Breaking: Rivers elders drag Tinubu, Fubara, INEC, others to court
Six elders from the Rivers State, have instituted a legal action against President Bola Tinubu, for allegedly compelling Governor Siminilaya Fubara, to enter into an unconstitutional agreement, signed December 18. The matter before the Federal High Court, Abuja, maintained that the agreement was not only illegal but amounted to an usurpation, nullification, and undermining of the extant/binding relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1718/2023, mentioned the Rivers State House of Assembly representing Bonny State Constituency, Victor Jumbo, are Senator Bennett Birabi, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Rear Admiral O. P. Fingesi, Ann Kio Briggs and Emmanuel Deinma as the Plaintiffs. Specifically they want the court to, among other things, determine whether President Tinubu, Governor Fubara, and the Rivers State Assembly have the rights and are entitled to enter into any agreement that has the effect of nullifying or undermining the constitutional/legal potency of the provisions of Section 109(I)(g) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. They contended that neither President Tinubu nor Governor Fubara has the statutory powers to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from conducting fresh elections to replace the 27 Rivers State lawmakers. The said lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Others are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Governor Fubara, the Rivers Assembly, Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly, and the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Senate confirms 11 Supreme Court Justices
The Nigerian Senate, Thursday, confirmed the appointment of 11 Supreme Court justices sent by President Bola Tinubu to fill the vacancies in the apex court. The confirmation was made possible after the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee chairman on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, during plenary. Recall that President Tinubu had asked the Senate to confirm the nominees, who were recommended by the National Judicial Council to fill the vacant positions following death and retirement of some justices. The nominees confirmed are Justice Haruna Tsammani (North East) who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North Central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South East) and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South East) Others are Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah (North Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (North West), Justice Abubakar Umar (North West) and Justice Mohammed Idris (North Central). The chairman of the committee, Senator Tahir Monguno while presenting his panel report, said the nominees possessed the necessary qualifications and experience to occupy the position and that there was no petition against them. He subsequently recommended their confirmation. However, with the confirmation of the 11 justices, the Supreme Court now has the complete statutory requirement of 21 justices on its bench.
Federal Government Restores 8,000 Delisted Civil Servants to IPPIS
A whopping 8,000 civil servants previously delisted from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) have been restored to the payment portal. While announcing the decision, the federal government explained that their previous exclusion was due to alleged infractions. The disclosure of their reinstatement came from Mr. Joshua Apebo, the General Secretary of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), during a function in Lagos on Wednesday. Recall that earlier in September, the federal government had removed over 17,000 workers from the IPPIS platform, citing non-compliance with a verification process spanning five years. However, following the intervention of ASCSN, the government, facilitated by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, initiated the verification of the 17,000 civil servants in October. Mr. Apebo highlighted this new development, stating, “As of yesterday (Dec. 19, 2023), over 8,000 delisted civil servants have had their names reinstated on the IPPIS, and the government has pledged to pay their December salary along with three months’ arrears.” Moreover, he mentioned that the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria had submitted a list of committee members to the government for negotiating the minimum wage. The committee, according to Apebo, is set to be inaugurated in January 2024 to commence the negotiation process. “The last minimum wage was inaugurated in April 2019, and the regulation stipulates every five years for a review. By April 2024, it will be five years. Therefore, I hope that the negotiation will be concluded before then,” he affirmed.
Tinubu Asks Senate To Confirm 11 Supreme Court Justices
President Bola Tinubu has formally submitted the names of eleven justices to the Senate, seeking confirmation for their appointments to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. This action, detailed in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and disclosed during Wednesday’s plenary session, aligns with the constitutional provisions outlined in section 231(2) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. In the communication, President Tinubu identified the jurists slated for consideration and subsequent elevation to the apex court. The nominated justices encompass a diverse array of legal expertise and experience, including Justices Jummai Sankey, Stephen Adah, Mohammed Idris, Haruna Tsammani, Jamilu Tukur, Abubakar Umar, Chidiebere Uwa, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Obande Ogbuinya, Moore Adumein, and Habeeb Abiru.
Lagos Government Orders Tankers, Trailers To Vacate Apapa
The Lagos State Government has urged trailers and tankers to clear the Apapa-Oshodi expressway promptly. Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser on Transportation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made this call through an official statement today. He emphasized that these large vehicles continuously block traffic on the expressway, leading to disturbances and inconvenience for commuters. The aim of the directive is to ease traffic congestion and improve accessibility on the road for residents. Giwa highlighted that this action aims to create a more seamless commuting environment for everyone navigating through Lagos.
FG Announces 50% Reduction In Transport Fare
President Bola Tinubu has given the go-ahead for a 50% reduction in interstate travel fares for Nigerians during the festive season, starting from December 21, 2023, until January 4, 2024. Additionally, he has approved free rides on all train services within this period. The announcement was made by Mr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, during a briefing with State House Correspondents at Aso Rock Villa. He stated that travelers can benefit from this special presidential intervention by enjoying a half-price discount on public transport like mini and luxury buses. Moreover, all train services operating during the holiday season will be available at no cost. Alake emphasized that the government, in collaboration with transporters, road transport unions, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, is committed to ensuring the seamless implementation of this initiative. He confirmed that consultations with relevant stakeholders have taken place, and the Minister of Transportation is fully informed and ready for effective execution. However, the initiative does not cover air travel, as it’s aimed at benefiting the masses rather than luxury air passengers. Alake clarified that since air travel is considered a luxury, the focus remains on providing support to the majority who rely on ground transportation.
Rivers Crisis: Tinubu Meets Fubara, Odili In Aso Rock
President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a private discussion with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Fubara arrived at the seat of power accompanied by former Rivers State Governor Sir Peter Odili and other influential figures from the state. The President seems to be intervening to settle the dispute between the governor and his predecessor, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. Earlier, Wike was spotted at the State House. Sources from within the presidency confirmed that the meeting might be related to recent events in the state. This includes the defection of 27 out of 32 members of the State House of Assembly, who are supporters of the FCT Minister, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Before the meeting commenced in earnest, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima was observed attending the session.
NLC Denies Being Part Of FG Delegation To COP28 Summit
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated that its members were not among the 1,411 delegates who accompanied President Bola Tinubu to the recent COP28 climate change event. Through an official tweet, the NLC clarified that its engagement in climate change initiatives was independently financed and separate from governmental delegations. In their statement, the NLC highlighted, “NLC was not part of Federal Government’s Delegation to COP28. NLC Climate change Department has been involved in COP activities long before now. All our participation in Climate Change activities are fully driven and funded Independently.” This declaration by the union comes amidst criticism faced by the President Tinubu-led government for allegedly transporting an excessive number of delegates, surpassing 1,000 individuals, to the climate change summit, triggering discontent particularly during a period of economic strain in the nation. Responding to the criticism, the government refuted the claims of 1,411 delegates, asserting that only 422 individuals were funded for the trip.
Tinubu Returns To Nigeria After Controversial COP28 Summit
After his participation at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Dubai, President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja. Alongside attending the summit, he engaged in bilateral discussions with notable figures like King Charles of England and the President of UAE, aiming to solidify partnerships. Additionally, President Tinubu observed the signing of an agreement between Nigeria and Germany, focused on enhancing Nigeria’s electricity supply. He also conducted a significant meeting involving stakeholders and investors, discussing the Nigeria Carbon Market and the Electric Buses Rollout Programme during the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit. Having commenced his journey from Abuja to Dubai on November 29, 2023, for the summit that was scheduled to conclude on December 12, 2023, President Tinubu faced criticism over the large number of Nigerian delegates registered for the summit. Despite the controversy, the government clarified that it had funded only 422 individuals to attend, amidst the count of 1,411 registered delegates.
What Tinubu Told Lawmakers During 2024 Budget Presentation
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday presented the 2024 appropriation bill at the National Assembly’s joint session, marking his first annual budgetary presentation since assuming office six months ago. The President spoke at length about the economic environment, focusing on the challenges and strategies to navigate global headwinds while ensuring Nigeria’s economic stability. Tinubu highlighted achievements and outlined the key priorities of the proposed budget, themed ‘Budget of Renewed Hope.’ “Renewed Hope” encompasses job-rich economic growth, enhanced human capital development, poverty reduction, and a greater emphasis on social security. Defense and internal security were highlighted as top priorities, with plans for an overhaul of the internal security architecture. The President emphasized the importance of sustainability, focusing on funding tertiary education through a Student Loan Scheme and implementing business-friendly measures to catalyze private investment. The goal is a minimum economic growth of 3.76 percent and a moderated inflation rate of 21.4 percent for 2024. In alignment with global climate action, Nigeria aims to position itself as a leader in clean and sustainable energy. President Tinubu directed efforts toward COP 28 commitments, urging engagement to showcase Nigeria’s strides in creating an enabling environment for sustainable energy projects. The proposed 2024 budget allocates 27.5 trillion naira for the Federal Government, emphasizing non-debt recurrent expenditure, debt service, and capital expenditure. He said The government remains committed to meeting debt obligations while exploring public-private partnerships for critical infrastructure financing. President Tinubu lauded the collaborative efforts of the National Assembly and assured commitment to sustaining the relationship for the benefit of Nigerians. He urged a thorough legislative review process, emphasizing equitable and impactful project selection aligned with governmental visions and sectoral mandates.