Television Nigerian

…say APM didn’t file petition at the tribunal

The Coalition of Middle Belt Groups says the position of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and other political parties have validated the victory of the All Progressives Congress candidate Alhaji Usman Ododo.

The group said the decision of the APM not to go to court to debate the election result shows that Ododo was the overwhelming choice of the masses.

Dr Omale Ben Amedu, the convener of the group who was also the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APM during the election rubbished reports trying to discredit the exercise saying  the result was an expression of the people’s wishes.

He said: “The gubernatorial elections in Kogi state came with its challenges. However, this does not lend credence to the insinuations that it was not free, fair, and credible. This position canvassed by some interested parties is not a reflection of reality, and we wish to state in unequivocal terms that the election was indeed free, fair, and credible.

“This is because there is nowhere in the world where an election can be rated 100%. Advanced democracies in the world still experience glitches during elections, so long the ratio of the glitch is negligible, as, in the case of the gubernatorial election in Kogi state, it can be regarded, as free, fair, and credible.

“Those on the ground during the elections would admit that the process remains one of the best in recent times, but for a few issues that the Independent National Electoral Commission needs to address in future elections.

“The outcome of the elections in Kogi state is an expression of the people’s wishes. Though many may disagree, it is normal, but people should learn to be magnanimous in victory and defeat.

“It is also instructive to state that all the major parties that participated in the elections decided not to go to court as a result of the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission before, during, and after the elections. This is a result of the efforts to ensure that the elections went smoothly, contrary to what is peddled in the public space.

“We elected not to go to court because there is nothing to debate. The elections were held in all parts of the state. There were no cases of harassment or intimidation. The security agencies were present and ensured the smooth conduct of the elections, which resulted in a winner that the Independent National Electoral Commission announced.

“The recent utterances by the supposed secretary of the elections petitions tribunal in Lokoja that she was attacked and petitions submitted have been stolen is false and remains a figment of her imagination.

“The Coalition of Middle Belt Groups condemns this position for lacking in merit. The tribunal secretary is either playing to the gallery or acting as a paid script written by those bent on rubbishing the outcome of the gubernatorial elections in the state. ”

The Coalition, therefore,  charged the Independent National Electoral Commission to continue to improve its facilities to accommodate the dynamics inherent in conducting elections and managing the outcomes.

He added: “The case of Kogi state remains commendable. Despite the issues, the Independent National Electoral Commission officials were up and doing. They ensured the process was free, fair, and credible. We believe the Independent National Electoral Commission will improve its operations using the Kogi state elections as an example.

“The Coalition of Middle-belt groups is using this medium to call on all relevant stakeholders in Kogi state to rally support with the winner of the gubernatorial election towards achieving sustainable growth and development. “

Agbo Major, a NNPP official, has stated that Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has been lawfully expelled.

The decision to expel Kwankwaso, according to Major, resulted from an alleged attempt by the former governor of Kano State and his followers to seize control of the party from its original founders.

Major maintains that the expulsion was necessary to protect the party’s integrity and prevent Kwankwaso and his loyalists from taking power.

“The entire concept was okay, this man (founder) is a good man, he listens, and so on and so forth, so let us dominate him and take over the party.” That’s what they wanted, but they found in us the determination to make sure it didn’t happen,” Major said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

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He added that Kwankwaso’s side joined the party the previous year as part of a deal that permitted them to run in the 2023 elections.

“They joined us for the election last year.” They joined us on the basis of a memorandum of understanding, which granted them the right to run for various elective seats in the 2023 general election.

“That MoU explicitly stated that at the end of the election, they could go their way, or we come back again to redesign that marriage and see if we will be able to continue or not, but when we saw their activities, we discovered that there is no way the marriage is going to continue, we had to ask them to go, and that is the situation now,” he added.

Following the end of the 2023 elections, the NNPP has been involved in a crisis, with internal party factions resorting to tactics such as suspensions and expulsions against one another.

The Agbo Major faction consists mostly of long-standing party members, whilst the opposing camp consists of persons connected with Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential candidate.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, rejected a report on an allegation that bothered the transfer of a N25 billion Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) intended for retired military pensioners to the Minister of Defense.

Special Advisor on Media and Public Affairs to the Minister, Mr. Rasheed Zubair, released a statement that included the rejection.

While pointing out that the Ministry has not released, nor plans to release, any funds intended for the Renewed Hope Cash Transfer to any person or organization, Mr. Zubair revealed that all approved funds, upon verification of the beneficiaries’ information, will be sent directly to them through their bank accounts and are verifiable, in accordance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive.

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“A fake news item in the media and public spaces alleging that N25 billion allegedly meant for the Retired Military Pensioners from the Conditional Cash Transfer Funds has been given to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has drawn the attention of the Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu,” he said.

People who are discontent, adversaries of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, and miscreants are asked to ignore this news as it is not only fake but also a calculated, malevolent, and inane attempt to damage the reputation and honor of the Honourable Minister.

As per the records, the Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation never gave or considered giving Ministers or Ministries money intended for the pensioners of retired military personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.”Just to be clear, in the third week of November, the Nigerian Legion and the Pensioners group submitted a list of 17,077 Veterans and 264,560 Pensioners to the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO). The process of physically verifying the names is still in progress.

Analogously, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation’s office in charge of verifying the register is laboriously working with the World Bank. Upon completion of the meticulous verification process, all captured retired warriors who fulfill the requirements and pensions will get payment.

This press statement informs the public, particularly the media, that the ministry has not distributed any funds intended for the Renewed Hope Cash Transfer to any specific person or organization, nor does it aim to do so.

Following verification of the recipients’ information, all money are to be delivered directly to them through their bank accounts and are verifiable, per President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s direction.

“Nigerians should appreciate the novel idea and first of its kind in the country’s history—the President’s good intention to expand the National Social Register and begin paying N25,000 for three months to accommodate veterans of the Nigerian Armed Forces—and not allow themselves to be misled or distracted by naysayers,” Mr. Zubair stated in the statement.

Juridical correspondents have been charged by Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi (rtd), the administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja, to ensure fair and impartial reporting of judicial proceedings, particularly in this day and age when fake news is frequently spread via social media.

During the opening of a two-day training for members of the Abuja branch of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, hosted by the NJI, Justice Abdullahi made this statement on Wednesday.

As judicial correspondents, the Administrator informed the participants that public opinion and public confidence are directly impacted by their portrayal of the judiciary in a positive light.
The NJI Administrator encouraged judiciary reporters to consistently follow the rules and ethics of journalism practice, with the topic being “Pursuing Media Service Excellence for Optimal Productivity in the Judiciary.”

Abdullahi gave off the assurance that consistently upholding the profession’s ethics will undoubtedly foster media quality, which will further maximize judicial output as the topic states.

“It’s critical that I stress the need for journalists and judiciary correspondents to maintain objectivity.”It is said that the pen is mightier than the sword. Since biased reporting would undoubtedly spark partisan reactions, you will concur with me that it goes against the foundations of a democratic society.
“Consequently, it is imperative that all stakeholders work together to accomplish the goal of making sure you are on par with your peers in other regions and adhere to international best practices,” the NJI Administrator stated.
Justice Abdullahi emphasized to the attendees that judicial integrity plays a critical role in fostering public confidence in the judiciary. As such, reporters covering the judiciary must carefully craft their reporting to accurately portray the integrity of judicial officers, as this is what he said is most important.

The Administrator emphasized once more how crucial a role court reporters play in covering judicial authorities in order to enhance openness.

Abdullazeez Olumo Esq., the Secretary of the National Judicial Institute, reminded attendees that the workshop’s theme also applies to the media during his remarks.

Recognizing the strong rapport that exists between judiciary correspondents and the NJI, Mr. Olumo regretted that the public’s opinion of the judiciary has not been positive and praiseworthy.

According to Mr. Olumo, what Nigerians read in the media and on social media is to blame for the declining and unfavorable public opinion of the judiciary.

He clarified that the public is typically unaware of how the judiciary functions and insisted that, instead of focusing on sensationalism and biased reporting, the media, and especially judiciary reporters in particular, should use their reports to educate the public about this issue.

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Olumo claims that certain cases that shouldn’t even be in court are filed, and when the side losing ends up with a negative ruling, they turn to criticizing the judiciary in public statements.

When a matter is heard and decided by the court, the following factors are crucial: the law, the facts, and the evidence. You will undoubtedly obtain justice if you compare these three problems and make a strong case in court.

“The court will return to you what you give it. The court is not a Santa Claus that grants wishes without asking.

In order to lessen the people’s unfavorable opinion of the judiciary, Olumo stated that the media, particularly judiciary correspondents, should work to educate the public through unbiased, factual, and knowledgeable reporting.

“Only the judiciary correspondents possess this ability, and we urge you to maintain objectivity and impartiality in your reporting, avoiding sensationalism,” said the NJI Secretary.

Assuring that the workshop is here to stay, Olumo from the Institute stated that learning is a lifelong process.
According to Olumo, education is a lifelong process that ends when a person passes away.

For this reason, he gave his word that the NJI would keep holding seminars aimed at developing the competence of Judiciary Correspondents.

The National Association of Judiciary Correspondents Abuja Chapter Chairman, Mr. Kayode Lawal, also spoke and praised Justice Garba Abdullahi (rtd), the Administrator of NJI, for keeping his word and making sure the yearly workshop for Judiciary Correspondents continues.

Lawal acknowledged that since the capacity-building workshop’s founding many years ago, Judiciary Correspondents have improved their reporting of the courts by being more exact, deliberate, and cautious in their use of technical terms and reporting goals.

He promised that in addition to avoiding disrespectful topics, sensationalism, and objective reporting, judiciary reporters will continue to carry out their duty without fear or favor.

The first paper presentation was given by Venerable Tunde Oyesina Esq. of the New Telegraph newspaper, with the topic “Reportage of Court in Proceedings: Respect for Victims, Privacies and Presenting the Truth to the Public.”