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Fire Guts Nigerian Air Force Base In Abuja

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On Wednesday morning, a fire completely destroyed several buildings that were located within the Nigerian Air Force Base, which is located along Airport Road in the Federal Capital Territory.

As of the time when this report was filled out, the reason for the fire incident that occurred is unknown.

On the other hand, our correspondent was able to confirm that the timely intervention of the operatives from the Federal Fire Service attempted to put out the fire.

During a telephone interview with our correspondent, the Head of Operations for the FFF FCT, Amiola Adebayo, responded to a question about the incident by stating that firefighters were working diligently to completely put out the fire.

Adebayo stated that “the fire gutted part of the NAF Base, and our men are here putting out the fire, and we’re working hard to completely quench the fire.” Our men are currently working to put out the fire.

However, I am unable to provide a definitive answer as to what caused the fire outbreak at this time; however, we will issue a statement once our investigation is complete.

 

Bola Tinubu meets APC’s consensus candidates for Reps leadership

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On Wednesday, Bola Tinubu, the incoming president, met with the All Progressives Congress-backed candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Before leaving the country for Europe, Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, had meetings with the candidates for the House leadership, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

 

Abbas and Kalu were presented to the President-elect by the Joint Task Team of the House, according to a statement by Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s media representative.

Tinubu, who left the nation shortly after the meeting for a working trip to Europe, is expected to “finetune the transition plans and programmes” while there.

“The President-elect will meet with investors and other important allies during the visit with the aim of promoting investment opportunities in the nation and his administration’s readiness to support a business-friendly environment through policies and regulations.

Meetings have already been scheduled with representatives from the manufacturing, agriculture, technology, and energy sectors of the European business community.

According to the statement, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu “hopes to convince them that Nigeria is ready to do business under his leadership through mutually-beneficial partnerships premised on job creation and skill acquisition.”

According to rumors, the All Progressives Congress declared Senator Godwin Akpabio, the former minister of Niger Delta affairs, as its unanimous choice for the Senate presidency in the 10th Assembly on Monday.

As the next Deputy Senate President, the ruling party elected Senator Jibrin Barau, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

The APC zoned the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the North-West and the Senate presidency to the South-South.

Tajudeen Abbas, a lawmaker from Kaduna, was given the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Green Chamber, and Ben Kalu, a representative-elect from the South-East, won the position of Deputy Speaker.

 

 

Breaking: Ben Kalu secures significant endorsement for position of deputy speaker

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Abuja, FCT – Hon. Benjamin Kalu has received another significant endorsement less than 24 hours after being proposed for the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
On May 10, the Igbo Mandate Movement Group (IMMG) announced that they would set up camp with the representative of Abia State’s Bende federal constituency.
The IMMG national coordinator, Igboeli Arinze, reportedly said in a statement that those scheming to thwart Kalu’s candidacy are setting out on a journey with no hope of turning back. He also questioned why Kalu was rejected as Deputy Speaker by the Amalgamated Igbo Youth Progressive Forum. As Arinze put it

“Following the choice of Honourable Benjamin Kalu for the position of Deputy Speaker, we are aware that certain forces who have never put the progress of the Igbo nation as their priority has begun sponsoring attacks against the person of Kalu and his candidacy, this concerted media onslaughts were designed to dent the credibility of Kalu and force the leadership of the APC to rescind its decision, this, however, is dead on arrival.”

Arinze further noted that Kalu had played a pivotal role in the progress of the lower chamber of the national assembly and has been a contributory factor in passing bills and raising motions.
He said:

“Kalu’s imprints on the floor of the green chamber via his motions and bills are indeed quite impressive with over 40 motions and 20 bills with two receiving assent from the president.” “It is also important to note that on capacity, Benjamin Kalu’s Constituency projects are indeed top notch and we challenge these detractors to take a trip to Bende and verify his impact.”

Ben Kalu Has Decided To Withdraw From The Speakership Race, And Has Revealed His Plans For The Next Step In The Recall that Honorable Benjamin Kalu has stated that he will no longer compete for the seat of Speaker of the House of Representatives in the upcoming election. The All Progressives Congress leadership came to the conclusion that the position should be zoned to the northwest, and Kalu’s decision was consistent with that conclusion. During this time, the position of Deputy Speaker has been set aside for the southeast zone, and Kalu has been proposed as a candidate for the position.

 

Breaking: Court adjourns Peter Obi’s petition against Bola Tinubu with reason

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The presidential election petition court has postponed hearing on the petition filed by Peter Obi and the Labour Party challenging Bola Tinubu’s election as the winner on February 25.
According to the news, the tribunal postponed the lawsuit until next week on May 19, on Wednesday. According to reports, petitioners asked for an adjournment before the judge made a decision.

 

Court rejects further petition contesting Tinubu’s victory

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Another petition by the Action Peoples Party (APP) to overturn Bola Tinubu’s election as president-elect of Nigeria was dismissed by the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Action Alliance (AA), which had filed a petition challenging Mr. Tinubu’s victory, had on Monday had its case dismissed by a five-member court panel presided over by Haruna Tsammani.

Following INEC’s announcement that Mr. Tinubu had won the election, five different petitions were filed to contest his victory. Mr. Tinubu ran for president on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political parties and their candidates, including Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, were among the petitioners. They complained about how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) handled the election.

They requested, among other things, that the court declare Mr. Tinubu’s victory invalid and order a new election.

However, during the proceedings on Wednesday, APP’s attorney, Obed Agu, told the court that he had filed a notice of withdrawal of the petition on May 9.

“We are requesting that this court grant us permission to withdraw the petition we filed on March 19.”

“As well as an order striking out or dismissing the petition, same having been withdrawn,” the attorney said.

Mr. Agu used Sections 29(1), 29(2), and 29(3) of the Schedule for Election Petitions as justification for dismissing the petition.

He withheld the explanation for the party’s about-face.

Nnadi Osita, the APP’s presidential candidate, received 12,839 votes, a tiny fraction of Mr. Tinubu’s 8.8 million votes.

Its 19 March petition was based, among other things, on the claim that Mr. Tinubu “corruptly induced” election officials at local government and state collation centers in “Kano, Kaduna, Imo, Rivers, Kebbi, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun, Kogi and Kwara states” in order to skew the results of the presidential election in his favor.

According to the party, Mr. Tinubu had “fictitious figures ascribed to him,” which gave him a significant advantage across the board.

Ruling

In a short ruling, the court dismissed the petition.

“Having listened to all the parties, we are satisfied that there is no collusion. The petition having been withdrawn, it is hereby dismissed,” Mr Tsammani said.

Tinubu is pleased with the petition’s withdrawal

Wole Olanipenkun, counsel for Mr. Tinubu, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and did not raise any issues with the APP’s request to withdraw the petition.

In the hopes that more will follow, we want to congratulate them. My Lords, we are not asking for money,” Mr. Olanipenkun said, to the amusement of the other attorneys present in the crowded courtroom.

 

In a similar vein, Lateef Fagemi, a SAN and APC’s legal representative, did not object to the petition’s withdrawal.

Mr. Fagbemi urged additional litigants to follow the AA and APP’s guidelines and withdraw their complaints, including Atiku and Mr. Obi.

“The petitioners deserve praise for acting morally. Let those who haven’t do it right away, Mr. Fagbemi said.

The petition’s withdrawal was not contested by INEC’s attorney, Abubakar Mahmoud.

After the APP withdrew its petition on Wednesday, Mr. Tinubu and his party now have three cases to litigate.

In addition to the two more well-known cases brought by the PDP and Labour Party, Mr. Tinubu is also dealing with the third case brought by the All Peoples Movement (APM).

APM’s petition requested that Atiku Abubakar, who finished second in the election, be recognized as the new president by the Presidential Election Petition Court.

The APM, whose candidate for president, Chichi Ojei, received 25,961 votes, claimed that Mr. Tinubu was improperly sponsored by the APC by putting Kashim Shettima forward as a vice presidential candidate.

As a “placeholder” for the actual vice presidential candidate, who would later be Mr. Shettima, Mr. Tinubu chose Ibrahim Masari, a politician from President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state of Katsina, in June 2022 when he submitted his presidential nomination form to INEC.

The petitioner charged Mr. Shettima with “double nominations” after learning that he had been chosen by the APC as both its senatorial candidate for Borno Central District and later as the vice-presidential candidate for the elections on February 25.

Oyetola Congratulates Adeleke After Supreme Court Ruling

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It was reported that Gboyega Oyetola, a former governor of Osun State, has acknowledged the legitimacy of Senator Ademola Adeleke’s election as governor of the state and has accepted the ruling that was handed down on Tuesday by the highest court in the land. This ruling validated Adeleke’s position as governor.

In a statement that he personally signed and made available to the public, the former governor said that despite the fact that the verdict of the Supreme Court went against what the members and supporters of his party wanted, he accepted it in the interest of maintaining peace and advancing the development of the state.

Oyetola urged the members of his party (APC), his supporters, and those who voted for him during the governorship election on July 16, 2022, in the State, to accept the verdict as the will of God and move on with their lives.

“We have no doubt in our minds that we presented the Supreme Court with a compelling argument; however, the Court reached a different conclusion and has rendered its decision. We, along with the members and supporters of our party, are obligated to accept the result even though it goes against our wishes and the wishes of those who support our party.

“To all of our members and supporters across the state, I strongly urge you to accept the verdict handed down by the Court and move on with your lives. We are in a position where we can only benefit from the current situation. It can be seen as a defeat, as well as a success all, rolled into one. “Even though we technically lost Osun, we gained Nigeria,” he stated.

In addition, the former governor pleaded with the members of the party as well as the numerous supporters to not let the decision of the court make them sad and depressed and encouraged them to prepare themselves for the challenges that lie ahead for the party.

Read Also: Breaking: Buhari asks for Senate approval of loan request for $800m

“I will continue to dedicate myself to the progress and expansion of Osun. As a result, I will keep cooperating with Osun residents who have good intentions, as well as Osun organizations and institutions, in order to promote the state’s overall development. In a similar vein, I urge all residents of Osun, regardless of their party affiliations, to continue to demonstrate the Omoluabi ethos and uphold the dreams that our ancestors had for the state.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to the Governor of Osun, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on your victory in the Supreme Court. While I pray that our people and the state will benefit greatly from your term in office, I strongly encourage you to put your attention on providing effective governance in the meantime.

“Putting politics aside, the time has come to let you know that the interest of the masses must be most paramount without any restrictions or discrimination based on political persuasion, creed, or religion. The time has come to let you know this.” Whatever individual disagreements we may have, they must be set aside for the sake of the progress of our great state. Regardless of their religious or political leanings, all Osun people need to have their safety ensured by the government. In closing, Oyetola said, “I pray that God grants you both peace and progress during your tenure.”

Breaking: Buhari asks for Senate approval of loan request for $800m

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On Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari pleaded with the Senate to grant a new loan request for $800 million.

 

Buhari stated that the loan would be used to expand the National Social Safety Net Program in a letter that was read aloud by Senate President Ahmad Lawan during plenary.

 

He further stated that the World Bank would provide the loan.

Details soon…

 

Ahmed Wase, Others Storm APC National Secretariat at 10th NASS

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Along with a few other candidates for the speakership of the 10th Assembly House of Representatives, Idris Wase, the deputy speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, stormed the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday in the afternoon.

In the midst of the debate over the zoning template for leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly, Wase paid a visit to the secretariat.

A zoning template was released on Monday by the ruling party’s National Working Committee (NWC), according to a previous report from Naija News.

Sen. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, specifically, would represent the South-South as the Senate President, according to a document released by the party’s NWC on Monday at the conclusion of the NWC meeting in Abuja.

Others include Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano), the deputy president of the senate from the North West. Speaker of the House of Representatives for the North West, Hon. Abass Tajudeen (Kaduna).

Deputy Speaker for the South-East, Honorable Ben Kalu (Abia).

APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu’s office was the next stop for Wase’s convoy on Wednesday after it arrived at the party headquarters around midday.

 

Later, more information…

Adeleke: Osun APC to PDP: “We Shall Meet In The Trenches”

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has reported that it is in good fortune to have received the verdict and confirmation of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the governorship election that took place on July 16, 2022 from the Supreme Court.

The party did, however, acknowledge that the decision of the court is distressing. It did, however, reassure both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the government that is currently in power that they would be meeting in the ring when the time was constitutionally appropriate.

It was reported that this was stated by the APC in a communique that was issued on Tuesday, May 9, by Tajudeen Lawal, who is serving as the acting Chairman of the party in Osun state.

Lawal, who was speaking in Osogbo, which is the capital of the state, said, “Even though we are not happy with the judicial decision, the Supreme Court decisions were final, which could not be challenged in any other court of the land.”

Read Also: El-Rufai discloses position he will not accept in Tinubu govt

According to him, as a democratic political body that solely believed in the rule of law, there was no way that the party could fault the judgment of the Supreme Court as the highest court in the land. As the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court is the court with the most authority in the country.

“While we are congratulating the person who will benefit from the judgment, we want to make it clear that we will not fail to play the roles of opposition that are expected of us in order to keep the government on its toes.

“The members and supporters of our party should not allow themselves to become disheartened by the current political situation in the state because the very nature of politics is such that one does not win every single time.”

“The current situation of the winner(s) of today does not make him the perpetual winner, as the political office that was contested for is a tenured one for a period of four years; after that, we shall have the opportunity to slug it out with those who are rejoicing over today’s victory,” the speaker said. “The prevailing condition of the winner(s) of today does not make him the perpetual winner.”

“It is, however, worthwhile to state that our party and our candidate, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, might have lost the election as the apex court of the land pronounced it, but it is visible to the court of the public that they never lost the battle.” “It is worthwhile to state that our party and our candidate, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, might have lost the election as the apex court of the land pronounced it.

“That Osun State is a common patrimony is the reason we are assuring the PDP and the government that we shall be meeting in the trenches when it is constitutionally ripe to do so,” Lawal stated. “That Osun State is a common patrimony is why we are assuring the PDP and the government that we shall be meeting in the trenches.”

Read Also: Disgruntled Benue lawmakers reject Ortom’s pension bill.

The chieftain of the party stated that the esteemed members and supporters of the APC would be informed of the path forward for the party in Osun as soon as possible.

It was reported that a five-member panel of the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had confirmed Adeleke’s victory on March 24. The Court of Appeal in Abuja was located in the capital city of Nigeria.

The Osun tribunal had on January 27 declared Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress as the valid winner of the poll after the Independent National Electoral Commission had returned Adeleke as the winner of the poll. The Osun tribunal had previously annulled Adeleke’s victory and declared Oyetola as the valid winner of the poll.

Disgruntled Benue lawmakers reject Ortom’s pension bill.

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Due to the non-payment of six months’ salary arrears and other allowances, members of the Benue State House of Assembly have suspended their work, which has put the contentious executive pension bill under review at risk of failure.

Remember that an executive pension bill was introduced by the departing Samuel Ortom administration?

 

Attempting to get former governors and their appointees pensions, bonuses, and other benefits.

The bill, which has drawn criticism from some state residents, including the governor-elect, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, is intended to, among other things, give former governors and deputy governors access to permanent housing in any location of their choosing throughout the nation, four new cars every four years, and two new cars every four years for former deputy governors.

When the bill is passed after first reading, it will also give former governors and deputy governors access to six personal staff members each. Additionally, it offers free medical care to the previous governors, their spouses, and at least four minor children.

The House of Assembly has suspended sitting until all members’ emoluments have been paid, according to a member who spoke exclusively to our correspondent on Tuesday under the condition of anonymity.

The legislator lamented that the lawmakers were owed six months’ worth of salary arrears and allowances, claiming that the departing governor met with the Assembly’s People’s Democratic Party caucus last weekend.

“During the meeting, he (Ortom) committed to paying all unpaid allowances and salary with May allocation prior to his departure on May 29.

“As of this writing (Tuesday afternoon), we lawmakers have not received our December 2022 salaries, not to mention January, February, March, and April of this year. Now, six months have passed. Do you know that three months’ worth of overhead is owed to the House as well?

In light of this, we have declined to work on the pension bill. Until all of our emoluments are paid, we, the members, have suspended our meetings.

The ex-governors’ pension bill, the public account bill, and the bill amending tertiary education are some of the significant bills still pending before the House, according to the lawmaker.

Tertsea Gbisea, the head of the Benue State House of Assembly’s information committee, denied, however, that the House had canceled sessions because salaries and other remuneration had not been paid.

Gbisea claimed that the reason the House hadn’t met was due to official obligations.

“The House has not adjourned, but the point is that members have been engaged in official business. Members had previously traveled for electioneering, and following that, some of our members, including myself, went on an annual trip to the United States. We have recently returned. We should have started this trip a year ago.

Others, who were unable to obtain US visas, are currently in Abuja attempting to obtain visas for one of the European nations. We will return and take care of the necessary things as soon as we are finished with all of these, Gbisea said.

When questioned about the unpaid wages, the lawmaker claimed that Benue lawmakers were not unusual in their circumstance.

Our situation is not unique, he continued, as we are owed the same number of months’ worth of unpaid wages as other government employees. The governor has stated that all of these are due to a lack of funding and has promised to make everything right.

Gbisea stated in regards to bills before the House that he would not guarantee their passage prior to the departure of the departing government.

He remarked, “I can’t say whether the pension and other bills before the House will pass or not. You are aware that each bill is evaluated independently.

“When bills are presented to the chamber’s members, we have a duty to do justice by sending them to the proper committee. No bill has a predetermined outcome; it all depends on the debate that will ensue and whether the answer to that question is yes or no.