The battle to make the ministerial nominees list of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may soon be over as the president is set to send the much-anticipated list to the National Assembly.

Naija News gathered that those who lose out on the final list would be compensated with boards and parastatals’ appointments.

According to Daily Sun, the ministerial list being compiled and undergoing vetting process by the relevant agencies is dominated by the old Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members from the SouthWest zone, while conceding the nominees to other members of the legacy parties that existed before the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The publication claimed that a prominent member from Ekiti State Prince Dayo Adeyeye is believed to be included in the list.

In Osun State, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and Femi Fani Kayode are also believed to have made the list.

Dr. Tunji Abayomi and Olusola Oke are locking horns for the Ondo State slot.

Salihu Lukman, outspoken APC National Vice Chairman of the zone, is possibly the nominee from Kaduna State. In the case of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is believed to be among the nominees, but additional an slot is being conceded for the immediate past governor Ganduje.

The case of the nominee from Sokoto is being awaited from Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako. The fate of the nominee from Zamfara State is in the hands of Ahmed Sani Yarima. The nominee for Katsina being lobbied for by Ibrahim Masari, the placeholder of the Vice Presidential Candidate of the party then before the emergence of Kashim Shettima as the substantive nominee of the Vice Presidential ticket.

The Jigawa State nominee is being speculated as a serving functionary from the state in the Federal Government to be revealed soon. It was learned that his state governor is not against his nomination because he mobilized support for the President not only in his domain but in other places.

“He is a workaholic and committed supporter of Mr. President excluding tremendous goodwill and supported by grassroots-oriented politicians in the state. The immediate past Governor of the state was rejected because he failed to deliver his area for the President during the polls,” a party chieftain told Daily Sun.

There is consultation for the Kebbi nominee with former governor Atiku Bagudu likely to be the only one among his peers to cross the nomination hurdle.

Mohammed Dambu and Tijani Tumsah, the pioneer National Secretary of the party are locking horns for the only available slot in Yobe.

The nomination for Borno State may go to Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Deputy National Chairman North of the party.

The nomination for Taraba State is inching toward Senator Emmanuel Bwatcha.

The struggle for the Bauchi State slot is believed to be a straight fight between Malam Isa Yugudu, one minister and two-term governor of the state, and Ali Pate, former minister and an employee of the Breten Woods.

Gombe State slot is being battled by Farouk Bamusa, Senator Idris Umar, and Jamilu Isiyaka Gwamna.

Adamawa slot is believed to be considered for either the husband of Senator Aisha Binani, Dr. Ahmed Moddibo, or Senator Jonathan Zangwina, a prominent politician and a strong member of the Chief MKO Abiola campaign in 1993.

The Kwara State slot is likely going to either Professor Ishaq Olorode or Isa Aremu.

Niger State is likely tilting towards Professor Yahaya Kuta, one-time Secretary to the state government and an academician from the University of Ibadan. “His capacity is unlimited and ability to communicate because of multilingual endowment is an added advantage. The big men from his state gave their blessings to his nomination,” a close ally said.

The National Chairman of the party Senator Abdullahi Adamu and the governor are all interested in picking a nominee for Nasarawa State. However, one Labaran Magaji from Toto, and Musa Wayo, a close political associate of Tinubu over the years are being considered too.

Benue State is for George Akume to decide. Emmanuel Jime is a strong contender.

While in Plateau, a nominee is being discussed due to the failure of the immediate past governor of the state Solomon Lalong to do anything politically spectacular during last the polls. He is pushing for Yakubu Datti, a one-time commissioner in the state. Both the Akume and former governor Joshua Dariye are going to find a suitable nominee.

Kogi State nominee is completely at the discretion of Governor Yahaya Bello.

Imo State nominee is possibly Mike Okiro, a former Inspector-General of Police.

“Men like Okiro are needed to help the party win the forthcoming governorship election in Imo State and also help stabilize the region for the administration,” a friend noted.

Enugu State slot is likely going to Emma Enekwu, Deputy National Chairman, South of the APC.

Anambra State slot is likely for Andy Uba being the most visible politician from the state that identified himself with Tinubu for some time now. Uche Ukwunife is being considered based on gender consideration and non-controversial posture.

Abia State slot is speculated to be inching towards Mac Wabara, a reputable banker.

Ebonyi State is being determined by Dave Umahi. He is the last bus stop as far as Ebonyi’s nomination is concerned. He is enjoying an excellent relationship with Mr. President.

Rivers State slot is possibly former governor Nyesom Wike, while the Cross River State slot is being considered for Senator John Onwah.

Akwa Ibom State ministerial nominee is to be handled by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The name of Dan Abia, former Managing Director of NDDC has been mentioned

Delta State is a straight fight between Festus Keyamo, Frank Kokori, and Felix Morka, National Publicly Secretary of the APC.

Bayelsa State nominee is expected to have the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Edo State slot is for Adams Oshimhole to decide. The candidate will certainly come from Benin to battle Governor Godwin Obaseki during the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in the state.

Tinubu is consulting widely with relevant stakeholders, including Senator Sidi Ali and Isa Rahma on the possibility of giving FCT a ministerial slot.

A pregnant woman has lost her life following the disruption of services as a result of a 5-day strike embarked by resident doctors at the state government-owned Dalhatu Specialist Hospital in Lafia.

The woman was booked by the hospital for a cesarean session but died while waiting for doctors to attend to her.

The resident doctors commenced the warning strike on Wednesday to pressurise the state government to address issues concerning the welfare of their members.

The strike came after 21 days ultimatum by the Nigerian Medical Association to the state government to address the contending issues or face the consequences of health sector shutdown.

The state chairman of the body, Dr. Peter Attah had listed the contending issues to include non-implementation of promotions for Doctors and Annual Salary increment for over nine years, non-implementation of N30,000 minimum wage and consequential adjustments.

Others are non-implementation of the reviewed Hazard allowance circular and the accrued 17 Months arrears, High burden of Taxation and inadequate manpower and overwork load.

He said: “added to the challenges is non-promotion of doctors who were employed in 2014 at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia and the Hospital Management Board for the past nine years.”

The deceased pregnant woman’s appointment coincided with the warning strike.

Malam Abubakar Liman, the deceased’s husband, said they decided to stay back at the hospital due to their inability to afford the medical bill at the private hospitals.

He said he had accepted the deaths of his wife and unborn child as act of God, adding that there is nothing anyone can do about what is already destined by the Almighty.

He however, appealed to the state government to urgently meet the demands of the doctors in the interest of the less privileged.

The House of Representatives has asked the Joint Admission And Matriculation Board (JAMB) to lift the three years ban on Ejikeme Mmesoma not to sit Unified Tartary Matriculation Examination (UTME) over alleged manipulation of her results in the examination this year.

The House also set up an Ad-hoc Committee chaired by Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) to investigate the alleged manipulation, JAMB facilities with a view to averting such a situation in the future and report back in three weeks.

The Green Chamber reached these decisions when it adopted a motion moved by Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP, Rivers) at plenary on Wednesday, calling on independent examiners to cross-check Mmesoma’s script to determine her score.

Moving the motion, Abiante stated that Ejikeme Mmesoma of Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi, Anambra State sat for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations and scored 362.

He said on July 2, JAMB, Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Fabian Benjamin made a public pronouncement accusing Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma of manipulating her UTME results that she actually scored 249 instead of the 362 as claimed.

“Further aware that Miss. Ejikeme Mmesoma came out to defend herself, that she actually printed the result from the JAMB portal and had been a brilliant child all through her Nursery and Tertiary education, coming first in all the Examinations she has been taken before the UTME, hence she posited that she is not capable of manipulating her UTME result.

“Cognizant of the fact that uploading or downloading result of examinations or polls electronically, in Nigeria, glitches can occur at any time, hence the need to establish the facts before any blames.

“Worried that Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB Head of Public Affairs and Protocol alleged that some of the 2023 UTME Candidates are parading fake scores in order to get undue advantage from the public, hence the need to investigate the allegation,” the lawmaker added.

The EU report on the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria is itself the biggest and best example of fake news and it belongs in the dustbin.

There is not one thing we said during the campaign about the antics of the opposition, their foreign collaborators, their friends and backers in identifiable sections of the Nigerian and international media and their subterranean and covert co-conspirators in the then corridors of powers that is not true.

We have not forgotten what they subjected us to, what they did to us and the role each and every one of them played.

Their collective intention was to stop PBAT and, thanks be to God, they failed.

The truth is that the EU is still smarting over the fact that it's preferred candidate lost.

We know what happened behind the scenes but that is a story for another day. The most important thing is that PBAT prevailed.

Now they are trying to diminish, discredit and tarnish his victory by saying that the election was flawed with irregularities and rigged and that his front line generals and warriors, who stood with him in the heat of battle, indulged in fake news.

They are nothing but poor losers and lost souls and whether they like it or not PBAT is here to stay and, God-willing, will lead Nigeria for the next 8 years!

I am glad that the Presidency has responded to their dishonest, disrespectful and contemptuous report in a decisive and appropriate manner.

We need say no more.

(FFK)

With just one witness, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his Vice, Kashim Shetima and the All Progressives Congress APC on Wednesday closed their respective defence in a petition by the Labour Party LP and its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Gregory Obi seeking nullification of the February 25 presidential election.

Contrary to Tinubu’s decision to call 39 witnesses, he terminated his defence alongside two other respondents after the evidence-in-chief of the Senate Majority Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.

In his evidence-in-Chief, Senator Bamidele insisted that the $460, 000 forfeiture order against the President by an American Court was in respect of a civil matter that cannot take the place of criminal charges.

Bamidele, who is the immediate past Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and a registered member of the American Bar Association, said there was no conviction and sentence against Tinubu as required by law for it to be turned to criminal charges.

Details later…

The Certified True Copy (CTC) of Kashim Shettima’s voluntary resignation letter from his position as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Borno Central senatorial district was admitted into evidence by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on Wednesday.

The letter, dated July 6, 2022, was one of several papers presented by attorney Wole Olanipekun (SAN) to President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima at the start of their defence against the petition filed by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP).

The petitioners are challenging the competence of the joint ticket of Tinubu and Shettma, claiming that Shettima had double nomination.

The letter is intended to prove that the Vice President resigned his senatorial candidacy before his selection as the vice presidential candidate of the APC.

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has advised the presidential election petition tribunal to consider a rerun or another presidential election.

Ayodele stated that a rerun or new presidential election would restore Nigeria’s electoral system’s credibility.

He disclosed this in his 2023 edition of prophecies, ‘Warnings To The Nations’.

According to Primate Ayodele, the best options are to order a rematch between the two leading candidates or to hold another presidential election.

He stated that the current government will thwart any attempt by the election tribunal to issue a ruling against it.

The clergyman explained that President Bola Tinubu is willing to go to any length to keep his seat, but unless God touches the hearts of the judges, they will dance to the president’s tune.

“This government will do so many things to see that this Tribunal has no place. The President is ready technically, spiritually, economically, and financially to see that whatever it takes to keep him in office, no matter the charges of fraud in the election, such challenges will be met.

“It is only God that can remove him. I foresee that judges will be compromised on this matter unless God touches their hearts. No one except God can remove the President from office. He is desperate to do anything to see that nobody removes him.”

Primate Ayodele explained that the actual winner will not be given the mandate to take over the government even though Nigerians will still face hardship in the present government.

He also blamed the disunity among opposition parties for the failure experienced in the last election.

“The truth will be known but the Judges will use legal terms to discredit the argument of the petitioners. INEC, BVAS, and IVR will be rubbished. The government of the day will remain and will continue in office.

“They will do so well but there will be consequences that Nigeria will pay for dearly. The actual winner will not be given the mandate to take over the government. Atiku and Obi ought to have merged and claim victory. If they are not careful and united, it will affect subsequent elections in the country.”

Ayodele warned that if the Tribunal fails to do the needful, it will affect the image of the judiciary and the electoral body will no longer be seen as an unbiased empire.

“However, If the Tribunal does not do the needful, it will affect the image of the Tribunal members. INEC will be seen as a clearing house for all manners of election results.

“There will be confusion in the government circles because the judgment will be very clear to all. The best option will be to either go for a rerun or another election entirely or leave it the way it is. ‘’

Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu will wipe the tears of Nigerians amid the economic challenges confronting the nation.

Edochie gave this assurance in a statement via his verified Instagram handle on Wednesday.

He stated, “I’ll keep praying for you Sir. @officialasiwajubat. For God to give you long life and good health to deliver the good plans you have for Nigeria.

“Nigerians have suffered so much. And I believe you’ll wipe the tears and make Nigeria great again. Best of luck Mr. President. The Jagaban,” he added.

Meanwhile, Edochie had earlier appealed to Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Edochie begged the President in a Twitter post on Tuesday.

The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since he was arrested and repatriated to Nigeria two years ago from Kenya.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja discharged and acquitted Kanu on October 13, 2022, but the DSS refused to release him.

In a tweet today, the actor pleaded with Tinubu, who he described as a man who fought for democracy for three decades, to let Kanu go free.

“To our Leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT GCFR. The Jagaban,” Edochie tweeted.

“A man who has fought for democracy for 3 decades, A builder & supporter of men & women. My President, please release Nnamdi Kanu. A humble request from your son, Yul Edochie.”

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has restated that for an efficient justice system to berth, judicial integrity is crucial.

The CJN stated this in Abuja Monday, while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Induction Course for newly appointed Judges of the Area/Sharia/Customary Courts organised by the National Judicial Institute.

The theme of the Induction Course is: Strengthening Judicial Integrity in the Lower Courts.

At the induction ceremony, the CJN noted that judicial Integrity is crucial in establishing not only an efficient justice system but to promote judicial independence, and quality justice delivery.

“My Lords, integrity is central to effective justice administration as a key pre-requisite for establishing an effective and functional justice system for the peaceful resolution of legal disputes.

“As judges of the lower courts, you must be bound by principles of honesty and respect for constituted authority.

“My Lords, the majority of cases decided in your courts are essentially civil in nature and personal, which includes succession, child custody, administration of estates and marital disputes.

“These cases form the foundation of every society, and it is vital to carry out your duties judiciously in maintaining the family structure which every society relies on,” the CJN said.

Ariwoola charged them to remain committed and diligent in the discharge of the onerous responsibilities.

In his welcome address, the administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Salisu Abdulahi tasked the inductee on need to strengthen their approach towards adjudicating the law and effectively addressing the challenges that arise in the course of their duties.

He said the workshop has been instrumental in equipping newly appointed judges with the skills and knowledge necessary for achieving judicial excellence.

At the Presidential Election Petitions Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, the legal team of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun SAN, began his defence by tendering 18 duly certified documents to quash Peter Obi’s petition against their election victory.

Two of the documents tendered by Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun SAN were “Peter Obi’s forwarding letter for the submission of membership registration dated April 25, 2022 as well as his Register of Membership for Anambra state,” duly certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

In their court documents seen by THE WHISTLER, Olanipekun insisted that Peter Obi, as at April 30, was still a member of the People’s Democratic Party and his name was not and could not have been in the register of members submitted by Labour Party to INEC.

But in Obi’s legal team response to Tinubu’s submission on his sponsorship by the Labour Party, they maintained that the allegation is “misconceived” because their claim are pre-election matters and “matters internal to the Labour party.”

Obi’s team had maintained in their documents seen by THE WHISTLER that while he was granted a “certificate of waiver” to join LP on May 25, 2022, the allegation of Tinubu against his qualification is not backed by Sections 131 and 137 of the 1999 constitution.

Other documents tendered by Olanipekun are as follows: “Letter from Nigeria Police to the United States Embassy dated February 3, 2003 asking for some information about Tinubu’s criminal record, the reply from US Embassy to the Nigeria Police, same year, 12 documents relating to the educational record of Tinubu from Chicago State University duly certified by Jamaal Cor, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs, Chicago State University, data page of Tinubu’s Nigerian passport issued on February 2, 2011 and November 20, 2019, duly certified by Nigerian Immigration Service.

“Tinubu’s visas to the United States issued between February 4, 2011 and November 18, 2021, duly certified by Nigerian Immigration Service, Copy of Reports of the Commission on the location of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, obtained from the FCT Archives and Historical Bureau, dated 1975, copy of Form EC8D(A)( The single sheet from which INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu announce winner of the presidential election) and Form Form EC8D for Kano state in respect of the presidential election.”

Others are “Acknowledgement copy of Kashim Shettima’s notice of voluntary withdrawal of candidacy from Borno Central Senatorial District election, dated July 6, 2023, Judgement of the Supreme Court in SC/CV/501/2023 between Peoples Democratic party and Independent National Electoral Commission and 3 others delivered on May 26, 2023 and Copies of page 27, 28, of Nigerian Tribune Newspaper of February 23, 2023.”

Tendering of all the documents were backed by the legal team of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the All Progressives Congress.

But Peter Obi’s lead counsel, Livy Uzoukwu SAN, vehemently opposed the admissibility of all the documents except the letter about his registration and membership.

But Uzoukwu said he would advance his reasons for objection in his final address.

Subsequently, the court admitted all the documents as Tinubu’s evidence.

The court then stood down for some minutes for Olanipekun to call his witnesses.