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Appeal Court fires Senate Minority Leader, Mwadkwon, orders fresh election

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Simon Mwadkwon, the Senate Minority Leader, lost the Plateau North senatorial election on February 25. This was declared invalid by the Court of Appeal’s Abuja division.

This occurred in response to an Appeal Court order for the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, to hold new elections in less than 90 days.

The court rendered a decision regarding the appeals submitted by Gyang Zi of the Labour Party (LP) and Chris Giwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Giwa and Zi filed an appeal against the ruling of the National/State Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos, Plateau State, which had previously upheld Mwadkwon, the PDP’s legitimate nominee for senator.

They maintained that the PDP lacked organization, making Mwadkwon unable to run for office.

Judge E. Daudu, who read the majority ruling, concluded that the PDP had not complied with the High Court’s injunction in its entirety because twelve local government areas had not sent representatives to the party convention.

The court reached a complete conclusion regarding the matter at hand.

As the appellants have stated, the court ought to uphold an order from a different court in order to prevent chaos.

Read Also: Idoma USA group condemns Otukpo bank robbery

As I concur with the appellant, the third respondent lacked a legitimate organization and was therefore unable to legitimately propose Mwadkwon, the second respondent, for election.

The appeal is successful since the court order was not followed, according to the court’s findings.

Daudu issued an order saying, “The first respondent is hereby ordered to conduct another senatorial election in Plateau North within 90 days.”

APC USA warns NADECO not to disgrace Tinubu with certificate

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The All Progressives Congress chapter in the United States warned the National Democratic Coalition on Sunday night not to hold a press conference on the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s Chicago State University academic certificate, claiming that the school had already confirmed its authenticity.

The warning comes two days after NADECO USA Publicity Secretary David Adenekan declared that the organization will conduct a world press conference on Monday at 9:45 a.m. inside Chicago City Hall.

Adenekan went on to say that the goal was to provide media and the international community a chance to ask questions that would thoroughly examine and throw more light on the President’s alleged CSU certificate fraud.

The Chairman of the APC USA, Prof Tai Balofin, criticized the move in a statement issued late Sunday night, calling it a ruse to demonize the president.
While stating that Tinubu’s alma school has handled the dispute, Balofin noted that it was also inappropriate for NADECO USA, which he referred to as a bogus entity, to be seen discussing a matter that was already in court.
“The allegation concerning President Tinubu’s educational certificate from Chicago State University has been addressed, with CSU confirming the authenticity of the certificate,” he stated. It is critical to stress that this problem has already been referred to the right authorities, namely the courts, where due process and legal processes will be followed.

Read Also: APC, PDP upbeat as today’s S’Court battle begins

“We therefore urge the supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and those of Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, to wait for the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling.”Furthermore, we would want to clarify that the group organizing this World Press Conference under the guise of NADECO USA is not the same NADECO that President Tinubu was a member of under the Abacha regime. We urge the public not to be deceived by these historical revisions. Premature and baseless claims not only do the public a disservice, but they also risk diverting attention away from critical concerns that actually merit consideration.

“In conclusion, the APC USA leadership is vehemently opposed to any attempt to tarnish the reputation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and, by extension, Nigeria.” We are confident in the ability of democratic processes and the legal system to handle any reasonable concerns.

“We remain committed to democratic principles, and we encourage this group hiding under NADECO USA to engage in constructive dialogue and allow the legal system to take its course in addressing any genuine concerns.”

PDP, APC enthusiastic as S’Court battle begins today

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The All Progressives Congress, which is in power, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will win when the Supreme Court considers cases contesting his election victory today.

The Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party are contesting Tinubu’s win in the presidential election on February 25.

The opposition parties had already been defeated when they initially contested Tinubu’s victory at the Presidential Election Petitions Court.

Disappointed with the PEPC’s decision, the parties—Atiku Abubakar, the PDP, and Peter Obi, the LP—as well as their nominees went to the Supreme Court, whose hearing is scheduled for today.

APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim predicted that the opposition would lose once more in a statement made on Sunday in advance of today’s hearing.

“I know the justices of the Supreme Court are just, and we are expecting justice,” he remarked. They will evaluate each case based on its merits. Consequently, we have hope that justice will be served, just as it was in the past (tribunal judgement).

“A just and equitable decision is what we anticipate, nothing more. I have faith in Nigeria’s legal system, whatever the situation may be. Justice will be served, and I take solace in the knowledge that everyone involved, winners or losers, shall act honorably.

As a party, however, the APC is certain that the Supreme Court will rule in a just manner.

But the PDP voiced hope that Tinubu would be removed from office and Atiku declared the winner by the Supreme Court.

Read Also: Idoma USA group condemns Otukpo bank robbery

In a statement released on Sunday, Debo Ologunagba, the national publicity secretary for the PDP, stated, “The world and Nigerians alike look to the Supreme Court for justice, believing that it will uphold the law and apply the express provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Constitution, the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC Guidelines and Regulations in order to deliver substantial justice in the matter.

The sincere hope held by Nigerians and supporters of democracy worldwide is that the Supreme Court will utilize this case to solidly uphold the adage that the court is the last resort for the average person.

Nigerians are therefore hopeful that the Supreme Court would apply the law and the facts of the case to give significant justice.

The Allied Peoples Movement, meanwhile, said that Tinubu’s running partner was not duly chosen and petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the election invalid.

The party claims that the placeholder proposed by President Ibrahim Masari was not changed in the 14 days allowed by Section 33 of the Electoral Act.

 

The APM added that it was incorrect for the tribunal to rule that Tinubu and Kashim Shettima’s nomination and sponsorship were APC internal matters.

Idoma USA group condemns Otukpo bank robbery

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The Idoma Association, USA, has strongly condemned the recent robbery attacks on commercial banks in Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of the Idoma people of Benue State.

Recalls that daredevil armed robbers on Friday attacked five banks in Otukpo, killing at least ten persons including the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Otukpo police station, John Adikwu, and three other operatives.

Reacting in a statement released by its President General, Prince Edwin Ochai, on Sunday, the Idoma Association, USA, said the loss of life, including dedicated police personnel, “is deeply tragic and deeply saddening.”

The group said it “cannot fathom the audacity and cruelty displayed by the perpetrators, who operated with impunity for an hour without effective intervention from our security agencies.”

While noting that the incident “raises serious concerns about the adequacy of our security measures and necessitates immediate and comprehensive investigation”, Idoma Association, USA, urged security agencies, particularly the police, “to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to bring the perpetrators of this senseless violence to justice.”

The statement added: “It is essential to recognize that incidents like these have far-reaching consequences for the image of our beloved Idoma land. They not only tarnish our reputation but also discourage potential investors who seek security and stability in their endeavors. We want to remind those responsible that they will not escape justice, no matter how far they may run.

“In light of these events, we urge the state government to take proactive measures in empowering and supporting the
local vigilante groups and other security agencies. We appreciate the efforts of our traditional leaders in policing their various localities and urge them to increase the momentum. This is a crucial step in reinforcing our commitment to the safety and security of our people. Together, we must take action to prevent the recurrence of such dreadful incidents.

“As we stand united in our condemnation of this senseless act, we extend our deepest condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the attack. Their dedication to our safety will always be remembered, and their sacrifice deeply mourned.

“In these trying times, the Idoma Association, USA, stands firm as a resilient community. We call for justice, security, and prosperity for our beloved Idoma land. Together, we shall overcome acts of violence and build a safer, more secure future for our community.”

Benue CP warns youth against protest

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On Sunday, the Benue State Police Command issued a warning against holding protests anywhere in the state.

The leadership issued a strong warning against any kind of protest, saying that it had learned through information that certain people intended to hold a demonstration.

It mentioned that the state is going through a difficult time.

The command did not, however, specify whether or whether the planned demonstration was a reaction to the armed robbery that occurred in Otukpo last Friday.

Remember that last Friday, suspected armed robbers invaded five banks in the historic town of Otukpo, killing numerous persons, including an Otukpo Divisional Police Officer and three police officers.

Two of the thieves who were running away were confirmed dead by police following a gunfight with security personnel near the Otukpo/Taraku route.

Unverified rumors further stated that four of the alleged armed robbers who had fled had been taken into custody.

The planned protest was described as a plot to undermine police efforts to manage the “fragile security situation” in the state by Catherine Anene, the command spokesperson, in a statement headed “Benue Police Command Warns Against Protest At This Trying Time.”

The statement said, in part, “This is a plan to sabotage efforts of the police to control the delicate security situation that is currently being handled, according to CP. Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka, Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command.

He went on to say that a demonstration at this time would give thugs and other criminals a chance to wreak chaos.

The climate is not appropriate for a protest, hence the CP advises anyone planning one to abstain from such acts.

Additionally, the police chief has instructed Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to bolster security within their jurisdictions and thwart any attempts by demonstrators to incite disturbances.

He also urged all relevant parties, including as parents, youth leaders, religious leaders, and traditional rulers, to advise their wards and youngsters to abstain from any forms of protest during this delicate period.

CP Onyeka urged the populace to give the police pertinent information in a timely manner and reassured them of his commitment to combating crime.

Abiodun orders cow sellers, others to vacate Lagos-Ibadan expressway in 21 days

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All unauthorized cow vendors and street vendors on the road setbacks along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have been ordered by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State to leave the region within the next twenty-one days.

The expressway’s Kara, Isheri Warewa axis is where the illegal traders are located.

Abiodun stated that all of the traders’ shanties will be destroyed in order to properly clean up the axis if they did not leave after the 21-day deadline.

According to the governor, the shanties that the vendors had built pose a risk to public safety and the environment.

In addition, he claimed that street kids and drug dealers “rob innocent citizens of their valuables in broad daylight” by using the shanties as their illegal hiding places.

According to Abiodun, the cleanup is being done in advance of the setbacks being beautifully redesigned to go along with the Federal Government’s renovation of the expressway.

The command was given by Abiodun during a meeting with community leaders at the palace of the Olofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaiman Adekunle Bamgbade, in Isheri. The message was delivered on his behalf by Ola Oresanya, the Commissioner for Environment.

In a statement released on Sunday, the governor said that after multiple warnings, abatement notices, and other entreaties to relocate to government-approved markets failed, the decision to remove the street vendors and destroy all of their shanties was made in order to restore environmental sanity.

According to a press release issued by Rotimi Odunniyi, the Ministry of Environment’s press officer, Abiodun voiced worries about the animal vendors’ and other traders’ ongoing presence in the “filthy shanties,” which he claimed they had turned into their homes.

The governor stated that open defecation is becoming a common practice among the traders at the illegal market and warned that this trend could result in the spread of infectious diseases like cholera in nearby towns.

Abiodun emphasized, “So, my government will not wait and allow a small group of individuals to put the safety and health of our decent people at risk by trading outside approved markets.”

In response, Oba Bamgbola promised that the locals would support the government’s endeavors to eradicate the street vendors’ threat from the axis.

The monarch acknowledged that in addition to creating environmental problems, the shanties are being exploited by criminals as a means of attacking defenseless inhabitants and other gullible members of the public.

claims that the sale of cows, rams, and other animals is a common activity at the Kara market, which is located along the Lagos-Ibadan highway.

Simon Ekpa Insists On Referendum For Biafra

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Leading the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, Mazi Simon Ekpa, has charged the Nigerian government with a long history of marginalization, inequality, and injustice against the Igbo people.

The actualization of the Biafra referendum, he claimed, could not be undone.

The information was revealed on Friday during a two-day extraordinary convention for the Biafra referendum in Helsinki, Finland, by Ekpa, a lawyer based in Finland and the Prime Minister of BRGIE.

The Biafra agitation, he added, has degraded into self-preservation as a result of the marginalization of Igbos in Nigeria.

Speaking at the ‘Biafra Helsinki Declaration’ convention on October 20–21, 2023, Ekpa said that the Nigerian government has not yet addressed the underlying causes of the Biafra agitation.

The Nigerian government, he claimed, was still treating the people of Biafra unfairly and with injustice.

The concept of “one Nigeria,” according to Ekpa, cannot last without equity and fairness.

As a result, Ekpa reported that Igbos had established BRGIE and Biafra De Facto Government (BDFG) to help the Southeast Asian nation and its people while Nigeria was in occupation.
The independence and liberty of Biafra should be permitted, he continued.

The current turmoil in Nigeria seems to be the subject of an international conspiracy to keep it quiet.

“Biafrans have once more been fighting for freedom for more than ten years. Terrorism for one’s own survival has replaced the original protest against marginalization.

Anger for self-preservation has replaced the original Biafra movement, which resurfaced more than ten years ago in opposition to marginalization and exclusion from government with relation to resource sharing and infrastructure development.

As for the underlying reasons for the unrest in the first place, they have not yet offered any compromises.

Worldwide, people have the right to voice their dissatisfaction with their governments, and the majority of rational nations react by engaging in conversation. That’s not the case in Nigeria, though.

No nation can be one without inclusiveness, equity, and justice, notwithstanding the discourse of “one Nigeria.”The opposite outcome was achieved by continuing the terror on Biafra rather than having a conversation and working persistently to resolve complaints.

“It is impossible to identify as a Nige­ria and deny certain regions of the nation the advantages of being a part of the same nation.”

Nigerian govt to build 34,500 homes under its Renewed Hope Cities Project

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In the first phase of its Renewed Hope locations Project, the Federal Government intends to build 34,500 homes in certain locations across the 36 states, according to Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ahmed Dangiwa.

Speaking to Caroline Adepoju, the acting Controller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), during a courtesy call in Abuja on Saturday, Mr. Dangiwa made this statement.

He declared that expanding the availability of good, affordable housing for all Nigerians was a top government objective.

“All Nigerian segments will be integrated and inclusive of our Renewed Hope Cities.”They will consist of low- to medium-income earners’ affordable one-, two-, and three-bedroom bungalows and multilevel apartments.

“Despite the obstacles, we intend to construct Renewed Hope Cities around the country. The first phase will consist of 34,500 residences in a few chosen cities and state capitals throughout the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“To provide the elegance of terrace and detached bungalows and duplexes to high-income earners, we will leverage Public Private Partnerships with reputable developers,” the speaker stated.

Mr. Dangiwa claimed that in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the ministry has laid out precise, doable steps to enable Nigerians to achieve this.

“A primary goal is the reform of all federal housing agencies, including the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), which are overseen by the ministry and entrusted with providing affordable housing to Nigerians.”The objectives of your organization, which include providing all cadres of the diligent immigration officials with affordable housing, ought to be met and fulfilled by these two establishments.
Shelter, according to Ms. Adepoju, is a top necessity in any society.

We have therefore come to learn how our employees might profit from this new leadership. I am aware that there are initiatives in place that the Nigerian immigration service can take use of.

Ms. Adepoju stated, “Aside from that, I have come to appeal to you, sir, to the rescue of our personnel.”

“To offer the elegance of terrace and detached bungalows and duplexes to high-income earners, we will leverage Public Private Partnerships with reputable developers,” the speaker stated.

The minister stated that the ministry would use FMBN resources to help with finance.

SAlaafin stool: Absence of judge stalls hearing in suit filed by nine royal families

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The hearing in the lawsuit to include nine royal families in the choice of the next Alaafin of Oyo was delayed on Thursday due to the absence of the presiding judge.

The transfer of Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi, who went to be with his ancestors in April 2022 at the age of 83, left the Alaafin stool vacant.

Nine of the eleven royal houses of the Abiodun Atiba dynasty have demanded that their kinsmen be included in the selection process, even though the 46th Alaafin of Oyo selection process has already begun.

The nine families contended that it was improper to let Alowolodu and Agunloye be the only two families that could produce Oyo’s Alaafin.

Three of the nine families—known as the Atiba 9—had sued to have their names included in the selection process at the Oyo State High Court in Oyo Town.

In order to incorporate the nine royal families, they are asking for an injunction compelling the state government to review the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration. The State Executive Council Resolution from 1976, which declared the declaration to be faulty for excluding the nine families, serves as the foundation for their claim.

In order to invalidate the proclamation and make it unfit for the purpose of choosing a new Alaafin, the families are requesting an order.

However, the hearing on Thursday was delayed because the presiding judge was not present.

The court then set a new hearing date of November 28.

Tinubu has misplaced his magic wand – ex-Rep Bugage

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President Bola Tinubu has lost his ability to handle problems, according to a remark made on Thursday by Usman Bugaje, a former member of the House of Representatives.

During an appearance on “Politics Today” on Channels Television, Bugaje said as much.

With Tinubu’s performance since taking office, the former lawmaker expressed his disappointment.

“I collaborated with him before. Since I have the honor of working with him because I was a member of the Action Congress (AC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), I must admit that I am disappointed.

Since he is someone I knew would constantly have a book open and be able to interact, I thought the magic would never go away, but it has. “I fail to perceive it,” stated Bugaje.

We’re still in the early stages, but in my opinion, the idea of a problem-solver with magic is not present.

“There isn’t a single problem we can tackle. You witness daily the escalation of every known problem in Nigeria.