Television Nigerian

Danladi Jatau, a legislator from Kokona West Constituency, was unanimously chosen as the Nasarawa State House of Assembly’s speaker on Friday.

Additionally chosen to the position of Deputy Speaker is Mohammed Oyanki, the MP for Doma North Constituency.

According to reports, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the previous speaker, was fired by the Court of Appeal in Abuja a few days before to this incident.

Oyanki, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Jatua, the newly chosen Speaker of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reportedly collaborated to ensure that Oyanki became the head of the state assembly in order to maintain harmony within the state legislature.

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A review of the Abuja Court of Appeal’s ruling, which certified Governor Abdullahi Sule’s win in the 2023 governorship race, has been requested by the PDP’s Nasarawa State chapter in an appeal to the Supreme Court.

At first, Sule’s victory was declared void by the state election petitions tribunal, which declared David Ombugadu of the PDP the victor.

The tribunal erred in its vote re-computation and declaration, the appellate court eventually said, affirming Sule as the legitimate governor.

During a nonviolent demonstration in Lafia, Stella Oboshi, the PDP’s women’s leader in Nasarawa, voiced her worries over the ruling of the appellate court.

The significance of democracy in Nigeria was emphasized as she contended that the ruling went against democratic norms and demanded that the Supreme Court conduct a full investigation of the issue.

The ruling of the Court of Appeal, which disqualified Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf from running for office due to suspected certificate fraud, was challenged by the All Progressive Congress (APC) in a two-ground cross-appeal petition to the Supreme Court.

Two grounds were listed by the party in its cross-appeal in the appeal notice that Akin Olujinmi, the attorney for the APC, filed on Wednesday.
As stated on page 11 of the ruling, the Lower Court made a legal error.

It is not useful to the cross-appellant for the 2nd Cross Respondent to know whether or not its Form EC9 exhibit meets the requirements for a certificate under Section 182[1] [j] of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 [as amended] Olujinmi stated.

Olujinmi elaborated, citing specific examples of the judgment’s flaws, saying, “A decision on it goes to the issue on non-qualification of the 2nd cross-respondent to contest the election in dispute in this appeal, contrary to the holding of the lower court.”

But, in order to permit the cross-appeal, the APC requested a Supreme Court ruling.

As you may remember, the Court of Appeal upheld the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s ruling a few weeks prior.

Kano’s March 18 governor’s race was pronounced won by APC candidate Nasiru Gawuna, according to the court.

But in the certified authentic copy of the judgment that was made public four days later, the appellate court partially overturned its ruling.

The National Assembly (NASS) is expected to expedite the adoption of the N27.5 trillion 2024 Appropriations Bill, possibly clearing it by December 19, 2023, according to reports.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu swiftly submitted the “Budget of Renewed Hope” to the assembly, whereupon it was tabled for deliberation.

In the Senate, the second reading of the bill was discussed right away following the first reading, indicating a hurried process.

The essential ideas of the budget were promptly discussed in equal measure by the House of Representatives.

The proposed budget’s essential elements, which include an expected daily oil production of 1.78 million barrels and an oil price benchmark of $77.96 per barrel, were presented by Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi.

Furthermore, the budget projects a N750 to dollar exchange rate.
The federally distributable revenue for 2024 was N11.09 trillion, but the federally receivable revenue was almost N16.87 trillion, he pointed out. The N9.73 trillion total budget that is available is augmented by this revenue.

Various revenue sources, including oil, non-oil taxes, and independent revenues, are included in the breakdown.

The suggested distribution includes capital spending, debt service, sinking funds, pensions, gratuities, overhead, recurrent costs, and personnel expenses.

Former Aviation Minister Mr. Osita Chidoka has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for providing him with voter accreditation data for the governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi on November 11.

Following his use of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to request the report from INEC, Chidoka made this statement on his verified social media account, X, which was originally known as Tweeter.
INEC should be commended for the initiative, according to the former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

“Today is a critical turning point in our quest for accountable and transparent governance.”The BVAS report on voter accreditation for the most recent governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo has been provided by the INEC in response to my request for information, and I announce this with gratitude and a sense of pride in our country.

The extraordinary adherence displayed by INEC is proof of what can be accomplished with perseverance and the guts to take risks.

“I want to sincerely thank INEC for their dedication to upholding the values of accountability and transparency as well as our laws,” he said.

“This act represents a hopeful beginning in our collective effort to ensure that government agencies are answerable not only to the law but also to the people they serve,” Chidoka continued.

It gives me great pleasure to notify Nigerians that the BVAS report, coupled with a certificate that complies with section 84 of the Evidence Act (2011), was received in hard copy.

“This development is an important step in the direction of our continued journey towards a more democratic and transparent governing structure.

In order to further reinforce the pillars of our democracy, I am eager to disseminate the report’s insights to all citizens.

“Let us embark on this journey of enlightenment and transformation together, so that in the future the electoral process is a true reflection of the people’s will, not just a formality.”Author: Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia of weakening the rule of law by appointing caretaker committees for local government units in the state.

The PDP claims that the action lacks legal support and has called into doubt the governor’s commitment to the promised autonomy for local government management.

According to the Benue PDP, caretaker committees were appointed for all 23 local government councils without the necessary enabling law from the Benue State House of Assembly, as stated in a statement signed by Chief Bemgba Iortyom (Vande-U-Mbaiwer), the party’s state publicity secretary.
The PDP claims that the committee heads violated due process by evading the legislature’s required scrutiny.

PDP claimed that Alia’s actions are a direct contradiction to his pledges made during the 2023 campaign to provide local government more power.

Nonetheless, PDP claims that the governor’s handling of local government matters since taking office has been characterized by the disobedience of several court rulings that uphold the terms of previously elected councils.

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Reminding the people that 23 council chairmen were chosen based on the party platform in the April 30, 2022 local council elections, the PDP said that their sworn terms will end on June 28, 2024.

Alia allegedly formed a committee that promptly recommended the suspension of the councils and their chairmen, in violation of court rulings, including one rendered by Hon. Justice (Dr.) I. J. Essien that specifically forbade the dissolution of elected councils.

Iortyom claimed that these acts pose legal and democratic issues since they flagrantly disobey current court orders.

He charged that the governor was acting hypocritically and that his pledge of autonomy was a ruse to win support in the next elections.

As a result, the PDP urged the governor to obey the law, rescind the creation of caretaker committees, and preserve democratic values in the state.