Dons EzeCOURT STOPS INEC FROM RELEASING VOTERS REGISTER FOR RIVERS LG POLLS
COURT STOPS INEC FROM RELEASING VOTERS REGISTER FOR RIVERS LG POLLS A Federal High court in Abuja on Friday stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the purpose of conducting the forthcoming local government elections in the state. Justice Peter Lifu issued an order of interim injunction against INEC, while delivering ruling in a motion ex-parte brought before him by the All Progressives Congress (APC). The motion ex-parte was filed on behalf of the APC by a team of senior lawyers comprising Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon and Ogwu James Onoja, all SANs. It was brought pursuant to Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act, Order 26 Rules 1 and 3, order 28 rules 1 and 2, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court as enshrined in Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution. The judges also ordered the Rivers Electoral Commission and Rivers Attorney-General from receiving from INEC or using part of the National Voter’s Register relating to Rivers State to conduct local government elections in the state. Similarly, Justice Lifu restrained the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Service (DSS) from participating or providing security protection for Rivers State Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections in the state. Also, the judge issued another order directing INEC, Rivers State Electoral Commission, AG Rivers State, IGP and DSS to maintain status quo ante bellum and not to do any act or take any further steps in furtherance of the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State. The interim orders are to remain in force pending the determination of the substantive suit in which the APC is challenging the propriety of the conduct of elections in Rivers local governments. In granting the interim restraining orders, Justice Lifu directed the APC to undertake to pay damages to the five defendants in case its suit was found to be frivolous and that the restraining orders ought not to have been granted in the first instance. Justice Lifu also granted substituted service of the orders and other court processes on the five defendants through publications in two major national dailies before the adjourned date to attract the attention of the defendants. Meanwhile the judge fixed August 2 for all the defendants to appear before him for hearing of the substantive matter. In a 13-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Tony Okocha, the acting chairman of Rivers APC, he averred that originating summons were taken out against the defendants due to failure of INEC to comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act in respect of the management of the register of voters which it intends to release to Rivers electoral body for local government elections in breach and violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act. The deponent averred that it is only the voter register compiled, maintained, updated and kept in the custody of INEC that Rivers Electoral Commission can obtain and use to conduct local government polls as Rivers SIEC is not entitled to compile, maintain, update and keep in its custody any separate voters register. The APC acting chairman further stated that its originating summons and motion on notice are pending before the court for hearing and that it has become necessary to take proactive steps to preserve the substance of the case by restraining the defendants from tampering with or dissipating the main case pending the hearing and determination of the motion. He also averred that APC in Rivers State brought the instant application in the interest of justice for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum and preservation of the main matter. Besides, the deponent undertook to pay…
NEPOTISM PRO-MAX: SIX OF TINUBU’S TEN LAST APPOINTMENTS ARE FROM SOUTH-WEST
NEPOTISM PRO-MAX: SIX OF TINUBU’S LAST TEN APPOINTEES ARE FROM SOUTH-WEST Nigerians have come down hard on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the lopsidedness in his political appointments. He is being accused of continuing from the nepotism of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari after making 10 new appointments, six of which favoured his South West region. The trend of his lopsided appointments to favour the Yoruba ethnic nationality has been obvious since he became President on 29th May, 2023, but it has become more pronounced. Those who spoke to People&Politics on the issue describe it as act of ‘extreme nepotism’. According to Mr. Silas Ezebuenyi, the act not only favours the President’s region, it is specially targeted against the South-East region of the country which has received the least number of appointments under Tinubu. Rukevwe Joyce, a banker who spoke on the recent appointments, calls it ‘nepotism pro-max’ considering that the nation has six geopolitical zones. She added that the President’s attitude is unacceptable as it is in breach of the federal character principle. “And you know what?”, she enthused, “the South-West has systematically taken all the juicy appointments in the country and the appointees are likely driving that same nepotism down the ladder in the various offices they are sent to head”. Among the new appointees are; Mr Silas Agara (Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment), Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, (Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency), Mr Baffa Dan Agundi, (Director-General of the National Productivity Centre), Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, (Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority), Mr Saleh Abubakar, (Director-General National Agency for the Great Green Wall), Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi, (Project Coordinator, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project), Mr. Tosin Adeyanju, (Executive Secretary, National Lottery Trust Fund), Oluwaseun Faleye, (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund), Mrs. Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli-Macaulay, (Executive Director (Operations), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund), Ms Omolola Bridget Oloworaran, (Director-General, National Pension Commission) and Mr Jobson Ewalefoh, (Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission). Some of the appointments have also been criticized because of the characters involved. The appointment of the former representative of Amuwo Odofin 1 Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Kehinde Alli-Macaulay, as the Executive Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), is one of such. She was accused of repackaging COVID-19 palliatives as birthday souvenirs in 2020. Mrs. Alli-MacaulayOn social media, Nigerians have queried the lopsidedness of the appointments. @HAHayatu said: “70% of appointments are now Yoruba and even in that 70% are Lagosians. Nepotism pro max. Buhari sef dey learn now.” @EmmyPromise71 said: “What did President Tinubu want to achieve with nepotism in his government, for crying out loud? How can you make about 10 appointments in your government as the President of Nigeria and No Igbo men or women made the list? What kind of nepotism is this?” @nonsook96346206: “10 appointments – 3 from the North and 7 from Yoruba. No single person from SS and SE that has over 95% of oil reserves and gas reserves. Tinubu should continue his yorubanization nepotism – history will remind him of it.” @captainsterling said: “Na wa ooo for this administration’s defenders and supporters. I rise.”@adeyanjudeji said: “Tinubu just appointing Yoruba people all over the place. I miss Buhari. Tinubu is the worst president ever.”
ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST: TINUBUMUSTGO HASHTAG TRENDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST: TINUBUMUSTGO HASHTAG TRENDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Ahead of the planned nationwide protests over hardship, netizens have threatened to demand President Bola Tinubu’s resignation. A cross-section of Nigerians on their X microblogging handles are using the hashtag #TinubuMustGo to campaign for the protest. They are alleging that the president lacks the ability to tackle the economic crisis bedevilling the nation. Nigerians, particularly youths who are frustrated by the economic reality, have vowed to stage mass protests nationwide. According to the flyers making the rounds, the protest has been scheduled for August 1 to 10. Some X users who were campaigning for the protest threatened that if the protest is disrupted by security operatives, they would demand Tinubu’s immediate resignation. Below are some of the posts on X: @j_samdavid wrote: “As we mount the barricade in August to rage, the APC urchins, the police, the army and all the trigger-happy state apparatus of the elite ruling class should know that if any one of the masses protesting should be wounded or killed, we will come for Tinubu #TinubuMustGo.” @PhCity_Oracle wrote: “Built a N21 B mansion for Shettima but asked Nigerians to be patient. Bought a N5B presidential yacht for Tinubu – approved 70000 naira for the NLC and TUC. Bought N150 B presidential jet but shared rice with Nigerians. #RevolutionNow #TinubuMUSTGo #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.” @Jrnaib2 wrote: “Do you know that majority of Nigerians are committed to the One Term President, OTP Project? Join the patriotic movement now! #TinubuMUSTGo.”@Verydarkman wrote: “Dear Nigeria Youth. Make sure you come out for the protest and never give up. As you can see, they are already developing cold feet. NIGERIA BELONGS TO ALL OF US. #TinubuMUSTGo.”
RIVERS CRISIS: APPEAL COURT DISMISSES SUIT AGAINST TINUBU, FUBARA
RIVERS CRISIS: APPEAL COURT DISMISSES SUIT AGAINST TINUBU, FUBARA The Appeal Court in Port Harcourt has upheld a lower court’s decision thereby dismissing an appeal filed by His Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe and nine others. The appeal challenged a previous ruling by Justice Chinwendu Nworgu of the Rivers State High Court, which had dismissed a suit against President Bola Tinubu, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Martins Amaewhule, and 24 others due to lack of jurisdiction. The three-man panel of the Appeal Court, led by Justice Elfreda Oluwayamisi-Dawodu, upheld the lower court’s decision, stating that the state High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter. The court described the plaintiffs’ actions as “merely academic exercises.”The claimants had approached the High Court seeking interpretation of the Nigerian Constitution regarding President Tinubu’s directive to Governor Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget to 24 lawmakers led by Amaewhule, despite their seats being declared vacant.
NDUME REJECTS SENATE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT
NDUME REJECTS SENATE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT Two days after his removal as Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume has declined the Senate Committee on Tourism chairmanship, citing a lack of experience and exposure necessary for such a position. Speaking from his home in Maiduguri, he mentioned he never aspired to be the Senate Chief Whip, having already served as the Senate leader during the eighth Senate. Ndume stated that he was offered the opportunity to choose a committee to serve as vice-chairman due to his role in securing Godwill Akpabio’s election as Senate President. On the calls for him to resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ndume reaffirmed his status as a founding party member. He recounted his involvement in the formation of the APC, being one of the twenty-two senators who left the PDP to establish the new party back when Abdullahi Ganduje was the deputy governor of Kano State. Ndume noted that he consulted his constituents before publicly joining the APC at the request of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his people.The senator explained his delayed response to his removal, citing the mourning of a family member’s death.
MY SPIRIT HAS LEFT PDP – SHAIBU, APPOINTS AIDES
MY SPIRIT HAS LEFT PDP – SHAIBU, APPOINTS AIDES The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has declared that his spirit has left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He made this disclosure when he appeared on Arise TV on Friday morning. Shaibu, who was reinstated as the Deputy Governor by the Federal High Court days ago, stated that he has shifted camp to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. He, however, disclosed that he is only still a member of PDP because he has not official resigned, dropped the party’s card and announced his membership of the APC. The Deputy Governor made these disclosures when the presenters queried him for backing the APC Governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, instead of the PDP’s candidate, Asug Ighodalo, accusing his of anti-party activities. Shaibu initially stated that he learned what he was doing from his mentor and Boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who had backed the Labour Party, LP, during the 2023 elections on the pretext that he had the right to support whoever he wanted. Speaking further, Shaibu then revealed that he would not belong to one party and support the candidate of another party, adding that his spirit had left the PDP and joined APC and what was left was to make it official. Meanwhile, Philip Shaibu has approved the appointments of eight persons to assist in the dischage of his duties as the state’s number two citizen. In a statement on Friday, signed by Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Comrade Musa Ebomhiana, nine officials have been appointed as Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants respectively. They include Hon. Kingsley Ehigiamusor as Chief of Staff, Comrade Musa Ebomhiana as Chief Press Secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Akhaba as Senior Special Assistant, Mustapha Lawal as Senior Special Assistant and Mr. Charles Olubayo as Senior Special Assistant. Others are Mathias Akhanemhe as Special Assistant, Comrade Robinson Akhenoba as Special Assistant, Robert Ojele as Special Assistant, and Isioma Ogochukwu as Special Assistant. This appointments, according to the release, takes immediate effect. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, reinstated Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, months after he was unlawfully impeached by the state assembly in April 2024.
ATIKU HAILS PETER OBI ON BIRTHDAY, CALLS HIM’MY GOOD FRIEND AND DEDICATED PATRIOT’
ATIKU HAILS PETER OBI ON BIRTHDAY, CALLS HIM ‘MY GOOD FRIEND AND DEDICATED PATRIOT’ Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has felicitated with the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, on his 63rd birthday. Atiku, in a post via his X handle on Friday, described Peter Obi as his good friend and dedicated patriot. Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, also prayed that Peter Obi would enjoy more good years on earth and continued service to the country. He wrote, “On behalf of my family, I extend hearty birthday wishes to my good friend, a dedicated patriot and former Governor of Anambra State, @PeterObi, on his 63rd birthday. May you enjoy many more years of good health and continued service to our nation.”’ Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, has berated the National Assembly over the removal of the Senator representing Borno South senatorial district, Ali Ndume, as the Majority Whip. Ndume was replaced by Borno North Senator, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, during the plenary on Tuesday, following his criticism of President Bola Tinubu. Recall that last week, Ndume stated in an interview that the president was unaware of what was happening outside the Villa, alleging that the president had been fenced off and caged. In a statement via X on Thursday, Atiku faulted the highhandedness of the executive arm of the government in attempting to use the legislature against the interest of the masses. Atiku asserted that the democracy under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has become an anathema to the general principle of democracy. He noted that the National Assembly is gradually becoming a puppet in Tinubu’s hands as regards taking a reverse course in its function.While expressing displeasure over the removal of Ndume, Atiku also recalled the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi, who had earlier criticized Tinubu earlier this year, adding that the National Assembly has become an enabler of executive recklessness.
SENATE MOVES TO ESTABLISH LOCAL GOVT ELECTORAL COMMISSION
SENATE MOVES TO ESTABLISH LOCAL GOVT ELECTORAL COMMISSION A bill seeking to establish a federal agency for the conduct of local government elections on Thursday, July18, scaled first reading in the Senate. The bill is titled, “Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 531)”The bill was sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, (APC, Niger East).
N423B THEFT: EL RUFAI ACCUSES JUDGE OF BIAS, SEEKS CASE TRANSFER
₦423B THEFT: EL-RUFAI ACCUSES JUDGE OF BIAS, SEEKS CASE TRANSFER Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a petition against Justice Rilwanu Aikawa of the Kaduna Federal High Court, alleging gross bias, injustice, and denial of fair hearing in his ongoing legal case. The petition, dated July 18, 2024, was submitted to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Tsoho. El-Rufai, represented by his counsel Adetayo Adeyemo, requested that his fundamental human rights suit, marked FHC/KD/CS/55/2024, be transferred to another judge to ensure justice is served. The former governor detailed a series of events he believes demonstrate bias in the handling of his case. According to El-Rufai, the suit was initially filed on June 26, 2024, with a hearing set for July 8. During the hearing, El-Rufai’s counsel, S.S. Umoru, informed the court that all parties had been served and were within the time frame to file their responses. However, the 1st respondent’s counsel, Sule Shaibu (SAN), indicated they were one day late in filing their response. The matter was then adjourned to July 17. El-Rufai’s principal counsel, A.U. Mustapha (SAN), travelled from Lagos to Kaduna for the hearing on July 17, only to be informed that the court would not be sitting. That night, El-Rufai received news that the hearing had been rescheduled for the following day, July 18. Due to the short notice, El-Rufai’s team filed for an adjournment and served the notice to all parties involved. Despite this, El-Rufai alleges that the court proceeded with the hearing on July 18 without notifying him or his counsel. He claims that the respondents were allowed to adopt their processes and participate in the proceedings in his absence, which he views as a clear indication of bias and a denial of his right to a fair hearing. El-Rufai has called for the transfer of his case to another judge to ensure impartiality and justice in the proceedings. The outcome of this petition and its impact on the ongoing legal battle remains to be seen. He said, “The applicant was not put on notice for the proceedings of July 18 2024, as expressly explained in the letter of adjournment. We only got a whiff of the hearing on the night of July 17, which is an extremely short time for us to appear in court. Service of hearing in a matter is sacrosanct and our courts have held severally that every party must be put on notice before his case can be heard. “In view of the foregoing, we humbly apply for the transfer of this matter from the trial court presided over by honourable Justice R.M Aikawa whereby the relevant applications can be heard as the applicant has lost all confidence in the judge to continue to hear and determine the matter. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. “Having expressly refused to put the applicant on notice before hearing the matter and proceeding to hear same when the applicant was still within time, to respond to the 1st respondent application, the average man on the street could see which way the judge is headed.”The former governor also alleged he was not given the opportunity to respond to the 1st respondent’s counter-affidavit and written address.
YOU’RE MORALLY UNFIT TO ATTACK OUR GOVT – APC TELLS PDP GOVERNORS
YOU’RE MORALLY UNFIT TO ATTACK OUR GOVT – APC TELLS PDP GOVERNORS The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday descended on governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying they were morally and politically unfit to point accusing fingers to its government. The ruling party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka said the PDP Governors accusing the APC of destroying the country’s economy and institutions contributed to the ruinous state of the country through its 16 years of misrule. According to Morka, the PDP governors made these statements following their meeting in Enugu, on Wednesday over the recent Supreme Court decision that granted financial autonomy to local government councils in the country. Morka said it was a sad irony that; “PDP Governors who congregated to discuss the newly won financial autonomy of local governments, the most remarkable breakthrough in democratic transformation in our country since 1999, ended their meeting pointing their scabby political fingers at the APC government that accomplished a reform that the PDP did not and could not initiate, let alone deliver, in all of its desolate 16 years in government. “By their statement, it is now obvious that the PDP Governors lack understanding of their place and responsibility in our system of government. They do not understand the seriousness of the responsibility that they bear as chief executives of their states to justify the resources at their disposal to build and bolster their domestic economies for the good of their people. “Rather, the PDP Governors speak and carry on as idle spectators and executive free-loaders while blaming the federal government for everything, including their spectacular failure to accomplish the most elementary service delivery to their people. “For example, on record, Delta state, governed by the PDP since 1999, is the highest recipient of federal allocation in the country but is emblematic of PDP’s acute corruption, misrule and utter hopelessness with piles of backlog of unpaid salaries and pensions to hardworking citizens of the state. “The same PDP Governors, many of who have failed to pay legal minimum wage to their workers, hurdled together, without any sense of shame, to accuse the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of delay in approving a new minimum wage for workers. These are the same Governors that, only a few weeks ago, publicly proclaimed their inability to pay the proposed new minimum wage due to their workers.” The statement added that “Nigerians do not need to be reminded of the PDP’s inglorious 16 years of odious rule during which the party built nothing that can be remembered or destroyed.”It added that the APC-led administration has only saddled itself with fixing the PDP’s mess and institutionalised debilitating corruption of nearly two decades.