rest assured that Osogbo and Osun’s interests are covered.
“I was born in Ikare Akoko. It is surprising that a boy born in Ikare Akoko became a commissioner in Lagos and governor in Osun. That is the work of God. He used Asiwaju to lead me to the path of success.
“I thank God who brought me to Lagos through the assistance of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He is the architect of my success. I spent eight years as commissioner in Lagos.
“In 2004, we had a meeting in Badagry where we talked about how we will take over our states from the opposition party.
“Asiwaju Tinubu and other Yoruba elders directed me to come and take over my fatherland — Osun state. That it was my next place of assignment.”
[TheCable]
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The governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, Thursday, met behind closed-doors with President Bola Tinubu for the release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Mbah said he pleaded with the President for Kanu’s release as part of the national healing process, which he said Tinubu has already begun.
The governor expressed the hope that President Tinubu would give a favorable consideration to the request for the self-acclaimed leader of IPOB leader to regain his freedom.
The Enugu governor disclosed that he also appealed for the assistance of the federal government to explore the abundant mineral resources in Enugu State for the benefit of the people.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has accused the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of withholding N8.4 trillion meant for the Federation Account.
Chairman of the RMAFC Mohammed Bello Shehu leveled the accusation against the NNPCL in a statement by the commission in support of the recent removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shehu said the NNPCL withheld the money in the name of paying for subsidy.
According to him: “Since 1st January, 2022 to date, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has not been contributing to the Federation Account due to the claimed subsidy payments.
“The total amount withheld by the NNPCL as claimed subsidies for this period amounted to N8,480,204,553,608.13 as reported by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF)”.
Shehu added the N8.4 trillion being withheld by the NNPCL “is yet to be reconciled by the RMAFC, OAGF, and NNPCL”.
Shehu urged the Tinubu administration “to work out strategies that would cushion the attendant effect of the new policy and deterrent measures should be earnestly taken to bring to book all the economic saboteurs who have contributed to our national adversity in accordance with the extant laws of the Federation.
The Lagos State House of Assembly will soon make laws that will protect the interest of the indigenous people of the state.
This was made known by speaker, Mudashiru Obasa in his acceptance speech after his re-election as the leader of the house.
Obasa said lawmakers will go to any length in protecting the state indigenes even if it means reversing existing law, adding that laws passed by the assembly will now be translated into the Yoruba language.
“Lagos is a Yoruba land as against the assertions of some people that it is a no man’s land.
Therefore, part of our legislative agenda is to ensure the translation of laws passed by this House to the Yoruba Language. We also aim at achieving our collective goals of creating a robust legislative framework that protects the interest of our people.
Going forward in this wise, we are going to employ all legislative instruments for the support of the indigenes of Lagos. There would be laws and resolutions in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles,” Obasa said
Recall that in the build-up to the February and March elections in Lagos, there were divisive statements made on and off social concerning Lagos politics.
INEC Ad-Hoc Staff Tell Tribunal Why Presidential Election Results Were Not Transmitted To IReV
AdminOn Thursday, two ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, testified against the electoral umpire before the Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja.
They were subpoenaed by the Peoples Democratic party and presented before the five-man panel of the court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani.
They explained in their testimonies why the presidential election results were not transmitted into INEC’s results viewing portal on election day as was the national assembly election results.
Their testimonies were taken despite stiff objections from the lawyers representing INEC, President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress.
The respondents urged the court not to take their testimonies until they have thoroughly studied their statements on oath.
But the court held it would rule on their objections later while directing the PDP counsel, Chris Uche SAN to present his witnesses for the day.
Uche then called Friday Egwumah who testified that he served in Abia as one of the INEC adhoc staff.
He adopted his testimony on oath insisting that the election did not go as outlined by INEC.
Under cross examination by INEC, Egwumah told the court that with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS machine, National Assembly results were scanned and uploaded to the INEC Results Viewing Portal, IRev.
But for the presidential election which was conducted simultaneously, the witness said the BVAS could not transmit the scanned result sheet despite several attempts.
“At my Polling Unit, the election went well. I signed the result form, the party agents signed as well after which I snapped it with the BVAS machine.
“After successfully sending the scanned results of the House of Representatives and Senate, the presidential could not be sent.
“I now took the results signed by me and party agents to the collation centre,” Egwumah replied.
Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun asked the witness if he knew his role as ad-hoc staff of INEC.
The witness said he was aware of the role, adding ” I did not break any law or regulation when performing my duty.”
The second subpoenaed witness presented by the PDP was Grace Timothy, an ad-hoc staff in Plateau state.
She adopted her statement on oath.
Upon cross examination, she said the BVAS machine “did not transmit the presidential poll” but successfully transmitted that of the National Assembly.
After taking their testimonies, the court subsequently adjourned.
Recall that the PDP and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar are contesting the presidential election results declared by INEC in favor of Tinubu.
Atiku claimed he won by majority of lawful votes cast.
So far, he has presented over 10 witnesses who’re largely state collation agents.
The witnesses have claimed that polling unit results were either changed at ward level or altered at the state collation centre.