#EndBadGovernance: Please Protect Our Lives And Properties – APC Begs Security Operatives

APC Begs Security Operatives As Protesters Target Matawalle’s Residence

Ndigbo in the Crosshairs of ‘Days of Rage’ (2)

THE ‘Ides of March’ are now set for August. And that month is two days hence. Typical of Nigerians the ides of March have been re-branded and rechristened and restructured. Our own, if they actually happen, will not be for one momentous occasion. They are programmed to last for days, all of 10 consecutive days, from August 1. What a time to be alive.

Philip Shaibu defects from PDP to APC

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma Philip Shaibu, reinstated deputy governor of Edo state, has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Shaibu made the announcement on Saturday in Benin City, the state capital, He was said to have rejoined the APC with leading members of the Dan Orbih-led Legacy Group of the PDP. “On behalf of the Legacy Group, I announce our movement to the APC. We have come to add value to the party,” Shaibu said. “It is time to take back our state. We will not talk too much because action will speak for us. We are not afraid. We are ready to move forward. “We, the homeboys, are ready to take our state back through the APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa. “We are not troublemakers, but if it comes, we will use it to rub our body, and we move on.”

Rivers Guber: Court Upholds Gov Fubara’s Victory

The Appeal Court in Lagos State has reaffirmed Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the validly elected governor of Rivers State.  This decision came as the court dismissed a petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Patrick Tonye-Cole, against Governor Fubara and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court upheld the Tribunal’s previous ruling from October that validated Fubara’s electoral win, citing the withdrawal of the petition by the APC, the party backing Cole.  Despite Cole personally presenting the case in court, his petition sought to challenge the election’s outcome, alleging irregularities and misconduct in the electoral process.  However, the court’s decision supported Fubara’s victory based on the circumstances presented, further solidifying his position as the governor of Rivers State.

Plateau: Muftwang Debunks Reports Of Bribery Collection By Judges

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has vehemently denied allegations suggesting judges received a $5 million bribe to annul his election victory. Elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Mutfwang labeled the claims as “baseless and defamatory.” Through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, in Jos on Friday, Mutfwang refuted the allegations, attributing them to deliberate attempts by detractors to sow discord between him and the judiciary. Expressing deep concern, Mutfwang urged thorough investigations by security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the libelous publication, emphasizing the importance of facing legal consequences to deter such misconduct. Terming the report a fabrication by individuals manipulated as pawns by the opposition party in Plateau State, Governor Mutfwang highlighted that it aims to tarnish the PDP government’s image in the state. He reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Judiciary while cautioning against disparaging justices and respected leaders, warning of severe consequences for those engaging in destructive activities.

Kano Guber: Appeal Court Affirms Abba Yusuf’s Sack 

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the judgment of the Kano State Governorship Tribunal that sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as the governor of the state. The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, as the winner of the state’s governorship poll held on March 18. The Independent National Electronic Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Yusuf as the winner of the March 18, 2023 election, saying he garnered 1,019,602 votes to defeat Gawuna who got 890,705 of the votes cast. Consequently, the APC headed the Tribunal, citing alleged electoral malpractice. The Tribunal in it ruling nullified Yusuf’s election, adding that over 160,000 ballot papers “were not signed or stamped by INEC”. The three-man panel of the Tribunal led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay sacked Yusuf on September 20, 2023, after deducting 165,663 of his votes. Yusuf’s votes were subsequently reduced to 853,939 while Ganuwa’s 890,705 votes were not affected. Not satisfied, Yusuf proceeded to the appeal court which held that it can be seen that the Tribunal acted in the overall interest of justice when it allowed APC’s tendering of documents during trial. The court held that INEC released documents to the APC piecemeal in order to defeat the petition of the petitioner. The judgement further posited  the the Petitioner’s insistence that APC ought to have joined its candidate, Ganuwa, as a party at the Tribunal proceedings, was not backed by the 1999 Constitution. It maintained that a candidate is entitled to be represented by his political party during litigation, adding that every political party shall maintain the register of its voters. The court said the appellant to his own detriment did not submit his NNPP membership registrar or even tendered his statement on oath regarding his membership of the party. The court added that the name of Abba is not the NNPP membership registrar. “As rightfully found, Yusuf Abba was not a member of the NNPP at the time he was purportedly sponsored by his party and he was not qualified to contest the March Governorship Election,” the court while affirming the judgment of the Tribunal. “If you claim to be a member of a political party, is it not logical for you to say so by yourself and not by proxy? “Even though membership of a political party is an internal affair, a political party cannot be permitted to circumvent or breach the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. “The Tribunal was wrong not to have disqualified the appellant. “Therefore, the failure of the appellant and the NNPP to comply with the 1999 Constitution is fatal to their election. “All issues in this appeal are dismissed and the judgment of the Tribunal is affirmed,” the court held.

Peter Obi Slams Tinubu For Blaming Buhari For Nigeria’s Bankruptcy

*Charges APC On Transparency, Accountability To Nigerians The Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized Nuhu Ribadu’s claims of inheriting a financially bankrupt nation from the past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. During an address on Monday, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu said the incumbent government, under President Bola Tinubu, inherited a “bankrupt country”. He conveyed that they are encountering significant budgetary limitations, affirming that “I’m comfortable sharing this information with you. It’s important for you to understand. Our current situation is highly critical. “We’ve taken on an immensely challenging nation, one in financial disarray to the extent that we’re repaying debts accumulated in the past. The severity of this matter cannot be overstated. “Nevertheless, our administration is making every effort to fulfill our obligations, notably those concerning the armed forces, amid these challenging circumstances.” However, in response to Ribadu’s statements, Peter Obi faulted the All Progressives Congress (APC) government for its lack of transparency regarding the extent of the financial deficit inherited.  Obi emphasized the need for clear disclosure to inform the public about the nation’s current standing and future trajectory. Drawing parallels to the past, Obi recalled how the APC administration previously blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 for inheriting financial challenges and subsequently escalating the country’s debt profile. Expressing concern over the escalating debt from N12.6 trillion in 2015 to N87 trillion in 2023 during the APC’s tenure, Obi highlighted the nation’s deteriorating state across various developmental indices, including education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and security. Obi stressed the urgency of implementing measures to reduce the high cost of governance, redirecting resources towards critical sectors such as security, healthcare, education, and poverty eradication. The statement by Peter Obi on X formerly Twitter further questioned the rationale behind certain expenditures in the recently approved supplementary budget, emphasizing the necessity of allocating resources prudently to address the nation’s pressing needs. Obi called for concrete and measurable steps aimed at improving Nigeria’s current economic situation rather than allocating funds to non-essential areas.

Diri Secures Second Term, Defeats Sylva in Bayelsa Governorship Election

Governor Douye Diri has successfully secured a second term in office, emerging as the winner of the fiercely contested Bayelsa governorship election. The Returning Officer, Prof Faruq Kuta, declared Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner after a prolonged process with multiple breaks and adjournments. Diri garnered a total of 175,196 votes, defeating his main rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 110,108 votes. The victory margin for the PDP candidate was significant, with 65,088 votes ahead. The Labour Party (LP) secured a distant third place with a total of 905 votes. In a field of 18 candidates, Sylva was Diri’s primary contender, seeking to return as the governor for a third term. However, a month before the election, a Federal High Court in Abuja initially disqualified Sylva, citing constitutional limits on the number of terms served. Although the APC candidate challenged the decision and won an appeal, the 2023 election concluded with victory for Diri. The election results mark a decisive moment for Diri, who first assumed office in 2020. The PDP mobilized support in the face of legal challenges, including Sylva’s temporary disqualification, to secure a notable win in the oil-rich state.

APC’s Ododo Emerges Winner In Kogi Guber Race, Defeating Ajaka, Melaye

The November 11, 2023 Kogi State Governorship Election concluded with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Usman Ododo, emerging victorious, as announced by the State Returning Officer, Prof Johnson Urama, who is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The declaration came late Sunday night, marking the end of a keenly-contested race. Ododo secured a significant win with 446,237 votes, surpassing his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who garnered 259,052 votes. Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailed with 46,362 votes. The APC candidate dominated over half of the 21 local government areas (LGAs) in Kogi. As an ex-Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi under Governor Yahaya Bello, Ododo was the governor’s anointed candidate, seeking to succeed in the wake of Bello’s double terms of eight years. However, the electoral process was not without controversy. Melaye and civil rights groups raised concerns about “filled result sheets” in the Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area, leading to the suspension of the election in nine wards by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC subsequently announced that fresh polls would be conducted in 59 polling units in the affected area on November 18, 2023. The condition for holding these polls is subject to the Returning Officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle. In his late Sunday declaration, Urama highlighted that the total number of Permanent Voter Cards in the affected polling units was 16,247, which seemed insignificant compared to the substantial lead of about 200,000 votes garnered by the APC candidate ahead of Ajaka. The rejection of the election outcome by both Ajaka and Melaye stems from their expressed disappointment in INEC and security agencies, whom they accuse of collusion with the ruling APC in Kogi. The political aftermath of the Kogi State Governorship Election underscores the complex dynamics and contentious issues surrounding the electoral process in the state.

Guber Election: Respect Wishes Of Kogi People, APC Tells INEC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect the popular will of Kogi electorate in Saturday ‘s governorship election. Mr Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. “With the candidate of the APC, Usman Ododo, coasting to spectacular victory in Saturday’s Kogi governorship election, we call on INEC to protect the integrity of the legitimate votes of the Kogi electorate. “Announced and uploaded results, so far, show our candidate maintaining a landslide lead in Kogi West and Central, with a competitive showing in Kogi East,” Morka said. He said the APC was aware of intense pressure, including violent threats on INEC staff by agents and supporters of trailing opposition parties aimed at unduly influencing or disrupting ongoing collation of results in the state. He urged INEC to stand fast in discharge of its constitutional duty to deliver free, fair and credible election in the state, and ensure that the freely exercised will of Kogi electorate prevailed.