Benue APC Chairman Suspended

The Benue State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Augustine Agada, has been suspended by the party’s leadership in Ehaje Ward 1 in Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state. Agada and a ward member of the party were both passed votes of no confidence, effective immediately. The decision, made following the consideration of a petition by Comrade Dan Onjeh, the party’s 2023 Senatorial Candidate, accuses Agada of engaging in anti-party activities during the recent general elections. Citing provisions from the APC Constitution, the ward leadership listed seven grounds for Agada’s suspension. These included his failure to appear before the Ward Disciplinary Committee to address allegations, compelling evidence of working against the party’s interests, campaigning for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sen. Abba Moro, and losing his polling unit in key elections. The Ehaje Ward 1 leadership also alleged Agada withheld funds provided by the APC at the national level for logistics and election day activities. Additionally, Agada faces accusations of tampering with the list of APC election agents to undermine the party at the polls. The suspension, based on irrefutable evidence presented in the petition, was endorsed by the Ward Disciplinary Committee and subsequently discussed by the APC Ehaje Ward 1 Expanded Exco. The expanded Exco, invoking Article 17 sub-sections V and Vi of the party constitution, passed a vote of no confidence on Agada, suspended him immediately, urged relevant party organs to acknowledge the decision, and advised Agada to refrain from presenting himself as a party member or holding the position of Benue State Party Chairman.

“Peter Obi playing politics with insecurity” – Buhari’s former aide

Bashir Ahmad, a former assistant on digital communications to ex-president Muhammadu Buhari, has reacted to Peter Obi’s visit to the Al-Kadriyar family. Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, had paid a condolence visit to the grieving family of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar who was murdered by her abductors in the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja recently. “May the memories of Nabeeha and all those who have lost their lives to such violent attacks inspire us, especially we the leaders, to take more decisive action against this ugly monster of insecurity,” Obi said vis his X handle on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. Ahmad questioned the motive of the visit by the former governor of Anambra State days after the safe return of the four girls. “Where were you when people were going the extra mile to see Najeebah and her sisters rescued from captivity?,” Ahmad said. “Yet now, you have taken photographers to visit the family, which was solely to serve your personal and political interests. Haba!” He urged the Al-Kadriyar family to stop giving access to politicians who bring along a contingent of journalists for a visit that is more about photo opportunities than genuine sympathy. Ahmad added that even the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami and his friends, who were the major contributors to the rescue effort, did not visit the family.

Supreme Court affirms Fintiri as Adamawa governor

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Wednesday, affirmed the election of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri as the authentic governor of Adamawa State. The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro, dismissed as lacking in merit the application of Senator Aisha Dahiru Banani, alongside her party, All Progressive Congress Party (APC), challenging the outcome of the governorship election that was held in the state on March 18, 2023. Senator Binani, has through her Counsel, Chief Akinolu Olujimi, SAN, prayed the court to nullify the declaration of Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)as the valid winner of the gubernatorial contest. Specifically, she asked the court to set aside the concurrent verdict of the courts below that dismissed their case and upheld Fintiri’s re-election. She insisted that she polled the majority of valid votes cast at the election and was validly declared the winner by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC. She, among other things, prayed the court to determine who ought to be the bona fide Returning Officer in a gubernatorial election. However, Fintiri, through his lawyer, Mr Damian Dodo, SAN, urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal and validate his election victory. Fintiri argued that he emerged victorious, having secured the majority of lawful votes and fulfilled all the requirements of the law. Delivering judgement in the matter, the apex court panel, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, held that the action of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, who declared Senator Dahiru as the winner of the poll, was an act of irresponsibility and criminality. The court held that only a Returning Officer has the duty to announce the results of an election to avert chaos and anarchy in the process. According to the Supreme Court, the Electoral Act, 2022, specified who should declare results, stressing that such power was exclusively donated to the Returning Officer. Consequently, it resolved all the issues that were raised in the appeal against the appellants.

‘Your Accusation Is Baseless And Reckless’ – Tinubu Replies Atiku

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has berated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his accusation of fiddling amidst the security and economic challenges facing the nation. Atiku had, in a post via his official X handle on Tuesday, called on President Tinubu to step aside if he knows the responsibilities of being Nigeria’s President are bigger than his capacity. The former vice president, who faulted Tinubu for embarking on a private trip to France in the wake of the incessant kidnapping currently ravaging the nation, said that Nigeria does not need another tourist-in-chief. But in a statement on Tuesday night, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the accusation made by Atiku is baseless and reckless. Onanuga stated that the latest statement made by the former vice president fell short of what is expected from an elder statesman after should stop playing politics with the insecurity facing the nation. He said President Tinubu informed Nigerians of his private visit to France, and while in Europe, the President has been following developments at home, and he is on top of the situation in the country. Onanuga said the President is in constant touch with his officials and security chiefs and has directed them to stamp out every form of criminality in the country. The presidential aide asserted that Atiku is still suffering from his electoral defeat and latches on any issue to attack President Tinubu. The statement reads: “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s statement accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of fiddling amidst some security and economic challenges is, to say the least, reckless. “Coming days after he made an equally reckless allegation against the President on the crude for a loan deal for NNPC Limited, his latest statement fell short of what is expected from an elder statesman. “We like to believe that Alhaji Atiku is still not nursing the hangover of his electoral defeat and now latches on any issue to attack President Tinubu. “President Tinubu did not travel without informing Nigerians of his whereabouts. He announced a private visit to France and announced a return date. “While in France, President Tinubu has been following developments at home, and he is on top of the situation in the country. Today’s inauguration of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage bore his imprimatur. “He is in constant touch with his officials and security chiefs and has directed them to stamp out every form of criminality in the country. “He has particularly ordered them to apprehend those criminals responsible for the murder of two monarchs in Ekiti State and the kidnapping of some pupils in the state. “We are already seeing results with the arrest of over 139 kidnappers around Abuja, Kaduna and Benue States in the last one week. The police Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and DSS have also rescued 154 abducted persons in the last few days. “Just last week President Tinubu approved N50billion as Special Fund to address some of the lingering security challenges in North East where Alhaji Atiku hails from. To cope with the kidnapping challenges in the FCT, President Tinubu also approved funds for the acquisition of equipment to track criminals. “If Alhaji Atiku is really concerned about security issues and not playing cheap politics, he should have known that President Tinubu is on top of issues and working hard to restore peace to every part of our country. “Our security agencies are working very hard to bring the security situation under control. President Tinubu is giving them all the necessary support they need to win the battle against criminal elements and secure every inch of our country.”

No Vacancy  – APC Reacts As Yahaya Bello Moves To Unseat Ganduje As National Chairman

APC has told the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, that there is no vacancy within the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated this Tuesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the resolutions reached at the 141st meeting of the NWC. Bello had commenced the move to unseat Abdulahi Ganduje as the national chairman of the party after posters promoting him for the position of the chairman were seen at strategic places in the nation’s capital on Monday. Morka’s words: “There is no vacancy in the office of the national chairman. Our national chairman remains the chairman. This is democracy, people do what they want. We have total confidence in the leadership of the party. Those who are posting these papers around should desist from doing so.” Morka revealed that the ruling party would flag off the update of the party’s membership register in Niger State. According to him, “To flag off the update of membership registration nationally in Niger State, then flag off in one state in each of the other geo-political zones.” He also denounced the failure or refusal of the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly to swear in 16 APC House members adjudged by the Court of Appeal as the duly elected members of the Plateau State House of Assembly.  He said the stubbornness of the Speaker and the governor of the state in this matter was wrong, undemocratic and violently contemptuous of the authority of the Court of Appeal, the highest court for the determination of election petition matters as it concerns the House of Assembly.

Senate President Sets Agenda for 10th Assembly in Post-Break Address

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has announced an ambitious agenda while urging his colleagues to become a reference point in legislation for the Tenth Assembly. He stated this on Tuesday during plenary after resumption from the Christmas break. While expressing gratitude for the trust bestowed by constituents, Akpabio emphasized the need to meet heightened expectations following the previous year’s commendable performance. Akpabio also underscored the weighty responsibility senators carry in shaping the nation’s course and the welfare of its people, urging colleagues to exhibit courage, unity, integrity, and strategic approach to navigate uncharted territory and create a united nation. The Senate President called for collaborative efforts to tackle economic recovery, healthcare reform, national security, and social justice. Emphasizing the importance of transcending partisan divides, he encouraged collaboration with the Executive Arm under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, while upholding legislative independence. Advocating for open dialogue and compromise, President Akpabio urged senators to champion the marginalized and the voiceless, promoting justice and equality as he stressed the dual purpose of doing good for all and preventing injustices, asserting that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. As the Tenth Assembly commences, President Akpabio called on senators to be inspired by their collective potential. He urged them to strive for excellence, serve with integrity, and leave a lasting legacy of progress for future generations. The President concluded by expressing hope that the Tenth Assembly would stand as a reference point in legislation, a testament to collective dedication and vision. President Akpabio’s call for an impactful legislative legacy signals a renewed commitment as the Senate resumes its duties in the new year.

Kogi Governor Usman Ododo Speaks On Creating “Office Of The Immediate Past Governor”

The government of Kogi State has swiftly dismissed a piece of fake news making the rounds on some social media platforms insinuating that the Governor Usman Ododo has created an office for Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of the state. According to the press release signed by Oladele John NIHI, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ododo, the story is nothing but a “concoction of psychotic mischief makers”. The statement reads in full: “The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to a mischievous report that the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has approved the establishment of the “Office of the Immediate Past Governor” to be domiciled in the Government House. “The fake news should be disregarded as the handiwork of psychotic mischief makers, who have been thrown into confusion by the unprecedented achievements of our former Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, CON, and the realisation that the good people of Kogi State sincerely appreciate this. “The laughable report was concocted to create disaffection and mislead the public but the authors failed woefully to confuse intelligent Nigerians. “We thank the media for exercising restraint and detecting, on their own, that the report was fake. “We, however, urge the general public to always fact-check before spreading fake news.”

Supreme Court Delivers Judgment On Suit Seeking To Sack Tinubu As President

The appeal filed by Hope Democratic Party presidential candidate Ambrose Owuru against the administrations of President Bola Tinubu and the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, was struck out by the Supreme Court on Monday. The Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation are joined as the respondents in this appeal. Owuru’s appeal was turned down by the lower court. In dismissing the appeal, the appeal court found that Owuru had engaged in egregious procedural abuse by inciting the respondents with a pointless, vexatious, and vexing lawsuit. The appellate court further stated that Owuru’s attempt to revive the Supreme Court matter that had died in 2019 was intended to put subordinate courts in direct conflict with the supreme court’s authority. After that, the court mandated that he give N10 million to Buhari, Tinubu, the AGF, and INEC. Owuru had argued that Buhari, the outgoing president, had infringed upon his tenure in 2019 when the Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal contesting Buhari’s designation as the election’s victor. In addition, he requested another order barring any sort of handover inauguration that Buhari had planned or approved for May 29, 2023, until his appeal before the highest court had been decided. Dissatisfied with the judgment, Owuru approached the Supreme Court for redress. The appellant’s attorney, Olawuyi Olaoluwa, asked the court to adjourn the hearing when it was summoned on Monday. He added that he had just called early on Monday to represent the appellant. Justice Okoro questioned Olaoluwa about his knowledge of the case’s facts, to which he replied that he had not looked over the procedures. AGF attorney, Adedayo Ogundele urged the court to dismiss the appeal, claiming it constituted a misuse of the legal system. Okoro cautioned him against pursuing a similar case in the future. He said, “There is no substance in this matter. If it were a SAN that brought this matter, he would have been fined. As a young lawyer don’t take this kind of case again. It is not good for your career.” Olaoluwa afterward, applied to withdraw the matter. The five-member panel led by John Okoro dismissed the appeal.

President Tinubu’s Minister, Dele Alake Speaks On Contesting Governorship Election

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, says he has no interest in contesting to become the governor of Ekiti state. In a statement on Monday, Segun Tomori, the minister’s media aide, said Alake has nothing to do with the campaign posters circulating on social media, describing them as fake. He said Alake is committed to his current national assignment as a minister. Tomori added that Alake supports the current administration of Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti. The minister, an indigene of Ekiti, served as a commissioner of information and strategy in Lagos from 1999 to 2007. “The attention of the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Oladele Alake has been drawn to a poster that is circulating on social media and across WhatsApp groups where he is positioned as a gubernatorial aspirant in Ekiti State with the inscription ‘Take it Back’,” the statement reads. “The general public is hereby informed that Dr Alake has no interest in running for the governorship election in Ekiti State, either now or in the future.  “The poster in circulation does not have his approval as he does not know the people behind it. It is fake and should be discarded. “It is unconscionable that the Honourable Minister who is busy with the onerous task of reforming and revamping the Solid Minerals sector in Nigeria, a responsibility committed to him by President Bola Tinubu will leave that to be plotting for an election in Ekiti State.  “The Honourable Minister is a busy man, working tirelessly on how to make the solid minerals sector a major revenue earner for the country and for the sector to create thousands of high-paying jobs for Nigerians.”

Impeached Ogun Speaker docked over Alleged N2.5bn fraud

The impeached Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, was on Monday docked in a Federal High Court sitting in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta. The former Speaker was docked alongside two other officers of the state Assembly, Dayo Samuel and Adeyemo Adedeji. Oluomo and the duo were dragged before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged misappropriation of N2.5 billion. Oluomo allegedly committed the fraud while serving as the Speaker of the Assembly in 2022. Aside from the N2.5 billion fraud case, 18 out of 26 lawmakers signed for his impeachment over allegations bordering on high-handedness, gross misconduct, arrogance, poor leadership style, lack of focus and transparency, and pitching members against themselves. This former Speaker has, however, vowed to fight back as he told journalists that he had instituted a legal battle against the members of the Assembly. On Monday, shortly after the trio entered the dock, the court discovered that the counsel to the EFCC was absent. The Judge, Justice O.O Okeke, however, adjourned the case to 29th February and 1st of March.